Form 20-F
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2008

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

 

¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

OR

 

¨ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report                     

Commission File Number: 1-15092

 

 

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI A.S.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

TURKCELL

(Translation of Registrant’s Name Into English)

 

 

Republic of Turkey

(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

Turkcell Plaza

Mesrutiyet Caddesi No: 71

34430 Tepebasi

Istanbul, Turkey

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Mr. Serkan Okandan

Telephone: +90 212 313 1201

Facsimile: +90 212 292 5390

Turkcell Plaza

Mesrutiyet Caddesi No: 71

34430 Tepebasi

Istanbul, Turkey

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

 

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

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

American Depositary Shares   New York Stock Exchange
Ordinary Shares, Nominal Value TRY 1.000*   New York Stock Exchange
  Istanbul Stock Exchange

 

* Not for trading on the NYSE, but only in connection with the registration of ADSs representing such ordinary shares pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

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

None

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

None

 

 

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

Ordinary Shares, Nominal Value TRY 1.000                                2,200,000,000

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer  x                 Accelerated Filer  ¨                 Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

U.S. GAAP   ¨     International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board   x    Other   ¨    

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.     Item 17   ¨     Item 18   ¨

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

         Page

ITEM 1.

 

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

   2

ITEM 2.

 

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

   2

ITEM 3.

 

KEY INFORMATION

   3
 

3.A Selected Financial Data

   3
 

3.B Capitalization and Indebtedness

   10
 

3.C Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

   10
 

3.D Risk Factors

   10

ITEM 4.

 

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

   23
 

4.A History and Development of the Company

   23
 

4.B Business Overview

   23
 

4.C Organizational Structure

   71
 

4.D Property, Plants and Equipment

   71

ITEM 4A.

 

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

   72

ITEM 5.

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

   72
 

5.A Operating Results

   77
 

5.B Liquidity and Capital Resources

   97
 

5.C Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.

   102
 

5.D Trend Information

   103
 

5.E Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

   103
 

5.F Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

   104
 

5.G Safe Harbor

   105

ITEM 6.

 

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

   105
 

6.A Directors and Senior Management

   105
 

6.B Compensation

   108
 

6.C Board Practices

   109
 

6.D Employees

   111
 

6.E Share Ownership

   112

ITEM 7.

 

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

   113
 

7.A Major Shareholders

   113
 

7.B Related Party Transactions

   115
 

7.C Interests of Experts and Counsel

   117

ITEM 8.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   117
 

8.A Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

   117
 

8.B Significant Changes

   120

ITEM 9.

 

THE OFFER AND LISTING

   120
 

9.A Offer and Listing Details

   120
 

9.B Plan of Distribution

   122
 

9.C Markets

   123
 

9.D Selling Shareholders

   123
 

9.E Dilution

   123
 

9.F Expenses of the Issue

   123

ITEM 10.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   123
 

10.A Share Capital

   123
 

10.B Memorandum and Articles of Association

   123
 

10.C Material Contracts

   133
 

10.D Exchange Controls

   133
 

10.E Taxation

   133
 

10.F Dividends and Paying Agents

   139
 

10.G Statement by Experts

   140
 

10.H Documents on Display

   140
 

10.I Subsidiary Information

   140


Table of Contents
         Page

ITEM 11.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   140

ITEM 12.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

   142

ITEM 13.

 

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

   142

ITEM 14.

 

MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

   142

ITEM 15.

 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   142

ITEM 16A.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

   145

ITEM 16B.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

   145

ITEM 16C.

 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

   145

ITEM 16D.

 

EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

   146

ITEM 16E.

 

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

   146

ITEM 17.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   146

ITEM 18.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   146

ITEM 19.

 

EXHIBITS

   146


Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

This is the 2007 annual report for Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. (“Turkcell”), a joint stock company organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of Turkey. The terms “we”, “us”, “our”, and similar terms refer to Turkcell, its predecessors, and its consolidated subsidiaries except as the context otherwise requires.

Our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007 included in this annual report have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

The SEC has recently adopted rules accepting filings from foreign private issuers that include financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB without reconciliation to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States , or U.S. GAAP, as were previously required. As we believe that we meet the relevant criteria to avail ourselves of this SEC rule, we have decided to cease providing such reconciliation as part of our consolidated financial statements.

Certain figures included in this annual report have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for the same category presented in different tables may vary slightly, and figures shown as totals in certain tables may not total exactly. In this annual report, references to “TL” and “Turkish Lira” are to Turkish Lira; references to “TRY” and “New Turkish Lira” are to the New Turkish Lira; and references to “$”, “U.S. Dollars”, and “cents” are to U.S. Dollars and, except as otherwise noted, all interest rates are on a per annum basis. In this annual report, references to “Turkey” or the “Republic” are to the Republic of Turkey. “Counters” are the units we use with our subscribers to measure airtime.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Safe Harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this annual report, including, without limitation, certain statements regarding our operations, financial position, and business strategy, may constitute forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, or similar statements.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are contained in cautionary statements in this annual report, including, without limitation, in conjunction with the forward-looking statements included in this annual report.

While we believe that the expectations reflected in these and other forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from the expectations reflected in those statements due to a variety of factors, including, among others, the following:

 

   

competition in our home market;

 

   

regulations imposed by the Telecommunications Authority of Turkey (the “Telecommunications Authority”) that may require us to maintain certain minimum prices for our services;

 

   

increased competition and/or the entrance of new direct and indirect competitors in the market due to regulatory changes in Turkey with respect to certain technologies;

 

   

economic and political developments in Turkey and internationally;

 

1


Table of Contents
   

failure of the Turkish mobile telecommunications market to continue to develop;

 

   

failure to successfully integrate and manage the opportunities we pursue, particularly related to our current GSM business, new business models, new technologies and international activities;

 

   

technological changes in the telecommunications market;

 

   

legal and regulatory restrictions imposed by regulatory authorities in Turkey;

 

   

adverse effects on our competitiveness due to our designation by the Telecommunications Authority as an “operator holding significant market power” in the “mobile call termination services market” and as an “operator holding significant market power” in “access to GSM mobile networks and the call origination market”;

 

   

failure to abide by the requirements of our license or applicable regulations;

 

   

our current legal action against the Turkish Capital Markets Board (“CMB”);

 

   

legal actions and claims to which we are a party;

 

   

foreign exchange rate risks;

 

   

the influence of our controlling shareholders;

 

   

disputes between our principal shareholders;

 

   

exposure to certain risks through our interests in associated companies;

 

   

our negotiations to acquire a majority stake in Syriatel Mobile Telecom (“Syriatel”);

 

   

our ability to deal with spectrum limitations;

 

   

potential liability and possible reduced usage of mobile phones as a result of alleged health risks related to base transmitter stations (“BTSs”) and the use of handsets;

 

   

our dependence on certain suppliers for network equipment and the provision of data services;

 

   

our dependence on certain systems and suppliers for IT services and our exposure to potential natural disasters, regular or severe IT failures, human error, hacking and IT migration risk;

 

   

our ability to retain key personnel;

 

   

financial risks in the event that our majority owned subsidiaries fail to meet some of their obligations set forth in the agreements related to their financing arrangements; and

 

   

the current issuance and cancellation halt of American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) by depositories in Turkey.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these cautionary statements.

 

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not Applicable.

 

2


Table of Contents
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

3.A Selected Financial Data

Our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007 included in this annual report have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

You should read the following information in conjunction with “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report.

The following table presents our selected consolidated statement of operations, balance sheet and cash flow data as of and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, presented in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB which has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005. The information appearing under the captions “Other Financial Data” is not derived from the audited financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents
    2007     2006     2005  
    (Million $, except share data and other certain data)  

Selected Financial Data Prepared in Accordance with IFRS As Issued by the IASB

     

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data

     

Revenues

     

Communication fees

  5,976.9     4,406.7     4,295.9  

Commission fees on betting business

  181.3     172.4     112.5  

Monthly fixed fees

  54.8     57.6     54.9  

Simcard sales

  20.8     21.0     50.3  

Call center revenues and other revenues

  94.8     42.6     14.4  

Total revenues

  6,328.6     4,700.3     4,528.0  

Direct cost of revenues(1)

  (3,103.4 )   (2,627.9 )   (2,701.6 )

Gross profit

  3,225.2     2,072.4     1,826.4  

Other income

  7.8     8.1     15.4  

Administrative expenses

  (252.8 )   (154.9 )   (154.0 )

Selling and marketing expenses

  (1,138.2 )   (827.5 )   (700.5 )

Other expenses

  (22.5 )   (6.5 )   (4.9 )

Results from operating activities

  1,819.5     1,091.6     982.4  

Finance income

  308.4     184.0     167.5  

Finance expense

  (551.1 )   (108.0 )   (191.2 )

Net finance income/(expense)

  (242.7 )   76.0     (23.7 )

Share of profit of equity accounted investees(2)

  64.9     78.6     68.2  

Profit before gain on net monetary position, net

  1,641.7     1,246.2     1,026.9  

Gain on net monetary position, net

  —       —       11.0  

Profit before income taxes

  1,641.7     1,246.2     1,037.9  

Income tax expense

  (322.4 )   (413.2 )   (290.5 )

Profit for the period

  1,319.3     833.0     747.4  

Attributable to:

     

Equity holders of the Company

  1,350.2     875.5     772.2  

Minority interest

  (30.9 )   (42.5 )   (24.8 )

Profit for the period

  1,319.3     833.0     747.4  

Basic and diluted earnings per share(3)

  0.613710     0.397951     0.351021  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (at period end)

     

Cash and cash equivalents

  3,095.3     1,598.6     808.2  

Total assets

  8,469.0     6,089.7     5,215.1  

Long-term debt(8)

  140.4     113.5     79.2  

Total debt(9)

  760.0     639.6     657.3  

Total liabilities

  2,537.8     1,971.8     1,524.8  

Share capital

  1,636.2     1,636.2     1,439.0  

Total equity/net assets

  5,931.2     4,117.9     3,690.3  

Weighted average number of shares(3)

  2,200,000,000     2,200,000,000     2,200,000,000  

Consolidated Cash Flow Data

     

Net cash from operating activities

  2,156.2     1,854.9     1,072.6  

Net cash used for investing activities

  (440.5 )   (632.5 )   (659.2 )

Net cash used for financing activities

  (255.0 )   (395.8 )   (347.6 )

Other Financial Data

     

Dividends declared or proposed(4)

  557.0     411.9     342.2  

Dividends per share (declared or proposed)(5)(10)

  0.253172     0.187227     0.155545  

Gross margin(6)

  51 %   44 %   40 %

Adjusted EBITDA(7)

  2,627.1     1,820.0     1,722.2  

Capital expenditures

  783.1     604.8     772.6  

 

(1) Direct cost of revenues includes ongoing license fee and universal service fund payments, transmission fees, base station rents, billing costs, depreciation and amortization charges, technical, repair and maintenance expenses, roaming charges, interconnection fees, cost of Simcards sold, handset costs offered as part of our loyalty programs and personnel expenses for technical personnel.

 

4


Table of Contents
(2) Share of profit of equity accounted investees includes primarily the income (loss) from Fintur Holdings B.V. (“Fintur”) and A-Tel Pazarlama ve Servis Hizmetleri A.S. (“A-Tel”) of which we own 41.45% and 50.00%, respectively. Results of A-Tel’s operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements since August 2006. Fintur currently holds all of our International GSM investments other than our Northern Cyprus and Ukraine operations.
(3) Net income per share figures and weighted average number of shares reflected in our historical financial statements have been retrospectively restated for the stock splits and stock dividends as explained in note 22 to our audited consolidated financial statements.
(4) The U.S. Dollar equivalent of the cash dividends declared for the year ending December 31, 2007, which amount to TRY 648.7 million, was computed by using the Central Bank of Turkey’s TRY/U.S. Dollar exchange rate on December 31, 2007. The General Assembly meeting to approve the distribution of dividends for 2007 is expected to take place on April 25, 2008.
(5) In 2006, we declared dividends of $342.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, when 1,854,887,341 of our shares were outstanding. The decision of the Board of Directors was approved by the General Assembly which was held on May 22, 2006. Dividends per share for the year ending December 31, 2005 are computed over 2,200,000,000 shares in order to reflect the effect of certain stock splits and stock dividends as explained in note 22 to our consolidated financial statements. In 2007, we declared dividends of $411.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, when 2,200,000,000 of our shares were outstanding. The decision of the Board of Directors was approved by the General Assembly meeting which was held on March 23, 2007. In 2008, we declared dividends of $557.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, when 2,200,000,000 of our shares were outstanding. The General Assembly meeting to approve the declaration of dividends by the Board of Directors is expected to be held on April 25, 2008.
(6) Gross margin has been calculated as gross profit divided by total revenues.
(7) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that equals net income before finance income, finance expense, income tax benefit (expense), other income, other expense, minority interest, share of profit of equity accounted investees, gain on net monetary position, depreciation and amortization.
(8) Consists of long-term loans and borrowings and long-term lease obligations.
(9) Consists of long-term and short-term loans and borrowings and lease obligations.
(10) Dividend per share figures in TRY are TRY 0.2948699 for the year ended December 31, 2007, TRY 0.257745 for the year ended December 31, 2006 and TRY 0.231398 for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

5


Table of Contents
     2004     2003  
     (Million $, except share data and
other certain data)
 

Selected Financial Data Prepared in Accordance with US GAAP

    

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data

    

Revenues

    

Communication fees

   3,088.1     2,143.6  

Commission fees on betting business

   20.3     —    

Monthly fixed fees

   51.9     41.1  

Simcard sales

   28.3     24.4  

Call center revenues and other revenues

   12.2     10.1  

Total revenues

   3,200.8     2,219.2  

Direct cost of revenues(1)

   (2,001.2 )   (1,613.2 )

Gross profit

   1,199.6     606.0  

Administrative expenses

   (137.3 )   (137.2 )

Selling and marketing expenses

   (349.2 )   (294.6 )

Income from operations

   713.1     174.2  

Income (loss) from related parties, net

   1.9     3.7  

Interest income (expense), net

   31.3     (366.3 )

Other income (expense), net

   7.1     6.2  

Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated investees(2)

   43.6     18.9  

Minority interest in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries

   7.5     3.6  

Translation loss

   (11.3 )   (102.4 )

Income (loss) before taxes

   793.2     (262.1 )

Income tax benefit (expense)

   (281.4 )   477.3  

Net income (loss)

   511.8     215.2  

Basic and diluted earnings per share(5)

   0.232636     0.097818  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (at period end)

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   763.8     582.7  

Total assets

   4,361.5     3,867.3  

Long-term debt(3)

   269.7     522.2  

Total debt(4)

   832.6     630.2  

Total liabilities

   2,376.0     2,320.0  

Share capital

   636.1     636.1  

Total equity/net assets

   1,985.5     1,547.3  

Weighted average number of shares(5)

   2,200,000,000     2,200,000,000  

Consolidated Cash Flow Data

    

Net cash from operating activities

   603.9     1,041.3  

Net cash used for investing activities

   (542.3 )   (198.9 )

Net cash used for financing activities

   119.5     (653.8 )

Other Financial Data

    

Dividends declared(6)

   182.2     78.1  

Dividends per share (declared)(7)

   0.082818     0.035500  

Gross margin(8)

   37.5 %   27.3 %

Capital expenditures

   486.7     172.9  

 

(1) Direct cost of revenues includes ongoing license fee, transmission fees, base station rents, billing costs, depreciation and amortization charges, technical, repair and maintenance expenses, roaming charges, interconnection fees, cost of Simcards sold and personnel expenses for technical personnel.
(2) Equity in net income (loss) of consolidated investees includes primarily the income (loss) from Fintur Holdings B.V. (“Fintur”) of which we own 41.45%. Fintur currently holds all of our International GSM investments other than our Northern Cyprus and Ukraine operations.
(3) Consists of long-term loans and borrowings and long-term lease obligations.
(4) Consists of long-term and short-term loans and borrowings and lease obligations.

 

6


Table of Contents
(5) Net income per share figures and weighted average number of shares reflected in our historical financial statements have been retrospectively restated for the stock splits and stock dividends.
(6) In 2004, we paid dividends of 78.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, when 500,000,000 of our shares are outstanding. In 2005, we paid dividends of 182.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, when 1,854,887,341 of our shares are outstanding.
(7) Dividends per share for the year ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 is computed over 2,200,000,000 shares in order to reflect the effect of certain stock splits.
(8) Gross margin has been calculated as gross profit divided by total revenues.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure which equals net income before finance income, finance expense, income tax benefit (expense), other income, other expense, minority interest, share of profit of associates, gain on net monetary position, depreciation and amortization. Our management reviews Adjusted EBITDA as a key indicator each month to monitor our cash generation ability and liquidity position. Net income is generally considered by our management as the main indicator for our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of liquidity under IFRS as issued by the IASB and should not be construed as a substitute for net income (loss) as a measure of performance or cash flow from operations as a measure of liquidity.

We believe Adjusted EBITDA, among other measures, facilitates liquidity comparisons from period to period and management decision making. It also facilitates liquidity comparisons from company to company. Adjusted EBITDA as a liquidity measure eliminates potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting interest expense), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or companies of changes in effective tax rates) and the age and book depreciation of tangible assets (affecting relative depreciation expense). We also present Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in evaluating the liquidity of other mobile operators in the telecommunications industry in Europe, many of which present Adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results.

Nevertheless, Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation from, or as a substitute for analysis of, our results of operations, as reported under IFRS as issued by the IASB.

Some of these limitations are:

 

   

it does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

 

   

it does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

   

it does not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt;

 

   

although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;

 

   

it is not adjusted for all non-cash income or expense items that are reflected in our consolidated statement of cash flows; and

 

   

other companies in our industry may calculate this measure differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our results under IFRS as issued by the IASB and using Adjusted EBITDA measures only supplementally. See “Item 5—Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and the consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this annual report.

 

7


Table of Contents

The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, as calculated using financial data prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB, to net cash from operating activities, which we believe is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2005  
     (Million $)  

Adjusted EBITDA

   2,627.1     1,820.0     1,722.2  

Income tax expense

   (322.4 )   (413.2 )   (290.5 )

Other operating income/(expense)

   (10.8 )   0.3     10.5  

Financial income

   1.6     (46.4 )   (187.6 )

Financial expense

   (264.4 )   19.9     76.8  

Net decrease in assets and liabilities

   125.1     474.3     (258.8 )

Net cash from operating activities

   2,156.2     1,854.9     1,072.6  

The following table presents selected operational data:

Operating Results

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2005  

Industry Data

      

Estimated population of Turkey (in millions)(1)

   70.6     74.4     73.4  

Turkcell Data

      

Number of postpaid subscribers at end of period (in millions)(2)

   6.4     5.8     5.4  

Number of prepaid subscribers at end of period (in millions)(2)

   29.0     26.0     22.5  

Total subscribers at end of period (in millions)(2)

   35.4     31.8     27.9  

Average monthly revenue per user (in $)(3)

   14.3     12.1     14.0  

Postpaid

   37.6     31.0     33.5  

Prepaid

   9.2     7.8     9.0  

Average monthly minutes of use per subscriber(4)

   76.3     70.3     67.7  

Churn(5)

   19.9 %   14.7 %   10.1 %

Number of Turkcell employees at end of period

   2,875     2,751     2,818  

Number of employees of consolidated subsidiaries at end of period(6)

   6,782     5,257     4,658  

 

(1) The Turkish population for 2007 is based on data derived from the address-based population registration system announced in January 2008. The Turkish population for 2006 and 2005 has been estimated based upon the 1996 and 2000 censuses prepared by the Turkish Statistical Institute, applying a projected monthly growth rate of 0.13%.
(2) Subscriber numbers do not include the subscribers in Ukraine and Northern Cyprus.
(3) We calculate average revenue per user, ARPU, using the weighted average number of our subscribers during the period. ARPU does not include the results of our operations in Ukraine and Northern Cyprus.
(4) Average monthly minutes of use per subscriber is calculated by dividing the total of incoming and outgoing airtime minutes of use by the average monthly number of postpaid and prepaid subscribers for the year divided by twelve. Our Minutes of Usage (“MoU”) calculation does not include our operations in Ukraine and Northern Cyprus.
(5) Churn rate is the percentage calculated by dividing the total number of subscriber disconnections during a period by the average number of subscribers for the same period. For these purposes, we define “average number of subscribers” as the number of subscribers at the beginning of the period plus one half of the total number of gross subscribers acquired during the period. Churn refers to subscribers that are both voluntarily and involuntarily disconnected from our network. Our churn calculations do not include our operations in Ukraine and Northern Cyprus.
(6) See “Item 6.D. Employees” for information with respect to our consolidated subsidiaries.

 

8


Table of Contents

Exchange Rate Data

Effective January 1, 2005, the Turkish parliament redenominated the Turkish Lira and created a new currency, the New Turkish Lira or TRY. One million Turkish Lira is equal to one New Turkish Lira. Turkish Lira remained in circulation along with the New Turkish Lira until the end of 2005. Effective January 1, 2006, only New Turkish Lira are in circulation in Turkey.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for the New Turkish Lira and historically has not reported a noon buying rate for the Turkish Lira. For the convenience of the reader, this annual report presents translations of certain New Turkish Lira amounts into U.S. Dollars at the relevant New Turkish Lira exchange rate for purchases of U.S. Dollars at the TRY/$ Exchange Rate announced by the Central Bank of Turkey. In addition, this annual report presents translations of certain New Turkish Lira amounts into U.S. Dollars at the relevant New Turkish Lira exchange rate for purchases of U.S. Dollars at the TRY/$ Exchange Rate announced by the Central Bank of Turkey. Prior to January 1, 2006, unless otherwise stated, any balance sheet data in U.S. Dollars derived from our consolidated financial statements are translated from New Turkish Lira into U.S. Dollars at rates announced by the Central Bank of Turkey on the date of such balance sheet for monetary assets and liabilities and at historical rates for equity and non-monetary assets and liabilities. Starting from January 1, 2006, any balance sheet data (monetary or non-monetary) in U.S Dollars derived from our consolidated financial statements are translated from New Turkish Lira into U.S Dollars at exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses for each income statement (including comparatives) are translated to U.S. Dollars at monthly average exchange rates. Any data from our consolidated statements of operations in U.S. Dollars derived from our consolidated financial statements are translated from New Turkish Lira into U.S. Dollars at historic rates. Unless otherwise indicated, the TL/$ exchange rate or TRY/$ exchange rate used in this annual report is the TL/$ exchange rate or TRY/$ exchange rate in respect of the date of the financial information being referred to.

The following table sets forth, for the periods and the dates indicated, the Central Bank of Turkey’s buying rates for U.S. Dollars. These rates may differ from the actual rates used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements and other information appearing herein. The TRY/$ exchange rate as of April 1, 2008 was TRY 1.306 = $1.00.

 

     Year ended December 31,(1)
     2008(2)(3)    2007(2)    2006(2)    2005(2)    2004    2003

High

   1.306    1.450    1.693    1.400    1,550,710    1,746,390

Low

   1.145    1.163    1.297    1.254    1,301,340    1,348,023

Average(1)

   1.190    1.303    1.431    1.344    1,422,514    1,492,581

Period End

   N/A    1.165    1.406    1.342    1,342,100    1,395,835

 

Source: Central Bank of Turkey

(1) Calculated based on the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the relevant period.
(2) These columns set forth the Central Bank of Turkey’s buying rates for U.S. Dollars expressed in New Turkish Lira.
(3) Through April 1, 2008.

 

     April
2008(1)
   March
2008
   February
2008
   January
2008
   December
2007
   November
2007
   October
2007

High

   1.306    1.277    1.222    1.222    1.186    1.212    1.231

Low

   1.306    1.191    1.159    1.145    1.163    1.168    1.177

 

Source: Central Bank of Turkey

(1) Through April 1, 2008.

No representation is made that the New Turkish Lira or the U.S. Dollar amounts in this annual report could have been or could be converted into U.S. Dollars or New Turkish Lira, as the case may be, at any particular rate. Changes in the exchange rate between New Turkish Lira and U.S. Dollars could affect our financial results. For a discussion of the effects of fluctuating exchange rates on our business, see “Item 5A. Operating Results.”

 

9


Table of Contents

3.B Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

3.C Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

3.D Risk Factors

Competition in our home market has increased in recent years and may continue to increase in the future.

We face intensifying competition in our home market from other GSM providers and other telecommunications companies offering competing services, which could affect our ability to add new customers at current rates and lead to a decrease in the size of our market share. In the Turkish GSM market, we currently face competition from Vodafone Telekomunikasyon A.S. (“Vodafone”) and Avea Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. (“Avea”). Competition has increased in recent years due, in part, to structural changes in the competitive environment. The Vodafone Group, a large multinational GSM operator, acquired all the shares of Telsim Mobil Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri A.S. (“Telsim”), one of our Turkish GSM competitors, on May 24, 2006, established Vodafone as the new operating company for Telsim and rebranded Telsim as Vodafone. In addition, Turk Telekomunikasyon A.S. (“Turk Telekom”), the fixed-line telecommunications operator in Turkey, increased its stake in Avea from approximately 40.5% to 81% in September 2006. Turk Telekom is 55% owned by Oger Telecom, a multinational GSM operator in which Saudi Telecom Company, the Arab world’s largest telephone company, agreed in January 2008 to buy a 35% stake.

This competition has been increasingly focused on price, as well as other factors such as quality of service, use of bundled offers (including free minutes or free SMS messages) and increasing handset subsidies from GSM operators. Such competition may make it more difficult to attract and retain customers, causing higher churn rates as customers switch carriers to take advantage of lower offers. In addition, it may pressure us to lower prices.

We also face competition from Turk Telekom and other telecommunications service providers. Turk Telekom’s fixed line products and those of these other providers may provide an alternative to GSM for customers’ communications needs for both voice and data transmission. In light of such circumstances, we expect competition from Turk Telekom’s fixed line business and from these other telecommunications service providers to intensify in the future.

In addition, as further discussed below, we expect that third generation (“3G”) licenses and other types of licenses will be offered in Turkey, which will potentially open the door to new competitors.

The Telecommunications Authority has and may continue to require us to maintain certain prices for our services, which has and may continue to have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

In response to complaints by Vodafone and Avea, the Telecommunications Authority has recently required us to maintain certain prices for our services. For the tariffs that we charge our subscribers for calls terminated on our network (on-net tariffs), the Telecommunications Authority mandated that our regular and discounted on-net tariffs could not be less than the lowest interconnection rate applicable. In addition, the Telecommunications Authority set a maximum price of TRY 0.66 (including Value Added Tax (“VAT”)) that we may charge our subscribers for calls that are terminated outside of our network on other mobile operators’ common subscription packages.

Due to the high-level of complexity involved, we sought clarification of its decisions and we have taken actions to revise some of our tariffs and campaigns to comply with the Telecommunications Authority’s new policy to the extent practical and to our best understanding.

 

10


Table of Contents

The Telecommunication Authority’s actions have negatively affected our ability to design and launch new campaigns and offers and, consequently, have had a negative impact on our business, particularly on our fourth quarter 2007 and first quarter 2008 results.

We have also commenced litigation against the Telecommunications Authority to challenge these decisions, which we believe exceed the scope of its authority and violate the terms of our license agreement. See “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.”

Following discussions with the Telecommunications Authority seeking clarification of its decisions, we have designed an alternative interconnection scheme with a new pricing model that we believe is compliant with the Telecommunications Authority’s decision. We believe that the flexibility that we will regain through this model will be sufficient to allow us to devise pricing and marketing strategies that will be attractive to current and potential subscribers.

However, no assurance can be given that these strategies will be successful, or that our litigation will be decided in a manner that is both favorable to us and timely or that we will not have further disagreements with the Telecommunications Authority regarding this matter.

If the Telecommunications Authority disagrees with our alternative interconnection scheme and we are required to implement the decisions of the Telecommunications Authority in the manner presently required by it, we would in all likelihood be required to modify our tariffs and our marketing strategy in ways that would make us less competitive with regard to price in the Turkish GSM market, which could continue to harm our market share and continue to have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Regulatory changes in Turkey with respect to issues such as Mobile Number Portability (“MNP”), licenses for third generation (“3G”) technology and dealership exclusivity may result in increased competition and/or the entrance of new direct or indirect competitors, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

The Telecommunications Authority has made or proposed changes to regulations relating to 3G technologies, MNP, long distance licensing and other technologies that could increase the competition we face in the Turkish communications market, in part by making it easier and/or more attractive for new direct and indirect competitors to enter the market. In addition, the Telecommunications Authority is in the process of preparing regulations for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (“MVNO”), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (“WiMAX”) licensing, Wireless Broadband Access Services operator licenses (“WBA”) and Value Added Services (“VAS”) licenses, which, if and when they are issued, could significantly affect market dynamics.

The issuance of 3G licenses and the introduction of 3G services in Turkey could lead to significant changes in the competitive environment. We expect a tender process for the granting of 3G licenses to take place during 2008, although no announcement for such process has yet been made. The Telecommunications Authority had cancelled the 3G tender process in 2007 and, accordingly, there may be further delays. Our failure to obtain a 3G license or to implement 3G could affect our competitive position. Our ability to implement 3G services will be dependent on clearing the 3G regulatory and licensing process. We understand that the Telecommunications Authority may attempt to award at least four 3G licenses, possibly resulting in at least one new entrant into the current market, which could affect market dynamics and lead to further deterioration in our market share.

The Telecommunications Authority has issued regulations on MNP, which allow subscribers to keep their existing telephone numbers when changing telephone operators. These regulations are expected to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2008 based on a public statement of the Telecommunications Authority. The introduction of MNP into the Turkish market may lead to increased churn rates and subscriber retention and

 

11


Table of Contents

acquisition costs and may have a significant impact on both Turkcell and the market. Turkcell must ensure it implements MNP on a timely basis, otherwise a delayed implementation may result in the imposition of fines by the Telecommunications Authority. However, we believe that the MNP regulations conflict with our rights under our license agreement. As such, we initiated a lawsuit on March 29, 2007 for the annulment of the MNP regulations. While we do not protest the substance of mobile number portability, we do, however, believe that our rights under our license agreement should remain protected. We believe that the best way for us to protect our rights is to seek to annul the MNP regulations. The lawsuit is pending and we can give no assurance regarding its outcome. See “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.”

We expect to face increased competition from, among others, long distance carriers and fixed line telephony providers. In May 2004, the Telecommunications Authority granted long distance licenses, allowing licensees to provide both domestic and international Long Distance Telephony Services (“LDTS”). Over 45 companies hold such licenses but only some are operational. Although these long distance telephony providers have not yet had a significant effect on our operations, in the long term they could have the effect of driving down prices and shifting traffic patterns for long distance calls in Turkey.

The Competition Board has modified its regulations in 2007 in a manner that effectively provides that companies with a market share in excess of 40% shall not be within the scope of the Board’s “block exemption” for vertical exclusivity arrangements with other companies and that previously granted individual exemptions may cease to be valid from July 2008. We have previously obtained an individual exemption from the Competition Board for the exclusivity provisions with respect to our dealer agreements, and have submitted a request to the Competition Board for an individual exemption with respect to our exclusive dealer arrangements. We are awaiting a response. If we are not granted such exception, we may be required to terminate the exclusivity provisions in our arrangements with our dealers, effective as of July 1, 2008.

Each of these regulatory changes could result in increased competition and/or the entrance of new direct or indirect competitors, which may have a negative impact on our ability to attract and retain customers, the competitiveness of our products and services, our distribution channels, our brand and visibility and our infrastructure investments, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Economic and political developments in Turkey and internationally have had, and may continue to have, a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Although the Turkish economy has benefited from a prolonged period of relative stability, it has experienced significant turmoil in the recent past and remains vulnerable to such turmoil in the future for reasons related to both domestic and international conditions. With a substantial portion of our revenues, assets and business derived from and located in Turkey and denominated in New Turkish Lira, adverse developments in the Turkish market may have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations, as well as on the price of our shares and ADSs.

Turkey remains vulnerable to global shocks and global liquidity problems as a result of its continuing current account deficit (which is one of the widest current account deficits on a nominal basis) and continuing elevated energy prices which are expected to have adverse effects on both inflation and the current account deficit. Inflation figures depend on various factors such as oil prices, domestic pricing behavior and the currency exchange rate trends. The latter is viewed as presenting a serious risk this year. However, the monetary policy of the Central Bank of Turkey as well as the government’s commitment on fiscal policies and the continuation of the structural reforms are expected to continue to be key factors in maintaining Turkey’s financial strength. The government’s approach towards the new IMF program will also be important as it is still an anchor for foreign investors, particularly in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

 

12


Table of Contents

The Turkish economy has also been and will continue to be vulnerable to political instability. Political uncertainty within Turkey, including actions by terrorist and ethnic separatist groups, along with armed conflict and the threat of armed conflict in neighboring countries, such as Iran, Syria, Georgia and Armenia, historically have been among the potential risks associated with investment in Turkish companies. The instability surrounding the situation in Iraq, as well as tension in and involving the Kurdish regions of northern Iraq, could also have negative economic consequences for us. Although relations with the United States have always played a major role in the stability of the Turkish economy, the relationship has become even more important due to the United States’ presence in Iraq.

For 2008, we are particularly concerned about the case currently pending before Turkey’s highest court challenging Turkey’s Ruling Party—the Justice and Development Party (“AKP”), which may result in the dissolution of the party, bringing down the current governing majority. If successful, the dissolution of the AKP could lead to political turmoil and could slow or halt government reforms and policies sought by the European Union (“EU”) and the business community. Other challenging issues that are presently expected for Turkey in 2008 are a continuing “headscarf” debate, constitutional disputes and terrorism arising from the Southeast region. Internationally, ongoing disputes over Cyprus, negotiations for EU accession and military action along the border with Iraq may also be major issues.

For these and other reasons, 2008 is expected to be another challenging year.

The development and growth of the Turkish mobile telecommunications markets could affect our business and results of operations.

The growth of our business is dependent to a large extent on the development of the Turkish mobile telecommunications market. If the Turkish mobile telecommunications market slows in growth or develops in unexpected ways, this could harm our business and results of operations.

The subscriber mobile line penetration rate in Turkey is relatively low in comparison to the average EU penetration rate. As of the end of December 2007, the subscriber mobile line penetration rate in Turkey was approximately 88% according to the Telecommunications Authority. This figure is higher than the actual individual customer penetration rate because it includes multiple Simcard usage. The development of our business will depend, in large part, on the level of demand for mobile telecommunications in Turkey. Although we expect continued growth in the number of mobile telecommunications subscribers in Turkey, we expect the growth rate to be less than that of recent years.

We are focused on increasing average monthly revenue per user in TRY and average monthly minutes of use per subscriber rather than purely growing our subscriber base. These parameters will, however, be negatively affected by an increasing prepaid subscriber base. In addition, the size and usage patterns of our future subscriber base will be affected by a number of factors outside of our control. Such factors include general economic conditions, consumption tax on mobile phone usage, changes in the regulatory environment, the development of and changes to the GSM market, the availability, quality and cost to the subscriber of competing mobile services and improvements in the quality and availability of fixed line telephone services in Turkey. Recently, pricing regulations implemented by the Telecommunications Authority have also been a significant factor. Given these factors, it is difficult to predict with any degree of certainty the growth and usage patterns of our subscribers and our ability to increase revenues or profitability. In recent months, we have experienced an increase in churn and it is possible that in the future we may not grow our subscriber base in line with the market. Any adverse change in the growth and usage patterns of our subscribers could harm our business and results of operations.

Our strategy for growth is partly dependent on new investment opportunities. These new investment opportunities could affect our business and results of operations, and the return on our investments cannot be guaranteed.

Our strategy for growth is to selectively seek and evaluate new investment opportunities. We have identified four focus areas in which we intend to pursue opportunities to grow our business: core GSM business in Turkey;

 

13


Table of Contents

new business models through our value added services; new technologies that will create synergies with our current business; and international markets, with our main focus being mobile solutions. Such opportunities may include, both in Turkey and overseas, the acquisition of other companies, the purchase of telecommunication licenses, entrance into new lines of business and the use of new technologies. We may not, however, be able to successfully integrate and manage the opportunities we pursue. In pursuit of our growth strategy, our management may divert undue attention and/or cash resources away from other ongoing business concerns, which could harm our business and result of operations. In addition, investments may not provide expected returns or returns that are in line with those of our core business. See the discussion below regarding our proposed acquisition of Syriatel.

We may be unable to adapt to technological changes in the communications market.

The telecommunications industry is characterized by rapidly changing technology with related changes in customer demands for new products and services at competitive prices. Technological developments are also shortening product life cycles and facilitating convergence of various segments in the telecommunications industry, including in our core GSM business. Our future success will largely depend on our ability to anticipate, invest in and implement new technologies with the levels of service and prices that customers demand. Technological advances may also affect our level of earnings and financial condition by shortening the useful life of some of our assets.

The operation of our business depends in part upon the successful deployment of continually evolving mobile communications technologies, which requires significant capital expenditures. There can be no assurance that such technologies will be developed according to anticipated schedules, that they will perform according to expectations or that they will achieve commercial acceptance. We may be required to make more capital expenditures than we currently expect if suppliers fail to meet anticipated schedules, performance of such technologies fall short of expectations or commercial success is not achieved.

The effects of technological changes on our business cannot be predicted. In addition, it is impossible to predict with any certainty whether the technology selected by us will be the most economical, efficient or capable of attracting customer usage. There can be no assurance that we will be able to develop new products and services that will enable us to compete effectively.

A large amount of our business is or may be subject to certain legal and regulatory arrangements.

Certain actions by the Turkish government, the Telecommunications Authority or other regulatory authorities in Turkey (such as the Competition Board) have in the past, and could in the future, adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Such actions may include:

 

   

changes in laws, regulations or governmental policy, or their interpretation, including revisions to the interconnection and access regime or the imposition of price controls;

 

   

any unfavorable change in corporate and/or income tax legislation, or the imposition of additional consumption taxes or other taxes on subscribers or mobile operators;

 

   

granting additional mobile telephone licenses or other telephony licenses to new entrants and existing operators;

 

   

the establishment of limitations on our operations or restrictions on our ability to provide services to existing or new subscribers;

 

   

investigations, enforcement actions or other assessments of the Competition Board or other regulatory authorities;

 

   

denial of discretionary benefits that we may seek in expanding our network;

 

   

the introduction of additional fees or charges by governmental authorities; and

 

   

introduction of new regulations regarding protection of personal data of subscribers and/or users.

 

14


Table of Contents

Additionally, in the case of war, general mobilization or when the Telecommunications Authority considers it necessary for public safety or national defense, we may be required to surrender the control of our network wholly or partially to the Telecommunications Authority for a limited or unlimited period.

The Telecommunications Authority has designated Turkcell as an “operator holding significant market power” in “access to GSM mobile networks and the call origination market”, which could affect our competitiveness and have a material adverse affect on our results of operations.

Pursuant to the Access and Interconnection Regulation (the “Regulation”), which became effective on May 23, 2003 and sets forth the rights and obligations of the operators in the telecommunications sector in Turkey, the Telecommunications Authority has designated us an “operator holding significant market power” in the “GSM Mobile Telecommunication Services Market” and “GSM Mobile Call Termination Services Market” and Vodafone an “operator holding significant market power” in “the GSM Mobile Call Termination Services Market.” On January 4, 2005, the Telecommunications Authority designated Turkcell individually as an “operator holding significant market power” in the “GSM Mobile Call Termination Services Market”. Finally, on December 15, 2005, the Telecommunications Authority designated Turkcell, Vodafone, and Avea as “operators holding significant market power” in the “GSM Mobile Call Termination Services Market” and designated Turkcell individually as an “operator holding significant market power” in the “Access to GSM Mobile Networks and Call Originating Markets”.

As a result of this designation, our company as an operator holding significant market power is required to provide interconnection services on a cost-based basis while operators not designated as “operator holding significant market power” can set their prices differently than the operators designated as such. In addition, due to our designation as an “operator holding significant market power” in the GSM mobile call termination services market, the Telecommunications Authority annually reviews our prices for interconnection services and has the authority to publish “Standard Reference Interconnection Tariffs”, which recommend call termination fees for us. These “Standard Reference Interconnection Tariffs” are not necessarily directly applicable to our current or future interconnection agreements. However, if we are unable to reach an agreement with other parties on prices for interconnection services, the Telecommunications Authority may use the “Standard Reference Interconnection Tariffs”, as it has done in connection with our previous disputes with Turk Telekom and Avea. This mechanism may have the effect of reducing the rates we are able to charge for interconnection services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We could face severe penalties, including limitation or revocation of our license in extreme cases, if applicable regulatory authorities determine that we are not in compliance with the requirements of our license or applicable regulations.

The statutes, rules and regulations applicable to our activities and our license are generally new, subject to change, in some cases, incomplete, and have been subject to limited governmental interpretation. Precedents for and experience with business and telecommunications regulations in Turkey are generally limited. In addition, there have been several changes to the relevant legal regime in recent years. There can be no assurance that the law or legal system will not change further or be interpreted in a manner that could materially and adversely affect our operations.

Our license contains a number of requirements, including requirements regarding operation, quality and coverage of the GSM network; national security issues; maintenance of confidentiality; prohibitions on anti-competitive behavior; and compliance with international and national GSM standards. If we fail to meet any requirement in our license or to comply with applicable regulations, we could be subject to sanction, including the limitation or revocation of our license.

Lack of clarity with respect to Turkish telecommunications law, the Turkish legal system, our license and/or the regulatory framework governing the Turkish telecommunications industry could impede our ability to operate effectively under our license and have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

 

15


Table of Contents

In addition, Turkey’s accession talks with the EU may require further modifications in the regulatory framework governing the Turkish telecommunications industry, any or all of which may be detrimental to our competitive position or our operations.

For a description of our license and the regulatory regime under which we operate in Turkey, see ”Item 4.B. Business Overview—Regulation of the Turkish Telecommunications Industry”. In addition to the foregoing, our indirectly owned subsidiary, Limited Liability Company Astelit (“Astelit”), holds GSM licenses in Ukraine. If Astelit fails to comply with the terms and conditions of its license agreement it may incur significant penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our international expansion strategy and our business and results of operations.

The Turkish CMB has informed us that our appointment of one of our board members to the audit committee does not satisfy Turkish legal requirements with respect to audit committees.

Alexey Khudyakov was appointed to the audit committee on July 21, 2006. Alexey Khudyakov’s status on the audit committee is as an “observer member” because under the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 he is not considered an independent audit committee member due to his position with one of our affiliated shareholders. On January 26, 2007, the Turkish CMB informed Turkcell that Alexey Khudyakov’s current status, as an “observer member” on the audit committee, does not satisfy the requirements under Article 25, “Committees Responsible for Auditing” of the CMB. The CMB has stated that steps must be taken urgently so that our Company can comply with Article 25. We believe that Mr. Khudyakov does fully meet the requirements of Article 25 as he is a non-executive board member. In March 2007, we commenced a lawsuit before an administrative court seeking to suspend the execution and to annul the decision of the CMB with respect to Mr. Khudyakov.

The administrative court ultimately dismissed our suit in January 2008. In March 2008, we appealed before the Council of State.

If our position in this matter does not ultimately prevail over that of the CMB, our compliance with the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) could be called into question, to the extent that the relevant rules of NYSE are based on home country compliance. In this case, remedial action could be required.

We are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business.

We are involved in various claims and legal actions with governmental authorities in Turkey, including the Competition Board, the Telecommunications Authority and certain other parties. In addition, we may be involved in additional claims and legal actions with various governmental and other parties in the future. For a more detailed discussion of all of our significant disputes, see “Item 8.A. Financial Information” and note 31 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in “Item 18. Financial Statements” of this annual report on Form 20-F.

We are exposed to foreign exchange rate risks that could significantly affect our results of operation and financial position.

We are exposed to foreign exchange rate risk because certain amounts of purchases, operating costs and expenses, receivables and payments are denominated in multiple currencies, primarily U.S. Dollars, Euros and Swedish Krona. In addition, a substantial majority of our debt obligations are currently, and are expected to continue to be, denominated in U.S. Dollars and Euros. Although we have successfully operated in a hyperinflationary environment with continuous devaluation of the Turkish currency since our inception, sudden increases in inflation or the devaluation rate have had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

 

16


Table of Contents

We use analytical techniques such as market valuation and sensitivity and volatility analysis to manage and monitor foreign exchange risk. We keep a portion of our monetary assets in U.S. Dollars, Euros and Swedish Krona, and a portion in New Turkish Lira to reduce our foreign currency exposure. However, fluctuations between New Turkish Lira, on the one hand, and U.S. Dollars, Euros and Swedish Krona, on the other, may have an unfavorable impact on us, as they did in 2007.

In order to manage market volatility in the foreign exchange and fixed income markets, we enter into option and forward contracts in line with our treasury policies. Any options exercised that are either above or below market levels might result in unfavorable results to us.

When we translate our results of operations and financial position into U.S. Dollars for the purpose of preparing our financial statements that are expressed in U.S. Dollars, the dollar amounts will vary in accordance with applicable exchange rates. We do not hedge this so-called “translation risk”.

TeliaSonera, the Cukurova Group, Alfa Telecom Turkey as well as other Alfa Group entities (“Alfa Group”) and Nadash International Holdings, Inc. (“Nadash”) together currently hold a majority of our outstanding share capital which allows them together to exercise a controlling influence over us. This ownership may also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of Turkcell.

As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, TeliaSonera and the Cukurova Group currently own, directly or indirectly, approximately 37.1% and 18.0%, respectively, of our share capital. On the basis of publicly available information (Form 13D filings), Alfa Group, which previously held, indirectly, 13.2% of our shares, has as of January 2008 transferred control of over 50% of these shares to Nadash. On the same basis, we understand that Alfa Group owns 49% of Nadash.

Our Board of Directors currently consists of seven members, and five members are required for a quorum. Two members of the board are affiliated with each of TeliaSonera, the Cukurova Group and the Alfa Group, with the seventh member being independent. On the basis of publicly available information (Form 13D filings), we understand Alfa Group is required to use reasonable endeavors to cause the appointment of one nominee of each of the Alfa Group and Nadash to our Board of Directors.

TeliaSonera and Cukurova Group hold a portion of their interests and the Alfa Group and Nadash hold all of their interests in us through Turkcell Holding, a holding company that owns 51% of our shares. If TeliaSonera, the Cukurova Group, the Alfa Group and Nadash act together they have the ability to control the Board of Directors and exercise a controlling influence over matters requiring a simple majority vote of the shareholders at a general assembly. To the extent that the interests of TeliaSonera, the Cukurova Group, the Alfa Group and Nadash differ from our interests, or those of our other shareholders could be disadvantaged by any actions that TeliaSonera, the Cukurova Group, the Alfa Group and Nadash might individually or collectively, as two shareholders or three shareholders, seek to pursue.

The ownership of a substantial percentage of our outstanding ordinary shares by TeliaSonera, the Cukurova Group, the Alfa Group and Nadash and the affiliation of these shareholders with members of the Board of Directors may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Turkcell, may discourage bids for our ordinary shares or ADSs and may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares or ADSs.

Certain of our principal shareholders are currently involved in a dispute which could adversely impact their ability to achieve the consensus necessary to approve important matters relating to our business and operations.

The Cukurova Group and TeliaSonera are currently involved in a dispute regarding the previously proposed sale by the Cukurova Group to TeliaSonera of certain holdings in Turkcell Holding A.S. Class B shares. The

 

17


Table of Contents

Cukurova Group and TeliaSonera are also currently involved in a dispute regarding the sale by the Cukurova Group to Cukurova Telecom Holdings Limited, a joint venture between the Cukurova Group and the Alfa Group, of certain holdings in Turkcell Holding A.S. Class B shares. In addition, as part of this dispute on August 21, 2006, TeliaSonera filed a lawsuit for the purpose of invalidating our General Assembly Meeting held on May 22, 2006, as well as all resolutions taken at that meeting, including with respect to dividends and the election of board members. The court decided that the General Assembly meeting of May 22, 2006 was validly held.

Based on publicly available information, we understand that the arbitration tribunal of the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) recently held that a binding share purchase agreement for the proposed sale was concluded between TeliaSonera and the Cukurova Group and that the Cukurova Group is obligated to fulfill the agreement, despite already having sold some of the disputed shares to the Alfa Group. In addition, the Alfa Group recently indicated publicly that it is seeking early repayment of an approximately $1.35 billion loan which it made to the Cukurova Group due to an alleged default under the relevant loan agreement. The Cukurova Group has denied such alleged default, has indicated that Alfa Group has no grounds to force early repayment of such loan and that the Cukurova Group intends to initiate legal proceedings to oppose the claims of Alfa Group. Based on publicly available information, another arbitration tribunal of the ICC in Vienna has issued an award finding that Cukurova has violated certain share transfer restrictions in the shareholders’ agreement between Cukurova and TeliaSonera relating to Turkcell Holding. The arbitration tribunal in Vienna has ordered Cukurova Holding to take all measures available to it, including good faith negotiations with Alfa Group, to repurchase the transferred shares. The arbitration tribunal has reserved its rights to decide about other claims brought by TeliaSonera, including damages.

According to publicly available information, in 2005 an independent group petitioned a court regarding the exemption provided by the CMB for the sale of shares between the Cukurova Group and the Alfa Group. It is claimed that under Turkish law the CMB exemption for this sale by the Cukurova Group should not have been granted and this transfer should have triggered a tender offer for minority shareholders. The court annulled the exemption by the CMB. In March 2007, the Cukurova Group and the Alfa Group appealed the decision. At present there has been no outcome to the case.

These disputes could result in the failure of our major shareholders to have a cooperative relationship, which could adversely impact the ability of our principal shareholders to achieve the consensus necessary to approve important matters relating to our business and operations.

We hold interests in several companies that may expose us to various economic, political, social, financial and liquidity risks and may not provide the benefits that we expect.

Our investments in subsidiaries and associated companies within Turkey and internationally could expose us to economic, political, social, financial and liquidity risks. We have investments in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova and the Ukraine, and we are negotiating to make an investment in Syria through the acquisition of a controlling interest in Syriatel. In addition, we are exploring investment opportunities in Belarus. Specifically, on April 10, 2008, our Board of Directors decided to conduct the necessary studies to submit a proposal directly, or through one of our subsidiaries, to the shareholders of Belarusian Telecommunication Network (“BeST”), based in the Republic of Belarus, to purchase the majority of the company’s shares. Along with Turkey, these countries are generally considered by international investors to be emerging markets. Their legal systems, including telecommunications regulations, are relatively underdeveloped, their economies have only recently begun to open to market principles and their respective institutions and commercial practices are relatively weaker and less developed. There can be no assurance that political, legal, economic, social or other developments in these nations will not have an adverse impact on our investments and businesses in these countries.

Our international and domestic operations may not benefit us in the way we expect for the reasons cited above, as well as other reasons, including general macroeconomic conditions, poor management and legal, regulatory or political obstacles.

 

18


Table of Contents

Ukraine

We have been operating in Ukraine since the second half of 2004 through our subsidiary Astelit. The country is undergoing a great deal of change and any political instability in Ukraine may have a negative impact on our operations. Although the Ukrainian currency has been relatively stable against the U.S. Dollar for almost five years, this situation may change in the future as a result of the country’s balance of payments issues and recent statements made by the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Bank of Ukraine that the Bank might consider its monetary policy with regard to maintaining the current exchange rate of the Hryvna against the U.S. Dollar if the rate would continue hurting Ukrainian exporters. Furthermore, the granting of a 3G license to Ukrtelecom and issuing the National Roaming law in 2006 created an additional mobile player in the market. The privatization of Ukrtelecom is on the agenda of the government. Moreover, should we have a conflict of interest in the future with Eurocorp, the other shareholder of our local partner Euroasia Telecommunications Holdings B.V. (“Euroasia”), our consolidated subsidiary that controls and consolidates our Ukrainian operations, it may affect the ability of Astelit’s management to move forward with its business plan.

Ukrainian tax authorities are increasingly directing their attention to the business community as a result of the overall Ukrainian economic environment. In respect of this, the local and national tax environment in Ukraine is constantly changing and subject to inconsistent application, interpretation and enforcement. Non-compliance with Ukrainian laws and regulations can lead to the imposition of severe penalties and interest. While the management of Astelit believes it has complied with Ukrainian tax legislation, there have been many new tax and foreign currency laws and related regulations introduced in recent years that are not always clearly written.

Northern Cyprus

We have operated a GSM network in Northern Cyprus since July 1999, which may expose us to a number of risks. Any hostilities and/or political instability in Cyprus may have a material adverse effect on the Northern Cypriot economy as well as on the Turkish economy, the progress of Turkey’s accession talks with the EU and our investments and business in Northern Cyprus.

Turkey

Our wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Tellcom Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. (“Tellcom”), has begun a program to establish a fiber-optic network capable of wholesale voice carrying services and data transmission. Tellcom plans to spend up to $200 million in capital expenditures in 2008, and Tellcom may require several years to generate the expected returns from such capital expenditure, if at all. If Tellcom is not able to successfully carry out its plans to establish a fiber optic network, if such plans require materially more financing than currently expected or if Tellcom is not able to successfully develop its business, this could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Tellcom’s broadband investment can be expected to yield positive returns only in the long-term due to high investment cost as the planned infrastructure covers a wide area (incity, intercity and fiber local loop) and uses fiber-based technologies. The risks of this investment are multi-faceted as there are regulatory and procedural unknowns as well as an increasingly dynamic competitive environment.

Inteltek Internet Teknoloji Yatirim ve Danismanlik Ticaret A.S. (“Inteltek”), our 55%-owned subsidiary, tendered for and signed a contract with the General Directorate of Youth and Sports in 2003 which authorized Inteltek to establish and operate a risk management center and become head agent for fixed odds betting. This activity became fully operational during 2004. Since then, the validity of this contract has been challenged by various lawsuits and by new laws reducing the commissions payable to Inteltek and requiring the fixed odds betting business to be subject to new tenders. A new law passed on February 27, 2008 by the Turkish Parliament appears to have stabilized this situation. This new law requires a new contract to be signed with Inteltek for a period of up to one year, and provides for a new tender to be conducted for the operation of the fixed odds betting

 

19


Table of Contents

business. In application of this new law, a new contract to be valid up to one year took effect on March 1, 2008. No assurance can be given that Inteltek will be able to win the expected tender for this business on terms that will be commercially acceptable.

Syria

Specific risks related to our proposed investment in Syria are discussed below.

We are negotiating to make a significant acquisition in Syria, a country subject to international sanctions.

We are engaged in negotiations with Al Mashreq Investment Fund to acquire a majority stake in Syriatel, the leading GSM operator in Syria. No assurance can be given that these negotiations will be successful and that we will acquire a majority stake in Syriatel. However, if we do, doing business in Syria will entail certain risks. Syria has been identified by the U.S. State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism. Furthermore, Al Mashreq Investment Fund is represented by Rami Makhlouf, a Syrian businessman who has been designated by the U.S. Department of Treasury as a person improperly benefiting from the Syrian regime. Current and future U.S. laws and regulations, as well as legal and regulatory actions, targeting Syria and Syrian individuals such as Mr. Makhlouf, may curtail our ability to do business in that country and may impede our exercise of control over Syriatel. Turkcell itself, as well as certain of its key employees (notably those who are U.S. citizens), could be subject to sanctions under such laws and regulations as a result of our activities in Syria. In addition, although our purchase of shares in Syriatel should not be subject to prior Syrian governmental or regulatory approval, the Syrian government has effective control over all aspects of the economy and may impose requirements. All the preceding factors could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

Furthermore, investors may be reticent to invest in a company doing business in Syria, and future laws, regulations and policies could also discourage or prohibit investors from investing in a company doing business in Syria. These factors could have an adverse effect on the demand for our shares.

Our eventual acquisition of Syriatel and the success of our business activities there may also be affected by a number of other factors, including:

 

   

our ability to manage differences between Syriatel’s management and accounting systems and standards and our own (both those differences that are known and those that we may yet discover) and to successfully integrate these systems and standards;

 

   

our ability to manage technical differences between Syriatel’s network and operating systems and our own (both those differences that are known and those that we may yet discover) and to successfully integrate these systems;

 

   

the reaction of Syrian subscribers and potential subscribers to our acquisition of a controlling interest in Syriatel and to the new commercial strategies that we intend to introduce;

 

   

our ability to identify key trends in the Syrian market and to respond to these in a timely and successful manner;

 

   

currency exchange rate fluctuations, notably between the Turkish Lira, Syrian pound and other relevant currencies; and

 

   

the competitive and regulatory environment in the Syrian telecommunications market, including the actions of current and future competitors, and any actions taken by the regulators that may affect costs, pricing and competition levels.

Spectrum limitations may adversely affect our ability to provide services to our subscribers.

The number of subscribers that can be accommodated on a mobile network is constrained by the amount of spectrum allocated to the operator of the network and is also affected by subscriber usage patterns and network

 

20


Table of Contents

infrastructure. The spectrum is a continuous range of frequencies within which the waves have certain specific characteristics and we only have 10 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz band. As our subscriber base and service offerings increase, there will be a need for more capacity for mobile voice and data; however, with the currently available spectrum, we may face a bottleneck, especially in the metropolitan areas. To overcome this bottle neck, we have applied for the allocation of additional frequencies in the GSM 900 MHz band. There can be no assurance that we can obtain additional frequencies in the 900 MHz band or additional spectrum in the 1800 MHz band or 3G or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”) with High Speed Packet Access (“HSPA”) technology which works in a completely differeny frequency band (2.1 GHz) at reasonable cost or at all, or that such additional frequencies will not be awarded to our competitors.

There are alleged health risks related to BTS and the use of handsets which could expose us to liability and lead to reduced usage of mobile phones.

We are aware of allegations that there may be health risks associated with the effects of electromagnetic signals from BTS and from mobile telephone handsets. While there is currently no substantiated link between exposure to electromagnetic signals at the level transmitted by our BTS and mobile telephone handsets and long-term damage to health, the actual or perceived health risks of mobile communications devices could adversely affect us through a reduction in subscribers, reduced usage per subscriber, increased difficulty in obtaining sites for base stations and exposure to potential liability. Furthermore, we may not be able to obtain insurance with respect to such liability on commercially reasonable terms. In recent years, legal proceedings have been brought against GSM mobile operators seeking the removal of base station sites for health reasons. Such legal proceedings may make it more difficult for us to establish and maintain such sites.

We are dependent on certain suppliers for network equipment and for the provision of data services.

Like all operators, we purchase our GSM network equipment including our switching system, base station controllers (“BSCs”), BTS, transmission equipment and the software required to operate all these from a limited number of major equipment suppliers. Although we are not bound to purchase our equipment solely from any given supplier and we are making efforts to diversify, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain equipment from one or more alternative suppliers on a timely basis in the event that any current supplier is for any reason unable or unwilling to satisfy equipment requirements. This could occur if, for example, the growth in demand for network equipment exceeds the ability of suppliers of this equipment as a whole to meet such demands. Like all operators, the failure of any of our suppliers to supply equipment to us could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

In addition, equipment from alternative suppliers may not always be compatible with our existing equipment, and our employees may not be familiar with the technical specifications and maintenance requirements of equipment from alternative suppliers. These factors could also have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

We are dependent on certain systems and suppliers for IT services and our business continuity is at risk due to our exposure to potential natural disasters, regular or severe IT failures, human error, hacking and IT migration risk.

We are heavily dependent on IT systems, suppliers for IT services and our IT employees for the continuity of our business. We also regularly upgrade or convert our IT systems. Currently, we have a Business Continuity Management (“BCM”) scheme that is designed to protect and minimize the potential damage to Turkcell’s operations should we experience a crisis situation due a potential natural disaster, such as an earthquake. The implementation of the BCM was completed by the end of 2007. In addition, should we experience regular or severe IT failures, whether due to system outages, human error or deliberate transferring, fraud or hacking, not successfully migrate to alternative or improved IT systems or experience a crisis situation, we may not fully recover our IT systems. If such event(s) occurred, it would result in interruptions in the continuity of our business which could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position and results of operations.

 

21


Table of Contents

If we are unable to retain key personnel, or maintain the loyalty of our distributors and their key personnel, our business, consolidated financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our performance depends, to a significant extent, on the abilities and continued service of our key personnel. Competition for qualified telecommunications and information technology personnel in Turkey is intense. In addition, we are dependent on our distributors and their personnel in the growth and maintenance of our customer base. The loss of the services or loyalty of key personnel could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations as well as breaches of confidentiality regarding our customer, operation and business plan details, particularly if a number of such persons were to join a competitor. Retention of high-caliber individuals in these positions is also key to our being able to deliver on our strategy.

The borrowings of our majority owned subsidiaries may expose us to interest rate risk and possibly increased interest expense, obligate us to meet certain covenants and expose us to financial risks if such subsidiaries fail to meet some of their obligations set forth in the agreements related to their financing arrangements or they require additional financing, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

As of December 31, 2007, the major portion of our outstanding debt consists of the $540 million long-term financing facility for Astelit, which consists of a $390 million senior facility and a $150 million junior facility. Financell B.V. (“Financell”), our wholly owned financing subsidiary, undertook the $390 million long-term senior syndicated facility for Astelit on June 27, 2007. This facility has a variable interest rate. We fixed the Euribor rate for some portion of our debt until maturity instead of the market practice of setting the rate for three or six months in order to partially hedge our interest rate risk against possible short-term interest rate increases. In order to hedge the interest rate risk, we continue to look for hedging alternatives such as interest rate swaps. There are no outstanding swap arrangements due to the cost of such arrangements in the market and the general market view of forward interest rates. Consequently, an increase in the Libor or Euribor rates would cause an increase in the amount of our interest payments and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

In the future we might be obliged to accept certain covenants in connection with obtaining financing on a consolidated basis or for our majority owned subsidiaries.

Cancellation of our ADSs has been halted on a limited basis and this may adversely affect liquidity and trading of our ADSs.

Due to uncertainties arising after January 1, 2006 surrounding the application of the Turkish capital gains tax and withholding related thereto on the deemed capital gains which arise on the cancellation of ADSs, our ADR depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., consistent with the practice of all depositary banks for Turkish issuers, halted the issuance and cancellation of ADRs. Trading of our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange has continued and has not been impacted by the closure of the issuance and cancellation books of our ADR depositary.

On March 8, 2007, the Turkish Ministry of Finance issued a new communiqué that facilitated the reopening of the ADS issuance and cancellation books based on certain conditions. On May 17, 2007, our ADR depositary reopened our ADS issuance books and, on a limited basis, our ADS cancellation books. Cancellations are currently limited to non-resident beneficiaries (i.e. beneficiaries not resident or incorporated in the Republic of Turkey) who have purchased ADSs on or after January 1, 2006.

Due to the continued halt of cancellation of our ADSs, except for non-resident beneficiaries who purchased ADSs on or after January 1, 2006, if there were a sudden or significant increase in persons wishing to sell ADSs, there may be adverse effects on liquidity and market disruption in the trading of our ADSs.

 

22


Table of Contents
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

 

4.A History and Development of the Company

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S., or Turkcell, a joint stock company organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of Turkey, was formed in 1993 and commenced operations in 1994. Our principal shareholders are Sonera Holding, formerly known as Telecom Finland Ltd., and currently owned by TeliaSonera, the Cukurova Group, the Alfa Group and Nadash. The address of our principal office is Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S., Turkcell Plaza, Mesrutiyet Caddesi, No. 71, 34430 Tepebasi, Istanbul, Turkey. Our telephone number is +90 (212) 313 10 00. Our website address is www.turkcell.com.tr. Our agent for service of process in the United States is CT Corporation, 111 8th Avenue 13th floor, New York, New York 10011.

We operate under a 25-year GSM license, which we were granted in April 1998 upon payment of an upfront license fee of $500 million. At that time, we also entered into an interconnection agreement with Turk Telekom providing for the interconnection of our network with Turk Telekom’s fixed-line network which was amended on September 20, 2003. Under our license, we pay the Undersecretariat of Treasury (the “Turkish Treasury”) a monthly ongoing license fee equal to 15% of gross revenue. Of that monthly ongoing license fee, 10% goes to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of Turkey (“Turkish Ministry”) as Universal Services Fund. Under the interconnection agreement between us and Turk Telekom, our network is interconnected to the Turk Telekom fixed-line network.

From 1993 until April 1998, we operated under a revenue-sharing agreement with Turk Telekom. Under the revenue sharing agreement, Turk Telekom contracted with subscribers, set tariffs, performed subscriber billing and collection, assumed collection risks and gave us access to Turk Telekom’s communication network. We were entitled to receive 100% of the fees received from subscriber identity module card, or Simcard, sales, but only 32.9% of fees billed for connection, monthly fixed fees and outgoing calls, and 10% of fees billed for incoming calls, an arrangement that resulted in payment to us of approximately 25% to 30% of the net system revenues generated by subscribers of our GSM network.

In July 2000, we completed our initial public offering with the listing of our ordinary shares on the Istanbul Stock Exchange and our ADSs on NYSE.

Our subscriber base has grown from 63,500 at the year-end 1994 to approximately 35.4 million at the year-end 2007. In 2007, we had total revenues of $6,328.6 million, our EBITDA totaled $2,627.1 million and we reported net income of $1,350.2 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, we spent approximately $783.1 million for capital expenditures compared with $604.8 million in 2006.

In addition to our operations in Turkey, we have various international operations and, since 2004, we have become an established regional GSM operator. For further information please see “Item 4.B Business Overview—International Operations”.

 

4.B Business Overview

Based on our estimates and announcements made by the Telecommunications Authority, we are the leading provider of mobile services in Turkey in terms of number of subscribers, with an estimated 57% share of the Turkish subscriber market as of December 2007. We provide high-quality mobile voice and data services over our GSM network. We have developed one of the premier mobile brands in Turkey by differentiating ourselves from our competitors in areas such as quality of service, customer service and product variety. As part of our focus on subscriber service and subscriber growth, we have introduced a wide range of mobile services for various subscriber needs in order to attract new customers and retain existing ones.

 

23


Table of Contents

Through a state-of-the-art GSM network, we provide comprehensive coverage of an area that as of March 31, 2008 included 100% of the population living in cities of 2,000 or more people and 81 of the largest cities and the majority of the country’s tourist areas and principal inter-city highways. As of April 1, 2008, we provided service to our subscribers in 197 countries through commercial roaming agreements with 576 operators.

Industry

Overview

GSM, one of the digital standards for mobile communications, was developed in 1987 in order to facilitate unification and integration of mobile communications worldwide.

As a digital standard, GSM offers a wide range of services that include voice, circuit switched data, packet data and fax, in addition to standard service offerings such as call barring, call forwarding, call waiting and roaming into areas serviced by other GSM carriers. A key component of the GSM network is the Simcard, which enables the user of a mobile phone to be identified. Simcards, also known as “smart cards”, are placed inside each headset and function as its digital brain. Simcards’ digital memory allows for the storage of the subscribers’ personal information such as the rate plan, phone number and service features. Both postpaid and prepaid subscribers are required to purchase a Simcard, in order to use the telecommunications service offered by Turkcell.

GSM networks have traditionally been used exclusively as personal voice communications networks. The mobile telecommunications industry is increasingly providing mobile data services, and GSM, as a technology platform, is suitable for data transmission. Currently many advanced technology platforms are being developed to enable the provision of more sophisticated data service.

Today most GSM operators, in addition to the standard data service of 9.6 kilobits per second, also offer new technology standards such as High Speed Circuit Switched Data (“HSCSD”) and General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”), which provide for network speeds of up to 57.6 Kbs and 160 Kbs, respectively, depending on radio network and mobile phone conditions. Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (“EDGE”) and UMTS provide the means for making networks suitable for high-speed wireless data services. EDGE and UMTS platforms allow network speeds of up to 240 Kbps and 384 Kbps, respectively. By utilizing the new radio access technology, High Speed Downlink Packet Access in UMTS networks operators gain increased capacity and improved downlink speeds up to 14.4 Mbps. Most of the countries in Western Europe have already granted UMTS frequency band licenses to operators. Those operators have started to offer advanced multimedia services to their customers.

The Turkish Mobile Market

Turkey’s population was estimated to be approximately 70.6 million as of December 31, 2007. The Turkish population is young, with an estimated median age of 28, which is lower than elsewhere in Western Europe, and the majority of the population lives in urban areas. In our opinion, these factors indicate the growth potential for the mobile communications market in Turkey.

There are currently three mobile communications operators in Turkey: Turkcell, Vodafone and Avea, with a total of 62.0 million GSM lines as of December 31, 2007, according to announcements of the Telecommunications Authority.

Vodafone, our principal competitor, entered the Turkish GSM market by acquiring Telsim on May 24, 2006. Telsim, which had received a 25-year license at the same time we did on what we believe to be identical terms, including the $500 million upfront license fee, had been put up for sale by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (“SDIF”) in August 2005. The auction for Telsim was held on December 13, 2005 with Vodafone submitting the winning bid of $4.55 billion.

 

24


Table of Contents

In September 2006, Turk Telekom’s stake in Avea increased to 81% when it purchased Telecom Italia SpA’s 40.5% interest in Avea for $500 million. Turk Telekom is 55% owned by Oger Telecom, a multinational GSM operator in which Saudi Telecom Company, the Arab world’s largest telephone company, agreed in January 2008 to buy a 35% stake.

Strategy

Our vision is to ease and enrich the lives of our customers with communication and technology solutions.

In line with our vision, our aim is to deploy innovative solutions for our customers in mobility, internet and convergence areas in a fast and effective manner. We believe that Turkcell has significant strength in: the provision of differentiated services to meet customer needs; the prioritization of shareholders’ expectations in the corporate decision making process; the encouragement of entrepreneurship; trust and loyalty of our customers through our value propositions and corporate responsibilities; effective, cost sensitive and timely operations; and a high performance team with our current employees.

Building upon these strengths we have identified four focus areas in which we intend to grow our business:

 

   

Core GSM Business in Turkey;

 

   

Exploring new business models through our VAS;

 

   

Expanding into new technologies that will create synergies with our current business; and

 

   

Expanding into international markets, with our main focus being mobile solutions.

To achieve these we have set the following priorities:

Increase customer satisfaction and loyalty

We intend to continue to strengthen our well developed brand values and build a stronger relationship with our customers through providing differentiated products and services in line with their needs and expectations. We aim to focus on ensuring loyalty and satisfaction, maintaining our superior value propositions, continuing our segmented approach and improving customer experience and strong Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”) program.

Continue market and technology leadership

Through our tailored marketing and innovative approach, we intend to maintain our market and technology leadership in the long term.

We aim to continue our leadership in:

 

   

the coverage and quality of our communications network;

 

   

the ability to provide communication services with the most advantageous cost to the largest number of people in Turkey;

 

   

the broadest range of products and the most user-friendly services;

 

   

the most widespread and the highest quality customer service; and

 

   

the maximum benefits for mobile phone subscribers in Turkey through co-branding activities.

Focus on growing earnings

Our aim is to grow earnings while maintaining the profitability of our business. We define the scope of our business as “communications and technology” and intend to monitor new business opportunities that have a high return potential and/or are critical for sustaining our competitive advantages.

 

25


Table of Contents

To achieve profitable growth, we intend to expand into new business models through which we will seek to provide value added services in the areas of healthcare, finance, advertising, education and security.

We also intend to develop new technologies through which we will propose new services such as broadband. We believe that the Turkish market provides significant potential demand for such services.

Our efforts to selectively seek and evaluate new international investment opportunities will also continue. We intend to seek feasible investment opportunities and are open to launching greenfield operations as well as forming potential alliances and conducting merger and/or acquisition activities that will contribute to our economies of scale and create synergies. We may also pursue investment opportunities in communications and technology related investments in Turkey.

In addition, we aim to increase the positive contribution of our subsidiaries to our growth.

Services

We currently provide high-quality wireless and value-added mobile communications services to subscribers throughout Turkey. Subscribers can choose between our postpaid and prepaid services. Currently, postpaid subscribers sign a subscription contract and receive monthly bills for services. Prepaid subscribers must purchase a starter pack which consists of a Simcard and inclusive airtime from 20 up to 250 counters. Scratch cards can be purchased in increments from 25 up to 1000 counters.

As of December 31, 2007, we had approximately 29.0 million prepaid subscribers and 6.4 million postpaid subscribers, compared to approximately 26.0 million prepaid and 5.8 million postpaid on December 31, 2006.

Voice Services

Voice services are the main services we provide to our customers. Voice services consist of high quality wireless telephone services on a prepaid and postpaid basis.

VAS

The VAS management is focused on developing and managing services to address both consumers’ and corporate customers’ different needs and enriching their daily lives. We provide an integrated service approach with a common vision to offer tailored solutions based on our markets’ specific needs and preferences.

One of our main aims is to increase mobile data and value-added services revenues among our existing customers and to foster the growth of new customers through offering new value-added services and new ways to access our existing wide range of content and services. Having a rich portfolio of various services helps us maintain our competitiveness.

We focus on growth of value-added services revenues through increasing penetration and usage of value-added services. We believe that increased customer satisfaction through our large portfolio of services will play an important role in our future retention efforts. Assuring customer loyalty is one of our priorities.

Through the launch of new value-added services we aim to obtain our goals of increasing revenues, customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and customer retention. We will continue to position new products and services based on the needs and expectations of our customers in order to promote mobile usage, increase awareness of our value-added services and increase penetration of our services.

We continuously seek to extend our product range through the introduction of new services to better meet the needs and expectations of our customers. We continue to build on our technical competencies and deep market know-how to expand our existing rich services portfolio. We closely follow and analyze global trends and develop services to fit local market needs.

 

26


Table of Contents

We believe that one of the main pillars of future growth of Turkcell is developing new services and business areas. We develop services in partnership with leading companies in various adjacent industries such as Internet, media, finance, healthcare and education to enhance user experience with mobile solutions. Turkcell seeks to differentiate itself with innovative and pioneering solutions with its strong ecosystem of solution providers and various partnerships.

Our value-added services are categorized into the following groups: Consumer Services, Content Services and Corporate Services.

Consumer Services

Value-added services provides a number of consumer oriented services including turkcell-im, mobile Internet, turkcell-im benim, KimAramis and Economic Internet packages.

turkcell-im. turkcell-im is a common communication and access channel for Turkcell’s VAS. Launched in September 2006, turkcell-im facilitates mobile internet usage and download of content including news, entertainment, sports, music and chat. As of December 31, 2007, turkcell-im had 11.8 million users. In 2007, 15.6 million individuals connected to the Internet via turkcell-im. Apart from existing users, during 2007, each month an average of 663,000 new users used turkcell-im. In 2007, 11.6 million items of content were downloaded from turkcell-im and it had 654 million page views.

Mobile Internet. Through partnerships with Google, Microsoft and Mynet Email Services among others, Turkcell has increased usage of mobile Internet among its subscribers. Turkcell subscribers are able to reach the Google search engine through turkcell-im and search without paying any extra charges. Turkcell was also the first GSM operator in Turkey that launched Windows Live Messenger from Microsoft—the most used instant messaging service in Turkey. Turkcell also partnered with the biggest local email provider, Mynet, to allow Turkcell subscribers to access their Mynet emails through their mobile phones.

turkcell-im benim. turkcell-im benim was launched in June 2007 as Turkey’s first mobile-web integrated social platform. Using turkcell-im benim, Turkcell subscribers can store and share their videos and photos via their mobile phones. Subscribers can browse the website or wap site, view, comment on and send content through the turkcell-im benim service. As of December 31, 2007, turkcell-im benim had 141,958 subscribers and almost 1 million items of content (videos and photos).

Economic Internet Packages. Economic Internet packages were launched in February 2007 to offer subscribers a less costly Internet connection than standard mobile Internet tariffs. Economic internet packages can be used both for mobile phones and a computer connection. The service offers various packages based on the amount of data downloaded in 2007, 170,000 economic Internet packages were sold.

Content Services

We aim to provide high quality and user-friendly content solutions to our customers. We use offers, such as “Free Try then Buy”, to educate our customers about our services to enrich and ease their lives. One new content based service we offered in 2007 was Goller Cepte, a service which sends subscribers real time goal videos from football matches of Turkcell Super League. In 2007, we also strengthened our content services through establishing new partnerships with Digiturk, Fox International, Warner Bros, Sony Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures.

Corporate Services

With our value-added corporate services, we aim to increase competitive advantage and efficiency for Turkcell corporate customers. We have extended our EDGE technology coverage (a technology that offers a

 

27


Table of Contents

three times higher connectivity speed than GPRS) to more than 85% of total BTS in our network as of December 31, 2007. Instead of per megabyte pricing, we have also launched flat rate Internet Packages for different customer needs. In 2007, we launched Connect Card-Internet Package and Turkcell PDA-Internet Package bundle offers with 12, 18 and 24 months contracts for corporate customers. In 2007, our Solutions Catalogue included 48 products with 43 partners. Corporate Messaging Solutions were the leading solutions in 2007. We also offer sales force automations, vehicle tracking and telemetry solutions for different sectors and segments in our Solutions Catalogue.

New Services and Business Areas

Turkcell continuously seeks to extend its product range through the introduction of new services to meet the needs and expectations of our customers. Turkcell continues to build on its technical competencies and market know-how to expand its existing rich services portfolio. We closely follow and analyze global trends and develop services best fitting local market needs. Turkcell is currently focusing on improving content services through a number of different areas including mobile signature, mobile traffic monitoring, mobile healthcare, mobile learning and mobile advertising.

Turkcell Mobile Signature (Turkcell Mobil Imza)

Turkcell Mobile Signature is a digital signature created through a secure application on a Simcard. This service can be used for electronic transactions over a mobile phone or PC. The system is run with a password and all mobile phones with SMS capability can use this service. The service launched in February 2007 with the participation of five leading banks of Turkey with applications in Internet banking and now includes at least 23 providers including 12 banks and several governmental applications for website login, money transfer approval, money withdrawal from ATM with Simcard, e-purchasing and mobile signed e-mails. We are the first to provide it within Turkey and it is one of the first examples of a service of its type worldwide.

Turkish Mobile Wallet

In January 2008, Turkcell and Garanti Bank have launched “Turkcell Mobile Wallet”, a project to integrate credit cards into cell phones. This Near Field Communication (“NFC”) Project will be in a pilot phase for six months. With this new service, it will be possible to use cell phones equipped with the MasterCard PayPass application in all locations that accept Garanti Bank’s “Bonus Trink” credit card. This application reduces payment time to less than half a second and all payments under a certain limit can be made by entering a PIN number.

IBB Cep Trafik (Mobile Traffic Monitoring Solution)

Turkcell has cooperated with the Metropolitan Municipality to provide the “mobile solution” to traffic, a major municipal issue in Istanbul. The agreement signed between these two establishments allows Turkcell subscribers to download the IBB Cep Traffic program to their cell phones in order to be guided to their destination. Subscribers can now save time by selecting the best possible route through instant access to the Traffic Density Map as well as traffic camera images to check road conditions. IBB Cep Trafik is currently in its Test Period where it is available to all Turkcell subscribers without payment other than the present data fee. The service is expected to relaunch as a subscription service in April 2008.

Mobile Healthcare

Turkcell is committed to providing innovative e-health solutions and formulating strong sector partnerships to further support programs addressing the issue of limited access to quality health care. Mobile health care applications ranging from telemedicine, central appointment center solutions and sms reminders to connectivity seek to improve efficiency and access through continuous information exchange between patients and health care providers.

 

28


Table of Contents

Mobile Learning

“Turkcell Academy Mobile Learning Platform” is a service developed by Turkcell which aims to make life easier by bringing training and technology together. Turkcell Academy Mobile Learning will enable use over all types of mobile networks (employing EDGE, WiFi, Wi-Max, 3G and similar technologies) and other devices (IPTV and PC) starting with the mobile. The mobile learning platform ensures the repetition of training when required, eliminating geographical and temporal constraints.

Mobile Marketing and Advertisement

Turkcell creates and manages mobile marketing and advertisement channels that, on one side, are a unique value for corporate customers in terms of marketing, and on the other side, bring value to subscribers through targeted offers and incentives from brands that meet their interests and needs. In 2007, Mobile Marketing and Advertisement revenues had increased to 4.5 times that of 2005.

Turkcell has the largest opt-in (customer permission) database in Europe both in terms of number (5.2 million opt-in subscribers) and scope of data richness used for mobile marketing and advertisement activities for other brands and advertisers. With this opt-in database, advertisers can segment their potential customers according to their target market and send a highly targeted campaign or advertisment message.

During 2007, Turkcell was active in the field of mobile advertising, launching wap banner advertisement and mobile search, creating advertisement space for its corporate customers and creating more areas of inventory in terms of sponsorship and advertisement. In 2008 it is expected that different advertisement channels and applications will be launched.

Partnership Development

We seek to provide a rich service and content portfolio, not only on our own, but also through our partners, who specialize in application, content and marketing. Since 2004, we have developed partners through the Turkcell Partner Program. In 2007, we provided 350 different services and 373 mobile marketing campaigns in different categories by working with 250 partners to meet information, entertainment and corporate needs of our customers with powerful content, brand and media partnerships.

Future Services

3G Mobile

3G technology offers full interactive multimedia and is expected to bring mobile networks significantly closer to the capabilities of fixed-line networks and allow for the introduction of high volume-based data services like video telephony. Multimedia services will likely feature prominently in 3G networks, and may include, in addition to conventional mobile voice and data services: high speed Internet and intranet access, video telephony and conferencing, mobile TV, entertainment, information services and direct instant access to home or office IT systems.

Turkcell’s ability to implement 3G services will be dependent on clearing the 3G regulatory and licensing process. The Telecommunications Authority conducted a tender process for the granting of 3G licenses on September 7, 2007. Based on the tender process conducted on September 7, 2007, Turkcell was awarded a 3G license. However, on September 19, 2007, the Telecommunications Authority canceled the 3G license tender due to the fact that Turkcell’s competitors did not participate in the 3G tender process. We expect a 3G tender process to take place during 2008, but no announcement has been made by the Telecommunications Authority regarding rescheduling the 3G tender process and, accordingly, there may be further delays in the 3G tender process. If the 3G tender process is rescheduled, the minimum price for a 3G license may be reset and could increase from the €252 million minimum for the largest bandwidth in the previous 3G tender process. However, the tender process

 

29


Table of Contents

could result in a significantly higher price, especially if multiple new licenses are granted to new entrants. We understand that the Telecommunications Authority may attempt to award at least four 3G licenses, possibly resulting in at least one new entrant into the current market. We believe that 3G services will be important for our business and we intend to participate in any future 3G licensing process in Turkey.

Other Services

International Roaming

Today, our coverage extends to many countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America. As of December 31, 2007, we offered our subscribers international roaming in 197 destinations around the world, pursuant to commercial roaming agreements with 569 operators. As of April 1, 2008, we offered our subscribers international roaming in 197 destinations around the world, pursuant to commercial roaming agreements with 576 operators.

Since July 2002, we have been providing roaming services for the prepaid subscribers of foreign mobile operators visiting Turkey. We were the first operator to provide such a service in Turkey. This service, called “passive CAMEL”, can only be enabled if both operators have installed the CAMEL system on their networks. As of December 31, 2007, we offered prepaid roaming to the prepaid subscribers of 167 operators in 95 destinations. As of April 1, 2008, we offered prepaid roaming to the prepaid subscribers of 170 operators in 95 destinations. Since October 2004, we have offered roaming services for Turkcell prepaid subscribers going abroad. This service, called “active CAMEL” (Active Customized Applications for Mobile Network Enhanced Logic), can only be enabled if both operators have installed the CAMEL system on their networks. As of December 31, 2007, we offered prepaid roaming to Turkcell prepaid subscribers through 187 operators in 107 destinations. As of April 1, 2008, we offered prepaid roaming to Turkcell prepaid subscribers through 193 operators in 111 destinations.

Since October 2002, we have offered GPRS roaming. As of December 31, 2007, we had 305 GPRS roaming partners in 126 destinations. As of April 1, 2008, we offered our subscribers GPRS roaming through 313 operators in 128 destinations.

In order to balance international SMS traffic, we started to sign international SMS Interworking Agreements with other mobile operators in April 2002. As of December 31, 2007, we had signed 137 International SMS Interworking Agreements. As of April 1, 2008, our subscribers can send SMS to more than 570 mobile operators located in 197 destinations including 131 CDMA/TDMA operators in North America.

Since December 2005, our subscribers have been able to send and receive MMS to and from foreign operator subscribers. As of December 31, 2007, our subscribers were able to send MMS to 61 mobile operators in 45 destinations. As of April 1, 2008, our subscribers were able to send MMS to 69 mobile operators in 51 destinations.

Tariffs

Our charges for voice, messaging and data consist of monthly fees, usage prices, bundles and volume discount schemes and options under various tariff schemes. Our license agreement provides that the Telecommunications Authority sets the initial maximum tariffs, after consultation with us and the consideration of tariffs applied abroad for similar services. Thereafter, the maximum price levels are adjusted based on increases in the Turkish Consumer Price Index. The increase applied to the price cap is 97% of the increase in the index. For more information on how our maximum price levels are established see also “Item 4.B. Business Overview—Regulation of the Turkish Telecommunications Industry.”

Each customer subscribes to a voice tariff. Voice tariff packages vary based on type of subscriber (postpaid or prepaid, corporate or individual), time and destination of call, and call volume.

 

30


Table of Contents

Main Tariffs

We have basic tariffs, offering on-net (Turkcell subscriber to Turkcell subscriber) usage advantages and a range of targeted tariff plans. Our basic tariffs are widely preferred by our subscribers. Our main tariff is BizbizeCell, which provides on-net usage advantages. We have segmented tariffs plans that are targeted at specific subscriber groups.

The main tariffs listed below for postpaid and prepaid subscribers are as of April 1, 2008 (U.S. Dollar amounts are based on the April 1, 2008 exchange rate of TRY 1.306 = $1.00). Prices are given in U.S. Dollars and include 18% VAT but exclude the 25% Special Communication Tax.

 

    Postpaid($)*
    BizbizeCell  

BizBize Hepimiz

 

BizBize Canimin 3u

 

Buyuk Sirketcell

Monthly Fee

  1.15   6.89-160.03   9.57   1.53

Calls Out (per minute):

       

Turkcell to Turkcell

  0.25   60-2500 included free mins. Exceeding minutes charged at 0.25 per minute   300 included free mins with selected 3 Turkcell numbers. Excess at 0.25 per minute  

Intra-company 0.13 per minute

 

Turkcell On-net 0.23 per minute

Turkcell to PSTN(1)

  0.25   60-2500 included free mins. Exceeding minutes charged at 0.25 per minute   0.29   0.272

Turkcell to OMO(2)

  0.46   0.46   0.46   0.46

SMS (per message)

  0.14   0.14   0.14   0.14

 

* Prices are calculated according to counter unit prices based on the 100 counter card price level.
(1) PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network (landline).
(2) OMO: Other Mobile Operators.

 

     Prepaid($)*
    BizBize   BizBize Hepimiz     BizBize Canimin 3u     BizBize Kampus

Calls Out (per minute):

       

Turkcell to Turkcell

    0.081 (3)   0.041 (4)   0.010(5) / 0.101(6)

Turkcell to Turkcell

  0.404   0.404     0.404     0.303

Turkcell to PSTN

  0.404   0.404     0.404     0.303

Turkcell to OMO

  0.505   0.505     0.505     0.505

SMS (per message)

  0.202   0.202     0.202     0.202 / 0.101(7)

 

* Prices are calculated according to counter unit prices based on the 100 counter card price level.
(3) Prices above apply if subscribers drop 50 counters in exchange for on-net calls for an hour.
(4) Prices above apply if subscribers drop 25 counters in exchange for on-net calls for an hour with three preferred subscribers.
(5) The price reflects per minute charge for the first ten minutes of a call to other KampusCell subscribers.
(6) The price reflects per minute charge for a call exceeding 10 minutes and made to other KampusCell subscibers.
(7) SMS prices to other KampusCell subscribers are discounted.

 

   

Based on December 2007 averages, the majority of our subscribers use the Bizbize tariff.

 

   

BizBize is a standard Turkcell tariff; Bizbize Hepimiz and Canimin 3u, which include special packages at discounted prices, are derived tariffs from BizBize tariff;

 

   

BuyukSirketcell is a corporate tariff; and

 

   

KampusCell is a community tariff for students in high school and universities.

 

31


Table of Contents

In addition to the above we have segmented tariff plans that are targeted at specific subscriber groups.

We have loyalty programs, based on our main tariff plans, that support our retention efforts while incentivizing usage. The following programs represent some of our retention plans that reward long-term loyalty and continuous usage.

 

   

Counters From Us (KontorBizden Konbara). A renewed loyalty program for our prepaid subscribers that enables prepaid subscribers to earn increasing bonus counters based on top up amounts for every refill to use accumulated counters;

 

   

Minutes From Us (Dakika Bizden). This program began for our consumer segment in May 2005. Subscribers, once registered, can earn free minutes according to the amount of their monthly bill, while minutes earned are given in installments over a five month period;

 

   

Earn As You Go (Kullandikca Kazan). Earn As You Go was introduced in June 2005 as the corporate segment counterpart of Minutes From Us. The criterion for earning free minutes is the size of the monthly bill. These free minutes can only be used for Turkcell to Turkcell calls.

In addition, we also have two lifestyle subscriber programs:

 

   

Young Turkcell (gnctrkcll), a program that targets the youth segment; and

 

   

Turkcell at Work (IsTcell), a program that targets corporate customers and professionals.

In addition to the continuous basic loyalty programs, we have periodic volume-based campaigns that are designed for a specific time period for prepaid and postpaid subscribers. We also offer tailored advantages and privileges to our premium customers to ensure their satisfaction and loyalty.

Roaming Tariffs

When one of our subscribers makes a call outside Turkey, we charge the subscriber the local or international rate charged by the local operator where the call is placed, as applicable, plus a surcharge. Since September 2006, by dividing the world into five zones, we have started to offer a flat fee for roaming usage, which is known as the “Turkcell World Tariff”. Whenever our subscribers go abroad, regardless of their tariff, they are subject to the Turkcell World Tariff for their roaming usage.

Based on Turkcell’s roaming agreements, Turkcell hosts foreign operators’ subscribers in its network. When a subscriber of a foreign operator makes a call within the Turkcell coverage area, that subscriber’s operator pays us our inter-operator tariff (“IOT”) for the specific call type. IOT is a wholesale tariff applied between mobile operators having roaming agreements.

Churn

Churn rate is the percentage calculated by dividing the total number of subscriber disconnections during a period by the average number of subscribers for the same period. For these purposes, we define “average number of subscribers” as the number of subscribers at the beginning of the period plus one half of the total number of gross subscribers acquired during the period. Churn refers to subscribers that are both voluntarily and involuntarily disconnected from our network. Under our disconnection process, postpaid subscribers who do not pay their bills are disconnected and included in churn upon the commencement of a legal process to disconnect them, which commences approximately 180 days from the due date of the unpaid bill. Pending disconnection, non-paying subscribers are suspended from service (but are still considered subscribers) and receive a suspension warning, which in some cases results in payment and reinstatement of service. Prepaid subscribers who do not reload units for a period of 210 days are disconnected and cannot reuse their numbers.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, our annual churn rate was 19.9%. We have what we believe to be an adequate bad debt provision in our consolidated financial statements for non-payments and disconnections

 

32


Table of Contents

amounting to $181.7 million and $133.6 million as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. While our on-going emphasis on retention remains a high priority in 2008, we expect churn rate to be higher than 2007 due to an increase in competition.

Seasonality

The Turkish GSM market is affected by seasonal peaks and troughs, the effects of which are reflected in our quarterly results and key performance indicators. In general, the effects of seasonality on GSM usage positively influence our results in the second and third quarter of the fiscal year and negatively influence our results in the first and fourth quarters of the fiscal year. Local and religious holidays in Turkey also generally affect our operational results.

Network

Coverage

Our GSM network is designed to provide high-quality coverage to the majority of the population of Turkey throughout the areas in which they live, work and travel. As of March 31, 2008, Turkcell covered 81.10% of the entire geography of Turkey and 98.12% of Turkey’s population, including 100% of cities with a population of 2,000 or more. Coverage also includes a substantial part of the Mediterranean and Aegean coastline and during 2007, we enhanced coverage in low populated areas as well. We have significantly exceeded the coverage requirements of our license.

We have also expanded our GSM network to add capacity to existing service areas and to offer service to new areas, including improvement of the existing urban, suburban and intercity road coverage. During 2008 we plan to further expand our coverage in cities with a population of 1,000 or more, Turkish coastal lines and roads and railways in addition to further enhancing coverage and capacity in populated areas.

Network Infrastructure

We have largely employed experienced internal personnel for network engineering and other design activities while employing an experienced supplier for our network infrastructure and as our partner in product/service development. Our supplier installs the base station cell site equipment and the switches on a turn-key basis, while subcontractors employed by our supplier perform the actual site preparation.

Our network consists of standalone Home Location Registers (“HLR”), BSC, combined Mobile Switch Centers/Visitor Location Registers (“MSC/VLR”), Service Control Points (“SCP”) and BTS. BTSs are the fixed transmitter and receiver equipment in each cell, or coverage area of a single antenna, of a mobile communications network that communicates by radio signal with mobile telephones in the cell. Each BTS is connected to a BSC via leased lines and/or radio relay links called “minilinks.” The BSC monitor and control the BTS. It is possible to cascade the BTSs to each other, thereby realizing considerable cost savings in transmission.

Capacity

In 2007, we continued to develop and improve the quality and capacity of our network. In urban areas, we increased coverage and capacity through placing network infrastructure in commercial sites such as shopping malls, business complexes and entertainment centers. We have achieved the highest coverage density in major urban areas, especially Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.

We believe that we have sufficient bandwidth to serve our current and projected short-term subscriber base and that we currently meet the capacity requirements of our license. To enhance the network capacity where congestion is a possibility, we intend to construct additional network sub-infrastructure, or implement technological advances that will permit bandwidths to be used more efficiently. In 2007, a number of techniques

 

33


Table of Contents

were employed to increase the effective carrying capacity of a given allocation of spectrum as well. The techniques used involved enhancing core network capacity by adding new nodes, processor upgrades and expansions to existing equipment in order to accommodate further increases in our subscriber base and the accompanying call handling and traffic capacity demands. In 2007, we made further capital expenditures to improve existing capacity, replaced some of the phased out hardware with ones offering higher capacity, provided increased network functionality and improved network efficiency in order to better serve our customers. Nevertheless, it may become impractical to continue to apply these techniques in densely populated metropolitan areas due to excessive cost or technological limitations and the amount of spectrum currently allocated to Turkcell’s network, despite these techniques, may not be sufficient to accommodate the future long-term growth of our subscriber base. As a result, we have requested the allocation of additional frequencies in the GSM 900 MHz band from the Telecommunications Authority to further enhance our network capacity. There can be no assurance that we can obtain additional frequencies in the 900 MHz band or additional spectrum in the 1800 MHz band or 3G or UMTS with HSPA technology which works in a completely differeny frequency band (2.1 GHz) at reasonable cost or at all.

We have continued implementing EDGE technology in our network and enlarging our EDGE coverage area. EDGE is an evolution of the GSM technology which allows consumers to use cellular handsets, PC cards and other wireless devices at faster data rates up to 200 kbps or approximately four times faster than GSM/GPRS data rates. Actual data rates vary depending on the access network load at the connection time and the terminal device features used by customer. We started implementing EDGE in September 2004 by upgrading existing BTS sites primarily in large hotels, airports, shopping centers and other areas experiencing high data traffic. As of December 31, 2007, the Turkcell EDGE network reached over 85% of total Base Stations in our network.

Network Maintenance

We have entered into several System Service Agreements. Under these agreements, our GSM network, including hardware repair and replacement, software and system support services, consultation services and emergency services are serviced by a Turkish provider. Our subcontractors perform corrective and preventative maintenance of our radio network in the field, although a Turkish provider repairs all the network equipment.

We have six regional operation units with qualified Turkcell staff that operate and maintain our network in six main geographical regions. In addition, the Turkcell Network Control Center located in Istanbul monitors our entire network 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and ensures that necessary maintenance is performed in response to any problems.

Transmission Lines

Radio access network transmission is either provided as leased lines from Turk Telekom or microwave radio links that we own and operate. As of December 31, 2007, approximately 87% of our BTS transmission is provided by microwave radio-leased line combinations and 13% is provided by the leased lines.

In order to expand network coverage, microwave radio links are preferred since they are owned and operated by Turkcell itself. When there is no line of sight, copper lines/fiber from transmission service providers are used. Inter-city connections are only carried through transmission service providers due to regulatory restrictions.

All of our switching equipment that forms part of our core network, including MSCs, Gateway MSCs, Tandem switches and HLRs are located within our own buildings. Transmission between these sites (backbone) is always achieved through Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (“SDH”) leased lines.

Interconnections with other Public Land Mobile Network (“PLMN”), Public Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) and UMTH (Long Distance Telephony Services, small operator) companies are realized with leased

 

34


Table of Contents

lines. Until December 31, 2003, Turk Telekom was the only transmission service provider. However, Turk Telekom still has significant market power as the only operator that owns a nationwide fiber transmission network in Turkey. There are a few new entrants but they still have very limited fiber infrastructure in some cities or between cities. Having alternative transmission service providers should lead to lower prices and higher service quality.

Site Leasing

Once a new coverage area has been identified, our technical staff determines the optimal base station location and the required coverage characteristics. The area is then surveyed to identify BTS sites. In urban areas, typical sites are building faces and rooftops. In rural areas, masts and towers are usually constructed. Our technical staff also identifies the best means of connecting the base station to the network. Once a preferred site has been identified and the exact equipment configuration for that site determined, we begin the process of site leasing and obtaining necessary regulatory permits. Construction of masts or towers that we require in rural areas are performed by Kule Hizmet ve Isletmecilik A.S. (“Kule”), a company 100% indirectly owned by us. We lease antenna space and provide maintenance and management services from Kule at such towers.

Dropped Calls

Dropped calls are calls that are terminated involuntarily and are measured by using the ratio of total dropped calls during the most congested hour of network traffic during the relevant time period to the traffic intensity in that congested hour. Using this industry standard for dropped calls, our monthly dropped call rate has further decreased to under 1 per Erlang.

Services and Platforms

We have an intelligent network and other service platforms enabling our services and we also provide secure and controlled access to the network for the content and service providers to give messaging and data services. This infrastructure is being improved to open up more capabilities of the network towards the application and content providers. New infrastructure also contains a portal where subscribers buy services, receive promotions and enroll for campaigns easily.

Business Continuity Management (“BCM”)

In 2000, Turkcell launched its Business Continuity Plan (“BCP”) that encompassed Technical Operations and sited Ankara Plaza as the Business Recovery Center. In 2004, the BCP was widened to cover all of Turkcell’s business functions and renamed BCM. Its implementation was completed in July 2005 and BCM was adopted as a full-time function. In the second half of 2005, the BCM plan was tested with 14 different scenarios.

In 2006, the BCM plan was tested with 20 different scenarios, including potential natural disasters, that covered various systems, mission critical processes and building evacuations. One test included a joint operation with the Governorship of Istanbul to test a major earthquake scenario.

In 2007, core network and service network equipment, and their management systems, were acquired for our Business Recovery Center in Ankara. The BCM plan was tested with 23 different scenarios, including mission critical processes and building evacuation.

Looking at scenarios that may affect Turkcell’s operations, the purpose of BCM is to prevent or overcome these situations; to develop recovery and crisis scenarios; to make sure Business Continuity planning continues and all key function staff are trained; and to raise awareness and understanding of Business Continuity.

To this end, we established a Crisis Management Team, a Business Recovery Team and several Emergency Response Teams. The Crisis Management Team is made up of senior management who are charged with

 

35


Table of Contents

managing the whole potential crisis. The Business Recovery Team and Emergency Response Teams are located at the Business Recovery Centers in Ankara and in several locations throughout Turkey, including Istanbul and Izmir. If needed, these sites are ready to aid and assist various teams at 15 other sites. In the event that Turkcell’s operations are interrupted, in accordance with the area in which the crisis occurs, a chain alert call convenes the teams.

The project was finalized in the fourth quarter of 2007. Thus, we believe that the BCM will be able cover the majority of Turkcell’s operations through potential environmental events and natural disasters.

Sales and Marketing

We design our sales and marketing strategy around subscriber needs and expectations. We try to ensure the loyalty of our subscribers through providing offers, campaigns and our advanced Service Delivery Platforms. Our CRM approach along with our brand image and corporate values has helped us to increase customer satisfaction. Throughout 2006, our aim was to focus on customer satisfaction through a segmented approach in our service and product offerings while sustaining a balance with revenue goals. For 2007, in an increasingly competitive environment, we intended to maintain our leading position and emphasized customer satisfaction through our value propositions. Our customer information management capabilities allowed us to design offers in a customized and timely fashion while remaining sensitive to usage patterns and customer preferences. Our ability to proactively tailor offers to the needs and expectations of our customers will continue to drive our business in 2008.

Our nationwide distribution channels are an important asset that help to differentiate us from our competitors and help us achieve our sales targets. Our strong and extensive distribution network consists of dealers, Turkcell Extras, TIMs (Turkcell Communication Centers) and Turkcell Stores as well as points of sale for counters (airtime) including ATMs, POS, web, call centers, supermarkets and consumer electronic chains and kiosks.

In Turkey, independent handset dealers serve as the primary point of mobile service sales. Subscribers generally must purchase a mobile phone from a dealer to commence services. We sell Simcards and starter packs to distributors, which are delivered to dealers and sales points. In addition, distributors purchase handsets directly from mobile phone importers and distribute them to dealers. Airtime scratch cards for Hazir Kart are sold through our exclusive and non-exclusive dealer networks, supermarket chains, gas stations, digital channels and other distribution points. Muhabbet Kart’s “Chat Card” branded scratch cards are sold through newspaper kiosks and dealers located throughout Turkey. Muhabbet Kart is only sold by A-Tel, a 50-50 joint venture between SDIF and Turkcell.

16K, 32K, 64K and 128K (128K cards are only used for spare Simcards) Simcards are in circulation in the market; 64K Simcard starter packs are sold with inclusive 20-100 and 250 counters whereas 16K and 32K starter packs are no longer sold by the Company.

Turkcell Sales Efforts

We sell postpaid and prepaid services to subscribers through our distribution network, which is composed of distributors, Turkcell Stores and exclusive and non-exclusive dealers. TurkcellExtra shops totaled in excess of 12,500 sales points as of December 31, 2007. We also sell scratch cards through newspaper kiosks, supermarkets, gas stations, digital channels and ATMs.

In 2007, two new flagship Turkcell Stores—fully operated by Turkcell—were added to our sales network in order to enhance Turkcell’s brand image in the retail world by providing the best customer experience and introducing top of the line new products and services to our customers.

 

36


Table of Contents

Our exclusive dealers also operate TurkcellExtra shops that are located in popular shopping malls and on main streets throughout Turkey. TurkcellExtra shops create a relaxed, user-friendly environment where both existing and potential subscribers have access to new products and services. Each TurkcellExtra shop has at least one Turkcell service consultant trained in services and products.

In total, we have approximately 39,000 sales points for prepaid counters including digital channels, ATMs, POSs, kiosks, Call Centers, Internet, WAP, retail chains, SMS, Digital TV and USSD.

All dealers are paid compensation based on the number of new subscribers they sign up and the level of subscribers’ usage they sign up, as well as additional incentives based on their performance.

Sales Management develops strong relationships with and promote brand loyalty among dealers through a variety of support and incentive programs. Training programs aim to educate dealers about the technical aspects of our products and services, as well as sales techniques to increase sales and enhance customer relations. The “Champions Club” incentive program enhances dealer-employee loyalty and sales efforts. The technological development projects commenced in 2007, and coupled with merchandising services, POP materials and channel specific campaigns, help to support the sales efforts in all of our sales channels.

We address large enterprises through key account managers and small and medium enterprises (“SMEs”) with indirect sales channels through a corporate focused dealer organization. The main focus is to provide large enterprises and SMEs with mobile services to meet their communication requirements and support these solutions with retention and acquisition programs and tariffs. We work closely with solution partners and application providers to integrate mobility into enterprises’ operations through tailor-made total solutions packages.

Advertising

We promote the quality and the reliability of our network, a range of different value offers, the variety and the convenience of our services and the additional benefits of being a Turkcell customer. Our vision is to ease and enrich the lives of our customers with communication and technology solutions.

Our Turkcell brand is supported by sub-brands that are designed to communicate separately to different segmented customers. gnctrkcll, communicates to our youth community, IsTcell advertises to professional and corporate customers and turkcell-im advertises our portal. We sustain one-to-one basis communication with our customers via field activities such as the Turkcell RoadShow. In addition, we strengthen our communication with each customer group represented by a relative sub-brand through customized direct marketing events. In order to ensure that each message reaches its targeted customer segment effectively, we advertise through television, cinema, radio, digital media, web, print and billboards.

Customer Services

A key part of our strategy is to provide premium services by working, thinking and acting in a customer-focused manner. Our goal is to develop and sustain a continuous relationship with the customer through tailored service and excellent value. Our customer’s needs and expectations are obtained through our customer contact points and reflected in our marketing strategies.

In order to achieve this, we mainly work with two companies, namely Global Bilgi Pazarlama Danisma ve Cagri Servisi Hizmetleri A.S. (“Global”) and Hobim Bilgi Islem Hizmetleri A.S (“Hobim”). Global offers 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week contact center services at six sites. We align Global’s strategies with Turkcell’s customer service strategies and make sure that customer services and customer satisfaction programs, which are provided by Global, are executed in line with Turkcell’s strategies. Hobim handles the printing of invoices and archives subscription documents for us. In order to provide segmented customer service, we design and make improvements for all of the customer processes throughout all channels for different customer segments as well as monitor the quality of service provided.

 

37


Table of Contents

International Operations

A component of our strategy has been to become a regional GSM operator. International expansion and particularly continued strong operations in countries in which we are currently present is important for us. We believe these operations will provide additional value to us in the future and will continue to serve an important role in our goal to be the leading GSM operator in the region.

While continued improvement of our current operations is a key priority, we may further expand and increase our presence in key markets in the region, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States (“C.I.S.”), the Russian Federation, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. In accordance with this intent, we made an investment in Ukraine in 2004. We intend not only to transfer our technological know-how and marketing expertise, but also to maximize economies of scale and group synergy. As global competition increases in the telecommunications industry, companies need to evaluate opportunities for “intelligent expansion” within their geographic region to ensure development of new business lines and create synergies with existing ones.

Our international endeavors will continue in 2008. In addition, we will continue to work on building a fundamentally sound business in Ukraine and continue to selectively seek and evaluate new international investment opportunities. These investment opportunities could include the purchase of a license and or an acquisition in markets outside Turkey where we currently do not operate.

Ukraine—Life:)

We acquired our interest in our subsidiary Limited Liability Company Astelit (“Astelit”) on April 2, 2004 by purchasing the entire share capital of Astelit’s parent, CJSC Digital Cellular Communications (“DCC”), from its shareholders. Astelit, 99% owned by DCC, held a nationwide GSM1800 license. On April 4, 2006, Astelit announced a merger of DCC and Astelit, which was completed on August 1, 2006. Our interest in Astelit is held through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Turktell Uluslararasi Yatirim Holding A.S. (“Turktell Uluslararasi”), which holds 55.0% of Euroasia, which is 100% owner of Astelit.

Astelit began its operations in the Ukrainian market in February 2005 with its new brand “life:)”. As of December 31, 2007, Astelit reached 8.8 million subscribers, a 57% annual increase from 5.6 million subscribers as of December 31, 2006. Almost 100% of subscribers are prepaid subscribers as of December 31, 2007.

Astelit introduced a number of innovations in 2007 that solidified its position in Ukraine. The life:) brand had reached 97% recognition in the market and is differentiated from the existing mobile brands as being young, innovative, fair and western. By the end of 2007, Astelit reached 35,040 sales points throughout Ukraine. As of February 2008, Astelit provided outbound roaming opportunities in 207 countries through 542 roaming partners and inbound roaming opportunities in 143 countries through 315 roaming partners.

As of December 31, 2007, Astelit operated in all cities of Ukraine with a population of more than 50,000 inhabitants and more than 26,785 settlements, and all principal inter-city highways, which corresponds to coverage of approximately 91% of the whole population of Ukraine or 78% geographical coverage with more than 4,426 base stations. Cumulative capital expenditure for the development of Astelit’s coverage amounted to $853.5 million as of December 31, 2007. In 2008, Astelit will continue to invest more to increase its coverage level. The acquisition of the GSM 900 license and frequencies in late 2005 permitted Astelit to expand the coverage much faster, and in 2008 Astelit plans to invest around $250 million, not including 3G capital expenditures, into the network in order to increase the coverage and capacity requirements and offer new services.

Astelit is currently building a highly innovative network in which all base stations will support EDGE. When completed, this network will enable Astelit to introduce many innovative services and products. Astelit is

 

38


Table of Contents

strongly dedicated to further develop innovations in the market and to apply for a 3G license when one becomes available (no timetable has been announced). Currently, there is only one 3G license that has been granted in Ukraine. This license has been granted, without tender, to the state owned company, Ukrtelecom.

On December 30, 2005, Astelit signed a 6-year, $390 million long-term senior syndicated facility; the mandated lead managers were ING Bank N.V. and Standard Bank London Ltd. Of the total facility, $270 million is guaranteed by Export Credit Agency (“ECA”) and $120 million is not guaranteed. Based on Astelit’s financial statements, for the periods ended March 2006, June 2006, September 2006, December 2006 and March 2007, Astelit was in breach of certain financial covenants. Astelit received the necessary waivers from the senior lenders related to the covenant breaches in part due to additional shareholder contributions to Astelit required by the lenders. On April 19, 2007, Astelit sent a letter accompanied by a term sheet to ING Bank, the Facility Agent. With this term sheet, Astelit proposed restructuring of the senior syndicated facility and notified that in the case of some or all of the creditors did not consent to the proposed amendments, Turkcell would purchase the loans and commitments held by such non-consenting creditors. Since the creditors did not consent to the proposed amendments, Astelit repaid to the lenders under the long term project financing on June 27, 2007 through borrowings from Financell.

In connection with this restructuring, we guaranteed the principal amount, any accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of the loan and any unpaid default interest in relation thereto and any other costs, expenses and fees that may accrue in connection with the loan lended by Financell to Astelit. Depending on the market conditions and its financial performance, Astelit will redeem loans to Financell within the next 18 months following June 27, 2007 through a new financing package. We can give no assurance, however, that Astelit will be able to obtain such financing.

In addition to the senior syndicated facility, a long-term junior facility agreement up to $150 million (including interest amounting to $24 million) was also signed by Astelit during December 2005 with Garanti Bankasi, Luxemburg Branch and Akbank T.A.S., Malta Branch. This facility has been fully utilized as at December 31, 2007. According to the conditions of the facility agreement, interest costs will be added to the principal amount until total principal amount will reach $150 million. This junior facility is fully guaranteed by Turkcell.

In January 2005, we loaned $25.5 million to Euroasia through Turktell Uluslararasi, which was used to fund Astelit. By June 2, 2005, our effective interest in Euroasia had increased to 54.2% as the $25.5 million loan was converted to equity and we purchased certain holdings of other shareholders in Astelit. During October 2005, we further loaned $30.6 million to Euroasia through Turktell Uluslararasi. In January 2006, this loan was also converted to equity and our effective interest in Euroasia increased to 54.4%.

In April 2006, a decision was made to further increase the capital stock of Astelit by $40 million through further additional funding from Euroasia. Turktell Uluslararasi and SCM participated in this capital increase in proportion to their respective shareholding. Eurocorp, the other shareholder in Euroasia, did not contribute. Accordingly, in June 2006, Turktell Uluslararasi contributed $22 million, which increased our effective interest in Euroasia to 54.5%.

During June 2006, Turkcell, through its subsidiary Turktell Uluslararasi, and SCM decided to contribute on a prorata basis an additional aggregate amount of $150 million, in three installments of $50 million, into the capital stock of Euroasia. Minority shareholder Eurocorp did not participate to this capital increase, Turktell Uluslararasi contributed $82.6 million in proportion to its shareholding percentage. This contribution brought our effective interest in Euroasia to 54.8%. The three installments of $27.5 million were paid on July 2006, October 2006 and January 2007.

In March 2007, Turkcell through its subsidiary Turktell Uluslararasi, and SCM decided to contribute on a prorata basis an additional aggregate amount of $200 million to the capital stock of Euroasia in four equal

 

39


Table of Contents

installments of $50 million during 2007. Eurocorp did not participate in this capital increase. The four installments were paid in March 2007, May 2007, July 2007 and September 2007. This contribution brought our effective interest in Euroasia to 55.04%.

In December 2007, Turkcell through its subsidiary Turktell Uluslararasi, and SCM decided to contribute to the share capital of Euroasia an aggregate amount of $200 million during the first half of 2008 in three installments. In January and March 2008, Turktell Uluslararasi and SCM paid the 1st and 2nd installments of $50 million each in proportion to their shareholdings and the remaining 3rd installment of $100 million will be paid in May 2008.

Since the acquisition of Astelit in the second quarter of 2004, operations in Ukraine have been consolidated in Turkcell’s financial information.

Fintur

We hold a 41.45% stake in Fintur, which currently holds our entire interest in our international GSM investments other than our Northern Cyprus and Ukraine operations.

Below is a description of the businesses currently held by Fintur.

Azercell

Fintur indirectly owns 51% of Azercell Telekom B.M. (“Azercell”), which offers GSM services on both a prepaid and a postpaid basis in Azerbaijan. As of December 31, 2007, Azercell had approximately 3.0 million subscribers, of which approximately 105,000 thousand were postpaid and approximately 2.9 million were prepaid subscribers.

The agreement for the privatization process of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s 35.7% ownership in Azercell was signed in February 2008 and Azertell A.S., the parent company of Azercell, acquired the entire stake of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Azertel’s ownership in Azercell increased to 100%, however, Fintur’s effective ownership in Azercell remained at 51%.

Geocell

Fintur indirectly owns 83% of Geocell Ltd., (“Geocell”), which operates a GSM network and offers mobile telephony services in Georgia. As of December 31, 2007, Geocell had approximately 1.3 million subscribers, of which approximately 20,000 were postpaid, approximately 107,000 were paid-in-advance subscribers that had postpaid services but paid in advance and approximately 1.2 million were prepaid. As of January 4, 2008, Fintur’s stake increased to 97.5%.

Kcell

Fintur owns 51% of GSM Kazakhstan, (“Kcell”), along with Kazakhtelekom, the Kazakhstan monopoly fixed-line operator, which owns 49%. Kcell offers mobile telephony services in Kazakhstan and had approximately 6.0 million subscribers as of December 31, 2007, of which approximately 54,000 were postpaid, approximately 1.3 million were paid-in-advance subscribers and approximately 4.7 million were prepaid. Prior to 2006, Kcell was exempt from corporate income tax for revenue relating to its primary activity. For the year 2006, Kcell was subject to Corporate Income Tax on revenue relating to its primary activity.

Moldcell

At December 31, 2007, Fintur directly and indirectly owned 100% of Moldcell S.A., (“Moldcell”), which offers GSM services in Moldova. As of December 31, 2007, Moldcell had 0.5 million subscribers, of which

 

40


Table of Contents

approximately 30,000 were postpaid, approximately 103,000 were paid-in-advance subscribers and approximately 372,000 were prepaid. Moldcell has been granted full payment tax exemption from January 1, 2006 until December 31, 2008.

Kibris Telekom

Kibris Mobile Telekomunikasyon Limited Sirketi, or Kuzey Kibris Turkcell (“Kibris Telekom”), a 100% owned subsidiary of Turkcell, was established in 1999. As of December 31, 2007, Kibris Telekom had 0.3 million subscribers.

On April 27, 2007, Kibris Telekom signed a license agreement for installation and operation of a digital, cellular and mobile telecommunication system with the Ministry of Communications and Works of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The license agreement became effective on August 1, 2007 and replaced the existing GSM-Mobile Telephony System Agreement which was dated March 25, 1999 and based on revenue-sharing terms. The new license agreement granted GSM 900, GSM 1800 and IMT 2000/UMTS license, for GSM 900 and GSM 1800 frequencies, while the usage of IMT 2000/UMTS frequency bands is subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions. The license agreement will be valid for 18 years from the date of signing.

The license fee was set at $30 million including VAT and Kibris Telekom paid $15 million upon the signing of the license agreement and the remainder was paid in 5 equal monthly installments starting from August 2007 until January 2008. The license fee was financed by Kibris Telekom through internal and external funds.

On March 14, 2008, Kibris Telekom was awarded a 3G infrastructure license at a cost of $10 million, which was paid at the end of March 2008. Under the terms of the license, the system must be operational by mid-October 2008. We do not expect any material capital expenditures or financing consequences.

Financell

Financell was incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands in February 2007 and has its registered address in the Netherlands. It is established as an intermediate financing company that is wholly owned by Turkcell. Financell will borrow funds from third party lenders with or without Turkcell guarantee to fund other Turkcell’s subsidiaries.

Syriatel

We are engaged in negotiations with Al Mashreq Investment Fund to acquire a majority stake in Syriatel, the leading GSM operator in Syria. No assurance can be given that these negotiations will be successful and that we will acquire a majority stake in Syriatel.

We believe that this acquisition would represent an important opportunity for us to gain control of a leading mobile operator in one of the most populous country in the Middle East, which has attractive growth potential. Assuming our negotiations are successfully concluded, this acquisition would be in line with our strategy to invest in a new international market with growth potential that meet our financial criteria.

We believe that the Syrian market is attractive and growing. Syria’s population was estimated at 21 million as of the end of 2007, making it one of the most populated countries in the Middle East. At the same time, Syria’s telecommunications market has substantial room for growth, with a GSM market penetration estimated at approximately 30% as of 2007 year end and fixed line penetration of approximately 18% as of 2006 year end.

There are presently two GSM operators in Syria, and Syriatel’s market share (based on number of subscribers at the end of 2007) is estimated at 52%. Syriatel’s network is operated under a Build-Operate-Transfer (“BOT”) contract.

 

41


Table of Contents

Pursuant to the agreement that we are negotiating, we would acquire a majority stake in Syriatel from Al Mashreq Investment Fund represented by Rami Makhlouf, a Syrian businessman who has been designated by the U.S. Department of Treasury as a person improperly benefiting from the Syrian regime. He may continue to hold directly and/or indirectly a minority stake in Syriatel.

Other Domestic Operations

We continuously monitor new business opportunities which we believe have positive return potential and/or are critical for sustaining our competitive advantage in our core business.

Global

On October 1, 1999, we established Global in order to provide telemarketing, telesales, directory assistance and call center services especially for us. In 2005, Global completed its transition from call center to contact center as Global started to manage customer contacts at every channel except face-to-face interaction. In November 2006, the face-to-face interaction channel was also transferred to Global. As of December 31, 2007, Global employed 4,766 employees, of which around 63% provide us with customer care and retention services, around 32% serve customers of other clients while the remainder work as administrative personnel. We own 100% of Global as of December 31, 2007.

Inteltek

Inteltek was established on April 6, 2001 to explore business opportunities in the gaming industry.

Currently, Turkcell holds 55% of Inteltek through its wholly owned subsidiary Turktell Bilisim Servisleri A.S. (“Turktell”), Intralot, a Greek gaming company, holds 20% and Intralot Iberia Holding, a Spanish company, holds 25%.

Following a successful tender, Inteltek signed a contract on July 30, 2002 which provides for the installation, support and operation of an on-line central betting system as well as maintenance and support for the provision of football betting games with a commission rate of 4.3%. The Central Betting System Contract was scheduled to expire on March 30, 2008.

Following a further successful tender, Inteltek signed a contract with the General Directorate of Youth and Sports on October 2, 2003 which authorized Inteltek to establish and operate a risk management center and become head agent for fixed odds betting with a commission rate of 12%. The company became fully operational during 2004. The Fixed Odds Betting contract was scheduled to expire in October 2011. Subsequently, there were three lawsuits filed, two of them were initiated requesting the annulment of the Fixed Odds Betting tender and the other one was initiated requesting an annulment of the Fixed Odds Betting Tender contract. In January 2007, the Danistay, the highest administrative court, decided for a preliminary injunction of the tender and the tender transaction. As a result in March 2007, the General Directorate of Youth and Sports ceased the implementation of the Fixed Odds Betting contract. Immediately after this occurred a lawsuit was initiated by Inteltek against the said transaction. On February 28, 2007, the Turkish parliament passed a law that allowed Spor Toto Teskilati A.S. (“Spor Toto”) to hold a new tender before March 1, 2008 with new terms. Under the new conditions, the commission rate of Inteltek decreased from 12% to 7% while the commission rate for central betting system was maintained. Following this law, in March 2007, the General Directorate of Youth and Sports terminated the agreement. In addition, Inteltek initiated a lawsuit against the General Directorate of Youth and Sports on the ground that the said termination was unjustified. For further information please see “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.”

On February 27, 2008, the Turkish parliament passed a new law (No. 5738) that allowed Spor Toto to sign a new Fixed Odds Betting contract with Inteltek, having the same terms and conditions with the “latest contracts signed with Spor Toto” (contract signed as per Provisional Article 1 of Law 5583) and to be valid for up to one

 

42


Table of Contents

year, until operations start under the new tender which Spor Toto is allowed to hold in accordance with the same law. As per Provisional Article 1 of law No. 5738, Inteltek signed a new Fixed Odds Betting contract with Spor Toto, which took effect on March 1, 2008. At the same time, Inteltek signed a new Central Betting System contract with Spor Toto, which took effect on March 31, 2008. Inteltek intends to participate in the new tender; however, it will operate under the new Fixed Odds Betting and Central Betting Systems contract until the completion of the new tender. If the process of the new tender is completed before the end of the one year term of the new contract, and the winner of the tender operates under a new contract, the previous contract signed between Spor Toto and Inteltek shall be terminated even if the one year term will not yet have expired. No assurance can be given that Inteltek will be able to win the expected tender for this business on terms that will be commercially acceptable.

Bilyoner Interaktif Hizmetler A.S. (“Bilyoner”)

Bilyoner was established on September 2, 2003 as Libero Interaktif Hizmetler A.S. to provide remote betting services to the general public over the age of 18 through fixed Internet, mobile phones, interactive TV, kiosks and IVR. On October 8, 2006, the Company’s name was changed from Libero Interaktif Hizmetler A.S. to Bilyoner. Turktell has a 55% interest in Bilyoner, Intralot has a 25% interest and Tek Elektronik holds the remaining 20% interest. On March 26, 2004, Bilyoner signed an agreement with the General Directorate of Youth and Sports to offer football related remote betting services and started its operations in August 2004. On October 13, 2005, Bilyoner signed an agreement with the Turkish Jockey Club (“TJK”) to offer horse-race related remote betting services and started its operations in May 2006. On December 6, 2006, Bilyoner signed an agreement with the Milli Piyango Idaresi Genel Mudurlugu (the National Lottery Administration) to offer national lottery tickets over its platform and started its operations in December 2006.

Tellcom

Tellcom was established on June 9, 2004 under the name Bilisim Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri A.S. (“Bilisim”) to provide telecommunication services other than GSM. In February 2006, the Company’s name was changed from Bilisim first to Tellcom Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri A.S. and subsequently to Tellcom. After its incorporation, Tellcom obtained a Long Distance Telephony Services (“LDTS”) right, which allows the company to provide long distance call origination and termination for consumers and corporation, as well as wholesale voice carrying services. Currently, the company carries some of Turkcell’s international traffic, previously carried by Turk Telekom. Tellcom has also been awarded an ISP license. In March 2006 and April 2007, Tellcom was awarded a 25-year license that allows the company to roll out and operate a transmission infrastructure nationwide. We own 100% of this company.

On November 22, 2006, Tellcom participated in a tender for a ten-year license to operate a fiber-optic cable between Istanbul and Ankara. On January 25, 2007, Tellcom was awarded the license after submitting a winning bid of $23 million. This fiber-optic cable allows for direct competition between Turk Telekom and Tellcom. Tellcom continues to consider participating in additional infrastructure tenders to complement its roll-out plans.

By 2007, Tellcom had become one of the main long distance service providers among alternative operators and the first alternative operator to carry domestic traffic in Turkey. Tellcom also entered the retail broadband market by bringing fiber optics to the homes of residential campuses as well as reselling Turk Telekom’s ADSL services

In 2008, Tellcom will continue to invest in its transmission network by expanding its inter-city and in-city fiber-optic backbone and by establishing new fiber-based access points at selected residential and industrial areas for end-users and commercial account prospects. Telecom plans to spend up to $200 million in capital expenditure in 2008, and Tellcom may require several years to generate the expected returns from such capital expenditure, if at all.

 

43


Table of Contents

A-Tel

On August 9, 2006, Turkcell acquired 50% of A-Tel’s shares. A-Tel is a joint venture and its remaining 50% shares are held by Turkey’s Savings and Deposit Insurance Fund. A-Tel is involved in marketing, selling and distributing our prepaid systems. It acts as our only dealer for Muhabbet Kart (a prepaid card), and receives dealer activation fees and Simcard subsidies for the sale of Muhabbet Kart. In addition to the sales of Simcards and scratch cards through an extensive network of newspaper kiosks located throughout Turkey, we have entered into several agreements with A-Tel for the sale of campaigns and for subscriber activations. Since 1999, the business cooperation between us and A-Tel has provided important support to our sales and marketing activities. With the brand name Muhabbet Kart, A-Tel’s success in such a competitive environment is partly due to its having well structured campaigns.

Kule

Kule is a wholly owned subsidiary founded in 2006. Kule commenced its operations in 2007 and became the first and only tower service provider to the wireless broadcast and communications industry in Turkey. Its scope of activities includes the construction and purchase of new towers, the maintenance and renewal of existing ones, security services and other related activities.

Turkcell Teknoloji

Turkcell Teknoloji Araştirma ve Geliştirme A.S. (“Turkcell Teknoloji”) commenced operations in the TUBITAK Marmara Research Center Technological Free Zone in Gebze in 2007. Turkcell Teknoloji offers a wide variety of products and services within the categories of network platform, service platform, SIM and terminal solutions, as well as next generation technologies. Turkcell Teknoloji looks forward to transforming new ideas into value added products with the cooperation of other entities in its ecosystem such as R&D companies, universities and research centers.

Potential Investments

Our efforts to selectively seek and evaluate new investment opportunities continue. These opportunities may include the purchase of licenses and acquisitions of interests in other operators in markets outside Turkey in which we currently do not operate. We may also pursue investment opportunities in communications and technology related investments in Turkey. We intend to continue to review rational and sensible investment opportunities.

As part of evaluating investment opportunities in the Eastern European region, we are conducting studies in Belarus. Specifically, on April 10, 2008, our Board of Directors decided to conduct the necessary studies to submit a proposal directly, or through one of our subsidiaries, to the shareholders of BeST, based in the Republic of Belarus, to purchase the majority of the company’s shares.

Regulation of the Turkish Telecommunications Industry

Overview

All telecommunications activity in Turkey is regulated by the Turkish Ministry and the Telecommunications Authority. The Telegram and Telephone Law No. 406 (the “Telecommunications Law”), as amended, is the principal law governing telecommunications activity in Turkey. The Wireless Law No. 2813, as amended, and Turkish Ministry Law No. 3348, as amended, also includes provisions relating to telecommunications in Turkey.

The Telecommunications Law was reformed in 2000 and 2001. The reforms were aimed at modernizing and reforming the legal and institutional framework for the provision of telecommunications infrastructure and service in Turkey.

 

44


Table of Contents

The principal changes introduced in 2000 were:

 

   

The privatization of Turk Telekom, resulting in government influence reduced to the capacity of shareholder and policy maker;

 

   

The establishment of an independent regulator, the Telecommunications Authority, with separate legal status and administrative and financial autonomy; and

 

   

The establishment of a transparent telecommunications framework.

Privatization of Turk Telekom

These changes radically altered Turk Telekom’s legal relationship with the government with the result that the government’s influence over Turk Telekom’s operations and investments has been effectively removed.

Until December 31, 2003, Turk Telekom held a monopoly over the provision and infrastructure of national and international voice telephone services (excluding the telecommunications infrastructure established by business enterprises through license agreements, telecommunications licenses, general permits or personal telecommunications premises). However, from January 1, 2004, other companies can provide telecommunications services and operate infrastructure upon approval by the Telecommunications Authority. Despite the expiration of Turk Telekom’s monopoly, Turk Telekom, until recently, retained a de facto monopoly, as no licenses were granted by the Telecommunications Authority and no operators were authorized to provide services within Turk Telekom’s monopoly area (other than the authorization of long distance call services). However, in March 2006, the Authority granted three companies, one of which is Tellcom, “Infrastructure in Operating Service Licenses.” As of January 2008, the number of operators holding such licenses had increased to 15.

On June 5, 2004, the Telecommunications Authority designated Turk Telekom an operator holding a de facto monopoly over national and international voice carrying services in the telecommunication network market (excluding networks which shall be constructed by licensed telecommunications operators and individual telecommunications networks), in accordance with The Telegram and Telephone Law No. 406 article 29(b), until the constitution of the fair competition in relevant markets. Consequently, in accordance with The Telegram and Telephone Law No. 406 article 29(b), the Telecommunications Authority has calculated the maximum prices, including rental charges of leased lines and transmissions, on a non-discriminative and cost basis by any administrative acts and regulations that Turk Telekom can charge.

On April 13, 2004, the Telecommunications Authority amended the Regulation on the authorization of Long Distance Call Services. By March 31, 2006, the resulting amendment has allowed 45 new operators to obtain licenses to provide long distance call services. According to the terms of the regulation and license application procedure, Turk Telekom must provide carrier selection and access to the new networks. Turk Telekom has signed interconnection agreements, which became operational in 2005, with some of those long distance call services operators. On April 17, 2007, the Telecommunications Authority issued a telecommunication certificate entitled “Fixed Telecommunications Services”. Operators will be able to apply for such telecommunication certificate following the determination by the Council of Ministers of the license fee. License holders will be allowed to provide various data and telephony services (including local calls) and internet access services.

The Telecommunications Authority

The Telecommunications Authority has the authority to grant licenses and set fees in the telecommunications sector. However, the Council of Ministers, upon petition by the Turkish Ministry, can veto any plans for the authorization of telecommunications services that are subject to license agreements or infrastructure for the same type of services by third parties. Such agreements include value added telecommunications services, which are carried out by a limited number of operators. These value added services include the allocation of scarce resources such as frequency, orbit position and numbering services necessitating particular rights and obligations specific to

 

45


Table of Contents

each operator. Other value added telecommunications services may be carried out by private sector companies through obtaining a telecommunications license or general permission from the Telecommunications Authority without executing any license agreement. Under the current legal regime, mobile telecommunications services are provided on the basis of license agreements granting a license for the construction and operation of a GSM system. The Telecommunications Authority is authorized to enact regulations to set out the necessary qualifications required from operators, including terms and detailed conditions relating to the issuance of licenses, or general permissions and the conditions for execution of license agreements.

The Telecommunications Authority is an independent telecommunications regulator with financial and administrative independence. Its duties and activities are regulated by the Regulation on Structure, Duties and Working Procedures and Principles of the Telecommunications Authority, as amended (the “Regulation”), February 17, 2001. Pursuant to the Regulation, the Telecommunications Authority’s executive board is composed of five people, each with a five year tenure, and are appointed by the Council of Ministers from among nominees provided by the Turkish Ministry, the telecommunications industry, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Association of Exchanges and Business Chambers. The responsibilities of the Telecommunications Authority include, among others:

 

   

to prepare and submit to the Turkish Ministry telecommunication plans under the framework of the Telecommunications Law;

 

   

to monitor the activities of operators, public entities, establishments and private persons in the field of telecommunications;

 

   

to impose fines and terminate license agreements, concessions or permissions in case of failure to follow regulation or gross negligence;

 

   

to determine criteria relating to tariffs and other contractual conditions applicable to users of telecommunications services and the interconnection charges between telecommunications networks;

 

   

to review, evaluate and approve tariffs and inspect their implementation;

 

   

to scrutinize activities in contradiction of fair competition and provide the Competition Board opinions regarding activities of telecommunication companies that could be competing unfairly; and

 

   

to take measures to prevent unauthorized transmissions and interferences and to take precautions to protect consumer rights.

The 2002 amendments to the Regulation modified the principles and procedures of the Telecommunications Authority. The Telecommunications Authority can now solicit opinions of market participants through its website when it drafts legislation. It can require operators and other parties to submit their comments and opinions on draft legislation within a specified time.

The Telecommunications Law establishes legal principles and broad policy lines that the Telecommunications Authority must follow. They include:

 

   

ensuring equal treatment of consumers by telecommunications service providers and equal accessibility of services;

 

   

promoting affordable access for all to telecommunications services;

 

   

ensuring compliance with service quality standards; and

 

   

ensuring all tariffs are fair and that they reflect the costs of investments, operations and reasonable operator profit.

The Telecommunications Law also specifies general rules and principles relating to interconnection between operators. Turk Telekom and other operators are required to satisfy requests of other operators concerning interconnections between their networks. Interconnection, including the tariffs for interconnection, is required to

 

46


Table of Contents

be provided on an equal, transparent and non-discriminatory basis with conditions agreed upon between the parties and on the basis of cost and reasonable profit. Agreements for interconnection are publicly available, but precautions are taken by the Telecommunications Authority to protect commercial secrets of the parties.

Legislation Amending The Wireless Law No. 2813 was published on July 13, 2005. The legislation establishes a central database (“CEIR”) containing information on serial numbers (“IMEI”) in order to determine approved handsets, called the White List. There is also a CEIR Black List, which contains handsets that should be rejected service on a GSM network because the handsets have been reported as lost, stolen or otherwise unsuitable for use.

Universal Services and Amending Some Laws, Law No. 5369, determines the procedures and principles governing the provision and execution of universal service and to determine procedures and the rules relating to fulfillment of universal services in the electronic communication sector, a universal public service that is financially difficult for operators to provide (and performance of universal service obligation in electronic communication sector).

The legislation designates the following as Universal Services:

 

   

fixed-line telephony services;

 

   

public pay telephones;

 

   

directory enquiry services and directories;

 

   

emergency calls services;

 

   

Internet services; and

 

   

Communication services provided by the Coast Secure and Ship Rescue Services General Directorate.

This law mandates that all authorized operators must provide Universal Services and the General Directorate of Communication can demand that operators provide Universal Services on a national and/or geographical area basis.

The legislation does not impose any new financial obligations for GSM operators. However, under the legislation a fund to finance the net cost of Universal Services will be established and the Turkish Ministry and Ministry of Finance will determine how fund contributions will be shared between the operators.

Turkcell may be designated as an operator obliged to provide Universal Services and therefore Turkcell may benefit from the fund.

The Telecommunications Authority issued a Service Quality Directive on November 10, 2005. The Directive has set out procedures and principles to control the conformity of the services of operators.

According to the directive, mobile telephone operators are obligated to meet service quality requirements and submit a report based on these requirements every three months to the Telecommunications Authority.

On March 8, 2002, the Telecommunications Authority published a Regulation on Principles and Procedures of National Roaming Agreements. Mobile telecommunications and data operators or operators of other services and infrastructure are entitled to enter into national roaming agreements, general authorizations, telecommunications licenses and the regulations issued by the Telecommunications Authority. However, such operators are obliged to satisfy reasonable, economically proportionate and technically possible national roaming requests of other operators. Should an operator fail to fulfill its national roaming obligations or should it unjustifiably interrupt such service, the Telecommunications Authority can impose a fine of between 1% and 3% of the operator’s turnover for the preceding year.

 

47


Table of Contents

The Regulation establishes the following principles governing national roaming agreements:

 

   

the promotion of practices enabling access to telecommunications services at affordable prices;

 

   

non-discrimination among subscribers, users and operators;

 

   

the establishment and maintenance of competition between telecommunication providers and operators of infrastructure;

 

   

the compatibility of telecommunications systems in accordance with international norms, and maintenance of the integrity of the public telecommunications network; and

 

   

the establishment of a transparent, clear and non-discriminatory balance among the legitimate interests of the parties.

The Telecommunications Law provides basic guidelines as to price and thus leaves the detailed rules and enforcement to the Telecommunications Authority. Operators are entitled to determine tariffs in accordance with the regulations of the Telecommunications Authority. The Telecommunications Authority is authorized to determine the caps of tariffs, including line rentals. In making that determination, the Telecommunications Authority will take into account the terms and conditions of the license agreements, licenses and general permissions in compliance with the guidelines set out in the Telecommunications Law. These guidelines require, among other things, that tariffs should be fair and should not involve any undue discrimination without justified reasons against persons under the same circumstances. They also require that international agreements to which Turkey is a party and the recommendations of international institutions should be taken into consideration in the determination of tariffs.

The Telecommunications Authority passed the “Tariff Regulation” on August 28, 2001, which sets out the principles and procedures to be applied for the approval and the audit of the tariff to be applied to the telecommunications services if it is determined that a business enterprise: (i) is a legal or a de facto monopoly; (ii) is in a dominant position in the relevant service or geographic market; or (iii) has significant market power. In case it is determined by the Telecommunications Authority that the business activities are within the scope of such Regulation, the tariffs should be submitted to the Telecommunications Authority for approval. In determining which operators possess dominant position, the Telecommunications Authority will take into consideration the following criteria: market share, vertical integrity, the power to influence market conditions, entrance to relevant market, difficulty to control and replace the network, technologic superiority, lack of competition in the relevant market, the quantity of unused capacity and the power to access financial resources. On June 9, 2004, the Telecommunications Authority designated Turkcell an “operator holding dominant position” in the GSM Mobile Telecommunications Services Market.

The Telecommunications Authority published a Regulation on processing personal information and protecting confidentiality in the telecommunications industry on February 6, 2004. This Regulation establishes general principles to secure personal information and protect confidentiality. The Regulation established the following principles: an operator’s technical or administrative precautions to secure its services and its network must be approved by the Telecommunications Authority; operators must warn their consumers about risks and give them information to prevent such risks; except pursuant to a legal obligation or court decision, an operator may not listen to, observe, record, preserve or disconnect voice telecommunications without the permission of those communicating; and operators may not observe, record or preserve data traffic concerning telecommunications except for their services.

The Telecommunications Authority published a regulation concerning “Co-Location and Facility Sharing” on December 31, 2003. According to the Regulation, operators holding significant market power and Turk Telekom will be Co-Location incumbents and operators having the right to establish their facilities upon or under the public’s or third party’s land or having the rights to compulsory such lands, will be of Facility Sharing incumbents.

 

48


Table of Contents

General Principles of Application of The Regulation concerning “Co-Location and Facility Sharing”: Co-Layout and Facility Sharing prices will be determined on cost basis. Any land, facility and the facilities under the usage of Co-Location responsible is in the scope of Co-Location and Facility Sharing to increase competition, to use restricted sources efficiently and to support public good. The costs should be certificated by the Co-Location responsible. Efficient competition should be incited between the operators. To not corrupt parties operational and investment plans, an efficient communication between parties shall be provided.

On September 5, 2004, the Telecommunications Authority abolished the Regulation on Administrative Fines to be imposed on the Operators (published on August 1, 2002) and published the Regulation on Administrative Fines, Sanctions and Precautions to be imposed on the Operators. According to the amended Regulation the Telecommunications Authority retains the right to impose fines in the event an operator submits incorrect or misleading documents fails to submit documents as requested by the Telecommunications Authority does not timely submit such documents does not permit inspection or audit to be made by the Telecommunications Authority uses unpermitted equipment or equipment not complying with standards alters technical features of equipment or does not pay fees arising from its use of license and frequencies or does not comply with the provisions of license agreements, telecommunications licenses and general authorizations or the legislation. In addition, the amended Regulation authorizes the Telecommunications Authority to impose sanctions and precautions as well as administrative fines.

In July 2006, the Telecommunications Authority published an annex to the Authorization Regulation specifying provision relating to the Authorization of Directory Services Operators.

In accordance with the Authorization Regulation, the Telecommunication Authority will now grant licenses allowing operators to provide Directory Services. Under the terms of the license, Directory Service Operators must provide their services without infringing the provisions of the relevant law or regulation related to the protection of confidentiality by accessing to the database on the subscriber’s information’s of the other authorized Telecom operators (including GSM operators and Turk Telekom). Before a Directory Service Operator can provide authorized services they must sign interconnection agreements with the authorized operators.

The Telecommunications Authority published a Regulation titled “The Right of Way in Execution of the Telecommunication Services” on May 2, 2006. This Regulation established general principles for the right of way for the establishment and usage of infrastructure facilities is required for the execution of telecommunication services.

Authorization of MNP

On February 1, 2007, the Telecommunications Authority issued regulations on MNP. MNP allows subscribers to keep their existing telephone number when changing telephone operator, their physical location or their current service plan. These regulations are expected to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2008 based on a public statement of the Telecommunications Authority. Since we believe the MNP regulations conflict with our rights under our license agreement, without due compensation, we initiated a lawsuit on March 29, 2007 for the annulment of the MNP regulations. While we do not protest the substance of mobile number portability, we do, however, believe that our rights under our license agreement should remain protected or, if they are violated, we should be justly compensated. The lawsuit is still pending as our request for a stay of these regulations was rejected, and we have now appealed that decision. See “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.”

Turkish Competition Law and the Competition Authority

In March 1997, the Competition Law (Law No. 4054) established a Competition Board. The Competition Board, consists of 7 members who are appointed for a term of six years. It is an autonomous authority with administrative and financial independence established to ensure effective competition in markets for goods and services.

 

49


Table of Contents

Powers and Functions of the Competition Board

The Competition Board can carry out investigations, evaluate requests for exemptions, monitor the market, assess mergers and acquisitions, submit views to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and perform other tasks stipulated by the Competition Law. The Telecommunications Authority can apply to the Competition Board if it determines that agreements regarding standard reference tariffs, network interconnection and roaming violate the Competition Law.

Furthermore, any real or legal entity may file a complaint with the Competition Board. Upon determination of any violation, the Competition Board can take necessary measures to prevent the violation and may impose fines on those who are liable for such prohibited practices.

In September 2002, the Telecommunications Authority and the Competition Board entered into a Protocol on Cooperation. The Protocol establishes a framework whereby the Telecommunications Authority and Competition Board can cooperate on legal actions and attitudes regarding measures, detections, regulations and inspections that affect competition conditions and the extension of competition in the telecommunications sector. The Protocol on Cooperation allows issues to be resolved more effectively and maintains a free and sound competition environment in the telecommunications sector. Furthermore, it prevents controversial and/or misleading statements by handling the complaints of the operators, and it harmonizes the interpretation of related legislation thus enabling mutual cooperation and information transfer.

GSM Licensing in Turkey

We have signed a renewed license agreement for our GSM license on February 13, 2002. The major provisions of the renewed agreement are identical to those in the license agreement we had signed with the Turkish Ministry in 1998. However, the renewed agreement provides that a monthly payment of 15% over our gross revenue paid to the Turkish Treasury shall be subject to the legal interest rate. Also, if such payments are not duly paid twice in any given year, a penalty in an amount equal to triple the last monthly payment shall be payable to the Turkish Treasury. We are also obliged to pay annual contributions to the Telecommunications Authority’s expenses in an amount equal to 0.35% of our net revenues. Finally, an article concerning the protection of users’ (“subscribers”) rights and an article concerning arbitration for the settlement of disputes are included in the renewed license agreement.

The Law numbered 5398, dated July 3, 2005, changed the definition of gross revenue. Article 16 of the Law No. 5398 provides that the license agreements shall be adapted to the mentioned change upon the request of the operators. Accordingly Turkcell applied to the Telecommunications Authority on June 25, 2005. On March 10, 2006 the adapted license agreement was signed between Turkcell and the Telecommunications Authority.

Under the Telecommunications Law, a license for value added telecommunications services may be granted for up to 49 years. A GSM license is subject to the Telecommunications Authority’s right to suspend or terminate operations of the license on the grounds of security, public benefit, national defense or to comply with international treaties. However, suspension or takeover of facilities under these circumstances is subject to the payment of compensation to the operator. The Telecommunications Authority can also inspect such licensee and nullify its license if the licensee has materially failed to comply with the terms of its license.

The terms of license agreements are governed by the Authorization Regulation, and it provides that the Telecommunications Authority can supervise licensed operators of value added services, approve the transfer of licenses to third parties, ensure continuation of services in the event of cancellation of a license and approve the investment plans submitted by licensees.

The Telecommunications Authority can require an operator to modify its tariffs to promote fair competition or the public interest, and the Telecommunications Authority may also terminate licenses in cases of gross negligence.

 

50


Table of Contents

Under the Authorization Regulation, the licensee is responsible for installing telecommunications equipment in conformance with international signalization systems and numbering plans. Furthermore, the licensee is obligated to make those investments which are necessary to offer the licensed service. These obligations include design of the service, the making of financial investments and the installation and operation of the facility required for the service. Licensees are allowed to determine the prices for services, subject to the regulations of the Telecommunications Authority. Copies of the tariffs are required to be made available to the public and to customers. Upon the expiry of a license, including termination, the facilities and immovables of the licensee relating to the value added services will be transferred by the licensee in accordance with the license agreement.

Under the Regulation on Authorization Regarding Telecommunications Services and Infrastructures there are four types of authorization to provide telecommunications services and establish and operate infrastructure, all of which carry a maximum term of 25 years except general authorization: i) Duty Agreement, number of which is currently only two: concluded between Turksat Uydu Haberlesme Kablo TV ve Isletme A.S. (“Turksat”) and the Telecommunication Authority; and Directorate General of Coastal Safety and Telecommunication Authority; ii) license agreement; iii) Telecommunications Certificate; and iv) General Authorization.

Operators sign a License agreement with the Telecommunications Authority to provide telecommunications services and/or to establish or operate networks carried out by a limited number of operators on a national basis. On the other hand, operators providing telecommunications services and/or to establish or operate networks that are provided by a limited number of operators on a regional or local basis could be provided by acquiring a first type Telecommunications License by Telecommunications Authority. Operators who are authorized via a License agreement or first type Telecommunications License cannot be authorized by any other authorization type. Turkcell has signed a License agreement and thus cannot be authorized by any other authorization type.

The License Agreement

General

From 1993 until April 27, 1998, we were subject to a revenue-sharing agreement with Turk Telekom. Under our revenue sharing agreement with Turk Telekom (successor of PTT), Turk Telekom allocated frequency bands necessary for the operation of a GSM network, executed subscriber contracts, performed subscriber billing and fee collection and allowed us access to Turk Telekom’s existing communications networks. In addition, Turk Telekom allowed us to construct base station control stations at Turk Telekom’s facilities and leased transmission connections between base stations, mobile telephone exchanges and control stations to us.

In exchange, we provided mobile telephone services within Turkey through a multi-phase build-out of a GSM system. The first phase of the build-out covered Istanbul, Ankara and other large population centers along with airports and the airport roads. The second and third phases provided for the build-out of the GSM network to less densely populated areas. In addition, through our contractual relationships with service providers, we provided the necessary equipment and expertise for the operation of the GSM network. We received 100% of the fees generated by Simcard sales, 32.9% of the fees billed for connection, monthly fixed fees and outgoing calls and 10% of the fees billed for incoming calls, an arrangement that resulted in payment to us of approximately 25% to 30% of the net system revenue generated by subscribers of our GSM network. We currently operate under a 25-year GSM license which we were granted in April 1998 upon payment of an upfront license fee of $500 million. Initially, we signed the license agreement with the Turkish Ministry and as per the requirements under the Amending Law, we have renewed the agreement to which the Telecommunications Authority is the party. The new agreement has introduced two extra articles. The first one involves an administrative fee, amounting to 0.35% of the previous year’s gross revenue less tax, treasury share, and VAT, payable to the Telecommunications Authority until the last working day of April in the following year. The other article underlines consumer rights of subscribers during their subscription to the network.

Law 5398 of July 3, 2005 changed the definition of gross revenue. Article 16 of the Law No. 5398 provides that The License agreements shall be adapted to the mentioned change upon the request of the operators.

 

51


Table of Contents

Accordingly Turkcell applied to the Telecommunications Authority on June 25, 2005. On March 10, 2006 the adapted license agreement was signed between Turkcell and the Telecommunications Authority. With this adaptation the definition of gross revenue determined in the license agreement changed.

Terms

Under the license agreement, we hold a licensed concession to provide telecommunications services in accordance with GSM-PAN European Mobile Telephone System standards in the 900 MHz frequency band. Our license covers 50 channels in the 892.2-959 MHz band and allocates telephone numbers between the 530 and 539 area codes in the national numbering plan. Our license also permits us to establish customer service centers, sign contracts with subscribers and market our services to subscribers. Our license was issued with an effective date of April 27, 1998, for an initial term of 25 years. At the end of the initial term, we must renew our license subject to the approval of the Telecommunications Authority, but under current Turkish law, our term cannot exceed 49 years. We shall apply to the Telecommunications Authority between 24 months and 6 months before the end of our license. Our license is not exclusive and is not transferable without approval of the Telecommunications Authority.

We paid a license fee of $500 million to the Turkish Treasury upon effectiveness of our license. As security for the performance of our obligations, we were also required to deliver cash or a bank guarantee equal to 1% of our license fee. On an ongoing basis, we must pay 15% of our monthly gross revenue, which has been redefined as of March 2006 to include subscription fees, monthly fixed fees and communication fees and to exclude interest charges for late collections from subscribers and indirect taxes, such as 18% VAT and other expenses as well as the accrued amounts that are recorded for reporting purposes to the Turkish Treasury. We have settled with the Turkish Ministry concerning the calculation of ongoing license fee payments. We have settled with the Turkish Ministry concerning the calculation of ongoing license fee payments. See “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.”

On June 25, 2005, the Turkish Government declared that GSM operators are required to pay 10% of their existing monthly ongoing license fee to the Turkish Ministry as a universal service fund contribution in accordance with Law 5369. As a result, starting from June 30, 2005, we pay 90% of the ongoing license fee to the Turkish Treasury and 10% to the Turkish Ministry as universal service fund.

Furthermore, under the Regulation on Authorization Regarding Telecommuniations Services and Infrastructures, all kinds of share transfers must be communicated to the Telecommunications Authority, whereas result in the change of “control component” of the company (under the said regulation the “control component” is defined as “the rights that allow for applying a decisive effect on an enterprise, either separately or jointly, de facto or legally.”

License Conditions

Our license subjects us to a number of conditions. While the license agreement provides that our license may be revoked in the event that we fail to meet any of these conditions, we believe that we are currently in compliance with all license conditions.

Coverage

Our license requires that we meet coverage and technical criteria. We must attain geographical coverage of 50% of the population of Turkey (living in cities or towns of 10,000 or more inhabitants) within three years of our license’s effective date and at least 90% of the population of Turkey (living in cities or towns of 10,000 or more inhabitants) within five years of the effective date of our license. This coverage requirement excludes coverage met through national roaming and installation sharing arrangements with other GSM systems and

 

52


Table of Contents

operators. Upon the request of the Telecommunications Authority, we may also be required, throughout the term of our license, to cover at most two additional areas each year. Except in the event of force majeure, we must pay a late performance penalty of 0.2% of the investment in the related coverage area per day for any delay of more than six months in fulfilling a coverage area obligation. As of today, we have met and surpassed all coverage obligations.

Service Offerings

Our license requires that we provide services that, in addition to general GSM phone services, include free emergency calls and technical assistance for customers, free call forwarding to police and other public emergency services, receiver optional short messages, video text access, fax capability, calling and connected number identification and restrictions, call forwarding, call waiting, call hold, multi-party and three-party conference calls, billing information, and the barring of a range of outgoing and incoming calls.

Service Quality

Generally, we must meet all the technical standards of the GSM Association as determined and updated by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute and Secretariat of the GSM Association. Service quality requirements require that call blockage not exceed 5% and call drops not exceed 2 dropped calls per erlang, which is the industry standard measuring the ratio of total dropped calls during the most congested hour of network traffic during the relevant time period to the traffic intensity for that congested hour. The Telecommunications Authority has the right to monitor our service standards, compile information, and take action to guarantee customer rights. Additionally, as a guarantee of our service and coverage commitments, we must obtain all-risk insurance coverage at an adequate amount to provide for uninterrupted operation.

Tariffs

The license agreement regulates our ability to determine our tariff for GSM services. The license agreement provides that, after consultation with us and consideration of tariffs applied abroad for similar services, the Telecommunications Authority sets the initial maximum tariffs in Turkish Lira and U.S. Dollars. Thereafter, our license provides that the maximum tariffs shall be adjusted at least every six months. The license agreement provides a formula for adjusting the existing maximum tariffs based on, in the case of maximum tariffs established in New Turkish Lira, the Turkish Consumer Price Index announced by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Turkey. The increase applied is 97% of the increase in the index. In the case of maximum tariffs established in U.S. Dollars, the increase is based on the US Consumer Price All Item Index minus 3%. Although action is required for an adjustment of maximum tariffs, our license agreement provides that we are free to establish rates for services up to the then existing maximum tariff (subject only to a seven-day prior notification to the Telecommunications Authority).

On July 10, 1998, the Turkish Ministry established under our license a set of initial maximum rates and a set of initial maximum standard tariffs that govern both the Vodafone affiliate in Turkey (formerly known as Telsim) and us. The initial standard tariffs constitute the highest rates that we may charge for particular services to customers that have not purchased any of the customized service packages that we offer. The maximum rates constitute the highest rates we may charge for the services included in these customized service packages. Generally, the maximum rates for particular services are set higher than the standard tariffs for those services. Therefore, in customizing our service packages to meet the needs of different customer segments, we may combine higher activation or monthly charges (or both) with lower airtime rates.

Under the standard tariff, we may from time to time notify the Telecommunications Authority of a per-minute airtime fee, which is treated as its Basic Unit Rate.

 

53


Table of Contents

The standard tariffs and the maximum rates have been established in New Turkish Lira and the Telecommunications Authority’s schedule of standard tariffs and maximum rates are premised on the TRY/$ Exchange Rate in effect on the date they were approved by the Telecommunications Authority. Although we believe the tariff structure in our license will, in most instances, permit adjustments designed to offset devaluations of the New Turkish Lira against the U.S. Dollar, any such devaluation that we are unable to offset will require us to use a larger portion of our revenue to service our non-New Turkish Lira foreign currency obligations. Additionally, in the event that the Telecommunications Authority were to establish maximum tariffs at levels below those that would enable us to adjust our rates to offset devaluations, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

As a result of certain applications made to the Telecommunications Authority, the Telecommunications Authority decided to implement a new requirement that our on-net tariffs be no less than the lowest interconnection rate applicable to other GSM operators. However, in the relevant legislation, no authority is given to the Telecommunications Authority to set minimum barriers for the tariffs granted. For this reason, we believe that such intervention is contrary to the applicable legislation. The Telecommunications Authority also decided to set a maximum price of TRY 0.66 (including VAT) for off-net calls under common subscription packages. However, we believe that this intervention by the Telecommunications Authority, which decreases the previous maximum tariffs, conflicts with the relevant provisions of the license agreement. The Telecommunications Authority is only empowered to apply the formula set forth in the license agreement, as explained above. By setting minimum tariffs for our Company only, we believe that the Authority creates unfair competition and violates provisions of the Law which stipulate that prices for telecommunications services be cost-based. On the grounds explained above, we have filed a lawsuit with the Higher Administrative Court in relation to the annulment and suspension of the execution of the aforementioned decision. (Please refer to “Item 8.A—Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings”).

Due to the high-level of complexity involved, we have sought clarification of its decisions and we have taken actions to revise some of our tariffs and campaigns to comply with the Telecommunications Authority’s new policy to the extent practical and to our best understanding. Following discussions with the Telecommunications Authority seeking clarification of its decisions, we have designed an alternative interconnection scheme with a new pricing model that we believe is compliant with the Telecommunications Authority’s decision. We believe that the flexibility that we will regain through this model will be sufficient to allow us to devise pricing and marketing strategies that will be attractive to current and potential subscribers. However, no assurance can be given that these strategies will be successful, or that our litigation will be decided in a manner that is both favorable to us and timely or that we will not have further disagreements with the Telecommunications Authority regarding this matter. If the Telecommunications Authority disagrees with our alternative interconnection scheme and we are required to implement the decisions of the Telecommunications Authority in the manner presently required by it, we would in all likelihood be required to modify our tariffs and our marketing strategy in ways that would make us less competitive with regard to price in the Turkish GSM market, which could continue to harm our market share and continue to have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Relationship with the Telecommunications Authority

The license agreement creates a mechanism for an ongoing relationship between us and the Telecommunications Authority. The Telecommunications Authority and Turkcell coordinate their activities through a License Coordination Committee (“the Committee”). The Committee is comprised of five members, two appointed by the Telecommunications Authority, two by us and one by agreement of the Telecommunications Authority and our members, or, if no agreement is reached, by the Chairman of the Telecommunications Board. The Committee is charged with the task of ensuring the proper and coordinated operation of the GSM network, assisting in the resolution of disputes under the license agreement and facilitating the exchange of information between the parties.

 

54


Table of Contents

The Committee meets at least quarterly and establishes its own operating principles and procedures unless an extraordinary meeting is called by any party with a 7-day advance notice. Matters in dispute are expected to be submitted to the Committee for resolution. While not binding, the Committee may render consultative decisions. Either the Telecommunications Authority or we may convene a special meeting to consider issues that arise under the license agreement.

License Suspension and Termination

The Telecommunications Authority may suspend our operations for a limited or an unlimited period if necessary for the purpose of public security or national defense, including war and general mobilization. During suspension, the Telecommunications Authority may operate our business, but we are entitled to any revenues collected during such suspension, and our license term will be extended by the period of any suspension.

Our license may be terminated under our license agreement:

 

   

upon a bankruptcy ruling against us by a competent court or a bankruptcy compromise decision, which is an agreement between creditors and a debtor to reschedule the debt of the debtor, if such ruling or compromise is not reversed or dismissed within 90 days after notice;

 

   

upon our failure to perform our obligations under the license agreement if such failure is not cured within 90 days after notice;

 

   

if we operate outside the allocated frequency ranges and fail to terminate such operations within 90 days after notice; or

 

   

if we fail to pay our ongoing license fee.

In the event of termination, we must deliver the entire GSM system to the Telecommunications Authority.

If our license is terminated for our failure to perform our obligations under our license, the performance guarantee given by us in an amount equal to 1% of the license fee may be called. The license agreement makes no provision for the payment of consideration to us for delivery of the system on such termination.

In the event of a termination of our license, our right to use allocated frequencies and to operate the GSM system ceases. Upon the expiration of the license agreement, initially scheduled to occur in 2023, without renewal, we must transfer to the Telecommunications Authority, or an institution designated by the Telecommunications Authority, without consideration, the network management center, the gateway exchanges, and the central subscription system, which are the central management units of the GSM network. These units include related technical equipment, immovables, and all other installations and assets used in the operation of the system. We may apply to the Telecommunications Authority between 24 and 6 months before the end of the 25-year license term for the renewal of the license. The Telecommunications Authority may renew the license, taking into account the legislation then currently in effect.

Applicable Law and Dispute Resolution

Under our license agreement, any dispute arising from or under our license shall be brought before the License Coordination Committee. If the dispute is not settled within 30 days before the License Coordination Committee, it shall be referred to the parties. If the dispute is not resolved by the parties within 15 days, then it shall be settled by an arbitral tribunal in accordance with ICC Rules. The governing law of any arbitration is Turkish law and any such arbitration shall be conducted in English. Disputes relating to national security or public policy shall not be subject to arbitration proceedings.

Access and Interconnection Regulation

The Access and Interconnection Regulation (the “Regulation”) became effective when it was issued by the Telecommunications Authority on May 23, 2003. The Regulation sets forth the rights and obligations of the operators in the telecommunications sector in Turkey and establishes rules and procedures pertaining to their

 

55


Table of Contents

performance of such obligations. The Regulation primarily sets forth applicable principles, details of access and interconnection obligations, financial provisions, and policies and procedures regarding negotiations and contracts for access and interconnection.

The Regulation is driven largely by a goal to improve the competitive environment and ensure that users benefit from telecommunications services and infrastructure at a reasonable cost. Under the Regulation, the Telecommunications Authority may compel a telecommunications operator to accept another operator’s request for use of and access to its network. All telecommunications operators in Turkey may be required to provide access to other operators. The operators who are compelled to provide access to other operators are obliged to provide service and information on the same terms and qualifications provided to their shareholders, subsidiaries, and affiliates.

In accordance with the Regulation, the telecommunications providers in Turkey (including Turk Telekom) are obliged to renew their interconnection agreements within two months following the issuance of the Regulation. The renewed agreements must comply with the provisions of the Regulation, including cost-based pricing. Accordingly, we entered into a supplementary protocol with Vodafone, on October 9, 2003, and with Turk Telekom the following day. On September 9, 2003, we entered into a new interconnection agreement with Globalstar. As a result of intervention by the Telecommunications Authority, we entered into new supplemented protocols with Turk Telekom on November 10, Vodafone on November 21, and Globalstar on December 11, with amended tariffs and tariff adoption procedures.

The Telecommunications Authority published a communiqué on June 3, 2003, defining “significant market power” as “the power to influence economic parameters such as the purchase or sale price of services provided to other operators and users; supply and demand of said services; market conditions; components of fundamental telecommunications network utilized for telecommunications services; and access to users in the relevant telecommunications market.” In determining which operators possess significant market power, the Telecommunications Authority will take into consideration the following criteria: market share; the power to influence market conditions; the relationship between quantity of sales and size of the relevant market; the power to control access to the end user; power to access financial resources; and experience regarding production and introduction of services in the market. On August 21, 2003, the Telecommunications Authority designated us as an “operator holding significant market power” in the “GSM Mobile Telecommunication Services Market” and “GSM Mobile Call Termination Services Market” and Vodafone an “operator holding significant market power” in “the GSM Mobile Call Termination Services Market.” On January 4, 2005, the Telecommunications Authority designated Turkcell individually as an “operator holding significant market power” in the “GSM Mobile Call Termination Services Market”. Finally, on December 15, 2005, the Telecommunications Authority designated Turkcell, Vodafone, and Avea as “operators holding significant market power” in the “GSM Mobile Call Termination Services Market” and designated Turkcell individually as an “operator holding significant market power” in the “Access to GSM Mobile Networks and Call Originating Markets”.

While all operators will be obliged to enter into negotiations for interconnection agreements with any requesting operator, Turkcell, Vodafone, and Avea as “operators holding significant market power” in the “GSM Mobile Call Termination Services Market”, as well as Turk Telekom, are obliged to provide interconnection. These operators may limit access or interconnection to other operators only if it is objectively proven that network operation security or network integrity or data protection cannot be maintained or that interconnection or access is technologically unfeasible; in any case, the approval of the Telecommunications Authority is also required. The Telecommunications Authority may also limit the interconnection obligation of an operator upon the operator’s request, provided that there are technical and commercial alternatives to the interconnection or that required resources for such interconnection are unavailable. While operators not deemed to hold significant market power are free to set their access and interconnection tariffs, operators holding significant market power are required to determine their access and interconnection tariffs on a cost basis. Specifically, the Regulation provides that the tariffs will be the marginal cost of procuring efficient services, including an “appropriate return” on capital employed for procurement of services, plus a portion of overall costs attributable to such service.

 

56


Table of Contents

In addition, the Telecommunications Authority has required operators holding significant market power, as well as Turk Telekom, to share certain facilities with other operators under certain conditions and to provide co-location on their premises for the equipment of other operators at a reasonable price by the regulation concerning “Co-Location and Facility Sharing”. See “Regulation of the Turkish Telecommunications Industry” above.

The Telecommunications Authority may also require telecommunications operators to provide number portability, which means allowing users to keep the same phone numbers even after they switch from one network to another.

Under the Regulation, operators holding significant market power are required to provide access and services to all operators on equal terms. Operators with significant market power are also required to perform unbundling of their services, which means that they have to provide separate service of and access to transmission, switching, and operation interfaces. Furthermore, the Telecommunications Authority may establish rules applicable to the division of the costs of facilities among parties.

All access and interconnection contracts must be submitted to the Telecommunications Authority within fifteen days of execution. The Telecommunications Authority may request modifications to the contracts should they contain any provisions contrary to the legislation. The access and interconnection contracts will be publicly available, excluding trade secrets. All operators holding significant market power will also be required to prepare reference interconnection proposals and submit them to the Telecommunications Authority. Turk Telekom will submit such reference interconnection proposals within three months of the date of the Regulation; other operators will be required to submit such proposals within three months following the date of the Telecommunications Authority’s determination that they hold significant market power. Except where otherwise specified by the Telecommunications Authority, reference interconnection proposals will be renewed every year. We have submitted our reference interconnection proposal to the Telecommunications Authority, which has the right to vary its terms. Furthermore, on May 3, 2005 the Telecommunications Authority has published our interconnection proposal on its website.

If two operators are unable to reach an interconnection agreement within three months of the date of the initial access request, either party may refer the dispute to the Telecommunications Authority for resolution. Should the parties continue to be unable to reach an agreement within six weeks (which the Telecommunications Authority may extend for an additional four weeks) after the Telecommunications Authority initiates a settlement procedure, the Telecommunications Authority will establish terms, conditions, and fees applicable to the agreement and binding on both parties.

Should a telecommunications operator violate any provisions of the Regulation, the Telecommunications Authority may impose an administrative fine ranging from 0.5% to 3% of the operator’s turnover for the preceding calendar year.

On October 8, 2004, the Telecommunications Authority published “Standard Reference Interconnection Tariffs for Turk Telekom and GSM Operators Holding Significant Market Power” to recommend call termination fees of the operators. The reference rate for Turkcell was 0.156 TRY (approximately $0.119 as of April 1, 2008) as of October 1, 2004; 0.148 TRY (approximately $0.113 as of April 1, 2008) as of January 1, 2005; and 0.140 TRY (approximately $0.107 as of April 1, 2008) as of October 1, 2005. These “Standard Reference Interconnection Tariffs” are not necessarily directly applicable to our current or future interconnection agreements unless explicitly stated by the Telecommunications Authority at the end of the reconciliation procedure.

On June 2, 2006, the Telecommunications Authority issued “Standard Reference Interconnection Tariffs for Turk Telekom and GSM Operators Holding Significant Market Power”. As of June 6, 2006, the rate determined for Turkcell was 0.140 TRY (approximately $0.107 as of April 1, 2008).

 

57


Table of Contents

On January 16, 2007, the Telecommunications Authority revised “Standard Reference Interconnection Tariffs” for Turk Telekom and GSM operators”. As of March 1, 2007 the revised rate for Turkcell was 0.136 TRY (approximately $0.104 as of April 1, 2008).

On June 14 , 2007, the Telecommunications Authority issued a new Access and Interconnection Regulation (the “New Regulation”) and abolished the Regulation as of the same date. No major changes were adopted by the New Regulation.

On March 31, 2008, the Telecommunications Authority revised “Standard Reference Interconnection Tariffs” for Turk Telekom and GSM operators”. As of April 1, 2008 the revised rate for Turkcell was 0.091 TRY (approximately $0.070 as of April 1, 2008).

The Ukraine License Agreement

Astelit owns two GSM activity licenses, one is for GSM—900, one is for DCS—1800. As of 31 December 2007, Astelit owns nineteen GSM—900 and DCS 1800 frequency licenses which are regional or throughout Ukraine. In addition to the above GSM licenses, Astelit owns four licenses for local phone fixed connection with wireless access using D-AMPS standard.

According to licenses, Astelit should adhere to state sanitary regulations to ensure that equipment used does not injure the population by means of harmful electro-magnetic emissions. Licenses require Astelit to inform authorities about start/end of operations in one month; about changes in incorporation address in 10 days. Also, Astelit must present all the required documents for inspection by Ukrainian Telecommunications Authority at their request. The Ukrainian Telecommunications Authority may suspend the operations of Astelit for a limited or an unlimited period if necessary because of the expiration of licenses, upon mutual consent, or in case of violation of terms of radio frequencies use. If such a violation is determined, Ukrainian Telecommunications Authority notifies Astelit of provisions violated and sets deadline for recovery. If the deadline is not met, licenses may be terminated.

Turk Telekom, Vodafone, Avea, Milleni.com, and Globalstar Interconnection Agreements

General

We have entered into interconnection agreements with Turk Telekom, Vodafone, Avea, Milleni.com, and Globalstar.

Under these interconnection agreements, Turk Telekom, Vodafone, Avea, Milleni.com, and Globalstar agree to permit interconnection of their networks with our network to enable calls to be transmitted to, and received from, the GSM system operated by us through its existing digital fixed telephone switches.

The interconnection agreements also establish understandings between the parties relating to various key operational areas, including call traffic management, and the agreements contemplate that we and the other parties will agree to the contents of various manuals that will set forth in detail additional specifications concerning matters which are not specifically covered in the interconnection agreement. These matters include quality and performance standards, interconnection interfaces and other technical, operational, and procedural aspects of interconnection.

The interconnection agreements specify that the parties shall comply with relevant international standards, including standards adopted by the GSM Memorandum of Understanding, the Telecommunications Standards Bureau of the International Telecommunications Union, and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. In the absence of applicable international standards, the interconnection agreements provide that the parties will establish written standards to govern between them.

 

58


Table of Contents

The interconnection agreements outline the applicable interconnection principles and provide the technical basis and rationale for technical specifications and manuals to be agreed to by the parties. The interconnection agreements:

 

   

set forth agreements between the parties relating to the location of exchanges;

 

   

create obligations regarding network alterations;

 

   

establish routing principles to govern how call traffic will be routed within a network and between the networks of the parties, including interconnection routing rules;

 

   

provide for arrangements concerning capacity and expansion of capacity through new points of interconnection;

 

   

mandate arrangements concerning the use of numbering to transmit calls in accordance with national and international practices;

 

   

provide for periodic technical review meetings between the parties;

 

   

permit each party to engage in testing of interconnection exchanges;

 

   

address the consequences of transmission failures;

 

   

create an obligation to cooperate in order to maximize overall quality of transmission of calls in accordance with international standards;

 

   

deal with emergency calls, calling line identification and malicious call identification;

 

   

assure the ability of a party to have access to the other party’s premises where relevant equipment may be located (subject to appropriate protections);

 

   

establish procedures to deal with network faults; and

 

   

address issues relating to the construction and installation of antennas, towers, and other elements of system infrastructure.

In addition, the parties agree to provide to the other party information which is necessary to enable performance of their interconnection obligations, the provision of services, or utilization of equipment and/or buildings as contemplated in the interconnection agreement.

Turk Telekom

In the Turk Telekom interconnection agreement, Turk Telekom also agrees to permit us to utilize Turk Telekom’s buildings, premises, and other infrastructure and to lease the means of communications transmission between our GSM exchanges, base stations, and base station control stations. We retain the right, however, to establish our own transmission network at our own expense in the event that such transmission network is not made available to us by Turk Telekom, subject to the consent of the Telecommunications Authority.

If Turk Telekom enters into interconnection agreements with other operators of mobile or similar telecommunications services, the conditions of such agreements must be the same as those in their interconnection agreement with us. If any such agreement does contain differing terms, we have the right to demand identical terms. If we desire to use the facilities and such use would impair the use of such facilities by others, our request will be given priority over potential users of the facilities that have not entered into license agreements with the Telecommunications Authority. Priority among operators which have entered into such license agreements will be given to the application that was first received by Turk Telekom.

The Turk Telekom interconnection agreement specifies that ownership of the GSM equipment and other materials, including those in existence on the date of the Turk Telekom interconnection agreement and those subsequently installed, belong to us. The agreement also provides that intellectual property rights will belong to the developer or owner.

 

59


Table of Contents

Payments

The Turk Telekom interconnection agreement provides for the payment by us to Turk Telekom of fees for the interconnection services provided by Turk Telekom and for the lease of transmitting facilities linking base stations, mobile telephone exchanges and base station control stations. Turk Telekom is not entitled to any payment in respect of our use of our own transmission system. Turk Telekom also agrees to pay us for calls transmitted over our network.

The Turk Telekom interconnection agreement provides that Turk Telekom will pay the 1% Turkish communications tax, which is payable on the basis of communications fees collected by Turk Telekom from customers in connection with telephone, facsimile, telex and data excluding subscription fees. Turk Telekom is liable to pay this tax to the relevant municipality pursuant to the Municipality Revenues Act. We would be liable in respect of any increase in the applicable rate of the communication tax. If a party fails to make payment when due, the amount past due is deemed converted into U.S. Dollars and bears interest at a rate of 2% per month.

A number of the provisions of the Turk Telekom interconnection agreement address matters concerning billing and payment of bills for services rendered under the Turk Telekom interconnection agreement. Each party is required to record call information and to provide that information to the other party. Each party is responsible for invoicing the other party on a monthly basis.

Call Tariffs

In accordance with the agreement concluded between Turkcell and Turk Telekom on September 20, 2003, the call tariffs are set in Turkish Lira and will be revised by the parties every three months based on the consumer price index. During periods of sharp devaluation of the Turkish Lira, the devaluation rate will also be taken into consideration in such revisions. These price terms were applicable until the end of 2004 when both parties will revise them based on conditions reached at that time. All the rates are net of all applicable taxes.

The parties could not agree on call termination tariffs which would be applicable from December 12, 2004; Turk Telekom referred this dispute to the Telecommunications Authority for resolution. The Telecommunications Authority determined final call termination tariffs. In accordance with the decision of Telecommunications Authority; as of March 1, 2006, Turk Telekom had to pay Turkcell 0.140 TRY (approximately $0.107 as of April 1, 2008) per minute. Turkcell had to pay to Turk Telekom a net amount of 0.02 TRY (approximately $0.015 as of April 1, 2008) per minute for local traffic and a net amount of 0.037 TRY (approximately $0.028 as of April 1, 2008) per minute for metropolitan and long-distance traffic routed from Turkcell to Turk Telekom. On January 15, 2007, the Telecommunications Authority revised the Standard Reference Interconnection Tariffs for GSM and fixed network operators.

Turk Telekom applied once more to the Telecommunications Authority for determination of call termination tariffs and, in response, the Telecommunications Authority determined final call termination tariffs. In accordance with the decision of Telecommunications Authority, as of March 1, 2007, Turk Telekom pays Turkcell 0.136 TRY (approximately $0.104 as of April 1, 2008) per minute and Turkcell pays to Turk Telekom a net amount of 0.0189 TRY per minute for local traffic and a net amount of 0.03 TRY per minute for metropolitan and long-distance traffic routed from Turkcell to Turk Telekom.

For SMS services from Turk Telekom’s network to our network, as of, and since, December 2006, Turk Telekom has paid us a net amount of TRY 0.033307 (approximately $0.025 as of April 1, 2008) per SMS after deducting VAT and other taxes. For SMS services from our network to Turk Telekom’s network, we have paid Turk Telekom a net amount of TRY 0.017227 (approximately $0.013 as of April 1, 2008) per SMS after deducting VAT and other taxes. SMS termination rates are subject to revaluation quarterly.

Currently, for SMS services from Turk Telekom’s network to our network, Turk Telekom will pay us a net amount of 0.031891 TRY (approximately $0.024 as of April 1, 2008) per SMS, excluding VAT and SCT. For

 

60


Table of Contents

SMS services from our network to Turk Telekom’s network, we will pay Turk Telekom a net amount of 0.016495 TRY (approximately $0.013 as of April 1, 2008) per SMS, excluding VAT and SCT.

In accordance with the interconnection agreement between Turkcell and Turk Telekom, for international calls originating from Turkcell network and carried by Turk Telekom, Turkcell pays Turk Telekom 70% of the net amount of Turk Telekom’s retail international call charges. Pursuant to this agreement, Turk Telekom was obliged to pay us 45% of the international settlement charge (terminal rate) that is transferred by the international carrier operator to Turk Telekom for incoming international calls that are terminated on our network. For the termination service price of calls from international destinations to Turkcell network carried by Turk Telekom, Turkcell applied to the Telecommunications Authority for reconciliation. As a result of that process, The Authority decided Turk Telekom to pay Turkcell 0.136 TRY for termination of international calls. We and Turk Telekom have an ongoing dispute over this agreement. Please see “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings”.

We do not pay any charges to Turk Telekom for calls to special service numbers which are called free of charge according to Turk Telekom tariffs. For calls to special service numbers that are not free of charge, one party pays the other 72% of the other’s retail charge for that service, excluding VAT and SCT.

For voice traffic termination service on our network, a new interconnection offer including 8,000 TRY (approximately $6,125 as of April 1, 2008) as monthly fixed fee, 0.003 TRY (approximately $.0023 as of April 1, 2008) as the discounted rate for the first 100,000 minutes of interconnection traffic, and a peak/off price discrimination ranging from 0.136 TRY (approximately $0.104 as of April 1, 2008) to 0.120 TRY (approximately $0.09 as of April 1, 2008) is made to Turk Telekom. According to the offer, we pay Turk Telekom the current termination rates of 0.0189 TRY (approximately $0.014 as of April 1, 2008) and 0.03 TRY (approximately $0.023 as of April 1, 2008).

Rental Rates

According to the Interconnection Agreement with Turk Telekom, the rental rates for Turk Telekom’s real estate, leased by us and located in residential areas, should be established according to an expert’s report prepared by the local real estate experts of Turkish Emlak Bank. If there is no Turkish Emlak Bank unit in the area, or if the Turkish Emlak Bank cannot prepare an expertise report, then the rental rate is based on the average rental prices determined by the relevant units of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry or, in cases where the above two units are not available, according to a report prepared by a valuation committee that will be established by the participation of three Turk Telekom personnel and one of our personnel.

Upon the expiry of a one-year rental period, rental price increases will be made according to rates issued in the annual state tenders report prepared by the Ministry of Finance, and 45% of the rental fee will be added for expenses including personnel, lighting and water, among others, starting from the beginning of the lease period.

Charges for Energy at Switching Centers

We can subscribe to Turkish Electricity Distribution Co. (“TEDAS”) or another relevant electricity distribution company as a standalone customer and pay its energy usage charges. In such case, we will not pay any charges to Turk Telekom. We may also source energy by connecting a three phase electricity measuring gauge to Turk Telekom’s energy distribution panel. The expenses related to the connection of the measuring gauge will be borne by us. In addition, we may source energy by connecting an electricity measuring gauge to Turk Telekom’s generator, provided that all expenses related to the connection will be borne by us. The energy usage fee shall be calculated in accordance with a formula set forth in the Turk Telekom interconnection agreement. Under the Revenue Sharing Agreement, we were not required to pay Turk Telekom for these services.

 

61


Table of Contents

Miscellaneous

A party may seek to modify the Turk Telekom interconnection agreement by serving the other party with a notice of request to review such agreement if:

 

   

our license is materially changed (whether by amendment or replacement);

 

   

a material change occurs in the laws or regulations governing telecommunications in Turkey;

 

   

the Turk Telekom interconnection agreement expressly provides for a review or makes express provision for a review or the parties agree in writing that there should be such a review;

 

   

a material change occurs which affects or could affect the commercial or technical basis of the Turk Telekom interconnection agreement; or

 

   

there is a general review pursuant to the Turk Telekom interconnection agreement.

Upon service of a review notice, the parties must negotiate in good faith toward a resolution of the subject matter of the review. If the parties fail to reach agreement within three months from the date of service of the review notice, either party may request that the Telecommunications Authority determine the manner, if any, in which the Turk Telekom interconnection agreement should be modified. The Turk Telekom interconnection agreement will be modified in accordance with that determination, unless the determination is subject to a legal challenge. The Turk Telekom interconnection agreement can be assigned in accordance with our license agreement. The Turk Telekom interconnection agreement will terminate automatically upon the expiry of our license period or on termination of our license agreement by the Telecommunications Authority. Neither party may assign the businesses which are the subject matter of the interconnection agreement to any third party unless such assignment is required under the provisions of the Regulation and the License Agreement or the other party’s prior consent is obtained.

Vodafone Interconnection Agreement

As a result of the acquisition of Telsim by Vodafone, all the liabilities of Telsim arising from the Interconnection Agreement signed with us were transferred to Vodafone as of May 24, 2006. In line with this, Turkcell and Vodafone signed an agreement in July 2006 to amend the present interconnection agreement through agreeing general principles of our collaboration as a result of the transfer.

In light of this transaction, the following discussion will only refer to Vodafone. It should be noted however, that agreements entered into before May 24, 2006 were entered into by Telsim, the acquired company.

The Vodafone interconnection agreement provides for the payment of fees by us to Vodafone for the interconnection services provided by Vodafone. A number of the provisions of the Vodafone interconnection agreement address matters concerning billing and payment of bills for services rendered under the Vodafone interconnection agreement. Each party is required to record certain call information and to provide that information to the other party. Each party is responsible for invoicing the other party on a monthly basis.

Call Tariffs

Turkcell and Vodafone could not agree on call termination tariffs and Vodafone referred this dispute to the Telecommunications Authority for resolution. The Telecommunications Authority applied provisional call and SMS termination tariffs as of March 1, 2006 to both parties. In accordance with this decision; Vodafone was to pay Turkcell 0.140 TRY (approximately $0.11 as of April 1, 2008) per minute and Turkcell was to pay to Vodafone a net amount of 0.152 TRY (approximately $0.12 as of April 1, 2008) per minute. Likewise, the Telecommunications Authority determined that Vodafone was to pay Turkcell 0.0297 TRY per SMS as of March 1, 2006 and Turkcell was to pay Vodafone a net amount of 0.0322 TRY per SMS (approximately $0.02 as of April 1, 2008).

 

62


Table of Contents

In accordance with the agreement concluded between Turkcell and Vodafone in July 2006, both parties agreed on call and SMS termination tariffs to be applied and this agreement became binding despite the earlier decision by the Telecommunications Authority. According to the agreement, Turkcell and Vodafone will charge to each other 0.1737 TRY (approximately $0.13 as of April 1, 2008) per minute for call traffic accessing each other’s network and a net amount of 0.0322 TRY (approximately $0.025 as of April 1, 2008) per SMS accessing each other’s network. In case call traffic switched from Vodafone to Turkcell exceeds 50,000,000 minutes in a month, Vodafone will pay a net amount of 0.16 TRY (approximately $0.123 as of April 1, 2008) per minute for call traffic. This charging method is valid from May 24, 2006, until March 31, 2008. Turkcell will pay Vodafone a net amount of 0.165 TRY (approximately $0.126 as of April 1, 2008) per minute for call traffic from April 1, 2007, until March 31, 2008. Both parties will pay each other net amount of 0.160 TRY (approximately $0.123 as of April 1, 2008) per call between April 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009.

In case SMS traffic switched from Vodafone to Turkcell exceeds 50,000,000 in a month, Vodafone will pay a net amount of 0.0297 TRY (approximately $0.023 as of April 1, 2008) per SMS. This charging method was valid from May 24, 2006, until March 31, 2007. Both parties will pay each other 0.0322 TRY (approximately $0.025 as of April 1, 2008) per SMS between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2009.

All the call tariffs are set in Turkish Lira and will be revised by the parties on March 31, 2008, and March 31, 2009, based on the consumer price index. During periods of sharp devaluation of the Turkish Lira, the devaluation rate will also be taken into consideration in such revisions. Based on this revaluation methodology, between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008 termination rates, excluding VAT and SCT, are as follows: for calls from Turkcell to Vodafone, Turkcell pays Vodafone 0.182919 TRY per minute (approximately $0.14 as of April 1, 2008); for calls from Vodafone to Turkcell 0.177376 TRY per minute (approximately $0.136 as of April 1, 2008); for SMS, each party pays the other 0.035697 TRY per SMS (approximately $0.027 as of April 1, 2008).

The pricing terms of the Vodafone interconnection agreement will be applicable until March 31, 2009, when both parties will revise the pricing terms based on conditions reached at that time. All the rates are net of all applicable taxes. If the parties cannot agree on new call termination tariffs until July 2009, both parties shall refer to the Telecommunications Authority for resolution. During the resolution period both parties will charge each other a net amount of 0.16 TRY (approximately $0.123 as of April ,1, 2008) per minutes for the call termination and a net amount of 0.0322 (approximately $0.025 as of April ,1, 2008) for SMS termination.

Both parties charge each other 10% higher priced than effective call termination tariffs per minute for accessing each others directory inquiry services.

A party may seek to modify the Vodafone interconnection agreement by serving the other party with a notice of request to review such agreement if:

 

   

its license is materially changed (whether by amendment or replacement);

 

   

a material change occurs in the law or regulations governing telecommunications in Turkey;

 

   

the interconnection agreement expressly provides for a review or makes express provision for a review or the parties agree in writing that there should be such a review;

 

   

a material change occurs that affects or could affect the commercial or technical basis of the interconnection agreement; or

 

   

there is a general review pursuant to the interconnection agreement.

Upon service of a review notice, the parties must negotiate in good faith toward a resolution of the subject matter of the review. If the parties fail to reach agreement within three months from the date of service of the review notice, either party may request that the Telecommunications Authority determine the manner, if any, in which the Vodafone interconnection agreement should be modified. The Vodafone interconnection agreement

 

63


Table of Contents

will be modified in accordance with that determination, unless the determination is subject to a legal challenge. The Vodafone interconnection agreement cannot be assigned or transferred by the parties without the other party’s prior written consent.

The Vodafone interconnection agreement will remain in force for the duration of the license period unless one of the parties serves a three month termination notice to the other party.

The Vodafone interconnection agreement will terminate:

 

   

automatically upon expiry of the parties’ respective license periods or on termination of the respective license agreements by the Turkish Ministry; or

 

   

save for events of force majeure, upon one month’s termination notice by the parties, due to failure to fulfill the obligations in the interconnection agreement for a period in excess of three months.

Even in the event of termination of the interconnection agreement, all services provided and the obligations of the parties during the term of this agreement will remain effective for a period of six months until interconnection can be established with Turk Telekom or another alternative network operator.

Any disputes between the parties shall first be subject to friendly settlement efforts. In the event that the parties fail to reach an amicable settlement, they then shall refer the matter to the Telecommunications Authority for its recommended solution to the dispute in question. If the proposed solution recommended by the Telecommunications Authority is not accepted by the parties, the parties are free to refer the matter to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Turkish Civil Procedural Law.

For voice traffic termination service on our network, a new interconnection offer including 8,000 TRY (approximately $6,125 as of April 1, 2008) as monthly fixed fee, 0.003 TRY (approximately $0.0023 as of April 1, 2008) as the discounted rate for the first 100,000 minutes of interconnection traffic, and a peak/off price discrimination ranging from 0.136 TRY (approximately $0.104 as of April 1, 2008) to 0.120 TRY (approximately $0.09 as of April 1, 2008) is made to Vodafone. According to the offer, we pay Vodafone 0.136 TRY (approximately $0.104 as of April 1, 2008). We still negotiate with Vodafone over the terms of this offer.

Avea Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. Interconnection Agreement

We and Avea, the entity incorporated as a result of the merger of Is-TIM and Aycell, signed a protocol canceling the interconnection agreement between Turkcell and Aycell and the parties agreed that Is-Tim interconnection agreement will be applicable between the parties. References to the “Avea Interconnection Agreement” refer to the original Is-TIM interconnection agreement that now governs our interconnection relationship with Avea.

Payments

The Avea interconnection agreement provides for the payment of fees by us to Avea for the interconnection services provided by Avea. A number of the provisions of the interconnection agreement address matters concerning billing and payment of bills for services rendered under the interconnection agreement. Each party is required to record certain call information and to provide that information to the other party. Each party is responsible for invoicing the other party on a monthly basis.

Call Tariffs

In the decision dated June 29, 2006, the Telecommunications Authority applied its provisional call termination tariffs and in accordance with this decision, Turkcell was to pay Avea a net amount of 0.175 TRY (approximately $0.134 as of April 1, 2008) per minute and Avea to Turkcell a net amount of 0.140 TRY (approximately $0.107 as of April 1, 2008) per minute. On August 2, 2007, the Telecommunications Authority

 

64


Table of Contents

concluded the reconciliation process between Turkcell and Avea, by applying its provisional termination tariffs. Currently, in accordance with this decision, Turkcell pays Avea 0.167 TRY per minute (approximately $0.128 as of April 1, 2008) and Avea pays Turkcell 0.136 TRY per minute (approximately $0.104 as of April 1, 2008) .

In the decision dated July 31, 2007, the Telecommunications Authority set call termination tariffs between us and Avea and in accordance with this decision we pay Avea a net amount of 0.167 TRY (approximately $0.128 as of April 1, 2008) per minute and Avea pays to Turkcell a net amount of 0.136 TRY (approximately $0.104 as of April 1, 2008) per minute. Both parties charge each other an amount 10% higher than effective call termination tariffs per minute for accessing each other’s directory inquiry services.

On March 7, 2007, the Telecommunications Authority determined the SMS termination fees between Turkcell and Avea. According to this decision, we pay Avea a net amount of 0.0365 TRY per SMS (approximately $0.028 as of April 1, 2008) and Avea pays Turkcell a net amount of 0.0297 TRY per SMS (approximately $0.023 as of April 1, 2008).

All call and SMS tariffs are subject to revision quarterly, based on the Consumer Price Index. However, since current charges are determined by the Telecommunications Authority, as a result of its decision, only SMS termination charges are subject to inflation revision. Based on this quarterly revaluation methodology, current rates for SMS, excluding VAT and SCT, are as follow: Turkcell pays Avea 0.038648 TRY per SMS (approximately $0.029 as of April 1, 2008) and Avea pays Turkcell 0.031447 per SMS (approximately $0.024 as of April 1, 2008).

A party may seek to modify the interconnection agreement by serving the other party with a notice of request to review the agreement if:

 

   

its license is materially changed (whether by amendment or replacement);

 

   

a material change occurs in the law or regulations governing telecommunications in Turkey;

 

   

the interconnection agreement expressly provides for a review or makes express provision for a review or the parties agree in writing that there should be such a review;

 

   

a material change occurs which affects or could affect the commercial or technical basis of the interconnection agreement; or

 

   

there is a general review pursuant to the interconnection agreement.

Upon service of a review notice, the parties must negotiate in good faith toward a resolution of the subject matter of the review. If the parties fail to reach agreement within three months from the date of service of the review notice, either party may request that the Telecommunications Authority determine the manner, if any, in which the interconnection agreement should be modified. The interconnection agreement will be modified in accordance with that determination, unless the determination is subject to a legal challenge. The interconnection agreement cannot be assigned or transferred by the parties without the other party’s prior written consent.

We and Avea have an on-going dispute over SMS and call termination fees, please see “Item 8A Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings” of this annual report on 20-F.

The Avea interconnection agreement will remain in force for the duration of the license period unless one of the parties serves a three month termination notice to the other party.

The Avea interconnection agreement will terminate:

 

   

automatically upon expiry of the parties’ respective license periods or on termination of the respective license agreements by the Turkish Ministry; or

 

65


Table of Contents
   

save for events of force majeure, upon one month’s termination notice by the parties, due to failure to fulfill the obligations in the interconnection agreement for a period in excess of three months.

Even in the event of termination of the interconnection agreement, all services provided and the obligations of the parties during the term of this agreement will continue to become effective for a period of six months until interconnection can be realized with Turk Telekom or another alternative network operator.

Any disputes between the parties shall be first subject of friendly settlement by the efforts of the parties. In the event that parties fail to reach an amicable settlement, then they shall refer the matter to the Telecommunications Authority for its recommended solution to the dispute in question. If the proposed solution recommended by the Telecommunications Authority is not accepted by the parties, the parties are free to refer the matter to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Turkish Civil Procedural Law.

For voice traffic termination service on our network, a new interconnection offer including 8,000 TRY (approximately $6,125 as of April 1, 2008) as monthly fixed fee, 0.003 TRY (approximately $0.0023 as of April 1, 2008) as the discounted rate for the first 100,000 minutes of interconnection traffic, and a peak/off price discrimination ranging from 0.136 TRY (approximately $0.104 as of April 1, 2008) to 0.120 TRY (approximately $0.092 as of April 1, 2008) is made to Avea. According to the offer, we pay Avea the current termination rate of 0.0167 TRY (approximately $0.128 as of April 1, 2008).

Milleni.com Interconnection Agreement

We entered into a telecommunications services agreement with Milleni.com GmbH (“Milleni.com”) in April 2001. The Milleni.com telecommunications services agreement is intended to supply telecommunications services to each other within Germany and Turkey for an initial period of twelve months, after which the agreement will remain in force unless terminated by either party upon a minimum 60 days advanced written notice by either party.

Under the Milleni.com telecommunications services agreement, each of the parties agree to provide telecommunications services, as defined under the agreement, to each other whereby Milleni.com may convey calls to our switch and we may convey calls to Milleni.com’s switch for onward transmission to their destinations. Scope to the services may be extended subject to the parties’ further agreement. We and Milleni.com undertook to use the service in accordance with directions, consents, specifications, designations or determinations of the local regulatory authorities within the respective jurisdiction. Moreover, each of the parties guaranteed certain principles for use of services by its customers to the other.

The Milleni.com telecommunications services agreement establishes understandings between the parties relating to a number of operational areas, including applicable interconnection principles and other technical, operational, financial, and procedural aspects of interconnection.

Although the Milleni.com interconnection agreement is effective, in practice Turkcell does not carry calls to Milleni.com’s switch for onward transmission to their destinations provided that the termination of these calls on the relevant network and Milleni.com do not convey calls to our switch.

The Milleni.com telecommunications services agreement specifies that the parties shall establish and maintain initial points of connection required for the provisioning of services to and from their respective systems. Initially, the parties shall connect their telecommunications systems via a 2 Mbit/s circuit(s) to be provided by a supplier as agreed by the parties mutually. Ordering and provision of capacity by the supplier shall also be agreed between the parties. Any modifications or extensions to the initial arrangement require agreement between the parties in consideration of the traffic forecasts supplied by each of the parties to the other.

 

66


Table of Contents

Each party shall bear its own equipment and installation charges for utilization of services and ongoing charges for the circuits to other party’s telecommunications system shall be shared equally.

Call Tariffs

Milleni.com charges us various prices identified within the agreement for calls destined to networks around the globe. Either party may modify its rates upon one-month advanced written notice.

Payments

The Milleni.com telecommunications services agreement provides for payment by both parties of fees for interconnection services. In that respect, we are obliged to pay charges due to Milleni.com in monthly arrears within 30 days from the receipt of invoice. Milleni.com pays charges due to us in monthly arrears within 30 days from the receipt of invoice.

The Milleni.com telecommunications services agreement indicated that the charges specified in the agreement are exclusive of Value Added Tax or any other applicable tax. If such taxes were due and owing, that amount should have been added to the invoice and charged to the other party at the then prevailing rate.

The Milleni.com telecommunications services agreement states that if a party fails to make charges when due, the amount past due bears daily interest at an annual rate of 3% points greater than Euribor from the date on which such amount became due until the date on which it is paid, unless the invoice was correctly disputed. The applicable interest will be accrued day by day and not be compounded.

Miscellaneous

The Milleni.com telecommunications services agreement provides that either party might immediately suspend services or terminate the agreement by serving the other party with written notice if:

 

   

the other party commits a material breach (including failure to pay any charges) and has not remedied that breach within 30 days after receipt of written notice;

 

   

a party’s license to operate or to use either party’s system is revoked or terminated for any reason;

 

   

the other party makes an arrangement or composition with its creditors or makes an application to a competent court for protection from its creditors or a bankruptcy order is made or a resolution is passed for its winding up or a court of competent jurisdiction makes an order for its winding up or dissolution or an administration order is made or a receiver is appointed over any of its assets;

 

   

the other party does not provide services to a minimum standard agreed by the operation manual and fails to remedy such failure within 30 days of receipt of written notice; or

 

   

the other party fails to pass switched telecommunications traffic to the first for a period of 3 consecutive months.

Either of the parties can terminate the agreement if force majeure events arise or upon 60 days written notice. Termination or expiry of the agreement should not affect accrued rights and obligations of the parties and indemnification and confidentiality provisions shall remain in force.

The Milleni.com telecommunications services agreement cannot be assigned without written consent of the other party, provided that rights and obligations thereunder may be assigned to an associated company of that party or to a third party who has acquired its system if such associated company or third party holds all necessary licenses, consents and permissions as may be necessary to fulfill its obligations under the agreement. Any permitted transfer is only effective upon signature by both parties and the assignee of a formal notation agreement under which the assigned shall agree to observe and perform all of the provisions of such telecommunications services agreement.

 

67


Table of Contents

The Milleni.com telecommunications services agreement is governed under Turkish law and disputes arising thereunder shall be resolved in the Istanbul courts. The Milleni.com telecommunications services agreement also has provisions for settlement of billing disputes, including cooperation, executive management level consideration and referral to experts, if necessary.

Globalstar Interconnection Agreement

Call Tariffs

In accordance with the agreement concluded between Turkcell and Globalstar on December 11, 2003, for traffic switched from us to Globalstar we pay Globalstar the charges determined below after deducting VAT, communications tax and other taxes:

 

   

for traffic between 0 and 500,000 minutes, $0.40 per minute;

 

   

for traffic between 500,000 and 1,000,000 minutes, $0.31 per minute;

 

   

for traffic between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 minutes, $0.25 per minute; and

 

   

for traffic greater than 2,000,000 minutes, $0.20 per minute.

For traffic switched from Globalstar to us, Globalstar pays us $0.175 per minute after deducting VAT, communications tax and other taxes.

Miscellaneous

The Globalstar interconnection agreement will remain in force for the duration of the license period.

The Globalstar interconnection agreement will terminate:

 

   

automatically upon expiry of the parties’ respective license periods or on termination of the respective license agreements by the Turkish Ministry;

 

   

in case of breach of the agreement;

 

   

by one of the parties serving a thirty-day termination notice to the other party;

 

   

by a court decision providing cancellation of the agreement; or

 

   

by the approval of the Telecommunications Authority to cancel the agreement.

Any disputes between the parties shall be first subject to the efforts of the parties to resolve the dispute amicably. If the dispute remains unresolved, the parties will be free to refer the matter to the Istanbul courts.

Agreements Concluded with the Operators Licensed To Provide Long-Distance Call Services

Turkcell, as an “operator holding significant market power” entered into Call Termination Agreements with all operators licensed to provide Long-Distance Call Services. Under the Call Termination Agreements, Turkcell agreed, among other things, to terminate voice calls carried by the operators and rising from a national fixed telecommunication’s network and/or any international telecommunication’s network in accordance with technical specifications set out in the agreement.

A new interconnection offer for voice termination services, including 8,000 TRY (approximately $6,125 as of April 1, 2008) as monthly fixed fee, 0.003 TRY (approximately $0.0023 as of April 1, 2008) as the discounted rate for the first 100,000 minutes of interconnection traffic, and a peak/off price discrimination ranging from 0.136 TRY (approximately $0.104 as of April 1, 2008) to 0.120 TRY (approximately $0.092 as of April 1, 2008) is made to Long Distance Call Services operators that entered into Call Termination Agreements with us. Five among thirteen operators accepted the new offer and signed an addendum to the main service agreement.

 

68


Table of Contents

Agreements Concluded with the Operators Licensed to Provide International Transit Traffic Services

Turkcell entered into International Traffic Carrying Services Agreements with nine operators. Under these Agreements, we may carry calls to these operators’ switches for onward transmission to their destinations and these operators should provide the termination of these calls on the relevant network. These operators charge us at various prices identified within the scope of the agreement for the calls directed to numerous networks around the globe. The operators may modify their rates upon fifteen days advanced written notice and these rates will be applicable upon our approval.

Prospective Legislation and Regulations

Below, is a brief overview of some of the major proposed legislative and regulatory initiatives in Turkey that, if implemented, could have a significant impact on our operations. For additional information, please see the discussion of new pricing regulations under “The License Agreement—Tariffs” section above.

Regulations

Defining the Relevant Markets

Currently, only three markets have been nominated by the Telecommunications Authority as relevant markets pursuant to which it is authorized to determine the operators within such market holding significant market power or a dominant market position. These markets are the mobile telecommunications market, the mobile call termination market and access to GSM mobile networks and the call-originating market.

Authorization of Value Added Telecommunication Services Operators

The Telecommunications Authority is preparing to authorize the operators to provide Value Added Telecommunication Services by appending an annex to the Authorization Regulation, specifying provisions relating to such services. The Telecommunications Authority will specify the authorizations types and procedures to be applied and the minimum value of an authorization fee for Value Added Telecommunication Services within the annex.

In order to assess operator concerns regarding this regulation, the Telecommunications Authority has sent a questionnaire to the operators regarding technical, marketing and regulatory issues of the Value Added Telecommunication Services within the EU Regulations and international applications.

In accordance with the Telecommunications Authority Regulation, we may be required to provide access and/or interconnection services to requesting VAS operators.

Authorization of 3G Licenses

The Council of Ministers decision regarding the “Determination of the Minimum Values of License Agreement Regarding the IMT-200/UMTS Services and infrastructure” and The Council of Ministers’ decision regarding “the Enforcement of the Authorization Plan Regarding the IMT-2000/UMTS Services and Infrastructure” was published in the official gazette in February 16, 2007. These decisions authorized the Telecommunications Authority to begin the process of preparing regulations for 3G Licenses.

The Telecommunications Authority conducted a tender process for the granting of 3G licenses on September 7, 2007. Based on the tender process conducted on September 7, 2007, Turkcell was awarded a 3G license. However, on September 19, 2007, the Telecommunications Authority canceled the 3G license tender due to the fact that Turkcell’s competitors did not participate in the 3G tender process. We expect a 3G tender process to take place during 2008, but no announcement has been made by the Telecommunications Authority regarding the rescheduling the 3G tender process and, accordingly, there may be further delays in the 3G tender process. If

 

69


Table of Contents

the 3G tender process is rescheduled, the minimum price for a 3G license may be reset and could increase from the €252 million minimum for the largest bandwidth in the previous 3G tender process. However, the tender process could result in a significantly higher price, especially if multiple new licenses are granted to new entrants. We understand that the Telecommunications Authority may attempt to award at least four 3G licenses, possibly resulting in at least one new entrant into the current market. We believe that 3G services will be important for our business and we intend to participate in any future 3G licensing process in Turkey.

Authorization of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (“MVNOs”)

According to a proposed regulation, MVNOs shall provide their services by using the infrastructure of GSM operators. The Telecommunications Authority has published a draft annex to the Authorization Regulation specifying provisions relating to MVNO’s. We have objected to the draft Regulation on the grounds that obligating us to share our infrastructure with the MVNO’s would infringe on our rights in accordance with our license agreement.

Legislation

Electronic Communications Law

The draft of the Electronic Communications Law prepared by the Turkish Ministry aims to establish a similar legislative system to the EU regulatory framework and existing Telecommunications Authority regulations. The draft has the following key terms:

 

   

The termination of the “access” has been firstly used in a text of the law and the scope of the “access” has been enlarged by authorizing the Telecommunications Authority to specify the statements not designated clearly in the draft legislation which should be deemed as “access”. In accordance with the mentioned provision and expected telecom services authorizations, the Telecommunications Authority may designate us and other Telecom operators as operators holding obligation to provide access.

 

   

The Telecommunications Authority is authorized to impose any obligations to the operators holding significant market power within the scope of the legislation included but not limited to the following: restrict and interrupt the subscription, oblige the operators to display their activity in separate legal entities, recommend and/or designate the upper limits of tariffs, obligate operators to imply carrier selection to the other telecom operators from their network.

 

   

As per article 60 of draft law, the Telecommunications Authority’s power to impose fine on the operators is expanded. By the mentioned article, the Authority has a power to impose an administrative fine on the operators in the maximum amount of 5% net sales of the operators belonging to the previous year of the infringement of the relevant legislation by the operators.

 

   

The Authority has a power to obtain administrative fee in the maximum amount of 5% (per thousand) of net sales of the operators belonging to the previous year in order to cover Authority’s various expenses.

 

   

In addition to these, the said draft introduced an increase in wireless license end-usage fee.

New Environment Tax

The Law No: 5491, the “Law Amending the Environmental Law”, was published on May 13, 2006. This law includes a draft system to levy a tax on subscribers of mobile operators. The law that is currently in effect does not determine a system for this proposed tax.

 

70


Table of Contents

4.C Organizational Structure

The following chart lists each of our key subsidiaries (including our ownership interest in Fintur) and our proportionate direct and indirect ownership interest as of April 1, 2008:

LOGO

 

 

Notes:

(1) KCell is 51% owned by Fintur and 49% owned by Kazakhtelecom JSC, the Kazakh incumbent fixed-line telecom provider.
(2) Azertel is 80% owned by Fintur and 20% owned by Cenay Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd., a privately held Turkish group of companies. Azercell is 64% owned by Azertel and 36% owned by the Ministry of Communications of Azerbaijan.
(3) Gurtel is 99.99% owned by Fintur. Geocell was 83.2% owned by Gurtel, but as of January 4, 2008, Gurtel’s stake in Geocell is now 97.5%.
(4) Moldcell is 99% owned by Fintur and 1% owned by Molfintur SRL a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fintur.
(5) All of the shares of the East Asian Consortium B.V. (“Eastasia”) were transferred to Turktell for $111 million in February 2006.

For information on the country of incorporation of our key subsidiaries please see “Item 4.B Business Overview”.

4.D Property, Plants and Equipment

Our principal property, plant and equipment consists of management offices, switching sites, network infrastructure sites, and network and office equipment.

Property

We own seven properties, two properties in Kocaeli, two properties in Bursa, one property in Tekirdag, one property in Gaziantep, and one property in Adapazari. In addition, we rent a property in Davutpasa and a property in Maltepe.

We have buildings in Istanbul Beyoglu (headquarters), Istanbul Maltepe, Istanbul Gunesli, Ankara I, Ankara II, Adana, Diyarbakir, Samsun, Davutpasa, and Izmir. A new building was acquired in Istanbul Kartal in 2006.

 

71


Table of Contents

In addition to the foregoing properties, we maintain three rented office buildings and a warehouse in Istanbul. In 2006, we added another warehouse in Istanbul Tuzla.

Switches

We have switches in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Adana, Konya, Antalya, Aydin, Erzurum, Balikesir, Bodrum, Denizli, Mugla, Diyarbakir, Samsun, Izmit, and Trabzon.

Base stations

As of December 2007, we owned over 13,290 base stations and leased the land underlying such base stations.

In December 2006, we sold 2,862 towers that our base stations mounted on to Kule, an entity established on November 24, 2006, in order to provide antenna space to all telecommunication operators, TV and radio broadcasters, civilian and military communication system operators in Turkey. However, the Telecommunication Authority decided that the sales of the towers from Turkcell to Kule had to be cancelled by October 10, 2007. The towers were therefore repurchased by Turkcell from Kule on September 30, 2007. Currently, Kule constructs its own masts and towers in order to provide service for the wireless broadcast and communications industry in Turkey. It also owns the right to use and sublease Turkcell’s towers against an annual rental fee and rendering maintenance services regarding those towers and facilities.

 

ITEM 4A.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 5.    OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

The following discussion and analysis by our management of the financial condition and the results of our operations should be read together with the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of certain events may differ significantly from those projected in such forward looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth in “Risk factors” and else where in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

Overview of the Turkish Economy

Positive macroeconomic developments in Turkey, coupled with strong consumer sentiment, helped improve our operational results. Revenues increased to $6,328.6 million in 2007 from $4,700.3 million in 2006 and our net income increased to $1,350.2 million in 2007 from $875.5 million in 2006.

In the first half of 2007, a high global risk appetite and attractively high domestic interest rates overshadowed concerns and potential threats in the international and domestic markets. However, in the second half of the year, the global “credit crunch” led to a relatively risk averse climate due to a general lack of liquidity.

Following the financial turmoil of 2001, the Turkish economy has experienced a period of political and economic stabilization. This period of stabilization began in 2002 with the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”) stand-by program and continued with a new IMF program implemented in 2005. The 2005 IMF program has a three year maturity. The 2002 and 2005 IMF programs are aimed at decreasing the likelihood of the Turkish economy suffering a future economic crisis by encouraging sustained non-inflationary growth through a floating exchange rate regime, using inflation targeting to combat chronic inflation, strengthening the financial structure of Turkey, implementing reforms in taxation, social security and the banking sector, and ensuring debt

 

72


Table of Contents

sustainability and accelerating current privatization efforts. The implementation of banking reform and the enactment of other reforms should improve the liquidity position of the private sector and stimulate economic growth.

Currently, the Turkish economy is among the fastest growing economies in the world. In 2007, the Turkish economy was driven by robust private consumption and increased investment and exports. This was bolstered by a strong banking system and balanced public finances. There was, however, some concern over a general short foreign currency position in the non-financial corporate sector.

At the beginning of 2007, the Turkish financial markets benefitted from high global levels of liquidity, along with increased appetite for risk among investors. The global environment started to change in the second half of 2007, with a reduction in liquidity resulting in a pronounced “credit crunch”. The Turkish market, however, remained resilient in the face of this shock, mainly on the strength of its high real rates of return. The Turkish market was also benefitted by the monetary policy dictated by the Central Bank of Turkey, which strives to limit inflation, maintain a high level of local foreign currency reserves and with the help of strong fiscal balance. The Turkish Treasury also supported these efforts and goals. However, Turkey’s current account deficit has remained as a structural problem for the Turkish economy and appreciation of the TRY has widened this deficit which was mainly caused by the fact that imports grew faster than exports.

On the political front, having presidential and general elections in 2007 was a source of concern at the beginning of the year. However, the election results ultimately confirmed a climate of ongoing political stability. Although there was a deceleration in the pace of discussions with the EU regarding Turkey’s admission, this was not viewed as a major factor, as the global environment remained supportive and political stability was affirmed after the elections.

The TRY is one of the most vulnerable emerging market currencies, due to the country’s increasingly wide current account deficit and high energy dependency, and is generally viewed as being overvalued. However, high real interest rates have generally cushioned this vulnerability. The high real interest rate in Turkey strongly contributed to TRY appreciation of around 20% over 2007 as measured against the U.S. Dollar. Inflation increased to 8.4% (consumer price index) for the year ended December 31, 2007, which is significantly higher than the 2007 target rate of 4%. Turkey’s current account deficit totaled $37.4 billion in 2007 compared to $31.9 billion in 2006. This deficit amounted to 5.7% and 6.1% of Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) according to new national account system in 2007 and 2006, respectively. This relatively high level of deficit increases the probability of an exchange rate adjustment in the face of sudden changes in risk perceptions. This change reflected an improvement in public sector finances, while the private sector saved much less than its investments in 2007. The improvement in the current account deficit as a percentage of GDP was also partly due to an increase in service revenues.

In 2007, net foreign direct investment inflows financed 53.0% of the current account deficit as compared to approximately 60% in 2006. Turkey’s Net Public Debt Stock to GDP ratio decreased to 29.1% according to new national account system in 2007 from 34.2% in 2006.

Taxation Issues in Telecommunications Sector

Under current Turkish tax legislation, there are several taxes on the telecommunications services of GSM operators in Turkey. These are charged to subscribers by GSM operators and remitted to the relevant taxing authorities by these operators. These taxes may be charged upon subscription, on an annual basis or on an ad valorem basis on the service fees charged to subscribers.

 

73


Table of Contents

The following are the most significant taxes imposed on our telecommunications services:

Special Communications Tax

The Turkish government imposed a special 25% communications tax on mobile telephone services as part of a series of new taxes levied to finance public works required to respond to earthquakes that struck the Marmara region of Turkey in 1999. This tax is paid by mobile users and collected by GSM operators. With Law No. 5035, the special communications tax was made indefinite from January 1, 2004. A fixed amount of the special communications tax of TRY 20 on each new subscription was imposed with Law No. 5035. From January 1, 2007, the special communications tax on new subscriptions has been increased to TRY 26 from TRY 24.15 per subscriber and, from January 1, 2008, it was further increased to TRY 27.8 per subscriber. The tax has had a correlative negative impact on mobile usage.

On August 1, 2004, certain provisions of the special communications tax law were amended by Law No. 5228. In particular, the special communications tax imposed on new subscribers who transferred from one GSM operator to another has been abolished. For other telecommunication services, which cannot be defined within the context of telecommunication operations of mobile operators (communication, establishment, circulation, transmission) and radio-television broadcasting services, a 15% special communications tax was introduced. The special communications tax is charged at 25% on the usage fees payable by subscribers. The tax collected from subscribers in a calendar month is remitted to the taxing authorities within the first 15 days of the following month.

Value Added Tax (“VAT”)

Like all services in Turkey, services provided by GSM operators are subject to VAT, which is 18% of the service fees charged to subscribers. We declare VAT to the Ministry of Finance within 24 days and remit VAT paid by our subscribers within the first 26 days of the month following the month in which the tax was incurred, after the offset of input VAT incurred by us. On April 24, 2003, VAT on roaming revenues invoiced to foreign operators, which were 18%, were cancelled.

We have calculated our VAT responsibility on ongoing license fees since June 2003 and it has not been recalculated, in accordance with a decision of Istanbul Tax Court, since February 2004. For more detailed information related to this dispute, see “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.”

Reverse charge VAT has been calculated on the invoices issued by foreign GSM operators. On the other hand, VAT responsibility has been calculated on the mark-up amount on subscribers’ invoices for roaming services.

Wireless Equipment Fees

According to the Wireless Equipment Usage Law, all receiver equipment must be licensed. As a consequence, mobile wireless telephone owners are subject to both a license fee and an annual usage fee.

The license fee is paid once on subscription for the equipment purchased. The license fee was TRY 10.0 (equivalent to $8.59 as of December 31, 2007) during the period of January 1, 2006 – December 31, 2007. Effective from January 1, 2008, it has been increased to TRY 10.72 (equivalent to $9.20 as of December 31, 2007). For the postpaid subscribers, the license fee is divided into the number of months remaining in the year in which it is payable and charged to the subscriber in equal installments.

The yearly usage fee is the same amount as the license fee and charged to the subscriber in 12 equal monthly installments. Monthly collected charges for the prepaid subscribers are paid by us to the government in the following month.

 

74


Table of Contents

Stamp Duty

Under the Turkish Stamp Duty Law, certain documents such as contracts and other agreements are subject to stamp duty either at a fixed amount (if the document does not include a certain amount) or at a certain percentage of the amount involved in the document.

Effective from January 1, 2005, lump-sum stamp duty liability on the subscription contracts, which does not state any amount on the contract was abolished. The subscription agreements signed between GSM operators and subscribers have not include any amount on it as of January 1, 2005, so there has been no stamp duty payable on such agreements.

Special Consumption Tax

The Turkish Government introduced a single tax, the special consumption tax, to consolidate several taxes and fees currently applied on certain goods, which became effective on August 1, 2002. GSM services were not directly affected when the new tax was introduced. However, mobile phones are included in the goods that are subject to the special consumption tax. The special consumption tax is charged on mobile phones either at importation or at the level of sale by the Turkish manufacturers. The special consumption tax over mobile phones (mobile phones are defined as “low power mobile wireless equipment” in the law) was 6.7% as of December 31, 2004, and it was increased to 20% as of April 26, 2005.

For a description of various tax related disputes to which we are party, see “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Informations—Legal Proceedings.”

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB require us to make judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, fixed assets and intangibles, bad debts, income taxes, contingencies, and litigation. Our estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, 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.

A summary of our significant accounting policies is set forth in note 3 to our consolidated financial statements. We have identified the following critical accounting policies and estimates utilized by us in preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue in accordance with International Accounting Standard No:18 “Revenue”. In arrangements which include multiple elements, we consider the elements to be separate units of accounting in the arrangement. Deliverables are accounted separately where a market for each deliverable exists and if the recognition criterion is met individually. The arrangement consideration is allocated to each deliverable in proportion to the fair value of the individual deliverables. Commission fees on betting business is recognized at the time all the services related with the games are fully rendered.

Useful Life of Property, Plant and Equipment, Intangible assets

Almost all of our operational tangible and intangible fixed assets are depreciated over an eight-year term which represents our best estimate of their useful life. If the technology had rapidly changed and caused the

 

75


Table of Contents

estimated useful life to decrease by one year to an average life of seven years, annual depreciation expense for 2007 on our operational fixed assets would have decreased by $160.2 million. However, if the estimated useful life of our fixed assets had increased to nine years, annual depreciation expense for 2007 on our operational fixed assets would have increased by $0.4 million.

Impairment of long-lived assets

When events or circumstances arise that require us to test our long-lived assets for impairment then the assets’ recoverable amount is estimated. The recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating unit is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less cost to sell. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to asset. For the purpose of impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group odd assets that generate cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or group of assets. On an ongoing basis we review indicators of potential impairment which include: significant adverse changes in the legal or business climate that could affect the value of long-lived assets, plans to dispose of a long-lived asset before the end of its previously estimated useful life, and a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset. We are also alert to technological change or a decrease in the number of subscribers, which could cause impairment of our long-lived assets.

In assessing the recoverability of our fixed and intangible assets, we make judgments and assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors. Our estimates of future cash flows are subject to a significant number of variables, including the number of subscribers, average revenue per subscriber, inflation, devaluation, competition, and other economic factors. In addition, our discount rate is also based on a number of factors such as the risk free rate of interest, which may change over time.

During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, we have not identified any impairment indicators and accordingly our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 do not include any adjustment in relation to impairment of long-lived assets.

Estimation of allowance for doubtful accounts

The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of allowance for doubtful accounts. To make these estimates and assumptions, we analyze our accounts receivable and historical bad debts, subscriber credit worthiness and current social and economic trends. If our estimates or assumptions are proven to be incorrect for any reason, we may not have a sufficient allowance to cover our bad debts. Historically, our provision from doubtful accounting has been sufficient to account for our bad debts.

We believe that the accounting estimate related to establishment of an allowance for doubtful accounts is a critical accounting estimate because, the evaluation is inherently judgmental, it requires the use of significant assumptions about expected subscriber default amounts that may be susceptible to significant changes, and changes in the estimates regarding the allowance for bad debts could have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Our bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues decreased by approximately 14% to 0.56% of revenues in 2007 from 0.65% of revenues in 2006. If our bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues increased to 1.5% of revenues, an additional provision for bad debts of approximately $59.8 million would be required.

Liabilities arising from litigation

We are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. A provision is recognized in our balance sheet if we have a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event

 

76


Table of Contents

that can be reliably estimated and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits would be required to settle the obligation. Our current estimated liability related to some of our pending litigation is based on claims for which our management can estimate the amount and range of loss. We continuously evaluate our pending litigation to determine if any developments in the status of litigation require a provision to be made. Due to the complexity of the Turkish legal system, it is often difficult to accurately estimate the ultimate outcome of the litigation. This variable and other variables can affect the timing and amount we provide for certain litigation. Our accruals for legal claims are therefore subject to estimates made by us and our legal counsel, which are subject to change as the status of our legal cases develops over time. Such revision in our estimates of the potential liability could materially impact and previously materially impacted our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.

Income taxes

The calculation of our total tax charge involves a degree of estimation and judgment in respect of certain items whose tax treatment cannot be finally determined until resolution has been reached with the relevant tax authority or, as appropriate, through formal legal process.

As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate the income taxes in each of the jurisdictions and countries in which we operate. This process involves estimating the actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as deferred revenue and reserves for tax and accounting purposes. We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, and to the extent the recovery is not considered probable the deferred asset is adjusted accordingly.

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax.

The recognition of deferred tax assets is based upon whether it is probable that future taxable profits will be available, against which the temporary differences can be utilized. Recognition, therefore, involves judgment regarding the future financial performance of the particular legal entity in which the deferred tax asset has been recognized.

Hyperinflation in Turkey

Until January 1, 2006, hyperinflationary conditions existed in Turkey and our consolidated financial statements were restated for the changes in the general purchasing power of our functional currency based on International Accounting Standard No. 29 (“IAS 29”) “Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies”. IAS 29 requires that financial statements prepared in the currency of a hyperinflationary economy be stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the balance sheet date and that corresponding figures for previous periods be restated in the same terms. One characteristic that necessitates the application of IAS 29 is a cumulative three-year inflation rate approaching or exceeding 100%. The three year inflation rate in Turkey was 36% as of December 31, 2005, based on the Turkish nation-wide wholesale price indices announced by the State Statistics Association (“SSA”). However, IAS 29 does not establish the rate of 100% as an absolute rate at which hyperinflation is deemed to arise. It is a matter of judgment when restatement of financial statements in accordance with IAS 29 becomes necessary. Moreover, hyperinflation is also indicated by characteristics of the economic environment of a country. As hyperinflationary conditions in Turkey no longer existed starting from January 1, 2006, our functional currency has since been treated as a more stable currency and our consolidated financial statements are not required to be adjusted for hyperinflationary accounting.

5.A Operating Results

Our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for each of the years in the three- year period ended December 31, 2007 included in this annual report have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

 

77


Table of Contents

Overview of Business

We were formed in 1993 and we commenced operations in 1994 pursuant to a revenue-sharing agreement with Turk Telekom. Since April 1998, we have been operating under a 25-year GSM license (the “License”), which was granted upon payment of an upfront license fee of $500 million. At the same time, we entered into an interconnection agreement with Turk Telekom for the interconnection of our network with Turk Telekom’s fixed-line network. On September 20, 2003, we signed an amended agreement (the “Amended Agreement”) with Turk Telekom amending certain sections of the Interconnection Agreement dated April 24, 1998. As a result of intervention by the Telecommunications Authority, we entered into a new supplemental protocol with Turk Telekom in 2003.

Under the License, we had been paying ongoing license fees to the Turkish Treasury equal to 15% of our gross revenue from our GSM operations in Turkey, which included monthly fixed fees and communication fees including taxes, charges, and duties paid to the Turkish Treasury. On June 25, 2005, the Turkish government declared that GSM operators are required to pay 10% of their existing monthly ongoing license fee to the Turkish Ministry as a universal service fund contribution in accordance with Law No. 5369. As a result, starting from June 30, 2005, we pay 90% of the ongoing license fee to the Turkish Treasury and 10% to the Turkish Ministry as universal service fund. Since June 2004, Simcard sales, outgoing roaming revenues, and late payment interest charges have been included in the definition of gross revenue and included in the monthly ongoing license fees computations. Based on the law enacted on July 3, 2005 with respect to the regulation of privatization, the gross revenue description used for the calculation of treasury share has been changed. According to this new regulation, accrued interest charged for late payments, taxes such as VAT, and other expenses are excluded from the description of gross revenue. We submitted to the Telecommunications Board for the revision of the related articles of the Amended Agreement and completed certain necessary procedures. Danistay, the highest administrative court, approved the agreement on March 10, 2006 and the calculation of gross revenue for ongoing license fee in accordance with the new agreement is valid after March 10, 2006. Therefore, the basis for calculating the universal service fund has also changed.

Under our Amended Agreement with Turk Telekom, we pay Turk Telekom an interconnection fee per call based on the type and length of the call for calls originating on our network and terminating on Turk Telekom’s fixed-line network, as well as fees for other services. We also collect an interconnection fee from Turk Telekom for calls originating on their fixed-line network and terminating on our network. We also have interconnection agreements with Vodafone, Avea, Milleni.com, and Globalstar pursuant to which we have agreed, among other things, to pay interconnection fees to the other parties for calls originating on our network and terminating on theirs, and they have agreed to pay interconnection fees for calls originating on their networks and terminating on ours.

The build-out of our network in Turkey is now substantially completed. As of March 31, 2008, our network covered 100% of the Turkish cities with a population of 2,000 or more. Coverage also includes substantially all of the Mediterranean and Aegean coastline of Turkey. We currently meet the coverage requirements of our license.

Our Turkish GSM subscriber base has expanded from 63,500 at year-end 1994 to 35.4 million as of December 31, 2007. Based on the announcements of the Telecommunications Authority, there were approximately 62.0 million subscribers in the Turkish GSM market as of December 31, 2007. The penetration rate in the Turkish GSM market reached 88% as of December 31, 2007. We expect market growth will continue but at a reduced rate with the penetration rate expected to reach about 100% at the end of 2008. In 2007, despite an increasingly competitive environment, we achieved 11% growth in our subscriber base, which resulted in a market share of 57% for the year ended December 31, 2007, according to information announced by the Telecommunications Authority. The 11% increase in our subscriber base was supported by our focus on the sales channel network and our well perceived offers and campaigns. For 2008, in an increasingly competitive environment, we aim to keep our leading position by emphasizing our customer focused approach for delivering high quality products and services on a segmented basis and by continuing to highlight our well designed value propositions.

 

78


Table of Contents

Our prepaid mobile service increases our market penetration and limits our credit risk. This service permits access to our GSM services to subscribers who prefer to avoid monthly billing for our services. As of December 31, 2007, we had 29.0 million prepaid and 6.4 million postpaid subscribers in our GSM network in Turkey.

In line with the improvement of macroeconomic indicators in Turkey, our average MoU in Turkey has increased 8.5% to 76.3 minutes in 2007 from 70.3 minutes in 2006, as a result of our initiatives that were aimed at creating a “win-win” situation by incentivizing usage through bundled free minute offers while maintaining a value generation focus. Despite the dilutive impact of a growing prepaid subscriber base, our average revenue per user in Turkey increased to $14.3 in 2007 from $12.1 in 2006 as a result of our actions to incentivize usage, along with a 9% appreciation of the TRY against U.S. Dollars and an average price increase of 12.7% on an annual basis during this year.

Churn rate is the percentage calculated by dividing the total number of subscriber disconnections during a period by the average number of subscribers for the same period. For these purposes, we define “average number of subscribers” as the number of subscribers at the beginning of the period plus one half of the total number of gross subscribers acquired during the period. Churn refers to subscribers that are both voluntarily and involuntarily disconnected from our network. Under our disconnection process, postpaid subscribers who do not pay their bills are disconnected and included in churn upon the commencement of a legal process to disconnect them, which commences approximately 180 days from the due date of the unpaid bill. Pending disconnection, non-paying subscribers are suspended from service (but are still considered subscribers) and receive a suspension warning, which in some cases results in payment and reinstatement of service. Prepaid subscribers who do not reload units for a period of 210 days are disconnected and cannot reuse their numbers. Our churn rate for operations in Turkey was 19.9% for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared with 14.7% for the year ended December 31, 2006. Due to our large subscriber base as well as intensified competition in the Turkish market throughout the year our churn rate was increased by 5.2 percentage points in line with our expectations. While our on-going emphasis on retention remains a high priority in 2008, we expect churn rate to be higher than 2007.

We have a bad debt provision in our consolidated financial statements for non-payments and disconnections that amounted to $181.7 and $133.6 million as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, which we believe is adequate. Prior to 2003, the majority of subscriber disconnections were due to non-payment of bills. Starting from 2003, the majority of involuntary subscriber disconnections were prepaid subscribers’ disconnections.

International and Other Domestic Operations

We were a participant in the consortium that was awarded the first private GSM operator tender in Iran on February 18, 2004 to operate a nationwide GSM network in the Islamic Republic. The consortium signed a license agreement with the Iranian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in September 2004 but the Iranian Parliament subsequently revised the license agreement in 2005. Although our Board of Directors decided to continue with the project despite the modifications to the license agreement, there has been no notification made by the Iranian authorities regarding any resolution to the first private GSM operator tender in Iran. As a result, we requested an injunction order in Iranian courts seeking to compel the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology to implement the laws and regulations passed by the Iranian Parliament in connection with the GSM tender process. Such request for an injunction order was rejected in April 2006. On January 14, 2008 we made an announcement, stating that we initiated an arbitration process against the Islamic Republic of Iran for not abiding by the provisions of the “Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments”. This arbitration process relates to a dispute which arises by reason of acts of Islamic Republic of Iran, directly and indirectly, through entities owned and controlled by the Islamic Republic, further to award of the license as a result of which we have been materially deprived of our investment in Iran and incurred significant losses. We are currently reviewing our options for further legal action to recover our expenses in connection with our participation as part of Irancell in the first private GSM operator tender in Iran. We currently have no plans to invest in the Iranian market.

 

79


Table of Contents

On October 20, 2005, Cukurova Group offered to sell us an option contract, under which the holder had the right to purchase 50% of the shares of A-Tel for a consideration of $150.0 million. After tax, legal, and financial due diligence review on A-Tel, we decided to purchase 50% of A-Tel shares for a consideration of $150.0 million. Following the legal approval of Turkish Competition Board on August 1, 2006, payment was made on August 9, 2006, and the transaction was finalized. A-Tel is a joint venture and the remaining 50% of its shares are held by Turkey’s Savings and Deposit Insurance Fund (“SDIF”).

A-Tel is involved in marketing, selling, and distributing our prepaid systems. A-Tel acts as our exclusive dealer for the Muhabbet Kart (a prepaid card) and receives dealer activation fees and subsidies for the sale of Muhabbet Kart. Since 1999, the business cooperation between us and A-Tel has provided important support to our sales and marketing activities. With the brand name Muhabbet Kart, A-Tel has proven success in a competitive environment through well-structured campaigns. With the acquisition of the 50% stake in A-Tel, we believe that we are better positioned in the changing competitive environment and achieve increased benefits by optimizing our respective sales and marketing efforts.

A-Tel is accounted for under equity method and results of the operations for the year ended December 31, 2007 are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements using an ownership rate of 50% as at and for the year ended December 31, 2007.

In the five months ended December 31, 2006, A-Tel contributed profit of $12.3 million. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2006, management estimates that consolidated profit for the year ended December 31, 2006 would have been increased by $15.8 million. In determining these amounts, we assumed that the fair value adjustments that arose on the date of acquisition would have been the same had the acquisition occurred on January 1, 2006.

On the acquisition of A-Tel shares, our interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities exceeded the cost of the acquisition by $7.8 million. We reassessed the measurement of the acquired assets and liabilities and reduced acquired intangible assets by $7.8 million. Pre-acquisition carrying amounts were determined based on applicable IFRSs immediately before the acquisition. The values of assets and liabilities recognized on acquisition are their estimated fair values.

In January, March, May, July and September 2007, Turktell Uluslararasi made contributions to capital increases of Astelit of $27.5 million each. As Eurocorp, the other shareholder of Astelit, did not participate in these capital increases, our ownership increased from 54.8% to 55.0%.

Our efforts to selectively seek and evaluate new international investment opportunities continue. These opportunities could include the purchase of licenses and acquisitions in markets outside Turkey in which we currently do not operate. We are negotiating to acquire a majority stake in Syriatel. In addition, we are examining opportunities in Belarus. Specifically, on April 10, 2008, our Board of Directors decided to conduct the necessary studies to submit a proposal directly, or through one of our subsidiaries, to the shareholders of BeST, based in the Republic of Belarus, to purchase the majority of the company’s shares.

For a description of, and additional information regarding, our international and other domestic operations, see “Item 4.B. Business Overview”.

Revenues

Our revenues are mainly derived from communication fees, commission fees, monthly fixed fees, sales of Simcards, and call center revenues. Communication fees consist of charges for calls that originate or terminate on our GSM network, including international roaming, and are based on minutes of actual usage of service. Per-minute communication fees vary according to the subscriber’s service package. Commission fees on betting business relate to operating a central betting system and head agency fees. Such fees are recognized at the time

 

80


Table of Contents

the services related to the betting games are rendered. Monthly fixed fees are charged to each postpaid subscriber in a specified monthly amount that varies according to the subscriber’s service package, regardless of actual use of our GSM network services. Fixed fees are recognized on monthly basis when billed. Call center revenues consist of revenues for call center services provided by our call center subsidiary to affiliates and third party companies. Call center revenues are recognized at the time services are rendered.

We recognize Simcard sales as revenue upfront upon delivery to subscribers, net of returns, discount and rebates. Simcard costs are also recognized upfront upon sale of the Simcard to the subscriber. Our revenues depend on the number of subscribers, call volume, and tariff pricing.

In connection with our ongoing promotional campaigns, both postpaid and prepaid services may be bundled with handset and other services and these bundled services and products involve consideration in the form of fixed fee or a fixed fee coupled with continuing payment stream. Loyalty programs for both postpaid and prepaid services may be bundled with other services. Deliverables are accounted separately where a market for each deliverable exists and if the recognition criteria are met individually. Costs associated with each deliverable are recognized at the time of revenue recognized. The arrangement consideration is allocated to each deliverable in proportion to the fair value of the individual deliverables.

As is the case throughout Europe, airtime charges are generally paid only by the initiator of the call, except when a subscriber travels outside Turkey, in which case we charge the subscriber for a portion of the incoming call.

In Turkey, we and other GSM operators have entered into interconnection agreements which set out the terms and conditions regarding the pricing terms as well as the periodical revision of such terms. Through the Access and Interconnection Regulation, the issue has been escalated by Turk Telekom, Telsim (before Vodafone acquired Telsim on May 24, 2006) and Avea to the Telecommunications Authority. During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Telecommunications Authority issued reference interconnection rates which indicate pricing terms. Consequently, on August 10, 2005, the Telecommunications Authority issued a ‘temporary interconnection price schedule’ for the interconnection between Turk Telekom and us which are in line with the reference tariff structure defined by the Telecommunications Authority during the fourth quarter of 2004.

The Telecommunications Authority issued final reference call termination rates for all operators in the market in June 2006. As expected, these rates were lower than previously applied termination rates with the other GSM operators, but they reveal no change from the temporary interconnection rates applied between Turk Telekom and us since August 2005. Based on the Telecommunications Authority’s resolution, we have started to apply the new reference call termination rates with Vodafone and Avea starting from March 2006 and July 2006, respectively. However, in July 2006, we signed an agreement with Vodafone which provides for rates that are relatively more favorable than the reference call termination rates suggested by the Telecommunications Authority which had been retrospectively effective from May 24, 2006, which is the date of transfer of shares of Telsim to Vodafone. Therefore, we have applied rates based on the new interconnection agreement starting from May 24, 2006 with Vodafone. For the period between March 1, 2006, and May 24, 2006, we retroactively applied the final reference call termination rates with Telsim.

In January 2007, the Telecommunications Authority published “Standard Interconnection Reference Tariffs” for Turk Telekom and GSM operators. In accordance with the recommendation, the fee determined for us is TRY 0.140/minute (equivalent to full $0.120/minute as at December 31, 2007) between January 1, 2007 and February 28, 2007. From March 1, 2007, the fee is TRY 0.136/minute (equivalent to full $0.117/minute as at December 31, 2007). These “Standard Interconnection Reference Tariffs” were not necessarily directly applicable to our current or future interconnection agreements unless explicitly stated by the Telecommunications Authority at the end of the settlement procedure. However, TRY 0.136/minute (equivalent to full $0.117/minute as at December 31, 2007) had been applied between Turk Telekom and us from March 1, 2007. More recently, the Telecommunications Authority announced a new Standard Reference Tariff for Turk Telekom and GSM operators valid from April 1, 2008. The new fee determined for us is TRY 0.091/minute (equivalent to full $0.0781/minute as at December 31, 2007).

 

81


Table of Contents

In previous periods, disagreements existed between us and the other GSM operators regarding the revision of pricing terms of the interconnection agreements. In addition, there is a disagreement with Turk Telekom about international calls. See “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings” and Note 31 to our consolidated financial statements in this Form 20-F.

Inteltek, our betting subsidiary, is operating pursuant to a Head Agency Agreement and Central Betting System Operation and Risk Management Agreements (“CBS Agreement”) signed with a governmental body. The Head Agency Agreement and CBS Agreement entitle Inteltek to receive up to a maximum of 7% of gross revenues and 4.3% of commissions. Under the Head Agency Agreement, Inteltek is obligated to payout any excess amounts, and thus its revenues are presented on a net basis with the commission revenues.

The company became fully operational during 2004. The Fixed-Odds Betting contract was scheduled to expire in October 2011. Subsequently, there were three lawsuits filed, two of them were initiated requesting the annulment of the Fixed-Odds Betting tender and the other one was initiated requesting an annulment of the Fixed-Odds Betting tender contract. In January 2007, Danistay, the highest administrative court, decided in favor of a preliminary injunction of the tender and the tender transaction, although Inteltek was able to continue operations at that time. In March 2007, Genclik ve Spor Genel Mudurlugu (“GSGM”) terminated the fixed-odds betting contract.

On February 28, 2007, the Turkish parliament passed a new law that allowed Spor Toto Teskilati A.S. (“Spor Toto”) to hold a new tender before March 1, 2008, and to sign a contract with new terms which was valid until March 1, 2008. Under the new conditions, the commission rate of Inteltek decreased to 7% as a head agent of fixed odds betting games, which was previously 12% under the former contract. For further information please see “Item 8.A.—Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings”.

On February 27, 2008 the Turkish parliament passed a new law (No. 5738) that allowed Spor Toto to sign a new Fixed Odds Betting contract with Inteltek, having the same terms and conditions with the “latest contracts signed with Spor Toto” (contract signed as per Provisional Article 1 of Law 5583) and to be valid for up to one year, until operations start under the new tender which Spor Toto is allowed to hold in accordance with the same law. As per Provisional Article 1 of law No. 5738 Inteltek signed a new Fixed Odds Betting contract with Spor Toto, which took effect on March 1, 2008. At the same time, Inteltek signed a new Central Betting System contract with Spor Toto, which took effect on March 31, 2008. Inteltek intends to participate in the new tender; however, it will operate under the new Fixed Odds Betting and Central Betting Systems contract until the completion of the new tender. If the process of the new tender is completed before the end of the one year term of the new contract, and the winner of the tender operates under a new contract, the previous contract signed between Spor Toto and Inteltek shall be terminated even if the one year term will not yet have expired. No assurance can be given that Inteltek will be able to win the expected tender for this business on terms that will be commercially acceptable.

Operating Costs

Direct Cost of Revenues

Direct cost of revenues includes ongoing license fees, transmission fees, base station rents, billing costs, cost of Simcards sold, depreciation and amortization charges, repair and maintenance expenses directly related to services rendered, roaming charges paid to foreign GSM operators for calls made by our subscribers while outside Turkey, interconnection fees mainly paid to Turk Telekom, Vodafone, Avea, Milleni.com, and Globalstar, handset costs offered as part of our loyalty programs and wages, salaries, and personnel expenses for technical personnel.

Administrative Expenses

Administrative expenses consist of fixed costs, including company cars, office rent, office maintenance, travel, insurance, consulting, collection charges, wages, salaries, and personnel expenses for non-technical, non-marketing, and non-sales employees and other overhead charges. Our administrative expenses also include bad debt expenses of our postpaid subscribers.

 

82


Table of Contents

Selling and Marketing

Selling and marketing expenses consist of customer relations, sales promotions, dealer activation fees, advertising, prepaid frequency usage fees, wages, salaries, and personnel expenses of sales and marketing related employees and other expenses, including travel expenses, office expenses, insurance, company car expenses, and training and communication expenses.

Results of Operations

The following table shows information concerning our consolidated statements of operations for the years indicated:

 

     For the years ended
December 31,
 
     2007     2006     2005  
(U.S. Dollar millions)                   

Revenue

   6,328.6     4,700.3     4,528.0  

Direct cost of revenue

   (3,103.4 )   (2,627.9 )   (2,701.6 )
                  

Gross profit

   3,225.2     2,072.4     1,826.4  

Administrative expenses

   (252.8 )   (154.9 )   (154.0 )

Selling and marketing expenses

   (1,138.2 )   (827.5 )   (700.5 )

Other income / (expense), net

   (14.7 )   1.6     10.5  
                  

Results from operating activities

   1,819.5     1,091.6     982.4  

Finance expense

   (551.1 )   (108.0 )   (191.2 )

Finance income

   308.4     184.0     167.5  
                  

Net finance income / (expense)

   (242.7 )   76.0     (23.7 )

Share of profit of equity accounted investees

   64.9     78.6     68.2  
                  

Profit before gain on net monetary position

   1,614.7     1,246.2     1,026.9  

Gain on net monetary position

   —       —       11.0  
                  

Profit before income taxes

   1,641.7     1,246.2     1,037.9  

Income tax expense

   (322.4 )   (413.2 )   (290.5 )
                  

Profit for the period

   1,319.3     833.0     747.4  

Attributable to:

      

Equity holders of the Company

   1,350.2     875.5     772.2  

Minority interest

   (30.9 )   (42.5 )   (24.8 )
                  

Profit for the period

   1,319.3     833.0     747.4  
                  

 

83


Table of Contents

The following table shows certain items in our consolidated statement of operations as a percentage of revenue:

 

     For the years ended
December 31,
 
     2007     2006     2005  

Statement of Operations Data (% of revenue)

      

Revenue

      

Communication fees

   94.4     93.8     94.9  

Commission fees on betting business

   2.9     3.7     2.5  

Other revenue

   2.7     2.5     2.6  

Total revenue

   100.0     100.0     100.0  

Direct cost of revenue

   (49.0 )   (55.9 )   (59.7 )

Gross margin

   51.0     44.1     40.3  

Administrative expenses

   (4.0 )   (3.3 )   (3.4 )

Selling and marketing expenses

   (18.0 )   (17.6 )   (15.5 )

Other operating income (expense), net

   (0.2 )   0.0     0.2  

Results from operating activities

   28.8     23.2     21.6  

Segment Overview

Segment information is presented in respect of our geographical and business segments. The primary format, geographical segments, is based on the dominant source and nature of our risk and returns as well as our internal reporting structure. In presenting information on the basis of geographical segments, segment revenue is based on the geographical location of the entities. Our main geographical segments are Turkey, Ukraine, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

 

84


Table of Contents
    Turkey   Ukraine     Turkish
Republic of
Northern
Cyprus
  Other   Eliminations     Consolidated  
    2007     2006     2005   2007     2006     2005     2007   2006   2005   2007   2006   2005   2007     2006     2005     2007     2006     2005  
(U.S. Dollar millions)                                                                                              

Total external revenues

  5,991.9     4,544.5     4,433.6   252.8     87.9     45.6     83.9   67.9   48.8   —     —     —     —       —       —       6,328.6     4,700.3     4,528.0  

Intersegment revenue

  5.3     1.2     0.8   1.2     —       —       6.0   5.4   7.8   —     —     —     (12.5 )   (6.6 )   (8.6 )   —       —       —    
                                                                                             

Total segment revenue

  5,997.2     4,545.7     4,434.4   254.0     87.9     45.6     89.9   73.3   56.6   —     —     —     (12.5 )   (6.6 )   (8.6 )   6,328.6     4,700.3     4,528.0  
                                                                                             

Segment result

  1,928.6     1,236.5     1,071.0   (108.0 )   (154.9 )   (106.8 )   13.6   7.2   5.8   —     —     —     —       1.2     1.9     1,834.2     1,090.0     971.9  

Unallocated expenses

                                (14.7 )   1.6     10.5  
                                               

Results from operating activities

                                1,819.5     1,091.6     982.4  
                                               

Net financing income/(cost)

                                (242.7 )   76.0     (23.7 )

Share of profit of equity accounted investees

  (44.0 )   (2.7 )   —     —       —       —       —     —     —     108.9   81.3   68.2   —       —       —       64.9     78.6     68.2  

Gain on net monetary position, net

                                —       —       11.0  

Income tax expense

                                (322.4 )   (413.2 )   (290.5 )
                                               

Profit for the period

                                1,319.3     833.0     747.4  
                                               

In presenting information on the basis of business segments, segment revenue is based on the operational activity of the entities. Our main business segments are telecommunications and betting.

 

     Telecommunications    Betting    Other operations    Consolidated
     2007    2006    2005    2007    2006    2005    2007    2006    2005    2007    2006    2005
(U.S. Dollar millions)                                                            

Total external revenues

   6,130.4    4,517.0    4,402.9    181.3    172.4    112.5    16.9    10.9    12.6    6,328.6    4,700.3    4,528.0

 

85


Table of Contents

Turkey

Total revenues generated in Turkey increased by 32% to 5,997.2 million as of December 31, 2007 from 4,545.7 million in 2006 due to higher usage, subscriber growth, appreciation of the TRY against U.S. Dollars and price adjustments of 12.7% on an annual basis.

The segment result of Turkey increased by 56% to $1,928.6 million in 2007 from $1,236.5 million in 2006 due to strong revenue growth coupled with a decrease in direct cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues such as depreciation and amortization, ongoing license fee despite higher sales and marketing and administrative expenses.

Total revenues of our Turkey segment for the year ended December 31, 2006, increased 3% to $4,545.7 million from $4,434.4 million in 2005. The increase in revenues is mainly due to the growth in subscriber base, improved usage, and the contribution of our consolidated subsidiaries in our betting business despite the 7% depreciation of TRY against U.S. Dollars on average terms as well as the dilutive impact of prepaid subscribers in 2006.

The segment results of Turkey for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased 15% to $1,236.5 million from $1,071.0 million in 2005. Main reason for the increase is lower interconnection fees as a result of lower tariffs imposed by the Telecommunications Authority for Avea outgoing calls effective from July 2006 and lower tariffs set by the new agreement between us and Vodafone effective from May 24, 2006, decrease in ongoing license fee despite the increase in revenues due to amendment in our license agreement regarding the definition of gross revenue, and lower depreciation and amortization expenses mainly due to the fully depreciated fixed assets.

Ukraine

Astelit, in which we hold a 55.0% stake through Euroasia, has operated in Ukraine since February 2005 under the brand “life:)”. Since its inception in February 2005, Astelit has worked on establishing network coverage to provide high quality services in Ukraine. As of December 31, 2007, Astelit had established more than 4,426 base stations to ensure a rapid roll-out of its infrastructure, which currently covers approximately 91.4% of the Ukrainian’s population. “life:)” was the first in the market to introduce EDGE and GPRS services, which provide the highest data transfer speed available in the GSM network. Astelit has also focused on establishing brand awareness and values as well as growing its subscriber base. Through its distribution channel of approximately 35,040 sales points and high brand recognition in the Ukrainian market, Astelit’s subscriber base grew 57% to 8.8 million by the end of December 31, 2007 from 5.6 million in 2006. In 2007, segment revenue of Ukraine increased by 189% in 2007 to $254.0 million from $87.9 million in 2006, mainly due to the increase in its customer base.

The segment results of Ukraine improved by 30% to a loss of $108.0 for the year ended December 31, 2007, from a loss of $154.9 in 2006, mainly due to the increase in subscriber base despite higher operational costs such as interconnection costs due to higher volume of calls to other operators.

Astelit’s subscriber base grew 124% to $5.6 million by the end of December 31, 2006 from 2.5 million in 2005 and as a result, segment revenue of Ukraine increased by 93% in 2006 to $87.9 million from $45.6 million in 2005.

Although segment revenue of Ukraine increased, the segment results of Ukraine decreased by 45% to a loss of $154.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from a loss of $106.8 million in 2005 mainly due to an increase in subscriber acquisition costs and advertisement expenses. In order to promote Free Life Tariffs and encourage dealers and distributors to buy scratch cards and starter packs, outdoor advertising, corporate communication expenses and selling expenses have been increased. As a result, a lower segment result was achieved in Ukraine in 2007.

 

86


Table of Contents

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Kibris Telekom, a wholly owned subsidiary, started providing its subscribers in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with services on August 3, 1999. Kibris Telekom has increased its range of services provided based on mobile voice and data transfer and quality, thus increasing the number of its subscribers the level of its investments over the years. As of December 31, 2007, the number of Kibris Telekom’s subscribers was 0.3 million.

Segment revenue of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus increased 23% to $89.9 million as of December 31, 2007, from $73.3 million in 2006 mainly due to the increase in the number of subscribers by 9% and the 7% depreciation of TRY against U.S. Dollars on average terms.

Segment results of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus increased 89% to $13.6 million as of December 31, 2007, from $7.2 million in 2006 mainly due to the increase in revenues and decrease in treasury share expenses related to Mobile Communication License Agreement signed by Kibris Telekom on April 27, 2007 under which Kibris Telekom agreed to pay the tax authorities of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus an ongoing license fee on monthly basis equal to 15% of gross revenues instead of revenue sharing of 50%.

Segment revenue of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus increased 30% to $73.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $56.6 million in 2005 mainly due to an increase in the number of subscribers by 9%.

Segment results of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus increased 24% to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $5.8 million in 2005 mainly due to an increase in revenues.

Betting Business

Our betting business comprises the operations of Inteltek, Bilyoner and Sans Oyunlari. A significant portion of the segment revenue is generated by Inteltek, our 55% owned subsidiary.

Revenues of the betting business increased by 5% to $181.3 million as of December 31, 2007 from $172.4 million, mainly due to the appreciation of the TRY against U.S. Dollars by 9% despite the decrease in commission fees on betting business from 12% to 7% with the renewed contract in 2007.

Revenues of betting business increased by 53% to $172.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $112.5 million mainly due to the increase in the average number of operational terminals, average number of columns/coupon and brand awareness among the players in 2006. See “Revenues” above for a discussion of the legal status of Inteltek’s license.

Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2006

We had 35.4 million GSM subscribers in Turkey, including 29.0 million prepaid subscribers, as of December 31, 2007, compared to 31.8 million GSM subscribers in Turkey, including 26.0 million prepaid subscribers, as of December 31, 2006. During 2007, we added approximately 3.6 million net new Turkish GSM subscribers.

In Ukraine, we had 8.8 million and 5.6 million subscribers as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. During 2007, we added approximately 3.2 million net new Ukrainian GSM subscribers.

Revenues

Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007, increased 35% to $6,328.6 million from $4,700.3 million in 2006. The increase in revenues is mainly due to higher usage, subscriber growth, and appreciation of the TRY against U.S. Dollars, combined with the upward price adjustment of 12.7% on an annual basis as well as the positive impact of our consolidated subsidiaries.

 

87


Table of Contents

Revenues from communication fees for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased 36% to $5,976.9 million from $4,406.7 million in 2006. The increase in the communication fees resulted from the growth in the subscriber base improved usage, appreciation of TRY against U.S. Dollars combined with the upward price adjustment.

Commission revenues from betting business amounted to $181.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to $172.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Although the commission rate on the betting business decreased from 12% to 7% with the renewed contract in 2007, commission income was higher in 2007 as a result of appreciation of the TRY against U.S. Dollars by 9% in 2007.

Direct cost of revenues

Direct cost of revenues increased by 18% to $3,103.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $2,627.9 million in 2006 mainly due to the increase in interconnection fees, ongoing license fee, wages and salaries, depreciation and amortization, and appreciation of the TRY against U.S. Dollars.

Ongoing license fees and universal fund paid to the Turkish Treasury and to the Turkish Ministry increased 14% to $871.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $764.7 million in 2006 mainly due to an increase in gross revenue. Ongoing license fee and universal service fund expenses decreased by 2.5 percentage points as a percentage of revenue of which 0.7 percentage point is related to one off ongoing license fee impact on sales discounts of 2006.

Depreciation and amortization charges increased 9% to $793.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $730.0 million in 2006 mainly due to appreciation of the TRY against U.S. Dollars. The amortization expense for our GSM license and other telecommunication operating licenses was $50.3 million and $58.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively.

Interconnection and termination costs increased 22% to $434.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $355.9 million in 2006 due to higher tariffs agreed with Vodafone and 9% appreciation of TRY against U.S. Dollars.

Transmission costs, site costs, information technology, network maintenance expenses and infrastructure cost increased approximately 23% to $183.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $149.1 million in 2006 mainly due to the increase in transmission and maintenance costs as a result of increased transmission line rent expenses in 2007 compared to 2006. In addition, uncapitalizable antenna site costs and expenses increased 30% to $226.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, from $173.4 million in 2006 mainly due to an increase in radio network operations.

Wages, salaries and personnel expenses for technical personnel increased 42% to $194.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, from $136.7 million in 2006 mainly due to an increase in bonuses accrued for employees, an increase in number of employees and a periodic increase in salaries.

The cost of Simcards sold increased 16% to $50.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $43.6 million in 2006, due to recognized impairment on Simcards as a result of decrease in market value of Simcards because of discounts given.

Billing costs increased 22% to $41.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $33.9 million in 2006 mainly due to the increase in number of subscribers and increase in postage fees.

As a percentage of revenue, direct cost of revenues decreased to 49% for the year ended December 31, 2007 from 56% in 2006. This improvement of 7% points is due to the lower depreciation and amortization expenses (3%), ongoing license fee (2.5%), of which 0.7% is related to an exceptional ongoing license fee impact on sales discounts in 2006, lower interconnect costs (1%) and lower non-revenue based operational expenses (0.4%) as a percentage of revenue.

 

88


Table of Contents

Gross profit increased to $3,225.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $2,072.4 million in 2006 mainly due to the growth in the number of subscribers, the increase in usage, price adjustment of 12.7% and decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses, ongoing license fee as a percentage of revenue as discussed above.

Administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased 63% to $252.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $154.9 million in 2006 mainly due to the reversal of income accrual of $15.5 million recognized in 2006 for the fee previously, paid to BNP Paribas for Irancell which was paid back to us in 2007 and an exceptional increase in bonuses paid to employees amounting to $37.6 million and appreciation of TRY against U.S. Dollars. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 4% for the year ended December 31, 2007 from 3% in 2006.

Wages, salaries and personnel expenses for non-technical and non-marketing employees increased 62% to $104.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $64.9 million in 2006 mainly due to a one time increase in bonuses paid to employees, an increase in number of employees and a periodic increase in salaries.

Bad debt expenses increased 15% to $35.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $30.5 million in 2006 mainly due to the increase in our revenues. We provided an allowance of $181.8 million and $133.6 million for doubtful receivables for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, based upon our past experience.

Consulting expenses increased 69% to $28.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $16.6 million in 2006 mainly due to the consulting services related with the new international investment projects in 2007.

Other expenses, including collection expenses, increased 97% to $84.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $42.9 million in 2006, mainly as a result of the income accrual of $15.5 million recognized in 2006 for the fee previously paid to BNP Paribas for Irancell.

Selling and marketing expenses

Selling and marketing expenses increased 38% to $1,138.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $827.5 million in 2006, mainly due to the increased advertising and acquisition expenses as well as retention related campaign costs in an active competitive environment. Appreciation of the TRY against U.S. Dollars also contributed to the increase in selling and marketing expenses during the year. As a percentage of revenues, selling and marketing expenses remained stable at 18% for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Selling expenses, which consist of distributor support, dealer support, and other selling expenses, increased 49% to $501.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $336.9 million in 2006 in line with the increase in subscriber acquisitions together with the increased dealer and distributor activities and 9% appreciation of the TRY against U.S. Dollars.

Total marketing expenses which consist of advertising market research and customer relations expenses increased 29% to $300.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $232.4 million in 2006. The increase is mainly stemmed from the increased advertising expenses as a result of enhanced competition.

Prepaid subscribers’ frequency usage fee expenses increased 27% to $202.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $159.4 million in 2006 due to an increase in the prepaid subscriber base and 9% appreciation of TRY against U.S. Dollars.

 

89


Table of Contents

Wages, salaries and personnel expenses for selling and marketing employees increased 42% to $95.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $67.3 million in 2006 mainly due to an increase in bonuses paid to employees, increase in number of employees and periodic increase in salaries.

Results from operating activities

Results from operating activities increased to $1,819.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, from $1,091.6 million in 2006 mainly due to the strong revenue growth coupled with a decrease in direct cost of revenues as a percentage of revenue despite higher sales and marketing and administrative expenses.

Net finance income / (expense)

In 2007, we recorded net finance expense of $242.7 million compared to net finance income of $76.0 million in 2006, mainly due to significant increase in translation loss from $41.3 million in 2006 to $460.8 million in 2007.

Finance expense increased 410% to $551.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $108.0 million in 2006 that was mainly composed of foreign exchange losses of $460.8 million. Foreign exchange losses can be classified into two main categories, the first being realized losses incurred on derivative financial instruments, mainly structured forward contracts, that matured in 2007 amounting to $232.5 million and the second realized and unrealized foreign exchange losses on net foreign exchange position amounting to $228.3 million.

Finance income increased 68% to $308.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $184.0 million in 2006 as a result of our increased cash balance.

Share of profit of equity accounted investees

Our share of the profit of equity accounted investees was $64.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $78.6 million in 2006. The decrease in net profit of equity accounted investees was mainly due to the accounting impact of A-Tel, which resulted negative effect on share of profit of equity accounted investees line, described below.

Although A-Tel generated net income for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, we have eliminated A-Tel’s revenue that is generated from services rendered to us for the extend of our share in A-Tel, with corresponding elimination from the selling and marketing expenses in our consolidated financial statements. Described consolidated elimination resulted in negative impact on share of profit of equity accounted investees line.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $322.4 million and $413.2 million in 2006. This decrease was due to reduction in the corporate tax rate from 30% to 20% in 2006 which was effective from January 1, 2006 resulting in increase in taxation expenses 2006.

Effective tax rate was 20% and 33% for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Differences between effective tax rate and statutory tax rate include, but are not limited to, the effect of tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, tax exempt income, non-deductable expenses or tax incentives not recognized in profit or loss.

According to Article 32 of the New Corporate Tax Law No. 5520, the corporate tax rate was reduced from 30% to 20%. In this respect, corporate income of the companies is subject to corporate tax at the rate of 20%, effective from January 1, 2006.

 

90


Table of Contents

According to the Income Tax Law which was published in Official Gazette on April 8, 2006, the investment allowance application has been abolished from January 1, 2006. Accordingly, tax payers have been granted an option to use the tax benefits of investment incentive certificates given that they file tax returns at 30% corporate tax rate; or file tax returns at 20% corporate tax rate (which is the new comparable tax rate effective from January 1, 2006) without using the tax benefits of investment incentive certificates. We preferred to use the tax benefit of investment incentive certificates which provides us 0.2% net benefit on corporate taxes. However, the respective law allows the taxpayers to utilize their investment allowance rights obtained under the scope of the previous provisions only from their income generated in the years 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Minority interest

Minority interest in net profit of our consolidated subsidiaries is separately classified in the consolidated statements of operations under the “minority interest” caption. Minority interest decreased to $30.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $42.5 million in 2006 mainly due to the decrease in the net loss generated by our 55% owned subsidiary, Euroasia.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, Euroasia generated a net loss of $167.7 million leading to income from minority interest of approximately $74.2 million. In 2006, the net loss of Euroasia amounted to $198.0 million and resulted in income from minority interest of approximately $89.3 million. Euroasia has generated losses for the years ended December 31, 2007, and 2006, mainly because it is in the start-up stage of its business.

Net profit generated by Inteltek for the year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 has resulted in expense from minority interest of approximately $42.1 million and $43.8 million, respectively, which has an offsetting effect on the minority income recorded from Euroasia.

Profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the Company

Profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the Company increased to $1,350.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $875.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. This increase was mainly due to growth in revenues together with lower operational expenses, despite higher finance expense.

Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2005

We had 31.8 million GSM subscribers in Turkey, including 26.0 million prepaid subscribers, as of December 31, 2006, compared to 27.9 million GSM subscribers in Turkey, including 22.5 million prepaid subscribers, as of December 31, 2005. During 2006, we added approximately 3.9 million net new Turkish GSM subscribers.

In Ukraine, we had 5.6 million and 2.5 million subscribers as of December 31, 2006, and 2005, respectively. During 2006, we added approximately 3.1 million net new Ukrainian GSM subscribers.

Revenues

Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006, increased 4% to $4,700.3 million from $4,528.0 million in 2005. The increase in revenues is mainly due to the growth in subscriber base, improved usage, and the contribution of our consolidated subsidiaries despite the 7% depreciation of TRY against U.S. Dollars on average terms as well as the dilutive impact of prepaid subscribers in 2006.

Revenues from communication fees for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased 3% to $4,406.7 million from $4,295.9 million in 2005. The slight increase in the communication fees resulted from the growth in the subscriber base and increased usage despite 7% depreciation of TRY against U.S. Dollars on average terms.

 

91


Table of Contents

Commission revenues from betting business amounted to $172.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $112.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. Commission fees on betting business increased because betting games became widespread in the Turkish market in 2006.

Direct cost of revenues

Direct cost of revenues decreased 3% to $2,627.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $2,701.6 million in 2005 mainly due to the decrease in interconnection fees and treasury share.

Ongoing license fees and universal fund paid to the Turkish Treasury and to the Turkish Ministry decreased 9% to $764.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $840.7 million in 2005. Despite the increase in our revenues, the amendment in our license agreement regarding the definition of gross revenue, which became effective as of March 10, 2006 led to lower ongoing license fees and universal service fund payments. Based on the law enacted on July 3, 2005 with respect to the regulation of privatization, the gross revenue calculation for the ongoing license fee and universal service fund has been changed. According to this new regulation, accrued interest charged for the late payments, indirect taxes such as VAT, and other expenses are excluded from the calculation of gross revenue. Calculation of gross revenue for the ongoing license fee and universal service fund according to the new regulation was effective after the Danistay’s approval on March 10, 2006.

Depreciation and amortization charges decreased 3% to $730.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $750.4 million in 2005 mainly due to the fully depreciated fixed assets. The amortization expense for our GSM license and other telecommunication licenses was $58.9 million and $48.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

Interconnection costs decreased 18% to $355.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $435.6 million in 2005 due to lower tariffs imposed by the Telecommunications Authority for Avea outgoing calls effective from July 2006 and lower tariffs set by the new agreement between us and Vodafone effective from May 24, 2006.

Transmission costs, site costs, information technology, network maintenance expenses and infrastructure cost increased approximately 6% to $149.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $140.9 million in 2005 mainly due to the increase in transmission, and maintenance costs as a result of the capacity increases in the lines. In addition, uncapitalizable antenna site costs and expenses increased 9% to $173.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $158.4 million in 2005 mainly due to the increase in radio network operations.

Wages, salaries and personnel expenses for technical personnel increased 7% to $136.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $127.5 million in 2005 mainly due to periodic increase in salaries and increase in the number of employees.

Roaming expenses increased 44% to $97.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $67.3 million in 2005 mainly due to the increase in roaming revenue generated from the calls made by our subscribers while outside Turkey, primarily reflecting better economic conditions and the fact that in 2006 we added 62 new roaming operators for GSM in 7 countries, 49 for GPRS in 22 countries, and 68 for active CAMEL technologies in 37 countries which enable our pre-paid subscribers to be able to roam on foreign operators’ networks.

The cost of Simcards sold decreased 12% to $43.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $49.8 million in 2005, parallel to 13% decrease in the net additions to our subscriber base to 3.9 million subscribers from 4.5 million subscribers for the years ended December 31, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

Billing costs increased 14% to $33.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $29.7 million in 2005 mainly due to the increase in number of subscribers and an increase in postage fees despite the decreasing effect of costs related to printing of inserts included in bills.

 

92


Table of Contents

As a percentage of revenue, direct cost of revenues decreased to 56% for the year ended December 31, 2006 from 60% in 2005 mainly due to the amendment in our license agreement regarding the gross revenue definition used in the ongoing license fee and universal service fund calculation and lower interconnection tariffs.

Gross profit increased to $2,072.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $1,826.4 million in 2005 mainly due to the decrease in ongoing license fee, the growth in the number of subscribers, the increase in usage, and decrease in interconnection costs as discussed above.

Administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses slightly increased 1% to $154.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $154.0 million in 2005, mainly due to the net effect of increases in bad debt expenses, collection expenses, consulting expenses, wages, salaries, and personnel expenses despite depreciation of TRY against U.S. Dollars and decrease in other expenses. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses slightly decreased to 3.3% for the year ended December 31, 2006 from 3.4% in 2005.

Wages, salaries and personnel expenses for non-technical and non-marketing employees increased 18% to $64.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $55.2 million in 2005 mainly due to periodic increase in salaries and an increase in the number of employees both in Turkey and Ukraine.

Bad debt expenses increased 23% to $30.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $24.8 million in 2005 mainly due to the increase in our revenues. We provided an allowance of $133.6 million and $149.2 million for doubtful receivables for the years ended December 31, 2006, and 2005, respectively, identified based upon past experience.

Consulting expenses increased 19% to $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $14.0 million in 2005, mainly due to the consulting services related with the new international investment projects.

Other expenses decreased 38% to $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $46.4 million in 2005, mainly as a result of the income accrual of $15.5 million recognized for the success fee previously paid to BNP Paribas relating to GSM license tender on behalf of Irancell which was paid back to us in 2007.

Selling and marketing expenses

Selling and marketing expenses increased 18% to $827.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $700.5 million in 2005, mainly due to the increase in prepaid subscribers’ frequency usage fees, increased product management and customer relations expenses resulting from intensifying competition and increased dealer and distributor activities. As a percentage of revenues, selling and marketing expenses were 18% and 15% for the years ended December 31, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

Activation fees and sales promotions increased 56% to $336.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $215.7 million in 2005 mainly due to campaigns initiated during the period parallel to intensified competition, increasing activation and dealer activities.

Total prepaid advertising, market research, product management, customer relations expenses, and prepaid subscribers’ frequency usage fee expenses increased 10% to $282.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $255.9 million in 2005. The increase in 2006 stemmed mainly from the increase in prepaid subscribers’ frequency usage fees as a result of the increase in the prepaid subscriber base and advertising expenses as a result of enhanced competition.

Total postpaid advertising, market research, product management, customer relations, and call center expenses increased by 9% to $89.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $81.8 million in 2005, mainly due to advertisement campaigns and activities initiated as a result of increased competition.

 

93


Table of Contents

Wages, salaries and personnel expenses for selling and marketing employees increased 25% to $67.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $53.9 million in 2005 mainly due to the increase in the number of employees and a periodic increase in salaries.

Results from operating activities

Results from operating activities increased to $1,091.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $982.4 million in 2005, mainly due to the increase in revenues and decrease in direct cost of revenues, despite the increase in selling and marketing expenses.

Net finance income / (expense)

In 2006, we recorded net finance income of $76.0 million compared to net financing expense of $23.7 million in 2005, mainly due to the settlement of legal disputes in 2005 with the Turkish Treasury regarding the calculation of license fees and with Turk Telekom regarding interconnection dispute on call termination pricing. These settlements involved payment of an interest expense of $86.5 million in 2005. Also, interest income has been increased in 2006 due to the increase in our cash balance.

Share of profit of equity accounted investees

Our share of the profit of equity accounted investees was $78.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to $68.2 million in 2005. The increase in net profit of equity accounted investees was mainly due to the increase in Fintur’s net profit to $194.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $162.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $413.2 million and $290.5 million in 2005. There were two major reasons for the increase. First, tax expenses in 2005 included several one time tax deductions related to legal disputes, which were deducted from the corporate tax basis in 2005. Second, our investment incentive certificates have provided a tax benefit, in the past, in the form of deductions for corporate tax purposes, which exempted us from the 30% corporate tax, instead such deductions were subject to withholding tax at the rate of 19.8%. As a result of the change in tax rates, the difference of 30% corporate tax and 19.8% withholding tax, which had been recorded as a deferred tax benefit has been reversed in 2006 since this 10.2% deferred tax benefit has been decreased to 0.2% as a result of the change in tax rate.

The effective tax rate was 33% and 28% for the years ended December 31, 2006, and 2005, respectively. Differences between effective tax rate and statutory tax rate include but are not limited to the effect of tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, non-deductible expenses, or tax incentives not recognized in profit or loss.

The corporate tax rate was 30% for the year ended December 2005. According to Article 32 of the New Corporate Tax Law No. 5520 published in June 2006, the corporate tax rate has been reduced from 30% to 20%. In this respect, corporate income is subject to corporate tax at the rate of 20%, effective from January 1, 2006, onwards.

Minority interest

Minority interest in net profit of our consolidated subsidiaries is separately classified in the consolidated statements of operations under the “minority interest” caption. Minority interest increased to $42.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to $24.8 million in 2005 mainly due to the net loss generated by our consolidated subsidiary Euroasia.

 

94


Table of Contents

For the year ended December 31, 2006, Euroasia generated a net loss of $198.0 million leading to income from minority interest of approximately $89.3 million. In 2005, the net loss of Euroasia amounted to $100.6 million and resulted in income from minority interest of approximately $46.1 million. Euroasia has generated losses for the years ended December 31, 2006, and 2005, mainly because it is in the start-up stage of its business.

Net profit generated by Inteltek for the year ended December 31, 2006 has resulted in expense from minority interest of approximately $43.8 million which has an offsetting effect on the income recorded from Euroasia.

Profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the Company

Profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the Company increased to $875.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to $772.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. This increase was mainly due to an increase in operating income along with the increase in net finance income.

Effects of Inflation

The annual inflation rates in Turkey were 8.4%, 9.7% and 7.7% for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 respectively, based on the Turkish consumer price index. Turkey ended 2007 with an inflation rate which was more than the double of the Central Bank’s target. Liquidity turmoil in the global markets and the related “credit crunch”, a rise in commodity prices especially in oil and oil related products, and continued uncertainty of food prices were the main reasons for such high inflation. However, with the help of tight monetary policy followed by the Central Bank of Turkey, this effect has been lessened and demand side inflation has been taken under control. The current inflation target set by the Central Bank is 4% with a confidence interval of 2% and 6% for 2008. Service price inflation and continued uncertainty surrounding food prices along with the increase in oil prices are expected to be challenging issues in 2008. For additional information, please see “Item 3.A. Selected Financial Data-Exchange Rate Data” and “Item 3.D. Risk Factors”.

Foreign Currency Fluctuations

We conduct our business in several currencies other than TRY. As a result of our exposure to foreign currency, exchange rate fluctuations have a significant impact in the form of both translation and transaction risk on our consolidated financial statements.

Exchange rate movements impact our assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than TRY. We use forward exchange contracts and options to hedge our non-TRY denominated liabilities.

Our foreign currency risk management policy is focused on hedging the foreign currency exposures arising from non-TRY denominated liabilities and purchase commitments. Please see “Item 11 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk- Exchange Rates and Foreign Currency Exposure”. We hedge our currency risks with forward exchange contracts and options.

New Accounting Standards Issued

New IFRS Accounting Standards

IFRS 8 Operating Segments introduces the “management approach” to segment reporting. IFRS 8, which becomes mandatory for our 2009 consolidated financial statements, will require the disclosure of segment information based on the internal reports regularly reviewed by our Chief Operating Decision Maker in order to assess each segment’s performance and to allocate resources to them. Currently, we present segment information in respect of business and geographical segments. Adobtion of IFRS 8 is not expected to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

95


Table of Contents

IFRIC 11, IFRS 2 Group and Treasury Share Transactions requires a share-based payment arrangement in which an entity receives goods or services as consideration for its own equity instruments to be accounted for as an equity-settled share-based payment transaction, regardless of how the equity instruments are obtained. IFRIC 11 will become mandatory for our 2008 consolidated financial statements, with retrospective application required. Adoption of IFRIC 11 is not expected to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Revised IAS 23 Borrowing Costs removes the option to expense borrowing costs and requires that an entity capitalize borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as a part of the cost of that asset. The revised IAS 23 will become mandatory for our 2009 consolidated financial statements and will not constitute a change in accounting policy for us.

IFRIC 12, Service Concession Arrangements provides guidance to private sector entities on certain recognition and measurement issues that arise in accounting for public to private service concession agreements. IFRIC 12 becomes effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2008. At present, we provide telecommunications services and recognize property, plant and equipment and depreciate on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment. We are evaluating the potential effects on our consolidated financial statements.

IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty Programmes addresses the accounting by entities that operate, or otherwise participate in, customer loyalty programmes for their customers. It relates to customer loyalty programmes under which the customer can redeem credits for awards such as free or discounted goods or services. IFRIC 13, which becomes mandatory for our 2009 consolidated financial statements, is not expected to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Revised IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements does not change the recognition measurement or disclosure of transactions and events that are required by other IFRSs. The revised standard introduces as a financial statement the “statement of comprehensive income”. The revised standard is effective for annual financial periods beginning on or after January 1, 2009, with early adoption permitted.

IFRIC 14 IAS 19—The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction clarifies when refunds or reductions in future contributions in relation to defined benefit assets should be regarded as available and provides guidance on the impact of minimum funding requirements on such assets. It also addresses when a minimum funding requirement might give rise to a liability. IFRIC 14 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2008, and is not expected to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Revised IFRS 3 Business Combinations made changes to the scope of IFRS 3, revised the definition of business, made some revisions at recognition principles of acquired assets and enhanced the disclosure requirements. The revised standard is effective for annual financial periods beginning on or after July 1, 2009, with early adoption permitted for annual periods beginning on or after June 30, 2007 providing that the entity also applies IAS 27 in the same period.

Revised IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements mainly changes the accounting for non-controlling interest and the loss of control of a subsidiary. The revised standard is effective for annual financial periods beginning on or after July 1, 2009, with early adoption permitted providing that the entity also applies IAS 27 in the same period.

Amendments to IFRS 2 Share-based Payment—Vesting Conditions and Cancellations clarifies the definition of vesting conditions, introduces the concept of “nonvesting conditions”, requires non-vesting conditions to be reflected in grant date fair value and provides the accounting treatment for non-vesting conditions and cancellations. The amendments to IFRS 2 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2009, with early adoption permitted and is not expected to have any effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

96


Table of Contents

Amendments to “IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation and IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statemnets-Puttable Financial Instruments and Obligations Arising on Liquidation” improve the accounting for particular types of financial instruments that have characteristics similar to ordinary shares but are at present classified as financial liabilities. The amendments will apply for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2009, with earlier application is permitted and is not expected to have any effect on our consolidated financial statements.

5.B Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

We require significant liquidity to finance capital expenditures for the expansion and improvement of our GSM network, for operational capital expenditures, for working capital, and to service our debt obligations. In the past, these requirements have been funded largely through supplier financings, bank borrowings, and the issuance of $700 million in bonds by a finance vehicle, Cellco, which issued $300 million of debt securities in July 1998 and $400 million of debt securities in December 1999, and a rights issue. As of December 31, 2007, we do not have any outstanding amounts due related to the Cellco transactions after the extinguishment of the outstanding $400 million senior notes on August 1, 2005.

A summary of our consolidated cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 

     2007     2006     2005  
US $million                   

Net cash provided by operating activities

   2,156.2     1,854.9     1,072.6  

Net cash used for investing activities

   (440.5 )   (632.5 )   (659.2 )

Net cash used for financing activities

   (255.0 )   (395.8 )   (347.6 )

Net cash increase in cash and cash equivalents

   1,737.5     831.5     60.1  

Net cash provided by our operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $2,156.2 million and $1,854.9 million, respectively. The increase in 2007 was primarily due to the increase in net income.

Net cash used for investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $440.5 million and $632.5 million, respectively. Total investments in investees and other investments was $163.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 including the acquisition of A-Tel, whereas it is nil in 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2007, we spent approximately $783.1 million for capital expenditures compared with $604.8 million in 2006. Of the $783.1 million in capital expenditures, approximately $400 million was related to capital expenditures made by Turkcell for our GSM network in Turkey. Total capital expenditures made by Astelit were $206.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Interest received has been increased to $250.4 million by $88.9 million from $161.5 million as a result of the increased cash balance in 2007.

In 2008, we plan to spend approximately $800 million operational expenditures, excluding potential 3G capital expenditures in Turkey, in core, access and service network. As for Ukraine in 2008, we expect to spend approximately $250 million on capital expenditures.

Our capital expenditures (in $ millions) by geographical segments are as follows:

 

     Turkey    Ukraine    Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus
   Total

2007

   540.2    206.0    36.9    783.1

2006

   391.7    200.2    12.9    604.8

2005

   495.6    270.5    6.5    772.6

 

97


Table of Contents

Our capital expenditures (in $ millions) by business segments are as follows:

 

     Telecommunications    Betting    Other operations    Total

2007

   759.4    1.3    22.4    783.1

2006

   594.5    3.3    7.0    604.8

2005

   749.5    4.5    18.6    772.6

The net cash used for financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, amounted to $255.0 million and $395.8 million, respectively. In 2007, we made a $457.6 million dividend payment whereas we made a $342.2 million dividend payment in 2006. Transaction costs for the long term and short term project financing of Astelit utilized in 2005 was paid in 2006. Therefore, transaction costs related to loans and borrowing decreased by $51.3 million.

Source of liquidity

Our loans from financial institutions consist of local and international bank borrowings with either fixed or variable interest rates. Significant portion of our bank borrowings are utilized to finance our consolidated subsidaries’ financing needs. All of loans are EUR or U.S. Dollar denominated. The interest rates vary from Euribor + 0.7% to Euribor + 0.8 % for the loans denominated in EUR and Libor + 0.6% to Libor + 2.3% for the loans denominated in U.S. Dollar. The loans are payable from year 2008 to 2012.

The ratio of our loans and borrowings to equity was 13% as of December 31, 2007 compared to 16% as of December 31, 2006. The effect of the decrease on our gearing ratio is related to increase in our equity due to profit generated in 2007. We have been able to maintain our gearing at a satisfactory level and well in line with our targets

On February 26, 2007 we put in place a $3 billion unsecured syndicated Term Loan facility to be utilized for potential investments, but we canceled this facility on May 29, 2007, because we did not foresee any immediate financing need for a particular project within the time frame during which the committed facility would be available. Our efforts to selectively seek and evaluate new international investment opportunities continue. These opportunities could include the purchase of licenses and acquisitions in markets outside of Turkey in which we currently do not operate. We may reinitiate our efforts for a financing arrangement such as a term loan facility in the future in case of need.

In connection with the Iranian project, we had transferred funds to East Asian Consortium BV (“Eastasia”) which was formed for the purpose of the Iranian project, in the form of capital as required by the license terms set by the Iranian Telecom Authority. From February 2006, Eastasia became 100% owned by Turkcell. Prior to February 2006, Eastasia was 85% owned by Turkcell and 15% owned by Ericsson Turkey. These funds remained unutilized due to unresolved license issues. In order to reutilize these funds, on June 21, 2006, we obtained a new loan from West LB A.G. in the amount of EUR 80.0 million (equivalent to $117.5 million as of December 31, 2007) with a term of 2 years and at a rate of Euribor plus 0.75% with an early pre-payment option in return for a restricted deposit in the same amount by Eastasia. The loan amount was paid before its maturity on January 24, 2008.

On December 30, 2005, Astelit, together with ING Bank N.V. (“ING Bank”) and Standard Bank London Ltd. (“Standard Bank”), finalized a syndicated long term project financing of $390.0 million. $368.7 million of that facility had been utilized.

By the end of 2006, we decided to take over all or a portion of the rights and obligations of Astelit’s senior creditors, who may decline to participate in the facilities following the implementation of new restructuring. On April 19 2007, Astelit sent a letter accompanied by a term sheet, to ING Bank, the Facility Agent. With this term sheet, Astelit proposed restructuring of the senior syndicated facility and notified that in case of some or all of the

 

98


Table of Contents

creditors did not consent to the proposed amendments, Turkcell would purchase the loans and commitments held by such non-consenting creditors. Since the creditors did not consent to the proposed amendments, Astelit repaid the lenders under the syndicated long term project financing on June 27, 2007, through borrowings from Financell, a wholly owned subsidiary. Depending upon market conditions and its financial performance, Astelit will redeem loans to Financell within the 18 months following June 27, 2007 through a new financing package.

In addition, as part of the project financing package, a long term junior facility of up to $150.0 million (including interest amounting to $24.0 million) was also finalized with Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS Luxemburg Branch and Akbank T.A.S. Malta Branch. The junior facility is fully guaranteed by us. This facility has been fully utilized as at December 31, 2007.

Significant portions of our loans are borrowed by Financell. In accordance with the financing agreements with HSBC Bank Plc, we shall not cease our control on Financell and there shall not be a change of control. In the event of any such case, the creditor reserves the right to terminate the facility.

As at December 31, 2007, the Group is not subject to any financial covenants or ratios with respect to its borrowings.

Under the current assumptions and circumstances, we expect to generate temporary cash to maintain our strong cash position and positive free cash flow in the GSM business in Turkey. According to our current business plan for the operations in Turkey, we believe that we will be able to finance our current operations, capital expenditures, and financing costs and maintain and enhance our network through our operating cash flow and our strong cash balance as of December 31, 2007. Our commitments through 2008 include the repayment of approximately $647.7 million for debt obligations, dividend payment, withholding tax payment for the income belonging to year 2007, quarterly corporate tax payment on the income belonging to year 2008 and capital expenditures including the 3G license fee payment.

We are engaged in negotiations with Al Mashreq Investment Fund to acquire a majority stake in Syriatel, the leading GSM operator in Syria. No assurance can be given that these negotiations will be successful and that we will acquire a majority stake in Syriatel. If this acquisition is made, we would intend to finance the acquisition through bilateral bank loans assuming that the conditions of such loans are acceptable by us. However, we may use our strong cash position to finance part or all of the acquisition if conditions of loans are not acceptable.

The forward-looking statements made here regarding our liquidity and any other financial results are not a guarantee of performance. They are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause future activities and results of operations to be different from those set forth in this Annual Report.

Important factors that may adversely affect our projections include general economic conditions, change in the competitive environment, developments in the domestic and international capital markets, increased investments, and changes in telecommunication regulations. Please see “Item 3.D. Risk Factors” for a discussion of these and other factors that may affect our projections.

Investment Incentive Certificates and Carry Forward Issues

In 1993, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2005, the Turkish Treasury approved investment incentive certificates for a program of capital expenditures made by us and our subsidiaries in our mobile communications operations, call center operations, and betting games operations. Such incentives entitle us to a 100% exemption from customs duty on imported machinery and equipment and an investment tax benefit of 100% on qualifying expenditures. The investment tax benefit takes the form of deductions for corporate tax purposes, but these

 

99


Table of Contents

deductions were subject to withholding tax at a rate of 19.8% (for expenditures made after April 24, 2003, the investment tax benefit equals 40% of qualifying expenditures but it is not subject to any withholding tax). However, on April 8, 2006, in line with the changes in corporate tax law, amendments were made to regulations governing investment incentives. Accordingly, tax payers have been granted an option to use the tax benefits of investment incentive certificates given that they file tax returns at 30% corporate tax rate, or file tax returns at 20% corporate tax rate (which is the new corporate tax rate effective from January 1, 2006) without using the tax benefits of investment incentive certificates. We preferred to use the tax benefit of investment incentive certificates which provides 0.2% net benefit on corporate taxes. As of December 31, 2007, investment incentive certificates provide for tax benefits on cumulative purchases of up to approximately $5.4 billion in qualifying expenditures as defined in the certificates. As of December 31, 2007, we had unused tax benefit carry forwards under the certificates of approximately $0.1 million ($3.7 million as of December 31, 2006) which can be carried forward until December 31, 2008. The certificates are denominated in TRY. However, approximately $0.04 billion of qualifying expenditures through December 31, 2007 ($0.5 billion as of December 31, 2006) under the certificates are indexed against future inflation.

According to the Income Tax Law which was published in Official Gazette on April 8, 2006, the investment allowance application has been abolished effective from January 1, 2006. However, the law allows taxpayers to utilize their investment allowance rights obtained under the scope of the previous provisions only from their income generated in the years 2006, 2007 and 2008.

The deductible temporary differences do not expire under current tax legislation in Turkey and does not allow us to file tax returns on a consolidated basis. We can carry forward tax losses for the five years beginning from the consecutive year the tax loss is generated with respect to our operations in Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Budget Law enacted for 2007 in Ukraine disallowed carry forward tax losses accumulated before January 1, 2006. Beforehand, the companies in Ukraine could carry forward losses indefinitely.

Capital Transactions

On March 22, 2006, our Board of Directors declared that our statutory paid-in capital would be increased from TRY 1,854.9 million to TRY 2,200.0 million by capitalizing TRY 345.1 million out of the total dividend for 2005. After the approval at General Assembly Meeting held on May 22, 2006, TRY 345.1 million was distributed to our shareholders in the form of a stock split (345,112,659 units of shares). The capital increase was accounted for as a stock split in our consolidated financial statements. As a result of the aforesaid transactions, we issued new shares with a total nominal value of TRY 345,112,659.

All share amounts and per share figures reflected in our historical financial statements have been retrospectively restated for the stock splits discussed above.

Capital Transactions in Astelit

On April 4, 2006, Astelit, our Ukrainian subsidiary, announced the merger with DCC, our other Ukrainian subsidiary, in order to optimize the internal processes of both companies. On August 1, 2006, the merger transaction was completed.

In January 2006 and June 2006 we have made contributions to capital increase of Astelit for $30.6 million and $22.0 million, respectively.

In June 2006, we and SCM (the other shareholder of Astelit) have committed to contribute an aggregate amount of $150.0 million to Astelit in proportion to our respective shares as required by the lenders of the syndicated loan to obtain a waiver letter for breaches of financial covenants. We have made contributions to capital increase of Astelit in August 2006, November 2006, and January 2007, in three tranches amounting to $27.5 million each.

 

100


Table of Contents

In March 2007, we and SCM decided to contribute on a pro-rata basis an additional aggregate amount of $300 million to the capital stock of Euroasia in four equal installments of $50 million during 2007. Eurocorp did not participate in this capital increase. The four installments were paid in March 2007, May 2007, July 2007 and September 2007. After the execution of the final installment, our effective interest in Euroasia increased to 55.0% as of December 31, 2007.

In December 2007, we and SCM have decided to contribute to the share capital of Euroasia in an aggregate amount of $200 million in three tranches, first two tranches of each $50 million, and one tranche of $100 million in exchange for shares in the capital of Euroasia, whereby we and SCM shall make such contribution proportionate to their shareholding in Company at the time of each capital contribution. For a description of and additional information regarding our funding and commitments in relation to Astelit, please see “Liquidity and Capital resources—Liquidity—Sources of Liquidity”.

General Economic Conditions

Despite the recession fears in the world, Turkey is still a growing country even though it gives the signals of the deceleration in its growing pace in the last quarter in 2007; however that doesn’t mark a fundamental softening in economic activity yet. No doubt that Turkey’s economical activity will be dependent on the deepness and the duration of the recession in the world, however it might be expected to be more resilient with its strong growth trend.

Credit Ratings at December 2007 are noted below:

 

Standard & Poor’s    BB
Fitch    BB
Moody’s    Ba2

Any further upgrades from the ratings agencies may allow us to lower the cost of borrowing for any future indebtedness in the domestic and international debt and capital markets. Conversely, any ratings downgrade may limit our future access to debt and capital markets and increase the cost of borrowing.

In addition, Fitch and Moody’s assigned local currency ratings as BBB- and Ba2, respectively in 2008.

There are no prepayment covenants in our financial contracts that would be triggered by changes in our credit ratings.

Dividend Payments

We have adopted a dividend policy, which is set out in our Corporate Governance Guidance. As adopted, our general dividend policy is to pay dividends to shareholders with due regard to trends in our operating performance, financial condition, and other factors. Our Board of Directors intends to distribute cash dividends in an amount of not less than 50% of our lower of distributable profit based on the financial statements prepared in accordance with the accounting principals accepted by the CMB or statutory records, for each fiscal year starting with profits for fiscal year 2004. However, the payment of dividends will still be subject to cash flow requirements of us, compliance with Turkish law and regulations and the approval of, or amendment by, our Board of Directors and the General Assembly of Shareholders.

 

101


Table of Contents

On March 2, 2007, our Board of Directors decided to make a proposal to the General Assembly for distribution of a total net cash dividend of TRY 567.0 million (equivalent to $486.8 million and $411.9 million as at December 31, 2007, and March 23, 2007, respectively) (which constitutes 65% of distributable income for the year ended December 31, 2006). The distribution of dividends was approved at the General Assembly Meeting held on March 23, 2007, and cash dividend distribution was started on April 16, 2007.

 

     Amount per share
(TRY in full)*
   Total
(TRY Million)
   USD equivalent
(Million)
December 31, 2007

Dividend in cash

   0.2577453    567.0    486.8

 

* Amount of per share figure is computed over 2,200,000,000 shares.

In connection with the redenomination of the Turkish Lira and as per the related amendments of Turkish Commercial Code, in order to increase the nominal value of the shares to TRY 1, 1,000 units of shares, each having a nominal value of TRY 0.001 shall be merged and each unit of share having a nominal value of TRY 1 shall be issued to represent such shares. We are still in the process of merging 1,000 existing ordinary shares, each having a nominal value of TRY 0.001 to one ordinary share having a nominal value of TRY 1 each. After the share merger which appears as a provisional article in the Articles of Association to convert the value of each share with a nominal value of TRY 0.001 to TRY 1, all shares will have a nominal value of TRY 1. Although the merger process has not been finalized, the practical application is to state each share having a nominal value of TRY 1 which is consented by the CMB.

On February 27, 2008, our Board of Directors decided to make a proposal to the General Assembly for distribution of a total net cash dividend of TRY 648.7 million (equivalent to $557.0 million as at December 31, 2007) (which constitutes 50% of distributable income for the year ended December 31, 2007). This dividend proposal is to be evaluated and decided upon at the Ordinary General Assembly of Shareholders to be held on April 25, 2008.

Our 2007 profit calculated in accordance with CMB accounts is TRY 1,758.6 million (equivalent to $1,509.9 million as at December 31, 2007) whereas the 2007 commercial profit after tax; calculated in accordance with the Turkish Commercial Law is TRY 1,902.1 million (equivalent to $1,633.1 million as at December 31, 2007) and based on the CMB regulations, the lower of the two profits, which is TRY 1,758.6 million (equivalent to $1,509.9 million as at December 31, 2007) shall be taken as the basis for the dividend distribution calculation.

 

     Amount per share
(TRY in full)
   Total
(TRY Million)
   USD equivalent
(Million)
December 31, 2007

Dividend in cash

   0.294870    648.7    557.0

 

* Amount of per share figure is computed over 2,200,000,000 shares.

New Technology Investments and Partnership Opportunities

Cash flow from the operations provides us with sufficient means to implement our plans. However, new technologies are excluded from the current projections, so addition of any new technology such as 3G technology or any new partnership opportunity may require both higher operating expense and capital expenditures leading to a need for additional cash injection in the future.

5.C Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.

We have not had any technology activities for the last three years. We own no patents. We own 1 utility model that we have obtained from a third party. As of December 31, 2007, we have registered 356 trademarks under applicable Turkish trademark legislation and applied for the registration of 76 additional trademarks. As of December 31, 2007, we own 2 registered industrial designs under the applicable Turkish legislation on protection of industrial designs.

 

102


Table of Contents

As of March 10, 2006, we opened a technology center which brings together all our research and development operations in a single location. We further advanced our research and development operations in 2007 with the establishment of a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary, Turkcell Teknoloji Arastirma ve Gelistirme A.S. (“Turkcell Teknoloji”), on April 2, 2007, to carry out our research and development activities. The activities of the technology center are expected to include the following:

Partnership software development, customization and/or integration of software products of suppliers through the service and product development processes; and

Developing network infrastructure strategies in a fast evolving information-communication technologies world; and designing short and long term technology road maps for our operations.

As of December 31, 2007, our R&D Center has a staff of around 185 qualified people among whom 19% have masters degrees and 2% have a Ph.D. degree. Additionally, 47 experts work as contractors.

5.D Trend Information

Changing Subscriber Base

Our revenues are impacted by the increasing proportion of prepaid subscribers in our subscriber base. The proportion of prepaid subscribers in total gross additions was 89%, 90% and 90% in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Trends indicate that prepaid subscribers have more control on their usage pattern than postpaid subscribers. We expect that for the foreseeable future, the proportion of prepaid subscribers in total gross additions will remain also high. In 2008, we believe that our revenues will continue to grow at a slower pace compared to 2007 due to the global macro economic environment, a downward trend in consumer sentiment, expected GDP growth rates in Turkey, the local regulatory environment, an expected increase in the prepaid subscriber base with a resulting dilutive impact on ARPU and Mou, an increase in churn due to higher acquisition costs, pricing pressure and MNP. In addition to this, we expect an increase in sales and marketing expenses due to an increase in loyalty programs and selling expenses.

5.E Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Off-balance sheet arrangements refer to any transaction, agreement, or other contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity (other than contingent liabilities arising from litigation, arbitration or regulatory actions), under which a company has:

 

   

provided guarantee contracts;

 

   

retained or contingent interests in transferred assets;

 

   

any obligation under derivative instruments classified as equity; or

 

   

any obligation arising out of material variable interests in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to the company, or that engages in leasing, hedging, or research and development arrangements with the company.

We routinely enter into operating leases for property in the normal course of business. At December 31, 2007, there were no commitments and contingent liabilities in material amounts arising from such operating leases.

At December 31, 2005, we had $5.4 million outstanding guarantees given on behalf of Digital Platform Iletisim Hizmetleri AS (“Digital Platform”) which were related to loans for set-top boxes, head-end and uplink imports and working capital financing used from the respective banks. These guarantees were released on February 27, 2006 when the loans of Digital Platform were repaid.

 

103


Table of Contents

Contingent Liabilities

The following table illustrates our major contingent liabilities as of December 31, 2007.

 

     Amount of contingent liability expiration per period
     Total amount
committed
   Remaining
commitment
at December 31,
2007
   Indefinite*    Less than
one year
   1 – 3
years
   3 – 5
years
   Over 5
years
USD million                                   

Bank Letters of Guarantee

   208.9    208.9    81.5    126.4    1.0    —      —  

 

* Bank letters of guarantee are not given for a specific period. Most of the guarantees will remain as long as the business relationship with the counterparty continues.

As of December 31, 2007, we are contingently liable in respect of bank letters of guarantee obtained from banks and given to custom authorities, private companies and other public organizations amounting to $208.9 million.

We have fully guaranteed the $150 million long-term junior facility of Astelit. See “5Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Sources of Liquidity”.

5.F Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

The following tables illustrate our major contractual and commercial obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2007.

 

     Payments due by period

Contractual Obligations

   Total    Less than
1 year
   1 - 3
years
   3 - 5
years
   After
5 years
(U.S. Dollar Million)                         

Loans and borrowings(*)

   838.3    647.6    22.1    168.6    —  

Finance Lease Obligations

   0.1    0.1    —      —      —  

Total Contractual Cash Obligations

   838.4    647.7    22.1    168.6    —  

 

* includes undiscounted interest

 

     Amount of Commitment

Other Commercial Commitments

   Total    Less than 1 year    1 - 3
years
   3 - 5
years
(U.S. Dollar Million)                    

Purchase Obligations

   139.6    93.8    45.8    —  

Digital Platform Sponsorship and advertising

   63.8    18.0    45.8    —  

Ericsson—GSM Equipment

   21.8    21.8    —      —  

Nokia Siemens Networks Ukraine LLC

   44.7    44.7    —      —  

Other

   9.3    9.3    —      —  

Total commercial commitments

   139.6    93.8    45.8    —  

On December 23, 2005, we signed a restructuring framework agreement with Digital Platform in order to restructure our receivables from Digital Platform. As an integral part of this restructuring framework agreement, we committed to purchase sponsorship and advertisement intermediary services from Digital Platform amounting to $108.0 million excluding VAT until July 15, 2011. Our outstanding purchase obligations with respect to these agreements as at December 31, 2007, amounts to $63.8 million (December 31, 2006: $81.8 million) excluding VAT.

Purchase obligations in relation to GSM equipment arise from GSM equipment supply and service contracts signed by Astelit with Ericsson AB and Nokia Siemens Networks Ukraine. As of December 31, 2007, Astelit’s purchase commitment is $66.5 million.

 

104


Table of Contents

We engaged with a construction company for construction of a building in Gebze Teknokent for a consideration of $9.6 million. We had paid $0.3 million to the Company within the scope of this agreement as of December 31, 2007.

5.G Safe Harbor

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

6.A Directors and Senior Management

Board Members

Under the Turkish Commercial Code and our Articles of Association, the Board of Directors is responsible for our management. The Articles of Association provide for a Board of Directors consisting of seven members.

The following table sets forth the name of each member of our Board of Directors, who all serve for terms of three years. Our Articles of Association provide for a staggered Board of Directors. However, as a result of prior resignations and interim appointments, five of the members of our Board of Directors have been appointed, or reappointed, for three year terms beginning on May 22, 2006, with the remaining two appointed during 2007.

 

Name

  

Date appointed to the Board of Directors

Mehmet Emin Karamehmet (Chairman)

   May 22, 2006

Mehmet Bulent Ergin

   April 29, 2005

Tero Erkki Kivisaari*

   May 14, 2007

Aimo Eloholma**

   August 22, 2007

Oleg Malis

   May 22, 2006

Alexey Khudyakov

   May 22, 2006

Colin J. Williams

   May 22, 2006

 

* Mr. Erdal Asim Durukan, who served as a member of our Board of Directors, resigned from the Board of Directors as of May 14, 2007.
** Mr. Anders Igel, who served as a member of our Board of Directors, resigned from the Board of Directors as of August 22, 2007.

Executive Officers

We are managed on a day-to-day basis by the Corporate Executive Team with the guidance of the Board of Directors. Officers do not have fixed terms of office. The following table sets forth the name and office of each member of our Corporate Executive Team.

 

Name

 

Office

Sureyya Ciliv

  Chief Executive Officer

Serkan Okandan

  Chief Financial Officer

Ilter Terzioglu

  Chief Network Operations and Regulations Officer

Cenk Bayrakdar

  Chief Service and Product Development Officer

Selen Kocabas

  Chief Business Support Officer

Cenk Serdar

  Chief Value Added Services Officer

Lale Saral Develioglu

  Chief Marketing Officer

Levent Burak Demiralp

  Chief Sales Officer

Emre Sayin

  Chief Corporate Business Officer

Ekrem Yener

  Chief Enterprise Business Officer

Tayfun Cataltepe

  Chief Corporate Strategy and International Expansion Officer

Koray Ozturkler

  Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

 

105


Table of Contents

Biographies

Board Members

Mehmet Emin Karamehmet, age 64, was first appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors on September 30, 1993. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cukurova Holding, BMC, Cukurova Havacilik, Noksel and a member of the Board of Directors of Cukurova Insaat Makinalari A.S. Mr. Karamehmet attended Dover College, Kent, England.

Mehmet Bulent Ergin, age 59, was first appointed as a member of the Turkcell Board of Directors on April 29, 2005. After having taken responsibility in Hochtief AG’s First Bosphorus project and Tekfen A.S.’s Iraq-Turkey pipeline project, Mr. Ergin worked in various positions at Cukurova Group Companies. He held a managerial position at Cukurova Ithalat ve Ihracat T.A.S. and as a board member in Maysan A.S., as well as Baytur Trading S.A. Currently, Mr. Ergin is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Denizcilik Nakliyati A.S., Show TV, and Aksam Gazetesi. Mr. Ergin majored in Civil Engineering at Robert College, Turkey.

Tero Erkki Kivisaari, age 35, was first appointed as a member of the Board of Directors on May 14, 2007. Currently, Mr. Kivisaari is President of TeliaSonera in Eurasia since May 1, 2007 and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fintur Holdings B.V. Previously Mr. Kivisaari has served as the chief financial officer and vice president of TeliaSonera in Eurasia. Mr. Kivisaari has served as an associate professor of finance at the Helsinki School of Economics and holds an MBA in finance.

Aimo Eloholma, age 58, was appointed to the Board of Directors on August 22, 2007. Mr. Eloholma joined TeliaSonera in 1974 and held management and executive positions in data communications, sales and marketing, business development and corporate planning, and international operations. Currently, he is the Head of International Business Support in TeliaSonera Eurasia, Chairman of the Board of Directors in Megafon and member of the Board of Directors in Fintur. He also served as a non-executive board member of Turkcell in 2003-2004. He holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Helsinki University of Technology and has also studied Economics and Business Administration.

Oleg Malis, age 33, was appointed to the Board of Directors on May 22, 2006. He is also Senior Vice President of Altimo. Mr. Malis began working for Altimo in 2005. Between 2003 and 2005 Mr. Malis was Senior Vice President and M&A Director at Golden Telecom. Before joining Golden Telecom, Mr. Malis founded Investelectrosvyaz and Corbina Telecom. Mr. Malis holds a degree in Systems Engineering from Moscow State Aviation Technological University.

Alexey Khudyakov, age 37, was appointed to the Board of Directors on May 22, 2006. He is also a Vice President at Altimo. Prior to his appointment to Altimo, Mr. Khudyakov held a Vice President position with Alfa Bank, managing the bank’s investments in Golden Telecom and Kyivstar. He also worked for the Moscow office of McKinsey & Co. from 1998 to 2002. Mr. Khudyakov holds a Master of Business Administration degree from INSEAD and a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Physics from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. He is a non-executive board member of Turkcell. He is also an Observer Member of the Audit Committee of Turkcell’s Board of Directors. Mr. Khudyakov was named to the Audit Committee in reliance on Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv)(D) under the Exchange Act of 1934.

Colin J. Williams, age 66, was appointed to the Board of Directors on May 22, 2006. He serves as a Voting Member and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Turkcell’s Board of Directors. He is also Supervisory Director and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Treofan, a packaging film company, with activities in Europe, North America and South Africa. He is a non-Executive Director and Voting Member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees of Yule Catto, a chemical intermediates company; Chairman of Clondalkin and Chair of the Audit and Remuneration Committees of Clondalkin, a consumer and industrial packaging company; chairman of Kloeckner Pentaplast, a consumer and industrial plastic packaging company . From January 2001 to December 2004, Mr.Williams served as President of SCA, North America, which is active in the packaging sector, personal

 

106


Table of Contents

care and paper tissue products. He was a long-term board member and Vice Chairman of ICCA, the International Corrugated Packaging Institution, the European Federation of Packaging and the Federation of Paper Producers (CEPI). Mr.Williams is the founding President of Propak Europe and was a board member of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce between 2002 and 2004. From 1988 to 2001, Mr.Williams was the President of SCA Packaging , prior to which he served as the Managing Director of Bowater, a corrugated packaging company, for four years. From 1978 to 1984, he was first the Sales Director and then the General Manager of Chicopee in the Netherlands, a non-woven fabrics company of Johnson & Johnson. Mr. Williams holds an MBA degree in finance from NYU and holds an M.Sc. degree in physical chemistry.

Executive Officers

Sureyya Ciliv, age 49, was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Turkcell on January 9, 2007. He served as the CEO of several rapidly-growing multinational high-technology companies so far and has extensive experience in marketing and sales. Since 2000, Mr. Ciliv has held several executive positions in Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Service Group in the USA. From 1997 to 2000, he was the Country General Manager of Microsoft Turkey in Istanbul. Mr. Ciliv co-founded Novasoft Systems Inc. in Boston, USA, where he was both the CEO and the Chairman of the Board between 1987 and 1997. Sureyya Ciliv received his MBA degree from Harvard University in 1983. He has Industrial & Operational Engineering and Computer Engineering degrees from the University of Michigan, where he had graduated with honors.

Serkan Okandan, age 38, joined Turkcell in 2000. Since January 1, 2006, he is the Chief Financial Officer of Turkcell. Prior to this appointment, he was the Financial Control and Reporting Division Head of Turkcell. Mr. Okandan started his professional career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1992. He then worked for DHL and Frito Lay as a Financial Controller. Serkan Okandan is a graduate in Economics from Bosphorus University.

Ilter Terzioglu, age 41, joined Turkcell in 2003 and since April 1, 2006 he is the Chief Network Operations and Regulations Officer. Prior to this position, he was Business Strategies, Regulation and Risk Consolidation Division Head in Turkcell. Ilter Terzioglu started his career at Carnoud Metal Box and later worked as Assistant General Manager at Ericsson, Superonline and Show TV. Mr. Terzioglu is a graduate in Economics from Istanbul University.

Cenk Bayrakdar, age 39, started working for Turkcell in 2002 and since April 1, 2006 he is the Chief Service and Product Development Officer. Prior to his appointment, he was Content Services and Partnering Management Division Head in Turkcell. Mr. Bayrakdar started his career in Arcelik and also worked at Corbuss and Turktell as a Business Development Manager. Cenk Bayrakdar is a graduate of Istanbul Technical University, Department of Electronic Communications. He holds a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Selen Kocabas, age 39, joined Turkcell in 2003 and since May 1, 2003, she is the Chief Business Support Officer in charge of human resources, corporate information systems, procurement and contract management, and administrative issues. Mrs. Kocabas started her professional career as a Management Trainee at Koc Holding, Mrs. Kocabas later worked as Human Resources Expert at Arcelik, then as a Human Resources Coordinator at Marshall for five years, followed by Danone Sa where she worked for four years as Human Resources Director and was responsible for founding the water and milk companies, establishing the proper structure and deploying optimum human resources. Selen Kocabas is a graduate of Economics from Istanbul University. She also obtained a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Marmara University.

Cenk Serdar, age 39, joined Turkcell in 2005 and since August 8, 2005, he is the Chief Value Added Services Officer. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Serdar was the General Manager of Mapco, a subsidiary of Turkcell. Cenk Serdar started his career as a lecturer at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and later held several senior managerial posts in the areas of technology, finance and automotive at Superonline, Dogan and Dogus Groups. Cenk Serdar is a graduate of the Industrial Engineering Department of Bilkent University. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

 

107


Table of Contents

Lale Saral Develioglu, age 39, joined Turkcell in 2003 and since June 19, 2006 she is the Chief Marketing Officer of the company. Prior to this position, she was the Individual Marketing Division Head of Turkcell. Starting her career at Unilever, Lale Saral Develioglu served as Marketing Manager of Unilever in various markets. She is a graduate from the department of Industrial Engineering of Bogazici University. She also holds a master’s degree in Management Engineering from Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, New York.

Levent Burak Demiralp, age 43, joined Turkcell in 1998. Since June 19, 2006 he is the Chief Sales Officer of the company. Before joining Turkcell, Mr. Demiralp was the General Manager of Global, a subsidiary of Turkcell. Prior to that, he served as the Head of the Sales and Customer Relations Division at Turkcell. Levent Burak Demiralp, who started his career at Pinar Sut, also worked as the Marketing Manager of Piyale Maktas. Mr. Demiralp is a graduate of Business Administration from Gazi University.

Emre Sayin, age 40, joined Turkcell in 2007. Emre Sayin is Turkcell’s Chief Corporate Business Officer and is responsible for the Corporate Solution Centers, worked for Evyap Pazarlama ve Tic A.Ş. as the Deputy Manager in charge of Marketing in 2005-2006 and for Kodak A.Ş. as the General Manager in 2002-2005. Prior to that Emre Sayin was the chief marketing officer for Microsoft Turkey between 1999-2002. Sayin worked as the marketing and category manager of Unilever Turkey between 1992-1999. Emre Sayin is a graduate of Bosphorus University’s Department of Industrial Engineering and holds a Master’s degree in Systems and Industrial Engineering at Rutgers University.

Ekrem Yener, age 46, joined Turkcell in 2007. Ekrem Yener is Turkcell’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer. Prior to joining Turkcell, he worked for Aysu Diş Tic A.Ş. and Digital Equipment A.Ş. as a sales manager during the period 1991-1998 before becoming the Ankara Regional Manager of Microsoft Türkiye in 1998. Assigned as Microsoft’s Deputy General Manager in charge of Marketing in 2002, Yener has been working as the Deputy General Manager in charge of Business and Strategy Development since 2004. A 1982 graduate of the Istanbul Technical University’s (ITU) Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Yener received a Master’s Degree in Material Sciences from the UC at Berkley in 1986 and in High Level Marketing Management from the Kellogg University in 2002.

Tayfun Cataltepe, age 46, joined Turkcell in 2007. Mr. Çataltepe is Turkcell’s Chief Corporate Strategy and International Expansion Officer. After graduating from Electronic Engineering Department of the Bosphorus University, Mr. Çataltepe received his MBA from Michigan Technology University and his degree of doctor from the California University. From 1990 to 1998, he worked as a Research and Development Engineer in the Bell Laboratories. In 1998 he was hired by AT&T as the IP Network and Service Planning projects manager, where he worked until 2003. Following AT&T, he started to work in Aycell as the Deputy General Manager in charge of Technical Operations and was promoted to Deputy General Manager in charge of AVEA Network Operations in 2004 and held this position until 2006 when he became responsible for the European Telecom Sector Post Merger and Acquisition Corporate Integration Services at Ernst & Young.

Koray Ozturkler, age 44, joined Turkcell in 1998 and since April 9, 2008 he is the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer in charge of corporate communications, investor relations and EU relations. Prior to this appointment he was the Investor relations division head in Turkcell. Mr. Ozturkler started his career in the USA at Accenture Consulting where he worked as a consultant in the telecommunications sector from 1990 to 1994. Mr Ozturkler then continued his career in Yapi Kredi Bank as a Change Program Director between 1994-1998 and then joined Turkcell as the Director of International Business Development. Mr. Ozturkler has been the Division Head of Investor Relations at Turkcell since 2002. Mr.Ozturkler received his MBA degree in 1990 after graduating from Mercer University.

6.B Compensation

The compensation of the Board of Directors is resolved by the shareholders at general assemblies. The Board, upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee together with its own determinations,

 

108


Table of Contents

should decide on a proposal to the General Assembly whether board members will be remunerated and if such is the case, the form and amount of compensation to be paid to the board members. In our Extraordinary General Assembly held on September 21, 2007, it was decided to pay our Board members, except for independent board members, for whom a monthly payment had been set as annual compensation to €100,000 in our General Assembly dated May 22, 2006, an annual compensation amounting to $60,000 during the period they serve as board members and commencing from the date of the Extraordinary General Assembly.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, we paid an aggregate of approximately $12.4 million to our executive officers including: indemnities, salaries, bonuses and other benefits. In 2006, we paid an aggregate of approximately $3.9 million to our executive officers including: indemnities, salaries, bonuses and other benefits. Furthermore, we do not maintain any profit sharing, pension or similar plans.

We have Directors and Officers Liability Insurance that covers our directors and officers from liabilities that arise in connection with performing their duties and our liabilities in connection with our directors’ and officers’ performance of their duties. The coverage amount is $40 million, and there are a number of insurers, each covering a different layer of the policy. The Directors and Officers Liability insurance is London based, but it is provided through two insurance companies in Turkey, Genel Sigorta A.S. and AIG Sigorta A.S. In 2006 we paid a premium amounting to approximately $1.3 million, and in 2007 we paid a premium of approximately $693 thousand. The policy will expire on August 26, 2008, and we will consider its renewal based on the terms and conditions offered.

6.C Board Practices

Under the Turkish Commercial Code and our Articles of Association, our Board of Directors is responsible for our management. The Articles of Association provide for a Board of Directors consisting of seven members. The members, each serve for a term of three years. None of the members of the Board of Directors have entered into a service agreement with us.

For more information on our directors and the period during which each director has served on the board, see “Item 6.A. Directors and Senior Management.”

Our Board of Directors has adopted the Turkcell Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Audit Committee Charter, the Corporate Governance Charter and the Corporate Governance Secretariat Terms of Reference. The principal provisions of the guidelines are available on our website, www.turkcell.com.tr.

Committees of the Board of Directors

The Audit Committee

We are required under Turkish laws and regulations, US securities laws and regulations and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) to have an audit committee of the Board of Directors appointed from among the members of the Board of Directors. Our audit committee has two members: Mr. Colin J. Williams and Mr. Alexey Khudyakov (non-voting observer member). As required by the CMB Communiqué Serial:X No: 19 (since June 12, 2006, Communiqué Serial:X No: 22) which is binding upon public companies in Turkey, Mr. Williams and Mr. Khudyakov are non-executive members of our Board of Directors. Mr. Williams chairs the audit committee and is considered independent under the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules promulgated thereunder by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the applicable rules of the NYSE and the CMB Corporate Governance Principles. Mr. Khudyakov is an “observer member” on the audit committee and is not considered independent under the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules promulgated thereunder. On January 26, 2007 the CMB informed Turkcell that Alexey Khudyakov’s current status, as an “observer member” on the audit committee does not satisfy the requirements under Article 25, “Committees Responsible for Auditing” of the CMB. The CMB has stated that steps must be taken urgently so that our Company can comply with Article 25. We believe that Mr. Khudyakov does fully meet the requirements of Article 25 as he is a

 

109


Table of Contents

non-executive board member and have initiated a lawsuit before an administrative court seeking to suspend the execution and to annul the decision of the CMB with respect to Mr. Khudyakov. If our position in this matter does not ultimately prevail over that of the CMB, our compliance with the listing requirements of The New York Stock Exchange could be called into question, to the extent that the relevant rules of The New York Stock Exchange are based on home country compliance. In this case, remedial action could be required.

Under the provisions of the Turkish Commercial Code, the Board of Directors must be responsible, as a whole, for all decisions and cannot delegate responsibility to committees of the Board. As a consequence, parallel to the Swiss Code, committees in Turkish law merely have a “decision-shaping”, rather than “decision-taking” role. Additionally, as per a decision of the Board of Directors, the responsibility of the audit committee members is also considered as a joint responsibility of all board members.

The principal duties of the Audit Committee include the following:

 

   

assisting the Board’s oversight of the quality and integrity of our financial statements and related disclosure;

 

   

overseeing the implementation and efficiency of our accounting system;

 

   

pre-approving the appointment of and services to be provided by our independent auditors;

 

   

preparing and monitoring the agreement between us and the independent auditor and overseeing the performance and efficiency of our independent audit system and internal audit mechanisms; and

 

   

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting control systems or auditing matters and establishing procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

The Corporate Governance Committee

The Corporate Governance Committee mainly assists the Board of Directors with the development and implementation of our corporate governance principles and presents to the Board of Directors remedial proposals to that end. It establishes a transparent system for the determination, evaluation and training of board member candidates. The Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors, where appropriate, regarding our compensation strategy both for the board members and the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer succession plan. In the relations between the company and our shareholders, the Committee assists the Board. To that end, it oversees the investor relations activities.

The members of our Corporate Governance Committee are Mr. Mehmet Bulent Ergin and Mr. Oleg Malis.

The Board of Directors does not have a remuneration committee, however the Corporate Governance committee may give recommendations on remuneration, including the remuneration of our Chief Executive Officer. In accordance with Turkish law, the committee does not have the power to set remuneration independent of the Board of Directors.

 

110


Table of Contents

6.D Employees

From our formation in 1993, we have grown from approximately 90 employees to 2,875 employees as at December 31, 2007. Due to our customer growth and the increasing need for competent employees, we focus on the quality of our recruitment. The following table sets forth the number of employees by activity employed by us at December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

 

     2007    2006    2005

Turkcell

        

Marketing and Sales(1)

   —      —      728

Marketing(1)

   183    146    —  

Sales(1)

   491    451    —  

Finance

   204    196    138

Operations

   —      —      1,393

Service & Product Development(2)

   669    665    —  

Network Operations & Regulations(2)

   791    718    —  

Business Support

   322    333    279

VAS Management

   98    111    113

CEO Office

   92    99    32

International Investment Coordination

   14    26    42

Investments(3)

   11    6    —  

Local Investment Coordination

   0    0    3

Turkcell Group Support(4)

   —      —      90

Subtotal

   2,875    2,751    2,818

Subsidiaries

        

Kibris Telekom

   152    118    101

Global Bilgi Pazarlama Danisma ve Cagri Servisi Hizmetleri A.S.

   4,766    3,239    2,969

Turkcell Kurumsal Satis ve Dagitim Hizmetleri A.S

   11    0    0

Corbuss

   0    0    0

Turkcell Teknoloji Arastirma ve Gelistirme A.S

   63    0    0

Sans Oyunlari Yatirim Holding A.S

   1    0    0

Turktell Bilisim Servisleri A.S.

   1    2    2

Inteltek Internet Teknoloji Yatirim ve Danismanlik Ticaret A.S.

   132    127    114

Limited Liability Company Astelit(4)

   1,420    1,709    1,432

Tellcom Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.

   173    43    21

Kule Hizmet ve Isletmecilik A.S

   30    0    0

Bilyoner Interaktif Hizmetler A.S.

   33    19    19

Subtotal

   6,782    5,257    4,658

Total

   9,657    8,008    7,476

 

(1) As of April 1, 2006, Marketing & Sales has been separated into two functions to ensure more dedicated concentration on each function.
(2) As of February 1, 2006, the Service & Product Development, Network Operations & Regulations has been separated into two functions to ensure more dedicated concentration on each function.
(3) As of September 1, 2006, Investments has been established to make sure that the local and international Turkcell Group Companies are managed with an integrated manner in alliance with Turkcell’s vision, strategy, business standards and ethics.
(4) To increase our business effectiveness and our adaptation to change and by taking management excellence principles into consideration, Turkcell Group Support Divisions have been moved into the CEO Office as of September 1, 2006.

The achievement of our goal of being the premier mobile brand in Turkey is only possible through the delivery of a consistently high quality of service. High levels of subscriber satisfaction can only be achieved if our employees are capable and competent professionals dedicated to subscriber service.

 

111


Table of Contents

We are able to recruit highly qualified employees due to our position of leadership in the Turkish telecommunications market and our strong corporate identity. Stringent hiring and training standards have resulted in a professional organization with high-caliber employees within a challenging workplace.

With regard to employee compensation and benefits, the major principles of our policy are to preserve internal equity and external competitiveness and reflect individual performance in compensation packages.

Significant factors involved in the process of determining compensation and benefits for our employees are our grading structure (based on the Mercer IPE system), market movement data and individual performance. We make salary adjustments once yearly. Principal factors in salary adjustments are market movements and economic indicators (e.g. the rate of inflation). We pay performance bonuses annually to all our employees in accordance with individual and company performance results. Our performance evaluation system evaluates the whole year performance of our employees through two primary activities: target setting and 360-degree evaluation. Benefits packages are designed in line with the local market practice and linked to grade bands/levels where the benefits package improves as the grade band/level increases.

We also conduct the Turkcell Private Pension System (the “TPPS”), a project based on our “social responsibility objective” toward our employees. The TPPS is a voluntary pension system in which we and the employee make equal contributions. After a vesting period of three years, the employee gets ownership of the contribution we made. The TPPS covers all employees who have been working with us for a minimum of six months.

Each of our employees undergoes an orientation program incorporating classroom trainings and e-learning training. The training provides employees with information concerning corporate culture and ethics, an introduction to our services, basic GSM knowledge and functions of departments. Each employee has the opportunity to participate in the individual, organizational, functional and managerial development programs after regular training needs analysis. In addition, each employee receives specific training for his or her particular job.

To further develop our employees we have created the Turkcell Academy. The Turkcell Academy is structured as the center of development for Turkcell Group Employees. The Turkcell Academy was created as part of Turkcell’s philosophy of investing in people and is one of our proactive development solutions supporting group strategies and Turkcell’s performance. With the Turkcell Academy’s branded long-term development programs, technical and non-technical courses, web-based training systems, e-learning and language teaching, Turkcell Group has become an environment in which employees get together to receive a broad variety of educational content and sharing information.

The Turkcell Academy is also aimed to improve the future society of Turkey and to reach out to young people through social responsibility projects. Together with strategic partnerships with universities and training consultancies and with Academy Trainer’s experience and knowledge, the Turkcell Academy has become valuable and an important part of our company.

Our employees are not members of any union, and there is no collective bargaining agreement with our employees. We have not experienced any work stoppages.

6.E Share Ownership

The aggregate amount of shares owned by our board members and senior officers as of April 1, 2008, was 78,983, which amount is less than 1% of our outstanding shares. No individual board member or senior officer owned 1% or more of our outstanding shares.

 

112


Table of Contents
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

7.A Major Shareholders

The following table sets forth our major shareholders’ ordinary share ownership representing approximately 70.62% of our company’s capital. The following information is as of April 1, 2008.

 

Name and Address of Owner

   Nominal TRY Value of
Shares Owned(1)
   Percent of Class  

Sonera Holding B.V.(2)

   287,632,179.557    13.07 %

P.O. Box 8675

     

NL 3009 AR Rotterdam

     

The Netherlands

     

Cukurova Holding A.S.(3)

   91,195,509.429    4.15 %

Buyukdere Cad.

     

Yapi Kredi Plaza

     

A Blok Kat: 15,

     

80620, Levent, Istanbul, Turkey

     

Turkcell Holding A.S.(4)

   1,122,000,000.238    51.00 %

Buyukdere Cad.

     

Yapi Kredi Plaza

     

A Blok Kat: 15

     

80620, Levent, Istanbul, Turkey

     

Turkiye Genel Sigorta A.S.(3)

   1,558,452.599    0.07 %

Meclisi Mebusan Cad.,

     

No: 91 80040, Salipazari, Istanbul, Turkey

     

Bankrupt Bilka Bilgi Kaynak Ve Iletisim San.ve Tic. A.S .

   153,999.575    0.01 %

Cumhuriyet Cad. No: 16 Kat: 2 Oda: 2

     

Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey

     

M.V. Holding A.S.(5)

   51,021,712.590    2.32 %

K.V.K. Plaza Bayar Cad., Gulbahar Sok.

     

No: 14 81090 Kozyatagi, Istanbul, Turkey

     

Shares Publicly Held

   646,438,146.012    29.38 %

 

(1) On April 29, 2005, the General Assembly approved a revaluation of our ordinary shares from TL 1,000 to TRY 1. The revaluation resulted in the formation of fractional shares, which have not yet been merged into whole ordinary shares. Therefore, we give the nominal value of the ordinary shares owned rather than the units or fractional units thereof.
(2) Controlled by TeliaSonera.
(3) Controlled by Cukurova Group.
(4) Controlled indirectly by the Cukurova Group and Alfa Telecom (through its Altimo subsidiary).
(5) Controlled by Murat Vargi.

As of March 12, 2008, Turkcell had 85,131,415 ADRs outstanding held by 43 registered ADR holders. To the best of our knowledge, as of March 31, 2008, in accordance with the loan agreements signed between our shareholders and various banks, 60,124,379.642 of our shares having a nominal value of TRY 60,124,379.642 have been pledged by our shareholders as security in favor of such banks.

On June 23, 2006, a pledge was established in favor of SDIF over 16,000,000 Turkcell shares, each having a nominal value of TRY 1 in connection with a Share Certificate Pledge and Subordinate Pledge Agreements signed between SDIF and Cukurova Holding A.S., an appropriate annotation regarding the pledge has been made in the share book of Turkcell.

 

113


Table of Contents

On November 8, 2006 Cukurova Holding A.S. offered 64,720,522.819 registered shares with a nominal value of TRY 64,720,502.819 for circulation on the Istanbul Stock Exchange. These shares are shown among the publicly held shares. In addition, Cukurova Investments N.V. offered 63,591,825.482 registered shares with a nominal value of TRY 63,591,825.482 for circulation on the Istanbul Stock Exchange. These shares we also offered through a secondary public offering on the NYSE.

The pledge right which was established on our shares owned by Cukurova Holding A.S., in connection with the Share Certificate Pledge Agreement dated September 27, 2005, signed between Cukurova Holding A.S. and SDIF and the Subordinate Pledge Agreement dated September 28, 2005, signed between Cukurova Holding A.S. and Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi A.S. (“YKB”), on 17,626,227.756 units of our shares, each having a nominal value of TRY 1 has been removed from the Share Book of Turkcell through a resolution of our Board of Directors on February 21, 2007.

On May 11, 2007 our Board of Directors approved a resolution for the blank endorsement of 11,000,000 shares, each having a nominal value of TRY 1, and held by MV Holding A.S. for their transfer and assignment pursuant to paragraph “m” of Article 9 of the Istanbul Stock Exchange Quotation Regulation.

On May 11, 2007 our Board of Directors also approved a resolution for the blank endorsement of 9,218,606.390 of our shares, each having a nominal value of TRY 1, and held by MV Investment N.V. for their transfer and assignment pursuant to paragraph “m” of Article 9 of the Istanbul Stock Exchange Quotation Regulation.

Also on May 11, 2007, 1,781,393.610 registered shares, which were owned by M.V. Investments N.V. and previously endorsed in blank for circulation on the Istanbul Stock Exchange in parts on April 21, 2004 and October 21, 2004, were listed among publicly held shares.

It was understood from the announcement of Cukurova S.A., which was sent to the Istanbul Stock Exchange on July 16, 2007, that Cukurova Holding A.S. and Cukurova Investments N.V. sold and transferred some of our shares to JP Morgan Securities Ltd. for sale to foreign investors. This transaction’s total nominal value was TRY 74,782,937.

A pledge right on some of our shares owned by Cukurova Holding A.S. was established in favor of YKB as per the financial restructuring agreement signed on September 28, 2005, between YKB and Cukurova Holding A.S. We were informed by Cukurova Holding A.S. that the aforementioned pledge has been removed. Accordingly, the pledge annotation in our Share Book with a total nominal value of TRY 21,197,403.690 was cancelled on August 22, 2007.

It has been understood from the announcement of Cukurova Holding A.S. which was sent to the Istanbul Stock Exchange on July 16, 2007, that 7,598,502.084 units of these shares (6,991,406.768 units of registered shares and 607,095.316 units of shares which were already endorsed in blank) have been transferred and assigned to JP Morgan Securities Ltd. by Cukurova Holding A.S. in order to be sold to investors residing abroad. Our board of directors resolved to approve the circulation of our shares in the total nominal value of TRY 6,991,406.768 through the blank endorsement of these shares.

A pledge right on some of our shares owned by Cukurova Investments N.V. was established in favor of YKB as per the financial restructuring agreement signed on September 28, 2005, between YKB and Cukurova Holding N.V. As per the letter sent by YKB to Cukurova Holding A.S., the latter informed us that the aforementioned pledge has been removed. Accordingly, the pledge annotation in our Share Book with a total nominal value of TRY 67,184,434.916 was cancelled on August 22, 2007.

It has been understood from the above mentioned letters and the announcement of Cukurova Holding A.S. which was sent to the Istanbul Stock Exchange on July 16, 2007 that 67,184,434.916 units of shares

 

114


Table of Contents

(64,494,842.514 units of registered shares and 2,689,592.402 units of shares which were already endorsed in blank) have been transferred and assigned to JP Morgan Securities Ltd. by Cukurova Investments N.V. in order to be sold to investors residing abroad and our Board of Directors resolved on August 22, 2007 to approve the circulation of our shares in the total nominal value of TRY 64,494,842.514 through the blank endorsement of these shares.

On December 18, 2007 our Board of Directors approved a blank endorsement of 16,494,257.660 shares held by MV Investments N.V. and 22,000,000 shares held by MV Holding A.S., each having a nominal value of TRY 1 per share, for their transfer and assignment pursuant to paragraph “m” of Article 9 of the Istanbul Stock Exchange Quotation Regulation.

On the basis of publicly available information (Form 13D filings), Alfa Group, which previously held, indirectly, 13.2% of our shares, has as of January 2008 transferred control over 50% of these shares to Nadash. On the same basis, we understand that Alfa Group owns 49% of Nadash.

7.B Related Party Transactions

We have entered into agreements with our executive officers and with several of our current and former shareholders or affiliates of shareholders. We believe that all of such agreements are on terms that are comparable to those that would be available in transactions with unrelated parties. Our policy is to seek price quotes for services and goods we purchase and select the most favorable price.

Formation of Fintur

In connection with the formation of Fintur, we entered into a shareholders agreement with the other Fintur shareholders. The Fintur shareholders agreement provides that the Board of Directors will consist of five members. TeliaSonera is entitled to appoint three members and we are entitled to appoint two members. Important board decisions, such as approval of the annual budgets and business plans, establishment of or participation in new companies or acquisition, transfer or dissolution of subsidiaries or branches must be approved by at least four board members. Important shareholder decisions, such as amending the Articles of Association, increasing or decreasing the share capital, appointing or dismissing board members, approving dividend distributions, issuing securities, approving liquidation, merger or consolidation or appointing external auditors must be approved by those shareholders holding at least two-thirds of Fintur’s share capital. The shareholders agreement also provides that the representation of Fintur on the Board of Directors of companies in which Fintur holds shares will be considered on a case by case basis. However, we and TeliaSonera will also have the right to nominate an equal number of members to the boards of each company in which Fintur holds shares.

Agreements with KVK Teknoloji:

KVK Teknoloji, incorporated on 23 October 2002, one of our principal Simcard distributors, is a Turkish company, which is affiliated with some of our shareholders. In addition to sales of Simcards and scratch cards, we have entered into several agreements with KVK Teknoloji, in the form of advertisement support protocols, each lasting for different periods pursuant to which KVK Teknoloji must place advertisements for our services in newspapers. The objective of these agreements is to promote and increase handset sales with our prepaid and postpaid brand Simcards, thereby supporting the protection of our market share in the prevailing market conditions. The prices of the contracts were determined according to the cost of advertising for KVK Teknoloji and the total advertisement benefit received, reflected in our market share in new subscriber acquisitions. Distributors’ campaign projects and market share also contributed to the budget allocation. The total amount of Simcard and scratch card sales to KVK Teknoloji in 2007 amounted to $627.1 million.

 

115


Table of Contents

Agreements with A-Tel:

A-Tel is involved in the marketing, selling and distributing of our prepaid systems. A-Tel is a 50-50 joint venture between us and SDIF. A-Tel acts as our only dealer for Muhabbet Kart (a prepaid card), and receives dealer activation fees and Simcard subsidies for the sale of Muhabbet Kart. In addition to sales of Simcards and scratch cards, through an extensive network of newspaper kiosks located throughout Turkey, we have entered into several agreements with A-Tel for sales campaigns and for subscriber activations. The total amount of Simcard and scratch card sales to A-Tel in 2007 amounted to $141.2 million.

On October 20, 2005, Cukurova Group offered to sell to Turkcell the A-Tel Option Contract, under which the holder has the right to purchase 50% shares of A-Tel for a consideration of $150 million. Turkcell conducted tax, legal and financial due diligence review at A-Tel. In the Board of Directors meeting dated March 22, 2006, the board resolved to accept the proposal and the purchase of 50% of A-Tel shares by Turkcell for a consideration of $150 million based on the findings of the due diligence conducted at A-Tel. On August 9, 2006 we acquired the 50% shares of A-Tel. The results of A-Tel’s operation have been included in the consolidated financial statements.

Agreements with Digital Platform:

Digital Platform, a direct-to-home digital television service company under the Digiturk brand name, is a subsidiary of one of our principal shareholders, the Cukurova Group. Digital Platform acquired the broadcasting rights for Turkish Super Football League by the tender held on July 15, 2004, until May 31, 2008, and the broadcasting rights were extended until May 31, 2010 with a new agreement dated May 5, 2005. On December 23, 2005, we signed a “Restructuring Framework Agreement” with Digital Platform. The agreement includes the restructuring of our receivables from Digital Platform amounting to $71.2 million as of December 31, 2007 and sponsorship and advertisement services that we will utilize on Digital Platform infrastructure. Under the agreement, Digital Platform commits to pay amounts due to Turkcell through July 15, 2011 along with the interest in cash and advertisement services. According to the “Restructuring Framework Agreement” and in the context and as an integral part of the agreement, we committed to purchase sponsorship and advertisement from Digital Platform amounting to $99.8 million excluding VAT until July 15, 2011. We also have an agreement related to the corporate group SMS services that we offer to Digital Platform, and an agreement for call center services provided by one of our subsidiary, Global. The total amount of call center service fees and interest charges from Digital Platform was approximately $16.8 million in 2007.

Agreements with Millenicom Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri A.S.:

European Telecommunications Holding AG (“ETH”), whose majority shares are owned by Cukurova Group, holds the majority shares of Millenicom Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri A.S. (“Millenicom Telekomunikasyon”). Millenicom Telekomunikasyon is rendering and receiving call termination and international traffic carriage services for and from us. In 2007, the total amounts charged by and charged to Millenicom Telekomunikasyon were $11.1 million and $12.4 million, respectively.

Agreements with ADD:

ADD, a media planning and marketing company, is a Turkish company owned by one of our principal shareholders, Cukurova Group. We entered into a media purchasing agreement with ADD on January 23, 2002, which expired on December 31, 2002 and was further extended to December 31, 2003. In 2004 and 2005, the agreement was revised again with similar terms. On September 1, 2006 a revised agreement was signed with ADD and the validity period of the agreement has been extended to August 31, 2008. The purpose of this agreement is to benefit from the expertise and bargaining power of ADD against third parties regarding the formation of media purchasing strategies for both postpaid and prepaid brands. Additionally, ADD is a party of the sponsorship and advertisement agreements which are an integral part of the “Restructuring Framework Agreement” signed between us and Digital Platform. The contract prices were determined according to prevailing market prices for media purchasing. The total amount charged by ADD in 2007 amounted to $167.5 million.

 

116


Table of Contents

Agreements with Hobim:

Hobim, one of the leading data processing and application service provider companies in Turkey, is owned by the Cukurova Group, one of our principal shareholders. We have entered into invoice printing and archiving agreements with Hobim under which Hobim provides us with scratch card printing services, monthly invoice printing services, and manages archiving of invoices and subscription documents for an indefinite period of time. Prices of the agreements are determined as per unit cost plus profit margin. The total amount charged by Hobim related to these contracts in 2007 amounted to $17.2 million.

Agreements with Baytur:

The principal shareholder of Baytur, a construction company, is the Cukurova Group. Baytur committed to complete construction of 484 apartments within the scope of an agreement signed among us, Baytur and the land owner, which is a governmental organization, on October 19, 2004. The agreement amount is $39.7 million. During 2007, Baytur settled its obligation in respect of the project and we wholly paid the remaining contract amount to Baytur in 2007. In 2007, we paid $5.1 million to Baytur within the scope of this contract.

Betting SA:

Betting SA is incorporated under the laws of Greece and owned by one of the major shareholders of Inteltek. Inteltek signed a service agreement with Betting SA on March 11, 2004 to receive consultancy services including monitoring operations, providing continuous evaluation of betting, maximizing game revenues of fixed odds betting, and operating fixed odds betting games in an efficient manner with integrity and security. In 2007, the total amount charged by Betting SA related to this agreement was $8.7 million (2006: $16.0 million).

Agreements with Kyivstar:

The Alfa Group, a minor shareholder of us, holds the majority shares of Kyivstar. Astelit is receiving call termination and international traffic carriage services from Kyivstar. In 2007, the total amounts charged by and charged to Kyivstar were $36.1 million and $40.2 million, respectively.

7.C Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

8.A Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

Audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, are included at “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

Legal Proceedings

For a discussion of the various claims and legal actions in which we are involved, please see Note 31 (Contingencies) and Note 34 (Subsequent Events) to our consolidated financial statements in this Form 20-F.

 

117


Table of Contents

Dividend Policy

We have adopted a dividend policy, which is set out in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. As adopted, our general dividend policy is to pay dividends to shareholders with due regard to trends in our operating performance, financial condition and other factors. The Board of Directors intends to distribute cash dividends in an amount of not less than 50% of our distributable net profits for each fiscal year, starting with profits for fiscal year 2004. However, the payment of dividends will still be subject to our cash flow requirements, compliance with Turkish law and the approval of, or amendment by, the Board of Directors and the General Assembly of Shareholders.

In accordance with Turkish law, the distribution of profits and the payment of an annual dividend in respect of the preceding financial year is subject to a recommendation which may be made by the Board of Directors each year for approval by the shareholders at the annual general assembly. The Board may decide whether or not to recommend a distribution of profits together with the amount of dividend and the shareholders, through the general assembly, accept or reject such proposal, if any. Dividends are payable on a date proposed by the Board of Directors and determined at the general assembly of shareholders, which date, under the CMB requirements, must be earlier than the end of the fifth month following the end of the preceding financial year. However, the CMB is authorized to designate another deadline for distribution of dividends in any given year.

In connection with the redenomination of the Turkish Lira and as per the related amendments of Turkish Commercial Code, in order to increase the nominal value of the shares to TRY 1, 1,000 units of shares, each having a nominal value of TRY 0.001 shall be merged and each unit of share having a nominal value of TRY 1 shall be issued to represent such shares. Turkcell is currently in the process of merging 1,000 existing ordinary shares, each having a nominal value of TRY 0.001 to one ordinary share having a nominal value of TRY 1. After the share merger, which appears as a provisional article in the Articles of Association to convert the value of each share with a nominal value of TRY 0.001 to TRY 1, all shares will have a value of 1 TRY. Although the merger process has not been finalized, the practical application is to state each share having a nominal value of TRY 1 which is consented by the CMB. Basic and diluted weighted average number of shares and net income per share as of December 31, 2004 are retrospectively changed to reflect each share having a nominal value of TRY 1.

In 2006, we distributed a dividend of TRY 1,018,150,363 from our 2005 distributable income to our shareholders. The dividend was in the form of a 50% cash dividend and a 50% bonus share distribution. The cash dividend in the amount of TRY 509,075,181 was distributed to our shareholders from May 29, 2006 and amounted to TRY 0.274451 per ordinary share. The stock dividend was distributed starting from June 12, 2006 by adding TRY 345,112,659 of the total dividend to our paid-in capital, which corresponded to a 18,605586% share dividend per share.

Subsequently, a bonus share distribution was made on June 12, 2006. The Board of Directors resolved to add the capital inflation adjustment difference of TRY 51,661,781 to the capital and distribute the bonus shares to be issued accordingly. As a result, together with the foregoing bonus dividend distribution corresponding to TRY 0,18605586 bonus share per dividend per share, a total bonus share distribution of TRY 345,112,659 per share then having a nominal value of TRY 345,112,659 was distributed to our shareholders.

In 2007, we distributed a cash dividend of TRY 567,039,784 from our 2006 distributable income of TRY 1,270,352,019 to our shareholders. The cash dividend was distributed to our shareholders from April 16, 2007 and amounted to TRY 0.2577453 per ordinary share.

On February 27, 2008, our Board of Directors resolved the following dividend distribution proposal which is expected to be approved by the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting to be held on April 25, 2008. The resolution reads as follows:

 

1.

As a result of the activities of our Company, pertaining to the period between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007, our Company’s profit, calculated according to the consolidated financial statements,

 

118


Table of Contents
 

which were audited independently in accordance with the CMB Communiqué Serial: XI numbered 25, named “Communiqué Regarding the Accounting Standards in Capital Markets”, is TRY 1,758,625,233 and the commercial after tax profit calculated according to the provisions of the Turkish Commercial Code is TRY 1,901,863,845.

 

2. After tax profits, calculated in accordance with Article 36 of the CMB Communiqué Serial: XI numbered 20, named “Communiqué on Principles Regarding Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Periods”, modified by the CMB Communiqué Serial: XI numbered 26, is TRY 1,758,625,233.

 

3. TRY 1,392,521,095, calculated by subtracting the total profits of our Company’s subsidiaries and affiliated companies, which have not passed a shareholders’ resolution regarding dividend distribution or are not subject to distribution despite such resolution, amounting to TRY 366,104,138, shall be taken as the basis for dividend distribution.

 

4. In accordance with the CMB Communiqué Serial IV No: 27 on “Principles Regarding Distribution of Dividends and Interim Dividends To Be Followed by the Publicly Held Joint Stock Corporations Subject to Capital Market Law” and within the framework of Article 466 of the Turkish Commercial Code (TCC), 5% of the commercial after tax profit of TRY 1,901,863,845 shall be set aside as the first legal reserve, which amounts to TRY 95,093,192.

 

5. TRY 1,297,427,903 is the basis for dividend distribution by the Company, pertaining to the year 2007, which is the difference between TRY 1,392,521,095, as stated in the consolidated financial reports of the Company and TRY 95,093,192, which is the first legal reserve amount, as mentioned hereinabove and TRY 1,301,935,368 calculated by adding TRY 4,507,465 which is the aggregate amount of donations made during the year, to the above mentioned amount shall be taken as the first dividend basis,

 

6. TRY 206,387,074, which is 20%, the percentage declared by the CMB as the minimum dividend distribution percentage for the year 2007, of the first dividend basis, amounting to TRY 1,301,935,368 shall be distributed as the first cash dividend, and the secondary reserve amounting to TRY 53,871,395 shall be separated from the rest of the net distributable current year profit,

a. The total amount of TRY 648,713,951, which shall be distributed in cash, will be distributed as follows:

 

   

TRY 1,687,150 from extraordinary reserves,

 

   

TRY 647,026,801 from previous years profits,

b. As the total amount of TRY 648,713,951 which is stated above and which shall be distributed in cash, has been obtained by the investment incentive utilized within the scope of the investments made during the period prior to April 24, 2003 and investment allowance withholding has been calculated on the same amount in this regard, it shall be distributed without any withholding tax deductions,

c. In this respect, an amount of TRY 0.2948699, net and gross, shall be paid in cash equally to our shareholders for each share, having a nominal value of TRY 1 (One New Turkish Lira).

The aggregate net amount of cash dividend payment shall be TRY 648,713,951.

 

7. TRY 1,243,556,508 which is the remaining distributable profit after the cash dividend distribution shall be:

a. Regarded as extraordinary reserves and set aside within the Company.

b. As the total of such amount, transferred to the 2008 financial year as extraordinary reserves, has been obtained by the investment incentive, utilized within the scope of investments made during the period prior to April 24, 2003 and investment allowance withholding has been calculated on such amount, no withholding tax deductions shall be applicable on such amount in case such amount will be subject to redistribution.

 

8. TRY 366,104,138, the aggregate profit of the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliated companies, which is not subject to distribution, shall be left within the Company as the extraordinary reserve.

 

119


Table of Contents
9. Cash dividend payment to our Company’s shareholders shall commence on May 20, 2008 and shall continue for 15 days in Istanbul Head Office, Ciftehavuzlar, Izmir and Ankara branches of Finans Yatirim Menkul Degerler A.S. and also in Central Registry Agency located at Suzer Plaza Askerocagn Cad. No: 15 K: 2 34367 Elmadag – Sisli Istanbul and shall be made in exchange of the dividend share denominations for the year 2007.

Annual profits are calculated and distributed in accordance with our articles of association after deduction from our annual revenues of all expenses, depreciation, taxes, required reserves and any losses from the previous years.

As per CMB regulations, dividend distributions of publicly held companies since the accounting period ended on December 31, 2005 are regulated as follows:

From the distributable net dividend calculated as per the CMB’s regulations, the entire amount calculated according to the CMB regulations regarding the requirement of minimum dividend distribution shall be distributed in the event such amount can be covered by the distributable net dividend in the statutory records. In the event the entire amount cannot be covered by the distributable net dividend in the statutory records, the total distributable net dividend in the statutory records shall be distributed. In the event there is net loss in the financial statements prepared as per the CMB regulations or statutory records, there shall be no dividend distribution.

For the year ended on December 31, 2005, taxes and reserves on 2005 profit were computed based on the statutory financial statements prepared in accordance with Turkish tax laws which may differ significantly from our IFRS accounts.

The CMB determined that for the accounting period ended December 31, 2007, the minimum dividend distribution rate should be at least 20% of the total distributable dividend. This distribution can be in cash or in the form of bonus share distribution, or both in cash and in the form of bonus share distribution, provided that it will not be less than 20% of the total distributable dividend. The amount of dividend to be distributed shall be resolved in the general assembly meetings of the companies.

To the extent we declare dividends in the future, we will pay those dividends in New Turkish Lira. In the case of ordinary shares held in the form of ADSs, dividends will be converted into U.S. Dollars by the depositary for the ADSs, to the extent it can do so on a reasonable basis, and will be distributed to the holders of the ADSs. Because exchange rates between the New Turkish Lira and the U.S. Dollar fluctuate continuously, a holder of ADSs will be subject to currency fluctuation generally, but particularly between the date on which dividends are declared and the date dividends are paid. Under current Turkish regulations, dividends or other distributions paid in respect of the ordinary shares or ADSs generally will be subject to withholding taxes. See “Item 10E. Taxation.”

8.B Significant Changes

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

9.A Offer and Listing Details

Our capital consists of ordinary shares. As per an amendment in the Capital Markets Law of Turkey and a new communiqué issued by the CMB of Turkey our shares traded on the Istanbul Stock Exchange were dematerialized as of November 2005. For detailed information on the dematerialization of the shares, please see “Item 10.B Transfer of Shares”.

As of January 1, 2005, the Republic of Turkey adopted the New Turkish Lira (“TRY”). One New Turkish Lira is equal to 1,000,000 Turkish Lira. 2005 was a transition period during which both TRY and TL were freely

 

120


Table of Contents

used. However, as of the beginning of 2006, TRY is now the only legal currency in Turkey. In order to comply with this new legal and economic environment, it was decided at our Annual General Assembly held on April 29, 2005, to amend the nominal value of our ordinary shares and define our ordinary shares in TRY by amending Article 6 of our Articles of Association. Upon such amendment, the nominal value of one Company ordinary share, which was previously TL1,000, became TRY 1, which is also equal to 1 unit on the Istanbul Stock Exchange. This revaluation of our ordinary shares resulted in the formation of fractional shares, which have not yet been merged into whole ordinary shares. Therefore, in general, we give the nominal value of the ordinary shares owned rather than the units or fractional units thereof.

ADSs are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “TKC”, and currently two ADS’s represent five of our ordinary shares. Our ordinary shares are traded on the Istanbul Stock Exchange under the symbol “TCELL.” The ADSs are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), issued by Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Depositary under a Deposit Agreement, executed in July 2000, among us, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York and registered holders from time to time of ADRs. ADRs were first issued in July 2000. On April 29, 2005, we modified the ratio of our ordinary shares per American Depositary Share from 2,500 ordinary shares per ADS to a new ratio of two ADS’s to five shares in connection with the redenomination of the Turkish Lira and the change of the nominal value of the Turkcell ordinary share.

Beginning from January 1, 2006, capital gains realized without meeting a one year holding period are subject to a withholding tax in Turkey. As of July 7, 2006, a provision was added to article 1/a of the Code numbered 5527 stating that foreign-based taxpayers, natural persons and corporations are subject to 0% tax. See “Item 10.E. Taxation”.

 

121


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low closing quotations (as extracted from Bloomberg) on NYSE and Istanbul Stock Exchange. All quotations have been adjusted to take into account all dividends we have issued in the form of shares.

 

     New York
Stock Exchange
($ per ADS)(1)
   Istanbul Stock
Exchange
(TRY per
Ordinary
Share)
     High    Low    High    Low

Annual information for the past five years

           

2007

   29.73    12.70    13.90    6.42

2006

   16.14    9.72    8.00    5.13

2005

   13.41    10.22    7.06    4.92

2004

   12.13    5.42    5.75    2.70

2003

   6.03    2.47    2.98    1.56

Quarterly information for the past two years 2007

           

First Quarter

   14.80    12.70    7.63    6.42

Second Quarter

   16.93    13.21    8.85    6.65

Third Quarter

   21.87    15.40    10.40    8.40

Fourth Quarter

   29.73    21.07    13.90    10.10

2006

           

First Quarter

   16.14    12.95    8.00    6.31

Second Quarter

   15.84    10.06    7.15    5.13

Third Quarter

   13.30    9.72    7.44    5.84

Fourth Quarter

   14.72    12.24    7.63    6.09

Monthly information for most recent six months

           

November

   27.50    23.18    13.70    10.90

December

   29.73    26.46    13.90    12.70

January

   27.47    22.16    13.00    10.20

February

   26.91    21.31    12.30    10.00

March

   25.31    20.89    12.20    10.40

April (as of April 1, 2008)

   22.81    21.92    11.6    11.6

 

(1) Share prices have been revised to reflect the ADR ratio change for our American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, which became effective on April 29, 2005. In connection with the redenomination of the Turkish Lira and the change of the nominal value of the Turkcell ordinary share, the Turkcell ADR ratio was changed from the existing ratio of one (1) ADS to two thousand five hundred (2,500) ordinary shares to a new ratio of two (2) ADS’s to five (5) tradable shares.

Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Turkish Lira and the U.S. Dollar will affect any comparisons of ordinary share prices and ADS prices.

On April 1, 2008, the closing price per ordinary share on the Istanbul Stock Exchange was TRY 11.6 and per ADS on the NYSE was $22.50.

The Depositary confirmed that we had 77,332,465 ADRs outstanding as of the close of business December 31, 2007. We had 87,821,009 ADRs outstanding as of the close of business April 1, 2008.

9.B Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

 

122


Table of Contents

9.C Markets

Our ADSs are traded on NYSE under the symbol “TKC” and our ordinary shares are traded on the Istanbul Stock Exchange under the symbol “TCELL.”

9.D Selling Shareholders

Not applicable.

9.E Dilution

Not applicable.

9.F Expenses of the Issue

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

10.A Share Capital

Not applicable.

10.B Memorandum and Articles of Association

General

We are registered in the Istanbul Trade Registry. Our trade registry number is 304844. Our object and purpose are regulated under Article 3 of our Articles of Association. We are incorporated primarily for the provision of telephone, telecommunication and similar services in compliance with the Telegraph and Telephone Law No. 406 and services stated in the bid of our GSM Pan Europe Mobile Telephone System.

Board Members

General

The Board of Directors is comprised of seven members elected by the general assembly, all of whom must be individuals under Turkish law. An increase in the number of members of the Board of Directors must be approved by the general assembly. Directors are required to be shareholders of the Company unless they are representatives of legal entity shareholders. Shareholders that are legal entities cannot be elected as directors and can only nominate their representatives for election to the Board of Directors. Currently all of the directors on our Board are either representatives of shareholders that are legal entities or shareholders themselves. The Turkish Commercial Code, or the TCC, does not require a board member to be a Turkish citizen. There is no minimum age for the directors, provided that a board member has reached the age of majority, 18, and there is no mandatory retirement age under applicable law.

Board Members’ Interest

The TCC forbids a board member to enter into a transaction with us in any area relating to our business either on the board member’s own behalf or on behalf of someone else, thus preventing the abuse of duty by board members and protecting our interests (TCC Article 334). Our general assembly may, however, authorize our board members to enter into these types of transactions through a specific provision in our articles of association, or our general assembly may grant such a right on a yearly basis. On March 23, 2007 such authorization was granted by our general assembly.

 

123


Table of Contents

Board members cannot participate in board meetings in which a matter related to themselves or their relatives is discussed (TCC Article 332). If any item of an agenda is related to one of the Board members, the board member concerned should inform the board of this and request the situation be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. Interested board members cannot participate in and sign such resolutions. If we suffer any loss because of a board member’s failure to raise such an issue, the board member shall be held liable to compensate us for the loss incurred due to such matter related to her/him or her/his relatives.

Under TCC Article 335, board members are barred from participating in similar commercial activities outside our company. Board members cannot become shareholders with unlimited liability in or become board members of companies active in similar types of business. Our general assembly may, however, authorize our board members to enter into these types of transactions through a specific provision in our articles of association or our general assembly may grant such a right on a yearly basis. On March 23, 2007 such approval was given by our general assembly.

Compensation

Any compensation payable to board members shall be determined by our general assembly. The Board of Directors has no authority to determine compensation. On May 22, 2006, the general assembly decided to only compensate our independent board member in the yearly net amount of €100,000. In our Extraordinary General Assembly held on September 21, 2007, it was decided to pay our Board members, except for independent board members, for whom a monthly payment had been set in our General Assembly dated May 22, 2006, a monthly compensation amounting to $5,000 during the period they serve as board members and commencing from the date of the Extraordinary General Assembly.

Borrowing Power

So far as the relevant provisions of Turkish law allow, the board members can exercise our powers to borrow money or give any form of guarantee or obligation relating to us or any third party. Under our Articles of Association, our Board of Directors is authorized to issue debentures and other securities subject to the TCC, Turkish Capital Markets Law and other relevant legislation. Under Turkish Capital Markets Law, the total value of capital market instruments shall not exceed the amount specified by the CMB, for each type of instrument. However, as a general rule, the total value of debentures and other debt instruments that a publicly held company may issue as capital market instruments may not exceed the balance remaining after deducting the losses, if any, from the total sum of the outstanding and paid up capital as shown on the latest independently audited financial statements submitted to the CMB, plus reserves and the revaluation fund stated in the latest financial statement approved by the general assembly.

Capital Structure

General

Our Board of Directors has adopted the authorized share capital system which, under Turkish law, allows us to increase our issued share capital up to the authorized share capital amount upon resolution by our board and without need for further shareholder approval.

Preemption Rights

We may increase our capital only through the issuance of new shares, and such issuances may come in the form of a rights offering or a bonus issue. Under Turkish law, existing shareholders are entitled to subscribe for new shares, also known as preemption rights, in proportion to their respective shareholdings each time we undertake a capital increase. Our Board of Directors will generally recommend that new shares be issued at prices equal to their nominal value, which entitles the existing shareholders to subscribe for shares at a significant discount from their current market price. The exercise of preemption rights by shareholders must be made within

 

124


Table of Contents

a subscription period which we announce, which may not be less than 15 days nor more than 60 days after the issuance of the preemption rights circular. Shareholders who do not wish to subscribe for new shares may sell their rights on the Istanbul Stock Exchange, or the ISE. Any shares not subscribed for by the existing shareholders or purchasers of the rights coupons are sold on the ISE at the current market price. Any differences between the rights issue price and the price realized for the shares on the ISE would accrue to our surplus account. Preemption rights of shareholders related to a rights offering may be restricted wholly or in part either by an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares at an ordinary or extraordinary general assembly or a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors to such effect, provided that such authority is conferred upon the Board of Directors. CMB rules stipulate that such authority may be conferred upon the Board of Directors of companies that have received permission from the CMB to adopt the authorized capital system. By the amendment to the articles of association, we have conferred such authority on our Board of Directors. The CMB further requires that the right of the Board of Directors to restrict the preemption rights of shareholders applies equally with respect to all shareholders. Under Turkish law, bonus issues may be undertaken in order to convert all or a portion of the revaluation fund and reserves of a company into share capital.

Dividend Distribution and Allocation of Profits

Our Board of Directors recommends annual dividends, which then must be approved by our shareholders at their annual general assembly. Dividends are payable on a date determined at the annual general meeting upon the proposal of our Board. Under current rules, the Board of Directors may decide whether or not to recommend a distribution of dividends and our shareholders at our annual general meeting may decide whether or not to distribute dividends in any year. Under the current CMB rules, the ratio of the first dividend must be specified in the articles of association but for the dividend distribution to be made with regard to year 2007, the minimum dividend should be 20% of the net profit remaining after deduction of statutory reserve fund, taxes, funds, financial payments, and losses accrued from preceding years, if any, from the profit of such fiscal period. As per CMB rules, dividends may be distributed to shareholders in cash or bonus shares or, upon the general assembly’s decision, may be retained by the company. The CMB is entitled to request a publicly held company to distribute its dividends in cash, provided that such request is served before the agenda of the general assembly meeting is published. Under the CMB rules, if a public company decides not to distribute the first dividend, the corresponding amount shall be set aside as a special reserve. Accordingly, we may freely determine the amount of dividends to be distributed, subject to the requirements of our articles, the CMB and the Turkish Commercial Code.

Any cash dividend distribution must be completed by the end of the fifth month following the fiscal year, unless decided otherwise by the CMB. Dividends are payable in cash or by transfer to an account of the shareholder with a bank in Turkey against delivery to our office in Turkey of the relevant dividend coupon attached to the share certificate representing the relevant shares. If dividends are distributed in the form of bonus shares by means of a bonus issue, the registered value representing the bonus shares shall be transferred to the shareholders’ accounts no later than six months after the end of the fiscal year, unless decided otherwise by the CMB. Entitlement of shareholders to dividends remains in effect for a period of five years following the date of the general assembly approving such distribution, after which time they are transferred to the Turkish government.

Part of our remaining net profit may be distributed to our shareholders as a second dividend or retained by us as retained earnings, all at the discretion of our general assembly. As per our articles of association and the TCC, we deduct 10% from the amount of any distributions made as a second dividend and add it to a contingency reserve fund.

For further details regarding our dividend policy see “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.”

Voting Rights

Shareholders are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders.

 

125


Table of Contents

In 2003, the CMB published a “Communiqué on Principles of Cumulative Voting in the General Assemblies of Joint Stock Companies Subject to the Capital Markets Law” to govern principles and procedures regarding cumulative voting methods in publicly held companies. The cumulative voting designed thereby enables minority shareholders to elect representatives to the company’s Board of Directors and board of auditors. Each shareholder receives a number of votes equal to the number of voting shares he possesses multiplied by the number of seats to be elected in the Board of Directors or board of auditors. The shareholders may choose to concentrate their votes for one candidate or to divide their votes between or among a number of candidates. The number of cumulative votes shall be calculated separately for the Board of Directors and the board of auditors. Implementation of the cumulative voting method is optional, but requires that the articles of association of the company include provisions for it. Our articles of association do not currently provide for cumulative voting.

Transfer of Shares

Subject to the limitations described below, shares may be sold and transferred by endorsement and delivery. In practice, shares in registered form traded on the ISE are represented by the share certificates endorsed in blank, enabling such shares to be transferred as if they were in bearer form. As per the amendment in the Capital Markets Law and a new communiqué issued by the CMB in this respect, our Company’s shares traded at the Istanbul Stock Exchange were dematerialized as of November 2005.

Legal and actual dematerialization of the share certificates has commenced on November 28, 2005.

Beginning from November 28, 2005, it is prohibited for companies registered on the Istanbul Stock Exchange to issue new share certificates, in consideration of rights issues or bonus issues. The new shares arising out of capital increases shall be transferred to the accounts of the rightful owners by registration.

It is obligatory for share certificates that are not dematerialized and that are kept physically by their rightful owners to be delivered to us or to an authorized stock broker for their registration with the “Central Registry Agency” that is under the control and supervision of the CMB, by December 31, 2007.

According to an announcement of the Central Registry Agency and the CMB in a letter dated January 30, 2008, the financial rights attached to share certificates, which were not delivered by December 31, 2007, shall be monitored in a dematerialized manner at the Central Registry Agency from that date onward and any rights related to management shall be exercised by Central Registry Agency, in accordance with the Temporary 6th Article of the Turkish Securities Exchange Act. In case of delivery of the share certificates by the rightful owners to the Turkish Clearance House through us after December 31, 2007, the financial rights of such rightful owners, which are monitored in a dematerialized manner Central Registry Agency, shall be transferred to their accounts.

According to the principles of the letter, financial rights that are formed after December 31, 2007 in respect of shares that remain in physical form shall be paid to the rightful owner after the shares are dematerialized. Furthermore, after December 31, 2007, such rights will not allow the holder to attend or vote at shareholders’ meetings. As of any meeting date, the votings rights associated with any shares that have not yet been dematerialized are held by the Central Registry Agency, and the power to attend or not will be exercised by the Central Registry Agency.

Our share certificate records will be kept by us and the Central Registry Agency in a computer system, which is formed by the Central Registry Agency.

As per article 6 titled “Share Capital” of the Articles of Association of the Company, the Code numbered 5083 Regarding the Currency Unit of Turkish Republic Government and the Code numbered 5274 Regarding the Amendment of Turkish Commercial Code, the share capital of the Company has been made compatible with the New Turkish Lira and such resolution was approved at the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting on 29 April 2005.

 

126


Table of Contents

Provisions regarding the nominal values of the share certificates of the Company are regulated in the temporary article of the Company’s Articles of Association and such article was approved at the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting on 29 April 2005. The temporary article reads as follows:

As per the Code numbered 5274 Regarding the Amendment of Turkish Commercial Code, in order to increase the nominal value of the shares to 1 (One) New Turkish Liras, 1,000 (One thousand) units of shares, each having a nominal value of 1,000 (One thousand) Turkish Liras shall be merged and 1 (One) unit of share having a nominal value of 1 (One) New Turkish Liras shall be issued to represent such shares. Fraction receipt shall be issued for the shares that could not be complemented up to TRY 1. In relation to such change, the shareholders’ rights arising out of their shares are reserved. Concerning such transaction, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th series of share certificates, which represent the existing share capital, shall be merged in the 5th series. In connection with the transactions of share change and merger of series, the shareholders’ rights arising out of their shares are reserved.

The transactions regarding the change in share certificates shall be commenced by the Board of Directors of the Company after the dematerialization of Capital Markets instruments is put into practice and within the framework of related regulations.

Decree 32 on the Protection of the Value of the Turkish Currency issued in August 1989, as amended from time to time, provides that persons not resident in Turkey may purchase and sell our shares, provided that such purchase is effected through a bank or broker authorized pursuant to applicable Turkish capital markets legislation. Turkish capital markets legislation requires that shares of a company quoted on a Turkish securities exchange be traded exclusively on such exchange. The CMB has indicated that this requirement applies only to intermediary institutions licensed for trading on the stock exchange and to trade orders placed with them by investors. Accordingly, our shareholders that are not resident in Turkey may transfer such shares only on the ISE. This requirement does not apply to transfers of ADSs.

Under Turkish law, in the event that one of our shareholders transfers shares to any other shareholder or to any other third party investor, either foreign or local, the Foreign Investment General Directorate (“FIGD”) must be notified within one month of the transfer of shares.

Under the Amending Law, all authorities of the Turkish Ministry relating to concession or license agreements or general permissions were transferred to the Telecommunications Authority. Furthermore, under the Authorization Regulation Regarding Telecommunication Services and Infrastructure Regulation, the Telecommunications Authority must be notified in case of any share transfers within one month of the transfer of shares at the latest and in the event that the share transfer results in change in control, such transfer of our shares by any of our shareholders should be realized with the written permission of the Telecommunications Authority.

Under our articles of association, the Board of Directors is entitled to restrict the transfer of shares to foreigners in order to comply with the Turkish shareholding requirements under Turkish law.

Disclosure of Beneficial Interests in the Shares

We are required by the CMB to supply it with any information which it requires regarding the sale of our securities to the public. We are required to inform the ISE and the CMB of changes in the holdings of any shareholder who owns 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 33.3%, 50%, 66.7%, 75% or more of our shares or voting rights, or who falls below such thresholds, and of changes in our own shareholding in any other company in which we own at least 10% of the issued share capital or voting rights. Furthermore, the chairman of our board and each board member, general manager and assistant general manager and any other authorized person and shareholder that owns at least 5% of the issued share capital or voting rights, or any person acting together with these persons, is required to notify the CMB and the ISE of their transactions in our shares.

In July 2003 the rules regarding the disclosure of beneficial interests in Turkey were amended. Under the new rules, publicly held companies are required to disclose any changes in the capital structure and changes in

 

127


Table of Contents

the rights attached to shares. Additionally, any proxy solicitation as per the capital markets legislation as well as any change in the management of the company through any type of agreements or by any other means shall need to be disclosed to the ISE and the CMB. The new rules also require the disclosure of any voting agreement.

In addition, in the event any party or parties acting together acquire, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of our capital, voting rights or management control, such party or parties are required to make an offer to the other shareholders to buy their shares. Furthermore, if a party or parties acting together owns between 25% and 50% of the capital or, our voting rights and if they increase such ratio by 10% or more in any given 12-month period, such party or parties are required to make an offer to the other shareholders to purchase their shares. The CMB may grant an exemption to the above-mentioned requirement to make an offer to the shareholders.

Protection of Minority Shareholders

Under Turkish securities law, minority shareholders, defined as those who hold 5% or more of our share capital, have the right, among other things, to request our Board of Directors:

 

   

to invite the shareholders to an extraordinary general assembly;

 

   

to request that a matter be included on the agenda at both ordinary and extraordinary general assembly;

 

   

to request the appointment of special statutory auditors; and

 

   

to require that the company take action against board members who have violated the Turkish Commercial Code or the articles of association of a company or who have otherwise failed to perform their duties.

Liquidation

In the event of liquidation, our shareholders are entitled to participate in any surplus pro rata their shareholdings.

Changes in Capital Structure

Our Board of Directors is authorized to increase the issued paid-in share capital by means of issuing new shares up to the authorized share capital ceiling. Any increase above our ceiling requires an amendment to our articles of association and therefore shareholder approval through a general assembly. Such amendment is subject to the prior approval of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the CMB. Our Board of Directors may also restrict the rights of existing shareholders and offer new shares to third parties. Changes in the voting and dividend rights of our shareholders requires an amendment to our articles of association and approval by the general assembly. Such amendment is also subject to the prior approval of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the CMB. Furthermore, under the Turkish Commercial Code, all shareholders must have at least one vote.

In addition, any decrease in our share capital requires an amendment to our articles of association. If we undertake to cancel our shares, we must notify any existing creditors, and within two months of notification, they may request payment or, if their receivables are not due and payable, we must create a security interest in their favor. Capital reduction is rarely applied in Turkey. Save for certain exceptions under Turkish law, companies are not allowed to buy back their own shares.

General Assemblies

Our general assemblies are normally held at our head office in Istanbul. We hold our annual general assembly within four months of the end of each financial year, which in our case is the calendar year, in accordance with the CMB rules. Extraordinary general meetings may be convened by our Board of Directors, or upon the request of our shareholders representing at least 5% of our share capital, or upon the request of our statutory auditors.

 

128


Table of Contents

The following matters are required by the TCC and our articles of association to be included on the agenda of each of our annual general assembly:

 

   

review of the annual reports of our Board of Directors and the auditors;

 

   

the approval, amendment or rejection of the balance sheet and profit and loss account prepared for the preceding financial year, the release of our Board of Directors and statutory auditors from liability in respect of actions taken by them in the preceding financial year, and the proposals of our Board of Directors for the allocation and distribution of any of our net profits;

 

   

the approval of the remuneration of the board members and the auditors if the general assembly so decides; and

 

   

the re-election or replacement of directors and/or auditors whose terms of office have expired.

Shareholders representing at least 5% of our share capital may, by written notice, require any additional matters to be included on the agenda for discussions at any of our general assemblies.

Notices covering general assemblies (including postponements and reschedulings), which include the agenda of any such general assembly, must be published in the Trade Registry Gazette and a leading Turkish newspaper published in Istanbul determined by us, at least two weeks before the date fixed for the meeting. The TCC requires us to send notice of any general assembly by registered mail to each person registered in our books as a holder of shares and to those shareholders who have deposited at least one share certificate representing shares with us and have indicated a notice address. Under the Capital Markets Law, such notice requirement does not apply to holders of registered shares, which are also traded in the stock market.

Any shareholder holding any of our shares and wishing to attend our general assemblies in person must deposit a share certificate at our head office or a bank not less than a week before the date of the meeting in order to obtain an entry permit for that meeting. Holders of the non-public registered shares in our share book of registered shares need not comply with such requirement to attend a general assembly. Any shareholder not wishing to attend any such general assembly in person may appoint another person as a proxy.

Except as set out by the provisions of the TCC and our articles of association, the required quorum at any general assembly is shareholders representing one-quarter of our share capital. If such quorum is not present when a general assembly is convened, the meeting shall be adjourned, in which event the meeting is reconvened within a month, with shareholders or their proxies present at such meeting. Resolutions of general assembly meetings must be passed by a majority of the shareholders or their proxies present at such.

According to the TCC, the quorum requirement at general assemblies convened to discuss changes in our purpose or legal status as a limited liability company is at least two-thirds of our share capital. If a quorum is not present when the meeting is convened, the meeting shall be adjourned and reconvened, in which case the required quorum is at least half of our share capital. Resolutions of general assemblies relating to changing our purpose or legal status must be passed with a majority of our shareholders or proxies present at such meeting. However, under the Capital Markets Law, such quorum requirements are decreased for publicly held companies and as the meeting quorum for general assemblies convened to discuss changes in our purpose or legal status, attendance of shareholders representing one-quarter of our share capital is sufficient. Under Capital Markets Law, if such quorum is not present when a general assembly is convened, the meeting shall be adjourned, in which event the meeting is reconvened with shareholders or their proxies present at such meeting. Resolutions of general assemblies must be passed by a majority of the shareholders or their proxies present at such meeting as per the Capital Markets Law.

According to our Articles of Association, the meeting quorum requirement at general assemblies is 51% of our share capital. Resolutions of our general assemblies must be passed by the shareholders (or their proxies) representing the majority of the votes of the shareholders present at that meeting.

 

129


Table of Contents

The quorum requirement at general assemblies convened to increase our share capital ceiling is 51% of our share capital. Resolutions of general assemblies relating to capital increases must be passed by a majority of our shareholders or their proxies present at such meeting.

The meeting quorum requirement at general assemblies convened to amend our Articles of Association (excluding capital ceiling increase) is two-thirds of our share capital. Resolutions of our general assemblies to amend our Articles of Association shall be passed by the shareholders (or their proxies) representing the majority of the votes of the shareholders present at that meeting.

Changing our jurisdiction or increasing the financial obligations of the shareholders towards us requires unanimous shareholder approval.

According to our articles of association, the quorum requirement at general assembly meetings convened to amend our articles (excluding authorized share capital ceiling increases) is two-thirds of our share capital. Resolutions of our general assembly meetings relating to amendments to our articles of association (excluding authorized share capital ceiling increase) must be passed by the shareholders (or their proxies) representing two-thirds of the share capital represented in such meeting.

Significant Differences in Corporate Governance Practices

Matters related to corporate governance in Turkey are regulated by the Turkish Commercial Code (“TCC”) enacted in 1956 and the regulations and communiqués of the CMB of Turkey (the “CMB”), the regulatory and supervisory authority, both of which are binding upon publicly held companies. In addition, corporate governance practices in Turkey are also guided by the Corporate Governance Principles of the CMB (the “CMB Principles”), which took effect on a comply-or-explain basis beginning January 1, 2004. Effective from 2005, the CMB has required listed companies to incorporate in their annual reports a “Corporate Governance Compliance Report” which compares the CMB Principles to the Corporate Governance principles under which the Company operates. This report is posted on our website, www.turkcell.com.tr.

Below is a summary of the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those that would apply to US companies under the NYSE corporate governance rules:

 

NYSE Corporate Governance Rule for US Issuers

  

Our Practice as a Foreign Private Issuer

Listed companies must have a majority of independent directors.

   The CMB Principles require that at least one third of board members (and in any case at least two members) be independent according to the criteria set forth therein. We currently have one member of our Board of Directors that is deemed to meet the “independence” standards of both the SEC and the CMB Principles. This member of our Board of Directors does not meet the independence standard set forth in the NYSE corporate governance rules, except for NYSE Rule 303A.06, and does not constitute a majority of our board.

The non-management directors of each company must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management.

   Turkish law does not make any distinction between management and non-management directors. Members of the board who are not also members of management do not meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions.

 

130


Table of Contents

NYSE Corporate Governance Rule for US Issuers

  

Our Practice as a Foreign Private Issuer

Listed companies must have a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors, with a written charter that provides for (i) minimum duties, which are to identify individuals qualified to become board members, consistent with criteria approved by the board, and to select, or to recommend that the board select, the director nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders; develop and recommend to the board a set of corporate governance guidelines applicable to the corporation; and oversee the evaluation of the board and management; and (ii) an annual performance evaluation of the committee

  

On June 23, 2004 our Board of Directors established a Corporate Governance Committee. Our Corporate Governance Committee has a written charter specifying its duties. According to the CMB Principles, which operate on a “comply or explain” basis, only committees’ chairs are required to be independent as defined by the Principles themselves. We have not elected a chairman for our Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Although Turkish legislation does not require us to have one, our Corporate Governance Committee has a written charter specifying its duties. The charter substantially satisfies the minimum requirements of the NYSE corporate governance rules. The Corporate Governance committee also may make recommendations on remuneration, including the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, but the committee does not have the power to set remuneration.

Listed companies must have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors, with a written charter that covers certain minimum specified duties.

   The CMB Principles do not require us to have a compensation committee. Our corporate governance committee may develop and recommend a compensation policy to our Board of Directors in respect of our directors, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Listed companies must have an audit committee that satisfies requirements set forth in Exchange Act Rule 10A-3 and additional requirements, including: (i) a minimum of three members; (ii) independence as defined NYSE Rule 303A.02; (iii) a written charter that addresses minimum duties in addition to those required by Exchange Act Rule 10A-3.

   Our audit committee has two members, in accordance with Turkish practice: Mr. Colin J. Williams and Mr. Alexey Khudyakov. Mr. Williams chairs the committee and is considered independent under the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules promulgated thereunder by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the applicable rules of NYSE and the Turkish CMB Corporate Governance Principles. Mr. Khudyakov is an observer on the audit committee and is not considered independent under the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules promulgated thereunder. On January 26, 2007 the Turkish CMB informed Turkcell that Alexey Khudyakov’s current status, as an “observer member” on the audit committee does not satisfy the requirements under Article 25, “Committees Responsible for Auditing” of the CMB. The CMB has stated that steps must be taken urgently so that our Company can comply with Article 25. We believe that Mr. Khudyakov does fully meet the requirements of Article 25 as he is a non-executive board member and have initiated a lawsuit before an administrative court seeking to suspend the execution and to annul the decision of the CMB with respect to

 

131


Table of Contents

NYSE Corporate Governance Rule for US Issuers

  

Our Practice as a Foreign Private Issuer

   Mr. Khudyakov. The administrative court ultimately dismissed our suit in February 2008. In March 2008, we appealed before the Council of State.
   Mr. Williams and Mr. Khudyakov are non-executive board members as required by the CMB Communiqué Serial:X No: 19 (since June 12, 2006, Communiqué Serial:X No: 22) which is binding upon public companies in Turkey. Under Turkish law, our entire Board of Directors is responsible for all decisions; as a result the audit committee’s duties are advisory. Pursuant to Turkish law, our external auditor is nominated by the Board of Directors upon advice of the audit committee and approved by our general assembly of shareholders.
   The audit committee has revised its charter, effective June 20, 2005 and reviewed both “Turkcell Common Values and Business Ethics Document” and “Implementation of Turkcell Common Values and Business Ethics Rules” in order to comply with the requirements of applicable CMB legislation and Exchange Act Rule 10A-3 and NYSE 303A.06. There has been a second revision, effective July 21, 2006 to reconsider membership criteria. Our audit committee charter satisfies the requirements of the CMB. The charter does not provide for:
  

•     an audit committee report to be included in Turkcell’s annual proxy statement as it is not subject to the SEC proxy requirements;

  

•     a review with the independent auditor of problems or difficulties and management’s responses thereto, although such review is not prohibited by the charter;

  

•     the discussion of policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, although such discussion is not prohibited by the charter;

  

•     the review by the committee of Turkcell’s earnings releases or financial information or earnings guidance provided to analysts and ratings agencies; or

  

•     the setting of clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors, although it does provide that the audit committee shall ensure that the independent auditors remain independent and avoid any conflicts of interest while performing their duties.

 

132


Table of Contents

NYSE Corporate Governance Rule for US Issuers

  

Our Practice as a Foreign Private Issuer

Listed companies must adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines that cover certain minimum specified subjects.

   We are not required specifically by the CMB Principles, to adopt corporate governance guidelines. However, our Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines and posted a summary on its official website www.turkcell.com.tr. Our corporate governance guidelines largely cover the subjects requested by the NYSE corporate governance standards except director qualification standards and director compensation.

10.C Material Contracts

We are not a party to any material contracts other than those entered into in the ordinary course of business, except with regard to the settlement of certain legal disputes. For information regarding these settlements, please see “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings” and Note 31 (Contingencies) to our consolidated financial statements in this Form 20-F.

10.D Exchange Controls

Banks in Turkey set their own foreign exchange rates independently of those announced by the Central Bank. Pursuant to Decree 32 on the Protection of the Value of the Turkish Currency, issued in August 1989, as amended in June 1991, March 1993, October 1994, July 1995, April 1997, August 1999, August 2001 and June 2003, the Government eased and ultimately abolished restrictions on the convertibility of the Turkish Lira for current account and nonresident capital account transactions by facilitating exchange of the proceeds of transactions in Turkish securities by foreign investors, which enabled Turkish citizens to purchase securities on foreign exchanges. These changes also permitted residents and nonresidents to buy foreign exchange without limitation and to transfer such foreign exchange abroad without ministerial approval.

Turkish citizens are permitted to buy unlimited amounts of foreign currency from banks and to hold foreign exchange in commercial banks. Capital transfers outside Turkey of more than $5 million continue to require approval of the Turkish government. Although we believe it is unlikely that exchange controls will be reintroduced in the near term, any such exchange controls may materially adversely affect our results of operations generally.

10.E Taxation

The following discussion is a summary of certain material Turkish and United States federal income tax considerations relating to the ownership and disposition of our shares or ADSs. The discussion is based on current law and is for general information only. The discussion does not address all possible tax consequences relating to the ownership and disposition of shares, or ADSs, and holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the applicable tax consequences of holding and disposing of the shares or ADSs based on their particular circumstances. In particular, the discussion is not addressed to:

 

   

holders that do not hold the shares or ADSs as capital assets,

 

   

holders that own or are deemed to own 10% or more of the stock (by vote or value) of Turkcell, or

 

   

special classes of holders such as dealers in securities and investment companies.

The discussion is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this annual report, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary is also based in part on representations of the Depositary and assumes that each obligation provided for in or otherwise contemplated by the Deposit Agreement or any related document will be performed in accordance with the terms of such agreement.

 

133


Table of Contents

Republic of Turkey Taxation

The following summary of Turkish tax law as in force on the date of this annual report describes the principal tax consequences for Turkish residents and US holders (as defined below in “Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation”) of the ownership and disposition of shares and ADSs. It is not a complete description of all the possible tax consequences of such ownership and disposition. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers concerning the Turkish and other tax consequences applicable in their particular situations.

Corporate Taxation

A corporation that has its legal or business center in Turkey (a “Resident Corporation”) is subject to a corporate tax, which is levied at a rate of 20% on such corporation’s taxable income for 2006 and after. Resident Corporations are required to pay an “advance corporation tax” on a quarterly basis.

Some corporate taxpayers, such as Turkcell, continue to benefit from the old investment allowance regime where such taxpayers are subject to a 19.8% corporate withholding tax on corporate tax-exempt income, regardless of whether dividends are distributed. Law No. 4842 modified the investment allowance regime effective from April 24, 2003, however, taxpayers like Turkcell still benefit from the regime pursuant to Investment Incentive Certificates obtained prior to the enactment of the Law No 4842. For those dividends distributed to shareholders from the corporate tax-exempt income, which was already taxed through corporate withholding tax at the rate of 19.8% as described above, no additional withholding tax is applied to such dividend distributions. However, dividends corresponding to exempt income from the incentive certificates issued on and after April 24, 2003 will be subject to 15% withholding tax as any other distribution.

As a result of the reduction of the corporate tax rate to 20%, the investment allowance regime was abolished beginning from January 1, 2006. Tax payers have the option to utilize carryforward investment allowances in the 2006, 2007, and 2008 tax years, provided that the corporate tax rate to be applied is 30% rather than 20% . Investment allowance carryforwards that have not been used by 2008 will expire.

Taxation of Dividends

In the event that a Resident Corporation distributes dividends to individual shareholders (resident or non-resident), or to non-resident corporations that do not have a permanent establishment (fixed place of business or permanent representative) in Turkey (and subject to rate-reducing provisions in applicable bilateral tax treaties), a 15% withholding tax is payable by the Resident Corporation on behalf of its shareholders. In the event that Resident Corporations distribute dividends to resident legal entities or to non-resident legal entities that have a permanent establishment in Turkey, such distributions are not subject to withholding tax.

Cash dividends received by Resident Corporations from other Resident Corporations are not subject to corporate tax within the recipient corporations. Dividends in cash received by resident individuals from Resident Corporations are subject to withholding tax at the rate of 15% (as discussed above) and must file an annual income tax declaration. The withholding tax amount shall be deducted from the annual income tax. 50% of the dividend income received by resident individuals from Resident Corporations is exempt from the annual income declaration. The remaining 50% must be declared if it exceeds TRY 19,000 in 2007 and TRY 19,800 in 2008.

Under the Income Tax Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of Turkey, signed March 28, 1996 (the “Treaty”), the withholding tax rate is limited to 20% (including the surcharges on dividends paid by a Turkish Resident Corporation) of the gross amount of the dividends unless the beneficial owner of shares is a company which owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the company paying the dividends (in which case the rate would be limited to 15%). Because the current withholding tax rate applicable to publicly traded corporations, such as Turkcell, is only 15%, the Treaty does not affect the current rate of Turkish withholding tax for US holders. Cash dividends paid on the ordinary shares or ADSs to a US holder that does not have a permanent representative or place of business in Turkey will not be subject to taxation in Turkey, except in

 

134


Table of Contents

respect of the 15% income withholding tax discussed in the previous section. Dividends distributed from corporate tax-exempt income (i.e., investment tax benefit) will not be subject to further withholding tax or an income declaration by the US holder.

The distribution of dividends in kind (i.e., bonus shares) is not subject to withholding tax and such dividends in kind are not subject to an income declaration.

Taxation of Capital Gains

Gains realized by Residents

For shares acquired on or after January 1, 2006;

Gains realized by resident individuals on the sale of shares traded on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (such as Turkcell shares) or ADSs that represent shares traded on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (such as Turkcell ADSs) to residents or non-residents are exempt from income tax, provided that the holding period of such shares or ADSs exceeds one year. Where this holding period has not been met, there should be a 10% withholding tax from the gains derived from capital gains starting from July 23, 2006.

Gains realized by Resident Corporations on the sale of shares or to residents or non-residents shall benefit from exemption, if a one-year holding period is met. However, where this holding period has not been met the gains derived from capital gains should be subject to a 10% withholding tax starting from July 23, 2006.

Gains realized by Resident Corporations on the sale of shares or to residents or non-residents must be included in corporate income and are subject to the applicable corporate tax. Upon fulfilment of the stated conditions in Article 5 of the Corporate Tax Law, 75% of capital gains deriving from the sale of the shares will be exempt from corporate income tax.

For shares acquired before January 1, 2006;

Capital gains derived from shares held by an investor (both individuals and corporations) over 3 months are not subject to any withholding tax. Where this holding period has not been met, capital gains received by individuals are computed by deducting the original cost of the shares or ADSs, after the application of a “cost adjustment” (which uses the Wholesale Price Index determined by the Turkish Statistical Institute to eliminate gain arising solely from inflation), from the amount received upon the sale or disposition of the shares or ADSs. Total capital gains are subject to declaration on the income tax return if they exceed 19,800 TRY.

Gains realized by Resident Corporations on the sale of shares are subject to the applicable corporate tax. Upon fulfilment of the stated conditions in Article 5 of the Corporate Tax Law, 75% of capital gains deriving from the sale of the shares will be exempt from corporate income tax.

Gains realized by US holders

US holders that do not have a permanent establishment in Turkey are exempt from Turkish tax on capital gains generated from the sale of shares quoted on an exchange, such as Turkcell shares, under Article 13 of the Treaty. US resident legal entities having a permanent establishment (fixed place of business or permanent representative) in Turkey generally are subject to tax in Turkey on capital gains arising from the sale of such shares and should consult their own Turkish tax advisors as to the rules applicable to them. As of July 7, 2006, the withholding tax rate applicable to non resident holders of shares has been reduced to 0%.

US Holders who invest via ADSs will not have to comply with any procedures to avoid withholding tax, since gains derived from Turkcell ADSs are not generated in Turkey. However, US Holders who hold their shares directly in Turkey must comply with certain procedures to establish their exemption from Turkish capital gains withholding tax and are urged to consult their own tax advisors in this regard.

 

135


Table of Contents

In addition, certain rules and procedures may need to be complied with in order to avoid Turkish withholding tax upon the conversion of ADSs to shares and from shares to ADSs in Turkey. US Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors in this regard.

Taxation of Investment and Mutual Funds

Taxation on the Fund Level:

The gains realized from portfolio investment activities by resident Investment and Mutual Funds are exempt from corporate tax but are subject to withholding tax for the gains of stocks held and bonds/bills issued before January 1, 2006. Withholding tax rates are as follows:

 

   

if the institutions maintain a minimum of 25% of their portfolios invested in Turkish equity shares on a monthly weighted average basis, the applicable rate of withholding tax is 0%; and

 

   

if the percentage of the Turkish equity shares in the portfolios of such institutions is below 25% at any month during the year, the applicable rate of withholding tax is 10%.

Gains from stocks purchased after January 1, 2006 and/or bonds and bills issued after January 1, 2006 are subject to withholding of 0%.

A nonresident Investment or Mutual Fund may also qualify for this taxation regime if it appoints a permanent representative in Turkey, registers with the Turkish tax office, maintains legal books and meets the other tax requirements in Turkey.

Taxation on the Investor Level:

The gains realized by investors for participating within “FUND” are subjected to taxation regarding to the date of purchase of the “FUND” by the individual investors.

 

   

For the “FUND” shares purchased before January 1, 2006; gains are subjected to the withholding income tax and required to be declared in compliance to the Turkish Tax Regime.

 

   

For the “FUND” shares purchased after January 1, 2006:

 

  1. If the “FUND” both maintain at least 51% of the portfolio invested in Istanbul Stock Exchange Market and it is held more than a year period, gains shall not be subjected to withholding. Gains of such shall be declared in compliance to the Turkish Tax Regime.

 

  2. If the “FUND” does not meet the conditions above, then gains shall be subjected to withholding at 10% for resident investors. In case that non-resident investors can certify the residency status of their own 0% of withholding shall be applied.

Stamp Taxes

According to the Turkish Stamp Tax Law (Law No. 488), all agreements and documents specified in the law with a monetary value indicated thereon are subject to a stamp tax with rates from 0.15% to 0.75%, which is calculated on the aggregate amount of such agreement or document up to a maximum of TRY 946,915.20 per original in 2007 and TRY 1,015,093 per original in 2008.

United States Federal Income Taxation

The following discussion is a summary of certain material US federal income tax considerations applicable to the ownership and disposition of shares or ADSs by you, if you are a US holder. In general you will be a “US holder” if:

 

   

you are the beneficial owner of our shares or ADSs;

 

136


Table of Contents
   

you are either (i) an individual resident or citizen of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or certain other entities taxable as corporations for US federal income tax purposes) created in or organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, (iii) an estate whose income is subject to US federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust if a US court can exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more US persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust;

 

   

you own our shares or ADSs as capital assets;

 

   

you own directly, indirectly or by attribution less than 10% of our outstanding share capital or voting stock;

 

   

you are fully eligible for benefits under the Limitation on Benefits article of the Income Tax Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of Turkey, signed March 28, 1996, and the protocol thereto, (the “Treaty”); and

 

   

you are not also a resident of Turkey for Turkish tax purposes.

The Treaty benefits discussed below generally are not available to holders who hold shares or ADSs in connection with the conduct of business through a permanent establishment, or the performance of personal services through a fixed base, in Turkey.

If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership for US federal income tax purposes) holds shares or ADSs, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner in a partnership that holds shares or ADSs is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences of owning and disposing of its shares or ADSs.

The summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to any particular holder, including tax considerations that arise from rules of general application or that are generally assumed to be known by US holders. This summary is based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing and proposed US Treasury Regulations, rulings, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and the Treaty, all in effect as of the date of this annual report. All of these authorities are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and to differing interpretations. In addition, this summary does not discuss all aspects of US federal income taxation that may be applicable to investors in light of their particular circumstances or to US holders who are subject to special treatment under US federal income tax law, including insurance companies, US expatriates, dealers in stocks or securities, banks or financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, regulated investment companies, retirement plans, traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting, persons who acquired their shares pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, persons holding shares as part of a straddle, hedging or conversion transaction, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, and persons having a functional currency other than the U.S. Dollar.

US holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the ownership or disposition of shares or ADSs, including the effects of federal, state, local, foreign and other tax laws with respect to their particular circumstances.

Dividends

If we make distributions to you (other than certain distributions of Turkcell shares), you generally will be required to include in gross income as dividend income the amount of the distributions paid on the shares (including the amount of any Turkish taxes withheld in respect of such dividend as described above in “Taxation—Republic of Turkey Taxation”). Dividends paid by us will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction applicable in some cases to US corporations.

 

137


Table of Contents

Any dividend paid in New Turkish Lira, including the amount of any Turkish taxes withheld therefrom, will be includible in your gross income in an amount equal to the U.S. Dollar value of the Turkish Lira calculated by reference to the spot rate of exchange in effect on the date the dividend is received by you, in the case of shares, or by the Depositary, in the case of ADSs, regardless of whether the Turkish Lira are converted into U.S. Dollars. Any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date the dividend is includible in your gross income to the date such payment is converted into U.S. Dollars will be treated as US source ordinary income or loss. Special rules govern and specific elections are available to accrual method taxpayers to determine the U.S. Dollar amount includible in income in the case of taxes withheld in a foreign currency. Accrual basis taxpayers are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the requirements and elections applicable in this regard.

Any dividends paid by us to you with respect to shares or ADSs will be treated as foreign-source income and will be categorized as “passive income” or, in the case of certain US holders, “financial services income” for US foreign tax credit purposes. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006, dividend income generally will constitute “passive category income” or, in the case of certain US holders, “general category income.”

Subject to limitations, you may elect to claim a foreign tax credit against your US federal income tax liability for Turkish income tax withheld from dividends received in respect of shares or ADSs. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex. Accordingly, you should consult your own tax advisor to determine whether and to what extent you would be entitled to the credit. If you do not elect to claim a foreign tax credit, you may instead claim a deduction for Turkish income tax withheld, but only for a year in which you elect to do so with respect to all foreign income taxes. A deduction does not reduce tax on a dollar-for-dollar basis like a credit, but the deduction for foreign taxes is not subject to the same limitations applicable to foreign tax credits.

The US Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom ADSs are released may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits or reduced tax rates in respect of qualified dividends by US holders of ADSs. Accordingly, the discussion above regarding the creditability of Turkish withholding tax on dividends or the availability of qualified dividend treatment could be affected by future actions that may be taken by the US Treasury with respect to ADSs.

Certain US holders (including individuals) are eligible for reduced rates of US federal income tax (at a maximum rate of 15%) in respect of “qualified dividend income” received in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011. For this purpose, qualified dividend income generally includes dividends paid by a non-US corporation if, amongst other things, the US holders meet certain minimum holding periods and the non-US corporation satisfies certain requirements, including that either (i) the shares (or ADSs) with respect to which the dividend income has been paid are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States or (ii) the non-US corporation is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive US income tax treaty (such as the Treaty) which provides for the exchange of information. We currently believe that dividends paid with respect to our shares and ADSs should constitute qualified dividend income for US federal income tax purposes, and we anticipate that our dividends will be reported as qualified dividends on Forms 1099-DIV delivered to US holders. Each US holder of shares or ADSs is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the availability to it of the reduced dividend tax rate in light of its own particular situation and regarding the computations of its foreign tax credit limitation with respect to any qualified dividend income paid by us, as applicable.

Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Shares or ADSs

Upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of shares or ADSs, you generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and your adjusted tax basis in your shares or ADSs (as determined in U.S. Dollars). Gain or loss upon the disposition of shares or ADSs generally will be US-source gain or loss, and will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the disposition, the holding period for the shares or ADSs exceeds one year. If you are an individual, any capital gains generally will be subject to US federal income tax at preferential rates if specified minimum holding periods are met. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant limitations.

 

138


Table of Contents

Your basis in your shares or ADSs must be adjusted to take into account any bonus shares received. To determine your adjusted basis, you are required to allocate your adjusted tax basis in the shares or ADSs you held as of the date the bonus shares were distributed between (x) your shares or ADSs and (y) the bonus shares you receive, in proportion to their relative fair market values immediately after the distribution. The holding period for bonus shares received will begin with the date that the shares or ADSs with respect to which the bonus shares were distributed were acquired. US holders of shares or ADSs are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the exact consequences to them of the receipt and sale of the bonus shares for US and other applicable tax purposes.

The surrender of ADSs in exchange for shares pursuant to the Deposit Agreement governing the ADSs will not be a taxable event for US federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, you will not recognize any gain or loss upon such surrender.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Status

We currently believe that we were not a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) for the taxable year ended December 31, 2007, for US federal income tax purposes. However, this conclusion is a factual determination that must be made annually and thus may be subject to change. A non-US corporation will be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year if at least 75% of its gross income consists of passive income (such as dividends, interest, rents, royalties, or gains on the disposition of certain minority interests), or at least 50% of the average value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. If we were characterized as a PFIC for any taxable year, you would suffer adverse tax consequences. These consequences may include having gains realized on the disposition of shares or ADSs treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains, and being subject to punitive interest charges on certain dividends and on the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of the shares or ADSs. Furthermore, dividends paid by a PFIC would not be “qualified dividend income” (as discussed above) and would be taxed at the higher rates applicable to other items of ordinary income. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to us and to your ownership of our shares and ADSs.

US Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Dividend payments with respect to shares or ADSs and proceeds from the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of shares or ADSs may be subject to information reporting to the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and possible US backup withholding at a current rate of 28%. Certain exempt recipients (such as corporations) are not subject to these information reporting requirements. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number or certificate of foreign status and makes any other required certification or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. US persons who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification). Non-US holders generally will not be subject to US information reporting or backup withholding. However, such holders may be required to provide certification of non-US status (generally on IRS form W-8BEN) in connection with payments received in the United States or through certain US-related financial intermediaries.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a holder’s US federal income tax liability, and a holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information.

10.F Dividends and Paying Agents

Not Applicable.

 

139


Table of Contents

10.G Statement by Experts

Not Applicable.

10.H Documents on Display

Reports and other information of Turkcell can also be inspected without charge and copied at prescribed rates at the public reference facility maintained by the SEC in Room 1580, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of these materials are also available by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.

10.I Subsidiary Information

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Overview

We are exposed to market risk from changes in both foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We are exposed to foreign exchange rate risk because certain amounts of revenues, such as roaming revenue, purchases, and certain operating costs and network related costs and resulting receivables and payables are denominated in multiple currencies, primarily U.S. Dollars, Euros and Swedish Krona. In addition, a substantial majority of our debt obligations are currently, and are expected to continue to be, denominated in U.S. Dollars and Euros. Similarly, we are subject to market risk deriving from changes in interest rates that may affect the cost of our financing.

Foreign Exchange Risk Management

Our functional currency is the TRY for operations conducted in Turkey, but certain revenues, purchases, operating costs and expenses and resulting receivables and payables are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily U.S. Dollars, Euros and Swedish Krona. In addition, our indebtedness is principally in U.S. Dollars and Euros. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are converted into TRY at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date, with the resulting exchange differences recognized in the determination of net income.

Market risk sensitive instruments consist of loans denominated in foreign currencies (substantially in U.S. Dollars) totaled to $759.9 million, representing the majority of total indebtedness as of December 31, 2007.

To manage our foreign exchange risk more efficiently, we enter into structured forward transactions and option contracts. As of December 31, 2007, we do not have outstanding structured forward and option contracts either to buy U.S. Dollar against TRY or to sell U.S. Dollar against TRY.

In 2007, net foreign exchange losses amounted to $460.8 million resulting from the impact of realized forward and option transactions and transaction related foreign exchange effects.

As of April 1, 2008, we do not have outstanding structured forward contracts either to buy U.S. Dollar against TRY or to sell U.S. Dollar against TRY.

In order to take advantage of market volatility in the foreign exchange markets and increase the yield on our free cash, we enter into option transactions to buy or sell certain currencies. Option contracts allow us to either hedge our exposure or collect premiums depending on their types.

 

140


Table of Contents

As of April 1, 2008, we have bought $50 million notional of USD/TRY call option with an average tenor of 10 days. We do not have any put options or call options in any other currencies.

The basis for our sensitivity analysis to measure foreign exchange risk is an aggregate corporate-level currency exposure. The aggregate foreign exchange exposure is composed of all our assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, both short-term and long-term purchase contracts. This analysis excludes net foreign currency investments. It is estimated that a general increase of 10% in the value of TRY against other foreign currencies would have decreased our profit before income tax by approximately $167.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. These assumptions above are hypothetical and the actual results may differ substantially from the projected figures.

All hedging transactions have been authorized and executed pursuant to clearly defined policies and procedures, which provide that the transaction is entered into to protect us from fluctuations in currency values. Analytical techniques are used to manage and monitor foreign exchange risk which includes market valuation and sensitivity analysis. In addition, we keep a reasonable proportion of our monetary assets in U.S. Dollars to reduce our currency exposure. Furthermore, the maximum tariffs we may charge are adjusted periodically by the Telecommunications Authority to account for, among other things, the devaluation of the TRY.

Interest Rate Risk Management

We are exposed to variations in interest rates primarily in Euro, U.S. Dollars and TRY denominated debt and investments, which may affect the amounts of future interest income or expenses (reinvestment risk or cash flow risk) and also cause changes in the values of interest bearing assets, which are already in the balance sheet.

We manage interest rate risk by financing non-current assets with long-term debt with both fixed and variable interest rates and equity.

The following table sets forth the carrying amount and fair value of loans, maturities and average effective interest rates for bank loans.

 

    December 31, 2007   December 31, 2006
    Effective
interest
rate
    Total
carrying
amount
  2008   2009   2010   2011
there-
after
  Fair
Value
  Effective
interest
rate
    Total
carrying
amount
  2007   2008   2009   2010
there-
after
  Fair
Value

Fixed rate instruments

                           

Finance lease obligations

  8.3 %   0.1   0.1   —     —     —     0.1   9.9 %   —     —     —     —     —     —  
                                                   

Variable rate instruments

                           

Secured bank loans

                           

USD floating rate loans

  —   %   —     —     —     —     —     —     11.7 %   335.3   335.3   —     —     —     335.3

Euro floating rate loans

  4.4 %   125.4   125.4   —     —     —     125.4   4.4 %   107.8   —     107.8   —     —     107.8

Unsecured bank loans

                           

USD floating rate loans

  6.7 %   610.5   471.1   9.9   9.2   120.3   610.5   7.8 %   190.8   190.8   —     —     —     190.8

Euro floating rate loans

  5.3 %   23.6   23.6   —     —     —     23.6   4.4 %   5.7   —     5.7   —     —     5.7

TRY floating rate loans

  —       0.4   0.4   —     —     —     0.4     —     —     —     —     —     —  
                                                   
    760.0   620.6   9.9   9.2   120.3   760.0   —       639.6   526.1   113.5   —     —     639.6
                                                   

For contractual cash flows and nominal interest of bank loans, see note 28 and note 23 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in “Item 18. Financial Statements” of this annual reports on Form 20-F.

As of December 31, 2007, we do not have Turkish government floating rate noteholdings; therefore, we are not exposed to interest rate risk on our financial assets.

As of April 1, 2008, we do not have Turkish government floating rate noteholdings; therefore, we are not exposed to interest rate risk on our financial assets.

 

141


Table of Contents

We use sensitivity analysis techniques to measure and assess our interest rate risk. The basis for the sensitivity analysis is an aggregate corporate-level interest rate exposure composed of interest bearing investments and interest bearing debts. When we assume a 1% increase in interest rates for all maturities from their levels as of December 31, 2007, with all other variables held constant, our profit before income tax would decrease by $4.9 million.

 

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in US Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 20-F, have concluded that, as of such date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, except for the material weakness described below.

(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The management of Turkcell is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), and for performing an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with applicable generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(1) Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

(2) Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with applicable generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

(3) Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting has inherent limitations. It is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. In addition, it can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal controls over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

 

142


Table of Contents

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 based on criteria established in the Internal Control –Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on its assessment and those criteria, management continued to identify as of December 31, 2007 the following material weakness in internal control over financial reporting:

Despite management’s efforts during 2007, there remained a lack of effective IT general controls over access to revenue related IT systems used to monitor shared user mechanism and usage, particularly a lack of effective log and alarm review structures in our database systems, operating systems and applications used to monitor transactions of privileged system users in IT systems related to revenue process. This control deficiency did not result in an adjustment in the interim or annual consolidated financial statements of Turkcell as of December 31, 2007.

Management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective, as of December 31, 2007, because of the material weakness discussed herein, based on its assessment and the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, has been audited by Akis Bagimsiz Denetim Serbest Muhasebeci Mali Musavirlik A.S. (“KPMG”), our independent registered public accounting firm in Turkey, as stated in their report which appears below, under Item 15(d), Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm.

(c) Remediation of Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company’s remediation efforts of the material weakness identified above began in 2007 and actions taken are summarized as follows:

 

  a. During 2007, the Company established control procedures to remediate the material weakness that was identified during management’s assessment as of December 31, 2006, by establishing a log and alarm infrastructure to monitor Operating and Database systems and business applications that are financially critical to the Company. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, this infrastructure did not fully eliminate the weakness such that database log and alarms, operating system alarms, application log and alarms and alarm review mechanisms were not successful in both design and operation.

 

  b. In 2007, the Company started a study in the scope of Security Surveillance Project, to enhance Database log and alarm mechanisms by establishing proper technologies. Moreover in 2008, Operating System alarms will be strengthened in order to cover critical cycles such as revenue. In addition, alarm review tasks will be developed to acceptable levels by assigning additional staff and structure in order to remediate lack of monitoring effectiveness.

 

143


Table of Contents

(d) Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.:

We have audited Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weakness has been identified and included in management’s assessment: The Company did not maintain effective IT general controls over access to programs and data especially to monitor the privileged system users in IT systems over revenue process. The Company did not maintain effective controls to log and create alarms in the Company’s database systems, operating systems and applications used to monitor transactions of privileged system users in IT systems related to the revenue process. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, recognized income and expenses, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007. This material weakness was considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2007 consolidated financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated April 23, 2008, which expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

144


Table of Contents

In our opinion, because of the effect of the aforementioned material weakness on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.

We do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on management’s statements referring to corrective actions taken after December 31, 2007, relative to the aforementioned material weakness in internal control over financial reporting.

/s/    Akis Bagimsiz Denetim Serbest Muhasebeci

        Mali Musavirlik A.S.

April 23, 2008

Istanbul, Turkey

(e) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and Rule 15d-15 in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2007, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Currently no independent audit committee member, is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F because, after self-evaluation our audit committee members did not consider themselves, individually, as an “audit committee financial expert”. However, both our audit committee members and our board of directors consider that our audit committee members are qualified to carry out their duties on the audit committee.

 

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and other executive officers and financial officers. This code of ethics is posted on our website, www.turkcell.com.tr.

 

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Akis Bagimsiz Denetim Serbest Muhasebeci Mali Musavirlik A.S. (“KPMG”) has served as our independent public accountants in Turkey, a successor firm to KPMG Cevdet Suner Denetim ve Yeminli Mali Musavirlik A.S., for each of the financial years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, for which audited financial statements appear in this annual report on Form 20-F. The Annual General Meeting elects the auditors annually.

The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional services and other services rendered by KPMG to us in 2007, 2006 and 2005.

 

     2007
$m
   2006
$m
   2005
$m

Audit Fees(1)

   2.9    3.6    2.3

Audit-Related Fees(2)

   1.0    —      0.1

Tax Fees

   —      —      —  

All Other Fees(3)

   —      —      —  

Total

   3.9    3.6    2.4

 

(1) Audit Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the principal accountant in connection with statutory or regulatory filings or engagements.

 

145


Table of Contents
(2) Audit-Related Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements.
(3) All Other Fees consist of fees billed for products and services other than services provided under Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees and Tax Fees.

Audit Committee Pre-approval Policies and Procedures

Our audit committee has determined that all work performed for us by our external auditors for the year 2008 will be approved in advance by our audit committee and, therefore, has not adopted blanket pre-approval policies and procedures.

 

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

Neither we nor any affiliated purchaser made any purchases of our ordinary shares during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of responding to this item.

 

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, are filed as part of this annual report, on pages F-4 through F-80.

 

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

     

DESCRIPTION

  1.1*     Articles of Association of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.
  8.1     Subsidiaries of Turkcell.
12.1     Certification of Sureyya Ciliv, Chief Executive Officer of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
12.2     Certification of Serkan Okandan, Chief Financial Officer of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
13.1     Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
15.1     Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
15.2     Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

* Previously filed as an exhibit to Turkcell’s Form 20-F filed on April 13, 2006.

 

146


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

   TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI A.S.
Date: April 23, 2008    By:  

/s/    SUREYYA CILIV        

     Sureyya Ciliv
     Chief Executive Officer
Date: April 23, 2008    By:  

/s/    SERKAN OKANDAN        

     Serkan Okandan
     Chief Financial Officer


Table of Contents

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

     Page

Consolidated Financial Statements of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.

  

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

   F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2007 and 2006

   F-4

Consolidated Income Statement for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

   F-5

Consolidated Statement of Recognized Income and Expense for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

   F-6

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

   F-7

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-8

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated income statements, consolidated statements of recognized income and expense, and consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Group’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the consolidated financial statements of Fintur Holdings B.V. (“Fintur”), a 41.45 percent owned equity accounted investee company. The Group’s investment in Fintur at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $515,079 thousand and $376,272 thousand, respectively, and its share of profit of Fintur was $108,951 thousand, $81,284 thousand and $68,234 thousand for the years 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The consolidated financial statements of Fintur were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Fintur, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of the other auditors, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated April 23, 2008 expressed an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/    Akis Bagimsiz Denetim Serbest Muhasebeci

        Mali Musavirlik A.S.

Istanbul, Turkey

April 23, 2008

 

F-2


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and

Board of Directors of Fintur Holdings B.V.

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Fintur Holdings B.V. (“Fintur” or the “Company”) and its subsidiaries as at 31 December 2007 and 2006 and consolidated statements of income, of changes in shareholders’ equity and of cash flows for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005. These 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 of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fintur and its subsidiaries as at 31 December 2007 and 2006 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Basaran Nas Bagimsiz Denetim ve

Serbest Muhasebeci Mali Musavirlik A.S.

a member of

PricewaterhouseCoopers

/s/    Mert Tuten, SMMM

Partner

Istanbul-Turkey, 22 April 2008

 

F-3


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

As at 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

     Note    2007    2006  

Assets

        

Property, plant and equipment

   12    2,221,895    1,916,991  

Intangible assets

   13    1,375,403    1,234,668  

Investments in equity accounted investees

   14    664,385    523,840  

Other investments

   15    42,354    35,095  

Due from related parties

   32    68,871    72,506  

Other non-current assets

   16    44,171    121,465  

Deferred tax assets

   17    2,446    3,052  
              

Total non-current assets

      4,419,525    3,907,617  
              

Inventories

      23,424    11,018  

Other investments

   15    28,218    61,733  

Due from related parties

   32    52,482    66,101  

Trade receivables and accrued income

   18    558,563    318,973  

Other current assets

   19    291,534    125,653  

Cash and cash equivalents

   20    3,095,300    1,598,640  
              

Total current assets

      4,049,521    2,182,118  
              

Total assets

      8,469,046    6,089,735  
              

Equity

        

Share capital

   21    1,636,204    1,636,204  

Share premium

   21    434    434  

Reserves

   21    931,913    (4,884 )

Retained earnings

   21    3,224,526    2,394,838  
              

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company

      5,793,077    4,026,592  
              

Minority interest

   21    138,128    91,375  
              

Total equity

      5,931,205    4,117,967  
              

Liabilities

        

Loans and borrowings

   23    140,404    113,503  

Employee benefits

   24    27,229    17,648  

Other non-current liabilities

      —      8,683  

Deferred tax liabilities

   17    132,388    196,260  
              

Total non-current liabilities

      300,021    336,094  
              

Bank overdraft

   20    2,125    285  

Loans and borrowings

   23    619,555    526,083  

Income taxes payable

   11    443,194    309,470  

Trade and other payables

   27    759,019    579,421  

Due to related parties

   32    17,978    6,844  

Deferred income

   25    324,815    184,337  

Provisions

   26    71,134    29,234  
              

Total current liabilities

      2,237,820    1,635,674  
              

Total liabilities

      2,537,841    1,971,768  
              

Total equity and liabilities

      8,469,046    6,089,735  
              

 

The notes on page F-9 to F-80 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-4


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

For the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

     Note    2007     2006     2005  

Revenue

   8    6,328,580     4,700,307     4,527,980  

Direct cost of revenue

      (3,103,427 )   (2,627,890 )   (2,701,565 )
                     

Gross profit

      3,225,153     2,072,417     1,826,415  
                     

Other income

      7,799     8,050     15,403  

Selling and marketing expenses

      (1,138,154 )   (827,516 )   (700,501 )

Administrative expenses

      (252,841 )   (154,917 )   (154,035 )

Other expenses

      (22,423 )   (6,467 )   (4,901 )
                     

Results from operating activities

      1,819,534     1,091,567     982,381  
                     

Finance income

   10    308,368     184,015     167,472  

Finance expenses

   10    (551,142 )   (108,038 )   (191,199 )
                     

Net finance income/(expense)

      (242,774 )   75,977     (23,727 )
                     

Share of profit of equity accounted investees

      64,906     78,616     68,234  
                     

Profit before gain on net monetary position

      1,641,666     1,246,160     1,026,888  
                     

Gain on net monetary position, net

      —       —       11,037  
                     

Profit before income tax

      1,641,666     1,246,160     1,037,925  
                     

Income tax expense

   11    (322,418 )   (413,242 )   (290,472 )
                     

Profit for the period

      1,319,248     832,918     747,453  
                     

Attributable to:

         

Equity holders of the Company

      1,350,162     875,491     772,246  

Minority interest

      (30,914 )   (42,573 )   (24,793 )
                     

Profit for the period

      1,319,248     832,918     747,453  
                     

Basic and diluted earnings per share (in full US Dollars)

   22    0.613710     0.397951     0.351021  

 

The notes on page F-9 to F-80 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-5


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNIZED INCOME AND EXPENSE

For the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Effect of indexation for hyperinflation

   —       —       127,937  

Foreign currency translation differences

   811,302     (135,275 )   (6,762 )

Net change in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets

   2,666     2,015     800  
                  

Income and expense recognized directly in equity

   813,968     (133,260 )   121,975  
                  

Profit for the period

   1,319,248     832,918     747,453  
                  

Total recognized income for the period

   2,133,216     699,658     869,428  
                  

Attributable to:

      

Equity holders of the Company

   2,178,398     741,400     894,221  

Minority interest

   (45,182 )   (41,742 )   (24,793 )
                  

Total recognized income for the period

   2,133,216     699,658     869,428  
                  

 

The notes on page F-9 to F-80 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-6


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Profit for the period

   1,319,248     832,918     747,453  

Adjustments for:

   1,285,057     1,063,334     1,016,294  

Depreciation

   532,915     498,533     530,329  

Amortization of intangibles

   260,062     231,480     220,038  

Foreign exchange loss, net

   242,657     41,288     16,889  

Net finance income

   (227,794 )   (106,595 )   (22,201 )

Provision for doubtful receivables

   20,495     (8,822 )   15,294  

Income tax expense

   322,418     413,242     290,472  

Share of profit of equity accounted investees

   (111,254 )   (94,021 )   (68,234 )

Loss/(Gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment

   3,869     (1,279 )   —    

Effect of indexation for hyperinflation

   —       —       (27,817 )

Translation reserve

   137,317     17,530     —    

Net (gain)/loss on remeasurement of investments

   (3,079 )   (2,353 )   800  

Amortization of transaction costs of borrowings

   5,100     7,996     —    

Deferred income

   102,351     66,335     60,724  
                  
   2,604,305     1,896,252     1,763,747  

Change in trade receivables

   (198,314 )   (2,730 )   (70,612 )

Change in due from related parties

   26,698     6,153     19,126  

Change in inventories

   (10,128 )   (2,512 )   3,822  

Change in other current assets

   15,448     (2,278 )   227,284  

Change in other non-current assets

   (24,782 )   (247 )   (4,134 )

Change in due to related parties

   10,302     945     29  

Change in trade and other payables

   15,285     105,795     (692,067 )

Change in other current liabilities

   67,457     (37,823 )   6,298  

Change in other non-current liabilities

   (9,029 )   2,267     (476 )

Change in employee benefits

   5,931     1,801     3,726  

Change in provisions

   23,832     (2,261 )   (1,588 )
                  
   2,527,005     1,965,362     1,255,155  

Interest paid

   (37,024 )   (42,879 )   (82,587 )

Income tax paid

   (347,202 )   (67,592 )   (99,921 )

Dividend received

   13,397     —       —    
                  

Net cash from operating activities

   2,156,176     1,854,891     1,072,647  
                  

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Proceeds from sale of property plant and equipment

   7,657     3,609     —    

Proceeds from currency option contracts

   17,807     —       —    

Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale financial assets

   36,698     20,490     —    

Proceeds from settlement of held-to-maturity investments

   8,586     9,218     45,404  

Interest received

   250,423     161,536     80,236  

Dividends received

   18,756     21,558     —    

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

   (564,859 )   (370,377 )   (644,087 )

Acquisition of intangibles

   (206,985 )   (234,382 )   (128,557 )

Acquisition of minority interest

   —       (17,591 )   —    

Payment of currency option contracts premium

   (8,501 )   —       —    

Acquisition of equity accounted investees and other investments

   —       (163,432 )   —    

Acquisition of available-for-sale financial assets

   (119 )   (56,718 )   (12,148 )

Acquisition of held-to-maturity investments

   —       (6,407 )   —    
                  

Net cash used in investing activities

   (440,537 )   (632,496 )   (659,152 )
                  

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Payment of transaction costs

   (205 )   (51,472 )   —    

Proceeds from issuance of loans and borrowings

   498,666     772,434     354,849  

Repayment of borrowings

   (435,038 )   (862,386 )   (543,252 )

Dividends paid

   (457,625 )   (342,166 )   (182,176 )

Change in minority interest

   127,220     87,745     22,979  

Reimbursement of borrowing costs

   11,983     —       —    
                  

Net cash used in financing activities

   (254,999 )   (395,845 )   (347,600 )
                  

Effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on balance sheet items

   276,837     4,940     (5,784 )

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   1,737,477     831,490     60,111  

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

   1,598,355     808,153     764,931  

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents

   (242,657 )   (41,288 )   (16,889 )
                  

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

   3,093,175     1,598,355     808,153  
                  

 

The notes on page F-9 to F-80 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-7


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

     Page

1. Reporting entity

   F-9

2. Basis of preparation

   F-9

3. Significant accounting policies

   F-11

4. Determination of fair values

   F-23

5. Financial risk management

   F-24

6. Segment reporting

   F-26

7. Acquisitions of joint ventures and minority interests

   F-28

8. Revenue

   F-30

9. Personnel expenses

   F-30

10. Finance income and expenses

   F-31

11. Income tax expense

   F-31

12. Property, plant and equipment

   F-33

13. Intangible assets

   F-35

14. Equity accounted investees

   F-36

15. Other investments

   F-37

16. Other non-current assets

   F-38

17. Deferred tax assets and liabilities

   F-38

18. Trade receivables and accrued income

   F-40

19. Other current assets

   F-40

20. Cash and cash equivalents

   F-41

21. Capital and reserves

   F-42

22. Earnings per share

   F-44

23. Loans and borrowings

   F-45

24. Employee benefits

   F-47

25. Deferred income

   F-47

26. Provisions

   F-47

27. Trade and other payables

   F-48

28. Financial instruments

   F-49

29. Operating leases

   F-55

30. Capital commitments

   F-55

31. Contingencies

   F-55

32. Related parties

   F-74

33. Group entities

   F-79

34. Subsequent event

   F-79

 

F-8


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December 2006

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

1. Reporting entity

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri Anonim Sirketi (the “Company”) was incorporated in Turkey on 5 October 1993 and commenced its operations in 1994. The address of the Company’s registered office is Turkcell Plaza, Mesrutiyet caddesi No: 71, 34430 Tepebasi/Istanbul. It is engaged in establishing and operating a Global System for Mobile Communications (“GSM”) network in Turkey and regional states.

In April 1998, the Company signed a license agreement (the “License”) with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of Turkey (the “Turkish Ministry”), under which it was granted a 25 year GSM license in exchange for a license fee of $500,000. The License permits the Company to operate as a stand-alone GSM operator and releases it from some of the operating constraints in the Revenue Sharing Agreement, which was in effect prior to the License. Under the License, the Company collects all of the revenue generated from the operations of its GSM network and pays the Undersecretariat of Treasury (the “Turkish Treasury”) an ongoing license fee equal to 15% of its gross revenue from Turkish GSM operations. The Company continues to build and operate its GSM network and is authorized to, among other things, set its own tariffs within certain limits, charge peak and off-peak rates, offer a variety of service and pricing packages, issue invoices directly to subscribers, collect payments and deal directly with subscribers.

On 25 June 2005, the Turkish government declared that GSM operators are required to pay 10% of their existing monthly ongoing license fee to the Turkish Ministry as a universal service fund contribution in accordance with Law No 5369. As a result, starting from 30 June 2005, the Company pays 90% of the ongoing license fee to the Turkish Treasury and 10% to the Turkish Ministry as universal service fund.

In July 2000, the Company completed an initial public offering with the listing of its ordinary shares on the Istanbul Stock Exchange and American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, on the New York Stock Exchange.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007 comprise the Company and its seventeen subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”) and the Group’s interest in one associate and one joint venture. The Company’s and each of its subsidiaries’, associate’s and joint venture’s financial statements are prepared as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007.

 

2. Basis of preparation

 

(a) Statement of compliance

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

The Group’s consolidated financial statements were approved by the Company’s Management on 23 April 2008.

 

(b) Basis of measurement

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are based on the statutory records, with adjustments and reclassifications for the purpose of fair presentation in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB. They are prepared on the historical cost basis adjusted for the effects of inflation during the hyperinflationary period lasted by 31 December 2005, except that the following assets and liabilities are stated at their fair value: derivative financial instruments and financial instruments classified as available-for-sale. The methods used to measure fair value are further discussed in note 4.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December 2006

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

The financial statements of the Company and those of the subsidiaries located in Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for the year ended 31 December 2005 were restated for the changes in the general purchasing power of the functional currency based on International Accounting Standard No. 29 (“IAS 29”) “Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies”. IAS 29 requires that financial statements prepared in the currency of a hyperinflationary economy be stated in terms of the measuring unit current at the balance sheet date and that corresponding figures for previous periods be restated in the same terms. One characteristic that necessitates the application of IAS 29 is a cumulative three-year inflation rate approaching or exceeding 100%. Three years inflation rate in Turkey was 36% as at 31 December 2005, based on the Turkish nation-wide wholesale price indices announced by the State Statistics Association (“SSA”). However, IAS 29 does not establish the rate of 100% as an absolute rate at which hyperinflation is deemed to arise. It is a matter of judgment when restatement of financial statements in accordance with IAS 29 becomes necessary. Moreover, hyperinflation is also indicated by characteristics of the economic environment of a country.

As hyperinflationary conditions in Turkey no longer existed starting from 1 January 2006, New Turkish Lira (“TRY”) has been treated as a more stable currency since that time and the financial statements of the Company and those of the subsidiaries located in Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus that are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB are not required to be adjusted for hyperinflationary accounting.

 

(c) Functional and presentation currency

The consolidated financial statements are presented in US Dollars (“USD”), rounded to the nearest thousand. Moreover, all financial information expressed in TRY, Euro (“EUR”) and Swedish Krona (“SEK”) have been rounded to the nearest thousand. The functional currency of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries located in Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is TRY. The functional currency of Euroasia Telecommunications Holding BV (“Euroasia”) and Financell BV (“Financell”) is USD. The functional currency of LLC Astelit (“Astelit”) and East Asian Consortium BV (“Eastasia”) is Ukrainian Hryvnia and EUR, respectively.

 

(d) Use of estimates and judgments

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs as issued by the IASB requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

Information about estimates, uncertainty and critical judgements about the contingencies are described in note 31 and detailed analysis with respect to accounting estimates and judgements of bad debts, useful life or expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits embodied in depreciable assets is provided below:

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

In note 28, detailed analysis is provided for the foreign exchange exposure of the Company and risks in relation to foreign exchange movements.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Critical accounting judgments in applying the Company’s accounting policies

Certain critical accounting judgments in applying the Company’s accounting policies are described below:

Trade receivables and accrued income

The impairment losses in trade and other receivables are based on management’s evaluation of the volume of the receivables outstanding, past experience and general economic conditions.

Useful life of assets

The useful economic lives of the Group’s assets are determined by management at the time the asset is acquired and regularly reviewed for appropriateness. The Group defines useful life of its assets in terms of the assets’ expected utility to the Group. This judgment is based on the experience of the Group with similar assets. In determining the useful life of an asset, the Group also follows technical and/or commercial obsolescence arising on changes or improvements from a change in the market. The useful life of the License is based on duration of the license agreement.

Commission fees

Commission fees relate to services performed in relation to betting games where the Group acts as an agent in the transaction rather than as a principal. In the absence of specific guidance under IFRSs on distinguishing between an agent and a principal, management considered the following factors:

 

   

The Group does not take the responsibility for fulfillment of the games.

 

   

The Group does not collect the proceeds from the final customer and it does not bear the credit risk.

 

   

The Group earns a stated percentage of the total turnover.

 

3. Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements, and have been applied consistently by Group entities.

Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year’s presentation.

 

(a) Basis of consolidation

 

(i) Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. Control exists when the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, potential voting rights that currently are exercisable or convertible are taken into account. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. The accounting policies of subsidiaries are changed as necessary to align them with the policies adopted by the Group.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

(ii) Acquisition from entities under common control

Business combinations arising from transfers of interests in entities that are under the control of the shareholder that controls the Group are excluded from the scope of International Financial Reporting Standards No. 3 (“IFRS 3”) “Business Combinations”. The assets and liabilities acquired from entities under common control are recognised at the carrying amounts recognised previously in the Group’s controlling shareholder’s consolidated financial statements. The components of equity of the acquired entities are added to the same components within the Group equity.

 

(iii) Associates and jointly controlled entities (equity accounted investees)

Associates are those entities in which the Group has significant influence, but not control, over the financial and operating policies. Significant influence is presumed to exist when the Group holds between 20 and 50 percent of the voting power of another entity. Joint ventures are those entities over whose activities the Group has joint control, established by contractual agreement and requiring unanimous consent for strategic financial and operating decisions. Associates and jointly controlled entities (equity accounted investees) are accounted for using the equity method and are initially recognised at cost. The Group’s investment includes goodwill identified on acquisition, net of any accumulated impairment loss. The consolidated financial statements include the Group’s share of the income and expenses and equity movements of equity accounted investees, after adjustments to align the accounting policies with those of the Group, from the date that significant influence or joint control commences until the date that significant influence or joint control ceases. When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an equity accounted investee, the carrying amount of that interest (including any long-term investments) is reduced to nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has an obligation or has made payments on behalf of the investee. The Group’s equity accounted investees as at 31 December 2007 are Fintur Holdings BV (“Fintur”) and A-Tel Pazarlama ve Servis Hizmetleri AS (“A-Tel”).

 

(iv) Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intragroup balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intragroup transactions, are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Unrealised gains arising from transactions with equity accounted investees are eliminated against the investment to the extent of the Group’s interest in the investee. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

 

(b) Foreign currency

 

(i) Foreign currency transactions

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the respective functional currencies of Group entities at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting date are retranslated to the functional currency at the exchange rate at that date. Foreign currency differences arising on translation of foreign currency transactions are recognised in the income statement. The foreign currency gain or loss on monetary items is the difference between amortised cost in the functional currency at the beginning of the period, adjusted for effective interest and payments during the period, and the amortised cost in foreign currency translated at the exchange rate at the end of the period. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are measured at fair value

 

F-12


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

are retranslated to the functional currency at the exchange rate at the date that the fair value was determined. Foreign currency differences arising on retranslation are recognised in profit or loss, except for differences arising on the retranslation of available-for-sale equity instruments, which are recognised directly in equity.

 

(ii) Foreign operations

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including fair value adjustments arising on acquisition, are translated to USD at foreign exchange rates ruling at the reporting date. The income and expenses of foreign operations are translated to USD at exchange rates approximating to the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

Foreign currency differences arising on retranslation are recognized directly in a separate component of equity. Since 1 January 2005, the Group’s date of transition to IFRSs, such differences have been recognized in the foreign currency translation reserve. When a foreign operation is disposed of, in part or in full, the relevant amount in the foreign currency translation reserve is transferred to profit or loss.

Foreign exchange gains and losses arising from a monetary item receivable from or payables to a foreign operation, the settlement of which is neither planned nor likely in the foreseeable future, are considered to form part of a net investment in a foreign operation and are recognised directly in equity in the foreign currency translation reserve.

 

(iii) Translation from functional to presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entities operate, normally under their local currencies.

The consolidated financial statements are presented in USD, which is the presentation currency of the Group. The Group uses USD as the presentation currency for the convenience of investor and analyst community.

Assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented (including comparatives) are translated to USD at exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses for each income statement (including comparatives) in non-hyperinflationary economies are translated to USD at monthly average exchange rates.

Foreign currency differences arising on retranslation are recognised directly in a separate component of equity.

 

(iv) Net investment in foreign operations

Foreign currency differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations are recognized in foreign currency translation reserve. They are transferred to the income statement upon disposal.

 

(c) Financial instruments

 

(i) Non-derivative financial instruments

Non-derivative financial instruments comprise investments in equity and debt securities, trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, loans and borrowings, and trade and other payables.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Non-derivative financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value plus, for instruments not at fair value through profit or loss, any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, non-derivative financial instruments are measured as described below:

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the statement of cash flows.

Accounting for finance income and expenses is discussed in note 3(m).

 

   

Held-to-maturity investments

If the Group has the positive intent and ability to hold debt securities to maturity, then they are classified as held-to-maturity. Held-to-maturity investments are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses.

 

   

Available-for-sale financial assets

The Group’s investments in equity securities and certain debt securities are classified as available-for-sale financial assets. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at fair value and changes therein, other than impairment losses (see note 3(h)(i)), and foreign exchange gains and losses on available-for-sale monetary items (see note 3(b)(i)), are recognised directly in equity. When an investment is derecognised, the cumulative gain or loss in equity is transferred to profit or loss.

 

   

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

An instrument is classified as financial asset at fair value through profit or loss if it is held for trading or is designated as such upon initial recognition. Financial instruments are designated at fair value through profit or loss if the Group manages such investments and makes purchase and sale decisions based on their fair value in accordance with the Group’s risk management or investment strategy. Upon initial recognition, attributable transaction costs are recognised in profit or loss when incurred. Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value, and changes therein are recognised in profit or loss.

 

   

Other

Other non-derivative financial instruments are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses.

 

(ii) Derivative financial instruments

The Group holds derivative financial instruments to hedge its foreign currency risk exposures arising from operational, financing and investing activities. In accordance with its treasury policy, the Group engages in forward and option contracts. However, these derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting and are accounted for as trading instruments.

Embedded derivatives are separated from the host contract and accounted for separately if the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract and the embedded derivative are not closely related, a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative would meet the definition of a derivative, and the combined instrument is not measured at fair value through profit or loss.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Derivatives are recognised initially at fair value; attributable transaction costs are recognised in profit or loss when incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value, and changes therein are recognized in profit or loss.

 

(iii) Share capital

Ordinary shares

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to issue of ordinary shares are recognised as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects.

Repurchase of share capital

When share capital recognised as equity is repurchased, the amount of the consideration paid, which includes directly attributable costs, is net of any tax effects, and is recognised as a deduction from equity. Repurchased shares are classified as treasury shares and are presented as a deduction from total equity. When treasury shares are sold or reissued subsequently, the amount received is recognised as an increase in equity, and the resulting surplus or deficit on the transaction is transferred to/from retained earnings.

 

(d) Property, plant and equipment

 

(i) Recognition and measurement

Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost adjusted for the effects of inflation during the hyperinflationary period lasted by 31 December 2005 less accumulated depreciation (see below) and accumulated impairment losses (see note 3(h)(ii)).

Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. The cost of self-constructed assets includes the cost of materials and direct labor, any other costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to a working condition for its intended use, and the costs of dismantling and removing the items and restoring the site on which they are located, if any. Borrowing costs related to the acquisition or construction of qualifying assets are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

When parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.

Gains/losses on disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment are determined by comparing the proceeds from disposal with the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment and are recognized net within other income or other expenses in profit or loss.

 

(ii) Subsequent costs

The cost of replacing part of an item of property, plant and equipment is recognized in the carrying amount of the item if it is probable that the future economic benefits embodied within the part will flow to the Group and its cost can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced item is derecognised. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of property, plant and equipment are recognised in profit or loss as incurred.

 

F-15


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December 2006

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

(iii) Depreciation

Depreciation is recognized in the profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment. Leased assets are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and their useful lives unless it is reasonably certain that the Group will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term. Land is not depreciated.

The estimated useful lives for the current and comparative periods are as follows:

 

Buildings

   25 – 50 years

Network infrastructure

   3 – 8 years

Equipment, fixtures and fittings

   4 – 5 years

Motor vehicles

   4 – 5 years

Central betting terminals

   1 – 5 years

Leasehold improvements

   5 years

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date.

During March 2007, Inteltek Internet Teknoloji Yatirim ve Danismanlik Ticaret AS (“Inteltek”) renewed its fixed odds betting contract reducing the period of the contract to March 2008 from September 2011, which resulted in change in expected usage of betting property, plant and equipment. As a result, expected useful lives of operational assets decreased. Effect of this change on depreciation expense recognized in direct cost of revenues in current and future periods is as follows:

 

     Year ended
31 December 2007
   Year ended
31 December 2008
 

Increase/(decrease) in depreciation

   10,068    (1,919 )

 

(e) Intangible assets

Intangible assets that are acquired by the Group which have finite useful lives are measured at cost adjusted for the effects of inflation during the hyperinflationary period lasted by 31 December 2005 less accumulated amortization (see below) and accumulated impairment losses (see note 3(h)).

 

(i) Subsequent expenditure

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset (that is purchased from independent third parties) to which it relates. All other expenditure, including expenditure on internally generated goodwill and brands, is recognised in profit or loss as incurred. Capitalized costs generally relate to the application of development stage; any other costs incurred during the pre and post-implementation stages, such as repair, maintenance or training, are expensed as incurred. Subsequent expenditures of the Company do not relate to research and development activities.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December 2006

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

(ii) Amortization

Amortization is recognized in the profit or loss on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets unless such lives are indefinite from the date that they are available for use. The estimated useful lives for the current and comparative periods are as follows:

 

Computer software

   3 – 8 years

GSM and other telecommunications license

   3 – 25 years

Transmission lines

   10 years

Central betting system operating right

   1 – 5 years

Customer base

   2 years

 

(f) Leased assets

Leases in terms of which the Group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Upon initial recognition, the leased asset is measured at an amount equal to the lower of its fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments. Subsequent to initial recognition, the asset is accounted for in accordance with the accounting policy applicable to that asset.

Other leases are operating leases and the leased assets are not recognized on the Group’s balance sheet.

 

(g) Inventories

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less selling expenses. The cost of inventory is determined using the weighted average method and includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and bringing them to their existing location and condition. As at 31 December 2007, inventories consist of sim-cards, scratch cards and handsets.

 

(h) Impairment

 

(i) Financial assets

A financial asset is assessed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any objective evidence that it is impaired.

A financial asset is considered to be impaired if objective evidence indicates that one or more events have had a negative effect on the estimated future cash flows of that asset.

An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset measured at amortised cost is calculated as the difference between its carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate. An impairment loss in respect of an available-for-sale financial asset is calculated by reference to its fair value.

Individually significant financial assets are tested for impairment on an individual basis. The remaining financial assets are assessed collectively in groups that share similar credit risk characteristics.

All impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss. Any cumulative loss in respect of an available-for-sale financial asset recognised previously in equity is transferred to profit or loss.

 

F-17


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December 2006

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

An impairment loss is reversed if the reversal can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised. For financial assets measured at amortised cost and available-for-sale financial assets that are debt securities, the reversal is recognised in profit or loss. For available-for-sale financial assets that are equity securities, the reversal is recognised directly in equity.

 

(ii) Non-financial assets

The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-financial assets, other than inventories, and deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated.

The recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For the purpose of impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or group of assets (the “cash-generating unit”).

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds its estimated recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss. Impairment losses recognised in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the units and then to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the unit (group of units) on a pro rata basis.

An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed. In respect of other assets, impairment losses recognised in prior periods are assessed at each reporting date for any indications that the loss has decreased or no longer exists. An impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

During the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2006, the Company have not identified any impairment indicators and accordingly consolidated financial statements for the years ended 31 December 2007 and 2006 do not include any adjustment in relation to impairment of long-lived assets.

 

(i) Employee benefits

 

(i) Retirement pay liability

In accordance with existing labor law in Turkey, the Company and its subsidiaries in Turkey are required to make lump-sum payments to employees who have completed one year of service and whose employment is terminated without cause or who retire, are called up for military service or die. Such payments are calculated on the basis of 30 days’ pay maximum full TRY 2,030 as at 31 December 2007 (equivalent to full $1,743 as at 31 December 2007) (31 December 2006: full TRY 1,857 (equivalent to full $1,594 as at 31 December 2007)) per year of employment at the rate of pay applicable at the date of retirement or termination. Reserve for retirement pay is computed and reflected in the consolidated financial statements on a current basis. The reserve has been calculated by estimating the present value of future probable obligation of the Company and its subsidiaries in Turkey arising from the retirement of the employees. The calculation was based upon the retirement pay ceiling announced by the Government.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December 2006

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

(ii) Defined contribution plans

A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which an entity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity and will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Obligations for contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an employee benefit expense in profit or loss when they are due. The Company initiated a defined contribution retirement plan for all eligible employees during 2005. Besides, during 2006, Inteltek and Bilyoner Interaktif Hizmetler AS (“Bilyoner”), during 2007 Kule Hizmet ve Isletmecilik AS (“TurkKule”), Turkcell Teknoloji Arastirma ve Gelistirme AS (“Turkcell Teknoloji”) and Tellcom Iletisim Hizmetleri AS (“Tellcom”), other consolidated subsidiaries, initiated defined contribution plan for all eligible employees. The assets of the plan are held separately from the consolidated financial statements of the Group. The Company and other consolidated companies that initiated defined contribution retirement plan are required to contribute a specified percentage of payroll costs to the retirement benefit scheme to fund the benefits. The only obligation of the companies with respect to the retirement plan is to make the specified contributions.

 

(j) Provisions

A provision is recognised if, as a result of a past event, the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation that can be estimated reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

Onerous contracts

A provision for onerous contracts is recognized when the expected benefits to be derived by the Group from a contract are lower than the unavoidable cost of meeting its obligations under the contract. The provision is measured at the present value of the lower of the expected cost of terminating the contract and the expected net cost of continuing with the contract. Before a provision is established, the Group recognizes any impairment loss on the assets associated with that contract.

 

(k) Revenue

Communication fees include all types of postpaid revenues from incoming and outgoing calls, additional services and prepaid revenues. Communication fees are recognized at the time the services are rendered.

With respect to prepaid revenues, the Group generally collects cash in advance by selling scratch cards to distributors. In such cases, the Group does not recognize revenue until the subscribers use the telecommunications services. Instead, deferred income is recorded under current liabilities.

In connection with campaigns, both postpaid and prepaid services may be bundled with handset or other services and these bundled services and products involve consideration in the form of fixed fee or a fixed fee coupled with continuing payment stream. Loyalty programs for both postpaid and prepaid services may be bundled with other services. Deliverables are accounted separately where a market for each deliverable exists and if the recognition criterion is met individually. Costs associated with each deliverable are recognized at the time of revenue recognized. The arrangement consideration is allocated to each deliverable in proportion to the fair value of the individual deliverables.

 

F-19


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December 2006

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Commission fees mainly comprised of net takings earned to a maximum of 7% of gross takings, as a head agent of fixed odds betting games starting from 15 March 2007 and 4.3% commission recognized based on the para-mutual and fixed odds betting games operated on Central Betting System. Prior to 15 March 2007, under the former head agency agreement, head agency commission fees were earned to a maximum of 12% of gross takings. Commission revenues are recognized at the time all the services related with the games are fully rendered. Under the head agency agreement, Inteltek is obliged to undertake any excess payout, which is presented on net basis with the commission fees.

Monthly fixed fees represent a fixed amount charged to postpaid subscribers on a monthly basis without regard to the level of usage. Fixed fees are recognized on a monthly basis when billed.

Sim-card sales are recognized upfront upon delivery to subscribers, net of returns, discounts and rebates. Sim-card costs are also recognized upfront upon sale of the sim-card to the subscriber.

Call center revenues are recognized at the time services are rendered.

 

(l) Lease payments

Payments made under operating leases are recognized in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives received are recognized as an integral part of the total lease expense, over the term of the lease.

Minimum lease payments made under finance leases are apportioned between the finance expense and the reduction of the outstanding liability. The finance expense is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

 

(m) Finance income and expenses

Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested (including available-for sale financial assets), late payment interest income, gains on the disposal of available-for-sale financial assets, changes in the fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss and gains on hedging instruments that are recognised in profit or loss. Interest income is recognised as it accrues, using the effective interest method.

Finance expenses comprise interest expense on borrowings, unwinding of the discount on provisions, net foreign exchange loss, changes in the fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss and impairment losses recognised on financial assets. All borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method.

Foreign currency gains and losses are reported on a net basis.

 

(n) Transactions with related parties

A related party is essentially any party that controls or can significantly influence the financial or operating decisions of the Group to the extent that the Group may be prevented from fully pursuing its own interests. For reporting purposes, investee companies and their shareholders, key management personnel, shareholders of the Group and the companies that the shareholders have a relationship with are considered to be related parties.

 

(o) Income tax

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax expense is recognised in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is recognised using the balance sheet method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax is not recognised for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities to the extent that they probably will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to the temporary differences when they reverse, based on the laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different tax entities, but they intend to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis or their tax assets and liabilities will be realised simultaneously.

A deferred tax asset is recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which temporary difference can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised.

 

(p) Earnings per share

The Group presents basic earnings per share (“EPS”) data for its ordinary shares. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is equal to basic EPS because the Group does not have any convertible notes or share options granted to employees.

 

(q) Segment reporting

A segment is a distinguishable component of the Group that is engaged either in providing related products or services (business segment) or in providing products or services within a particular economic environment (geographical segment), which is subject to risks and returns that are different from those of other segments. Segment information is presented in respect of the Group’s business and geographical segments. The Group’s primary format for segment reporting is based on geographical segment and secondary segment reporting is based on business segments.

Inter-segment pricing is determined on an arm’s length basis.

Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Unallocated items comprise mainly investments and related revenue, loans and borrowings and related expenses and income tax assets and liabilities.

Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the period to acquire property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets other than goodwill.

 

F-21


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

(r) New standards and interpretations not yet adopted

A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are not yet effective at 31 December 2007, and have not been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements:

 

   

IFRS 8 Operating Segments introduces the “management approach” to segment reporting. IFRS 8, which becomes mandatory for the Group’s 2009 consolidated financial statements, will require the disclosure of segment information based on the internal reports regularly reviewed by the Group’s Chief Operating Decision Maker in order to assess each segment’s performance and to allocate resources to them. Currently the Group presents segment information in respect of its business and geographical segments (see note 6). It is not expected to have any impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

   

IFRIC 11, IFRS 2 Group and Treasury Share Transactions requires a share-based payment arrangement in which an entity receives goods or services as consideration for its own equity instruments to be accounted for as an equity-settled share-based payment transaction, regardless of how the equity instruments are obtained. IFRIC 11 will become mandatory for the Group’s 2008 consolidated financial statements, with retrospective application required. It is not expected to have any impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

   

Revised IAS 23 Borrowing Costs removes the option to expense borrowing costs and requires that an entity capitalize borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as a part of the cost of that asset. The revised IAS 23 will become mandatory for the Group’s 2009 consolidated financial statements and will not constitute a change in accounting policy for the Group.

 

   

IFRIC 12, Service Concession Arrangements provides guidance to private sector entities on certain recognition and measurement issues that arise in accounting for public to private service concession agreements. IFRIC 12 becomes effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2008. At present, the Group provides telecommunications services which it recognizes property, plant and equipment and depreciates on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment. The Group is evaluating the potential effects on its consolidated financial statements.

 

   

IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty Programmes addresses the accounting by entities that operate, or otherwise participate in, customer loyalty programmes for their customers. It relates to customer loyalty programmes under which the customer can redeem credits for awards such as free or discounted goods or services. IFRIC 13, which becomes mandatory for the Group’s 2009 consolidated financial statements, is not expected to have any impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

   

Revised IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements does not change the recognition measurement or disclosure of transactions and events that are required by other IFRSs. The revised standard introduces as a financial statement the “statement of comprehensive income”. The revised standard is effective for annual financial periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009, with early adoption permitted.

 

   

IFRIC 14 IAS 19—The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction clarifies when refunds or reductions in future contributions in relation to defined benefit assets should be regarded as available and provides guidance on the impact of minimum

 

F-22


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

 

funding requirements on such assets. It also addresses when a minimum funding requirement might give rise to a liability. IFRIC 14 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2008, and is not expected to have any impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

 

   

Revised IFRS 3 Business Combinations made changes to the scope of IFRS 3, revised the definition of business, made some revisions at recognition principles of acquired assets and enhanced the disclosure requirements. The revised standard is effective for annual financial periods beginning on or after 1 July 2009, with early adoption permitted for annual periods beginning on or after 30 June 2007 providing that the entity also applies IAS 27 in the same period.

 

   

Revised IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements mainly changes the accounting for non-controlling interest and the loss of control of a subsidiary. The revised standard is effective for annual financial periods beginning on or after 1 July 2009, with early adoption permitted providing that the entity also applies IAS 27 in the same period.

 

   

Amendments to IFRS 2 Share-based Payment—Vesting Conditions and Cancellations clarifies the definition of vesting conditions, introduces the concept of “nonvesting conditions”, requires non-vesting conditions to be reflected in grant date fair value and provides the accounting treatment for non-vesting conditions and cancellations. The amendments to IFRS 2 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009, with early adoption permitted and is not expected to have any effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

   

Amendments to “IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation and IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements-Puttable Financial Instruments and Obligations Arising on Liquidation” improve the accounting for particular types of financial instruments that have characteristics similar to ordinary shares but are at present classified as financial liabilities. The amendments will apply for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009, with earlier application is permitted and is not expected to have any effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

4. Determination of fair values

A number of the Group’s accounting policies and disclosures require the determination of fair value, for both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. Fair values have been determined for measurement and/or disclosure purposes based on the following methods. When applicable, further information about the assumptions made in determining fair values is disclosed in the notes specific to that asset or liability.

 

(i) Property, plant and equipment

The fair value of property, plant and equipment recognised as a result of a business combination is based on market values. The market value of property is the estimated amount for which a property could be exchanged on the date of valuation between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s length transaction after proper marketing wherein the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion. The market value of items of plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings is based on the quoted market prices for similar items.

 

F-23


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

(ii) Intangible assets

The fair value of intangible assets is based on the discounted cash flows expected to be derived from the use and eventual sale of the assets.

 

(iii) Investments in equity and debt securities

The fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity investments and available-for-sale financial assets is determined by reference to their quoted bid price or over the counter market price at the reporting date. The fair value of held-to-maturity investments is determined for disclosure purposes only.

 

(iv) Trade and other receivables

The fair value of trade and other receivables is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the reporting date.

 

(v) Derivatives

The fair value of forward exchange contracts and option contracts is based on their listed market price, if available. If a listed market price is not available, then fair value is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using a risk-free interest rate (based on government bonds) or option pricing models.

 

(vi) Non-derivative financial liabilities

Fair value, which is determined for disclosure purposes, is calculated based on the present value of future principal and interest cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the reporting date. For finance leases, the market rate of interest is determined by reference to similar lease agreements.

 

5. Financial risk management

The Group has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

 

   

Credit risks

 

   

Liquidity risks

 

   

Market risk

This note presents information about the Group’s exposure to each of the above risks, the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risk, and the Group’s management of capital.

The Company management has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group’s risk management framework.

The Group’s risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Group, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and the Group’s activities.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations, and arises principally from the Group’s receivables from customers and investment securities.

Management has a credit policy in place and the exposure to credit risk is monitored on an ongoing basis. The Group may require collateral in respect of financial assets. Also, the Group may demand letters of guarantee from third parties related to certain projects or contracts. The Group may also demand certain pledges from counterparties if necessary in return for the credit support it gives related to certain financings.

In monitoring customer credit risk, customers are grouped according to whether they are an individual or legal entity, ageing profile, maturity and existence of previous financial difficulties. Trade receivables and accrued service income are mainly related to the Group’s subscribers. The Group exposure to credit risk on trade receivables is influenced mainly by the individual payment characteristics of post-paid subscribers.

Investments are allowed only in liquid securities and mostly with counterparties that have a credit rating equal or better than the Group. Some of the collection banks have credit ratings that are lower than the Group’s, or they may not be rated at all, however, policies are in place to review the paid-in capital and capital adequacy ratios periodically to ensure credit worthiness.

Transactions involving derivatives are with counterparties with whom the Group has signed agreements and which have sound credit ratings. The Group does not expect any counterparty fail to meet its obligations.

At the reporting date, there were no significant concentrations of credit risk. The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset, including derivatives, in the balance sheet.

The Group establishes an allowance for doubtful receivables that represents its estimate of incurred losses in respect of receivables from subscribers. This allowance includes the specific loss component that relates to individual subscribers exposures, and adjusted for a general provision which is determined based on historical data of payment statistics. Impairment loss as a percentage of revenues represented 0.6% of revenues for the year ended 31 December 2007. If impairment loss as a percentage of revenues increased to 1.5% of revenues, the impairment loss would have been increased by $59,787, negatively impacting profit for the year ended 31 December 2007.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group’s reputation. Typically, the Group ensures that it has sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet expected operational expenses, including financial obligations.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equity prices will affect the Group’s income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return on risk.

 

F-25


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Currency risk

The Group is exposed to currency risk on certain revenues such as roaming revenues, purchases and certain operating costs such as roaming expenses and network related costs and resulting receivables and payables and borrowings that are denominated in a currency other than the respective functional currencies of Group entities, primarily TRY for operations conducted in Turkey. The currencies in which these transactions are primarily denominated are EUR, USD and SEK.

Derivative financial instruments such as forward contracts and options are used to hedge exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The Group uses forward exchange contracts to hedge its currency risk. When necessary, forward exchange contracts are rolled over at maturity.

The Group’s investments in its equity accounted investee Fintur and its subsidiary in Ukraine are not hedged with respect to the currency risk arising from the net assets as those currency positions are considered to be long-term in nature.

The Group has not entered into any type of derivative instrument in order to hedge foreign currency risk as at 31 December 2007.

Interest rate risk

The Group has not entered into any type of derivative instrument in order to hedge interest rate risk as at 31 December 2007.

The Board’s policy is to maintain a strong capital base as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain future development of the business.

 

6. Segment reporting

Geographical segments:

The primary format, geographical segments, is based on the dominant source and nature of the Group’s risk and returns as well as the Group’s internal reporting structure.

In presenting information on the basis of geographical segments, segment revenue is based on the geographical location of the entities. Segment assets are based on the geographical location of the assets.

The Group comprises the following main geographical segments: Turkey, Ukraine, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Business segments:

In presenting information on the basis of business segments, segment revenue is based on the operational activity of the entities. Segment assets are based on the intended use of the assets.

 

F-26


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

The Group comprises the following main business segments: Telecommunications and betting businesses.

 

    Turkey   Ukraine     Turkish
Republic of
Northern

Cyprus
  Other   Eliminations     Consolidated  
    2006     2005   2006     2005     2006   2005   2006   2005   2006     2005     2006     2005  

Total external revenues

  4,544,493     4,433,617   87,949     45,568     67,865   48,795   —     —     —       —       4,700,307     4,527,980  

Inter-segment revenue

  1,251     753   —       —       5,384   7,807   —     —     (6,635 )   (8,560 )   —       —    
                                                             

Total segment revenue

  4,545,744     4,434,370   87,949     45,568     73,249   56,602   —     —     (6,635 )   (8,560 )   4,700,307     4,527,980  
                                                             

Segment result

  1,236,455     1,070,981   (154,934 )   (106,759 )   7,243   5,783       1,220     1,874     1,089,984     971,879  

Unallocated income/(expense), net

                      1,583     10,502  
                               

Results from operating activities

                      1,091,567     982,381  
                               

Net finance costs

                      75,977     (23,727 )

Share of profit/(loss) of equity accounted investees

  (2,668 )             81,284   68,234       78,616     68,234  

Gain on net monetary position, net

                      —       11,037  

Income tax expense

                      (413,242 )   (290,472 )
                               

Profit for the period

                      832,918     747,453  
                               

 

    Turkey     Ukraine     Turkish
Republic of
Northern
Cyprus
  Other   Eliminations     Consolidated  
    2007     2006     2007     2006     2007   2006   2007     2006   2007     2006     2007     2006  

Total external revenues

  5,991,916     4,544,493     252,821     87,949     83,843   67,865   —       —     —       —       6,328,580     4,700,307  

Inter-segment revenue

  5,275     1,251     1,230     —       5,995   5,384   —       —     (12,500 )   (6,635 )   —       —    
                                                                 

Total segment revenue

  5,997,191     4,545,744     254,051     87,949     89,838   73,249   —       —     (12,500 )   (6,635 )   6,328,580     4,700,307  
                                                                 

Segment result

  1,928,611     1,236,455     (108,042 )   (154,934 )   13,631   7,243   (90 )     48     1,220     1,834,158     1,089,984  

Unallocated income/(expense), net

                      (14,624 )   1,583  
                               

Results from operating activities

                      1,819,534     1,091,567  
                               

Net finance costs

                      (242,774 )   75,977  

Share of profit/(loss) of equity accounted investees

  (44,045 )   (2,668 )           108,951     81,284       64,906     78,616  

Income tax expense

                      (322,418 )   (413,242 )
                               

Profit for the period

                      1,319,248     832,918  
                               

 

F-27


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

    Turkey   Ukraine   Turkish
Republic of
Northern
Cyprus
  Other   Consolidated
    2007   2006   2007   2006   2007   2006   2007   2006   2007   2006

Segment assets

  3,730,627   3,153,847   708,005   572,210   70,570   35,529   125,066   —     4,634,268   3,761,586

Investment in equity accounted investees

  149,306   147,568   —     —     —     —     515,079   376,272   664,385   523,840

Unallocated assets

                  3,170,393   1,804,309
                       

Total assets

  3,879,933   3,301,415   708,005   572,210   70,570   35,529   640,145   376,272   8,469,046   6,089,735
                       

Segment liabilities

  1,096,780   736,665   91,561   76,563   12,694   12,939   48   —     1,201,083   826,167

Unallocated liabilities

                  1,336,758   1,145,601
                       

Total liabilities

                  2,537,841   1,971,768
                       

Capital expenditure

  540,249   391,731   205,963   200,237   36,901   12,791   —     —     783,113   604,759

Depreciation

  474,745   452,708   52,452   40,085   5,718   5,740   —     —     532,915   498,533

Amortization of intangible assets

  225,570   198,293   32,189   32,259   2,303   928   —     —     260,062   231,480

 

    Turkey   Ukraine   Turkish
Republic of
Northern

Cyprus
  Other   Consolidated
    2006   2005   2006   2005   2006   2005   2006   2005   2006   2005

Capital expenditure

  391,731   495,596   200,237   270,551   12,791   6,497   —     —     604,759   772,644

Depreciation

  452,708   498,346   40,085   26,756   5,740   5,227   —     —     498,533   530,329

Amortization of intangible assets

  198,293   204,033   32,259   15,313   928   692   —     —     231,480   220,038

Business segments

 

     Telecommunications    Betting    Other operations    Consolidated
     2006    2005    2006    2005    2006    2005    2006    2005

Total external revenue

   4,517,011    4,402,905    172,372    112,495    10,924    12,580    4,700,307    4,527,980

Capital expenditure

   594,524    749,490    3,300    4,537    6,935    18,617    604,759    772,644

 

     Telecommunications    Betting    Other operations    Consolidated
     2007    2006    2007    2006    2007    2006    2007    2006

Total external revenue

   6,130,425    4,517,011    181,296    172,372    16,859    10,924    6,328,580    4,700,307

Capital expenditure

   759,390    594,524    1,354    3,300    22,369    6,935    783,113    604,759

Segment assets

   4,439,037    3,712,408    20,660    23,418    174,571    25,760    4,634,268    3,761,586

 

7. Acquisitions of joint ventures and minority interests

Business combination

During August 2006, the Company acquired 50% shares of A-Tel for a consideration of TRY 218,715 (equivalent to $150,000 as at 9 August 2006, acquisition date). A-Tel is accounted for under equity method and results of the operations for the year ended 31 December 2007 are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements using ownership rate of 50% as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007.

 

F-28


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

In the five months ended 31 December 2006, A-Tel contributed profit of $12,273. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2006, management estimates that consolidated profit for the year ended 31 December 2006 would have been increased by $15,834. In determining these amounts, management has assumed that the fair value adjustments that arose on the date of acquisition would have been the same if the acquisition occurred on 1 January 2006.

On the acquisition of A-Tel shares, the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities exceeded the cost of the acquisition by $7,848. The Group reassessed the measurement of the acquired assets and liabilities and reduced acquired intangible assets by $7,848.

The carrying amount and fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities at the date of acquisition are given below:

 

     Pre-acquisition
carrying
amounts
    Fair value
adjustments
    Recognized
values on
acquisition
 

Property, plant and equipment

   73     —       73  

Intangible assets

   —       250,926     250,926  

Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

   92     (53,324 )   (53,232 )

Due from related parties

   10,948     —       10,948  

Trade and other receivables

   3,187     —       3,187  

Inventory

   27     —       27  

Other current asset

   224     —       224  

Other investments, including derivatives

   1,855     —       1,855  

Cash and cash equivalents

   96,803     —       96,803  

Employee benefits

   (221 )   —       (221 )

Trade and other payables

   (1,501 )   —       (1,501 )

Income taxes payable

   (1,809 )   —       (1,809 )

Due to related parties

   (7,280 )   —       (7,280 )
                  

Net identifiable assets and liabilities

   102,398     197,602     300,000  

Percentage of acquired shares

       50 %
          

Net acquired assets and liabilities

       150,000  
          

Pre-acquisition carrying amounts were determined based on applicable IFRSs immediately before the acquisition. The values of assets and liabilities recognized on acquisition are their estimated fair values (see note 4 for methods used in determining fair values).

During February 2007 and September 2006, A-Tel’s General Assembly decided to distribute dividends and accordingly the Company reduced the carrying value of its investment in A-Tel by the dividends declared of TRY 37,448 (equivalent to $32,152 as at 31 December 2007) and TRY 30,300 (equivalent to $26,015 as at 31 December 2007) as at 31 December 2007 and 2006, respectively. On 9 March 2007 and 16 October 2006, such dividends are collected by the Company.

A-Tel is involved in the marketing, selling and distributing the Company’s prepaid systems. A-Tel acts as the only dealer of the Company for Muhabbet Kart (a prepaid card), and receives dealer activation fees and sim-card subsidies for the sale of Muhabbet Kart. In addition to the sales of sim-cards and scratch cards through an extensive network of newspaper kiosks located throughout Turkey, the Company has entered into several agreements with A-Tel for sale of campaigns and for subscriber activations. Since 1999, the

 

F-29


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

business cooperation between the Company and A-Tel has provided important support to the Company’s sales and marketing activities. With the brand name Muhabbet Kart, A-Tel has proved success in a competitive environment through well structured campaigns. With the acquisition of 50% share in A-Tel, management believes that the Company is better positioned in the changing competitive environment and achieves increased benefits by optimizing sales and marketing efforts. A-Tel is a joint venture and its remaining 50% shares are held by Turkey’s Savings and Deposit Insurance Fund (the “SDIF”).

Acquisition of minority interests

In January, March, May, July and September 2007, the Company made contribution to capital increase of Euroasia for $27,500 each. As Eurocorp did not participate in these capital increases, ownership of the Company increased from 54.8% to 55.0%. The Group recognised a decrease in minority interests of $751.

 

8. Revenue

 

     2007    2006    2005

Communication fees

   5,976,890    4,406,680    4,295,866

Commission fees on betting business

   181,296    172,372    112,495

Monthly fixed fees

   54,816    57,599    54,946

Sim-card sales

   20,767    20,960    50,327

Call center revenues

   12,925    10,237    10,122

Other revenues

   81,886    32,459    4,224
              
   6,328,580    4,700,307    4,527,980
              

 

9. Personnel Expenses

 

     2007    2006    2005

Wages and salaries (*)

   385,192    262,198    230,312

Increase in liability for long-service leave

   8,487    5,736    5,444

Contributions to defined contribution plans

   1,253    1,014    827
              
   394,932    268,948    236,583
              
 
  * Wages and salaries include compulsory social security contributions.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

10. Finance income and expenses

Recognised in profit or loss:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Interest income on bank deposits

   241,055     133,640     116,987  

Late payment interest income

   37,188     29,391     32,677  

Premium income on option contracts

   17,807     11,708     —    

Interest income on unimpaired held-to-maturity investments

   890     1,219     9,911  

Net gain on disposal of available-for-sale financial assets transferred from equity

   1,673     1,445     —    

Interest income on available-for-sale financial assets

   303     794     521  

Other interest income

   9,452     5,818     7,376  
                  

Finance income

   308,368     184,015     167,472  
                  

Discount interest expense on financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

   (42,137 )   (61,512 )   (80,939 )

Net foreign exchange loss

   (460,754 )   (41,288 )   (16,889 )

Debt extinguishment cost

   (17,549 )   —       —    

Option premium expense

   (8,501 )   —       —    

Interest expense resulting from litigations

   (15,602 )   (2,516 )   (86,682 )

Other

   (6,599 )   (2,722 )   (6,689 )
                  

Finance expenses

   (551,142 )   (108,038 )   (191,199 )
                  

Net finance income/(expense)

   (242,774 )   75,977     (23,727 )
                  

Late payment interest income is interest received from subscribers who pay monthly invoices after due date specified on the invoices.

Debt extinguishment cost consists of the difference between the net present value and the face value of the long term syndicated loan on the date of payment.

Interest expense on borrowings capitalized on fixed assets amounts to $11,268, $7,089 and $506 for the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

11. Income tax expense

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Current tax expense

      

Current period

   (412,521 )   (310,665 )   (69,751 )
                  
   (412,521 )   (310,665 )   (69,751 )
                  

Deferred tax benefit/(expense)

      

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

   56,769     14,036     (284,335 )

Benefit of investment incentive recognized

   31,369     29,959     60,646  

Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses

   1,965     6,237     2,968  

Reduction in tax rate

   —       (152,809 )   —    
                  
   90,103     (102,577 )   (220,721 )
                  

Total income tax expense

   (322,418 )   (413,242 )   (290,472 )
                  

 

F-31


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Income tax recognized directly in equity is amounting to $755, $656 and $231 for the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Reconciliation of effective tax rate

The reported income tax expense for the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 are different than the amounts computed by applying the statutory tax rate to profit before income tax of the Company, as shown in the following reconciliation:

 

           2007           2006           2005  

Profit for the period

     1,319,248       832,918       747,453  

Total income tax expense

     322,418       413,242       290,472  
                        

Profit excluding income tax

     1,641,666       1,246,160       1,037,925  
                        

Income tax using the Company’s domestic tax rate

   20 %   (328,333 )   20 %   (249,232 )   30 %   (311,378 )

Effect of tax rates in foreign jurisdictions

   —       7,960     (1 )%   8,954     —       (4,495 )

Tax exempt income

   (1 )%   9,724     (1 )%   7,703     (1 )%   12,502  

Non deductible expenses

   2 %   (25,118 )   1 %   (13,452 )   5 %   (48,113 )

Tax incentives

   (2 )%   31,369     (2 )%   29,959     (6 )%   60,646  

Change in tax rate

   —       —       12 %   (152,809 )   —       —    

Recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses

   —       1,965     (1 )%   6,237     —       2,968  

Unrecognized deferred tax assets

   2 %   (28,319 )   3 %   (37,120 )   1 %   (7,922 )

Deferred taxes on undistributed earnings of subsidiary

   —       —       1 %   (15,109 )   —       —    

Other

   (1 %)   8,334     —       1,627     (1 )%   5,320  
                        

Total income tax expense

   20 %   (322,418 )   33 %   (413,242 )   28 %   (290,472 )
                        

The income taxes payable of $443,194 and $309,470 as at 31 December 2007 and 2006, respectively, represents the amount of income taxes payable in respect of related taxable profit for the year ended 31 December 2007 and 2006.

According to the article 32 of New Corporate Tax Law No. 5520, the corporate tax rate was reduced from 30% to 20%. In this respect, corporate income of the companies are subject to corporate tax at the rate of 20%, effective from 1 January 2006 onwards. It has been also stated that the advance corporate tax that was calculated and collected on the rate of 30% for the advance corporate tax periods after 1 January 2006 that is in excess of the amount calculated by the new rate for the same periods will be offset against the advance corporate tax for the following advance tax periods.

According to the Income Tax Law which was published in Official Gazette on 8 April 2006, the investment allowance application has been abolished effective from 1 January 2006. Accordingly, tax payers have been granted an option to use the tax benefits of investment incentive certificates given that they file tax returns at 30% corporate tax rate; or file tax returns at 20% corporate tax rate (which is the new comparable tax rate effective from 1 January 2006) without using the tax benefits of investment incentive certificates. The Company used the tax benefit of investment incentive certificates which provides 0.2% net benefit on

 

F-32


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

corporate taxes. However, the respective law allows the taxpayers to utilize their investment allowance rights obtained under the scope of the previous provisions only from their income generated in the years 2006, 2007 and 2008.

 

12. Property, plant and equipment

 

     Balance at
1 January

2006
   Additions     Disposals     Transfers     Effect of
movements in
exchange rates
    Balance at
31 December
2006

Cost or deemed cost

             

Network infrastructure (All Operational)

   4,220,485    14,453     (1,897 )   424,458     (180,707 )   4,476,792

Land and buildings

   250,517    3,972     (386 )   10,874     (11,269 )   253,708

Equipment, fixtures and fittings

   292,428    6,634     (1,597 )   7,675     (12,657 )   292,483

Motor vehicles

   18,982    589     (915 )   15     (853 )   17,818

Leasehold improvements

   137,196    544     (17 )   —       (5,893 )   131,830

Construction in progress

   385,367    344,185     —       (443,022 )   (19,343 )   267,187
                                 

Total

   5,304,975    370,377     (4,812 )   —       (230,722 )   5,439,818
                                 

Accumulated Depreciation

             

Network infrastructure (All Operational)

   2,714,156    465,549     (1,261 )   —       (115,296 )   3,063,148

Land and buildings

   59,342    10,615     —       —       (2,514 )   67,443

Equipment, fixtures and fittings

   248,763    16,649     (1,228 )   —       (10,918 )   253,266

Motor vehicles

   14,991    1,895     (632 )   —       (653 )   15,601

Leasehold improvements

   125,013    3,825     (15 )   —       (5,454 )   123,369
                                 

Total

   3,162,265    498,533     (3,136 )   —       (134,835 )   3,522,827
                                 

Total property, plant and equipment

   2,142,710    (128,156 )   (1,676 )   —       (95,887 )   1,916,991
                                 

 

F-33


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

     Balance at
1 January
2007
   Additions    Disposals     Transfers     Effect of
movements in
exchange rates
   Balance at
31 December
2007

Cost or deemed cost

               

Network infrastructure (All Operational)

   4,476,792    77,393    (394,103 )   460,982     862,675    5,483,739

Land and buildings

   253,708    29,474    (124 )   —       45,214    328,272

Equipment, fixtures and fittings

   292,483    14,870    (8,609 )   2,651     55,903    357,298

Motor vehicles

   17,818    819    (5,033 )   —       3,648    17,252

Leasehold improvements

   131,830    1,304    (188 )   —       21,016    153,962

Construction in progress

   267,187    452,268    —       (463,633 )   52,947    308,769
                               

Total

   5,439,818    576,128    (408,057 )   —       1,041,403    6,649,292
                               

Accumulated Depreciation

               

Network infrastructure (All Operational)

   3,063,148    501,390    (385,685 )   —       663,137    3,841,990

Land and buildings

   67,443    11,785    (42 )   —       14,842    94,028

Equipment, fixtures and fittings

   253,266    17,747    (8,522 )   —       64,223    326,714

Motor vehicles

   15,601    1,286    (4,866 )   —       3,377    15,398

Leasehold improvements

   123,369    707    (122 )   —       25,313    149,267
                               

Total

   3,522,827    532,915    (399,237 )   —       770,892    4,427,397
                               

Total property, plant and equipment

   1,916,991    43,213    (8,820 )   —       270,511    2,221,895
                               

Depreciation expenses for the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 are $532,915, $498,533 and $530,329, respectively.

Leased assets

The Group leases equipments under a number of finance lease agreements. As at the end of each of the lease period, the Group has the option to purchase the equipment at a beneficial price. At 31 December 2007, net carrying amount of fixed assets acquired under finance leases amounted to $95,751 (31 December 2006: $92,956).

Property, plant and equipment under construction

Construction in progress consisted of expenditures in GSM network of the Company, Astelit and Kibris Mobile Telekomunikasyon Limited Sirketi (“Kibris Telekom”) and non-operational items as at 31 December 2007 and 2006.

As at 31 December 2007, a mortgage is placed on Izmir and Davutpasa buildings amounting to $1,288 and $429, respectively (31 December 2006: $1,067 and $356, respectively).

 

F-34


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

13. Intangible assets

In April 1998, the Company signed the License with the Turkish Ministry, under which it was granted a GSM license, which is amortized in 25 years with a carrying amount of $602,070 as at 31 December 2007 (31 December 2006: $531,598). The amortization period of the licence will end in 2023.

 

     Balance at
1 January
2006
   Additions    Disposals     Transfers     Effects of
movements
in exchange rates
    Balance at
31 December
2006

Cost

              

GSM and other telecommunication operating licences

   940,015    242    —       7,574     (45,404 )   902,427

Computer Software

   1,454,453    13,356    (204 )   163,531     (65,802 )   1,565,334

Transmission Lines

   31,735    1,287    (305 )   9     (1,440 )   31,286

Central Betting System Operating Right

   4,431    201    (393 )   —       (201 )   4,038

Customer Base

   1,255    —      —       —       —       1,255

Other

   79    3    —       —       2     84

Construction in progress

   —      219,293      (171,114 )   (614 )   47,565
                                

Total

   2,431,968    234,382    (902 )   —       (113,459 )   2,551,989
                                

Accumulated Amortization

              

GSM and other telecommunication operating licences

   280,629    58,875    —       —       (11,675 )   327,829

Computer Software

   833,459    168,192    (70 )   —       (35,068 )   966,513

Transmission Lines

   16,660    3,067    (34 )   —       (707 )   18,986

Central Betting System Operating Right

   2,146    1,038    (393 )   —       (80 )   2,711

Customer Base

   1,002    297    —       —       (44 )   1,255

Other

   17    11    —       —       (1 )   27
                                

Total

   1,133,913    231,480    (497 )   —       (47,575 )   1,317,321
                                

Total intangible assets

   1,298,055    2,902    (405 )   —       (65,884 )   1,234,668
                                

 

F-35


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

     Balance at
1 January
2007
   Additions     Disposals     Transfers     Effects of
movements in
exchange rates
    Balance at
31 December
2007

Cost

             

GSM and other telecommunication operating licences

   902,427    29,972     —       16,636     168,520     1,117,555

Computer Software

   1,565,334    13,391     (3,472 )   188,137     309,381     2,072,771

Transmission Lines

   31,286    1,917     —       —       6,471     39,674

Central Betting System Operating Right

   4,038    55     —       —       835     4,928

Customer Base

   1,255    —       —       —       260     1,515

Other

   84    245     —       20     (254 )   95

Construction in progress

   47,565    161,405     —       (204,793 )   —       4,177
                                 

Total

   2,551,989    206,985     (3,472 )   —       485,213     3,240,715
                                 

Accumulated Amortization

             

GSM and other telecommunication operating licences

   327,829    50,341     —       —       63,411     441,581

Computer Software

   966,513    205,052     (766 )   —       219,992     1,390,791

Transmission Lines

   18,986    3,467     —       —       4,332     26,785

Central Betting System Operating Right

   2,711    1,173     —       —       692     4,576

Customer Base

   1,255    —       —       —       260     1,515

Other

   27    29     —       —       8     64
                                 

Total

   1,317,321    260,062     (766 )   —       288,695     1,865,312
                                 

Total intangible assets

   1,234,668    (53,077 )   (2,706 )   —       196,518     1,375,403
                                 

Amortization expenses for the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 are $260,062, $231,480 and $220,038, respectively.

 

14. Equity accounted investees

The Group’s share of profit in its equity accounted investees for the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 are $64,906, $78,616 and $68,234, respectively. Summary financial information for equity accounted investees, not adjusted for the percentage ownership held by the Group is as follows:

 

     Ownership     Current
Assets
   Non-current
Assets
   Total
Assets
   Current
Liabilities
   Non-current
Liabilities
   Total
Liabilities

31 December 2007

                   

Fintur (associate)

   41.45 %   418,485    1,390,361    1,808,846    235,264    31,355    266,619

A-Tel (joint venture)

   50.00 %   85,473    287,790    373,263    15,939    57,707    73,646
                               
     503,958    1,678,151    2,182,109    251,203    89,062    340,265
                               

31 December 2006

                   

Fintur (associate)

   41.45 %   310,410    1,103,420    1,413,830    255,319    47,445    302,764

A-Tel (joint venture)

   50.00 %   103,446    105    103,551    12,301    247    12,548
                               
     413,856    1,103,525    1,517,381    267,620    47,692    315,312
                               

 

F-36


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

     Revenue    Direct cost of
revenue
    Profit for the
period

2007

       

Fintur (associate)

   1,486,390    (609,494 )   262,850

A-Tel (joint venture)

   92,791    (95,033 )   7,058
               
   1,579,181    (704,527 )   269,908
               

2006

       

Fintur (associate)

   1,161,432    (463,277 )   194,790

A-Tel (joint venture)*

   31,472    (4,868 )   24,208
               
   1,192,904    (468,145 )   218,998
               

2005

       

Fintur (associate)

   853,571    (348,239 )   162,311
               
   853,571    (348,239 )   162,311
               

 

* Since A-tel was acquired in August 2006, summary financial information of A-tel is given for the five months ended 31 December 2006.

In 2006, the Group acquired a 50% investment in A-Tel. Details of the transaction and A-Tel’s operations are described in note 7. The Company’s investment in Fintur and A-Tel amounts to $515,079 and $149,306, respectively as at 31 December 2007 (31 December 2006: $376,272 and $147,568).

 

15. Other investments

Non-current investments:

 

          2007    2006
     Country of
incorporation
   Ownership
(%)
   Carrying
Amount
   Ownership
(%)
   Carrying
Amount

Aks Televizyon Reklamcilik ve Filmcilik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS (“Aks TV”)

   Turkey    6.24    29,077    6.24    24,093

T Medya Yatirim Sanayi ve Ticaret AS (“T-Medya”)

   Turkey    9.23    13,277    8.23    11,002
                  
         42,354       35,095
                  

In 2003, the Group acquired a 6.24% interest in Aks TV and a 8.23% interest in T-Medya, media companies owned by Cukurova Group. On 27 June 2007, T-Medya took over Asli Gazetecilik ve Matbaacilik AS and, as a result of this restructuring, interest of the Group in T-Medya increased from 8.23% to 9.23%.

Investment in Aks TV and T-Medya is classified as available-for-sale financial assets. However, there is not active market available for these equity instruments, and application of valuation techniques is impracticable. Accordingly, the Company measured these investments at cost.

 

F-37


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Current investments:

 

     2007    2006

Held-to-maturity investments

   —      7,045

Government bonds, treasury bills

   —      7,045

Available-for-sale financial assets

   28,218    54,688

Government bonds, treasury bills

   1,738    20,683

Foreign investment equity funds

   26,480    34,005
         
   28,218    61,733
         

Interest bearing available-for-sale USD denominated and EUR denominated government bonds and treasury bills with a carrying amount of $1,440 and $298, respectively as at 31 December 2007 (31 December 2006: TRY denominated $18,961, USD denominated $1,449 and EUR denominated $273) have stated interest rates of Libor+1.0%-Libor+1.6% (31 December 2006: Libor+1.0% -Libor+1.6%) and Euribor+1.8% (31 December 2006: Euribor+1.8%), respectively and mature in 2 to 3 years (31 December 2006: 2 to 4 years).

Foreign investment equity funds are denominated in USD with a carrying amount of $26,480 as at 31 December 2007 (31 December 2006: $34,005).

The Group’s exposure to credit, currency and interest rate risks related to other investments is disclosed in Note 28.

 

16. Other non-current assets

 

     2007    2006

Prepaid expenses

   28,365    12,687

Prepayment for subscriber acquisition cost

   6,347    —  

Deposits and guarantees given

   5,621    2,275

Restricted cash

   —      105,378

Others

   3,838    1,125
         
   44,171    121,465
         

Subscriber acquisition costs are subsidies to the subscribers for the handsets, under which Astelit can enforce the minimum customer contract period and can determine revenues that can be linked to individual contracts.

As at 31 December 2006, restricted cash represents amounts deposited at banks as guarantees in connection with the loans used by the Group, which was released on 24 January 2008.

 

17. Deferred tax assets and liabilities

Unrecognised deferred tax assets

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the following items:

 

     2007    2006

Deductible temporary differences

   457    227

Tax credit carry forwards

   —      117

Tax losses

   48,604    49,633
         

Total unrecognised deferred tax assets

   49,061    49,977
         

 

F-38


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

The deductible temporary differences do not expire under current tax legislation. Turkish tax legislation does not allow companies to file tax returns on a consolidated basis. Therefore, deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of these items resulting from certain consolidated subsidiaries because it is not probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the Group can utilise the benefits therefrom.

As at 31 December 2007, expiration of tax losses is as follows:

 

Year Originated

   Amount    Expiration Date

2003

   40    2008

2004

   1,443    2009

2005

   1,414    2010

2006

   5,442    2011

2007

   16,428    2012 thereafter

As at 31 December 2007, net operating loss carry forwards which will be carried indefinitely are as follows:

 

Year Originated

   Amount

2006

   125,354

2007

   48,855

The Budget Law enacted for 2007 in Ukraine disallowed carry-forwards of the tax losses accumulated before 1 January 2006. Astelit decreased its unrecognized deferred tax assets amounting to $24,761 as at 31 December 2007.

Recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities

Deferred tax assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2007 and 2006 are attributable to the following:

 

     Assets     Liabilities     Net  
     2007     2006     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Property, plant & equipment and intangible assets

   872     —       (201,602 )   (227,822 )   (200,730 )   (227,822 )

Investment

   —       —       (7,816 )   (30,246 )   (7,816 )   (30,246 )

Provisions

   67,562     47,334     —       (204 )   67,562     47,130  

Other items

   11,436     12,459     (917 )   (4 )   10,519     12,455  

Tax credit carry forwards

   523     5,275     —       —       523     5,275  
                                    

Tax assets / (liabilities)

   80,393     65,068     (210,335 )   (258,276 )   (129,942 )   (193,208 )
                                    

Set off of tax

   (77,947 )   (62,016 )   77,947     62,016     —       —    
                                    

Net tax assets / (liabilities)

   2,446     3,052     (132,388 )   (196,260 )   (129,942 )   (193,208 )
                                    

All temporary differences are recognized in profit or loss except for the deferred tax effects of change in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets amounting $1,331, $656 and $231 as at 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

F-39


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

18. Trade receivables and accrued income

 

     2007    2006

Receivables from subscribers

   277,519    156,111

Accrued service income

   167,194    95,686

Accounts and checks receivable

   87,538    53,244

Receivables from Turk Telekomunikasyon AS (“Turk Telekom”)

   26,312    13,932
         
   558,563    318,973
         

Trade receivables are shown net of allowance for doubtful debts amounting to $181,746 as at 31 December 2007 (31 December 2006: $133,615). The impairment loss recognized for the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 are $35,142, $30,513 and $24,789, respectively.

The accrued service income represents revenues accrued for subscriber calls (air-time), which have not been billed. Due to the volume of subscribers, there are different billing cycles; accordingly, an accrual is made at each period end to accrue revenues for rendered but not yet billed.

Receivables from Turk Telekom as at 31 December 2007 and 2006 represent net amounts that are due from Turk Telekom under the Interconnection Agreement. The Interconnection Agreement provides that Turk Telekom will pay to the Company for Turk Telekom’s fixed-line subscribers’ calls to GSM subscribers.

Letters of guarantee received with respect to the accounts and checks receivable are amounted to $109,322 and $32,308 as at 31 December 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The Group’s exposure to credit and currency risks and impairment losses related to trade receivables are disclosed in Note 28.

 

19. Other current assets

 

     2007    2006

Restricted cash

   125,304    107

Prepaid expenses

   61,056    45,391

Income accruals

   36,338    15,807

Value added tax (“VAT”) receivable

   27,688    38,254

Prepayment for subscriber acquisition cost

   14,704    10,795

Advances to suppliers

   14,196    7,628

Other

   12,248    7,671
         
   291,534    125,653
         

As at 31 December 2007, restricted cash represents amounts deposited at banks as guarantees in connection with the loans used by the Group, which was released on 24 January 2008.

Subscriber acquisition costs are subsidies to the subscribers for the handsets, under which Astelit can enforce the minimum customer contract period and can determine revenues that can be linked to individual contracts.

 

F-40


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

20. Cash and cash equivalents

 

     2007     2006  

Cash in hand

   205     114  

Checks received

   999     8,644  

Banks

   3,093,906     1,589,401  

-Demand deposits

   185,551     135,039  

-Time deposits

   2,908,355     1,454,362  

Bonds and bills

   190     481  
            

Cash and cash equivalents

   3,095,300     1,598,640  

Bank overdrafts

   (2,125 )   (285 )
            

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows

   3,093,175     1,598,355  
            

As at 31 December 2007, cash and cash equivalents amounting to $60,000 (31 December 2006: $25,011) were deposited in banks, that are owned and/or controlled by Cukurova Group, a significant shareholder of the Company.

The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk and a sensitivity analysis for financial assets and liabilities are disclosed in Note 28.

 

F-41


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

21. Capital and reserves

Reconciliation of movement in capital and reserves

 

     Attributable to equity holders of the Company              
     Share
Capital
   Share
Premium
   Legal
Reserves
   Fair Value
Reserve
   Translation
Reserve
    Retained
Earnings
    Total     Minority
Interest
    Total
Equity
 

Balance at 1 January 2005

   1,207,142    415    50,458    —      (13,935 )   1,670,402     2,914,482     65,514     2,979,996  

Increase in capital

   169,092    —      —      —      —       (169,092 )   —       —       —    

Transfer to legal reserves

   —      —      49,503    —      —       (49,503 )   —       —       —    

Total recognized income and expense

   62,732    19    4,526    800    (6,762 )   832,906     894,221     (24,793 )   869,428  

Dividends paid

   —      —      —      —      —       (182,176 )   (182,176 )   —       (182,176 )

Change in minority interest

   —      —      —      —      —       —       —       23,073     23,073  
                                                  

Balance at 31 December 2005

   1,438,966    434    104,487    800    (20,697 )   2,102,537     3,626,527     63,794     3,690,321  
                                                  

Balance at 1 January 2006

   1,438,966    434    104,487    800    (20,697 )   2,102,537     3,626,527     63,794     3,690,321  

Increase in capital

   197,238    —      —      —      —       (197,238 )   —       —       —    

Transfer to legal reserves

   —      —      43,786    —      —       (43,786 )   —       —       —    

Total recognized income and expense

   —      —      —      2,015    (135,275 )   875,491     742,231     (42,573 )   699,658  

Dividends paid

   —      —      —      —      —       (342,166 )   (342,166 )   —       (342,166 )

Acquisition of minority shares

   —      —      —      —      —       —       —       (17,591 )   (17,591 )

Change in minority interest

   —      —      —         —       —       —       87,745     87,745  
                                                  

Balance at 31 December 2006

   1,636,204    434    148,273    2,815    (155,972 )   2,394,838     4,026,592     91,375     4,117,967  
                                                  

Balance at 1 January 2007

   1,636,204    434    148,273    2,815    (155,972 )   2,394,838     4,026,592     91,375     4,117,967  

Transfer to legal reserves

   —      —      108,561    —      —       (108,561 )   —       —       —    

Total recognized income and expense

   —      —      —      2,666    825,570     1,350,162     2,178,398     (45,182 )   2,133,216  

Dividends paid

   —      —      —      —      —       (411,913 )   (411,913 )   (45,712 )   (457,625 )

Change in minority interest

   —      —      —      —      —       —       —       137,647     137,647  
                                                  

Balance at 31 December 2007

   1,636,204    434    256,834    5,481    669,598     3,224,526     5,793,077     138,128     5,931,205  
                                                  

 

F-42


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Share capital

As at 31 December 2007, common stock represented 2,200,000,000 (31 December 2006: 2,200,000,000) authorized, issued and fully paid shares with a par value of TRY 1 each. In accordance with the Law No. 5083 with respect to TRY, on 9 May 2005, par value of each share is registered to be one TRY.

In connection with the redenomination of the Turkish Lira and as per the related amendments of Turkish Commercial Code, in order to increase the nominal value of the shares to TRY 1, 1,000 units of shares, each having a nominal value of TRY 0.001 shall be merged and each unit of share having a nominal value of TRY 1 shall be issued to represent such shares. The Company is still in the process of merging 1,000 existing ordinary shares, each having a nominal value of TRY 0.001 to one ordinary share having a nominal value of TRY 1 each. After the share merger which appears as a provisional article in the Articles of Association to convert the value of each share with a nominal value of TRY 0.001 to TRY 1, all shares will have a value of TRY 1. Although the merger process has not been finalized, the practical application is to state each share having a nominal value of TRY 1 which is consented by Capital Markets Board of Turkey (“CMB”). Accordingly, number of shares data is adjusted for the effect of this merger.

The holders of shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company.

Translation reserve

The translation reserve comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign and domestic operations from their functional currencies to presentation currency of USD.

Fair value reserve

The fair value reserve comprises the cumulative net change in the fair value of available-for-sale financial assets including deferred tax effects until the investments are derecognized or the asset is impaired.

Legal reserve

Under the Turkish Commercial Code, Turkish companies are required to set aside first and second level legal reserves out of their profits. First level legal reserves are set aside 5% of the distributable income per statutory accounts each year. The ceiling on the first legal reserves is 20% of the paid-up capital. The reserve requirement ends when the 20% of paid-up capital level has been reached. Second legal reserves correspond to 10% of profits actually distributed after the deduction of the first legal reserves and the minimum obligatory dividend pay-out (5% of the paid-up capital). There is no ceiling for second legal reserves and they are accumulated every year.

Dividends

The Company has adopted a dividend policy, which is set out in its corporate governance guidance. As adopted, the Company’s general dividend policy is to pay dividends to shareholders with due regard to trends in the Company’s operating performance, financial condition and other factors.

 

F-43


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

The Board of Directors intends to distribute cash dividends in an amount of not less than 50% of the Company’s lower of distributable profit based on the financial statements prepared in accordance with the accounting principles accepted by the CMB or statutory records, for each fiscal year starting with profits for fiscal year 2004. However, the payment of dividends will still be subject to cash flow requirements of the Company, compliance with Turkish law and the approval of and amendment by the Board of Directors and the General Assembly of Shareholders.

On 27 February 2008, Board of Directors of the Company decided to distribute dividends amounting to TRY 648,714 (equivalent to $556,979 as at 31 December 2007), which represented 50% of distributable income. This represents a net cash dividend of full TRY 0.294870 (equivalent to full $0.253172 in full as at 31 December 2007). Dividend distribution is subject to approval on ordinary General Assembly which will be held on 25 April 2008.

 

     2008    2007    2006
   TRY    USD    TRY    USD*    TRY    USD*

Cash dividends

   648,714    556,979    567,040    411,913    509,075    342,166

Stock dividends

   —      —      —      —      345,113    231,962
                             
   648,714    556,979    567,040    411,913    854,188    574,128
                             
 
  * USD equivalents of dividends are computed by using the Central Bank of Turkey’s TRY/USD exchange rate on 23 March 2007 and 22 May 2006, which are the dates that the General Assembly of Shareholders approved the dividend distribution.

On 17 January 2007, Board of Directors of Inteltek decided to distribute dividends amounting to TRY 139,838 (equivalent to $120,064 and $101,582 as at 31 December 2007 and 23 March 2007, respectively). Dividend distribution was approved at ordinary General Assembly meeting dated 23 March 2007, and TRY 62,927 (equivalent to $54,029 and $45,712 as at 31 December 2007 and 23 March 2007) of the total dividend was paid to minority shareholders.

 

22. Earnings per share

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share as at 31 December 2007 were based on the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders for the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 of $1,350,162, $875,491 and $772,246, respectively and a weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005 of 2,200,000,000 calculated as follows:

 

     2007    2006    2005

Numerator:

        

Net profit for the period

   1,350,162    875,491    772,246

Denominator:

        

Weighted average number of shares

   2,200,000,000    2,200,000,000    2,200,000,000
              

Basic and diluted earnings per share

   0.613710    0.397951    0.351021
              

 

F-44


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

All share amounts and per share figures reflected in the Company’s historical financial statements have been retrospectively restated for the stock splits and stock dividends. Total effects of restatements in the number of shares are as follows:

 

     2007    2006    2005*

Number of shares at 1 January

   2,200,000,000    1,854,887,341    1,474,639,361

Effects of stock dividends

   —      51,661,781    146,156,379

Effects of stock splits

   —      293,450,878    234,091,601
              

Number of shares at 31 December

   2,200,000,000    2,200,000,000    1,854,887,341
              
 
  * The figures do not include the retrospectively restatement effect for the stock dividend and stock splits of 2006.

 

23. Loans and borrowings

This note provides information about the contractual terms of the Group’s interest-bearing loans and borrowings, which are measured at amortized cost. For more information about the Group’s exposure to interest rate, foreign currency and liquidity risk and payment schedule for interest bearing loans, see note 28.

 

     2007    2006

Non-current liabilities

     

Unsecured bank loans

   140,404    5,720

Secured bank loans

   —      107,783
         
   140,404    113,503
         

Current liabilities

     

Current portion of unsecured bank loans

   —      190,770

Current portion of secured bank loans

   125,388    335,305

Unsecured bank facility

   494,098    —  

Current portion of finance lease liabilities

   69    8
         
   619,555    526,083
         

On 30 December 2005, Astelit, together with ING Bank N.V. (“ING Bank”) and Standard Bank London Ltd. (“Standard Bank”), finalized a syndicated long term project financing of $390,000. $368,732 of that facility had been utilized.

By the end of 2006, Turkcell management decided to take over all or a portion of the rights and obligations of Astelit’s senior creditors, who may decline to participate in the facilities following the implementation of new restructuring. On 19 April 2007, Astelit sent a letter accompanied by a term sheet, to ING Bank, the Facility Agent. With this term sheet, Astelit proposed restructuring of senior syndicated facility and notified that in case of some or all of the creditors do not consent to the proposed amendments, the Company shall purchase the loans and commitments held by such non-consenting creditors. Since the creditors did not consent to the proposed amendments, Astelit repaid to the lenders under the syndicated long term project financing on 27 June 2007 through obtaining borrowings from Financell, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. According to the market conditions and its financial performance, Astelit will redeem loans to Financell within the next 18 months from 27 June 2007 through a new financing package.

 

F-45


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Besides, as part of the project financing package, a long term junior facility up to $150,000 (including interest amounting to $24,000) was also finalized with Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS Luxemburg Branch and Akbank TAS Malta Branch. The junior facility is fully guaranteed by the Company. This facility has been fully utilized as at 31 December 2007.

On 9 January 2007, Board of Directors of the Company mandated Akbank T.A.S., Citibank N.A., Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS, HSBC Bank Plc, J.P. Morgan Plc and Standard Bank Plc as lead arrangers for an unsecured syndicated financing through a committed facility amounting to $3,000,000. The facility agreement has been signed on 26 February 2007. Since the Company did not foresee any financing need for the near future, the facility agreement was terminated as of 29 May 2007.

Significant portion of the loans are borrowed by Financell. In accordance with the financing agreements with HSBC Bank Plc, the Group shall not cease its control on Financell and there shall not be a change of control within the Company. In the event of any case, the creditor reserves the right to terminate the facility.

The loan amounting to EUR denominated $117,469 borrowed from West LB A.G., whose maturity was June 2008, was paid before its maturity on 24 January 2008.

As at 31 December 2007, the Group is not subject to any financial covenants or ratios with respect to its borrowings.

Terms and conditions of outstanding loans are as follows:

 

                2007   2006
    Currency   Year of
maturity
  Interest
rate type
  Nominal interest
rate
  Face
value
  Carrying
amount
  Nominal interest
rate
  Face
value
  Carrying
amount

Secured bank loans*

  EUR   2008   Floating   Euribor+0.8%   117,469   125,388   Euribor+0.8%   105,378   107,783

Secured bank loans**

  USD   2011   Floating   —     —     —     Libor+1.5%-4.5%   368,732   335,305

Unsecured bank loans

  USD   2008   Floating   Libor+0.6%   20,500   20,686   —     —     —  

Unsecured bank loans

  USD   2008   Floating   Libor+0.6%-0.8%   449,000   449,423   —     —     —  

Unsecured bank loans

  USD   2012   Floating   Libor+2.3%   140,226   140,365   Libor+2.6%-3.5%   184,000   190,770

Unsecured bank loans***

  EUR   2007   Floating   —     —     —     Euribor+0.7%   3,952   3,906

Unsecured bank loans

  EUR   2008   Floating   —     —     —     Euribor+0.7%   1,976   1,814

Unsecured bank loans

  EUR   2008   Floating   Euribor+0.7%   23,494   23,571   —     —     —  

Other unsecured bank loans

          —     457     —     —  

Finance lease liabilities

  USD   2008   Fixed   8.0%   58   69   7.0%-9.0%   10   8
                         
          750,747   759,959     664,048   639,586
                         

 

* Guarantee of the bank loan is restricted cash deposited at banks amounted to $125,304, which was released on 24 January 2008 due to loan repayment before the maturity.

 

F-46


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

** Although the scheduled repayment was in 2011, Astelit repaid the loan on 27 June 2007.
*** Although the scheduled repayment was in 2008, Tellcom repaid the loan in October 2007; therefore, maturity of the loan has been presented as 2007.

 

24. Employee benefits

International Accounting Standard No. 19 (“IAS 19”) “Employee Benefits” requires actuarial valuation methods to be developed to estimate the enterprise’s obligation under defined benefit plans. The liability for this retirement pay obligation is recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements at its present value using a discount rate of 5.7%.

Movement in the reserve for employee termination benefits as at 31 December 2007 is as follows:

 

     2007     2006  

Balance at 1 January

   17,648     16,600  

Provision set during the period

   6,184     4,365  

Payments made during the period

   (3,108 )   (3,962 )

Unwind of discount

   2,303     1,371  

Effect of change in foreign exchange rate

   4,202     (726 )
            

Balance at 31 December

   27,229     17,648  
            

Obligations for contributions to defined contribution plans are recognized as an expense in the consolidated income statement as incurred. The Group incurred $1,253, $1,014 and $827 in relation to defined contribution retirement plan for the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

25. Deferred income

Deferred income is mainly consists of counters sold but not used by prepaid subscribers and it is classified as current as of the reporting date. The amount of deferred income is $324,815 and $184,337 as at 31 December 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

26. Provisions

 

     Legal     Bonus     Total  

Balance at 1 January 2006

   15,106     17,887     32,993  

Provision made during the period

   —       28,651     28,651  

Provisions used during the period

   (4,961 )   (26,014 )   (30,975 )

Unwind of discount

   —       21     21  

Effect of change in foreign exchange rate

   (686 )   (770 )   (1,456 )
                  

Balance at 31 December 2006

   9,459     19,775     29,234  
                  

Balance at 1 January 2007

   9,459     19,775     29,234  

Provision made during the period

   14,478     41,040     55,518  

Provisions used during the period

   —       (21,605 )   (21,605 )

Unwind of discount

   —       (93 )   (93 )

Effect of change in foreign exchange rate

   1,957     6,123     8,080  
                  

Balance at 31 December 2007

   25,894     45,240     71,134  
                  

 

F-47


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

In note 31, under legal proceedings section, detailed explanations are given with respect to legal provisions in the captions under “Disputes on Turk Telekom Transmission Lines Leases” and “Dispute on Special Transaction Taxation Regarding Prepaid Card Sales”.

The bonus provision totalling to $45,240 and $19,775 comprises only the provision for the year ended 31 December 2007 and 2006, respectively and paid in February 2008 and March 2007, respectively.

 

27. Trade and other payables

The breakdown of trade and other payables as at 31 December 2007 and 2006 is as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Taxes and withholdings payable

   258,566    195,132

Payables to other suppliers

   181,496    134,227

Payables to Ericsson companies

   85,689    35,503

Selling and marketing expense accrual

   48,705    35,613

License fee accrual

   41,196    43,052

Roaming expense accrual

   39,637    9,680

Telecommunications Authority share accrual

   21,979    16,222

Interconnection payables

   21,412    69,399

Transmission fee accrual

   9,875    7,723

Deposits and guarantees taken from agents

   8,295    —  

Interconnection accrual

   5,771    3,330

Payables to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Tax Office

   3,000    —  

Payout payables to fixed odds betting players

   813    6,419

Other

   32,585    23,121
         
   759,019    579,421
         

Taxes and withholdings include VAT payable, special communications tax, frequency usage fees payable to Telecommunications Authority and personnel income taxes.

Balances due to other suppliers are arising in the ordinary course of business.

Payables to Ericsson companies comprise due to Ericsson Turkey, Ericsson Sweden and Ericsson AB arising from fixed asset purchases, site preparation and other services.

Selling and marketing expense accruals are mainly resulted from services received from third parties related to marketing activities of the Company which are not yet invoiced.

In accordance with the license agreement, Turkcell pays 90% of the ongoing license fee, which equals to the 15% of its gross revenue, to the Turkish Treasury and 10% as universal service fund to the Turkish Ministry.

Payables to interconnection suppliers arise from voice and SMS termination services rendered by other GSM operators.

The Group’s exposure to currency and liquidity risk related to trade and other payables is disclosed in Note 28.

 

F-48


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

28. Financial instruments

Credit risk

Exposure to credit risk:

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date was:

 

     Note    2007    2006

Due from related parties-long term

   32    68,871    72,506

Other non-current assets

   16    7,671    108,778

Available-for-sale financial assets

   15    28,218    54,688

Held-to-maturity investments

   15    —      7,045

Due from related parties-short term

   32    52,482    66,101

Trade receivables and accrued income

   18    558,563    318,973

Other current assets

   19    169,378    22,131

Cash and cash equivalents

   20    3,095,095    1,598,526
            
      3,980,278    2,248,748
            

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables arising from sales transactions including those classified as due from related parties at the reporting date by type of customer is:

 

     2007    2006

Receivable from subscribers

   443,705    249,810

Receivables from distributors and other operators

   137,363    95,162

Other

   10,577    2,642
         
   591,645    347,614
         

Impairment losses

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables as at 31 December 2007 and 2006 is as follows:

 

     2007     2006  

Opening balance

   133,615     149,209  

Impairment loss recognised

   35,142     30,513  

Write-off

   (16,876 )   (39,387 )

Effect of change in foreign exchange rate

   29,865     (6,720 )
            

Closing balance

   181,746     133,615  
            

The impairment loss recognised of $35,142, $30,513 and $24,789 for the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, relates to its estimate of incurred losses in respect of receivables from subscribers.

The allowance accounts in respect of trade receivables is used to record impairment losses unless the Group is satisfied that no recovery of the amount owing is possible; at that point the amount considered irrecoverable is written off against the trade receivable directly.

 

F-49


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Liquidity risk

The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities, including estimated interest payments and excluding the impact of netting agreements:

 

    2007   2006  
    Carrying
amount
  Contractual
cash flows
    6 months
or less
    6 - 12
months
    1 - 2
years
    2 - 5
years
    More than
5 years
  Carrying
amount
  Contractual
cash flows
    6 months
or less
    6 - 12
months
    1 - 2
years
    2 - 5
years
    More than
5 years
 

Non-derivative financial

                           

Liabilities

                           

Secured bank loans

  125,388   (127,950 )   (127,950 )   —       —       —       —     443,088   (594,547 )   (19,594 )   (19,375 )   (169,403 )   (386,175 )   —    

Unsecured bank loans

  634,502   (710,339 )   (479,020 )   (40,620 )   (11,065 )   (179,634 )   —     196,490   (283,454 )   (70,433 )   (5,332 )   (17,029 )   (33,078 )   (157,582 )

Finance lease liabilities

  69   (69 )   (69 )   —       —       —       —     8   (10 )   (10 )   —       —       —       —    

Trade and other payables

  758,223   (767,125 )   (767,125 )   —       —       —       —     579,383   (585,745 )   (585,745 )   —       —       —       —    

Other non-current liabilities

  —     —       —       —       —       —       —     8,683   (9,704 )   —       —       (9,704 )   —       —    

Bank overdraft

  2,125   (2,125 )   (2,125 )   —       —       —       —     285   (285 )   (285 )   —       —       —       —    
                                                                             

TOTAL

  1,520,307   (1,607,608 )   (1,376,289 )   (40,620 )   (11,065 )   (179,634 )   —     1,227,937   (1,473,745 )   (676,067 )   (24,707 )   (196,136 )   (419,253 )   (157,582 )
                                                                             

Current cash debt coverage ratio as at 31 December 2007 and 2006 is as follows:

 

     2007     2006  

Cash and cash equivalents

   3,095,300     1,598,640  

Current liabilities

   2,237,820     1,635,674  

Current cash debt coverage ratio

   138 %   98 %

 

F-50


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Exposure to currency risk

The Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk based on notional amounts is as follows:

 

     2006  
     USD     EUR     SEK  

Foreign currency denominated assets

      

Due from related parties-long term

   70,417     —       —    

Other non-current assets

   127     80,000     —    

Other investments

   28,524     5,468     —    

Due from related parties-short term

   22,433     74     —    

Trade receivables and accrued income

   20,311     462     —    

Other current assets

   487     61     —    

Cash and cash equivalents

   723,042     87,020     —    
                  
   865,341     173,085     —    
                  

Foreign currency denominated liabilities

      

Loans and borrowings-long term

   —       (84,500 )   —    

Other non-current liabilities

   (7,006 )   —       —    

Loans and borrowings-short term

   (552,732 )   —       —    

Trade and other payables

   (56,588 )   (10,981 )   (93,948 )

Due to related parties

   (1,074 )   (1,329 )   —    
                  
   (617,400 )   (96,810 )   (93,948 )
                  

Net exposure

   247,941     76,275     (93,948 )
                  
     2007  
     USD     EUR     SEK  

Foreign currency denominated assets

      

Due from related parties-long term

   68,871     770     —    

Other non-current assets

   5     2,136     —    

Other investments

   27,920     203     —    

Due from related parties-short term

   6,681     97     —    

Trade receivables and accrued income

   31,710     2,839     10  

Other current assets

   4,595     949     3  

Cash and cash equivalents

   1,806,527     88,416     5,901  
                  
   1,946,309     95,410     5,914  
                  

Foreign currency denominated liabilities

      

Loans and borrowings-long term

   —       —       —    

Other non-current liabilities

   —       —       —    

Loans and borrowings-short term

   (79,500 )   (96,000 )   —    

Trade and other payables

   (74,706 )   (43,799 )   (312,531 )

Due to related parties

   (546 )   (700 )   —    
                  
   (154,752 )   (140,499 )   (312,531 )
                  

Net exposure

   1,791,557     (45,089 )   (306,617 )
                  

 

F-51


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

The following significant exchange rates are applied during the period:

 

     Average Rate              Reporting Date Closing Rate        
     2007    2006    2007    2006

USD

   1.3031    1.4313    1.1647    1.4056

EUR

   1.7827    1.7974    1.7102    1.8515

SEK

   0.1918    0.1931    0.1798    0.2036

Sensitivity analysis

The basis for the sensitivity analysis to measure foreign exchange risk is an aggregate corporate-level currency exposure. The aggregate foreign exchange exposure is composed of all assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, both short-term and long-term purchase contracts. The analysis excludes net foreign currency investments. Changes in the fair values of forward contracts and currency options are also included in the sensitivity analysis, however, offsetting changes in the valuation of the underlying transaction are not included.

10% strengthening of the Turkish Lira against the following currencies as at 31 December 2007 and 2006 would have increased/(decreased) profit or loss by the amounts shown below. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant.

 

     Profit or loss  
     2007     2006  

USD

   (179,156 )   (24,794 )

EUR

   6,621     (10,047 )

SEK

   4,734     1,360  

10% weakening of the Turkish Lira against the following currencies as at 31 December 2007 and 2006 would have increased/ (decreased) profit or loss by the amounts shown below. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant.

 

     Profit or loss  
     2007     2006  

USD

   179,156     24,794  

EUR

   (6,621 )   10,047  

SEK

   (4,734 )   (1,360 )

 

F-52


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Interest rate risk

Effective interest rates and repricing analysis:

In respect of income-earning financial assets and interest-bearing financial liabilities, the following table indicates their average effective interest rates as at 31 December 2007 and 2006 in which they mature or, if earlier, reprice.

 

          2007     2006  
     Note    Effective
interest
Rate
    Carrying
amount
    Effective
interest
rate
    Carrying
amount
 

Fixed rate instruments

           

Time deposits

   20         

USD

      5.7 %   1,788,951     5.6 %   721,003  

EUR

      5.8 %   132,758     3.7 %   104,864  

TRY

      19.5 %   985,766     23.1 %   621,042  

Other

      —       880     —       7,453  

Restricted cash

   19    4.3 %   125,304     4.3 %   105,485  

Held-to-maturity securities

   15    —       —       23.4 %   7,045  

Finance lease obligations

   23    8.3 %   (69 )   9.9 %   (8 )

Variable rate instruments

           

Available-for-sale securities

   15         

Foreign inv. equity funds

      *     26,480     *     34,005  

Gov. bonds, treasury bills

           

USD

      6.5 %   1,440     6.3 %   1,449  

EUR

      4.7 %   298     4.4 %   273  

TRY

      —         22.1 %   18,961  

Secured bank loans

   23         

USD floating rate loans

      —       —       11.7 %   (335,305 )

EUR floating rate loans**

      4.4 %   (125,388 )   4.4. %   (107,783 )

Unsecured bank loans

   23         

USD floating rate loans

      6.7 %   (610,474 )   7.8 %   (190,770 )

EUR floating rate loans

      5.3 %   (23,571 )   4.4 %   (5,720 )

Other

      —       (457 )   —       —    

 

* Effective interest rate is not calculated for foreign investment equity funds since they have no coupon payments.
** Loan agreement was closed on floating rate basis. However, interest rate is fixed since there is only one interest payment till maturity.

Fair value sensitivity analysis for fixed rate instruments:

The Group does not account for any fixed rate assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss and equity.

 

F-53


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Cash flow sensitivity analysis for variable rate instruments:

A change of 1% in interest rates as at 31 December 2007 would have increased/ (decreased) equity and profit or loss by the amounts shown below. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular foreign exchange rates, remain constant. The analysis is performed on the same basis as at 31 December 2007 and 2006.

 

     Profit or loss    Equity  
     1% increase     1% decrease    1% increase    1% decrease  

31 December 2007

          

Variable rate instruments

   (4,898 )   4,898    32    (32 )
                      

Cash flow sensitivity (net)

   (4,898 )   4,898    32    (32 )
                      

31 December 2006

          

Variable rate instruments

   (18,001 )   18,001    69    (69 )
                      

Cash flow sensitivity (net)

   (18,001 )   18,001    69    (69 )
                      

Fair values

The fair values of financial assets and liabilities together with the carrying amounts shown in the balance sheet are as follows:

 

          2007     2006  
     Note    Carrying
Amount
    Fair Value     Carrying
Amount
    Fair Value  

Financial assets

           

Due from related parties-long term

   32    68,871     68,871     72,506     72,506  

Other non-current assets*

   16    7,671     7,671     108,778     108,778  

Available-for-sale securities

   15    28,218     28,218     54,688     54,688  

Held-to-maturity securities

   15    —       —       7,045     7,048  

Option contracts

   15    —       —       —       —    

Due from related parties-short term

   32    52,482     52,482     66,101     66,101  

Trade receivables and accrued income

   18    558,563     558,563     318,973     318,973  

Other current assets*

   19    169,378     169,378     22,131     22,131  

Cash and cash equivalents

   20    3,095,300     3,095,300     1,598,640     1,598,640  

Financial liabilities

           

Loans and borrowings—long term

   23    (140,404 )   (140,404 )   (113,503 )   (113,503 )

Bank overdrafts

   20    (2,125 )   (2,125 )   (285 )   (285 )

Loans and borrowings—short term

   23    (619,555 )   (619,555 )   (526,083 )   (526,083 )

Trade and other payables

   27    (759,019 )   (759,019 )   (579,421 )   (579,421 )

Due to related parties

   32    (17,978 )   (17,978 )   (6,844 )   (6,844 )
                           
      2,441,402     2,441,402     1,022,726     1,022,729  
                           

Unrecognized gain

        —         3  
                   
 
  * Non-financial instruments such as prepaid expenses and advances given are excluded from other current assets and other non-current assets.

 

F-54


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

The methods used in determining the fair values of financial instruments are discussed in note 4.

 

29. Operating leases

The Company entered into various operating lease agreements. For the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, total rent expenses for operating leases are $189,315, $149,734 and $134,986, respectively.

 

30. Capital commitments

As at 31 December 2007, outstanding capital commitments that the Group entered into with respect to purchase of property, plant and equipment amounted to $66,502 (31 December 2006: $2,496).

Purchase Obligations

According to the “Sponsorship and Advertising Agreements” signed in the context and as an integral part of the “Restructuring Framework Agreement”, the Group committed to purchase sponsorship and advertisement from Digital Platform Iletisim Hizmetleri AS (“Digital Platform”). Outstanding purchase obligation with respect to these agreements as at 31 December 2007 amounted to $63,785 (31 December 2006: $81,785) excluding VAT.

The principal shareholder of Baytur Insaat Taahhut AS (“Baytur”), a construction company, is the Cukurova Group. Baytur committed to complete construction of 484 apartments within the scope of an agreement signed among the Company, Baytur and the land owner, which is a governmental organization, on 19 October 2004. The contract amount is $39,650. During 2007, Baytur settled its obligation in respect of the project and the Company wholly paid the contract amount to Baytur as at 31 December 2007 (31 December 2006: $34,770).

The Company is engaged with a construction company for construction of a building in Gebze Teknokent for a consideration of $9,596. The construction is expected to be completed during 2008. The Company paid $343 to this company within the scope of this agreement as at 31 December 2007.

Guarantees

As at 31 December 2007, the Group is contingently liable in respect of bank letters of guarantee obtained from banks given to customs authorities, private companies and other public organizations amounting to TRY 243,267 (equivalent to $208,867 as at 31 December 2007) (31 December 2006: $51,134).

 

31. Contingencies

License Agreements

Turkcell:

On 27 April 1998, the Company signed the License Agreement with the Turkish Ministry. In accordance with the License Agreement, the Company was granted a 25 year GSM license for a license fee of $500,000. The License Agreement permits the Company to operate as a stand-alone GSM operator. Under the License, the Company collects all of the revenue generated from the operations of its GSM network and pays the Turkish Treasury and Turkish Ministry an ongoing license fee and universal service fund, respectively, equal to 15% of its gross revenues in total. The Company is authorized to, among other things, set its own tariffs within certain limits, charge peak and off-peak rates, offer a variety of service and pricing packages, issue invoices directly to subscribers, collect payments and deal directly with subscribers.

 

F-55


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

In February 2002, the Company renewed its License with the Telecommunications Authority, and became subject to a number of new requirements, including those regarding the build-out, operation, quality and coverage of the Company’s GSM network, prohibitions on anti-competitive behavior and compliance with national and international GSM standards. Failure to meet any requirement in the renewed License, or the occurrence of extraordinary unforeseen circumstances, can also result in revocation of the renewed License, including the surrender of the GSM network without compensation, or limitation of the Company’s rights thereunder, or could otherwise adversely affect the Company’s regulatory status. Certain conditions of the renewed License Agreement include the following:

Coverage: The Company had to attain geographical coverage of 50% and 90% of the population of Turkey with certain exceptions within three years and five years, respectively, of the License’s effective date. The Company has completed its related liabilities with respect to coverage as at 31 December 2007.

Service offerings: The Company must provide certain services in addition to general GSM services, including free emergency calls and technical assistance for subscribers, free call forwarding to police and other public emergency services, receiver-optional short messages, video text access, fax capability, calling and connected number identification and restrictions, call forwarding, call waiting, call hold, multi-party and third-party conference calls, billing information and barring of a range of outgoing and incoming calls. The Company has completed its related liabilities with respect to service offering as at 31 December 2007.

Service quality: In general, the Company must meet all the technical standards determined and updated by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute and Secretariat of the GSM MoU. Service quality requirements include that call blockage cannot exceed 5% and unsuccessful calls cannot exceed 2%. The Company fulfilled the required service quality standards as at 31 December 2007.

Tariffs: Telecommunications Authority sets the initial maximum tariffs in TRY and USD. Thereafter, the revised License provides that the Telecommunications Authority will adjust the maximum tariffs at most every six months or, if necessary, more frequently. The Company is free to set its own tariffs up to the maximum tariffs.

Rights of the Telecommunications Authority, Suspension and Termination:

The revised License is not transferable without the approval of the Telecommunications Authority. In addition, the License Agreement gives the Telecommunications Authority certain monitoring rights and access to the Company’s technical and financial information and allows for inspection rights, and gives certain rights to suspend operations under certain circumstances. Also, the Company is obliged to submit financial statements, contracts and investment plans to the Telecommunications Authority.

The Telecommunications Authority may suspend the Company’s operations for a limited or an unlimited period if necessary for the purpose of public security and national defense. During period of suspension, the Telecommunications Authority may operate the Company’s GSM network.

The Company is entitled to any revenues collected during such period and the Licensee’s term will be extended by the period of any suspension. The revised License may also be terminated upon a bankruptcy ruling against the Company or for other license violations, such as operating outside of its allocated frequency ranges, and the penalties for such violations can include fines, loss of frequency rights, revocation

 

F-56


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

of the license and confiscation of the network management centre, the gateway exchanges and central subscription system, including related technical equipment, immovables and installations essential for the operation of the network.

Based on the enacted law on 3 July 2005 with respect to the regulation of privatization, gross revenue description based for the calculation of ongoing license fee and universal service fund has been changed. According to this new regulation, interest charges for late collections, and indirect taxes such as VAT, and other expenses are excluded from the description of gross revenue. Calculation of gross revenue for ongoing license fee and universal service fund according to the new regulation is effective after Danistay’s approval on 10 March 2006.

Astelit:

Astelit owns two GSM activity licenses, one is for GSM—900, one is for DCS—1800. As of 31 December 2007, Astelit owns nineteen GSM—900 and DCS 1800 frequency licenses which are regional or throughout Ukraine. In addition to the above GSM licenses, Astelit owns four licenses for local phone fixed connection with wireless access using D-AMPS standard.

According to licenses, Astelit should adhere to state sanitary regulations to ensure that equipment used does not injure the population by means of harmful electro-magnetic emissions. Licenses require Astelit to inform authorities about start/end of operations in one month; about changes in incorporation address in 10 days. Also, Astelit must present all the required documents for inspection by Ukrainian Telecommunications Authority at their request. The Ukrainian Telecommunications Authority may suspend the operations of Astelit for a limited or an unlimited period if necessary because of the expiration of licenses, upon mutual consent, or in case of violation of terms of radio frequencies use. If such a violation is determined, Ukrainian Telecommunications Authority notifies Astelit of provisions violated and sets deadline for recovery. If the deadline is not met, licenses may be terminated.

Tellcom:

Tellcom acquired Long Distance Traffic Carrying Services License, Data Transmission Overland License, Infrastructure License and Interconnection License. Long Distance Traffic Carrying Services License is valid for 15 years and the remaining licenses are valid for 25 years.

Inteltek:

Inteltek signed a contract on 30 July 2002 which provides for the installation, support and operation of an on-line central betting system as well as maintenance and support for the provision of football betting games. The Central Betting System Contract is scheduled to expire on 1 March 2008.

Inteltek signed another contract with Genclik ve Spor Genel Mudurlugu (“GSGM”) on 2 October 2003 which authorized Inteltek to establish and operate a risk management center and become head agent for fixed odds betting. The Fixed Odds Betting contract was scheduled to expire in October 2011. However, in relation to the lawsuits related to the operations of Inteltek, GSGM ceased the implementation of the Fixed Odds Betting contract starting from March 2007. Following the annulment decision, on 28 February 2007, the Turkish parliament passed a new law that allowed Spor Toto Teskilat Mudurlugu (“Spor Toto”) to hold a new tender before 1 March 2008 and sign a contract which is valid until 1 March 2008. Spor Toto and Inteltek signed a new Fixed Odds Betting Contract on 15 March 2007, with new conditions which is valid until 1 March 2008. As per the new conditions, the commission rate of Inteltek decreased to 7% as a head agent of fixed odds betting games, which was previously 12% under the former contract.

 

F-57


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

On the other hand, a new law that enables Spor Toto to hold a new tender in 2008 has been published in the Official Gazete on 27 February 2008. According to this law, a new tender shall be initiated and until the date that the business actually starts as a result of this new tender, Spor Toto shall sign a new agreement with Inteltek at similar terms of the existing agreement for continuation of the betting games for a time period no longer than one year. Inteltek intends to participate in the new tender.

Kibris Telekom:

On 27 April 2007, Kibris Telekom signed the License Agreement for Installation and Operation of A Digital, Cellular, Mobile Telecommunication System (“Mobile Communication License Agreement”) with the Ministry of Communications and Works of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus which is effective from 1 August 2007, replacing the existing GSM-Mobile Telephony System Agreement dated 25 March 1999. In accordance with the Mobile Communication License Agreement, Kibris Telekom was granted an 18 year GSM 900, GSM 1800 and IMT 2000/UMTS license for GSM 900, GSM 1800 frequencies while the usage of IMT 2000/UMTS frequency bands is subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions.

Under the Mobile Communication License Agreement, Kibris Telekom will also pay the tax authorities of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus an ongoing license fee on monthly basis equal to 15% of gross revenues excluding accrued interest charges for the late payments, indirect taxes and accrued revenues for reporting purposes, payments made to third parties for value added services, interconnection revenues, roaming income from own subscribers after the related payment made to other operators.

Interconnection Agreements

The Company has entered into interconnection agreements with a number of operators in Turkey and overseas including Turk Telekom, Telsim Mobil Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri AS (“Telsim”), Vodafone Telekomunikasyon AS (“Vodafone”), Avea Iletisim Hizmetleri AS (“Avea”), Milleni.com GMBH (“Milleni.com”) and Globalstar Avrasya Uydu Ses ve Data Iletisim AS (“Globalstar”). The Access and Interconnection Regulation (the “Regulation”) became effective when it was issued by the Telecommunications Authority on 23 May 2003.

The Regulation is driven largely by a goal to improve the competitive environment and ensure that users benefit from telecommunications services and infrastructure at a reasonable cost. Under the Regulation, the Telecommunications Authority may compel all telecommunications operators to accept another operator’s request for use of and access to its network. All telecommunications operators in Turkey may be required to provide access to other operators on the same terms and qualifications provided to their shareholders, subsidiaries and affiliates.

In accordance with the Regulation, the telecommunications providers in Turkey (including Turk Telekom), are obliged to renew their interconnection agreements within two months following the issuance of the Regulation. The Company entered into a new interconnection agreement with Globalstar on 9 September 2003, and as a result of intervention by the Telecommunications Authority, the Company entered into supplemental agreements with Turk Telekom on 10 November 2003, Telsim on 21 November 2003, and Globalstar on 11 December 2003, with amended tariffs and tariff adoption procedures. After the merger of Is-Tim Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri AS (“Is-Tim”) and Aycell Haberleşme ve Pazarlama Hizmetleri AS (“Aycell”), a new company was formed with the name TT&TIM Iletisim Hizmetleri AS (“TT&TIM”). The interconnection agreement with Is-Tim was renewed with TT&TIM and the interconnection agreement with Aycell was cancelled. On 15 October 2004, TT&TIM changed its name to Avea. On the other hand, the

 

F-58


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

business relationship on interconnection between Milleni.com and the Company has been bilaterally terminated as at 21 June 2004. On 24 May 2006, shares of Telsim were transferred to Vodafone and a new interconnection agreement was signed between the Company and Vodafone at the end of July 2006.

On 21 February 2005, Tellcom and Milleni.com have signed an agreement to provide telecommunications services to each other whereby Milleni.com may convey calls to the Company’s switch and the Company may convey calls to Milleni.com’s switch, in both cases, for onward transmission to their destinations. In addition, Telecommunications Authority has required operators holding significant market power, as well as Turk Telekom, to share certain facilities with other operators under certain conditions and to provide co-location on their premises for the equipment of other operators at a reasonable price. The Telecommunications Authority may also require telecommunications operators to provide number portability, which means allowing users to keep the same phone numbers even after they switch from one network to another.

Under a typical interconnection agreement, each party agrees, among other things to permit the interconnection of its network with the Company’s network to enable calls to be transmitted to, and received from, the GSM system operated by each party in accordance with technical specifications set out in the interconnection agreement. Typical interconnection agreements also establish understandings between the parties relating to a number of key operational areas, including call traffic management, quality and performance standards, interconnection interfaces and other technical, operational and procedural aspects of interconnection.

The Company’s interconnection agreements usually provide that each party will assume responsibility for the safe operation of its own network. Each party is also typically responsible for ensuring that its network does not endanger the safety or health of employees, contractors, agents or customers of the other party or damage interfere with or cause any deterioration in the operation of the other party’s network.

Interconnection agreements also specify the amount of the payments that each party will make to the other for traffic originated on one network but switched to the other. These payments vary by contract, and in some cases, may require the Company to pay the counterparty less, the same amount, or a greater amount per minute, for traffic originating on the Company’s network but switching to the counterparty’s network, than it receives for a similar call originating on another network and switched to the Company’s network.

There are no minimum payment obligations under the interconnection agreements; however, failure to carry the counterparty’s traffic may expose the Company to financial and other penalties or loss of interconnection privileges for its own traffic. The Company and other operators have entered into interconnection agreements which set out the terms and conditions regarding the price terms as well as periodical revision of such terms. However, there were disputes between the operators regarding pricing terms and as per the Regulation, the issue had been escalated to the Telecommunications Authority by Turk Telekom, Telsim and Avea. Meanwhile, the Telecommunications Authority issued reference interconnection rates during the fourth quarter of 2004, which indicate pricing terms. Consequently, on 10 August 2005, the Telecommunications Authority issued a ‘temporary interconnection price schedule’ for the interconnection between Turk Telekom and the Company which are in line with the reference tariff structure defined by the Telecommunications Authority during the fourth quarter of 2004. Telecommunications Authority issued final reference call termination rates for all operators in the market in June 2006. These rates are lower than previously applied termination rates with the other GSM operators, as expected but reveal no change with the temporary interconnection rates applied between Turk Telekom and the Company since August 2005. Based on the Telecommunications Authority’s resolution, the Company has started to apply the new reference call termination rates with Avea starting from July 2006. In the end of

 

F-59


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

July 2006, the Company signed an agreement with Vodafone at more favorable rates than reference call termination rates suggested by the Telecommunications Authority which has been retrospectively effective from 24 May 2006 which is the date of transfer of shares of Telsim to Vodafone. Therefore, the Company has started to apply these more favorable rates starting from 24 May 2006 with Vodafone. For the period between 1 March 2006 and 24 May 2006, final reference call termination rates have been applied retrospectively with Telsim.

On 16 January 2007, Telecommunications Authority published “Standard Interconnection Reference Tariffs” for Turk Telekom and GSM operators. In accordance with the recommendation, the fee determined for the Company is full TRY 0.140/minute (equivalent to full $0.120/minute as at 31 December 2007) between 1 January 2007 and 28 February 2007. From 1 March 2007, the fee is full TRY 0.136/minute (equivalent to full $0.117/minute as at 31 December 2007). These “Standard Interconnection Reference Tariffs” are not necessarily directly applicable to the Company’s current or future interconnection agreements unless explicitly stated by the Telecommunications Authority at the end of the settlement procedure. However, full TRY 0.136/minute (equivalent to full $0.117/minute as at 31 December 2007) has been started to be applied between Turk Telekom and the Company starting from 1 March 2007.

Legal Proceedings

The Group is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business described below.

Dispute on VAT on Ongoing License Fee

Starting from June 2003, the Company has begun to make payments for VAT on ongoing license fees with reservations and commenced a lawsuit against the Tax Office for the related period. On 31 December 2003, the Tax Court decided that the Company would not have to pay VAT on ongoing license fee from February 2004 onwards. The Tax Office has appealed this decision. On 28 March 2006, Danistay decided in line with the local court. Tax Office applied for correction of the decision. On 27 February 2007, Danistay rejected the Tax Office’s application for correction of decision. The case has been finalized. Based on the management and legal counsel’s opinion, the Company has not recorded any accrual related with this dispute in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007.

Dispute on Turk Telekom Transmission Lines Leases

Effective from 1 July 2000, Turk Telekom annulled the discount of 60% that it provided to the Company based on its regular ratio, which had been provided for several years, and, at the same time, Turk Telekom started to provide a discount of 25% being subject to certain conditions. The Company filed a lawsuit against Turk Telekom for the application of the agreed 60% discount. However, on 30 July 2001, the Company had been notified that the court of appeal upheld the decision made by the commercial court allowing Turk Telekom to terminate the 60% discount. Accordingly, the Company paid and continues to pay transmission fees to Turk Telekom based on the 25% discount. Although Turk Telekom did not charge any interest on late payments at the time of such payments, the Company recorded an accrual amounting to a nominal amount of TRY 3,023 (equivalent to $2,596 as at 31 December 2007) for possible interest charges as at 31 December 2000. On 9 May 2002, Turk Telekom requested an interest amounting to a nominal amount of TRY 30,068 (equivalent to $25,816 as at 31 December 2007).

 

F-60


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

The Company did not agree with Turk Telekom’s interest calculation and, accordingly, obtained an injunction from the commercial court to prevent Turk Telekom from collecting any amounts relating to this interest charge. Also, the Company initiated a lawsuit against Turk Telekom on the legality of such interest. The case is still pending. As at 31 December 2007, the Company recorded a provision of TRY 13,296 (equivalent to $11,416 as at 31 December 2007) because its management and legal counsel believe that this is the most likely outcome.

Dispute on National Roaming Agreement

During the third quarter of 2001, the Company was approached by Is-Tim to negotiate a national roaming agreement. These negotiations did not result in a mutual agreement. Therefore, the discussions continuing under the supervision of the Telecommunications Authority have been subject to several lawsuits. On 26 November 2001, the Company initiated an arbitration suit in International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) against Turkish Ministry and Telecommunications Authority. On 25 November 2003, ICC rendered a decision stating that the case is not under its jurisdiction. The Company initiated a lawsuit for the annulment of this decision. The First Instance Court rejected the case and the Company appealed against said decision. The Supreme Court annulled the decision of the First Instance Court in favor of the Company. On 13 September 2006, local court decided to execute the Supreme Court’s decision. On 22 May 2007, the Court rejected the case. The Company appealed the decision.

In a letter dated 14 March 2002, the Telecommunications Authority subjected Is-Tim’s request for national roaming to the condition that it be reasonable, economically proportional and technically possible. Nevertheless, the Telecommunications Authority declared that the Company is under an obligation to enter a national roaming agreement with Is-Tim within a 30 day period. The Company initiated a lawsuit against Telecommunications Authority. On 14 March 2006, Danistay decided to cancel the process dated 14 March 2002 but rejected the Company’s request for cancellation of the regulation on procedures and policies with respect to national roaming. Telecommunications Authority appealed the decision. The appeal process is still pending.

On 9 June 2003, Turkish Competition Board (the “Competition Board”) decided that the Company abused its dominant position by refusing to enter into a national roaming agreement with Is-Tim, and fined the Company by nominal amount of approximately TRY 21,822 (equivalent to $18,736 as at 31 December 2007). On 28 March 2006, Danistay cancelled the Competition Board’s decision. Both parties have not appealed the decision and, accordingly, Danistay’s decision was finalized.

On 10 December 2004, Tax Office requested nominal amount of approximately TRY 21,822 (equivalent to $18,736 as at 31 December 2007) regarding the Competition Board’s decision. On 25 November 2005, the Administrative Court decided the cancellation of the aforementioned payment order. Both the Competition Board and Tax Office have appealed the decision. Danistay approved the Administrative Court decision. Competition Board applied for the correction of the decision of Danistay. On 6 July 2007, Danistay rejected the application for the correction of the related decision. With respect to this rejection, the decision regarding cancellation of the aforementioned payment has been finalized.

Additionally, the Telecommunications Authority decided that the Company has not complied with its responsibility under Turkish regulations to provide national roaming and fined the Company by nominal amount of approximately TRY 21,822 (equivalent to $18,736 as at 31 December 2007). On 7 April 2004, the Company made the related payment. On 3 January 2005, with respect to the Danistay’s injunction, Telecommunications Authority paid back nominal amount of TRY 21,822 (equivalent to $18,736 as at

 

F-61


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

31 December 2007). On 13 December 2005, Danistay decided the cancellation of the administrative fine but rejected the Company’s request for cancellation of the regulation on procedures and policies with respect to national roaming. Telecommunications Authority appealed the decision. The case is still pending. Based on its management and legal counsel’s opinion, the Company has not recorded any accrual as at 31 December 2007.

On 27 October 2006, Telecom Italia SPA and TIM International N.V. initiated a lawsuit against the Company and Telsim claiming that the Company violated competition law since demand of roaming has not been met. Telecom Italia SPA and TIM International N.V. requested $2,000 with respect to this claim. On 23 July 2007, the Court sent the file to expert examination. The case is still pending. Based on its management and legal counsel’s opinion, the Company has not recorded any accrual as at 31 December 2007.

Investigation of the Competition Board

The Competition Board commenced an investigation of business dealings between the Company and the mobile phone distributors in October 1999. The Competition Board decided that the Company disrupted the competitive environment through an abuse of dominant position in the Turkish mobile market and infringements of certain provisions of the Law on the Protection of Competition. As a result, the Company was fined by nominal amount of approximately TRY 6,973 (equivalent to $5,987 as at 31 December 2007) and was enjoined to cease these infringements. The Company initiated a lawsuit before Danistay for the injunction and cancellation of the decision. On 15 November 2005, Danistay cancelled the Competition Board’s decision on the ground that Competition Board infringed the procedural rules governing the investigation process.

After the cancellation of the Competition Board’s decision, the Competition Board has given the same decision again on 29 December 2005. On 10 March 2006, the Company initiated a lawsuit before Danistay for the injunction and cancellation of the Competition Board’s decision dated 29 December 2005. Danistay rejected the injunction request of the Company. The Company has objected to this rejection decision. Danistay rejected the Company’s objection request. Based on the decision of Competition Authority, Ankara Tax Office requested the Company to pay TRY 6,973 (equivalent to $5,987 as at 31 December 2007) through the payment order dated 4 August 2006. On 25 September 2006, the Company made the related payment and initiated a lawsuit for the injunction and cancellation of this payment order. The Court rejected the Company’s injunction request but decided to wait for the award to be rendered as a result of the lawsuit initiated against the said decision of Competition Authority. The Company ceased to accrue for TRY 6,973 (equivalent to $5,987 as at 31 December 2007) on its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007 due to the aforesaid payment on 25 September 2006.

Dispute on Collection of Frequency Usage Fees

On 21 May 1998, the Company entered into a protocol with the Wireless Communications General Directorate (the “Directorate”) regarding the application of the governing provisions of the Wireless Law No. 2813 to the administration of its GSM mobile phone network. Under this protocol, the Company is to collect frequency usage fees, which are calculated by the Directorate, from the taxpayers using mobile phones on behalf of the Directorate, and to pay the levied tax to the Directorate. In 2001, the Directorate’s power, including all of its rights and obligations, was transferred to the Telecommunications Authority.

 

F-62


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

On 22 March 2002, as a consequence of the impossibility in fact and at law of collecting such tax from its prepaid subscribers, the Company filed a lawsuit requesting cancellation of the protocols obligating it to collect the frequency usage fees from the prepaid subscribers and to pay it to the Telecommunications Authority. After respective legal procedures, on 20 April 2004, the Company paid nominal amount of TRY 145,644 (equivalent to $125,049 as at 31 December 2007) for the frequency usage fees of 2002 including interest through that date with reservation. The court rejected the Company’s request and decided that there should be no further judgment on this issue since the frequency usage fees of 2002 are paid. Both the Company and Telecommunications Authority appealed this decision. On 29 June 2006, Supreme Court rejected both appeals and approved the local court’s judgment. Both the Company and Telecommunications Authority have applied for the correction of this decision.

Investigation of the Telecommunications Authority on International Voice Traffic

In May 2003, the Company was informed that the Telecommunications Authority had initiated an investigation against the Company claiming that the Company has violated Turkish laws by carrying some of its international voice traffic through an operator other than Turk Telekom. The Company is disputing whether Turk Telekom should be the sole carrier of international voice traffic. On 5 March 2004, the Telecommunications Authority fined the Company by nominal amount of approximately TRY 31,731 (equivalent to $27,244 as at 31 December 2007). On 9 April 2004, the Company made the related payment. With respect to the Danistay’s injunction on 5 November 2004, Telecommunications Authority paid back the nominal amount. On 26 December 2006, Danistay decided to accept the Company’s claim and annul the decision of and the penalty given by Telecommunications Authority. Telecommunications Authority appealed the decision. Appeal process is still pending.

On 2 March 2005, Turk Telekom notified the Company that it has damaged Turk Telekom because of the interconnection agreement signed with Milleni.com. Accordingly, Turk Telekom requested the Company to pay nominal amount of TRY 219,149 (equivalent to $188,159 as at 31 December 2007) of principal and nominal amount of TRY 178,364 (equivalent to $153,142 as at 31 December 2007) of interest, which make a sum of nominal amount of TRY 397,513 (equivalent to $341,301 as at 31 December 2007) until 7 March 2005. In addition, Turk Telekom initiated a lawsuit against the Company with respect to the same issue requesting an amount of TRY 450,931 (equivalent to $387,165 as at 31 December 2007) of which TRY 219,149 (equivalent to $188,159 as at 31 December 2007) is principal and TRY 231,782 (equivalent to $199,006 as at 31 December 2007) is interest charged until 30 June 2005. The Court sent the file to expert examination. According to the expertise report filed in October 2007, interconnection agreement between the Company and Milleni.com damaged Turk Telekom TRY 288,400 (equivalent to $247,617 as at 31 December 2007) or TRY 279,227 (equivalent to $239,742 as at 31 December 2007). The Company objected to the expertise report. On 6 November 2007, the Court ruled to obtain an additional expertise report. Management and legal counsel believe that the aforementioned request has no legal basis. Moreover, the Company obtained an independent opinion which supports the management and legal counsel opinion dated 23 October 2007 from an expert who is not designated by the Court. The case is still pending.

Based on its management and legal counsel’s opinion, the Company has not recorded any accruals with respect to this matter in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007.

Investigation of the Telecommunications Authority on Frequency Fee Payments

On 23 October 2003, the Telecommunications Authority fined the Company, claiming that the Company has made inadequate annual frequency usage fee payments by notifying its subscriber numbers less than the actual. The Telecommunications Authority requested nominal amount of TRY 16,005 (equivalent to

 

F-63


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

$13,742 as at 31 December 2007) for principal, an interest charge of nominal amount of TRY 10,761 (equivalent to $9,239 as at 31 December 2007) and a penalty of nominal amount of TRY 63,463 (equivalent to $54,489 as at 31 December 2007). On 20 February 2004, the Company initiated legal proceedings for the annulment of the decision. On 26 November 2004, the Administrative Court rejected the case. The Company appealed for correction of the decision. On 3 May 2006, Danistay cancelled the portion of the Court’s judgment relating to wireless usage fee and interest accrued on such fee. However, Danistay has approved the other portions of the aforesaid judgment, by rejecting the Company’s appeal request. The Company has requested the correction of the decision.

The Council of State rejected the Company’s correction of decision request and decided to remove cancellation decision by means of accepting Telecommunication Authority’s correction of decision request 16 July 2007. Therefore first instance Court’s decision has been finalized. On 12 October 2005, the Tax Office requested nominal amount of TRY 63,463 (equivalent to $54,489 as at 31 December 2007) regarding the Telecommunications Authority’s decision which was paid by the Company previously. On 8 November 2005, the Company initiated another lawsuit before the Administrative Court against the Tax Office requesting an injunction and cancellation of the payment order. On 31 March 2006, the court rejected the injunction request and the Company appealed the decision and on 19 June 2006, the Court accepted the Company’s appeal. On 10 April 2007, Administrative Court rejected the case and the Company appealed for the decision. Danistay accepted the Company’s injunction request.

On 16 April 2004, the Company paid nominal amount of TRY 103,740 (equivalent to $89,070 as at 31 December 2007) including interest through that date regarding the Telecommunication Authority’s claim.

Dispute on Special Communication Taxation Regarding Prepaid Card Sales

On 18 September 2003, the Ministry of Finance issued a report stating that by applying discounts for prepaid card sales for the period between June—December 2002, the Company calculated the special communication tax on post-discounted amount. Pursuant to this report, the Tax Office delivered to the Company a notice, asserting deficiencies in special communication tax declarations and requesting a special communication tax payment amounting to nominal amount of TRY 6,992 (equivalent to $6,003 as at 31 December 2007) and a tax penalty of nominal amount of TRY 9,875 (equivalent to $8,479 as at 31 December 2007). Tax court accepted the Company’s request of cancellation of special communication tax declarations. Tax office appealed this decision. Danistay did not accept the Tax court decision. The Company applied for the correction of the decision. On 25 June 2007, Danistay rejected the correction of decision. On 28 September 2007, Local Court complied with Danistay’s decision. The Company appealed the decision.

On 3 December 2007, Tax Office delivered a notice to the Company requesting a special communication tax payment amounting to nominal amount of TRY 6,992 (equivalent to $6,003 as at 31 December 2007), a tax penalty of nominal amount of TRY 6,992 (equivalent to $6,003 as at 31 December 2007) and accrued interest of nominal amount of TRY 16,813 (equivalent to $14,435 as at 31 December 2007). The Company made the related payment with respect to special communication tax and tax penalty totaling to nominal amount of TRY 13,984 (equivalent to $12,006 as at 31 December 2007) on 28 December 2007. Besides, the Company filed a lawsuit on 28 December 2007 for the cancellation of accrued interest amounting to nominal amount of TRY 16,813 (equivalent to $14,435 as at 31 December 2007) with respect to Local Court decision dated 28 September 2007. The Company recorded provision for accrued interest amounting to TRY 16,813 (equivalent to $14,435 as at 31 December 2007) in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007.

 

F-64


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

The Company filed a lawsuit on 12 February 2008 against the Tax Office for the cancellation of the payment orders issued by the Tax Office for the above mentioned tax payments and requested preliminary injunction. The Court decided to discuss the Company’s preliminary injunction request following the submission of Tax Office’s legal arguments.

Disputes on annulment of fixed odds betting tender related to establishment and operation of risk management center head agency

Reklam Departmani Basin Yayin Produksiyon Yapimcilik Danismanlik ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi (“Reklam Departmani”) commenced a lawsuit against GSGM before the Ankara 4th Administrative Court. In the lawsuit, Reklam Departmani claimed for the annulment of fixed odds betting tender related to the establishment and operation of risk management center and acting as head agency. Inteltek has participated to the case as an intervener. On 21 February 2005, the Court rejected the case. Reklam Departmani appealed this rejection. Danistay accepted the appeal request of Reklam Departmani. The case is directed to local court. Reklam Departmani claimed suspension of execution and cancellation of Fixed Odds Betting (“FOB”) tender. Local Court rejected Reklam Departmani’s suspension of execution claim on 18 August 2006. On 27 June 2007, the Court decided on the cancellation of the tender. Decision of the Court has been appealed by GSGM and Inteltek. Management and legal counsel believe that it is not practicable to issue an opinion on the conclusion of the case at the current stage. The Company has not set any accruals with respect to this matter in its financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007.

With respect to the same tender, Gtech Avrasya Teknik Hizmet ve Musavirlik AS (“Gtech”) commenced a lawsuit against Public Tender Authority and GSGM for the annulment of tender related to the establishment and operation of risk management center and acting as head agency, tender transaction and the Public Tender Authority’s decision concerning there is no ground to decide on the application regarding to the annulment of the tender transactions. Since Inteltek’s operations may be affected by the court’s decision, Inteltek has participated to the case as an intervener. On 21 February 2005, the Court rejected the case. Both Gtech and Public Tender Authority appealed the decision. Danistay accepted the request of appeal. On 8 November 2006, the Court decided for the annulment of the Public Tender Authority’s decision and rejected the case from the tender transactions point of view. This decision was appealed by Inteltek, Public Tender Authority and GSGM. Following the appeal of parties on 12 January 2007, Danistay decided for the preliminary injunction of the tender transactions subject to the lawsuit together with the decision of the First Instance Court’s decision. Inteltek and GSGM objected to this decision and Danistay rejected the objection request.

Within this period, The Code numbered 5583 came into effect which allowed Spor Toto to hold a new tender and sign a new contract which will be valid until 1 March 2008. On 15 March 2007, GSGM held a new tender, at which Inteltek became the preferred bidder and reacquired the right to operate until 1 March 2008. On the other hand, Inteltek initiated two lawsuits against GSGM on the ground that the termination of the Fixed Odds Betting Contract dated 2 October 2003 was unjustified and to determine that the aforementioned contract is valid under law and is in force. In the lawsuit regarding the suspension of fixed odds betting games, the court decided to reject Inteltek’s claim on 10 July 2007. Inteltek appealed the court’s decision. In the other lawsuit regarding the continuing of the contract, Inteltek’s claim has been rejected by the court on 25 October 2007. After the notice of reasoned decision, Inteltek will appeal court’s decision.

A new law that enables Spor Toto to hold a new tender in 2008 has been published in the Official Gazete on 27 February 2008. According to this law, a new tender shall be initiated and until the date that the business

 

F-65


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

actually starts as a result of this new tender, Spor Toto signed a new agreement with Inteltek at similar terms of the existing agreement for continuation of the betting games for a time period no longer than one year. Inteltek intends to participate in the new tender.

Based on its management and legal counsel’s opinion the Company has not recorded any accruals with respect to these matters in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007.

Dispute with Spor Toto Teskilat Mudurlugu I

On 9 November 2005, Spor Toto sent a notification letter to Inteltek claiming that Inteltek is obliged to pay nominal amount of TRY 3,292 (equivalent to $2,826 as at 31 December 2007) due to the difference in the reconciliation methods. Spor Toto claims that the reconciliation periods should be six-month independent periods whereas Inteltek management believes that those periods should be cumulative as stated in the agreement. Inteltek did not pay the requested amount.

A lawsuit for determination of evidence has been initiated against Inteltek by Spor Toto on behalf of GSGM. In this lawsuit, Spor Toto has requested from the Court to determine that Inteltek was responsible for the revenue which was not transferred to the Spor Toto’s accounts in due time, and collection risk was belonging to Inteltek, Inteltek was responsible for the revenue in the amount of TRY 1,527 (equivalent to $1,311 as at 31 December 2007) which was not paid and not collected until the date of the lawsuit and final accounts should be resolved after every period of six-months for settlement, by accepting the periods of six-months for settlement as periods independent from each other. On 22 February 2007, the Court rejected the case and decided that the collection risk is with GSGM and Inteltek is not responsible for the uncollected amount of TRY 1,527 (equivalent to $1,311 as at 31 December 2007) and also rejected the demand of GSGM that reconciliation period should be six-month independent periods. GSGM appealed the Court’s decision. Supreme Court rejected the appeal request of GSGM. Following the Supreme Court’s decision, GSGM applied for the correction of the decision.

Based on the decision of Supreme Court, Inteltek reversed the previously accrued amount of TRY 3,292 (equivalent to $2,826 as at 31 December 2007) and its overdue interest accrual amount of total TRY 1,894 (equivalent to $1,626 as at 31 December 2007). Furthermore, Inteltek claimed the amount of TRY 2,344 (equivalent to $2,013 as at 31 December 2007) which was paid in the 1st and 3rd reconciliation periods. Inteltek has initiated a lawsuit at 21 February 2008 to collect this amount.

Dispute with Spor Toto Teskilat Mudurlugu II

On 29 January 2007, Spor Toto sent a letter to Inteltek claiming that duplicate payments have been made to Inteltek under the two separate agreements that Inteltek operates under and it would keep these duplicate payments in an escrow account until settlement of this issue. Following this letter, on 27 February 2007, Inteltek initiated a lawsuit against Spor Toto stating that all payments made with respect to the contracts between Inteltek and Spor Toto are valid under law. Sayistay’s investigation report has resulted in favor of Inteltek and whereon as of 31 December 2007 Spor Toto released the deducted amount of TRY 2,494 (equivalent to $2,141 as at 31 December 2007) for the period between 26 December 2006 and 26 March 2007.

 

F-66


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Dispute on call termination fee

Telsim has initiated a lawsuit claiming that the Company has not applied the reference interconnection rates determined by the Telecommunications Authority, and has charged interconnection fees exceeding the ceiling rates approved by Telecommunications Authority and requested an injunction to be applicable starting from 1 August 2005, to cease this practice and requested a payment of its damages totalling to nominal amount of TRY 26,109 (equivalent to $22,417 as at 31 December 2007) including principal, interest and penalty on late payment. On 6 April 2006, the case was rejected. Telsim appealed this decision. On 11 December 2007, Supreme Court approved the local court decision. As it is stated in the existing Interconnection Agreement with Telsim, Telsim referred the matter to the Telecommunications Authority. The resolution procedure was finalized and Telecommunication Authority set the call termination charges which are effective from 1 March 2006. The Company initiated a lawsuit for the annulment of the decision of the Telecommunications Authority. The case is still pending. According to the Telecommunications Authority decision, these charges have been applied between the Company and Telsim from 1 March 2006 to 24 May 2006. Based on its management and legal councel’s opinion, the Company has not recorded any accrual with respect to this matter in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007.

There has been a disagreement between the Company and Avea with respect to interconnection rates applied between March 2005 and July 2006. Avea raised an objection on the invoices the Company had issued during the said period claiming that the Company had not applied the reference interconnection rates determined by the Telecommunications Authority, and had charged interconnection fees exceeding the ceiling rates approved by Telecommunications Authority. Between March 2005 and July 2006, Avea issued return invoices amounting to TRY 78,030 (equivalent to $66,996 as at 31 December 2007) which represents the amount exceeding the ceiling rates approved by Telecommunications Authority and the Company booked such invoices as a reduction of revenue. The Company management and legal council believe that the Interconnection Agreement signed between the Company and Avea on 9 March 2001 should be binding with respect to tarifing instead of the reference interconnection rates determined by the Telecommunications Authority. A similar case with Telsim, at which Telsim was claiming that the Company should have applied the reference interconnection rates determined by the Telecommunications Authority was rejected on 6 April 2007 and approved by Supreme Court on 11 December 2007. Therefore, in November 2007, the Company issued return invoices including taxes amounting to TRY 78,030 (equivalent to $66,996 as at 31 December 2007) and recognized revenue amounting to TRY 54,566 (equivalent to $46,850 as at 31 December 2007) in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2007.

Invalidity of the Board Resolution

On 23 June 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company has decided to allow Alfa Group to conduct a due diligence in the Company and to entitle the management. On 1 July 2005, Sonera filed a lawsuit with an injunction request against the Company for the purpose of determination of the invalidity of the resolution dated 23 June 2005. On 28 December 2005, the Court rejected the injunction request of Sonera. Sonera appealed this decision on 24 February 2006. On 14 June 2007, the Court rejected the objection request of Sonera. The Court rejected the objection request of Sonera and the case has been finalized.

Dispute with Iranian Ministry in connection with the GSM tender process

The Company believes the Iranian Ministry has not properly implemented the laws and regulations passed by the Iranian Parliament in connection with the GSM tender process, which was won by the Consortium.

 

F-67


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

As a result, the Company has brought a claim in Iranian courts seeking to compel the Ministry to implement the laws and regulations passed by the Iranian Parliament in connection with the GSM tender process. Such injunction order was rejected in April 2006. The Company has initiated an arbitration process against Islamic Republic of Iran for not abiding by the provisions of the Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments. The arbitration process related to the dispute mentioned on the above paragraph.

Dispute with the Telecommunications Authority with respect to temporary set call termination fees

The interconnection agreement with Turk Telekom provided for a renegotiation of pricing terms on call termination fees after 31 December 2004, and in the event that the parties could not agree on new terms by 28 February 2005, for referral to the Telecommunications Authority for resolution. As the parties were unable to agree on new terms, Turk Telekom referred the matter to the Telecommunications Authority, which has set temporary call termination fees for calls terminating on each operator’s network starting from 10 August 2005.

On 7 October 2005, the Company filed a lawsuit against Telecommunications Authority for the injunction and cancellation of this decision, which has set temporary call termination fees for calls terminating on each operator’s network starting from 10 August 2005 and the Court rejected the Company’s preliminary injunction request. The Company has appealed this decision. The appeal request has been rejected. On 4 July 2007, the Court decided that the lawsuit is not under its jurisdiction. Danistay rejected injunction request of the Company and the Company objected to the decision. Besides, on 1 June 2006, Telecommunications Authority issued reference call termination fees for the Company and Turk Telekom. In addition, on 26 July 2006, Telecommunications Authority issued final call termination fees for the Company and Turk Telekom.

On 10 July 2006 and 14 August 2006, the Company filed two lawsuits before Ankara Administrative Court for the injunction and cancellation of reference call termination fees together with the final termination fees set as full TRY 0.140/minute (equivalent to full $0.120/minute as at 31 December 2007) for calls terminating on Turk Telekom and the Company’s network through the decisions of Telecommunications Authority dated 1 June 2006 and 26 July 2006. On 9 October 2006, the Administrative Court rejected injunction request of the Company dated 10 July 2006. The Company objected to this decision. On 22 November 2006, Administrative Court has rejected the objection request. The Court decided that the lawsuit is not under its jurisdiction and transferred the file to Danistay. On 21 September 2007, Danistay rejected the injunction request of the Company dated 14 August 2006. The Company objected to the decision.

On 12 September 2007, the Company filed another lawsuit on Danistay for the injuction and cancellation of call termination fees between the Company and Turk Telekom which have been set as TRY 0.140/minute (equivalent to full $0.120/minute as at 31 December 2007) between 1 January 2007 and 28 February 2007 and full TRY 0.136/minute (equivalent to full $0.117/minute as at 31 December 2007) starting from 1 March 2007. The Court rejected the injunction request of the Company. The Company objected to the decision.

As mentioned above, Telecommunications Authority has set temporary call termination fees for calls terminating on each operator’s network starting from 10 August 2005. However, Turk Telekom did not apply these termination fees for the international calls.

 

F-68


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Therefore, on 22 December 2005, the Company filed a lawsuit against Turk Telekom to cease this practice and requested collection of its damages totaling to nominal amount of TRY 11,970 (equivalent to $10,277 as at 31 December 2007) including principal, interest and penalty on late payment covering the period from August 2005 until October 2005. The file is under expert examination. The case is still pending.

On 19 December 2006, the Company initiated another lawsuit against Turk Telekom claiming that Turk Telekom has not applied call termination tariffs for international calls set by Telecommunications Authority for the period between November 2005 and October 2006 amounting to nominal amount of TRY 23,726 (equivalent to $20,371 as at 31 December 2007) including principal, interest and penalty on late payment. The file is under expert examination. The case is still pending. The Court decided to consolidate this lawsuit and the lawsuit explained in the foregoing paragraph.

On 2 November 2007, the Company initiated another lawsuit against Turk Telekom claiming that Turk Telekom has not applied call termination tariffs for international calls set by Telecommunications Authority for the period between November 2006 and 1 March 2007 amounting to nominal amount of TRY 6,836 (equivalent to $5,869 as at 31 December 2007) including principal, interest and penalty on late payment. The case is still pending.

In addition, call termination fees between the Company and Vodafone and the Company and Avea are set through ‘Reconciliation procedure’ and ‘Call termination fees’ issued on 1 June 2006 by Telecommunications Authority. These call termination fees are effective from March 2006, May 2006 and July 2006 for Telsim, Vodafone and Avea, respectively. On 14 August 2006, the Company filed a lawsuit on Ankara Administrative Court for the injunction and cancellation of call termination fees between the Company and Avea which have been set as full TRY 0.140/minute (equivalent to full $0.120/minute as at 31 December 2007) for calls terminating on the Company’s network.

On 19 December 2006, Ankara Administrative Court dismissed the case, deciding that it does not have jurisdiction over the case. The case has been transferred to Danistay. On 21 September 2007, the Court rejected the injunction request of the Company. The Company objected to this decision. On 26 September 2007, the Company filed a lawsuit on Danistay for the injunction and cancellation of call termination fees between the Company and Avea which have been set as full TRY 0.136/minute (equivalent to full $0.117/minute as at 31 December 2007) for calls terminating on the Company’s network. The Court rejected the Company’s injunction request and the Company objected to this rejection decision. The case is still pending.

Additionally, on 23 August 2006, the Company also filed a lawsuit on Ankara Administrative Court for the injunction and cancellation of call and SMS termination fees between Turkcell and Vodafone (Telsim for the period between 1 March-24 May 2006) which have been set as full TRY 0.140/minute (equivalent to full $0.120/minute as at 31 December 2007) for calls terminating and full TRY 0.297/unit (equivalent to full $0.255/unit as at 31 December 2007) for SMS terminating on the Company’s network. The Ankara Administrative Court dismissed the case on 29 August 2006, deciding that it does not have jurisdiction over the case. The case has been transferred to Danistay. On 1 May 2007, the Court rejected the injunction request of the Company. The Company objected to this decision. The Court rejected this objection of the Company. The case is still pending.

 

F-69


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Dispute with Avea on SMS interconnection termination fees

On 28 February 2006, Avea has initiated a lawsuit against the Company claiming that although there is an agreement between the Company and Avea stating that both parties would not charge any SMS interconnection termination fees, the Company has charged SMS interconnection fees for the messages terminating on its own network and also assumed liabilities for the messages terminating on Avea’s network and made interconnection payments to Avea after deducting the net balance of those SMS charges and accruals. Avea requested provisions of Interconnection Agreement regarding SMS pricing to be applied and requested collection of its losses amounting to nominal amount of TRY 12,275 (equivalent to $10,539 as at 31 December 2007) for the period between February 2005 and December 2005 with its accrued interest till payment. On 10 October 2006, the Court decided that charging SMS interconnection termination fees violates the agreement between the Company and Avea, and the Company should pay Avea’s losses amounting to nominal amount of TRY 12,275 (equivalent to $10,539 as at 31 December 2007) for the period between February 2005 and December 2005 with its accrued interest till payment. The Company appealed the decision. The court of appeal rejected The Company’s request and approved the decision of the court of first instance. The Company applied for correction of decision.

The Company made the principal and interest payment for the period between February 2005 and December 2005 on 6 November 2006 in order not to be under legal action for collection and additional interest charge.

On 22 December 2006, Avea requested provisions of Interconnection Agreement regarding SMS pricing to be applied and requested collection of its losses amounting to nominal amount of TRY 6,480 (equivalent to $5,564 as at 31 December 2007) for the period between January 2006 and August 2006 with its accrued interest till payment. The case is still pending.

In line with the court decision regarding charging SMS interconnection termination fees violates the agreement between the Company and Avea, neither SMS interconnection revenue nor SMS interconnection expense has been recognized from February 2005 to June 2006 for Avea’s losses in the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2006. Also, interest has been accrued till 31 December 2007 amounting to nominal amount of TRY 2,812 (equivalent to $2,414 as at 31 December 2007) for Avea’s losses for the period between January 2006 and August 2006.

The Company has also applied to the Telecommunications Authority to set SMS interconnection prices between the Company and Avea. On 7 March 2007, the Telecommunications Authority determined the SMS termination fees between the Company and Avea effective from 23 March 2007.

Dispute on value added taxation with respect to roaming services

Tax Office claimed that the Company should have paid VAT on the invoices issued by foreign GSM operators for the international calls originated by the Company’s subscribers and terminating on those foreign GSM operators’ networks during the year 2000. It has been notified that, based on the calculation made by the Tax Office, the Company should pay nominal amount of TRY 19,791 (equivalent to $16,992 as at 31 December 2007) for VAT and penalty fee. Moreover, Tax Office also claimed that the Company should have paid VAT on the invoices issued by foreign GSM operators for the international calls originated by the Company’s subscribers and terminating on those foreign GSM operators’ networks during the years 2001 and 2002 amounting to nominal amount of TRY 15,972 (equivalent to $13,713 as at 31 December 2007) and TRY 23,863 (equivalent to $20,489 as at 31 December 2007) for VAT and penalty fee, respectively.

 

F-70


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Management decided not to pay such amounts and initiated judicial processes on 6 April 2006 for VAT and penalty fee for the year 2000 and on 13 July 2006 for VAT and penalty fees for the years 2001 and 2002. On 28 June 2007, the Court rejected the case. The Company appealed this decision. Danistay accepted the Company’s injunction request on 17 January 2008. On 4 October 2007, the Company initiated a lawsuit requesting cancellation of payment requests and VAT tax notices for the aforementioned amounts with respect to years 2000, 2001 and 2002. The cancellation request of the Company has been rejected. The Company appealed the decision. Danistay rejected the injunction request of the Company. Management and legal counsel believe that the Company will prevail in this matter. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded any accruals with respect to this matter in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007.

Dispute on ongoing license fee based on the amended license agreement

Based on the law enacted on 3 July 2005 with respect to the regulation of privatization, gross revenue description used for the calculation of ongoing license fee has been changed. According to this new regulation, accrued interest charges for the late payments, taxes such as indirect taxes, and accrued revenues are excluded from the description of gross revenue. Calculation of gross revenue for ongoing license fee and universal service fund according to the new regulation is valid after Danistay’s approval on 10 March 2006. In the meanwhile, the Company realized the payments including above-mentioned items between 21 July 2005 and 10 March 2006, when the amendment in license agreement was effective. On 21 April 2006, the Company initiated a lawsuit against Turkish Treasury for the difference between the payments that were realized starting from 21 July 2005 until 10 March 2006 totalling TRY 111,316 (equivalent to $95,575 as at 31 December 2007) including interest of TRY 8,667 (equivalent to $7,441 as at 31 December 2007). On 9 May 2007, the Court decided that the case is not under its jurisdiction and the Company appealed for this decision.

The above-mentioned enacted law dated 3 July 2005 also assigned Telecommunications Authority for the revision of license agreement according to new regulation. However, Telecommunications Authority did not finalize such revision in a timely manner. Therefore, on 5 May 2006, the Company has initiated a lawsuit against the Telecommunications Authority in Administrative Court for the delay of the revision in license agreement preventing the new regulation to become effective until 10 March 2006. By this lawsuit, the Company has requested payment totalling TRY 112,317 (equivalent to $96,434 as at 31 December 2007) including interest of TRY 9,668 (equivalent to $8,301 as at 31 December 2007). The Company has decided to give up the request regarding the interest of TRY 9,668 (equivalent to $8,301 as at 31 December 2007). On 22 March 2007, the Court decided that the case is not under its jurisdiction.

Dispute on Telecommunications Authority fee payment based on the amended license agreement

Based on the 9th article of the new license agreement dated 10 March 2006, the Company has been obliged to pay 0.35% of its yearly gross revenue once in a year as Telecommunications Authority Fee. However, in the previous license agreement, the Company was obliged to pay 0.35% of its yearly gross revenue after deducting ongoing license fee, universal service fund and other indirect taxes from the calculation base whereas in the new agreement, these aforementioned payments are not deducted from the base of the calculation. Therefore, on 12 April 2006, the Company has initiated a lawsuit for the cancellation of the 9th article of the new license agreement.

However, the Court rejected the Company’s injunction request. The Company objected to the Court’s decision. The Court rejected the Company’s objection request.

 

F-71


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

On 21 June 2006, Telecommunications Authority notified the Company that the Telecommunications Authority Fee for the year 2005 which had been already paid in April 2006 should have been calculated according to the new license agreement dated 10 March 2006 instead of the previous license agreement which was effective in the year 2005. Therefore, Telecommunications Authority requested the Company to pay additional TRY 4,011 (equivalent to $3,444 as at 31 December 2007). The Company made the payment and initiated a lawsuit for the injunction and cancellation of the aforesaid decision of Telecommunications Authority. On 30 May 2007, the Court rejected the Company’s injunction request. The Company objected to the decision. Ankara Administrative Court rejected the objection request of the Company.

On 2 October 2007, the Company filed a lawsuit claiming that Telecommunications Authority fee for the year 2006 which had been already paid in April 2007 should have been calculated according to the previous license agreement which was valid between 1 January 2006 and 9 March 2006. The case is still pending.

Dispute on receivables from Avea regarding call termination fees

Based on the 21st article of the Access and Interconnection Regulation, the operators may retrospectively apply the final call termination fees determined by Telecommunications Authority under the reconciliation procedure. Therefore, on 29 August 2006, the Company has initiated a lawsuit against Avea for the collection of its damages totaling to nominal amount of TRY 32,334 (equivalent to $27,762 as at 31 December 2007) including principal, interest and penalty on late payment covering the period from 30 June 2004 until 7 July 2006 which is the announcement date of the reference call termination fees issued by Telecommunications Authority on June 2006. On 20 February 2007, the court has dismissed the case. The Company appealed the said decision.

Dispute on validity of the General Assembly Meeting

On 21 August 2006, Sonera filed a lawsuit with an injunction request for the purpose of determination of the invalidity of the Company’s General Assembly Meeting with an ordinary agenda including dividend distribution and appointment of members of the Board of Directors, held on 22 May 2006 and the invalidity of all resolutions taken in this meeting.

Dispute on Turk Telekom Transmission Tariffs

On 19 January 2007, the Company initiated a lawsuit against Turk Telekom claiming that Turk Telekom charged transmission on erroneous tariffs between 1 June 2004 and 1 July 2005. The Company requested nominal amount of TRY 8,136 (equivalent to $6,985 as at 31 December 2007) including interest. The case is under expert examination. The case is still pending.

Dispute on Turk Telekom Interconnect Costs

On 26 April 2007, Turk Telekom initiated a lawsuit against the Company claiming that interconnect costs declared for the determination of Standard Reference Interconnection Tariffs do not reflect the actual costs. The case is still pending. On 19 December 2007, the Court rejected the case. Turk Telekom appealed the decision. Appeal process is pending.

 

F-72


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Dispute on the Audit Committee Member

On 21 July 2006, Alexey Khudyakov was appointed to the audit committee as an observer member. On 26 January 2007 the CMB informed the Company that Alexey Khudyakov’s current status, as an observer member on the audit committee does not satisfy the requirements under Article 25 “Committees Responsible for Auditing” of the CMB. The CMB has stated that steps must be taken urgently in order to comply with Article 25. In March 2007, the Company commenced a lawsuit to suspend the execution and to annul the decision of the CMB. The court rejected the Company’s suspension of execution request. The Company objected to the decision. On 15 August 2007, Local Ankara Administrative Court accepted the Company’s objection request and suspend the said decision of CMB. However, on 25 February 2008, Ankara 14th Administrative Court rejected the case. The Company appealed the decision. Appeal process is pending.

Dispute on Mobile Number Portability

On 29 March 2007, the Company initiated a lawsuit against the Telecommunications Authority claiming stay of order for and the annulment of the Regulation on Mobile Number Portability issued by the Telecommunications Authority on 1 February 2007 on the ground that vested rights of the Company arising out the concession agreement were violated by the said regulation. The Court rejected the Company’s injunction request and the Company objected to the decision. Avea and Vodafone requested to participate in the case as interveners. The case is still pending.

Inquiry of Telecommunications Authority on Campaigns

According to the decision of Telecommunications Board dated 15 March 2007, a pre-inquiry has been decided to start regarding the campaigns in which free minutes or counters are given to the new subscribers in the introduction sets in order to determine their conformity with telecommunications legislation. Telecommunications Authority decided to make an investigation on this issue. Investigation report has been notified to the Company and legal arguments of the Company have been requested. The Company submitted its legal arguments to the Telecommunications Authority on 20 October 2007.

Dispute on Payment Request of Savings Deposits Insurance Fund

On 26 July 2007, SDIF requested TRY 15,149 (equivalent to $13,007 as at 31 December 2007) to be paid in one month period on the ground that the stated amount is recorded as receivable from the Company in the accounting records of Telsim, which is taken over by SDIF. On 20 September 2007, the Company filed a lawsuit for the injunction and cancellation of the payment notification letter. Danistay accepted the injunction request of the Company. The case is still pending. Also, on 19 October 2007, the Company initiated a lawsuit for the cancellation of the payment request of SDIF. The case is still pending.

Based on its management and legal counsel’s opinion, the Company has not recorded any accruals with respect to this matter in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007.

Letter from Turkish Treasury Regarding Ongoing License Fee Deduction for 2006 Sales Discounts

At the end of 2006, Tax Auditors of the Company claimed that gross revenue in the statutory accounts should include discounts given to distributors although the Company recorded these discounts in a seperate line item as sales discounts.

 

F-73


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Starting from 2007, the Company started to deduct discounts given to distributors from gross revenue and present them on a net basis. Accordingly, the Company decided that, it has paid excess ongoing license fee and universal service fund for the year 2006 totalling TRY 51,254 (equivalent to $44,006 as at 31 December 2007). In a letter dated 23 February 2007, the Company requested ongoing license fee amounting to TRY 46,129 (equivalent to $39,606 as at 31 December 2007) and interest accrued amounting to TRY 5,020 (equivalent to $4,310 as at 31 December 2007) from Turkish Treasury and universal service fund amounting to TRY 5,125 (equivalent to $4,400 as at 31 December 2007) and interest accrued amounting to TRY 558 (equivalent to $479 as at 31 December 2007) from Turkish Ministry to be paid in 10 days. Since Turkish Treasury and Turkish Ministry have not made any payment, the Company started to deduct these amounts from existing ongoing monthly payments. As at 31 December 2007, the Company deducted TRY 51,254 (equivalent to $44,006 as at 31 December 2007) from existing monthly ongoing license fee and universal service fund payments.

Turkish Treasury send a letter to the Company dated 17 July 2007 and rejected deducting ongoing licensee fees that relates to 2006 from current year payments. Accordingly, TRY 2,960 (equivalent to $2,541 as at 31 December 2007) that is deducted from ongoing license fee payment for May 2007 has been requested from the Company. The Company has not made the related payment and continued to deduct ongoing license fee and universal service fee amount related to discounts given to distributors for the year 2006.

Besides, the Company filed a lawsuit on ICC in order to determine that the Company is not obliged to pay ongoing license fee and Telecommunications Authority Fee in accordance with the 8th and 9th Articles of the License, respectively, on discounts given to distributors.

Management and legal counsel believe that the Company has the legal right to make deductions with respect to this issue.

Dispute with Telecommunications Authority on Tariffs

Between October 2007 and February 2008, Telecommunications Authority made announcements about its decision to control retail pricing for mobile operators, setting a lower ceiling for off-net calling prices for all operators and asking the Company to set its on-net prices to be not lower than its lowest interconnect rate. The Company filed a lawsuit with the Highest Administrative Court in Turkey requesting the suspension and annulment of the aforementioned decision on the ground that said decision is violating Telecommunications Law, Competition Law and License Agreement between the Company and Telecommunications Authority.

Telecommunications Authority’s new decision negatively affects the Company’s ability to design and launch new campaigns, offers and consequently has a negative impact on the business. If this issue is not resolved fairly and in compliance with laws, the Company may not be able to fully implement its pricing strategy and its competitive position and financial results may be adversely affected.

 

32. Related parties

Transactions with key management personnel:

Key management personnel comprise of the Group’s directors and key management executive officers.

As at 31 December 2007 and 31 December 2006, none of the Group’s directors and executive officers has outstanding personnel loans from the Company.

 

F-74


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

In addition to their salaries, the Group also provides non-cash benefits to directors and executive officers and contributes to a post-employment defined plan on their behalf. The Group is required to contribute a specified percentage of payroll costs to the retirement benefit scheme to fund the benefits.

Total compensation provided to key management personnel is $12,439, $3,899 and $3,274 for the year ended 31 December 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The Company has agreements or protocols with several of its shareholders, consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates of the shareholders. The Company’s management believes that all such agreements or protocols are on terms that are at least as advantageous to the Company as would be available in transactions with third parties and the transactions are consummated at their fair values. None of these balances is secured.

Other related party transactions:

 

Due from related parties—long term

   2007    2006

Digital Platform

   64,220    70,417

Other

   4,651    2,089
         
   68,871    72,506
         

 

Due from related parties—short term

   2007    2006

A-Tel

   27,470    19,202

Superonline Uluslararasi Elektronik Bilgilendirme Telekomunikasyon ve Haberlesme Hiz. AS (“Superonline”)

   7,078    1,226

Digital Platform

   6,960    7,084

KVK Teknoloji Urunleri AS (“KVK Teknoloji”)

   5,612    9,439

ADD Production Medya AS (“ADD”)

   —      8,289

Baytur

   —      15,067

Other

   5,362    5,794
         
   52,482    66,101
         

 

Due to related parties—short term

   2007    2006

ADD

   7,224    —  

Hobim Bilgi Islem Hizmetleri AS (“Hobim”)

   5,876    2,615

Estore Elektronik Tic. ve Sanal Mag. Hiz. AS (“Estore”)

   2,389    608

Betting Organization Operation and Promotion Company SA (“Betting SA”)

   891    1,212

Other

   1,598    2,409
         
   17,978    6,844
         

Substantially, all of the significant due from related party balances is from Cukurova Group companies.

Due from A-Tel, a 50-50 joint venture of the Company and SDIF, resulted from sim-card and prepaid card sales to this company and payables in relation to dealer activation fees and sim-card subsidies for the sale of prepaid cards.

Due from Superonline, a company whose majority shares are owned by Cukurova Group, mainly resulted from interconnection and call center services provided by the Group.

 

F-75


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Due from Digital Platform, a company whose majority shares are owned by Cukurova Group, mainly resulted from receivables from call center revenues, financial support for borrowing repayments and advances given for current and planned sponsorships. On 23 December 2005, a “Restructuring Framework Agreement” was signed between Digital Platform and the Company. The agreement includes the restructuring of the Group’s receivables from Digital Platform amounting to $71,180 as at 31 December 2007 in exchange for sponsorship and the advertisement services that the Company will receive on Digital Platform’s infrastructure. Under the agreement, Digital Platform commits to pay amounts due to the Group through 15 July 2011 along with the interest in cash and advertisement services. $71,180 represents present value of future cash flows and services discounted using imputed interest rate. As at 31 December 2007, $64,220 of the balance is classified as long term due from related parties in accordance with the revised repayment schedule. Besides, the Company paid $8,850 to Digital Platform within the scope of the agreement during the year ended 31 December 2007.

Due from KVK Teknoloji, a company whose majority shares are owned by Cukurova Group, mainly resulted from sim-card and prepaid card sales to this company.

Due to ADD, a company whose shares are owned by Cukurova Group, resulted from advertisement and sponsorship services rendered by this company.

Due to Estore, a company whose majority shares are owned by Cukurova Group, resulted from handset purchases regarding campaigns.

Due to Hobim, a company whose majority shares are owned by Cukurova Group, resulted from the invoice printing services rendered by this company.

Due to Betting SA, whose majority shares are owned by one of the shareholders of Inteltek, resulted from the consultancy services received for the operations of Inteltek.

The Group’s exposure to currency and liquidity risk related to due from/(due to) related parties is disclosed in Note 28.

Transactions with related parties

Intragroup transactions that have been eliminated are not recognized as related party transaction in the following table.

 

Revenues from related parties

   2007    2006    2005

Sales to KVK Teknoloji

        

Sim-card and prepaid card sales

   627,148    532,658    483,888

Sales to A-Tel

        

Sim-card and prepaid card sales

   141,188    209,852    283,651

Sales to Kyivstar GSM JSC (“Kyivstar”)

        

Telecommunications services

   40,165    8,487    745

Sales to Digital Platform

        

Call center revenues and interest charges

   16,797    12,618    11,278

Sales to Millenicom Telekomunikasyon AS (“Millenicom”)

        

Telecommunications services

   12,399    11,928    2,972

 

F-76


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Revenues from related parties

   2007    2006    2005

Charges from ADD

        

Advertisement and sponsorship services

   167,477    136,171    126,592

Charges from KVK Teknoloji

        

Dealer activation fees and others

   88,564    59,527    32,445

Charges from A-Tel (*)

        

Dealer activation fees and others

   45,110    57,716    75,735

Charges from Kyivstar

        

Telecommunications services

   36,060    13,286    546

Charges from Hobim

        

Invoicing and archieving services

   17,163    13,169    10,198

Charges from Millenicom

        

Telecommunications services

   11,117    10,812    1,164

Charges from Betting SA

        

Consultancy services

   8,740    13,438    9,336

Charges from Baytur

        

Residence project

   5,115    8,741    9,763
 
  * Transactions with A-Tel have been eliminated to the extent of the Company’s interest in A-Tel for the year ended 31 December 2007 and for the five months ended 31 December 2006 amounting to $45,110 and $16,161, respectively.

The significant agreements are as follows:

Agreements with KVK Teknoloji:

KVK Teknoloji, incorporated on 23 October 2002, one of the Company’s principal sim-card distributors, is a Turkish company, which is affiliated with some of the Company’s shareholders. In addition to sales of sim-cards and scratch cards, the Company has entered into several agreements with KVK Teknoloji, in the form of advertisement support protocols, each lasting for different periods pursuant to which KVK Teknoloji must place advertisements for the Company’s services in newspapers. The objective of these agreements is to promote and increase handset sales with the Company’s prepaid and postpaid brand sim-cards, thereby supporting the protection of the Company’s market share in the prevailing market conditions. The prices of the contracts were determined according to the cost of advertising for KVK Teknoloji and the total advertisement benefit received, reflected in the Company’s market share in new subscriber acquisitions. Distributors’ campaign projects and market share also contributed to the budget allocation.

Agreements with A-Tel:

A-Tel is involved in the marketing, selling and distributing the Company’s prepaid systems. A-Tel is a 50-50 joint venture of the Company and SDIF. A-Tel acts as the only dealer of the Company for Muhabbet Kart (a prepaid card), and receives dealer activation fees and sim-card subsidies for the sale of Muhabbet Kart. In addition to the sales of sim-cards and scratch cards through an extensive network of newspaper kiosks located throughout Turkey, the Company has entered into several agreements with A-Tel for sales campaigns and subscriber activations.

 

F-77


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Agreements with Kyivstar:

Alfa Group, a minor shareholder of the Company, holds the majority shares of Kyivstar. Astelit is receiving call termination and international traffic carriage services from Kyivstar.

Agreements with Digital Platform:

Digital Platform, a direct-to-home digital television service company under the Digiturk brand name, is a subsidiary of one of the Company’s principal shareholders, the Cukurova Group. Digital Platform acquired the broadcasting rights for Turkish Super Football League by the tender held on 15 July 2004, until 31 May 2008 and the broadcasting rights were extended until 31 May 2010 with a new agreement dated 5 May 2005. On 23 December 2005, “Restructuring Framework Agreement” was signed between Digital Platform and the Company. The Company also has an agreement related to the corporate group SMS services that the Company offers to Digital Platform, and an agreement for call center services provided by the Company’s subsidiary Global Bilgi Pazarlama Danisma ve Cagri Servisi Hizmetleri AS (“Global”).

Agreements with Millenicom:

European Telecommunications Holding AG (“ETH”), a subsidiary of Cukurova Group, holds the majority shares of Millenicom. Millenicom is rendering and receiving call termination and international traffic carriage services to and from the Company.

Agreements with ADD:

ADD, a media planning and marketing company, is a Turkish company owned by one of the Company’s principal shareholders, Cukurova Group. The Company entered into a media purchasing agreement with ADD on 23 January 2002, which expired on 31 December 2002 and further extended to 31 December 2003. In 2004 and 2005, the agreement was revised again with similar terms. On 1 September 2006, a revised agreement has been signed with ADD and the validity period of the agreement has been extended to 31 August 2008. The purpose of this agreement is to benefit from the expertise and bargaining power of ADD against third parties, regarding the formation of media purchasing strategies for both postpaid and prepaid brands. Additionally, ADD is a party of the sponsorship and advertisement agreements which are integral part of “Restructuring Framework Agreement” signed between the Company and Digital Platform.

Agreements with Hobim:

Hobim, one of the leading data processing and application service provider companies in Turkey, is owned by Cukurova Group. The Company has entered into invoice printing and archiving agreements with Hobim under which Hobim provides the Company with scratch card printing services, monthly invoice printing services, manages archiving of invoices and subscription documents for an indefinite period of time. Prices of the agreements are determined as per unit cost plus profit margin.

Agreements with Betting SA:

Betting SA is incorporated under the laws of Greece, owned by one of the major shareholders of Inteltek. Inteltek signed a service agreement with Betting SA on 11 March 2004 to get consultancy services including monitoring operations, providing continuous evaluation of betting, maximizing game revenues of fixed odds betting, operating fixed odds betting games in the most efficient manner, with integrity and securely.

 

F-78


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

Agreements with Baytur:

The principal shareholder of Baytur, a construction company, is Cukurova Group. Baytur committed to complete construction of 484 apartments within the scope of an agreement signed among the Company, Baytur and the land owner, which is a governmental organization, on 19 October 2004. The agreement amount is $39,650. During 2007, Baytur settled its obligation in respect of the project and the Company wholly paid the contract amount to Baytur as at 31 December 2007.

 

33. Group entities

The Group’s ultimate parent company is Turkcell. Subsidiaries of the Company as at 31 December 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

Subsidiaries

 

     Country of
incorporation
   Ownership Interest

Name

      2007 (%)    2006 (%)

Kibris Telekom

   Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus
   100    100

Global

   Turkey    100    100

Turktell Bilisim Servisleri AS

   Turkey    100    100

Tellcom

   Turkey    100    100

Turktell Uluslararasi Yatirim Holding AS

   Turkey    100    100

Turkcell Kurumsal Satis ve Dagitim Hizmetleri AS

   Turkey    100    100

Eastasia

   Netherlands    100    100

Turkcell Teknoloji

   Turkey    100    100

TurkKule

   Turkey    100    100

Sans Oyunlari Yatirim Holding AS

   Turkey    100    100

Financell

   Netherlands    100    —  

Rehberlik Hizmetleri AS

   Turkey    100    —  

Corbuss Kurumsal Telekom Servis

        

Hizmetleri AS

   Turkey    99    99

Inteltek

   Turkey    55    55

Bilyoner

   Turkey    55    55

Euroasia

   Netherlands    55    55

Astelit

   Ukraine    55    55

Iyi Eglenceler Eglence ve Turizm AS*

   Turkey    —      100

 

* Merger of Iyi Eglenceler Eglence ve Turizm AS and Turktell Uluslararasi Yatirim Holding AS has been completed in September 2007.

 

34. Subsequent events

On 26 February 2008, Board of Directors of the Company decided that the Ordinary General Assembly of Turkcell for the fiscal year 2007 will be held on 25 April 2008.

On 12 March 2008, the Company decided to withdraw from its appeal against the Telecommunications Authority which was initiated to indemnify its losses amounting to TRY 102,649 (equivalent to $88,133 as at 31 December 2007) for the delay in the revision of the License which had resulted in delay in the change of the gross revenue description.

 

F-79


Table of Contents

TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As at and for the year ended 31 December

(Amounts expressed in thousands of US Dollars unless otherwise indicated except share amounts)

 

On 14 March 2008, Kibris Telekom was awarded a 3G infrastructure license at a cost of $10,000, which was paid at the end of March 2008. Under the terms of the license, the system must be operational by mid-October 2008.

The Law on the Settlement Procedure and Collection of Certain Public Receivables numbered 5736 was put into force on 27 February 2008 following its approval by the Grand National Assembly General Committee. The law provides a new settlement opportunity and easy payment conditions for the tax debts of taxpayers. It has been stipulated that tax receivables assessed additionally, arbitrarily or by the administration, yet whose period allowed for settlement or initiating litigation has not ended as of the effective date of the Code, or for which settlement has been requested, and the settlement meeting has not been held yet or has been held but the period allowed for accepting the final offer has not ended, and receivables that have been subject to a litigation and not yet final; shall be subject to a new settlement and the settled amount shall be divided into installments under convenient conditions. On 26 March 2008, the Company submitted a written application to the Tax Offices for the dispute on value added taxation with respect to roaming services and the dispute on special communication taxation regarding prepaid card sales. Please also refer to Note 31 “Dispute on Special Communication Taxation Regarding Prepaid Card Sales” and “Dispute on value added taxation with respect to roaming services” where these lawsuits are discussed.

 

F-80