Reliant Nortel Networks Form 10 K Users Manual December 31, 2003

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-07260
Nortel Networks Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Registrant’s telephone number including area code: (905) 863-0000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
The common shares are also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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 filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be
contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form
10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes No
On December 31, 2004, 4,268,236,086 common shares of Nortel Networks Corporation were issued and outstanding. Non-affiliates of
the registrant held 4,261,699,641 common shares having an aggregate market value of $14,788,097,754 based upon the last sale price
on the New York Stock Exchange on December 31, 2004, of $3.47 per share; for purposes of this calculation, shares held by directors
and executive officers have been excluded.
Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchan
g
e Act of 1934
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchan
g
e Act of 1934
Canada Not A
pp
licable
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
8200 Dixie Road, Suite 100, Bram
p
ton, Ontario, Canada L6T 5P6
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Title of each class Name of each exchan
g
e on which re
g
istered
Common Shares without nominal or par value New York Stock Exchange
4.25% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2008 New York Stock Exchange
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Nortel Networks Corporation previously announced the need to restate its consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31,
2002 and 2001 and each of its first three quarterly periods for 2003.
The consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity and comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2002, including the applicable notes, contained in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K have been restated.
A number of Nortel Networks past filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission remain subject to ongoing review by
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporation Finance. In addition, the Second Restatement involved the
restatement of Nortel Networks consolidated financial statements for 2001 and 2002 and the first, second and third quarters of 2003.
Amendments to Nortel Networks prior filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission would be required in order for
Nortel Networks to be in full compliance with Nortel Networks reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. However,
Nortel Networks does not believe that it will be feasible to amend Nortel Networks Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended
December 31, 2002, or 2002 Form 10-K/A and our 2003 Quarterly Reports due to, among other factors, identified material weaknesses in
Nortel Networks internal control over financial reporting, the significant turnover in Nortel Networks finance personnel, changes in accounting
systems, documentation weaknesses, a likely inability to obtain third party corroboration in certain cases due to the substantial industry
adjustment in recent years and the passage of time generally. In addition, disclosure in the 2002 Form 10-K/A and 2003 Form 10-Qs would in
large part repeat the disclosure expected to be contained in this report and the 2004 Form 10-Qs. Accordingly, Nortel Networks does not plan
to amend our 2002 Form 10-K/A and 2003 Form 10-Qs. Nortel Networks believes that it has included in this report all information needed for
current investor understanding. Ongoing United States Securities and Exchange Commission review may require Nortel Networks to amend
this Annual Report on Form 10-K or Nortel Networks other public filings.
For a description of the restatements, see “Restatement” in note 3 of the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and “Item 7
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Developments in 2003 and 2004 — Nortel
Networks Audit Committee Independent Review; restatements; related matters” contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
i
ITEM 1. Business 1
Overview 1
Developments in 2003 and 2004 2
Networking solutions 5
Wireless Networks 6
Enterprise Networks 9
Wireline Networks 11
Optical Networks 14
Sales and distribution 17
Backlog 17
Product standards, certification and regulation 18
Sources and availability of materials 18
Seasonality 19
Strategic alliances, acquisitions and minority investments 19
Research and development 20
Intellectual property 20
Employee relations 21
Environmental matters 22
Financial information by operating segment and product category 22
Financial information by geographic area 22
Working capital 23
Risk factors 23
ITEM 2. Properties 24
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings 25
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 29
PART II
ITEM 5. Market for the Registrants Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 29
Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans 29
Dividends 30
Canadian tax matters 30
Sales of unregistered securities 30
ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data (Unaudited) 31
ITEM 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 35
Business overview 37
Developments in 2003 and 2004 41
Results of operations continuing operations 54
Results of operations discontinued operations 72
Liquidity and capital resources 73
Off-balance sheet arrangements, contractual obligations and contingent liabilities and commitments 80
Application of critical accounting estimates 82
Accounting change and recent accounting pronouncements 89
Market risk 91
Equity price risk 92
Environmental matters 92
Legal proceedings 93
Risk factors/forward looking statements 93
ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk 111
ITEM 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 112
ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 113
All dollar amounts in this document are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.
NORTEL NETWORKS, NORTEL NETWORKS LOGO, NT, the GLOBEMARK, BUSINESS WITHOUT BOUNDARIES, DMS, OPTERA
and UNIVERSAL EDGE are trademarks of Nortel Networks.
ACCESSNODE is a trademark of Zhone Technologies Inc.
CDMA2000 is a trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association.
CDMAONE — design mark is a trademark of the CDMA Development Group, Inc.
JUNGLEMUX is a trademark of GE Industrial Systems Technology Management Inc.
MOODY’S is a trademark of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
RCMP is a trademark of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
S&P and STANDARD & POOR’S are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
ii
ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures 113
PART III
ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 138
Executive officers and certain other non-executive board appointed officers of the Registrant 142
Section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting compliance 144
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation 145
Summary compensation table 145
Option grants in 2003 151
Aggregate option exercises in 2004 and 2003 and year-end option values 151
Long-term incentive plans awards in last fiscal year 154
Retirement plans 155
Certain employment arrangements 158
Compensation of directors 160
Compensation committee interlocks and insider participation 161
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 161
Equity compensation plan information 164
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 165
Indebtedness of managemen
t
165
ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 166
PART IV
ITEM 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K 168
SIGNATURES 223
PART I
Overview
Nortel Networks Corporation is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that enhance the human experience, ignite and
power global commerce, and secure and protect the world’s most critical information. We offer converged multimedia networks that use
innovative packet, wireless, voice and optical technologies and are underpinned by high standards of security and reliability. For both service
providers and enterprises, these networks help to drive increased profitability and productivity by reducing costs and enabling new business
and consumer services opportunities. We refer to the communications technology, infrastructure and related professional services that we
supply as “networking solutions”. Our business consists of the design, development, manufacture, assembly, marketing, sale, licensing,
installation, servicing and support of these networking solutions. A substantial portion of our business has a technology focus and is dedicated
to research and development. This focus forms a core strength and is a factor that we believe differentiates us from many of our competitors.
We envision a network society where people will be able to connect and interact with information and with each other instantly, simply and
reliably, accessing data, voice and multimedia communications services and sharing experiences anywhere, anytime.
Our networking solutions enable our service provider and enterprise customers to provide their own customers or employees with services to
communicate locally, regionally or globally through the use of data, voice and multimedia communications. Our service provider customers
include local and long-distance communications companies, wireless service providers and cable operators. Our networking solutions enable
our service provider customers to deploy reliable, robust networks that create opportunities to provide revenue-generating services and cost
savings. Our enterprise customers include large and small businesses, governments and institutions. Our networking solutions enable our
enterprise customers to deploy secure networks with seamless connectivity that provide opportunities for cost efficiency and increased
productivity.
During 2003 and up to September 30, 2004, we conducted our business through the following four reportable segments: Wireless Networks;
Enterprise Networks; Wireline Networks; and Optical Networks. We refer you to the descriptions of each of these segments below. Effective
October 1, 2004, we established a new organizational structure that included, among other things, combining the businesses of our four
segments into two business organizations: (i) Carrier Networks and Global Operations; and (ii) Enterprise Networks. We are reviewing the
impact of these changes to our reportable segments under applicable accounting standards. The new structure reflects the evolution of the
network transformation to converged networks. For financial information by reporting segment and product category, see “Segment
information” in note 6 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and “Results of operations — continuing operations — Segment
revenues” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A.
The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 8200 Dixie Road, Suite 100, Brampton, Ontario, Canada, L6T 5P6, telephone number
(905) 863-0000. The Company was incorporated in Canada on March 7, 2000 under the name New Nortel Inc. On May 1, 2000, the Company
participated in a Canadian court-approved plan of arrangement under which, among other things, the Company exchanged its common shares
for all of the outstanding common shares of Nortel Networks Limited (previously known as Nortel Networks Corporation); Nortel Networks
Limited, or NNL, became the principal operating subsidiary of the Company; and the Company changed its name to Nortel Networks
Corporation.
Where we say “we”, “us”, “our” or “Nortel Networks”, we mean Nortel Networks Corporation or Nortel Networks Corporation and its
subsidiaries, as applicable. References to “the Company” mean Nortel Networks Corporation without its subsidiaries. Where we refer to the
“industry”, we mean the telecommunications industry.
The Company makes its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to
those reports available free of charge under “Investor Relations” on our website at www.nortel.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we
electronically file this material with, or furnish this material to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. We have
adopted a Code of Ethics known as “Living the Values: A Guide to Ethical Business Practices at Nortel Networks”. We make our Code of
Ethics, and all amendments to and waivers of (in accordance with applicable laws) our Code of Ethics, available free of charge under
“Corporate Information” on our website at www.nortel.com or by writing to our corporate secretary at Nortel Networks Corporation, 8200
Dixie Road, Suite 100,
1
ITEM 1. Business
Brampton, Ontario L6T 5P6. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into our annual report on Form 10-K.
Developments in 2003 and 2004
B
usiness environment
In 2003, customer spending remained cautious as a result of tightened capital markets, mainly in the first half of 2003, and customers
realigning capital spending with their current levels of revenues and profits in order to maximize their return on invested capital. We
experienced continued industry adjustment and capital spending restrictions by our service provider customers. In 2003, many of our customers
continued to focus on conserving capital, decreasing their debt levels, reducing costs and/or increasing the capacity utilization rates and
efficiency of their existing networks. Also, excess network capacity and competition continued to exist in the industry, which led to continued
pricing pressures on the sale of certain of our products.
During the second half of 2003 and into 2004, we began to experience a period of relative industry stability following an unprecedented period
of business realignment that commenced in 2001 in response to a significant industry adjustment. Throughout the second half of 2003 and into
2004, we announced several new contracts across all of our reportable segments, but primarily in our Wireless Networks segment, as certain
service provider customers began to expand and upgrade their existing networks.
The period of relative industry stability that had characterized the second half of 2003 continued into 2004. The moderate growth in 2004 has
primarily been a result of customers increasing their investments in:
In 2004, spending in these areas of our business has been partially offset by customers limiting their investments in mature technologies as they
focus on maximizing return on investment capital. In addition, we have continued to experience pricing pressures on sales of certain of our
products as a result of increased competition, particularly from low cost competitors. Further, while customer support generally remains strong,
the ongoing restatement activities and the internal restructuring and realignment programs initiated in August 2004 have adversely impacted
business performance in 2004.
N
ortel Networks Audit Committee Independent Review; restatements; related matters
In May 2003, we commenced certain balance sheet reviews at the direction of certain members of former management that led to a
comprehensive review and analysis of our assets and liabilities, or the Comprehensive Review, which resulted in the restatement (effected in
December 2003) of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 and for the quarters ended
March 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, or the First Restatement.
In late October 2003, the Audit Committees of the Boards of Directors of Nortel Networks and NNL, or the Audit Committee, initiated an
independent review of the facts and circumstances leading to the First Restatement, or the Independent Review, and engaged the law firm now
known as Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP, or WCPHD, to advise it in connection with the Independent Review. The Audit
Committee sought to gain a full understanding of the events that caused significant excess liabilities to be maintained on the balance sheet that
needed to be restated, and to recommend that our Board of Directors adopt, and direct management to implement, necessary remedial measures
to address personnel, controls, compliance and discipline. In January 2005, the Audit Committee reported the findings of the Independent
Review, together with its recommendations for governing principles for remedial measures that were developed for the Audit Committee by
WCPHD. Each of our and NNL’s Boards of Directors has adopted these recommendations in their entirety and directed our management to
develop a detailed plan and timetable for their implementation, and will monitor their implementation.
As the Independent Review progressed, the Audit Committee directed new corporate management to examine in depth the concerns identified
by WCPHD regarding provisioning activity and to review certain provision releases. That examination, and other errors identified by
management, led to the restatement (effected today) of our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the
quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, June 30, 2003 and 2002 and September 30, 2003 and 2002, or the Second Restatement, and our
revision of previously announced unaudited results for the year ended December 31, 2003.
2
voice over packet technologies;
third generation wireless technologies; and
expansion and enhancement of existing networks due to subscriber growth and competitive pressures.
The need for the Second Restatement resulted in delays in filing our and NNL’s 2003 Annual Reports on Form 10-K, or the 2003 Annual
Reports, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of 2004, or the 2004 Quarterly Reports, beyond the SEC’s
required filing dates in 2004. We refer to the 2003 Annual Reports and the 2004 Quarterly Reports together as the Reports.
Over the course of the Second Restatement process, management identified certain accounting practices that it determined should be adjusted
for as part of the Second Restatement. In particular, management identified certain errors related to revenue recognition and undertook a
process of focused revenue reviews. As described in more detail in the “Controls and Procedures” section of this report, in light of the resulting
adjustments to revenues previously reported in relevant periods, the Audit Committee has determined to review the facts and circumstances
leading to the restatement of these revenues for specific transactions identified in the Second Restatement. This review will have a particular
emphasis on the underlying conduct that led to the initial recognition of these revenues. The Audit Committee will seek a full understanding of
the historic events that required the revenues for these specific transactions to be restated and will consider any appropriate additional remedial
measures, including those involving internal controls and processes. The Audit Committee has engaged WCPHD to advise it in connection
with this review. See “Risk factors/forward looking statements.”
The key developments in 2004 with respect to the foregoing matters are the following:
3
In connection with the Independent Review, we terminated for cause (i) our former president and chief executive officer, former chief
financial officer and former controller in April 2004 and (ii) seven additional senior finance employees with significant responsibilities
for our financial reporting as a whole or for their respective business units and geographic regions in August 2004.
We are under investigation by the SEC and the Ontario Securities Commission, or OSC, Enforcement Staff and have received a U.S.
federal grand jury subpoena for the production of certain documents sought in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation being
conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. Further, the Integrated Market Enforcement
Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or RCMP, has advised us that it would be commencing a criminal investigation into Nortel
Networks financial accounting situation. In addition, numerous class action complaints have been filed against Nortel Networks,
including class action complaints under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA. In addition, a derivative action
complaint has been filed against Nortel Networks. See “Contingencies” in note 22 in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements.
As a result of the delay in filing the Reports, we and NNL were not in compliance with our obligations to deliver the Reports under our
and NNL’s public debt indentures and were required to seek waivers from Export Development Corporation, or EDC, under the EDC
Support Facility. If we and NNL fail to file all of the Reports by January 15, 2005, EDC will have the right, on such date (absent a further
waiver in relation to the delayed filings and certain additional breaches under the EDC Support Facility, or the Related Breaches), to
(i) terminate the EDC Support Facility and (ii) exercise certain rights against collateral or require NNL to cash collateralize all existing
support. In addition, the Related Breaches will continue beyond the filing of the Reports. These delays have also resulted in our inability
to use, in its current form, the remaining approximately $800 million of capacity under our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC
for various types of securities. In addition, these delays resulted in our termination of our $750 million April 2000 five year credit
facilities. See “Liquidity and capital resources” in the MD&A section of this repor
t
The OSC issued an order prohibiting all trading by directors, officers and certain current and former employees in the securities of Nortel
Networks Corporation and NNL. The order remains in effect until two full business days following the receipt by the OSC of all filings
required to be made by us and NNL pursuant to Ontario securities laws.
We postponed our Annual Shareholders’ Meeting for 2003 due to the delay in filing our 2003 financial statements.
As a result of the delayed filing of certain of our Reports, we are in breach of the continued listing requirements of the Toronto Stock
Exchange, or TSX, and the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE. Although each of the TSX and NYSE has verbally confirmed that it
has not commenced, nor has any intention of commencing, any suspension or delisting procedures in respect of the Company’s and
NNL’s listed securities, the commencement of any suspension or delisting procedures by either exchange remains, at all times, at the
discretion of such exchange and would be publicly announced by the exchange. The NYSE granted us and NNL an extension of up to
March 31, 2005 to file our 2003 Annual Reports, during which time the Nortel Networks Corporation common shares and our and NNL’s
other securities will remain listed on the NYSE. The extension is subject to review by the NYSE on an ongoing basis.
We suspended as of March 10, 2004: the purchase of Nortel Networks Corporation common shares under the stock purchase plans for
eligible employees in eligible countries that facilitate the acquisition of Nortel Networks
Strategic plan
On August 19, 2004, we first announced a new strategic plan, which contains the following principal components:
Our strategic plan also includes a work plan involving focused workforce reductions of approximately 3,250 employees, a voluntary retirement
program, real estate optimization and other cost containment actions such as reductions in information services costs, outsourced services and
other discretionary spending. Approximately 64% of employee actions related to the focused workforce reduction were completed by the end
of 2004, including approximately 55% that were notified of termination or acceptance of voluntary retirement, with the remainder comprising
voluntary attrition of employees that were not replaced. The remainder of employee actions are expected to be completed by June 30, 2005. In
addition, however, the Company continues to hire in certain strategic areas such as investments in the finance organization. Our intention is
that our strategic plan will enable us to build on our market leadership in developing the converged networks of the future and improve
business efficiency and operating cost performance in an increasingly competitive market. It is our intention to be optimally positioned to
maximize strategic opportunities as they arise and leverage our acknowledged strengths in high reliability networks and strong customer
loyalty. We continue to drive the business forward with a focus on costs, cash and revenues as strategic goals. We remain committed to our
business strategy of technology and solutions evolution in helping our customers transform their networks and implement new applications and
services to drive improved productivity.
Other business developments
We engaged in a number of activities in 2003 and 2004, in part to respond to the industry environment and in part to address various business
matters that arose during those periods. Some of our activities and other business developments included:
4
Corporation common shares; the exercise of outstanding options granted under Nortel Networks Corporation 2000 Stock Option Plan, or
the 2000 Plan, and the Nortel Networks Corporation 1986 Stock Option Plan as amended and restated, or the 1986 Plan, or the grant of
any additional options under those plans, or the exercise of outstanding options granted under employee stock option plans previously
assumed by us in connection with mergers and acquisitions; and the purchase of units in a Nortel Networks stock fund or purchase of
Nortel Networks Corporation common shares under our defined contribution and investment plans, until such time as, at the earliest, we
are in compliance with U.S. and Canadian regulatory securities filing requirements.
On April 28, 2004, Standard and Poor’s, or S&P, downgraded its ratings on NNL, including its long-term corporate credit ratings from
“B” to “B-” and its preferred shares ratings from “CCC” to “CCC-”. At the same time, it revised its outlook to developing from negative.
On April 28, 2004, Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. changed its outlook to potential downgrade from uncertain. See “Liquidity and
capital resources — Credit ratings” in the MD&A section of this report.
a renewed commitment to best corporate practices and ethical conduct, including the establishment of the office of a chief ethics
and compliance officer which has been filled on an interim basis pending the permanent appointment of Susan E. Shepard, as now
announced;
a streamlined organizational structure to reflect alignment with carrier converged networks;
an increased focus on the enterprise market and customers;
optimized research and development programs for highly secure, available and reliable converged networks;
the establishment of a chief strategy officer to drive partnerships, new markets and acquisitions;
the establishment of a chief marketing officer to drive overall marketing strategy;
the strategic review of embedded services to assess opportunities in the professional services business; an
a distinct focus on government and defense customers.
2003
realigning our business activities in France and Germany;
reducing undrawn customer financing commitments;
entering into an agreement with EDC regarding arrangements to provide support for certain of our performance-related obligations;
and
substantially completing the wind-down of our discontinued access solutions operations.
For information on these and other developments in 2003, see “Special charges” in note 7, “Acquisitions, divestitures and closures” in note 10,
“Long-term debt, credit and support facilities” in note 11 and “Subsequent events” in note 23 of the accompanying consolidated financial
statements and “Developments in 2003 and 2004” in the MD&A section of this report.
Networking solutions
Networking
In our industry, networking refers to:
Network components
A telecommunications network generally consists of equipment and software that enable network access, core networking and network
services. Network access equipment and software enables information to enter or exit a network, and resides with or near an end-user of the
network. Network access can be obtained through the use of either wireline cable (such as fiber optic, copper wire or coaxial) or wireless radio
signals.
Core networking equipment and software direct, route or “switch” the data, voice and multimedia communications signals from one part of the
network to another. Core network equipment and software also transport communications signals to and from network access equipment and
other core networking equipment located in another location. These functions are carried out primarily through the use of routers, circuit and
packet switches, and fiber optic technologies.
Network services consist of various user capabilities that are enabled through the use of software elements in a network. User capabilities may
be configured to extend throughout the network and include features such as location-based services, security services, calling features and
multimedia services. Network services can be personalized to suit the user’s needs and to support various applications.
Networking solutions
Our networking solutions include network equipment, software and other technologies that enable communications between two or more
points defining a network through the use of data, voice and multimedia networking. Our networking solutions may consist of a combination of
products and services provided by our four reportable segments consisting of Wireless Networks, Enterprise Networks, Wireline Networks and
Optical Networks. For a discussion of our recent establishment of a new organizational structure that includes, among other things, combining
the businesses of our four segments into two business organizations, see “Business — Overview”.
Networking solutions can be circuit-based or packet-based. Our circuit-based networking solutions consist of technologies that require a
separate network circuit to be maintained for each communications signal for the duration of the transmission. Our packet-based networking
solutions consist of technologies which involve the conversion of a data, voice or multimedia communications signal into pieces, or “packets”,
that are directed or routed through the network independently and then re-
5
2004
the announcement of our planned divestiture of substantially all of our remaining manufacturing operations to Flextronics
International Ltd., or Flextronics;
the contribution of certain assets and liabilities of our directory and operator services business in return for a 24% interest in
VoltDelta, Resources LLC;
the entering into an agreement with Foundry Networks, Inc., or Foundry, to settle outstanding patent infringement claims and
counterclaims by us and Foundry; and
a strategic arrangement with Bharat Sanchar Nigram Limited to establish a wireless network in India.
the connecting of two or more communications devices, such as telephones and personal computers, across short or long distances
to create a “network”;
the connecting of two or more networks; or
the connecting of equipment used in a network.
assembled at the destination. This enables large numbers of communications signals to be directed or routed simultaneously and more
efficiently than in circuit networking. Our data networking solutions consist of products and services designed to enable the transportation of
data information across a network. Our security solutions consist of products and services designed to ensure that information can be securely
transported across a network and to prevent unauthorized users from being able to disrupt the network.
Wireless Networks includes network access and core networking solutions for voice and data communications that span second and third
generation wireless technologies and most major global standards for mobile networks. Enterprise Networks includes circuit and packet voice
solutions, and data networking and security solutions used by our enterprise customers. Wireline Networks includes circuit and packet voice
solutions, and data networking and security solutions used by our service provider customers. Optical Networks includes metropolitan, regional
and long-haul optical transport and switching solutions and managed broadband services. Within each of our reportable segments, our
networking solutions also consist of related professional services which may include: strategic planning, network design and engineering;
network optimization; network operations planning and consulting; and installation and ongoing technical support.
For more information about our networking solutions, please refer to our segment descriptions below.
Wireless Networks
Products
Wireless networking, also known as mobility networking, refers to communications networks that enable end-users to be mobile while they
send and receive voice and data communications using wireless devices, such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants and other
computing and communications devices. These networks use specialized network access equipment and specialized core networking
equipment that enable an end-user to be connected and identified when not in a fixed location. The technology for wireless communications
networks has evolved and continues to evolve, through various technology “generations”.
Our existing wireless solutions span second and third generation wireless technologies and most major global digital standards for mobile
networks. The majority of wireless communications networks existing today are still based on second generation, or 2G, wireless technologies,
which consist of circuit switching technology with modest data transmission capabilities. However, third generation, or 3G, networks have
been launched in several regions. 3G wireless technologies consist of packet networking technology with high-speed data, voice and
multimedia transmission capabilities.
We support all of the following primary international standards for wireless communications networks:
We also offer a range of related professional services to our customers.
6
Time Division Multiple Access, or TDMA, is a 2G wireless standard supported mainly in the United States, Canada and the
Caribbean and Latin America region, or CALA.
Code Division Multiple Access, or CDMA, is a 2G wireless standard, also known as IS-95 or cdmaOne, and is supported globally.
CDMA networks are evolving to 3G according to the CDMA 3G 1xRTT (single channel (1x) Radio Transmission Technology)
standard, also known as CDMA2000, for voice and high-speed data mobility. CDMA 3G 1xEV-DO, or Evolution Data Optimized,
and CDMA 3G 1xEV-DV, or Evolution Data and Voice, are extensions of CDMA 3G standards for high speed wireless networks
for data, voice and multimedia communications.
Global System for Mobile communications, or GSM, is a 2G wireless standard supported globally. GSM networks are evolving to
carry data, as well as voice, with the introduction of General Packet Radio Standard, or GPRS. GPRS is viewed as a “2.5G”
technology that provides faster and therefore increased data transmission capabilities. Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution,
or EDGE, is a further evolution of GSM systems to support higher data speeds. In addition to higher data speeds, EDGE provides
increased voice capacity for existing GSM operators. An additional variant of this standard, called GSM-R, focuses on the delivery
of communications and control services for railway systems.
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, or UMTS, is now a commercial standard for 3G networks based on Wideband
CDMA, or WCDMA, technology. UMTS combines WCDMA-based radio access with packet switching technology to yield high
capacity, high speed wireless networks for data, voice and multimedia communications.
N
etwork access
Radio network access equipment uses radio waves to provide wireless access to the subscriber’s device, enabling the wireless subscriber to
connect to the network to send and receive data, voice and multimedia communications. The key network elements in radio access are base
station transceivers or access points and base station/radio network controllers. We offer our customers a wide range of base station
transceivers and base station controllers for all of the standards that we support.
Core networking
Core networking equipment directs, routes or “switches” communications signals within a service provider’s wireless communications
network. The key network elements in the core part of a wireless communications network are mobile switching centers, home location
registers and packet data serving nodes.
Our mobile switching centers, home location registers and packet data serving nodes support all of the primary international standards for
wireless communications networks.
Product development
Our wireless networking products in development include the next evolution of our CDMA 3G, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, wireless local area
network, or WLAN, and UMTS products.
7
Mobile switching centers direct or “switch” data, voice and multimedia communications signals from one network circuit to
another and also support advanced voice services like 3-way calling, calling party number/name delivery, call holding and call
redirection.
A home location register is a database that contains subscriber data, such as provisioning and service information, and dynamic
information, such as the wireless handset’s current location.
Packet data serving nodes are hardware and software network equipment elements that aggregate and manage data communications
between wireless subscriber devices and public/private data networks, such as the Internet. Packet data serving nodes deliver
valuable network services including conten
t
-based billing, security, virtual private networks and quality of service.
Our CDMA 3G 1xRTT products are generally available and have been deployed in several commercial networks in all our
geographic regions. Our CDMA 3G 1xEV-DO product is currently being deployed by several large operators in the United States
and Brazil and is generally available for commercial deployment. We are currently working with the various standards bodies to
finalize the specifications for CDMA 3G 1xEV-DV.
There are several GSM/GPRS/EDGE products that are being developed to allow GSM operators to offer higher data rates on
existing GSM spectrum allocations. We have successfully completed customer trials of Adaptive MultiRate, or AMR, base station
transceivers. AMR allows service providers to use the radio spectrum allocated to them more efficiently to support more customers
onthesamenetwork.
The enhanced version of our GSM base station controller, the GSM BSC 3000 (formerly, the BSCe3), became generally available
for commercial deployment in 2003. Our EDGE base station transceivers, including both hardware and software, are currently in
customer trials and are being deployed by several customers in the United States.
Our UMTS radio network access and core networking products are generally available and have been launched by several operators
in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, or EMEA, and in the United States. Our UMTS networking products have been
deployed in the initial launch of the first commercial UMTS network to be deployed in the United States. We are continuing to
develop our UMTS solutions for use in the Asia Pacific (including Greater China) region.
We are working at establishing strategic relationships with other companies for research, development and manufacture of
equipment that conforms to the Chinese 3G TD-SCDMA standard.
We continue to work on developing access technologies such as UMTS-HSDPA, or High Speed Downlink Packet Access, 1x-EV,
or single channel Evolution, OFDM, or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, and MIMO, or Multiple Input Multiple
Output, antenna technologies to increase the speed and efficiency of broadband wireless access from 3G networks deployed today.
Markets
We anticipate that demand for wireless networking equipment will be driven by continued subscriber and traffic growth, and the effectiveness
of 2.5G and 3G wireless networking systems. There are two key aspects to the migration from 2G wireless communications technologies to
2.5G and 3G wireless communications technologies. The first is that all current 3G technologies, including CDMA 3G and UMTS, are based
on spread spectrum technology. The second is that the migration from 2G to 2.5G and 3G technologies is largely based on a transition from
circuit switching technologies in 2G core networks to packet-based networking technologies in 3G core networks. We believe that our
extensive experience in deploying CDMA wireless communications networks, combined with our expertise in packet-based networking for
wireline networks, will be a competitive strength during the migration from 2G wireless communications networks to 2.5G and 3G wireless
communications networks.
Commercial CDMA 3G networks have been launched in the United States, Canada, CALA and the Asia Pacific region. CDMA networks
operating in the 450 MHz radio spectrum are also expanding into Central and Eastern Europe. GPRS and UMTS networks have already been
launched in EMEA, the Asia Pacific region and the United States. In addition, EDGE has been launched to support higher speed transmission
of data in the United States and also by several operators in Western Europe and the Asia Pacific region. GSM-R has already been deployed by
many countries across the world, including member states of the European Union, China and India. The GSM-R market is one of the fastest
growing segments of the overall wireless market.
In the United States, Canada and CALA, usage rates of wireless communications services continue to increase, and we anticipate that capital
spending decisions by wireless service providers will be driven by capacity requirements, new wireless subscribers, increased use of wireless
devices for Internet access and technology migration from 2G wireless technologies to 2.5G and 3G wireless technologies. We also anticipate
that the migration from 2G to 2.5G and 3G wireless will initially be driven by CDMA 3G 1xRTT and 1xEV-DO deployment for CDMA-based
networks, and by GPRS, EDGE and UMTS deployment for GSM- and TDMA-based networks.
Within EMEA, wireless subscriber growth remains slower in many Western European countries, largely due to relatively high wireless
subscriber penetration levels. However, other parts of EMEA continue to grow their subscriber base due to the lower market penetration for
wireless services. Investment decisions by wireless service providers in Western Europe are being driven by anticipated growth in wireless data
communications services. As a result, infrastructure spending in Western Europe is currently primarily driven by the migration from GSM to
GPRS and UMTS technologies, and the associated migration from circuit switching technologies to packet-based networking technologies.
In the Asia Pacific region, we anticipate that capital spending by wireless service providers will be driven by the migration to 3G technologies
in Japan and Korea, and by continued growth in wireless subscribers in the People’s Republic of China, or China. Growth in China may be
further driven by anticipated new national licenses for 3G. However, the timing of the issuance of new national licenses for 3G in China is
uncertain. The issuance of new national licenses for 3G in China is also expected to impact the entire 3G market. Many countries in South and
South East Asia have very low wireless subscriber penetration levels, and are expected to experience increased wireless subscriber growth over
the next five years. India is also anticipated to be a major wireless infrastructure market in the next five years.
Customers
Our Wireless Networks customers are wireless service providers, and their customers are the subscribers for wireless communications services.
The top 20 global wireless service providers collectively account for a majority of all wireless subscribers around the world. We are currently
focused on increasing our market presence among the top global wireless service providers. None of our Wireless Networks customers
represented more than 10% of Nortel Networks consolidated revenues in 2003.
8
Our Wireless Mesh Network solution, designed to allow our customers to reduce the costs of high-speed wireless data transport
from wireless access networks to wired broadband networks, is now generally available and has been deployed in the United States
and Asia Pacific.
Our enterprise grade WLAN access products are generally available for commercial deployment by our wireless service provider
customers.
Competition
Our major competitors in the global wireless infrastructure business have traditionally included Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Nokia
Corporation, Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Motorola, Inc. and Lucent Technologies Inc. Nokia and Siemens compete in the sale of GSM and
UMTS equipment, whereas Lucent competes in the sale of CDMA and UMTS equipment. Motorola is a competitor in the sale of GSM, UMTS
and CDMA equipment. Ericsson competes in the sale of equipment for all of the major wireless communications technologies. More recently,
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has emerged as a competitor in the sale of CDMA systems, and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. and ZTE
Corporation have emerged as competitors for GSM, CDMA and UMTS systems in China and many other developing countries. NEC
Corporation and Fujitsu Limited have emerged as competitors for UMTS equipment.
The primary global factors of competition for our Wireless Networks products include:
We intend to compete with our traditional and emerging competitors as the global market for wireless networking equipment migrates to 3G
technologies.
Enterprise Networks
Products
Our Enterprise Networks solutions portfolio provides data, voice and multimedia communications solutions for our enterprise customers. We
also provide our enterprise customers with related professional services.
Circuit and packet voice solutions
Our voice portfolio includes a broad range of circuit and packet voice communications solutions.
9
technology leadership, product features and availability;
product quality and reliability;
conformity to existing and emerging regulatory and industry standards;
warranty and customer support;
price and cost of ownership;
interoperability with other networking products;
network management capabilities;
traditional supplier relationships, particularly in EMEA and the Asia Pacific region;
regulatory certification; and
provision of customer financing.
Our communications servers and remote gateway products provide converged data, voice and multimedia communications systems,
using voice over internet protocol, or IP, or session initiation protocol, or SIP, for service providers and enterprises. SIP is a
standard protocol for initiating an interactive user session that involves multimedia elements such as video, voice, chat, gaming and
virtual reality. Our enterprise solutions can be used by customers building new networks and customers who want to transform their
existing communications network into a more cost effective, packet-based network supporting data, voice and multimedia
communications.
Our customer premises-based circuit and packet telephone switching systems are designed for small, medium and large commercial
enterprises and government agencies. These systems provide or can be configured with multiple applications, including voice
communications features, such as voice messaging, call waiting and call forwarding, as well as advanced voice services, converged
multimedia applications and other networking capabilities.
Our customer contact center, messaging and interactive voice and web service solutions are advanced communications tools
designed to work with our customer premises-based solutions. These tools enable employees to efficiently and productively
communicate with business contacts and other employees regardless of where they are located, the applicable time zone or whether
they choose to interact over the telephone or the Internet.
D
ata networking and security solutions
We offer a broad range of data networking (packet switching and routing) and security solutions for our enterprise customers. Our packet
switching and routing systems include data switching systems, aggregation products, virtual private network gateways and routers, including:
Product development
We are currently focused on developing products that support the continuing evolution of voice and data communications systems toward
converged or combined data, voice and multimedia networks, including:
Markets
We offer Enterprise Networks products to enterprises around the world. With the growth of data, voice and multimedia communications over
the public telephone network, the public Internet and private voice and data communications networks, there is an increasing opportunity to
converge disparate networks towards a single, high performance network that can support various types of communications traffic and
applications.
We believe that in order to meet the growing demand for increased capacity at lower per-minute rates, enterprises will transition their circuit-
based voice communications to more cost effective packet-based technologies. As a result, we anticipate growth in demand for packet-based
networking equipment that supports the convergence of data, voice and multimedia communications over a single communications network
and that provides greater network capacity, reliability, speed, quality and performance. However, the rate of growth of this progression is
unclear.
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Our data switches, secure routers and associated security products provide data switching designed to allow our customers to
provide Internet data security and IP services including IP routing, virtual private networks, deep packet inspection, firewall
applications, policy management and data traffic flow management. These products also enable our customers to manage and
prioritize the Internet content that is provided to end-users and balance the amount of communications traffic on multiple Internet
servers.
Our Ethernet switch portfolio is a series of high performance packet switches for our enterprise customers’ small to large local area
networks that use the Ethernet, a standard computer networking protocol for local area networks.
Our multi-protocol routers offer high-speed, high-capacity and medium-capacity data switching to support a wide range of data
communications technologies, including multi-protocol label switching, asynchronous transfer mode, IP and frame relay services.
Our Ethernet routing switches deliver IP routing and switching.
Our portfolio of WLAN service switching products is designed to provide secure and efficient transmission of WLAN data and
voice traffic for mobile users. Our WLAN voice products integrate with our communications servers and gateway products to
provide a wireless voice over IP solution for our customers.
Our portfolio of optical network switching products is designed to extend the range of storage area networks to enable our
customers to consolidate their data servers. Our products enable enterprises to deploy these storage area networks in alternate
locations, providing geographic redundancy as part of their business continuity strategy.
The continued development of our multimedia communication server for enterprise, a product that provides the capability to deliver
converged data, voice and multimedia applications and enhanced networking capabilities.
Additions to the applications in our communications server products to allow integration of voice over IP, voice extensible markup
language, new operating systems and servers, and voice recognition speech products.
New developments in data networking products that will deliver resiliency, enable increased data network traffic and provide
suitable service levels and network connectivity and power to devices over the same line.
The development of the next generation web platform, which will feature higher performance, scalability (that is, the ability to
grow a service or capability with incremental cost) and integrated applications.
Enhancements to our security portfolio including the new secure sockets layer, or SSL, and switching products and a new high-end
secure router product. In addition, we have entered into and continue to pursue strategic relationships that enhance our end-to-end
security solutions.
Updates to our customer premises-based telephone systems to support our software that enables those systems to function entirely
as a packe
t
-based system or as a hybrid packet and circuit switching system.
Globally, enterprise customers continue to invest in equipment for their communications networks, primarily for network security and
resiliency, for voice over IP, WLANs and for virtual private networks. In the United States and Canada, enterprise customers are investing in
voice over IP as they transition from legacy voice products to our enterprise line of communication servers and remote gateway products that
enable conversion from voice communication networks to packet-based networks supporting data, voice and multimedia communications. In
EMEA, our customers are beginning to invest in new technologies, such as voice over IP. In the Asia Pacific region, Enterprise Networks
customers are investing in networking equipment to improve the connections among their regional sites and branch offices. In CALA,
enterprises are continuing to drive demand for networking equipment that supports the growing use of the Internet in the region.
Customers
We offer our products and services to a broad range of enterprise customers around the world, including large businesses and their branch
offices, small businesses and home offices, as well as government agencies, educational and other institutions and utility organizations. Key
industry sectors for our business customers include the telecommunications, high-technology manufacturing, government (including the
defense sector) and financial services sectors. We also serve customers in the healthcare, retail, education, hospitality, services, transportation
and other industry sectors. We are currently focused on increasing our market presence with enterprise customers. In particular, we intend to
focus on leading enterprise customers with high performance networking needs. Certain of our service provider customers also act as a
distribution channel for our Enterprise Networks sales and include incumbent local telephone companies, competitive local telephone
companies and system integrators. None of our Enterprise Networks customers represented more than 10% of Nortel Networks consolidated
revenues in 2003.
Competition
Our principal competitors in the sale of our Enterprise Networks solutions are Cisco Systems, Inc., Avaya Inc., Siemens, Alcatel S.A., and
NEC Corporation. Avaya is our largest competitor in the sale of voice equipment while Cisco is our largest competitor in the sale of data
networking equipment to enterprises. We also compete with smaller companies that address specific niches, such as Juniper Networks, Inc.,
3Com Corporation, Foundry Networks, Inc., Extreme Networks, Inc. and Enterasys Networks, Inc. in data networking; and Mitel Networks
Corporation in Internet-based voice communications solutions. We expect competition to remain intense as enterprises look for ways to
maximize the effectiveness of their existing networks while reducing ongoing capital expenditures and operating costs.
The principal global factors of competition in the sale of our Enterprise Networks solutions include:
Wireline Networks
Products
Our Wireline Networks portfolio addresses the demand by our service provider customers for cost efficient data, voice and multimedia
communications solutions. Our wireline solutions, including related professional services, simplify network architectures by bringing data,
voice, multimedia and emerging broadband applications for revenue generating services together on one packet network.
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technology leadership, product features and availability;
product quality and reliability;
conformity to existing and emerging regulatory and industry standards;
sales distribution and channel marketing strategy;
warranty and customer support;
price and cost of ownership;
interoperability with other networking products;
installed base of product;
alternative solutions offered to enterprises by service providers;
the leveraging of existing customer-supplier relationships; and
the availability of distribution channels.
Circuit and packet voice solutions
We are a leader in the development and deployment of highly scalable circuit switched and secure voice over packet solutions such as voice
over IP for wireline and wireless service providers around the world. Our voice over packet solutions offer service providers opportunities for
new revenue sources and sustainable operating and capital cost reduction, as well as high levels of reliability and network resiliency. Our
solutions include the following:
These solutions work alone or in combination with each other to provide traditional voice services, advanced packet voice services and
enhanced multimedia services to service providers around the world.
D
ata networking and security solutions
We offer a wide range of data networking (packet switching and routing) solutions to our service provider customers. Our wide area network,
or WAN, solutions and IP service routers enable our service provider customers to offer connectivity solutions and high value services to both
enterprises and residential customers. Connectivity solutions include packet services such as: frame relay; Asynchronous Transfer Mode, or
ATM; Ethernet; and IP access for digital subscriber line and cable users. High-value services, such as IP virtual private networks, enable an
enterprise to connect with other enterprise sites and remote users and to securely connect with business partners. These high-value services also
provide enhanced network capabilities, such as network security, network address translation and class of service, that enable service providers
to offer a wide range of networking services beyond basic connection to the network. In 2004, we announced a new multiservice provider edge
networking device that allows service providers to converge multiple networks at the network edge to enable the delivery of voice, data,
multimedia and wireless services over a single, converged network. When we refer to the network edge, we are referring to the point at which
access networks meet the core network.
Product development
Research and development investments are focused on creating new and improving existing, packet-based residential and business services for
wireline and wireless service providers. Also, we continue to develop products that support the evolution of data, voice and multimedia
communications systems toward converged or combined voice and data networks, including:
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Our wireline voice over packet network solutions for service providers, which include softswitches and media gateways. The
portfolio provides the complete range of voice over packet solutions, including local, toll, long-distance and international gateway
capabilities, and enables voice applications to run on the new multi-services packet network. These solutions leverage more
efficient packet-based, as opposed to circuit-based, technologies that drive reduced capital and operational costs for service
providers and provide a platform for the delivery of new revenue-generating services, such as Centrex IP and voice over IP virtual
private networks.
Our multimedia communications services portfolio allows our customers to deploy new, enhanced multimedia services, including
video, collaboration and personal agent services. The portfolio includes a session initiation protocol-based application server that
can enable an interactive user session involving multimedia elements. For example, personal agent services allow users to
customize their communications by selecting the medium over which they wish to receive a particular message (such as wireline or
wireless telephony, e-mail and instant messaging) by setting screening criteria such as time of day and day of week, month or year.
Our DMS portfolio is a family of digital, circuit-based telephone switches that provides local, toll, long-distance and international
gateway capabilities for service providers. Our DMS systems enable service providers to connect end-users making local and long-
distance telephone calls. The DMS family of products can evolve to voice over packet solutions.
Our Nortel Networks Developers Partner Program helps to drive the interoperability of our voice over IP multimedia
communications and DMS portfolios with third party vendors including infrastructure and application companies.
Enhancements to our voice over packet solutions that will allow service providers to connect any business telephone system, using
standard voice over IP protocols, into a common dialing plan with connectivity to the public switched telephone network.
Additional enhancements to our packet voice solutions will continue to focus on interoperability with other manufacturers’
equipment, including gateway and integrated access device manufacturers, as well as on meeting the needs of the Asian and
European markets. We continue to make improvements to our softswitch portfolio by utilizing the latest commercial technology to
provide our customers with converged wireline and wireless service support, superior application choices, integrated network
management and linear scalable capacity.
Markets
With the growth of data, voice and multimedia communications over the public telephone network, the public Internet and private voice and
data communications networks, there is an increasing opportunity to converge disparate networks towards a single, high performance packet
network that can support most types of communications traffic and applications. Converged voice and data networks also provide an
opportunity for service providers to offer new revenue-generating services while reducing their ongoing operational costs year over year as
they incorporate packet-based technology in their networks. We believe our advantage lies in our ability to transition and upgrade our
customers’ installed base of voice and data network solutions to a multimedia IP network.
To meet the growing demand for new revenue generating services and network efficiency, we anticipate growth in demand for packet-based
networking equipment that supports the convergence of data, voice and multimedia communications over a single communications network
and that provides greater network capacity, reliability, speed, quality and performance. We anticipate a continued increase in deployments of
service provider voice over IP networks worldwide. While we anticipate growth in voice over IP networks, we also anticipate a decline in
legacy voice networks.
Cable operators and new Internet telephone service providers are entering the voice and data markets and are increasing the competitive
pressure on established service providers. For example, cable operators provide high speed data services as well as voice services by using
voice over IP technology. Similarly, established service providers are using existing broadband networks and expanding those broadband
networks to offer bundled services such as telephone, high speed Internet and television services across those broadband networks.
The market for our Wireline Networks products is global. Service providers are expected over the long term to continue to modernize with
packet-based networks and converge voice and data communications networks in order to deploy new revenue-generating service offerings.
We anticipate an increased emphasis by service providers towards end-user networks in addition to their efforts to modernize the inter-
connection of those networks. In EMEA, we also continue to see market demand for certain networking products, including equipment for
voice over IP and equipment for virtual private networking. In EMEA, we anticipate continued opportunities with alternate operators, cable
operators and wireless operators and anticipate new opportunities in emerging markets.
In the Asia Pacific region, we continue to see market demand for certain networking products, including equipment for voice over IP and
multimedia services and equipment for virtual private networking. Deregulation in China has created opportunities for new entrants who are
building out their networks with packet-based technologies. In CALA, service
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Enhancements to the MCS 5200, part of our multimedia communications portfolio, that will allow a service provider to offer
intelligent multimedia services across any manufacturer’s circuit switches. Additionally, development will focus on increasing the
breadth and usability of the MCS 5200 applications.
Additions to the DMS portfolio that will allow service providers to offer and manage IP voice and multimedia (Centrex IP) services
to those businesses that use traditional business telephones as well as businesses that use next generation telephones designed for
use in IP networks.
Enhancements to our IP services router that enable an increase in the number of residential subscribers and virtual private network
sites that can be supported, and the amount of bandwidth that can be applied to an enterprise site. Development will also focus on
enhancing the ability of our service provider customers to provide additional revenue-generating services.
A focus on cable standards compliance to enhance our solutions for the cable operator markets in the United States, Canada and
EMEA, including support for the open cable standard protocol for cable media gateways.
Enhancements to our WAN switch portfolio to improve interoperability with other vendors’ products. In addition, development will
focus on enhancing the migration to converged networks which simultaneously support data, voice and multimedia.
Continued development of a multiservice provider edge networking device designed to converge multiple communications services
operating at the IP or multi-protocol label switching network edge. This device is currently undergoing customer trials and is not
yet generally available. As well, we continue to develop enhancements to our existing line of WAN switch and IP service router
products that are intended to efficiently aggregate different types of data traffic at the network edge.
Continued integration of a service provider core network router into our voice over packet portfolio to enable us to provide a
complete end-to-end solution.
providers are also focused on implementing voice over IP technology to enable opportunities for additional growth, network efficiency and
revenue-generating services. There is also a growing demand for voice over IP technology among cable operators in CALA.
Customers
We offer our Wireline Networks products and services to a wide range of wireline and wireless service providers around the world. We are
focused on increasing our market presence with key global service providers which we currently expect to account for a substantial proportion
of service provider capital spending in 2004 and beyond. Our service provider customers include local and long distance telephone companies,
wireless service providers, cable operators and other communications service providers.
We also offer applicable data networking and security solutions from our Wireline Networks to enterprises for private networking, as well as to
service providers and system integrators that in turn build, operate and manage networks for their customers such as businesses, government
agencies and utility organizations. None of our Wireline Networks customers represented more than 10% of Nortel Networks consolidated
revenues in 2003.
Competition
Our principal competitors in the Wireline Networks business are large communications companies such as Siemens, Alcatel, Cisco and Lucent.
In addition, we compete with smaller companies that address specific niches within this market, such as Sonus Systems Limited, BroadSoft,
Inc. and Taqua Inc. in packet and Internet-based voice communications solutions; Juniper and Laurel Networks, Inc. in multiservice provider
edge solutions; and Ciena Corporation (which acquired Wavesmith Networks, Inc. in 2003) in multiservice WAN solutions; and Redback
Networks Inc. in aggregation products. Certain competitors are also strong on a regional basis, such as ZTE Corporation and Huawei in the
Asia Pacific region. Some niche competitors are partnering with larger companies to enhance their product offerings and large communications
competitors are also looking for these partnerships or alliances to complete their product offerings. No one competitor is dominant in the
Wireline Networks market.
The primary global factors of competition for our wireline products include:
Competition remains intense as a result of reduced investment in existing legacy networks by service providers, the continued consolidation in
the service provider industry, and the continued focus by suppliers on selling to large service providers with financial resources.
Optical Networks
Products
Our Optical Networks solutions portfolio addresses the varying optical communication needs of service providers and enterprises. Optical
networks transport data, voice and multimedia communications within and between cities, countries or continents by transmitting
communications signals in the form of light waves through fiber optic cables. Optical networking is the most common method for transporting
communications signals between the various locations within a service provider’s network and is unmatched for delivering vast amounts of
data reliably and cost-effectively with service and bandwidth flexibility and scalability.
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technology leadership, product features and availability;
price and total cost of ownership;
ability to create new revenue-generating services for service providers and cable operators;
conformity to existing and emerging regulatory and industry standards;
installed base of products and customer relationships;
network management capabilities;
product quality and reliability; and
warranty and customer support.
Our optical networking solutions are designed to provide metropolitan, regional and long-haul, high-capacity transport and switching of data,
voice and multimedia communications signals. These solutions include photonic Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing, or DWDM,
transmission solutions, synchronous optical transmission solutions, optical switching solutions and network management and intelligence
software. We also offer our customers a variety of related professional services. Our solutions include the following:
Our Optical Networks solutions enable customers to enhance and transform their networks towards a scalable and reliable network for
delivering diverse high speed data and voice communication services. Such network transformation is expected to increase deployment of
managed broadband services, such as:
In addition, in February 2004, we announced strategic alliances with Calix Networks, Inc., ECI Telecom Ltd. and KEYMILE AG that will
expand our broadband networking solutions portfolio and enable our service provider customers to deliver a new set of emerging broadband
services to their enterprise and residential end-users.
Product development
We are focused on developing next generation optical networking systems, including the evolution of our next generation SONET/SDH
systems, our metro DWDM systems and our optical long-haul line and terminal solutions. In 2003, we:
15
Our photonic networking DWDM solutions allow multiple light wave signals to be transmitted on the same fiber optic strand
simultaneously by using different wavelengths of light to distinguish specific signals, thereby increasing the capacity and flexibility
of a network. Our long-haul DWDM line systems span distances up to 2,000 kilometers and our metro DWDM series provides
networking solutions within a city or region for up to 350 kilometres.
Our synchronous optical transmission systems use traditional optical standards, including the Synchronous Optical Network, or
SONET, standard, which is the most common standard in the United States and Canada and some countries in the Asia Pacific
region, and the Synchronous Digital Hierarchy, or SDH, standard, which is the most common standard in EMEA and many other
countries. Our synchronous next-generation SONET/SDH solutions comprise multi-service optical platforms that integrate diverse
protocols and technologies to deliver services over a cost effective, scalable and reliable converged services network.
Our optical switching solutions enable communication signals in optical fibers to be selectively directed or “switched” from one
network circuit to another.
Our network management software and intelligence solutions are designed to give our customers the ability to monitor and improve
the performance of their networks.
Optical Ethernet solutions that combine the strengths of the Ethernet network computing protocol with those of optical
communications. Optical Ethernet solutions transport communications signals carrying Ethernet packets in the form of light waves
through fiber optic cables between locations within a city or between cities.
Optical storage connectivity solutions, which allow the interconnection of data centers for the efficient preservation and sharing of
business-critical data to ensure business continuity and disaster recovery.
Managed wavelength solutions, which offer multiple protocol and transmission speed networking capability to reliably interconnect
business sites.
introduced an advanced metro optical network product, our Optical Multiservice Edge 6500, that enables the convergence of
multiple platforms onto a single platform, enabling reduced network costs and enhanced functionality;
enhanced the capabilities of our existing metro optical network products to enable new storage area solutions that address emerging
enterprise business continuity requirements; and
introduced a new long-haul product that utilizes photonic networking DWDM technology, which assists customers in lowering their
network costs by providing improved optical performance.
We continue to develop and enhance our Optical Networks portfolio, including by:
We also continue to invest in core technologies, such as efficient service adaptation, aggregation, switching and management, that enable our
customers worldwide to deploy innovative optical networking services which we believe will lead the networking transformation towards high
performance packet-based networks.
Markets
We are a leading provider of optical networking products to service providers and enterprises around the world. Compared to the last few
years, the global optical market has stabilized. Service providers remain focused on maximizing return on invested capital by increasing their
capacity utilization rates and the efficiency of their existing networks. Some service providers have delayed the deployment of next generation
products. However, there remain opportunities to deliver new technologies and services that enable service providers to offer additional
revenue-generating services. We also expect that enterprises will continue to generate demand for optical networking solutions that enable
them to operate their networks more efficiently.
The outlook for optical equipment sales may be further impacted by service providers preferring to lease excess network capacity from others
or purchase assets from other operators rather than making capital investments in their own networks. We expect that any additional capital
spending by our customers will continue to be directed toward opportunities that enhance customer performance, generate revenue and reduce
costs in the near term. However, as service providers begin to more effectively utilize and eventually exceed their network capacity, we expect
that they may incrementally enhance that capacity. The timing and impact of these developments remain difficult to predict.
The market for our Optical Networks solutions is global. In the United States and Canada, new networks are not currently being built by
service providers in anticipation of market demand, but are instead being built to more closely align with actual end-user demand. Several
service providers in the United States have announced plans to deploy optical fiber networks to allow access to these networks by residential
end-users. Within EMEA, the building of pan-European optical networks by service providers is now mature and many service providers have
begun to focus on building their metropolitan and regional optical networks. We expect that the increased usage of broadband wireless data
provided by 3G networks may eventually drive the increased deployment of optical networks. The demand for additional and enhanced
services by enterprises is increasing in Europe and may also encourage service providers to invest in the creation of networks that offer
services such as optical Ethernet and storage connectivity. In EMEA, European government-sponsored service providers and networking
equipment suppliers enjoy favorable positions within many European countries.
In the Asia Pacific region, the industry is continuing to develop and may provide a significant market for new optical networking equipment
over the next several years. As a result, there has been an increased focus on the Asia Pacific region by virtually all suppliers of optical
networking equipment. Similar to what is occurring in Europe within the EMEA region, the Asia Pacific region may experience increased
demand for additional and enhanced services by enterprises which may encourage service providers to invest in the creation of networks that
offer services such as optical Ethernet and storage connectivity. In CALA, where a few service providers account for a significant percentage
of the industry, the building of national optical network infrastructures is largely complete.
Customers
Our Optical Networks business is primarily focused on offering our optical networking solutions to service providers around the world. The
service provider customers for our optical networking products include local and long-distance telephone companies, cable operators, Internet
service providers and other communications service providers. We are currently focused on increasing our market presence with key service
provider customers worldwide, which we expect to account for a substantial proportion of service provider optical capital spending.
16
enhancing our optical Ethernet portfolio by introducing new Ethernet switching and transport capabilities designed to improve the
productivity of our enterprise customers and the services offered by our service provider customers;
introducing in 2004, a new common photonic layer product that simplifies and automates the deployment and operation of medium
and long-haul optical links;
introducing the second release of our high density optical switching system to provide additional customer applications; and
investing in improving the density, capacity and flexibility of our optical long-haul transmission systems.
We are also focused on enterprises and we continue to provide optical solutions for private enterprise networking and also for service providers
to build and operate custom dedicated networks for enterprises. We leverage numerous channels for delivering optical networking solutions to
enterprises from our own direct sales force for large enterprises and governments and through distributors, resellers and partners to offer our
solution to medium-sized enterprises and smaller enterprises. None of our Optical Networks customers represented more than 10% of Nortel
Networks consolidated revenues in 2003.
Competition
Our major competitors in the sale of optical networking equipment include Alcatel, Lucent, Siemens, Fujitsu Limited, Marconi plc, Cisco,
Huawei, NEC, Ciena and ADVA International Inc. Market position in the global market for optical networking equipment can fluctuate
significantly on a quarter-by-quarter basis. However, we continue to be a leading global provider of optical networking equipment. No one
competitor is dominant in the optical networking equipment market.
The primary global factors of competition for our Optical Networks products include:
Our focus is on increasing market share relative to our competitors.
Sales and distribution
All of our reportable segments use the Nortel Networks direct sales force to market and sell to customers around the world. The Nortel
Networks global sales force operates on a regional basis and markets and sells our products and services to customers located in the following
regional areas: Canada; United States; CALA; EMEA; and Asia Pacific. Our sales office bases for our direct sales force are aligned with our
customers on a country and regional basis.
We have dedicated sales account teams for certain major service provider customers. These dedicated teams are located close to the customers’
main purchasing locations. In addition, teams within the regional sales groups are dedicated to our enterprise customers. Our Enterprise
Networks sales teams work directly with the top regional enterprises, and are also responsible for managing regional distribution channels. We
also have centralized marketing, product management and technical support teams dedicated to individual product lines that support the global
sales and support teams.
In the Asia Pacific region, particularly in China, we also use agents to interface with our customers. In addition, we have some small non-
exclusive distribution agreements with distributors in EMEA, CALA and the Asia Pacific region. In Enterprise Networks, certain service
providers, system integrators, value-added resellers and stocking distributors act as non-exclusive distribution channels for our products.
Backlog
Our backlog was approximately $3.3 billion and $3.3 billion as of September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003, respectively. A majority of
backlog consists of orders confirmed with a binding purchase order or contract for our network solutions typically scheduled for delivery to our
customers within the next twelve months. A significant portion of backlog may also include orders that relate to revenue that has been deferred
for periods longer than twelve months. However, orders are subject to possible rescheduling by customers. Although we believe that the orders
included in the backlog are firm, we may elect to permit cancellation of orders without penalty where management believes that it is in our best
interest to do so. Prior
17
technology leadership, product features and availability;
product quality and reliability;
conformity to existing and emerging regulatory and industry standards;
warranty and customer support;
price and cost of ownership;
interoperability with other networking products;
network management capabilities;
traditional supplier relationships, particularly in EMEA and the Asia Pacific region; and
regulatory certification, particularly for incumbent local and long-distance telephone companies.
to including orders in backlog, customers must have approved credit status. However, from time to time, some customers may become unable
to pay for or finance their purchases in which case the order is removed from our backlog.
Product standards, certification and regulations
Our products are subject to equipment standards, registration and certification in Canada, the United States, the European Union and other
countries. We design and manufacture our products to satisfy a variety of regulatory requirements and protocols established to, for instance,
avoid interference among users of radio frequencies and to permit interconnection of equipment. For example, our equipment must satisfy the
United States Federal Communications Commission’s, or FCC, emissions testing requirements, and must be certified to safety, electrical noise
and communications standards compliance. Different regulations and regulatory processes exist in each country.
In order for our products to be used in some jurisdictions, regulatory approval and, in some cases, specific country compliance testing and re-
testing may be required. The delays inherent in this regulatory approval process may force us to reschedule, postpone or cancel introduction of
products or new capabilities in certain geographic areas, and may result in reductions in our sales. The failure to comply with current or future
regulations or changes in the interpretation of existing regulations in a particular country could result in the suspension or cessation of sales in
that country or require us to incur substantial costs to modify our products to comply with the regulations of that country. To support our
compliance efforts, we work with consultants and testing laboratories as necessary to ensure that our products comply with the requirements of
Industry Canada in Canada, the FCC in the United States and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute in Western Europe, as well
as with the various regulations of other countries. For additional information, see “Environmental Matters.”
The operations of our service provider customers are subject to extensive country-specific telecommunications regulations. In the United
States, on February 20, 2003, the FCC announced a decision in its triennial review proceeding of the agency’s rules regarding unbundled
network elements. The text of the FCC’s order and reasons for the decision were released on August 21, 2003. The FCC decision, subsequent
j
udicial review of the decision and the FCCs reconsideration of its decision and subsequent adoption on December 15, 2004 of new
unbundling rules in response to the remand by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit are affecting, and may continue to affect, the
decisions of certain of our United States-based service provider customers regarding investment in their telecommunications infrastructure.
These unbundled network elements rules and/or material changes in other country-specific telecommunications regulations at any time or from
time to time may affect capital spending by service providers in the United States and/or around the world, and this may in turn affect the
United States and/or global markets for networking solutions.
Sources and availability of materials
Since 1999, our manufacturing and supply chain strategy has evolved and has resulted in the gradual transformation of our traditional
manufacturing model, in which our products were primarily manufactured and assembled in-house, to primarily an outsourced model which
relies on electronic manufacturing services, or EMS, suppliers. By the end of 2003, most of our manufacturing activities had been divested to
leading EMS suppliers. We have continued to pursue an outsourced manufacturing model and in January 2004 announced our intention to
divest substantially all of our remaining manufacturing activities. On June 29, 2004, we announced that we had reached an agreement with
Flextronics to divest substantially all of Nortel Networks remaining manufacturing operations, located in Canada and Brazil, with the
anticipation that Flextronics will also acquire similar operations in France and Northern Ireland, subject to the completion of the required
information and consultation processes. For recent developments in the evolution of our supply chain strategy, see “Developments in 2003 and
2004” in the MD&A section of this report.
We believe that the use of an outsourced manufacturing model has enabled us to benefit from leading manufacturing technologies, leverage
existing resources from around the world, lower our cost of sales, adjust to fluctuations in market demand and decrease our investment in plant,
equipment and inventories. We continue to retain in-house all strategic management and overall control responsibilities associated with our
various supply chains, including all customer interfaces, customer service, order management, quality assurance, product cost-management,
new product introduction, and network solutions integration, testing and fulfillment.
18
Through our existing manufacturing model, we are generally able to obtain sufficient materials and components from global sources to meet
the needs of our four reportable segments. In each of our reportable segments, we:
Comparing 2003 to 2002, we observed fewer instances of supply surpluses because of adjustments to eliminate excess capacity. In 2003, we
continued our focus on inventory management and component cost reduction. In 2004, we continued to purchase, manufacture, or otherwise
obtain sufficient components and materials to supply our products, systems and networks within customary delivery periods.
For more information on our supply arrangements, see “Commitments” in note 14 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and
“Developments in 2003 and 2004” and “Liquidity and capital resources Contractual cash obligations — Outsourcing contracts” in the
MD&A section of this report.
Seasonality
Prior to 2001, our business results in all of our reportable segments were generally strongest in our fourth quarter, second strongest in our
second quarter, third strongest in our third quarter and the weakest in our first quarter, primarily due to the networking industry purchasing
cycles exhibited by our customers. The industry adjustment and economic downturn in the United States and elsewhere in 2001 and 2002
affected our customers’ traditional purchasing patterns, the demand for our products and services and the traditional seasonality of our
business. In 2003, we began to experience a period of relative industry stability. While our customers increased their purchasing levels in the
fourth quarter of 2003, our customers continued to spend cautiously. We experienced a seasonal decline in revenues in the first quarter of 2004
compared to the fourth quarter of 2003, followed by growth in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the first quarter of 2004 in all of our
four reportable segments. There will be a sequential decline in revenue in the third quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2004 and
that we expect the fourth quarter of 2004 will be the strongest quarter in 2004. The quarterly profile of our business results in 2004 is not
expected to be consistent across all of our reportable segments and there is no assurance that our results of operations for any quarter will
necessarily be consistent with our historical quarterly profile or indicative of our expected results in future quarters. See “Results of operations
— continuing operations — 2004 and 2005” and “Risk factors/forward looking statements” in the MD&A section of this report.
Strategic alliances, acquisitions and minority investments
We use strategic alliances to deliver certain solutions to our customers. These alliances are typically formed to fill product or service gaps in
areas that support our core businesses. We believe strategic alliances also augment our access to potential new customers. We intend to
continue to pursue strategic alliances with businesses that offer technology and/or resources that would enhance our ability to compete in
existing markets or exploit new market opportunities.
In 2003, we increased our then existing majority positions in certain companies to 100% ownership. See “Developments in 2003 and 2004 —
Ownership adjustment in our French and German operations” in the MD&A section of this report. However, we did not make any material
acquisitions in 2003 or in 2004. In the future, we may consider selective opportunistic acquisitions of companies with resources and product or
service offerings capable of providing us with additional enhancements to our networking solutions or access to new markets. For information
regarding the risks associated with strategic alliances and acquisitions, see “Risk factors/forward looking statements” in the MD&A section of
this report.
We continue to hold minority investments in certain “start-up” businesses with technology, products or services that, at the time of investment,
had the potential to fulfill key existing or emerging market opportunities. When minority investments are no longer required to maintain our
strategic relationship, or the relationship is no longer strategic to our core businesses, we intend to exit such investments at an opportune time.
19
make significant purchases of electronic components and assemblies, optical components, original equipment manufacturer, or
OEM, products, software products, outsourced assemblies and other materials and components from many domestic and foreign
sources;
develop and maintain alternative sources for certain essential materials and components; and
occasionally maintain special inventories of components internally or request that they be maintained by suppliers to satisfy
customer demand or to minimize effects of possible market shortages.
Our investment activity remained at a low level in 2003 and in 2004. We may make selective minority investments in start-up ventures and
certain other companies where we believe the relationship could lay the foundation for future alliances that would support our customer
solutions. In certain circumstances, we may also acquire an equity position in a company as consideration for a divested business. See
“Developments in 2003 and 2004 — Directory and operator services business” in the MD&A section of this report.
Research and development
In order to remain among the technology leaders in anticipated growth areas, we intend to continue to make strategic investments in our
research and development activities. Our research and development activities — specifically, research, design and development, systems
engineering and other product development activities — represent focused investments to drive market leadership across our product
portfolios. We refer you to the four “Product development” discussions contained in the descriptions of Wireless Networks, Enterprise
Networks, Wireline Networks and Optical Networks above.
Our research and development investments are focused on network transformation and next generation products and solutions including
wireless voice and data, voice over packet, multimedia services and applications, broadband networking and network security. We also conduct
network planning and systems engineering on behalf of, or in conjunction with, major customers. Although we derive many of our products
from substantial internal research and development activities, we supplement this with technology acquired or licensed from third parties.
Our research and development forms a core strength and is a factor differentiating us from many of our competitors. As at December 31, 2003,
we employed approximately 13,600 regular full-time research and development employees (excluding employees on notice of termination)
including approximately:
In August and September 2004, we announced a new strategic plan that includes a focused workforce reduction of approximately 3,250
employees, or about 10% of our workforce. It is expected that approximately 1,400 regular full-time research and development employees will
be affected by the workforce reduction, which is expected to principally affect employees in Wireline Networks and Optical Networks. See
“Employee relations.
We also conduct research and development activities through affiliated laboratories in other countries.
The following table sets forth our consolidated expenses for research and development for each of the three fiscal years ended December 31:
Intellectual property
Our intellectual property is fundamental to Nortel Networks and the business of each of our four reportable segments. In particular, our success
is dependent upon our proprietary technology. We generate, maintain, utilize and enforce a substantial portfolio of intellectual property rights,
including trademarks, and an extensive portfolio of patents covering significant innovations arising from research and development activities.
In all of our reportable segments, we use our intellectual property rights to protect our investments in research and development activities, to
strengthen our leadership positions, to protect our good name, to promote our brand name recognition, to enhance our competitiveness and to
otherwise support our business goals and objectives. However, our intellectual property rights may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented,
or
20
5,310 regular full-time research and development employees in Canada;
5,010 regular full-time research and development employees in the United States;
2,400 regular full-time research and development employees in EMEA; and
880 regular full-time research and development employees in other countries.
(millions of dollars) 2003 2002 2001
R&D expense $1,960 $2,083 $3,116
R&D costs incurred on behalf of others (a) 72 49 68
Total $2,032 $2,132 $3,184
(a) These costs included research and development charged to our customers pursuant to contracts that provided for full recovery of the estimated cost of development,
material, engineering, installation and all other applicable costs, which were accounted for as contract costs.
fail to provide us with significant competitive advantages. See “Risk factors/forward looking statements” in the MD&A section of this report.
The duration and level of protection of our intellectual property rights are dependent upon the laws and requirements of the jurisdictions
providing or controlling those rights.
As of December 31, 2003, we had, on a consolidated basis, approximately:
We were granted 464 United States patents in 2003.
Our patents outside of the United States are primarily counterparts to our United States patents. We have entered into some mutual patent
cross-license agreements with several major corporations to enable each party to operate without risk of a patent infringement claim from the
other. In addition, we are actively licensing certain of our patents and/or technology to third parties. We also occasionally license single patents
or groups of patents from third parties.
Our trademark and trade name, Nortel Networks, is one of our most valuable assets. We sell our products primarily under the Nortel Networks
brand name. We have registered the Nortel Networks trademark, and many of our other trademarks, in countries around the world. On a
consolidated basis as of December 31, 2003, we owned approximately 120 registered trademarks in the United States, and approximately 2,040
registered trademarks in other countries. In addition, as of December 31, 2003, we had approximately 160 pending trademark registrations
worldwide.
Employee relations
At December 31, 2003, we employed approximately 35,160 regular full-time employees (excluding employees on notice of termination),
including approximately:
We also employ individuals on a regular part-time basis and on a temporary full-time basis. In addition, we engage the services of contractors
as required.
As part of our resizing activities to further reduce our cost structure and streamline operations, we notified for termination and provisioned for
the exit of approximately 1,800 regular full-time employees during 2003. As well, divestitures and outsourcing affecting non-core businesses
completed or entered into in 2003 resulted in additional reductions. On June 29, 2004, we announced that we had reached an agreement with
Flextronics to divest certain manufacturing operations in Canada and Brazil, with the anticipation that Flextronics will also acquire similar
operations in France and Northern Ireland, subject to the completion of the required information and consultation process. Under the terms of
the agreement, it is intended that approximately 2,500 Nortel Networks employees would transfer to Flextronics by the end of June 2005. In
addition, in August and September 2004 we announced a new strategic plan, including a new streamlined organizational structure which will
lead to an anticipated reduction in employees of approximately 3,250, or about 10% of the workforce. Approximately 64% of employee actions
related to the focused workforce reduction were completed by the end of 2004, including approximately 55% that were notified of termination
or acceptance of voluntary retirement, with the remainder comprising voluntary attrition of employees that were not replaced. The remainder of
employee actions are expected to be completed by June 30, 2005. In addition, however, the Company continues to hire in certain strategic areas
such as investments in the finance organization. The workforce reduction will be subject to completion of the appropriate information and
consultation processes with the relevant employee representatives in certain jurisdictions, as required by law. For additional information, see
“Sources and availability of materials”, “Special charges” in note 7 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and “Results of
operations — continuing operations — Operating expenses — Special charges” in the MD&A section of this report.
21
3,200 United States patents;
2,800 patents in other countries; and
6,200 pending patent applications worldwide.
12,990 regular full-time employees in the United States;
9,430 regular full-time employees in Canada;
7,840 regular full-time employees in EMEA; and
4,900 regular full-time employees in other countries.
At December 31, 2003, labor contracts covered approximately five percent of our employees worldwide. At the same date, five labor contracts
covered approximately ten percent of our employees in Canada including:
At December 31, 2003, labor contracts covered approximately four percent of our employees in EMEA and all of our employees in Brazil.
These labor contracts generally have a one-year term, and primarily relate to remuneration. We have no labor contracts in the United States.
We believe our employee relations are generally positive. Employee morale continues to be an area of focus as a result of ongoing workforce
reductions associated with our restructuring activities occurring since 2001, the recent reductions resulting from our strategic plan announced
in August and September 2004, and the restatement of our financial results and related matters. Although the recruitment and retention of
technically skilled employees in recent years was highly competitive in the global networking industry, the economic conditions during the
past few years have lessened the competition for skilled employees in our industry. We do, however, believe that our ability to recruit and
retain skilled employees will continue to be critical to our future success. During 2003, approximately 1,200 regular full-time employees were
hired globally. From the beginning of 2004 until November 30, 2004, approximately 2,300 regular full-time employees were hired. See “Risk
factors/forward looking statements” in the MD&A section of this report.
Environmental matters
Our operations are subject to a wide range of environmental laws in various jurisdictions around the world. We seek to operate our business in
compliance with such laws. In Europe, we expect to become subject to new product content laws and product takeback and recycling
requirements that will require full compliance by 2006. We expect that these laws will require us to incur additional compliance costs.
Although costs relating to environmental matters have not resulted in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial
condition and liquidity in the past, there can be no assurance that we will not be required to incur such costs in the future. We have a corporate
environmental management system standard and an environmental program to promote compliance. We also have a periodic, risk-based,
integrated environment, health and safety audit program. As part of our environmental program, we attempt to evaluate and assume
responsibility for the environmental impacts of our products throughout their life cycles. Our environmental program focuses on design for the
environment, supply chain and packaging reduction issues. We work with our suppliers and other external groups to encourage the sharing of
non-proprietary information on environmental research. For additional information on environmental matters, see “Contingencies —
Environmental matters” in note 22 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Financial information by operating segment and product category
For financial information by operating segment and product category, see “Segment information” in note 6 of the accompanying consolidated
financial statements and Results of operations — continuing operations — Segment revenues” in the MD&A section of this report.
Financial information by geographic area
For financial information by geographic area, see “Segment information” in note 6 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and
“Results of operations — continuing operations — Geographic revenues” in the MD&A section of this report.
22
one labor contract covering approximately eight percent of Canadian unionized employees which was renewed, ratified and became
effective February 26, 2003;
one labor contract covering less than one percent of Canadian unionized employees which was renewed, ratified and became
effective August 16, 2003;
one labor contract covering approximately ten percent of Canadian unionized employees which was renewed, ratified and became
effective June 19, 2003;
one labor contract covering approximately 64% of Canadian unionized employees which was renewed, ratified and became
effective April 13, 2004; and
one labor contract covering approximately 18% of Canadian unionized employees which expires in 2008.
Working capital
For a discussion of our working capital practices, see “Long-term debt, credit and support facilities” in note 11 of the accompanying
consolidated financial statements and “Liquidity and capital resources” in the MD&A section of this report.
Risk factors
THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K CONTAINS FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION THAT IS SUBJECT TO
IMPORTANT RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THE RESULTS OR EVENTS PREDICTED IN THESE STATEMENTS MAY
DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM ACTUAL RESULTS OR EVENTS. RESULTS OR EVENTS COULD DIFFER FROM CURRENT
EXPECTATIONS AS A RESULT OF A WIDE RANGE OF RISK FACTORS. FOR INFORMATION REGARDING SOME OF THE
RISK FACTORS INVOLVED IN OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS, SEE “RISK FACTORS/FORWARD LOOKING
STATEMENTS” IN THE MD&A SECTION OF THIS REPORT.
23
At December 31, 2003, we operated 208 sites around the world occupying approximately 13.7 million square feet. The following table sets
forth additional information regarding these sites:
At December 31, 2003, our facilities were primarily used, on a consolidated basis, approximately as follows:
In 2003, we continued to reduce the number of sites and square footage of our global facilities to better align ourselves with current market
conditions. We believe our facilities are suitable and adequate, and have sufficient capacity to meet our current needs. We continue to evaluate
our future real estate needs based on the current industry environment and taking into account our business requirements. In 2004, we
purchased land and two buildings that were previously leased by Nortel Networks. Our strategic plan announced in August and
September 2004 includes the reduction of approximately 2 million square feet of occupied space as a result of workforce reductions and
improved space utilization through the consolidation of locations. We expect the square footage reduction to be completed by the end of 2005.
For additional details, see “Special charges” in note 7 and “Long-term debt, credit and support facilities” in note 11 of the accompanying
consolidated financial statements, and “Liquidity and capital resources — Sources of liquidity” in the MD&A section of this report.
Security over substantially all of Nortel Networks Limited’s assets, including certain real estate assets in North America, became effective in
April 2002 under certain credit and security agreements entered into by Nortel Networks Limited and several of its subsidiaries. For additional
details regarding these agreements and the security, see “Long-term debt, credit and support facilities” in note 11, “Subsequent events” in note
23 and “Supplemental consolidating financial information” in note 24 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and
“Developments in 2003 and 2004 — Credit facilities and security agreements” and “Liquidity and capital resources — Sources of liquidity —
Available support facility” in the MD&A section of this report.
24
ITEM 2. Pro
p
erties
Number of Sites
T
yp
eofSite* Owned Leased Geo
g
ra
p
hic Locations
Manufacturing and repair 8
All geographic regions
Distribution centers 6 United States, Canada, EMEA and the Asia Pacific region
Offices (administration, sales and field service) 3174 All geographic regions
Research and developmen
t
314 United States, Canada, EMEA and the Asia Pacific region
TOTAL** 14 194
* Indicates the primary use of the site. A number of our sites are mixed-use facilities.
** Excludes approximately 8.7 million square feet, consisting primarily of leased and/or vacant property designated as part of a planned square footage reduction in
connection with our restructuring activities commenced in 2001. At December 31, 2003 approximately 2.8 million square feet of such property was sub-leased.
21% by Wireless Networks;
12% by Enterprise Networks;
10% by Wireline Networks;
6% by Optical Networks;
29% by global operations; and
22% by one or more of our reporting segments and/or corporate facilities.
Subsequent to the February 15, 2001 announcement in which Nortel Networks provided revised guidance for financial performance for the
2001 fiscal year and the first quarter of 2001, Nortel Networks and certain of its then current officers and directors were named as defendants
in more than twenty-five purported class action lawsuits. These lawsuits in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of New York, for
the Southern District of New York and for the District of New Jersey and the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia in Canada,
on behalf of shareholders who acquired Nortel Networks Corporation securities as early as October 24, 2000 and as late as February 15, 2001,
allege, among other things, violations of U.S. federal and Canadian provincial securities laws. These matters also have been the subject of
review by Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities. On May 11, 2001, the defendants filed motions to dismiss and/or stay in
connection with the three proceedings in Quebec primarily based on the factual allegations lacking substantial connection to Quebec and the
inclusion of shareholders resident in Quebec in the class claimed in the Ontario lawsuit. The plaintiffs in two of these proceedings in Quebec
obtained court approval for discontinuances of their proceedings on January 17, 2002. The motion to dismiss and/or stay the third proceeding
was heard on November 6, 2001 and the court deferred any determination on the motion to the judge who will hear the application for
authorization to commence a class proceeding. On December 6, 2001, the defendants filed a motion seeking leave to appeal that decision. The
motion for leave to appeal was dismissed on March 11, 2002. On October 16, 2001, an order in the Southern District of New York was filed
consolidating twenty-five of the related U.S. class action lawsuits into a single case, appointing class plaintiffs and counsel for such plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs served a consolidated amended complaint on January 18, 2002. On December 17, 2001, the defendants in the British Columbia
action served notice of a motion requesting the court to decline jurisdiction and to stay all proceedings on the grounds that British Columbia is
an inappropriate forum. The motion has been adjourned at the plaintiffs’ request to a future date to be set by the parties.
A class action lawsuit against Nortel Networks was also filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of
shareholders who acquired the securities of JDS between January 18, 2001 and February 15, 2001, alleging violations of the same U.S. federal
securities laws as the above-noted lawsuits.
On April 1, 2002, Nortel Networks filed a motion to dismiss both the above consolidated U.S. shareholder class action and the above JDS
shareholder class action complaints on the grounds that they failed to state a cause of action under U.S. federal securities laws. With respect to
the JDS shareholder class action complaint, Nortel Networks also moved to dismiss on the separate basis that JDS shareholders lacked standing
to sue Nortel Networks. On January 3, 2003, the District Court granted the motion to dismiss the JDS shareholder class action complaint and
denied the motion to dismiss the consolidated U.S. class action complaint. Plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of the JDS shareholder class action
complaint. On November 19, 2003, oral argument was held before the Second Circuit on the JDS shareholders’ appeal of the dismissal of their
complaint. On May 19, 2004, the Second Circuit issued an opinion affirming the dismissal of the JDS shareholder class action complaint and
on July 14, 2004 the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ motion for rehearing. On October 12, 2004, the plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of
certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court. On November 12, 2004, the defendants filed Brief for the Respondents in Opposition, and on
November 22, 2004, the plaintiffs filed Reply to Brief in Opposition. With respect to the consolidated U.S. shareholder class action, the
plaintiffs served a motion for class certification on March 21, 2003. On May 30, 2003, the defendants served an opposition to the motion for
class certification. Plaintiffs’ reply was served on August 1, 2003. The District Court held oral arguments on September 3, 2003 and issued an
order granting class certification on September 5, 2003. On September 23, 2003, the defendants filed a motion in the Second Circuit for
permission to appeal the class certification decision. The plaintiffs’ opposition to the motion was filed on October 2, 2003. On November 24,
2003, the Second Circuit denied the motion. On March 10, 2004, the District Court approved the form of notice to the class which was
published and mailed.
On July 17, 2002, a new purported class action lawsuit (the “Ontario Claim”) was filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Commercial
List, naming Nortel Networks, certain of its current and former officers and directors and its auditors as defendants. The factual allegations in
the Ontario Claim are substantially similar to the allegations in the consolidated amended complaint filed in the U.S. District Court described
above. The Ontario Claim is on behalf of all Canadian residents who purchased Nortel Networks Corporation securities (including options on
Nortel Networks Corporation securities) between October 24, 2000 and February 15, 2001. The plaintiffs claim damages of Canadian $5,000,
plus punitive damages in the amount of Canadian $1,000, prejudgment and postjudgment interest and costs of the action. On September 23,
2003, the Court issued an order allowing the plaintiffs to proceed to amend the Ontario Claim and requiring that the plaintiffs serve class
certification materials by December 15, 2003. On September 24, 2003, the plaintiffs filed a notice of discontinuance of the original action filed
in Ontario. On December 12, 2003, plaintiffs’ counsel requested an extension of time to January 21, 2004 to deliver class certification
materials. On January 21, 2004, plaintiffs’ counsel advised the Court that the two representative plaintiffs in the action no longer wished to
proceed, but counsel was prepared to deliver draft certification
25
ITEM 3. Le
g
al Proceedin
g
s
materials pending the replacement of the representative plaintiffs. On February 19, 2004, the plaintiffs’ counsel advised the Court of a potential
new representative plaintiff. On February 26, 2004, the defendants requested the Court to direct the plaintiffs’ counsel to bring a motion to
permit the withdrawal of the current representative plaintiffs and to substitute the proposed representative plaintiff. On June 8, 2004, the Court
signed an order allowing a Second Fresh as Amended Statement of Claim that substituted one new representative plaintiff, but did not change
the substance of the prior claim.
A purported class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on December 21, 2001, on behalf of
participants and beneficiaries of the Nortel Networks Long-Term Investment Plan (the “Plan”) at any time during the period of March 7, 2000
through the filing date and who made or maintained Plan investments in Nortel Networks Corporation common shares, under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) for Plan-wide relief and alleging, among other things, material misrepresentations and omissions
to induce Plan participants to continue to invest in and maintain investments in Nortel Networks Corporation common shares in the Plan. A
second purported class action lawsuit, on behalf of the Plan and Plan participants for whose individual accounts the Plan purchased Nortel
Networks Corporation common shares during the period from October 27, 2000 to February 15, 2001 and making similar allegations was filed
in the same court on March 12, 2002. A third purported class action lawsuit, on behalf of persons who are or were Plan participants or
beneficiaries at any time since March 1, 1999 to the filing date and making similar allegations, was filed in the same court on March 21, 2002.
The first and second purported class action lawsuits were consolidated by a new purported class action complaint, filed on May 15, 2002 in the
same court and making similar allegations, on behalf of Plan participants and beneficiaries who directed the Plan to purchase or hold shares of
certain funds, which held primarily Nortel Networks Corporation common shares, during the period from March 7, 2000 through December 21,
2001. On September 24, 2002, plaintiffs in the consolidated action filed a motion to consolidate all the actions and to transfer them to the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiffs then filed a motion to withdraw the pending motion to consolidate and
transfer. The withdrawal was granted by the District Court on December 30, 2002. A fourth purported class action lawsuit, on behalf of the
Plan and Plan participants for whose individual accounts the Plan held Nortel Networks Corporation common shares during the period from
March 7, 2000 through March 31, 2001 and making similar allegations, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New
York on March 12, 2003. On March 18, 2003, plaintiffs in the fourth purported class action filed a motion with the Judicial Panel on
Multidistrict Litigation to transfer all the actions to the Southern District of New York for coordinated or consolidated proceedings pursuant to
28 U.S.C. section 1407. On June 24, 2003, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued a transfer order transferring the Southern
District of New York action to the Middle District of Tennessee (the “Consolidated ERISA Action”). On September 12, 2003, the plaintiffs in
all the actions filed a consolidated class action complaint. On October 28, 2003, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint and a
motion to stay discovery pending disposition of the motion to dismiss. On March 30, 2004, the plaintiffs filed a motion for certification of a
class consisting of participants in, or beneficiaries of, the Plan who held shares of the Nortel Networks Stock Fund during the period from
March 7, 2000 through March 31, 2001. On April 27, 2004, the Court granted the defendants’ motion to stay discovery pending resolution of
defendants’ motion to dismiss. On June 15, 2004, the plaintiffs filed a First Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint that added
additional current and former officers and employees as defendants and expanded the purported class period to extend from March 7, 2000
through to June 15, 2004.
On March 4, 1997, Bay Networks, Inc. (“Bay Networks”), a company acquired on August 31, 1998, announced that shareholders had filed two
separate lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (the “Federal Court”) and the California Superior Court,
County of Santa Clara (the “California Court”), against Bay Networks and ten of Bay Networks then current and former officers and directors
purportedly on behalf of a class of shareholders who purchased Bay Networks’ common shares during the period of May 1, 1995 through
October 14, 1996. On August 17, 2000, the Federal Court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the federal complaint. On August 1, 2001,
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied the plaintiffs’ appeal of that decision. On April 18, 1997, a second lawsuit was filed in
the California Court, purportedly on behalf of a class of shareholders who acquired Bay Networks’ common shares pursuant to the registration
statement and prospectus that became effective on November 15, 1995. The two actions in the California Court were consolidated in
April 1998; however, the California Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. In January 2000, the California Court of Appeal
rejected the plaintiffs’ appeal of the decision. A petition for review was filed with the California Supreme Court by the plaintiffs and was
denied. In February 2000, new plaintiffs who allege to have been shareholders of Bay Networks during the relevant periods, filed a motion for
intervention in the California Court seeking to become the representatives of a class of shareholders. The motion was granted on June 8, 2001
and the new plaintiffs filed their complaint-in-intervention on an individual and purported class representative basis alleging misrepresentations
made in connection with the purchase and sale of securities of Bay Networks in violation of California statutory and common law. On
March 11, 2002, the California Court granted the defendants’ motion to strike the class allegations. The plaintiffs were permitted to proceed on
their individual claims. The intervenor-plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of their class allegations. On July 25, 2003, the California Court of
Appeal reversed the trial court’s dismissal of the intervenor-plaintiffs’ class allegations. On September 3, 2003, the defendants filed a petition
for review with the
26
California Supreme Court seeking permission to appeal the Court of Appeal decision. On October 22, 2003, the California Supreme Court
denied, without opinion, the defendants’ petition for review. On December 22, 2003, the plaintiffs served their motion for certification of a
class of purchasers of Bay Networks’ common shares from July 25, 1995 through to October 14, 1996. Hearing of the plaintiffs’ motion for
class certification was held on May 4, 2004. On July 27, 2004, the Court entered an Amended Order Denying Motion of Intervenor Plaintiffs
for Class Certification and Setting Further Hearing. On August 9, 2004, the intervenor-plaintiffs obtained Court approval to dismiss their
claims and this action and, on September 30, 2004, the Court entered dismissal with prejudice of the entire action of all parties and all causes of
action.
Subsequent to the March 10, 2004 announcement in which Nortel Networks indicated it was likely that it would need to revise its previously
announced unaudited results for the year ended December 31, 2003, and the results reported in certain of its quarterly reports for 2003, and to
restate its previously filed financial results for one or more earlier periods, Nortel Networks and certain of its then current and former officers
and directors were named as defendants in 27 purported class action lawsuits. These lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District
of New York on behalf of shareholders who acquired Nortel Networks Corporation securities as early as February 16, 2001 and as late as
May 15, 2004, allege, among other things, violations of U.S. federal securities laws. These matters are also the subject of investigations by
Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory and criminal investigative authorities (see note 23). On June 30, 2004, the Court signed Orders
consolidating the 27 class actions and appointing lead plaintiffs and lead counsel. The plaintiffs filed a consolidated class action complaint on
September 10, 2004, alleging a class period of April 24, 2003, through and including April 27, 2004. On November 5, 2004, Nortel Networks
Corporation and the Audit Committee Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated class action complaint.
On May 18, 2004, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on behalf of
participants and beneficiaries of the Plan at any time during the period of December 23, 2003 through the filing date and who made or
maintained Plan investments in Nortel Networks Corporation common shares, under the ERISA for Plan-wide relief and alleging, among other
things, breaches of fiduciary duty. On September 3, 2004, the Court signed a stipulated order consolidating this action with the Consolidated
ERISA Action described above. On June 16, 2004, a second purported class action lawsuit, on behalf of the Plan and Plan participants for
whose individual accounts the Plan purchased Nortel Networks Corporation common shares during the period from October 24, 2000 to
June 16, 2004, and making similar allegations, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. On August 6, 2004,
the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued a conditional transfer order to transfer this action to the U.S. District Court for the Middle
District of Tennessee for coordinated or consolidated proceedings pursuant to 28 U.S.C. section 1407 with the Consolidated ERISA Action
described above. On August 20, 2004, plaintiffs filed a notice of opposition to the conditional transfer order with the Judicial Panel. On
December 6, 2004, the Judicial Panel denied the opposition and ordered the action transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District
of Tennessee for coordinated or consolidated proceedings with the Consolidated ERISA Action described above.
On July 28, 2004, Nortel Networks and NNL, and certain directors and officers, and certain former directors and officers, of Nortel Networks
and NNL, were named as defendants in a purported class proceeding in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on behalf of shareholders who
acquired Nortel Networks Corporation securities as early as November 12, 2002 and as late as July 28, 2004. This lawsuit alleges, among other
things, breaches of trust and fiduciary duty, oppressive conduct and misappropriation of corporate assets and trust property in respect of the
payment of cash bonuses to executives, officers and employees in 2003 and 2004 under the Nortel Networks Return to Profitability bonus
program and seeks damages of Canadian $250 and an order under the Canada Business Corporations Act directing that an investigation be
made respecting these bonus payments.
On July 30, 2004, a shareholders’ derivative complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against
certain directors and officers, and certain former directors and officers, of Nortel Networks alleging, among other things, breach of fiduciary
duties owed to Nortel Networks during the period from 2000 to 2003 including by causing Nortel Networks to engage in unlawful conduct or
failing to prevent such conduct; causing Nortel Networks to issue false statements; and violating the law.
Except as otherwise described herein, in each of the matters described above, the plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount of monetary
damages.
Nortel Networks is also a defendant in various other suits, claims, proceedings and investigations which arise in the normal course of business.
Nortel Networks is unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or financial impact to Nortel Networks of the above
matters which, unless otherwise specified, seek damages from the defendants of material or
27
indeterminate amounts or could result in fines and penalties. Nortel Networks cannot determine whether these actions, suits, claims and
proceedings will, individually or collectively, have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations, financial condition and
liquidity of Nortel Networks. Nortel Networks and any named directors and officers of Nortel Networks intend to vigorously defend these
actions, suits, claims and proceedings.
On April 5, 2004, Nortel Networks announced that the SEC had issued a formal order of investigation in connection with Nortel Networks
previous restatement of its financial results for certain periods, as announced in October 2003, and Nortel Networks announcements in
March 2004 regarding the likely need to revise certain previously announced results and restate previously filed financial results for one or
more earlier periods. The matter had been the subject of an informal SEC inquiry. On April 13, 2004, Nortel Networks announced that it had
received a letter from the staff of the Ontario Securities Commission (“OSC”) advising that there is an OSC Enforcement Staff investigation
into the same matters that are the subject of the SEC investigation.
On May 14, 2004, Nortel Networks announced that it had received a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena for the production of certain documents,
including financial statements and corporate, personnel and accounting records, prepared during the period from January 1, 2000 to the date of
the subpoena. The materials sought are pertinent to an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the
Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division.
On August 16, 2004, Nortel Networks received a letter from the Integrated Market Enforcement Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(“RCMP”) advising Nortel Networks that the RCMP would be commencing a criminal investigation into Nortel Networks financial accounting
situation.
Environmental matters
Nortel Networks operations are subject to a wide range of environmental laws in various jurisdictions around the world. Nortel Networks seeks
to operate its business in compliance with such laws. In 2004, Nortel Networks expects to become subject to new European product content
laws and product takeback and recycling requirements that will require full compliance by 2006. It is expected that these laws will require
Nortel Networks to incur additional compliance costs. Although costs relating to environmental matters have not resulted in a material adverse
effect on the business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity in the past, there can be no assurance that Nortel Networks will
not be required to incur such costs in the future. Nortel Networks has a corporate environmental management system standard and an
environmental program to promote such compliance. Moreover, Nortel Networks has a periodic, risk-based, integrated environment, health and
safety audit program.
Nortel Networks environmental program focuses its activities on design for the environment, supply chain and packaging reduction issues.
Nortel Networks works with its suppliers and other external groups to encourage the sharing of non-proprietary information on environmental
research.
Nortel Networks is exposed to liabilities and compliance costs arising from its past and current generation, management and disposal of
hazardous substances and wastes. As of December 31, 2003, the accruals on the consolidated balance sheet for environmental matters were
$33. Based on information available as of December 31, 2003, management believes that the existing accruals are sufficient to satisfy probable
and reasonably estimable environmental liabilities related to known environmental matters. Any additional liability that may result from these
matters, and any additional liabilities that may result in connection with other locations currently under investigation, are not expected to have
a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity of Nortel Networks.
Nortel Networks has remedial activities under way at 12 sites which are either currently or previously owned or occupied facilities. An
estimate of Nortel Networks anticipated remediation costs associated with all such sites, to the extent probable and reasonably estimable, is
included in the environmental accruals referred to above in an approximate amount of $33.
Nortel Networks is also listed as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) under the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) at six Superfund sites in the U.S. An estimate of Nortel Networks share of the anticipated
remediation costs associated with such Superfund sites is expected to be de minimis and is included in the environmental accruals of $33
referred to above.
Liability under CERCLA may be imposed on a joint and several basis, without regard to the extent of Nortel Networks involvement. In
addition, the accuracy of Nortel Networks estimate of environmental liability is affected by several uncertainties such as additional
requirements which may be identified in connection with remedial activities, the complexity
28
and evolution of environmental laws and regulations, and the identification of presently unknown remediation requirements. Consequently,
Nortel Networks liability could be greater than its current estimate.
Not applicable.
PART II
The common shares of Nortel Networks Corporation are listed and posted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange in the United States
and on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada. The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices of the common shares as reported on
the New York Stock Exchange composite tape and on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
On December 31, 2004, the last sale price on the New York Stock Exchange was $3.47 and on the Toronto Stock Exchange was Canadian
$4.16.
On December 31, 2004, approximately 196,852 registered shareholders held 100% of the outstanding common shares of Nortel Networks
Corporation. This included the Canadian Depository for Securities and the Depository Trust Company, two clearing corporations, which held a
total of approximately 97% of the common shares of Nortel Networks Corporation on behalf of other shareholders.
Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans
For a discussion of Nortel Networks equity compensation plans, please see “Equity compensation plan information” in Item 12, “Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”.
29
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securit
y
Holders
ITEM 5. Market for the Re
g
istrant’s Common E
q
uit
y
and Related Stockholder Matters
New York Toronto
Stock Exchange Stock Exchange
composite tape (Canadian $)
High Low High Low
2004 Fourth Quarter $3.91 $2.92 $4.80 $3.49
Third Quarter 5.05 3.16 6.40 4.11
Second Quarter 6.33 3.01 8.35 4.16
First Quarter 8.50 4.30 11.94 5.53
2003 Fourth Quarter 4.80 3.98 6.37 5.17
Third Quarte
r
4.73 2.68 6.50 3.84
Second Quarter 3.55 2.06 4.81 3.04
First Quarter 2.72 1.68 4.13 2.59
2002 Fourth Quarter 2.75 0.43 3.61 0.67
Third Quarter 1.70 0.45 2.60 0.70
Second Quarter 4.73 1.31 7.54 2.01
First Quarter 8.77 4.22 13.99 6.75
Dividends
On June 15, 2001, Nortel Networks Corporation announced that its Board of Directors decided to discontinue the declaration and payment of
common share dividends. As a result, dividends have not been declared and paid on Nortel Networks Corporation common shares since
June 29, 2001, and future dividends will not be declared unless and until the Board of Directors decides otherwise. On July 26, 2001, the Board
of Directors of Nortel Networks Corporation suspended the operation of the Nortel Networks Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Stock
Purchase Plan.
In the first and second quarters of 2001, Nortel Networks Corporation declared and paid a cash dividend of $0.01875 per common share. This
represents a total dividend of $0.0375 per common share for 2001 and aggregate dividend payments of $123 million.
Canadian tax matters
Dividends
Under the United States-Canada Income Tax Convention (1980), or the Convention, Canadian withholding tax of 15% generally applies to the
gross amount of dividends (including stock dividends) paid or credited to beneficial owners of Nortel Networks Corporation common shares:
The Convention provides an exemption from withholding tax on dividends paid or credited to certain tax-exempt organizations that are resident
in the United States for purposes of the Convention. Persons who are subject to the United States federal income tax on dividends may be
entitled, subject to certain limitations, to either a credit or deduction with respect to Canadian income taxes withheld with respect to dividends
paid or credited on Nortel Networks Corporation common shares.
Sales or other dispositions of shares
Gains on sales or other dispositions of Nortel Networks Corporation common shares by a non-resident of Canada are generally not subject to
Canadian income tax, unless the holder realizes the gains in connection with a business carried on in Canada. A gain realized upon the
disposition of Nortel Networks Corporation common shares by a resident of the United States that is otherwise subject to Canadian tax may be
exempt from Canadian tax under the Convention. Where Nortel Networks Corporation common shares are disposed of by way of an
acquisition of such common shares by Nortel Networks Corporation, other than a purchase in the open market in the manner in which common
shares would normally be purchased by any member of the public in the open market, the amount paid by Nortel Networks Corporation in
excess of the paid-up capital of such common shares will be treated as a dividend, and will be subject to non-resident withholding tax as
described above under the heading “Dividends”.
Sales of unregistered securities
During the fourth quarter of 2003, Nortel Networks Corporation did not issue any common shares under the Nortel Networks/BCE 1985 Stock
Option Plan or the Nortel Networks/BCE 1999 Stock Option Plan. Any common shares issued under these plans are deemed to be exempt from
registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Regulation S. All funds received by Nortel Networks
Corporation in connection with the exercise of stock options granted under the two Nortel Networks/BCE stock option plans are transferred in
full to BCE pursuant to the terms of the May 1, 2000 plan of arrangement, except for nominal amounts paid to Nortel Networks Corporation to
round up fractional entitlements into whole shares. Nortel Networks Corporation keeps these nominal amounts and uses them for general
corporate purposes.
30
who are resident in the United States for the purposes of the Convention; and
who do not hold the shares in connection with a business carried on through a permanent establishment or a fixed base in Canada.
The selected financial data presented below was derived from Nortel Networks Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements and
related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K except for the summarized balance sheet data as of December 31,
2001 and 2000. Readers should note the following information regarding the selected financial data presented below.
Nortel Networks Corporation has restated its previously reported consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31,
2002 and 2001 and the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2003. The selected financial data presented below includes all
such restatements and covers the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 as well as selected balance sheet data as of December 31,
2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000. In connection with the restatement of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the quarters ended
March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2003, Nortel Networks identified certain adjustments to its previously reported consolidated financial
statements for periods prior to fiscal 2001. The net effect of the adjustments relating to periods prior to fiscal 2001 have been reflected in the
selected financial data presented below as adjustments to accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2000. The disclosure presented below
addresses the adjustments identified in the Second Restatement that related to the periods prior to 2001.
Except for selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2000, financial data for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 has not been
restated or presented in the selected financial data presented below. Due to the identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over
financial reporting, significant turnover in Nortel Networks finance personnel, changes in accounting systems, documentation weaknesses, a
likely inability to obtain third party corroboration in certain cases due to the substantial industry adjustment in recent years and the passage of
time generally, Nortel Networks has determined that extensive additional efforts over an extended period of time would be required to restate
its 2000 and 1999 selected financial data. Nortel Networks also believes that selected financial data for these periods would not be meaningful
to investors due to the significant industry adjustment in the telecommunications industry beginning in 2001, which significantly impacted
Nortel Networks financial results in 2001 and subsequent periods and limits the relevance of financial results in periods prior to 2001 for
purposes of analysis of trends in subsequent periods. Previously reported financial information for 2000 and 1999 should not be relied upon.
See the “Controls and Procedures — Additional Background — Second Restatement — Estimates; Omissions of 1999 and 2000 Selected
Financial Data; Decision Not to Amend Certain Previous Filings” section of this report.
31
ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
See notes 4, 7 and 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the impact of accounting changes, special charges and acquisitions, divestitures and closures,
respectively, that affect the comparability of the above selected financial data.
32
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 2003 2002 2001
As restated* As restated*
Results of Operations
Revenues $ 10,193 $ 11,008 $ 18,900
Research and development expense 1,960 2,083 3,116
Special charges
Goodwill im
p
airmen
t
595 11,426
Other special charges 284 1,500 3,390
Operating earnings (loss) 45 (3,072)(25,020)
Other income (expense) — net 445 (5) (506)
Income tax benefit (expense) 80 468 2,751
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations 262 (2,893) (23,270)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations — net of tax 184 (101)(2,467)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes — net of tax (12) 15
Net earnings (loss) 434 (2,994)(25,722)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
— from continuing operations 0.06 (0.75)(7.30)
— from discontinued operations 0.04 (0.03) (0.78)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share 0.10 (0.78)(8.08)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
— from continuing operations 0.06 (0.75)(7.30)
— from discontinued operations 0.04 (0.03) (0.78)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share 0.10 (0.78)(8.08)
Dividends declared per common share – 0.0375
(millions of U.S. dollars) 2003 2002 2001 2000**
As restated* As restated* As restated*
Financial Position as of December 31
Total assets $ 16,591 $ 16,961 $ 21,971 $ 44,337
Total debt 4,027 4,233 5,212 2,454
Minority interests in subsidiary companies 617 631 654 758
Total shareholders’ e
q
uit
y
3,945 3,053 4,808 27,862
* See note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
** Total assets as of December 31, 2000 increased by $1,744 as a result of the Second Restatement, primarily due to increases in inventories — net and deferred income taxes-
net. Accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2000, increased by $1,432 as a result of the Second Restatement, as further described below.
The following information provides detailed disclosure in respect of each material component of the Second Restatement adjustments to the
accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2000:
Summary of Second Restatement Adjustments on Accumulated Deficit as of December 31, 2000:
Revenues and cost of revenues adjustments
Revenues were impacted by various errors related to revenue recognition resulting in a cumulative decrease of $3,379 for the years prior to
2001. The net impact to cost of revenues related to these revenue adjustments and other items was a cumulative decrease of $1,214 for the
years prior to 2001.
Revenues were recognized on certain sales for which it was subsequently determined that the criteria for revenue recognition under SAB 101
or SOP 97-2, as applicable, had not been met, including arrangements in which legal title or risk of loss on products did not transfer to the
buyer until full payment was received, and arrangements where delivery had not occurred. Revenues and related cost of revenues for these
arrangements should have been deferred to later periods when title or risk of loss had passed and all criteria for revenue recognition had been
met. Therefore, adjustments were made to defer revenues and related cost of revenues from the periods in which they were originally recorded
and to recognize them in the periods in which all revenue recognition criteria were met.
Revenues were recognized on certain sales for which it was subsequently determined that the criteria for revenue recognition under SOP 97-2
had not been met, including arrangements in which the criteria for fixed or determinable fees was not met. Revenues and related cost of
revenues for these agreements were deferred to later periods when payments became due and all criteria for revenue recognition had been met.
In certain multiple element arrangements, total arrangement fees were recognized as revenue at the time of delivery of software or hardware,
but prior to the delivery of future contractual or implicit PCS or other services. Revenues should have been allocated to these future
deliverables based on their fair value and recognized ratably over the PCS period or as the future obligations were performed. Adjustments
were made to appropriately allocate revenue among the accounting units and recognize the allocated revenue in accordance with the applicable
revenue recognition guidance. In certain circumstances where the criteria to treat delivered software and hardware elements and undelivered
PCS services as separate accounting units were not met, the entire arrangement fee was deferred and recognized over the PCS period.
Revenues were also recognized for certain contracts that involved undelivered elements as a result of product development delays. The lack of
relative fair value for the undelivered element meant that revenues and cost of revenues for all products delivered should have been deferred
until the undelivered element was delivered. As originally recorded, revenues were recognized upon delivery of an alternative product and
costs were accrued for the
33
(millions of U.S. dollars) Total
Adjustments
Revenues $(3,379)
Cost of revenues (1,214)
Gross profit (2,165)
Income tax benefit 623
Foreign exchange (186)
Other adjustments 296
Net increase to accumulated deficit $(1,432)
undelivered element. To correct for these items, related cost provisions were reversed and revenues and associated cost of revenues were
recognized in the appropriate periods when all elements had been delivered.
Revenues were recognized upon product delivery to a certain reseller who lacked economic substance apart from Nortel Networks. Revenue
should have been deferred and only recognized by Nortel Networks upon sale by the reseller to an end customer. Correction of this resulted in
revenues and cost of revenues being deferred with ultimate recognition in 2001.
Other adjustments included corrections related to errors in the application of percentage-of-completion accounting for certain contracts,
specific contracts with reciprocal arrangements that should have been treated as a reduction of revenues, and other errors related to non-cash
incentives and concessions provided to customers and other calculation errors.
Other adjustments
The income tax benefit as a result of the restatement decreased the accumulated deficit by $623. The determination of the functional currency
for certain entities was re-examined, and as a result Nortel Networks determined that the accounting for certain global headquarter functions
needed to be restated back to 1986 to reflect a U.S. dollar functional currency designation. This resulted in an increase of $186 to accumulated
deficit and a decrease to accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2000. Other adjustments of $296 included the corrections
of errors in respect to each of intercompany related items, the accounting associated with sales of receivables, the calculation of the valuation
of deferred compensation on certain acquisitions and various other adjustments. Reflected in these adjustments were reclassifications of certain
items to or from cost of revenues.
34
35
ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
O
p
erations — Table of Contents
Business overview 37
Our business 37
Our segments 37
Our business environmen
t
38
How we measure
p
er
f
ormance 39
Our strate
g
ic
p
lan and outlook 40
Develo
p
ments in 2003 and 2004 41
2003 consolidated results summar
y
41
Nortel Networks Audit Committee Inde
p
endent Review; restatements; related matters 41
Comprehensive Review and First Restatement 41
Independent Review 42
Second Restatement 42
Material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting identified in Second Restatement 48
Revenue Independent Review 49
Personnel actions 49
EDC Support Facility 49
Credit facilities and security agreements 50
Debt securities 50
Shelf registration statement 51
Credit ratings 51
Regulatory actions and pending litigation 51
Stoc
k
-based compensation plans 51
Evolution o
f
our su
pp
l
y
chain strate
gy
52
Other business developments 52
Shareholder rights plan 52
Ownership adjustment in our French and German operations 53
Customer financing commitments 53
Sale of Entrust shares 53
Real estate 53
Customer contract settlement 53
Directory and operator services business 53
Bharat Sanchar Nigram Limited contract 53
Patent infringement settlement 53
Customer financing arrangements 54
Results of o
p
erations continuin
g
o
p
erations 54
Se
g
ment revenues 54
Geo
g
ra
p
hic revenues 54
Consolidated revenues 54
Wireless Networks revenues 56
Enterprise Networks revenues 58
Wireline Networks revenues 60
Optical Networks revenues 61
Gross
p
ro
f
it and
g
ross mar
g
in 63
Segment gross profit and gross margin 63
Operating expenses 65
Selling, general and administrative expense 65
Segment selling, general and administrative expense 65
Research and development expense 66
Segment research and development expense 67
Segment contribution margin 68
Segment Management EBT 68
36
Amortization of intangibles 68
Deferred stock option compensation 68
Special charges 69
Gain (loss) on sale o
f
businesses and assets 71
Other income (ex
p
ense) ne
t
71
Interest ex
p
ense 72
Income tax benefit (expense) 72
Net earnin
g
s(loss)
f
rom continuin
g
o
p
erations 72
Results of o
p
erations discontinued o
p
erations 72
Li
q
uidit
y
and ca
p
ital resources 73
Cash
f
lows 73
Uses o
f
li
q
uidit
y
75
Contractual cash obligations 76
JDS purchase arrangement 77
Customer financing 77
Joint ventures/minorit
y
interests 78
Discontinued o
p
erations 78
Sources o
f
li
q
uidit
y
78
Credit facilities 78
Available support facility 78
Shelf registration statement and base shelf prospectus 79
Credit ratin
g
s80
Off-balance sheet arran
g
ements 80
Bid,
p
er
f
ormance related and other bonds 80
Receivables securitization and certain lease
f
inancin
g
transactions 81
Other indemni
f
ications or
g
uarantees 81
A
pp
lication of critical accountin
g
estimates 82
Revenue recognition 82
Provisions
f
or doubt
f
ul accounts 83
Provisions
f
or inventor
y
84
Income taxes 85
Tax asset valuation 85
Tax contingencies 86
Goodwill valuation 86
Pension and pos
t
-retirement benefits 87
S
p
ecial char
g
es 88
Other contin
g
encies 89
Accountin
g
chan
g
es and recent accountin
gp
ronouncements 89
Accountin
g
chan
g
es 89
Recent accountin
gp
ronouncements 90
Market risk 91
Equity price risk 92
Environmental matters 92
Le
g
al
p
roceedin
g
s93
Risk factors/forward lookin
g
statements 93
Risks relatin
g
to our restatements and related matters 93
Risks relatin
g
to our business 99
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, or MD&A, in combination with
the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States, or U.S. GAAP. As discussed herein, this MD&A gives effect to the Second Restatement as described below in “Developments in
2003 and 2004 — Nortel Networks Audit Committee Independent Review; restatements; related matters” and in “Restatement” in note 3 of the
accompanying audited consolidated financial statements. A number of our and Nortel Networks Limited’s past filings with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, remain subject to ongoing review by the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance. In addition,
the Second Restatement involved the restatement of our consolidated financial statements for 2001 and 2002 and the first, second and third
quarters of 2003. Amendments to our prior filings with the SEC would be required in order for us to be in full compliance with our reporting
obligations under the Exchange Act. However, we do not believe that it will be feasible to amend our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the
y
ear ended December 31, 2002, or 2002 Form 10-K/A, and our 2003 Form 10-Qs due to, among other factors, identified material weaknesses
in our internal control over financial reporting, the significant turnover in our finance personnel, changes in accounting systems,
documentation weaknesses, a likely inability to obtain third party corroboration in certain cases due to the substantial industry adjustment in
recent years and the passage of time generally. In addition, disclosure in the 2002 Form 10-K/A and 2003 Form 10-Qs would in large part
repeat the disclosure expected to be contained in this report and the 2004 Form 10-Qs. Accordingly, we do not plan to amend our 2002 Form
10-K/A and 2003 Form 10-Qs. We believe that we have included in this report all information needed for current investor understanding.
Ongoing SEC review may require us to amend this Annual Report on Form 10-K or our other public filings further. See “Risk factors/forward
looking statements”.
This section contains forward looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors described below under “Risk
f
actors/forward looking statements”. All dollar amounts in this MD&A are in millions of United States, or U.S., dollars unless otherwise
stated.
Where we say “we”, “us”, “our” or “Nortel Networks”, we mean Nortel Networks Corporation or Nortel Networks Corporation and its
subsidiaries, as applicable, and where we refer to the “industry”, we mean the telecommunications industry.
Business overview
Our business
Nortel Networks is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that enhance the human experience, ignite and power global
commerce, and secure and protect the world’s most critical information. Serving both service provider and enterprise customers, we deliver
innovative technology solutions encompassing end-to-end broadband, Voice over IP, multimedia services and applications, and wireless
broadband solutions designed to help people solve the world’s greatest challenges. Our business consists of the design, development,
manufacture, assembly, marketing, sale, licensing, installation, servicing and support of these networking solutions. A substantial portion of
our business has a technology focus and is dedicated to research and development, or R&D. This focus forms a core strength and is a factor
that we believe differentiates us from many of our competitors. We envision a networked society where people are able to connect and interact
with information and with each other instantly, simply and reliably, accessing data, voice and multimedia communications services and sharing
experiences anywhere, anytime.
The common shares of Nortel Networks Corporation are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, and Toronto Stock
Exchange, or TSX, under the symbol “NT”. Nortel Networks Limited, or NNL is our principal direct operating subsidiary and its results are
consolidated into our results. Nortel Networks holds all of NNL’s outstanding common shares but none of its outstanding preferred shares.
NNL’s preferred shares are reported in minority interests in subsidiary companies in the consolidated balance sheets and dividends and the
related taxes on preferred shares are reported in minority interests — net of tax in the consolidated statements of operations.
Our segments
During 2003 and up to September 30, 2004, our operations were organized into four reportable segments as follows:
37
Effective October 1, 2004, we established a new streamlined organizational structure that included, among other things, combining the
businesses of our four segments into two business organizations: (i) Carrier Networks and Global Operations, and (ii) Enterprise Networks. We
are reviewing the impact of these changes on our reportable segments under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 131,
“Disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information”.
Ourbusinessenvironment
In 2001, we entered into an unprecedented period of business realignment in response to a significant adjustment in the industry. Industry
demand for networking equipment dramatically declined in response to the industry adjustment, severe economic downturns in various regions
around the world and a tightening in global capital markets. We implemented a company-wide restructuring plan to streamline our operations
and activities around core markets and operations, which included significant workforce reductions, global real estate closures and dispositions,
substantial write-downs of our capital assets, goodwill and other intangible assets and extensive contract settlements with customers and
suppliers around the world. As a result of these actions, our workforce declined significantly from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2003 and
over the same time period, we significantly reduced our facilities. In 2003, customer spending remained cautious as a result of tightened capital
markets mainly in the first half of 2003 and customers realigning capital spending with their current levels of revenues and profits in order to
maximize their return on invested capital. We experienced continued industry adjustment and capital spending restrictions by our service
provider customers. Also, excess network capacity and competition continued to exist in the industry which led to continued pricing pressures
on the sale of certain of our products.
During the second half of 2003 and in 2004, we began to experience a period of relative industry stability. Throughout the second half of 2003
and in 2004, we announced several new contracts across all of our reportable segments, but primarily in our Wireless Networks segment, as
certain service provider customers began to expand and upgrade their existing networks. In 2004, however, we continued to experience pricing
pressures on sales of certain products across all of our reportable segments primarily as a result of increased competition.
As first announced on August 19, 2004, we have put in place a new strategic plan that recognizes these industry dynamics and the evolution of
the converged network (see “Our strategic plan and outlook”). In an increasingly cost-competitive environment, we are taking steps that we
believe will better position us to grow market share and improve our results and cash generation. As part of our strategic plan, we also
announced a focused workforce reduction of approximately 3,250 employees.
In May 2003, we commenced certain balance sheet reviews at the direction of certain members of former management that led to a
comprehensive review and analysis of our assets and liabilities, or the Comprehensive Review, which resulted in the
38
Wireless Networks — Our Wireless Networks segment provides communications networks that enable end-users to be mobile
while they send and receive voice and data communications using wireless devices, such as cellular telephones, personal digital
assistants and other computing and communications devices. Our Wireless Networks customers are wireless service providers, and
their customers are the subscribers for wireless communications services.
Enterprise Networks — Our Enterprise Networks segment provides data, voice and multimedia communications solutions for our
enterprise customers. Our Enterprise Networks customers consist of a broad range of enterprise customers around the world,
including large businesses and their branch offices, small businesses and home offices, as well as government agencies, educational
and other institutions and utility organizations.
Wireline Networks — Our Wireline Networks segment addresses the demand by our service provider customers for cost efficient
data, voice and multimedia communications solutions. We offer our Wireline Networks products and services to a wide range of
wireline and wireless service providers around the world. Our service provider customers include local and long distance telephone
companies, wireless service providers, cable operators and other communication service providers. We also provide services to our
data networking and security customers which consist of system integrators that in turn build, operate and manage networks for
their customers, such as businesses, government agencies and utility organizations.
Optical Networks — Our Optical Networks segment solutions transport data, voice and multimedia communications within and
between cities, countries or continents by transmitting communications signals in the form of light waves through fiber optic cables.
Our Optical Networks business is primarily focused on offering our optical networking solutions to service providers around the
world. The service provider customers for our optical networking products include local and long-distance telephone companies,
cable operators, Internet service providers and other communications service providers.
restatement (effected in December 2003) of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 and
for the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, or the First Restatement. In late October 2003, the Audit Committees of our and
NNL’s Boards of Directors, or the Audit Committee, initiated an independent review of the facts and circumstances leading to the First
Restatement, or the Independent Review, and engaged the law firm now known as Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP, or WCPHD, to
advise it in connection with the Independent Review. The Audit Committee sought to gain a full understanding of the events that caused
significant excess liabilities to be maintained on the balance sheet that needed to be restated, and to recommend that our Board of Directors
adopt, and direct management to implement, necessary remedial measures to address personnel, controls, compliance and discipline. In
January 2005, the Audit Committee reported the findings of the Independent Review, together with its recommendations for governing
principles for remedial measures that were developed for the Audit Committee by WCPHD. Each of our and NNL’s Boards of Directors has
adopted these recommendations in their entirety and directed our management to develop a detailed plan and timetable for their
implementation, and will monitor their implementation.
As the Independent Review progressed, the Audit Committee directed new corporate management to examine in depth the concerns identified
by WCPHD regarding provisioning activity and to review certain provision releases. That examination, and other errors identified by
management, led to the restatement (effected today) of our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the
quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, June 30, 2003 and 2002 and September 30, 2003 and 2002, or the Second Restatement, and our
revision of previously announced unaudited results for the year ended December 31, 2003. The need for the Second Restatement resulted in
delays in filing our and NNLs 2003 Annual Reports on Form 10-K, or the 2003 Annual Reports, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
first, second and third quarters of 2004, or the 2004 Quarterly Reports, beyond the SEC’s required filing dates in 2004. We refer to the 2003
Annual Reports and the 2004 Quarterly Reports together as the Reports.
Over the course of the Second Restatement process, management identified certain accounting practices that it determined should be adjusted
as part of the Second Restatement. In particular, management identified certain errors related to revenue recognition and undertook a process of
revenue reviews. As described in more detail in the “Controls and Procedures” section of this report, in light of the resulting adjustments to
revenues previously reported in relevant periods, the Audit Committee has determined to review the facts and circumstances leading to the
restatement of these revenues for specific transactions identified in the Second Restatement. This review will have a particular emphasis on the
underlying conduct that led to the initial recognition of these revenues. The Audit Committee will seek a full understanding of the historic
events that required the revenues for these specific transactions to be restated and will consider any appropriate additional remedial measures,
including those involving internal controls and processes. The Audit Committee has engaged WCPHD to advise it in connection with this
review. See “Risk factors/forward looking statements.”
Over the course of the Second Restatement, we and our independent auditors identified a number of material weaknesses in our internal control
over financial reporting. Further, in connection with the Independent Review, we terminated for cause our former president and chief executive
officer, former chief financial officer and former controller in April 2004 and seven additional senior finance employees with significant
responsibilities for our financial reporting as a whole or for their respective business units and geographic areas in August 2004. We are subject
to significant pending civil litigation and ongoing regulatory and criminal investigations in the U.S. and Canada, which could require us to pay
substantial judgments, settlements, fines or other penalties.
We are currently in a challenging transitional period in connection with the completion of our restatement activity and as we implement the
new strategic plan. We believe that our strategic plan will enable us to build on our market leadership in developing the converged networks of
the future and improve business efficiency and operating cost performance in an increasingly competitive market.
H
ow we measure performance
Each reportable segment is allocated resources and assets based on whether projected customer demand would support additional investment.
We make adjustments to reduce resources and assets within a reportable segment in response to market conditions or where opportunities for
improved efficiencies present themselves.
Our president and chief executive officer, or CEO, has been identified as the chief operating decision maker in assessing the performance of
the segments and the allocation of resources to the segments. Each reportable segment is managed separately with each segment manager
reporting directly to the CEO. The CEO relies on the information derived directly from our management reporting system. In 2003, we
reported that the primary financial measure used by the former chief operating decision maker in assessing performance and allocating
resources to the segments was contribution margin, a measure that was comprised of gross profit less selling, general and administrative
expense, or SG&A. In April 2004, our and NNL’s boards of directors appointed a new CEO. Commencing in the second quarter of 2004, the
primary financial measure used by our CEO in assessing performance and allocating resources to the segments is management earnings
(loss) before income taxes, or Management EBT, a measure that includes contribution margin, R&D expense, interest expense, other income
(expense) — net, minority interest — net of tax and equity in net loss of associated companies — net of tax. As a result of the change in the
primary financial measure used to assess the performance of our segments during the period in which the
39
Reports have been delayed, and because both contribution margin and Management EBT were available to the former chief operating decision
maker during 2003, we have determined that it is appropriate to disclose both contribution margin and Management EBT for the periods
presented. See “Segment information — General description” in note 6 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
From a liquidity perspective, we maintain strict controls over our sources and uses of cash. We also focus on the liquidity and cash flows of our
customers in an effort to minimize our credit risk. We closely monitor our inventory levels, both in our manufacturing facilities as well as at
our contract manufacturers, in an effort to minimize our exposure to excess supply and subsequent cash costs incurred as a result of excess
capacity.
Our strategic plan and outlook
On August 19, 2004, we announced a new strategic plan intended to enable us to build on our market leadership in developing the converged
networks of the future and improve business efficiency and operating cost performance in an increasingly competitive market. We provided
further details concerning the strategic plan on September 30, 2004 and December 14, 2004. It is our intention to be optimally positioned to
maximize strategic opportunities as they arise and leverage our acknowledged strengths in high reliability networks and strong customer
loyalty. We continue to drive our business forward with a focus on costs, cash and revenues as strategic goals. We remain committed to our
business strategy of technology and solutions evolution in helping our customers transform their networks and implement new applications and
services to drive improved productivity, reduced costs and revenue growth.
The principal components of the strategic plan are:
Our strategic plan also includes a work plan involving focused workforce reductions of approximately 3,250 employees, a voluntary retirement
program, real estate optimization and other cost containment actions such as reductions in information services costs, outsourced services and
other discretionary spending. Our workforce actions are focused to disproportionately protect customer and sales facing roles as well as
continue our focus on new innovative solutions. Approximately 64% of employee actions related to the focused workforce reduction were
completed by the end of 2004, including approximately 55% that were notified of termination or acceptance of voluntary retirement, with the
remainder comprised of voluntary attrition of employees that were not replaced. The remainder of employee actions are expected to be
completed by June 30, 2005. In addition, however, the Company continues to hire in certain strategic areas such as investments in the finance
organization. These focused headcount reductions are intended to result in ongoing cost reductions in R&D and SG&A expenses and cost of
sales. These actions are subject to the completion of required jurisdictional consultation and regulatory approvals. This workforce reduction is
in addition to the workforce reduction that will result from our agreement with Flextronics International Ltd., or Flextronics (for more
information, see “Evolution of our supply chain strategy”). We expect the real estate actions to be completed by the end of 2005.
We estimate charges to the income statement associated with our overall work plan in the aggregate of approximately $450 comprised of
approximately $220 with respect to the workforce reductions and approximately $230 with respect to the real estate actions. No charges are
expected to be recorded with respect to the other cost containment actions. Approximately 25% of the aggregate income statement charges
were incurred in 2004 with the remainder expected to be incurred in 2005.
The associated cash costs of the work plan of approximately $430 are expected to be split approximately equally between the workforce
reductions and real estate actions. Approximately 10% of these cash costs were incurred in 2004 and approximately 40% are expected to be
incurred in 2005. The remaining 50% of the cash costs relates to the real estate actions and are expected be incurred in 2006 through to 2022
for ongoing lease costs related to impacted real estate facilities.
40
a renewed commitment to best corporate practices and ethical conduct, including the establishment of the office of a chief ethics and
compliance officer, which has been filled on an interim basis pending the permanent appointment of Susan E. Shepard, as now
announced;
a streamlined organizational structure to reflect alignment with carrier converged networks;
an increased focus on the enterprise market and customers;
optimized R&D programs for highly secure, available and reliable converged networks;
the establishment of a chief strategy officer to drive partnerships, new markets and acquisitions;
the establishment of a chief marketing officer to drive overall marketing strategy;
the strategic review of embedded services to assess opportunities in the professional services business; an
a distinct focus on government and defense customers.
In addition to the above, we also expect to incur capital cash costs of approximately $50 in 2005 for facility improvements related to the real
estate actions.
We anticipate cost savings from the implementation of the work plan of approximately $500 in 2005, which is expected to increase on an
annualized basis beyond 2005 as the full impact of the work plan is realized. We expect that this work plan will primarily be funded with cash
from operations.
We expect that our consolidated revenues in 2004 will be slightly lower compared with 2003. The 2003 consolidated revenues included
revenues that were deferred from prior periods. We see growth opportunities in emerging markets such as China and India. Further, we believe
security and reliability for service provider networks are increasingly important to governments, defense interests and enterprises around the
world.
Developments in 2003 and 2004
2003 consolidated results summary
During 2003, we began to experience a period of relative industry stability following an unprecedented period of business realignment that
commenced in 2001 in response to a significant industry adjustment. In 2003, our consolidated revenues were $3,266 in the fourth quarter,
$2,344 in the third quarter, $2,285 in the second quarter and $2,298 in the first quarter. Although our revenues declined 7% in 2003 ($10,193 in
2003 compared to $11,008 in 2002), this decline represented a substantial improvement from the revenue decline of 42% experienced in 2002
compared to 2001 ($11,008 in 2002 compared to $18,900 in 2001). As well, throughout the second half of 2003, we announced several new
contracts across all of our reportable segments, but primarily in our Wireless Networks segment, as certain service provider customers began to
expand and upgrade their existing networks.
Our gross margin increased to 42.6% in 2003 compared to 35.5% in 2002, an improvement of approximately 7 percentage points. SG&A
expense declined 24% in 2003 compared to 2002 and R&D expense declined 6% in 2003 compared to 2002. The percentage declines in SG&A
and R&D expense were primarily due to actions taken to better align our expenses with the volume of business in 2003. Our R&D expense did
not decline to the same extent as our SG&A expense on a percentage basis due to our technology focus and commitment to invest in next
generation solutions. Special charges substantially declined in 2003 compared to 2002, primarily as a result of a substantial reduction in
charges associated with workforce reductions and goodwill impairment related to our restructuring work plan initiated in 2001.
Our discontinued operations contributed $184 of net earnings in 2003 compared to a net loss of $101 in 2002. The $184 of net earnings was
primarily the result of the completion of a number of transactions in 2003 associated with the wind-down activities of our discontinued
operations.
As a result of these improvements, we reported net earnings before cumulative effect of accounting changes of $446 in 2003 compared to a net
loss before cumulative effect of accounting changes of $2,994 in 2002.
Throughout 2003, we maintained our strong liquidity position. In 2003, our cash and cash equivalents, or cash, increased $207 from $3,790 at
December 31, 2002 to $3,997 at December 31, 2003. The improvement was primarily due to an increase in cash of $390 from our discontinued
operations, an increase in cash of $85 from our operating activities and favorable foreign exchange impacts of $176. These increases in cash
were partially offset by $359 of cash used in our financing activities and $85 used in our investing activities. As of December 31, 2003, our
long term debt totaled $4,010.
N
ortel Networks Audit Committee Independent Review; restatements; related matters
In May 2003, we commenced certain balance sheet reviews at the direction of certain members of former management that led to the
Comprehensive Review, which resulted in the First Restatement. See notes 3 and 23 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements
and the “Controls and Procedures” section of this report.
In connection with the Comprehensive Review, Deloitte & Touche LLP, or D&T, our independent auditors, informed the Audit Committee on
July 24, 2003 of a “reportable condition” that did not constitute a “material weakness” in our internal
41
Com
p
rehensive Review and First Restatement
control over financial reporting (throughout this report, unless otherwise indicated, “reportable condition” and “material weakness” have the
meanings as formerly set forth under standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or AICPA). Later, on
November 18, 2003, as part of the communications by D&T to the Audit Committee with respect to D&T’s interim audit procedures for the
year ended December 31, 2003, D&T informed the Audit Committee that it had identified certain reportable conditions, each of which
constituted a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. These material weaknesses identified in the First Restatement
were also later identified in connection with the Second Restatement together with certain additional material weaknesses in our internal
control over financial reporting, as described in greater detail in the “Controls and Procedures” section of this report.
In late October 2003, the Audit Committee initiated the Independent Review and engaged WCPHD to advise it in connection with the
Independent Review in order to gain a full understanding of the events that caused significant excess liabilities to be maintained on the balance
sheet that needed to be restated, and to recommend that our Board of Directors adopt, and direct management to implement, necessary remedial
measures to address personnel, controls, compliance and discipline. The Independent Review focused initially on events relating to the
establishment and release of contractual liability and other related provisions (also called accruals reserves, or accrued liabilities) in the second
half of 2002 and the first half of 2003, including the involvement of senior corporate leadership. As the Independent Review evolved, its focus
broadened to include specific provisioning activities in each of the business units and geographic regions. In light of concerns raised in the
initial phase of the Independent Review, the Audit Committee expanded the review to include provisioning activities in the third and fourth
quarters of 2003.
As discussed more fully in the “Controls and Procedures” section of this report, the Independent Review concluded that “[i]n summary, former
corporate management (now terminated for cause) and former finance management (now terminated for cause) in the Company’s finance
organization endorsed, and employees carried out, accounting practices relating to the recording and release of provisions that were not in
compliance with [U.S. GAAP] in at least four quarters, including the third and fourth quarters of 2002 and the first and second quarters of
2003. In three of those four quarters — when Nortel was at, or close to break even — these practices were undertaken to meet internally
imposed... targets. While the dollar value of most of the individual provisions was relatively small, the aggregate value of the provisions made
the difference between a profit and a reported loss, on a pro forma basis, in the fourth quarter of 2002 and the difference between a loss and a
reported profit, on a pro forma basis, in the first and second quarters of 2003.”
As the Independent Review progressed, the Audit Committee directed new corporate management to examine in depth the concerns identified
by WCPHD regarding provisioning activity and to review provision releases, down to a low threshold. That examination, and other errors
identified by management, led to the Second Restatement.
Over the course of the Second Restatement process, management identified certain accounting practices that it determined should be adjusted
as part of the Second Restatement. In particular, management identified certain errors related to revenue recognition and undertook a process of
revenue reviews, resulting in adjustments to previously reported revenues during the periods 1999 through 2003. Other accounting practices
that management examined and adjusted as part of the Second Restatement included, among other things the following:
The following tables present the impact of the Second Restatement adjustments on our previously reported consolidated statements of
operations data for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001. The Second Restatement adjustments related primarily to the following
items, each of which reflect a number of related adjustments that have been aggregated for disclosure purposes, and are described in the
paragraphs following the tables below. See “Restatement” in note 3 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
42
Inde
p
endent Review
Second Restatement
intercompany balances that did not eliminate upon consolidation and related provisions;
our foreign exchange accounting, as part of the plan to address our identified material weakness related to foreign currency
translation;
the accounting treatment of the February 2001 acquisition of the 980 NPLC business from JDS Uniphase Corporation, or JDS, and
the related OEM Purchase and Sale Agreement;
special charges relating to goodwill, inventory impairment, contract settlement costs and other charges; and
the accounting treatment of certain elements of discontinued operations.
Years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001
revenues and cost of revenues;
foreign exchange;
intercompany balances;
special charges;
•other;
reclassifications; and
discontinued operations.
Revenues and cost of revenues were impacted by various errors related to revenue recognition, corrections to foreign exchange accounting,
intercompany related items, special charges and other adjustments, including financial statement reclassifications. The net impact to revenues
of the adjustments was an increase of $439 and $1,492 for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The net impact to cost
of revenues related to these revenue adjustments, and the other corrections, was an increase of $305 and $598 for the years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Second Restatement adjustments to revenues and cost of revenues related primarily to the
following items:
43
Consolidated Statement of O
p
erations data for the
y
ear ended December 31, 2002
As previously
reported Adjustments As restated
Revenues $ 10,569 $ 439 $ 11,008
Gross profit 3,771 134 3,905
O
p
eratin
g
earnin
g
s (loss) (3,435) 363 (3,072)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and equity in net loss of
associated companies (3,721) 372 (3,349)
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations (3,286) 393 (2,893)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations — net of tax 20 (121) (101)
Net earnings (loss) (3,266) 272 (2,994)
Basic and diluted earnin
g
s (loss)
p
er common share
— from continuing operations $ (0.86) $ 0.11 $ (0.75)
— from discontinued operations 0.01 (0.04) (0.03)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.85) $ 0.07 $ (0.78)
Consolidated Statement of O
p
erations data for the
y
ear ended December 31, 2001
As previously
reported Adjustments As restated
Revenues $ 17,408 $ 1,492 $ 18,900
Gross profit 3,394 894 4,288
Operating earnings (loss) (26,469) 1,449 (25,020)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and equity in net loss of
associated companies (27,176) 1,339 (25,837)
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations (24,174) 904 (23,270)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations — net of tax (2,996) 529 (2,467)
Net earnings (loss) (27,155) 1,433 (25,722)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share
— from continuing operations $ (7.58) $ 0.28 $ (7.30)
— from discontinued operations (0.94) 0.16 (0.78)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (8.52) $ 0.44 $ (8.08)
R
evenues and cost o
f
revenues
incorrect application of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin, or SAB, No. 104, Revenue Recognition (preceded by SAB 101), or SAB
104, or AICPA Statement of Position, or SOP, 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, or SOP 97-2, the most significant of which
related to revenue that should have been deferred until title or risk of loss had passed, or products had been delivered;
incorrect recognition of revenue upon product delivery to a certain reseller; and
various other adjustments, primarily related to specific contracts and transactions and errors related to non-cash incentives and
concessions provided to customers.
As part of the plan to address a material weakness reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003, a
review of foreign exchange accounting was undertaken. The net impact was a decrease to pre-tax loss of $63 and $132 for the years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The significant items were as follows:
Historically, we had certain intercompany balances that did not eliminate upon consolidation , or out-of-balance positions, and had recorded
provisions accordingly. As part of the Second Restatement, we reviewed these provisions and determined that they should not have been
recorde