As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2022
UNITED STATES SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
For the fiscal year ended
OR
OR
Commission File Number:
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Contact person:
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Title of each class |
| Trading Symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which registered |
* Listed, t for trading or quotation purposes, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
Ordinary Shares, nominal value €4.00 per share
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
No ☐ |
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ☐ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:
No ☐ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
No ☐ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company.
See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Accelerated filer ☐ | Non-accelerated filer ☐ | Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards* provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
*The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
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If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 ☐ | Item 18 ☐ |
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes | No ☒ |
Presentation of information
The consolidated financial statements contained in this annual report of Orange on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “Annual Report on Form 20-F”) have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), as of December 31, 2021.
This Form 20-F contains certain financial information presented on a “comparable basis”. The basis for the presentation of this financial information is set out in Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects. The unaudited financial information presented on a comparable basis is not intended to be a substitute for, and should be read in conjunction with, the Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes thereto.
In this Form 20-F, references to the “EU” are to the European Union, references to the “euro” or “€” are to the euro currency of the EU, references to the “United States” or “U.S.” are to the United States of America and references to “U.S. dollars” or “$” are to United States dollars.
References to the “2021 Universal Registration Document” are references only to those pages and sections of Orange’s Universal Registration Document for the year ended December 31, 2021 that are attached in Exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F and forming a part hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, all references to EBITDAaL, organic cash flow and related terms, which are non-IFRS financial indicators, are explicitly excluded from this Form 20-F and the 2021 Universal Registration Document attached in Exhibit 15.1 except as otherwise required including for segment reporting. The 2021 Universal Registration Document in its entirety was furnished to the SEC in a Report on Form 6-K on March 31, 2022. Other than as expressly provided herein, the 2021 Universal Registration Document is not incorporated herein by reference.
The references to websites contained in this Form 20-F are provided for reference only; the information contained on the referenced websites is not incorporated by reference in this Form 20-F.
As used in this Form 20-F, the terms “Orange”, “Orange group” and “the Group”, unless the context otherwise requires, refer to Orange together with its consolidated subsidiaries, and “Orange SA”, as well as “the Company”, refer only to the parent company, a French société anonyme (corporation), without its subsidiaries.
References to “the Shares” are references to Orange’s Ordinary Shares, nominal value €4.00 per share, and references to “the ADSs” are to Orange’s American Depositary Shares (each representing one Ordinary Share), which are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”).
References to the Consolidated Financial Statements are references to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 18.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
This Annual Report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements - within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (“the Securities Act”) or Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“the Exchange Act”), including, without limitation, certain statements made in Item 4.B Business overview as well as in Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “should”, “could”, would, “will”, “expect”, “consider”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “pursue”, “foresee”, “plan”, “predict”, intend, be aimed at, “strategy”, “objective”, “prospects”, outlook, trends, “aim”, “change”, “intention”, “ambition”, “risk”, “potential”, “commitment” or similar expressions or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology, or by the forward-looking nature of discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.
Although Orange believes these statements are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including matters not yet known to Orange or not currently considered material by Orange, and there can be no assurance that anticipated events will occur or that the objectives set out will actually be achieved.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements include the following:
− | A high concentration of Orange’s critical suppliers and global supply tensions for a large number of products represent a risk for the Group’s activities; |
− | Orange is faced with constantly increasing demand for connectivity and must therefore accelerate the rollout of its networks while improving quality of service, but such investments are constrained by the availability of resources; |
− | Orange is exposed to the risk of an interruption of its services, especially in case of cyberattacks; |
− | The shift of Orange’s ecosystem towards a more open and fragmented model enables global players to take an increasing share of the service and network value chain; |
− | A large part of Orange's revenues is earned generated in highly competitive and regulated markets, where pricing pressure remains strong; |
− | Orange is exposed to risks of inappropriate disclosure or modification of stakeholder data in its possession, particularly in the event of cyberattacks; |
− | Orange's broad geographic footprint and the scope of its activities expose it to geopolitical, macroeconomic, fiscal and regulatory risks; |
− | The development of mobile financial services activities in an increasing number of countries confronts Orange with risks specific to this sector in each of its host countries; |
− | Orange's technical infrastructure is vulnerable to damage caused by intentional or accidental damage, but also by natural disasters, the occurrence of which is increased due to climate change; |
− | Orange operates in highly regulated markets, and its business activities and earnings could be materially affected by changes in laws or regulations, including those that are extraterritorial in nature, or by changes in government policy; |
− | Orange is exposed, particularly as a result of cyberattacks, to risks of inappropriate disclosure or modification of personal data, especially those of its customers; |
− | Orange faces a variety of internal and external risks relating to human health and safety. |
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Other than as required by law, Orange does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments.
The material risks are described in Item 3 Key Information – 3.D Risk factors.
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2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 4
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 5
PART I
Item 1 | Identity of directors, senior management and advisers |
Not applicable.
Item 2 | Offer statistics and expected timetable |
Not applicable.
Item 3 | Key information |
3.A | [RESERVED] |
3.B | CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS |
Not applicable.
3.C | REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Not applicable.
3.D | RISK FACTORS |
In addition to the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, investors should also carefully consider the risks outlined below before deciding whether to invest in Orange’s securities. Orange’s view as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F is that these risks could have a material negative effect (i) on its business, financial position, profits, reputation or outlook or (ii) on its stakeholders. In addition, other risks and uncertainties, as yet unidentified or, as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, not currently considered to be material by Orange, could have similar negative effects. Investors could lose all or part of their investment if these risks materialize.
The risks are presented in this section under five categories, which are not presented in order of importance. However, within each category, risk factors are presented in descending order of importance, as determined by Orange at the date of filing this Annual Report on Form 20-F. Orange may change its view of their relative importance at any time, particularly if new external or internal facts come to light.
Although not incorporated by reference into this Item 3.D, several other sections of this document also discuss risks in some detail:
− | with respect to risks relating to regulations and regulatory pressure, see Section 1.7 Regulation of telecommunication activities on pages 36 et seq. of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document and Note 18 Litigation to the Consolidated Financial Statements; |
− | with respect to risks relating to litigation involving the Group, see also Note 10 Taxes and Note 18 Litigation to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as Section 3.2.1 Recent events on page 119 of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document, where applicable; |
− | with respect to financial risks, see: |
- | Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the key assumptions used to determine the recoverable amount of the main activities and specific risk factors that might affect this amount, |
- | Notes 7 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for asset impairments, |
- | Note 13.8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for derivatives, |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 6
- | Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the management of interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk, liquidity risk, covenants, credit risk and counterparty risk, and equity market risk. The policies for managing interest rate, foreign exchange and liquidity risks are set by the Treasury and Financing Committee. See Section 5.2.2.3 Executive Committee and Group governance committees on pages 380 et seq. of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document; |
The effects of the global macroeconomic situation stemming from the international health crisis are included in the analysis below.
Operational risks
Operational risks mainly include risks related to the telecommunications sector, and risks related to Orange’s strategy and business. In addition, risks with potentially significant employee-related, social and environmental consequences are presented in the section “-Non-financial risks” below.
A high concentration of Orange's critical suppliers and global supply tensions for a large number of products represent a risk for the Group's activities.
Orange’s critical suppliers, particularly in the areas of network infrastructure, information systems and mobile devices, operate in highly consolidated markets.
Despite Orange’s secure purchasing policies, this consolidation poses a risk to the Group’s current or future business (for example, the supply of hardware for 5G networks) in the event that one of these suppliers were to fail or decided to change its business practices, regardless of the cause, including in the event of international economic sanctions against such critical supplier or its country of origin.
This risk of failure is heightened by the shortages linked to the specific conditions of some markets, such as the one for electronic components, and by the intensity of the global economic recovery which has caused tension in the supply of numerous products and raw materials.
If a critical supplier were to fail to deliver on Orange’s purchasing requirements, Orange's business, earnings and reputation could be permanently adversely affected.
Orange is faced with constantly increasing demand for connectivity and must therefore accelerate the rollout of its networks while improving quality of service, but such investments are constrained by the availability of resources.
Orange must accelerate the rollout of its fixed and mobile broadband and very high-speed networks in regional areas and improve the quality of service of its networks to meet the high demand for connectivity related to the changes in use of such services. Orange has also made commitments regarding geographic coverage and quality of service to central government and local authorities in France. However, Orange's investment capacity is constrained by the availability of human, industrial and financial resources, both its own and those of its subcontractors. Against that backdrop, Orange has ramped up its strategy of co-financing investments and pooling its network infrastructure.
Failure to meet these expectations in a balanced manner could have an adverse effect on Orange’s earnings and reputation.
Orange is exposed to the risk of an interruption of its services, especially in case of cyberattacks.
Due to the essential nature of telecommunications, compounded by the massive take-up of telework, the networks of telecommunications operators are particularly exposed to risks of service disruption linked to intentional and sometimes criminal acts. Interruptions to the services provided to customers may occur as a result of malicious acts such as infrastructure sabotage or via increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, which are now a permanent threat for both individuals and businesses, or at the request of government or judicial authorities.
Interruptions may also be unintentional. They can occur as a result of extreme weather events, human error, such as when subcontractors work on shared infrastructure, in conjunction with the failure of a critical supplier, or when new applications or software are rolled out or when they are updated. Lastly, they can occur as a result of capacity saturation resulting from the development of digital uses in economic life.
Despite the business continuity and crisis management measures taken by Orange to protect its networks and resize them, the frequency of increasingly numerous cyberattacks, the implementation of all-IP technologies, the increase in the size of service platforms and the consolidation of equipment in a reduced number of locations mean that service interruptions could affect a larger number of customers and several countries at the same time in the future.
Such events may disrupt activity not only of Orange customers but — more widely — of all citizens, and may even affect their health and safety. They could cause serious damage to Orange's reputation, give rise to liability claims against it and result in a reduction in traffic and revenue, thereby adversely impacting its earnings and outlook. If they were to occur at the level of one or several countries, they could also trigger crisis situations potentially affecting the security of the countries concerned.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 7
The shift of Orange's ecosystem toward a more open and fragmented model enables global players to take an increasing share of the service and network value chain.
Competition with numerous actors, such as over-the-top (OTT) service providers and Internet market leaders, in providing value-added services using existing networks is spreading to the majority of services offered by Orange. Operators such as Orange, for which the direct relationship with customers is a source of value, could be marginalized.
Moreover, the opening up and fragmentation of network ecosystems enables existing players (infrastructure managers, non-telecom networked businesses such as railways, local authorities or Cloud service providers) to offer network services, and new players (SD-WAN, etc.) to position themselves as aggregators of such services, a role traditionally filled by integrated operators such as Orange.
These developments could adversely affect Orange's revenue and margins.
A large part of Orange's revenues is generated in highly competitive and regulated markets, where pricing pressure remains strong.
Orange has little ability to raise the prices of its services due to the persistently fierce competition in all the markets in which it operates, and the decisions of industry regulators and competition authorities regulating prices in certain areas. Against this backdrop, Orange continues its transformation policy toward a multi-service operator model by proposing convergent offers, by developing its business in high-growth sectors and regions such as cyberdefense or Africa and the Middle East and by improving the quality of its services. If Orange were unable to implement this strategy, it could lose market share and see its margins narrow.
Furthermore, the current inflationary trends weigh on operational margins and, considering its pricing model, it is not certain that Orange will be able to pass on customers all the costs increases that it may incur.
For further information about competition, see Section 1.4 Operating activities on pages 17 et seq. of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document.
Orange is exposed to risks of inappropriate disclosure or modification of stakeholder data in its possession, particularly in the event of cyberattacks.
Orange's business activities require the transmission through its networks and storage on its infrastructure of data belonging to business or government customers, suppliers, partners and all stakeholders other than natural persons (for information relating to risks regarding personal data, section “-Non-financial risks” below). The increasing use of Cloud services and the outsourcing of digital services exposes Orange to risks of loss, disclosure, unauthorized communication to third parties or inappropriate modification of such data, potentially resulting from (i) the implementation of new services or applications or their updates, (ii) the development of new businesses in the field of connected objects, (iii) malicious acts (such as cyberattacks) targeting data in Orange's possession, or (iv) negligence or errors that may be committed within Orange or by Group partners to which certain operations are outsourced.
The Group could be held liable if these risks were to materialize. Moreover, even though the Group's stakeholders have high expectations in terms of security, given Orange's positioning as a trusted operator, its reputation could be significantly adversely affected, which would then have a material effect on its future earnings.
Orange's broad geographic footprint and the scope of its activities expose it to geopolitical, macroeconomic, fiscal and regulatory risks.
Orange has a large base of business in countries or geographic areas marked by political, economic, regulatory or fiscal instability, or countries in which the Group's contribution to local economic activity is significant while its image is sometimes linked with the French State. In this uncertain context, Orange is exposed to decisions contrary to its interests taken by governmental or judicial authorities, such as requests to interrupt services, or new taxes or fines that, if contested, could lead the authorities to decide to suspend services.
Moreover, the value or sustainability of investments made in certain countries could be negatively impacted by international economic sanctions imposed on those countries.
Such situations could call into question the profitability outlook justifying investment decisions and adversely impact the Group's financial position and earnings.
The development of Mobile Financial Services activities in an increasing number of countries confronts Orange with risks specific to this sector in each of its host countries.
Mobile Financial Services, including banking, expose Orange to industry-specific risks such as money laundering, terrorist financing and non-compliance with economic sanctions programs, as well as common risks that are particularly sensitive in Mobile Financial Services, such as fraud, cyberattacks and service disruption.
If they were to materialize, these risks could have a material effect on the Group's reputation and financial position.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 8
Orange’s technical infrastructure is vulnerable to damage caused by intentional or accidental damage, but also by natural disasters, the occurrence of which is increased due to climate change.
Natural disasters, intentional damage caused by war, terrorism or social unrest, as well as other accidental events such as fires, errors or negligence during civil engineering work on infrastructure could lead to significant destruction of Orange’s facilities, resulting in both service interruptions and high repair costs.
The frequency and intensity of weather events related to the ongoing climate change (e.g., floods, storms, heat waves) continue to increase, which could aggravate disasters and increase related damage. These developments increasingly occur in a context where the expectations of Orange customers and other stakeholders remain high with respect to its capacity to provide service continuity, including in the case of extreme weather events. In the medium term, rising sea levels could affect sites and facilities located near the coast more often.
While the scope of coverage of related claims by insurers has decreased and could decrease further, the damage caused by major events or natural disasters could result in significant costs that may have to be borne by Orange, and could thus seriously and adversely affect its financial position and outlook.
Orange's strategy to develop its new growth drivers may fail to yield the expected results.
Orange's strategy is to develop its business in high-growth regions, with a particular focus on Mobile Financial Services, cybersecurity and B2B IT services. Although based on the Group's strengths (capacity for innovation, digital expertise, distribution strength, broad footprint in the MEA region and brand awareness), the development of these businesses requires significant resources without guaranteeing that the use of the corresponding services will gain sufficient traction to generate a return on these investments.
If Orange were unable to implement this strategy, it could impact the growth of its revenue and its outlook.
The Group's brand policy, combined with a strategy of geographic expansion and diversification into new businesses, represents a risk for the Orange brand image.
Orange's strategy of accelerating its business activities in growth areas entails execution risks inherent to new businesses (mobile banking and cyberdefense for example) and to the countries into which the Group is expanding. If these risks were to materialize, and although the Group pays great attention to preserving the value of the major asset represented by the Orange brand, they could adversely affect the company's reputation.
In the event of significant damage to the Orange brand image, the Group's earnings and outlook could be affected.
The scope of Orange’s business activities and the interconnection of its networks expose the company to a variety of acts of technical fraud, specific to the telecommunication sector.
Orange faces various types of fraud on its telecommunication services activities, which may target it directly or its customers. In a context of increasing technological complexity, network virtualization, and acceleration of the implementation of new services or new applications, types of fraud that are more difficult to detect or control may also appear, favored for instance by the development of mass data processing and artificial intelligence, which increases scope for possible attacks, particularly cyberattacks.
If significant fraud were to occur, Orange’s revenue, margins, quality of service and reputation could be adversely affected.
Legal risks
Orange operates in highly regulated markets, and its business activities and earnings could be materially affected by changes in laws or regulations, including those that are extraterritorial in nature, or by changes in government policy.
In most of the countries where it operates, Orange has little flexibility to manage its business activities because it must comply with numerous and restrictive requirements relating to the provision of its products and services, primarily relating to obtaining and renewing licenses to operate its activities. Orange must also comply with its own regulatory obligations and oversight by authorities seeking to maintain effective market competition, as well as, in some countries, additional constraints owing to its historically dominant position in the fixed telecommunication market.
Orange’s business and earnings could be materially affected by changes in laws or regulations, some of which may be extraterritorial in nature, or by changes in government policy, including decisions made by regulatory or competition authorities regarding:
| − | the modification or renewal under unfavorable conditions, or even the withdrawal, of fixed or mobile operator licenses; |
| − | conditions governing network access (primarily those in connection with roaming or infrastructure sharing); |
| − | service rates; |
| − | the introduction of new taxes or increases in existing taxes on telecommunication companies, including the introduction of taxes aimed at facilitating the achievement of countries’ carbon neutrality targets (such as taxes on use or handset purchases); |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 9
| − | banking and financial supervision, and any related compliance regulations such as laws and regulations on economic sanctions; |
| − | non-financial corporate obligations; |
| − | data security; |
| − | merger and acquisition policy; |
| − | regulations affecting operators of competing sectors, such as cable; |
| − | consumerism legislation. |
Such changes, developments or decisions could materially adversely affect the Group’s revenue and earnings.
For further information on regulatory risks, see Section 1.7 Regulation of telecommunication activities on pages 36 et seq. of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document.
Orange is regularly involved in litigation, the outcome of which could have a material adverse effect on its earnings, financial position or reputation.
Orange believes that, in general and in the countries where it operates, it complies in all material respects with the regulations in force relating to its activities and its relations with its partners, suppliers, sub-contractors and customers, as well as with the conditions governing its operator licenses. However, it is not able to predict the decisions of supervisory or judicial authorities, which are regularly asked to rule on such issues. If Orange were to be ordered by the competent authorities of a country in which it operates to pay an indemnity or a fine, or to suspend certain of its business activities, based on a breach of applicable regulations, its financial position and earnings could be significantly adversely affected.
In addition, Orange (particularly in France and Poland) is frequently involved in proceedings with its competitors and the regulatory authorities due to its pre-eminent position in certain of the markets where it operates, and the claims made against Orange can be very substantial. In the past, the Group has been fined several tens of millions of euros or even several hundreds of millions of euros for cartel practices or for abusing its dominant position. The Group is also involved in substantial commercial litigation with potentially very significant penalties. The outcome of lawsuits is inherently unpredictable.
For proceedings before the European competition authorities, the maximum amount of fines provided for by law is 10% of the consolidated revenue of the offending company (or the group to which it belongs, as the case may be).
Lastly, due in particular to its relationships with numerous partners, suppliers and subcontractors, Orange is exposed to a growing risk of legal action by various stakeholders from civil society alleging shortcomings on environmental, employee-related or social matters. That could be the case, for instance, if Orange were to distribute products that are found to contain rare minerals extracted under non-compliant conditions. Such actions could cause significant damage to Orange’s reputation.
The main proceedings involving Orange are described in Note 10 Taxes and Note 18 Litigation to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Developments in or the outcome of some or all of these ongoing proceedings could have a material adverse effect on Orange’s earnings or financial position.
Financial risks
Liquidity risk
Orange’s earnings and outlook could be affected if conditions of access to capital markets were to become difficult.
Orange finances itself mainly through the bond markets. Unfavorable changes in the macroeconomic environment could restrict Orange’s access to its usual sources of funding or significantly increase financing costs through an increase in market interest rates and/or the spreads applied to its borrowings.
Any inability to access the financial markets for a lasting period and/or obtain financing on reasonable terms would have a material adverse effect on Orange. In particular, the Group may not be able to carry out certain projects or could be forced to allocate a significant portion of its available cash to servicing or repaying its debt, to the detriment of investment or shareholder returns. In any event, Orange’s earnings, cash flows and, more generally, its financial position and flexibility could be adversely affected.
See Note 14.3 Liquidity risk management to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which sets out the different sources of funding available to Orange, the maturity of its debt and changes in its credit rating, as well as Note 14.4 Financial ratios, which contains information on the limited commitments of the Orange group in relation to financial ratios and in the event of default or material adverse change.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 10
Risk of asset impairment
Changes affecting the economic, political or regulatory environment may result in asset impairment, particularly of goodwill.
At December 31, 2021, the gross value of goodwill recognized by Orange following acquisitions was 33.6 billion euros.
The carrying book values of long-term assets, including goodwill, fixed assets and interests in associates and joint ventures are sensitive to any change in the environment that is different from the assumptions used. Orange recognizes impairment on those assets if events or circumstances occur that entail material adverse changes of a lasting nature, affecting the economic environment or the assumptions or objectives adopted at the time of the acquisition.
In 2021, Orange recognized 3.7 billion euros of impairment on goodwill in Spain. Over the last five years, Orange has significantly impaired its investments in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Jordan.
At December 31, 2021, the cumulative amount of goodwill impairment was 9.4 billion euros, excluding impairment of interests in associates and joint ventures which include in certain cases goodwill in their carrying value.
New events or unfavorable circumstances could prompt Orange to review the current value of its assets and to recognize further material impairment that could have an adverse effect on its earnings. Sensitivity analyses carried out at December 31, 2021 with respect to Spain and Romania revealed additional estimated impairment risks of up to 3% and 16% of net goodwill values respectively.
In addition, in the event of a disposal or IPO, the value of certain subsidiaries may be affected by changes in the equity and bond markets.
For further information on goodwill and recoverable amounts (particularly key assumptions and sensitivity), see Note 7 Impairment losses and goodwill and Note 8.3 Impairment of fixed assets to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Credit-rating risk
A change in Orange’s credit rating could increase the cost of debt and in some cases limit access to the financing Orange needs.
Orange’s credit rating from rating agencies is based partly on factors beyond its control, namely conditions affecting the telecommunication industry in general or conditions affecting certain of the countries or regions in which it operates. It may be changed at any time by the rating agencies, in particular as a result of changing economic conditions, a downturn in the Group’s earnings or performance, or changes to its shareholding structure. A prolonged multi-notch downgrade in Orange’s rating would have a material adverse effect on its financing terms.
Interest rate risk
Orange’s business activities could be affected by interest rate fluctuations.
In the normal course of its business, Orange obtains most of its funding from capital markets (particularly the bond market) and a small part from bank loans.
Since most of its current debt is at a fixed rate, Orange has limited exposure to increases in market interest rates. The Group remains exposed to a sustained ongoing increase in interest rates for future financing.
To limit exposure to interest rate fluctuations, Orange may use financial instruments (derivatives) but cannot guarantee that these transactions will completely limit its exposure or that suitable financial instruments will be available at reasonable prices. In the event that Orange cannot use financial instruments to mitigate its exposure to interest rate fluctuations, or if its financial instrument strategy proves ineffective, cash flows and earnings may be adversely affected.
In addition, the costs of hedging against interest rate fluctuations could increase in line with market liquidity, banks’ positions, and, more broadly, the macroeconomic situation (or how it is perceived by investors).
The management of interest rate risk and an analysis of the sensitivity of the Group’s position to changes in interest rates are set out in Note 14.1 Interest rate risk management to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Foreign exchange risk
Orange’s results and cash position are exposed to exchange rate fluctuations.
Currency markets can be volatile due to the economic and geopolitical context.
The main currencies in which Orange is exposed to a major foreign exchange risk are the Polish zloty, the Egyptian pound, the Moroccan dirham and the U.S. dollar. Intra-period variations in the average exchange rate of a particular currency could significantly affect the revenue and expenses denominated in that currency, which would significantly affect Orange’s results, as happened, for example, with the near 50% devaluation of the Egyptian pound in November 2016. In addition, Orange operates in other monetary zones, in particular in Africa and the Middle East. Depreciation of the currencies in this region would have an adverse effect on the Group’s consolidated revenue and earnings.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 11
When preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements, the assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into euros at the fiscal year closing rate. This translation could have a negative impact on the consolidated balance sheet, assets and liabilities and equity, for potentially significant amounts, as well as on net income in the event of disposal of these subsidiaries.
The management of foreign exchange risk and an analysis of the sensitivity of the Group’s position to changes in foreign exchange rates are set out in Note 14.2 Foreign exchange risk management to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Orange manages the foreign exchange risk on commercial transactions (stemming from operations) and financial transactions (stemming from financial debt) in the manner set out in Note 14.2 Foreign exchange risk management to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Notably, Orange makes use of derivatives to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange risk but cannot guarantee that suitable hedging instruments will be available at reasonable prices. In the event that Orange cannot use financial instruments to mitigate its exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, or if its financial instrument strategy proves ineffective, cash flows and earnings may be adversely affected.
See Note 13.8 Derivative instruments to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Credit risk and/or counterparty risk on financial transactions
The insolvency or deterioration in the financial position of a bank or other institution with which Orange has a significant financial agreement may have a material adverse effect on Orange’s financial position.
The investment of its available cash exposes Orange to counterparty risk if the financial institutions where it has invested should commence bankruptcy proceedings.
In addition, in the normal course of its business, Orange uses derivatives to manage exchange rate and interest rate risks, with financial institutions as counterparties. Cash collateral is paid or received on a daily basis to or from all bank counterparties with which the derivatives are contracted. Nevertheless, a residual credit risk may remain if one or more of these counterparties default on their commitments.
See Note 14.5 Credit risk and counterparty risk management to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18.
Moreover, Orange may in the future have difficulties using its 6 billion euro undrawn syndicated credit facility, which has a maturity date in 2023, if several of the banks with which the Company has agreements were to face liquidity problems or could no longer meet their obligations.
The international banking system is such that financial institutions are interdependent. As a result, the collapse of a single financial institution (or even rumors regarding the financial position of one of them) may increase the risk for the other institutions, which would increase exposure to counterparty risk for Orange.
For customer-related credit and counterparty risk, see Notes 4.3 Trade receivables and 14.5 Credit risk and counterparty risk management to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Non-financial risks
Orange is exposed, particularly as a result of cyberattacks, to risks of inappropriate disclosure or modification of personal data, especially those of its customers.
With regard to violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Orange’s business activities expose it to risks of loss, disclosure, unauthorized communication to third parties or inappropriate modification of the personal data of its customers, employees or the general public that are stored in its infrastructure or carried by its networks. This includes, for example, their banking details, which form the basis of Orange’s Mobile Financial Services business.
The occurrence of these risks could result in particular from (i) the implementation of new services or applications or their update, (ii) the development of new activities in the field of connected objects or Mobile Financial Services, (iii) malicious acts (such as cyberattacks) targeting personal data, (iv) negligence or errors committed within Orange or within the Group's partners to whom certain operations are outsourced, or (v) government requests that are not compliant with legal or regulatory requirements (see also the risk factor “The scope of Orange's business activities, its numerous locations around the world, and its business dealings with a variety of partners may expose the Group to a risk of breaching human rights and fundamental freedoms”).
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 12
Orange may be held liable in various countries under laws relating to the protection of personal data (such as the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April 2016, GDPR), which reinforces the rights of individuals and the obligations of companies involved in data processing, such as telecommunications operators and financial services providers. If these risks were to materialize, the owners of the data disclosed or modified could suffer damage, and the Group could be held liable, its corporate purpose could be questioned and its reputation could be substantially affected.
Orange faces a variety of internal and external risks relating to human health and safety.
Owing to the specific nature of Orange’s business as an operator and the scope of its geographical location, international conflicts and a context where social tensions and labor unrest are increasing expose Orange employees and subcontractors to risks to their safety while performing their professional activities.
Furthermore, against a backdrop of increasingly regular telework, sometimes a source of social isolation, the employees of Orange and its subcontractors are exposed to risks to their health and even their safety.
In addition, the Group's transformation program linked to the Engage 2025 strategic plan and the rapid acceleration of online interactions could generate psychosocial risks, potential sources of physical or psychological disability for individuals. Such risks could also slow the rollout of the Group's strategy and have a material impact on its reputation and operation.
In the future, Orange may find it difficult to obtain and retain the skills needed for its business on a long-term basis due to numerous employee departures and ever-faster developments in its activities.
Every year, a significant number of people leave their employment or other relationship with the Group or, in France, may benefit from end-of-career part-time work arrangements. This trend could accelerate in 2022, particularly within the various Group’s corporate functions as part of the implementation of the new intergenerational agreement in December 2021(see Section 1.3 Significant events on page 16 of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document).
At the same time, the need for new skills is growing, whether related to technological developments or the Group's development in professions in high demand in the job market. This could affect Orange's ability to effectively pursue its activities and implement its strategy. If Orange's attractiveness as an employer or its training programs were to prove insufficient, its earnings and outlook could be adversely affected, and some of the human risks described in the risk factor Orange faces a variety of internal and external risks relating to human health and safety could increase.
In addition, without the necessary skills, the aim of providing digital support to stakeholders, which is part of the Engage 2025 strategic plan, could prove harder to achieve.
Orange is exposed to risks of corruption, or individual or collective behavior that is not in line with its business ethics or which may also be fraudulent.
As the Group’s activities and those of its suppliers, subcontractors and partners cover all regions of the world, Orange could, despite its efforts to continually improve its anti-corruption system in accordance with applicable laws, be exposed to or implicated in cases related to corrupt practices or influence peddling. Similarly, despite its fraud prevention and detection program, Orange could also be the victim of fraudulent behavior or behavior that does not comply with international conventions, its Code of Ethics or its supplier code of conduct. Such behavior may originate from persons or companies with which a direct or indirect link can be established, and may directly target Orange, its customers, its business relationships or its employees.
In any event, the Group could be held liable, and Orange’s earnings, quality of service and reputation could be adversely affected.
Orange and some of its stakeholders are exposed to physical and transitional risks related to climate change.
In addition to the impacts on Orange's infrastructure (see above “Operational risks - Orange's technical infrastructure is vulnerable to damage caused by intentional or accidental damage, but also by natural disasters, the occurrence of which is increased due to climate change”), climate change could also have a negative impact on the activities of its suppliers and subcontractors. It could also exacerbate inequalities and health crises among the population, and generate significant migration flows, particularly in the MEA region, on which the Group's prospects for growth in part depend. Despite the climate change mitigation and adaptation measures implemented by Orange, if such events were to occur, Orange could find it more difficult to fulfill its corporate purpose.
The scope of Orange’s business activities, its numerous locations around the world, and its business dealings with a variety of partners may expose the Group to a risk of breaching human rights and fundamental freedoms.
As the Group's activities and those of its suppliers and subcontractors are carried out in all parts of the world, Orange could, in spite of the implementation of its vigilance plan, be exposed to violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms involving third parties with which a direct or indirect link may be established. Such violations may relate to forced labor, modern slavery or human trafficking, the rights of children, non-decent, discriminatory or dangerous working conditions, interference with freedom of association or expression, or privacy. In particular, they could occur in regions where minerals are mined, processed and traded in conflict zones, or areas where human rights are not respected. The reduced capacity of Orange to exercise its supervision via on-site audits (due to continued restrictions on international travel) aggravates these risks.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 13
If they were to materialize, these risks could have a significant adverse impact on Orange, or its suppliers and subcontractors concerned, in terms of image and reputation, and could result in liability for the Group.
Moreover, Orange may be required, in the countries where it operates, to comply with injunctions from local authorities that do not comply with legal or regulatory requirements. These injunctions, the frequency of which is increasing with the growing role played by digital technologies in society, may involve a suspension (in full, in part, or in a given region) of certain networks for which Orange is responsible, or the interception of communications, or the disclosure of personal data to third parties. Complying with such injunctions may therefore infringe upon freedom of expression or other fundamental freedoms.
If Orange were to fail to enforce applicable laws or regulations, such injunctions could have a significant impact on the image and reputation of both Orange and the offending countries, and could result in an infringement of freedom of expression and privacy for civil society or the targets of such requests.
Exposure to electromagnetic fields from telecommunications equipment could have harmful effects on health and the perception of such a risk could hinder the development of services. Excessive and inappropriate use of telecommunication services and equipment could also have harmful consequences on health.
Following concerns raised in many countries regarding the possible health risks linked to exposure to electromagnetic fields from telecommunication equipment, public authorities have in general approved binding regulations and health authorities have issued various precautions on usage.
There is a consensus among expert groups and health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), that no health risk has been established to date from exposure to electromagnetic fields below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The first complementary scientific studies conducted on some of these frequencies used for 5G have come up with similar findings. However, Orange cannot prejudge the conclusions of future scientific research or future assessments by international organizations and scientific committees mandated to examine these issues. If an adverse health effect were to be scientifically established, it would have a significant adverse effect on Orange's business, brand image and the Group's earnings and financial position. Beyond potential adverse effects on Orange, this could significantly curb the development of the digital society.
Public perception of a risk to human health or biodiversity could lead to a reduction in the number of customers and their level of use, as well as an increase in litigation, particularly against the installation of antennas for the mobile network. This could lead to difficulties in creating new sites, in a context where certain stakeholders question the usefulness of rolling out 5G networks. There could also be a tightening of regulations, resulting in a reduction in areas covered, failure to meet Orange’s coverage commitments to the authorities, deterioration in the quality of service and an increase in network rollout costs.
The ubiquity of connected digital equipment may lead to inappropriate use due to overuse or exposure to inappropriate content and online harassment. Negative consequences on users could be both physical and psychological, particularly on young adults and children. If this ubiquity were perceived as a risk for the most vulnerable groups, it could undermine confidence in digital technology and act as a brake on innovation, and, for Orange, a decrease in the use of its services and a deterioration of its image.
In any event, the Group could be held liable, and Orange’s revenue, earnings, quality of service and reputation could be adversely affected.
The rapid development of new uses and technologies may jeopardize the commitments made by Orange with regard to reducing its environmental impact.
Due to the nature of its services and its social reach, Orange must offer new solutions to reduce the environmental impact of its customers while limiting its own sources of environmental pollution. Orange has made a “Net Zero Carbon in 2040” commitment and has set itself the interim target of reducing its CO2 equivalent emissions by 30% by 2025 compared with 2015.
As part of its Engage 2025 strategic plan, Orange aims to tighten the control of its energy consumption, step up the implementation of circular economy principles, intensify its use of renewable energies and increase its investments in carbon sinks.
If its environmental action plans, particularly during the period of technological transition on the fixed network and the introduction of 5G on the mobile network, prove insufficient or require the mobilization of unavailable resources, Orange could fail to meet its commitment. This could have a material adverse effect on its image and on the perception of the positive impact of telecommunications services for a carbon-free society.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 14
Risks related to Orange’s U.S. listing
The price of Orange’s ADSs and the U.S. dollar value of any dividend will be affected by fluctuations in the U.S. dollar/euro exchange rate.
The ADSs are quoted in U.S. dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the euro and the U.S. dollar are likely to affect the market price of the ADSs. For example, because Orange’s financial statements are reported in euro, a decline in the value of the euro against the U.S. dollar would reduce Orange’s earnings as reported in U.S. dollars. This could adversely affect the price at which the ADSs trade on the U.S. securities markets. Any dividend that Orange might pay in the future would be denominated in euro. A decline in the value of the euro against the U.S. dollar would reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent of any such dividend.
Holders of ADSs may face disadvantages compared to holders of Orange’s Shares when attempting to exercise certain rights as shareholders.
Holders of ADSs are not treated as shareholders and do not have ordinary shareholder rights, which are governed by French law. Indeed, the depositary, through the custodian or the custodian's nominee, is the holder of the Shares underlying all ADSs and ADS holders have only ADS holder rights, as set forth in the deposit agreement. Among other things, ADS holder rights do not provide for double voting rights, which otherwise would be available to holders of Shares held in a shareholder's' name for a period of at least two years. Holders of ADSs may also face more difficulties in exercising their rights than they would if they held Shares directly. For example, to exercise their voting rights, holders of ADSs must instruct the depositary how to vote the underlying Shares. Because of this extra procedural step involving the depositary, the process for exercising voting rights will take longer for holders of ADSs than for holders of Shares. ADSs for which the depositary does not receive timely voting instructions will not be voted at any meeting.
ADSs holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiffs in any such action.
The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing Shares provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against Orange or the depositary arising out of or relating to the Shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws. Consequently, if Orange or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable law and ADS holders may not be entitled to a jury trial. If the waiver of jury trial is enforced, a lawsuit brought against either or both of Orange and the depositary under the deposit agreement would be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiffs in any such action.
Holders of our ADSs may be subject to limitations on the transfer of such ADSs and the withdrawal of the underlying Shares.
ADSs, which may be evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs, are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary think it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law, government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason subject to an ADS holders’ right to cancel such ADSs and withdraw the underlying ordinary Shares. Temporary delays in the cancellation of such ADSs and withdrawal of the underlying ordinary Shares may arise because the depositary has closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books, the transfer of Shares is blocked to permit voting at a shareholders’ meeting or we are paying a dividend on our Shares. In addition, holders of our ADSs may not be able to cancel such ADSs and withdraw the underlying Shares when such holders owe money for fees, taxes and similar charges and when it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or to the withdrawal of Shares or other deposited securities.
U.S. investors may have difficulty enforcing civil liabilities against Orange and its directors and senior management.
The members of the board of directors and senior management at Orange are non-residents of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of assets of Orange and the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible to serve process on such persons or Orange in the United States or to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts against them or Orange based on civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States, or obtain evidence in France or from any French citizen or any individual being resident in France or any officer, representative, agent or employee of a legal person having its registered office or an establishment in a territory of France. Additionally, it may be difficult to assert U.S. securities law claims in actions originally instituted outside of the United States. In particular, there is some doubt as to whether French courts would recognize and enforce certain civil liabilities under U.S. securities laws in original actions or judgments of U.S. courts based upon these civil liability provisions. In addition, awards of punitive damages in actions brought in the United States or elsewhere may be unenforceable in France. The United States and France do not currently have a treaty providing for recognition and enforcement of judgments, other than arbitration awards, in civil and commercial matters.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 15
Preemptive rights may be unavailable to holders of Orange’s ADSs.
Holders of Orange’s ADSs or U.S. resident shareholders may be unable to exercise preemptive rights granted to Orange’s shareholders, in which case holders of Orange’s ADSs could be substantially diluted. Under French law, whenever Orange issues new shares for payment in cash or in kind, Orange is usually required to grant preemptive rights to its shareholders. However, holders of Orange’s ADSs or U.S. resident shareholders may not be able to exercise these preemptive rights to acquire Shares unless both the rights and the Shares are registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration is available.
In addition, the deposit agreement for our ADSs provides that the depositary will not make rights available to holders of our ADSs unless the distribution to ADS holders of both the rights and any related securities are either registered under the Securities Act or exempted from registration under the Securities Act. Further, if we offer holders of our Shares the option to receive dividends in either cash or Shares, the depositary may require satisfactory assurances from us that extending the offer to holders of ADSs does not require registration of any securities under the Securities Act before making the option available to holders of ADSs. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
Accordingly, if the depositary (or a U.S. resident shareholder) is unable to sell rights that are not exercised or not distributed or if the sale is not lawful or reasonably practicable, the rights will lapse or be allowed to lapse, in which case ADS holders may be unable to participate in our rights offerings or to elect to receive dividends in Shares and may experience dilution in their holdings, and no value will be given for these rights, and the ADS holder (or U.S. resident shareholder) will lose value.
Investments in the Company’s securities may be subject to prior governmental authorization under the French foreign investment control regime
Pursuant to the provisions of the French Monetary and Financial Code, any investment by any non-French citizen, any French citizen not residing in France, any non-French entity or any French entity controlled by one of the aforementioned persons or entities that will result in the relevant investor (a) acquiring control of an entity registered in France, (b) acquiring all or part of a business line of an entity registered in France, or (c) for non-EU or non-EEA investors crossing, directly or indirectly, alone or in concert, a 25% threshold of voting rights in an entity registered in France, in each case, conducting activities in certain strategic industries, such as the industry in which the Company operates, is subject to the prior authorization of the French Ministry of Economy, which authorization may be conditioned on certain undertakings.
In the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, a governmental decree, as modified, has created, until December 31, 2022, a new 10% threshold of the voting rights for the non-European investments in listed companies, in addition to the 25% abovementioned threshold.
Therefore, any investor meeting the above criteria willing to acquire all or part of the Company’s business with the effect of crossing the applicable share capital thresholds set forth by the French Monetary and Financial Code will have to request this prior governmental authorization before acquiring the Company’s Shares or ADSs. Orange cannot guarantee that such investor will obtain the necessary authorization in due time. The authorization may also be granted subject to conditions that deter a potential purchaser. The existence of such conditions to an investment in the Company’s securities could have a negative impact on its ability to raise the funds necessary to its development. In addition, failure to comply with such measures could result in significant consequences for the investor (including the investment to be deemed null and void). Such measures could also delay or discourage a takeover attempt, and the Company cannot predict whether these measures will result in a lower or more volatile market price of its ADSs or Shares.
Item 4 | Information on Orange |
4.A | HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF ORANGE |
The information required by this section is set forth as follows in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document:
| − | the introduction to Section 1.1 Overview on page 4, |
| − | Section 7.1 Company identification on page 424, |
| − | Section 1.1.3 History on page 6, |
| − | Section 3.1.2.5 Group capital expenditure on pages 90 et seq., |
and is incorporated in this section by reference.
For a discussion on significant divestitures, see also Note 3 Gains and losses on disposal and main changes in scope of consolidation to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
A discussion of the Company’s principal capital expenditures and divestitures for the year ended December 31, 2019 are included in Section 3.1.2.5 Group capital expenditure on pages 90 et seq. of the Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2021 and incorporated in Part I, Item 4.A (History and Development of Orange) thereof.
Agent in the United States: Orange Participations U.S. Inc., 13865 Sunrise Valley Drive, Coppermine Commons Bldg. 2, Suite 425, Herndon, VA 20171-6190.
The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov).
Orange also maintains a website at www.orange.com. For the avoidance of doubt, the information available on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Form 20-F.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 16
4.B | BUSINESS OVERVIEW |
The information required by this section is set forth as follows in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document:
| − | Section 1.3 Significant events (excluding references to EBITDAaL) on pages 14 et seq., |
| − | Section 1.4 Operating activities on pages 17 et seq., |
| − | Section 1.6.2 Intellectual Property and Licensing on page 35, |
| − | Section 1.7 Regulation of telecommunication activities on pages 36 et seq., |
| − | Section 3.1.2.1 Group revenue on pages 85 et seq., |
| − | Section 7.2.2 Glossary of technical terms on pages 427 and 428, |
and is incorporated in this section by reference.
Seasonality
In general, Orange’s business operations are not affected by any major seasonal variations. However, the telephone traffic generated from fixed line telephony over the Northern Hemisphere summer months in the third quarter (ended September 30) is generally lower than in the other quarters.
Furthermore, in the retail markets, the number of new mobile customers for telecommunications services is generally higher in the second half of the calendar year than in the first half, primarily because of the increase in sales during the Christmas season. Consequently, revenues generated from the sale of equipment and packages, as well as the costs incurred in ordering equipment for customers and sales commissions, are generally higher in the second half of the calendar year than in the first half.
4.C | ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE |
The information required by this section is set forth as follows in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document: Section 1.1 Overview on page 4 and the introduction of Section 3.1.3 Review by business segment on page 92, and is incorporated in this section by reference.
For a listing of significant subsidiaries, see Note 20 Main consolidated entities to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
4.D | PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT |
The information required by this section is set forth as follows in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document: Section 1.5 Orange’s networks, on pages 30 et seq., and Section 3.1.2.5 Group capital expenditure on pages 90 et seq., and is incorporated in this section by reference. For information on material tangible fixed assets, see Note 8.5 Property, plant and equipment to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
For certain environmental issues that may affect the Company’s utilization of assets, see Note 2.5.3 Consideration of climate change risks to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 17
Item 4A | Unresolved staff comments |
None.
Item 5 | Operating and financial review and prospects |
There are no differences between IFRS as adopted in the European Union and IFRS as issued by the IASB, as applied by Orange.
References in this Item to the Notes to the consolidated financial statements are references to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 Financial Statements of this document.
5.A | OPERATING RESULTS |
This section sets forth:
| − | an overview of the operating results of the Group, set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document, found in (i) the introduction to Section 3.1 Review of the Group’s financial position and results and Section 3.1.1 Overview, on pages 83 et seq., and (ii) Section 1.3 Significant events on pages 14 et seq. and incorporated in this section by reference; |
| − | a comparative analysis of the Group income statement and capital expenditures (and related financial information) and a comparative analysis by business segment for 2021 and 2020, set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document in Sections 3.1.2.1 Group revenue on pages 85 et seq., and 3.1.2.3 Group net income, 3.1.2.4 Group comprehensive income, 3.1.2.5 Group capital expenditure and 3.1.3 Review by business segment on pages 89 et seq.; |
| − | a comparative analysis of the Group operating income for 2021 and 2020, set forth below; |
| − | a comparative analysis of the Group operating results and a comparative analysis by business segment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, are included in Part I, Item 5.A (Analysis of Group operating income) of the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2021. |
In this Annual Report on Form 20-F, including in the foregoing sections that are included in Exhibit 15.1 and incorporated by reference in this section, Orange sets forth certain financial aggregates or indicators that are not defined under IFRS, in addition to the financial aggregates or indicators that are presented in accordance with IFRS. Accordingly, the information set forth in Section 3.1.5 Financial indicators not defined by IFRS (excluding Sections 3.1.5.2, 3.1.5.4, 3.1.5.5 and 3.1.5.7, which are explicitly excluded from this Annual Report on Form 20-F), on pages 114 et seq. of the 2021 Universal Registration Document is incorporated in this section by reference. The financial aggregates or indicators not defined under IFRS are provided as additional information and should not be substituted for or confused with the financial aggregates or indicators that are defined under IFRS, and they may not be directly comparable with the non-IFRS financial measures of other companies using the same or similar non-IFRS financial measures.
In addition, the information set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document in Section 7.2.1 Financial glossary, on pages 424 et seq., is incorporated by reference in this section.
See also Note 2 Description of business and basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Analysis of Group operating income
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2020 | |
(at December 31, in millions of euros) | data on a comparable basis | data on a historical basis | ||||
Operating income |
| 2,521 |
| 5,537 |
| 5,521 |
Telecom activities |
| 2,702 |
| 5,736 |
| 5,715 |
Mobile Financial Services |
| (182) |
| (200) |
| (195) |
This section discusses the transition from Group revenue to Group operating income by type of expense as presented in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
g 2021 vs. 2020
In 2021, Orange group operating income amounted to 2,521 million euros (of which 2,702 million euros for telecom activities and a loss of 182 million euros for Mobile Financial Services), a decrease of 54.3% on a historical basis and 54.5% on a comparable basis with respect to 2020.
On a historical basis, the 54.3% or 2,999 million euro decrease in Group operating income between 2020 and 2021 was mainly due to:
− | the favorable impact of changes in the scope of consolidation and other changes for 43 million euros, corresponding primarily to the effect of the takeover of Telekom Romania Communications (TKR) on September 30, 2021 for 40 million euros (see Section 1.3 Significant events on page 17 of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document); |
− | the negative effect of foreign exchange fluctuations which amounted to 27 million euros, mainly resulting from the performance of the US dollar against the euro; and |
− | the 3,015 million euro decrease in operating income on a comparable basis, as more fully described below. |
On a comparable basis, the 54.5% or 3,015 million euro decrease in Group operating income between 2020 and 2021 was mainly due in order of importance to:
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 18
− | the goodwill impairment in 2021 of 3,702 million euros in Spain (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), where the business plan had been significantly revised downward since December 31, 2020, in view of (i) a deteriorating competitive environment despite market consolidation operations (affected by the decrease in average revenue per user), and (ii) uncertainties surrounding the continuation of the Covid-19 health crisis (delay in economic recovery forecasts); |
− | the recognition in 2021 of an expense of 1,225 million euros under the renewal of the French part-time for seniors plans (Temps Partiel Séniors – TPS), relating to agreements for the employment of older workers in France, as part of the intergenerational agreement signed at the end of 2021 for the 2022–2024 period (see Section 1.3 Significant events on page 16 of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document and Note 6.2.1 Types of post‑employment benefits and other long‑term benefits to the Consolidated Financial Statements); |
− | the increase in commercial expenses, equipment and content costs (see Section 7.2.1 Financial glossary), after the fall observed in 2020 against the backdrop of the Covid-19 health crisis. This increase can be explained (i) mainly by the growth of equipment sales and the recovery of general commercial activity in France, Europe and for B2B services, as well as (ii) by the increase in content costs in Spain (mainly costs of television services and soccer broadcast rights), (iii) by the increase in retail fees and commissions in Africa Middle East countries (Orange Money commercial momentum and activity), and (iv) by the increase in advertising, promotion and sponsoring expenses (notably preparations for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games of Paris); |
− | the increase in restructuring program costs, mainly concerning Spain (employee departure plans; closure of points of sale), services to International Carriers Shared Services (in respect of the optimization of real estate assets), and to a lesser degree, Poland (employee departure plans) and Africa Middle East countries; |
− | the recognition in 2021, of the expense related to the employee offering, Together 2021, of 172 million euros (see Section 1.3 Significant Events on page 16 of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document and Note 6.3 Share‑based payment to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Between the two periods, the average number of employees (full-time equivalent, see Section 7.2.1 Financial Glossary) was down 2.0% representing a decrease of 2,670 full-time equivalent employees (mainly in France, Spain and Poland). Wages and employee benefit expenses were stable between the two periods: the decline in the average number of employees (full-time equivalent) of entities located in France was largely offset by the effect of labor policies in France and internationally; |
− | the increase of 103 million euros in depreciation and amortization of right-of-use assets, mainly in France (increase in leased lines, commissioning of new technical sites), and incidentally in the Other European countries and in Africa Middle East countries; |
− | the 81 million euro increase in other network and IT expenses (see Section 7.2.1 Financial glossary of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document), mainly in Spain, and in Africa Middle East countries (in connection with the activity growth, development of data services and continued deployment of networks); and |
− | the 29 million euro increase in depreciation and amortization of financed assets in France (set-top boxes financed by an intermediary bank; see Note 8.5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 19
These unfavorable changes were partially offset by:
− | the 2,279 million euro increase of gains on the disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities mainly due to the recognition in 2021 of (i) a 2,124 million euros gain from the loss of exclusive control of Orange Concessions and (ii) a 340 million euro gain from the loss of exclusive control of Światłowód Inwestycje (FiberCo in Poland) (see Section 1.3 Significant events on page 14 of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document and Note 3.2 Main Changes in the scope of consolidation to the Consolidated Financial Statements), (iii) partly offset by the decrease in income from the disposal of fixed assets between the two periods (see Note 8.1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements); |
− | the 322 million euro increase in revenue; |
− | the 224 million euro decrease in service fees and inter-operator costs (see Section 7.2.1 Financial glossary of the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document), in the majority of countries, resulting from the widespread decline of interconnection costs in nearly all countries, reflecting the general decrease of fixed and mobile services to carriers and the regulatory decline of call termination rates in some countries, mainly in Europe and in Africa Middle East countries; |
− | the increase in other operating income (see Section 7.2.1 Financial glossary and Note 4.2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), due in particular to the increase of Net Banking Income (NBI) from Mobile Financial Services, the increase in site rentals and franchises income and the increase of insurance indemnities in respect of losses and damages; |
− | the decrease in other external purchases (see Section 7.2.1 Financial glossary), relating in particular (i) to the decrease in overheads, mainly in France and in Spain, in a context already marked by the Covid-19 health crisis (travel savings, canceled events, transformation of working methods,) and (ii) the counter-effect of the Covid-19 health crisis, with the recognition in 2020 of significant additional costs related to health measures; |
− | the decrease in France in 2021 of the applicable rate of the company value added contributions (CVAE, primary component of the territorial economic contribution (CET), see Note 10.1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), partially offset by the recorded increase in Africa Middle East countries, particularly due to the upturn in business activity; and |
− | the contraction of other operating expenses (see Section 7.2.1 Financial glossary and Note 5.2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). This decrease is mainly due to lower impairment and losses on trade receivables from telecom activities (particularly in France, Europe and for Enterprise services) due primarily to the re-assessment of the risk of non-recovery of trade receivables at December 31, 2021, mainly in connection with the effects of the Covid-19 health crisis (see Note 4.3 and 5.2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). |
In 2020, an amount of 253 million euros was recognized for the specific additional costs generated by management of the Covid-19 health crisis.
g 2020 vs. 2019
The discussion of the Group’s operating and financial review and prospects for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is included in Part I, Item 5.A (Analysis of Group operating income) on page 16 et seq. of the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2021.
5.B | LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES |
This section presents, for the Orange group:
i) a comparative analysis of liquidity and cash flows, with a presentation of the net cash provided by operating activities, of the net cash used in investing activities and of the net cash used in financing activities,
ii) a presentation of the Group’s shareholders’ equity, and
iii) a discussion on the Group’s financial debt and financial resources,
which are set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document and incorporated in this section by reference as follows:
| − | Section 3.1.4 Cash flow, financial debt and equity, on pages 108 et seq., |
| − | Section 3.1.2.5.1 Capital expenditure, on pages 90 and 91, |
| − | Section 3.2.1 Recent events, on page 119, |
as well as in Notes 13 Financial assets, liabilities and financial results (telecom activities), 14 Information on market risks and fair value of financial assets and liabilities (excluding Orange Bank) and 16 Unrecognized contractual obligations and commitments (excluding Orange Bank) to the consolidated financial statements.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 20
Orange expects that its existing working capital and foreseeable cash from operations will be sufficient to finance its foreseeable working capital requirements. As at December 31, 2021, the liquidity position of Orange’s telecom activities exceeded the repayment obligations of its gross financial debt in 2022.
Orange cash and cash equivalents are held mainly in France and other countries of the European Union that are not subject to restrictions on convertibility or exchange control. A portion of the cash and cash equivalents held by certain subsidiaries in Africa and the Middle East could be subject to transfer restrictions; however, such restrictions have not had and are not expected to have a significant impact on the Group’s ability to meet its cash obligations.
The following table summarizes payments due under Orange’s significant contractual commitments as of December 31, 2021:
At December 31, 2021 |
| Note to the |
| Contractual |
| Total |
| Less than |
| 1-3 years |
| 3-5 years |
| More than |
(in millions of euros) | consolidated | obligations | payments | 1 year | 5 years | |||||||||
financial | reflected in the | due | ||||||||||||
statements | balance sheet | |||||||||||||
Gross financial debt after derivatives of telecom activities (incl. derivatives assets) (1) |
| 14.3 |
| 34,939 |
| 35,062 |
| 3,821 |
| 4,955 |
| 5,085 |
| 21,202 |
Financial liabilities of Orange Bank (2) |
| 17.2.6 |
| 3,161 |
| 3,161 |
| 2,415 |
| 746 |
| — |
| — |
Trade payables of telecom activities |
| 14.3 |
| 11,163 |
| 11,163 |
| 9,793 |
| 352 |
| 597 |
| 421 |
Trade payables of Orange Bank |
| 5.6 |
| 86 |
| 86 |
| 86 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Future interests on financial liabilities |
| 14.3 |
|
| 9,722 |
| 1,628 |
| 1,635 |
| 1,563 |
| 4,896 | |
Total Financial liabilities |
| 49,350 | (3) | 59,194 |
| 17,743 |
| 7,688 |
| 7,244 |
| 26,519 | ||
Lease liabilities |
| 9.2 |
| 8,065 |
| 8,755 |
| 1,546 |
| 2,509 |
| 1,830 |
| 2,871 |
Employee Benefits |
| 6.2 |
| 5,113 |
| 7,374 |
| 2,379 |
| 1,089 |
| 672 |
| 3,234 |
Provisions for dismantling |
| 8.7 |
| 897 |
| 1,059 |
| 22 |
| 34 |
| 34 |
| 969 |
Restructuring provisions |
| 5.3 |
| 185 |
| 185 |
| 124 |
| 61 |
| — |
| — |
Other liabilities |
| 5.7 |
| 2,644 |
| 2,644 |
| 2,338 |
| 306 |
| — |
| — |
Operating taxes and levies payables |
| 10.1.2 |
| 1,436 |
| 1,436 |
| 1,436 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Current tax payables |
| 10.2.3 |
| 425 |
| 425 |
| 425 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Total other liabilities (4) |
| 18,766 |
| 21,879 |
| 8,270 |
| 3,999 |
| 2,536 |
| 7,074 | ||
Lease commitments |
|
| 179 |
| 54 |
| 52 |
| 33 |
| 40 | |||
Other operational and purchase obligations |
| 14,732 |
| 4,195 |
| 4,683 |
| 1,656 |
| 4,197 | ||||
Unrecognized operational contractual commitments |
| 16.1 17.3 |
| 14,911 |
| 4,250 |
| 4,735 |
| 1,689 |
| 4,237 | ||
TOTAL |
| 95,984 |
| 30,263 | 16,423 |
| 11,470 |
| 37,830 |
| (1) | excluding equity components related to unmatured hedging instruments and loan from Orange Bank to Orange Group. |
| (2) | excluding unmatured derivatives liabilities and loan from Orange Group to Orange Bank. |
| (3) | of which long-term debt obligations amounting to 31 338 millions of euros (including TDIRA, bonds and bank and lending institutions). |
| (4) | excluding deferred tax liabilities and deferred income. |
5.C | RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES, ETC. |
The information required by this section is set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document in Section 1.6 Research and innovation on pages 33 et seq., which is incorporated in this section by reference.
The discussion of the Group's research and development activities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is included in Part I, Item 5.C of the Annual Report on page 17 of Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2021.
5.D | TREND INFORMATION |
The information required by this section is set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document as follows:
| − | Section 3.2.1 Recent Events, on page 119, |
| − | Sections 1.2.2 Key changes in the telecoms services market and 1.2.3 The Orange group strategy, on pages 10 et seq., |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 21
and is incorporated in this section by reference.
For a discussion on uncertainties that could have a material effect on the Group’s financial situation, see also Item 3.D Risk factors.
5.E | CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES |
Not applicable.
Item 6 | Directors, senior management and employees |
6.A | DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT |
The information required by this section is set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document in the introduction to Chapter 5 Corporate Governance and in Section 5.1 Composition of management and supervisory bodies on pages 356 et seq. and is incorporated in this section by reference.
6.BCOMPENSATION
The information required by this section is set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document in Section 5.4 Compensation and benefits paid to Directors, Corporate Officers and Senior Management on pages 382 et seq. and incorporated in this section by reference.
6.C | BOARD PRACTICES |
The information required by this section is set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document as indicated below:
| − | Section 5.1.1 Board of Directors, on pages 356 et seq., |
| − | Section 5.1.3 Executive Committee, on pages 361 to 363, |
| − | Sections 5.2 Operation of the management and supervisory bodies, on pages 371 et seq. including a description of the Audit Committee and the Governance and Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility Committee, which oversees the remuneration of directors and corporate officers, and 5.3 Reference to a Code of Corporate Governance, on page 382, |
| − | subsection Other benefits granted to Corporate Officers (Table 11 of the Afep-Medef Code) of Section 5.4.1.2 Amount of compensation paid or allocated to Corporate officers for 2021, on page 390 and Section 5.4.1.3 Compensation structure for Corporate Officers for 2022 on pages 390 et seq. |
and incorporated in this section by reference.
6.D | EMPLOYEES |
Employment
General changes in the number of Group employees
In 2021, the Orange group experienced several changes in terms of scope. Internationally, the main change related to the inclusion of two Romanian telecommunications companies, Telekom Romania (2,903 permanent employment contracts) and Nextgen (406 permanent employment contracts) in the Europe division in the last quarter. Three other movements took place during the fiscal year: the respective departures of Business Decision North America (OBS division: -35 permanent contracts) and Sofrecom Argentina (Corporate division: -255 permanent contracts), and the inclusion of the Belgium company Anytime (+54 permanent contracts) within the Mobile Financial Services division. The Group also experienced internal changes, with the integration of the Sofrecom companies in the Corporate division, the creation of the Totem companies to manage the Towerco activities in France and Spain and of the company Orange Concession (which supports local authorities in the digital development of their region), in partnership with a consortium comprising several players, a company which was then removed from the Group’s scope of consolidation.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 22
At the end of 2021, the Group had 139,698 active employees, of whom 136,928 were on permanent contracts and 2,770 on fixed-term contracts. The number of permanent contracts was down 4.2% (-5,959) on a comparable basis, with fixed-term contracts down 7.1% (-211). These trends vary depending on the different scopes.
They were mainly driven by France, where the Group had 78,435 employees at the end of December, breaking down as 77,377 permanent and 1,058 fixed-term contracts, a decline of 3,915 active employees (-4.8%), i.e. -3,843 permanent and -72 fixed-term contracts. The decline was attributable to Orange SA (-4,463 permanent contracts, i.e. -6.3%), with the permanent contracts of the French subsidiaries increasing by 5.8% (+620). The reduction in fixed-term contracts (-72, i.e. -6.4%) was also driven by the parent company (-163, i.e. -20.9%), a decrease partially offset by the increase in this population within the French subsidiaries (+91, i.e. +26.1%).
At the end of 2021, 59,551 employees on permanent contracts worked outside France, down 3.4% (-2,116 permanent contracts) on a comparable basis (but up 1,571, i.e. +2.7% on a historical basis, in particular after the integration of the two new Romanian companies). This situation masks a number of differences:
| − | OBS international continues to increase its permanent workforce (+383 permanent contracts, i.e. +2.5%) in emerging markets (Egypt, India, Morocco and Mauritius) within the company Equant, as well as in the Scandinavian companies of Orange Cyberdefense; |
| − | the Europe division posted a decline (-2,005 permanent contracts, i.e. -6.7% on a comparable basis) stemming from the decrease in employees in Orange Spain (-831 permanent contracts, i.e. -11.2%), Orange Poland (-775 permanent contracts, i.e.-7.0%) and the Central Europe segment (-397 permanent contracts, i.e. -4.1%, a trend driven by the two Romanian acquisitions), with Orange Belgium remaining stable; |
| − | the Middle East Africa division also posted a decrease in its permanent workforce between 2020 (on a comparable basis) and 2021 (-346 permanent contracts, i.e. -2.5%). |
In terms of average full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) (monthly average over the year), the Group’s internal workforce was 132,002 FTEs at the end of 2021. This represents a reduction of 2,670 FTEs (-2.0%) on a comparable basis, a trend mainly driven by France (Orange SA).
Number of employees – active employees at end of period |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
on a comparable basis | ||||||||
Orange SA |
| 66,599 |
| 71,297 |
| 71,225 |
| 76,301 |
French subsidiaries |
| 11,836 |
| 11,125 |
| 11,125 |
| 10,941 |
Total France (1) |
| 78,435 |
| 82,422 |
| 82,350 |
| 87,242 |
International subsidiaries (1) |
| 61,263 |
| 59,728 |
| 63,519 |
| 59,526 |
Group total |
| 139,698 |
| 142,150 |
| 145,869 |
| 146,768 |
| (1) | Scope of financial consolidation: a company is assigned to the scope in which its revenue is consolidated. |
At December 31, 2021, the Group had 2,770 employees on fixed-term contracts, nearly 62% of whom were outside France. Between 2021 and 2020 on a comparable basis, this head count was down by 7.1% (i.e. -211 fixed-term contracts), a trend driven by countries outside France (-139 employees or -7.5%). This additional workforce, which represented 2.0% of the workforce at the end of 2021 (stable compared with 2020), is marginal. At the end of 2021, almost half of all employees on fixed-term contracts were working in customer-facing activities (primarily sales and services for B2C customers). The innovation and technology businesses (information systems and networks) are their second sector of activity (19%).
Employees by contract type |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
on a | ||||||||
basis | ||||||||
Permanent contracts |
| 136,928 |
| 139,269 |
| 142,887 |
| 143,526 |
Fixed-term contracts |
| 2,770 |
| 2,881 |
| 2,982 |
| 3,242 |
Group total |
| 139,698 |
| 142,150 |
| 145,869 |
| 146,768 |
A new business line standard was implemented in France in 2019, and internationally in 2020,which has a business line category named “Support.” It includes the management, project management and process management business lines. The “Innovation and Technology” category includes, among others, business lines relating to network rollout and operation.
Employees by business line |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 | |
Support |
| 19.7 | % | 19.5 | % | 19.6 | % |
Customer |
| 31.8 | % | 32.8 | % | 33.0 | % |
Support functions |
| 11.1 | % | 11.1 | % | 12.1 | % |
Innovation and Technology |
| 35.0 | % | 33.3 | % | 32.3 | % |
Other |
| 2.4 | % | 3.3 | % | 3.0 | % |
Group total (1) |
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
| (1) | The Group reporting scope comprises all entities consolidated in the Group’s financial statements. |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 23
Employees by gender |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Women |
| 35.9 | % | 36.0 | % | 36.0 | % |
Men |
| 64.1 | % | 64.0 | % | 64.0 | % |
Group total (1) |
| 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
| (1) | The Group reporting scope comprises all entities consolidated in the Group’s financial statements. |
In 2021, average age of permanent employees was 43.8 years for all of the Group’s permanent contracts (-0.2 years compared with 2020, in line with the trend of the previous year), with a difference between France (47.1 years, down 0.4 years compared with 2020) and the rest of the world (39.3 years, stable compared with 2020).
Employees by age |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Under 30 |
| 12.4 | % | 13.0 | % | 13.3 | % |
Between 30 and 50 |
| 56.0 | % | 55.8 | % | 55.0 | % |
Over 50 |
| 31.6 | % | 31.2 | % | 31.7 | % |
Group total (1) |
| 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
| (1) | The Group reporting scope comprises all entities consolidated in the Group’s financial statements. |
Employees by geographical area (1) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
France |
| 56.0 | % | 57.9 | % | 59.4 | % |
Spain |
| 4.1 | % | 4.3 | % | 4.1 | % |
Poland |
| 7.5 | % | 8.0 | % | 8.5 | % |
other European countries |
| 12.2 | % | 9.6 | % | 9.3 | % |
Africa |
| 13.8 | % | 13.3 | % | 12.2 | % |
Asia-Pacific |
| 4.6 | % | 4.5 | % | 4.2 | % |
North and South America |
| 1.8 | % | 2.4 | % | 2.3 | % |
Group total (2) |
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
External workforce
Temporary labor is used mainly used to cope with temporary increases in activity, particularly the launch of new products and services, as well as sales campaigns and promotional offers.
It is presented in full-time equivalents (FTE) and as a monthly average over the year. In 2021, as in the previous year, it mainly concerned commercial departments, in particular half for the sales activities to B2C customers, and 20% of the total in B2B sales and service. Less significant in network activities, the use of temporary labor represents a small volume in information systems activities. The 16.7% increase compared to 2020 was mainly driven by activities with B2C customers.
The Group recommends using temporary employees rather than employees on fixed-term contracts for assignments of less than two months. External labor represented 0.6% of the Group’s total workforce in France in 2021.
Interim employees – Group France (1) |
| 2021 (3) |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Amount of payments made to external companies for employee placement (in millions of euros) |
| 30.1 |
| 25.2 |
| 36.7 |
Monthly average number of temporary workers (2) |
| 632 |
| 542 |
| 775 |
(1) | Scope of financial consolidation: excludes companies with employees in France whose revenue is consolidated under the “international” business consolidation scope. |
(2) | Calculation of interim employee expenses recorded in the Group France results. |
(3) | The 2021 figures are provisional. |
(4) | The 2020 figures have been updated. |
Outsourcing
The use of employees belonging to external companies takes the form of service contracts. In France, they are mainly used in the field of networks, in the areas of technical intervention (on the networks and on the customer’s premises), studies, engineering, architecture, as well as in B2B and B2C customer relations and service. They are also used in the field of information systems on design, development and integration activities.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 24
The use of subcontracting concerned 32,221 full-time equivalent employees (monthly average over the year) at end-December 2021, compared with 35,721 FTEs in 2020, a decrease of 9.8% (-3,500 FTEs). This external labor accounted for 30.4% of the total Group workforce in France (Orange SA and Group subsidiaries operating in France). The reduction recorded mainly relates to the construction of the very high-speed broadband network, with certain regions seeing completion of their rollout program in 2021.
Outsourcing – Group France(1) |
| 2021(3) |
| 2020(4) |
| 2019 |
Amount of subcontracting (in millions of euros) |
| 3,030.5 |
| 2,820.9 |
| 2,724.3 |
Full-time equivalent workforce (monthly average)(2) |
| 32,221 |
| 35,721 |
| 33,691 |
Social dialog
Organization of social dialog
Worldwide
The Worldwide Works Council was created in 2010 to provide a common platform for social dialog at Group level. It comprises 32 members representing 23 countries across the world, each with more than 400 employees. It met twice in 2021. It examines economic, financial and employee-related matters of a global or transnational nature, such as the Group’s general business and its probable developments, its financial position, its Corporate Social Responsibility, and its industrial, commercial and innovation strategy.
Employee representatives are either trade union representatives appointed by their trade union to sit on the committee, representatives appointed by elected forums of employees, or employee representatives appointed by a democratic process according to locally defined rules.
In Europe
The European Works Council comprises 24 employee representatives from 18 countries. It met six times in 2021. The subjects presented relate to the company’s economic and financial situation, employment trends, changes in the activities and structure of the Group, particularly in the area of cybersecurity and infrastructures (such as the Orange TowerCo Europe project).
In France
In 2021, the Social and Economic Committee (CSEC) of UES Orange met 20 times – mainly to discuss health and safety and measures implemented for the Covid-19 pandemic – for recurring information-consultation meetings (strategy, economic and financial position of the company, social policy, employment and working conditions) and ad hoc information-consultation meetings mainly concerning changes in the activities and structure of the Group (e.g., the Orange TowerCo France project).
The French Works Council is the collective body covering all Group subsidiaries in France. It met six times during the 2021 fiscal year, dealing with information relating to the Group’s financial position, business and employment trends.
Collective agreements in France
In 2021, 12 agreements or amendments were negotiated and signed at the national level:
| − | agreement on intergenerational aspects within the Orange Group in France; |
| − | agreement on workplace gender equality and work-life balance; |
| − | triennial agreement on Orange SA incentives; |
| − | agreement establishing a death and disability plan for Orange SA civil servants; |
| − | agreement for the integration and continued employment of employees with disabilities and for anti-discrimination; |
| − | agreement on the mobility plan (commuting between work and home); |
| − | two amendments to the agreement relating to the Group retirement savings plan (PERCO - plan d'épargne pour la retraite collectif) (employer’s contribution for 2021, and modification of a mutual fund); |
| − | amendment to the health agreement for Orange SA civil servants; |
| − | two amendments to the Death and Disability – Health agreements for private employees (framework agreement and implementing agreement); |
| − | amendment to the UES Orange social dialog agreement. |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 25
6.E | SHARE OWNERSHIP |
The information required by this section is set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document in:
| − | Section 5.1.4.2 Information on Company shares held by Directors and Officers, on page 369, |
| − | Section 5.1.4.4 Shares and stock options held by members of the Executive Committee, on page 370, |
| − | subsections Stock options granted during the fiscal year to each Corporate Officer (Table No 4 of the Afep-Medef Code) to History of performance share grants (Table No 9 of the Afep-Medef Code) of Section 5.4.1.2 Amount of compensation paid or allocated to Corporate Officers for 2021, on pages 384 to 390, |
| − | Section 5.4.3 Compensation of members of the Executive Committee, on page 397, |
| − | Section 6.2 Major shareholders, on page 401, for information regarding the percentage of the Company’s Shares held by BPI Participations, |
and incorporated in this section by reference.
In addition, the Board of Directors approved several free share award plans (Long Term Incentive Plans or LTIP) reserved for Corporate Officers, and Senior Management. See note 6.3 Share-based payment to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
With respect to employees, in September 2021, Orange launched Together 2021, an employee share offering involving approximately 1% of Orange’s share capital. This operation aims at ensuring employee long-term engagement in the Group's development and the success of the Engage 2025 strategic plan while strengthening employee shareholding, a stabilizing factor in the company's governance.
The offering was for a maximum of 260 million euros (expressed in the reference price before discount) of subscriptions, including matching contributions by Orange. It was carried out through the sale of existing shares previously repurchased by Orange under its share buyback program. 64,000 employees in 37 countries subscribed to the offer. Thanks to this broad participation, employee shareholders held 7.38 % of Orange's capital at December 31, 2021. Ultimately, Orange seeks to reach 10 % of employee shareholding. The expense recognized in share-based compensation amounted to 172 million euros for fiscal year 2021. See Note 6.3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 7 | Major shareholders and related party transactions |
7.A | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS |
The information required by this section is set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document in Section 6.2 Major shareholders, on pages 401 and 402 and incorporated this section by reference.
Securities held and number of record holders in the United States
As of March 17, 2022, there were 57,397,758 ADRs of Orange outstanding and 233 holders of record were registered with Bank of New York Mellon, depositary for the ADS program.
As of March 22, 2022, 589 United States residents were owners of Orange’s Shares in fully registered form (au nominatif pur). Those U.S. residents held 104,298 Orange Shares.
Based on a Euroclear Identifiable-Bearer Securities (Titres au porteur identifiable) service report conducted by a specialized information provider, Orange estimates that corporate and institutional investors in the U.S. held a total of approximately 19.13% of its share capital as at December 31, 2021.
7.B | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
Orange SA has entered into agreements with some of its subsidiaries, including framework agreements, support and brand licensing agreements, as well as service-related agreements. In addition, cash management agreements exist between Orange SA and most of its subsidiaries. These agreements were entered into on an arm’s-length basis.
On January 22, 2021, and in the plan to create Orange Concessions to support the growth of Orange in fiber in rural areas and enhance the value of its infrastructures, the Board of Directors of Orange SA authorized the execution of the finalization of an exclusive agreement between the consortium comprising the Banque des Territoires (Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations), CNP Assurances and EDF Invest, on one hand, and the company Orange SA and its subsidiary Orange Participations, on the other hand. The term of this exclusive agreement enabled the disposal in November 2021 of 50% of the share capital and voting rights of Orange Concessions to such consortium.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 26
Regarding agreements made in previous years, the two amendments to ongoing agreements with Novalis executed on January 11, 2021, remained in force during 2021. These amendments extended to Corporate Officers the benefit of Orange group’s policies covering (i) healthcare cost and (ii) death, incapacity and invalidity. With respect to 2021, the related party transactions concern the following Corporate Officers of Orange SA: Stéphane Richard, Chairman and CEO and Ramon Fernandez and Gervais Pellissier, Delegate CEOs.
Except for potential agreements concluded in the normal course of business and on an arm’s-length basis, no agreement was made in 2021, directly or indirectly, between a Director or Corporate Officer or a shareholder holding more that 10% of Orange SA’s voting rights or close family members thereof, and a company in which Orange SA owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the capital.
See also Note 12 Related party transactions and Note 6.4 Executive compensation to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
7.C | INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSELS |
Not applicable.
Item 8 | Financial information |
8.A | CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
See Item 18 Financial Statements.
The other information required by this section is set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document in Sections 3.2.1 Recent events and 6.3 Dividend distribution policy, respectively on pages 119 and 402 and incorporated this section by reference.
8.B | SIGNIFICANT CHANGES |
The information required by this section is set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document in Section 3.2.1 Recent events, on page 119, and is incorporated in this section by reference.
See also Note 19 Subsequent events to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 9 | The offer and listing |
9.A | OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS |
For information regarding risks related to Orange’s Shares and ADSs, see Item 3.D Risk factors: “The price of Orange’s ADSs and the U.S. dollar value of any dividend will be affected by fluctuations in the U.S. dollar / euro exchange rate”; “Holders of ADSs may face disadvantages compared to holders of Orange’s Shares when attempting to exercise certain rights as shareholders”; “Preemptive rights may be unavailable to holders of Orange’s ADSs”.
Orange’s Share is traded on compartment A (large capitalizations) of Euronext Paris (ticker: ORA and International Security Identification Number: FR0000133308) and in the form of ADS on the NYSE (ticker: ORAN and CUSIP: 684060106).
9.B | PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
Not applicable
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 27
9.C | MARKETS |
The principal trading market for the Shares is Euronext Paris, where the Shares have been traded since October 20, 1997. Prior to that date, there was no public trading market for the Shares. The Shares are included in the “CAC 40 Index” (a main benchmark index of 40 major stocks listed on Euronext Paris). The Shares in the form of American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) are also listed on the New-York Stock Exchange. BNP Paribas Securities Services holds the share registry for Orange and Bank of New York Mellon acts as depositary for the ADSs.
9.D | SELLING SHAREHOLDERS |
Not applicable.
9.E | DILUTION |
Not applicable.
9.F | EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE |
Not applicable.
Item 10 | Additional information |
10.A | SHARE CAPITAL |
Not applicable.
10.B | MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION AND BYLAWS |
The information required by this section is set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document under:
| − | subsection Corporate scope of Section 7.1 Company identification on page 424, |
| − | subsection Restrictions regarding the disposal of Shares by Directors and Officers of Section 5.1.4.2 Information on Company shares held by Directors and Officers, on page 369, |
| − | Section 5.2.1.2 Independent Directors on pages 371 and 372, section 5.2.1.5 Chairman of the Board of Directors, on page 373, and section 5.2.1.8 Board and committee activities during the fiscal year, on pages 376 et seq., |
| − | Section 6.1.3 Authorizations to carry out capital increases, on page 400, section 6.3 Dividend distribution policy, on page 402, section 6.2.1.2 Information on shareholders’ agreements, on page 401 and 402, and Section 6.4.1 Rights, preferences and restrictions attached to shares, on page 403, |
| − | Section 6.4.2 Actions necessary to modify shareholders’ rights, on page 403, |
| − | Section 6.4.3 Rules for participation in and notice of Shareholders’ Meetings, on pages 403 and 404, |
| − | Section 6.4.4 Declarations of threshold crossing, on page 404, |
| − | Section 5.2.1.1 Legal and statutory rules relating to the composition of the Board of Directors on page 371 and section 6.2 Major shareholders on pages 401 and 402, |
and incorporated in this section by reference.
Ownership of Shares by non-French persons
Under the French Commercial Code and our bylaws, there are no limitations of general application to the right of non-residents or non-French shareholders to own or, where applicable, to exercise the voting rights attached to securities of a French company.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 28
Under French Law, a person is not required to obtain a prior authorization before acquiring a controlling interest. Under existing administrative rulings, ownership of 33 1/3% or more of the Company’s share capital or voting rights is regarded as a controlling interest, but a lower percentage might be held to be a controlling interest in certain circumstances depending upon factors such as:
− | the acquiring party’s intentions; |
− | the acquiring party’s ability to elect directors; or |
− | financial reliance by the company on the acquiring party. |
However, non-residents of France (and certain French residents, depending on their ownership), must file an administrative notice (déclaration administrative) with French authorities in connection with the acquisition of a controlling interest in the Company, as defined above.
As an exception, a prior authorization may be required in case of investments by certain persons in certain sensitive economic areas, such as defense and public health, and, activities touching upon public order and public security contained in an expanded list of such sensitive areas, and which includes the integrity, security and continuity of operations of electronic communications networks and services. In addition, pursuant to the provisions of the French Monetary and Financial Code (CMF), any investment by any non-French citizen, any French citizen not residing in France, any non-French entity or any French entity controlled such persons or entities that will result in the relevant investor (a) acquiring control of an entity registered in France, (b) acquiring all or part of a business line of an entity registered in France, or (c) for non-EU or non-EEA investors crossing, directly or indirectly, alone or in concert, a 25% threshold of voting rights in an entity registered in France, in each case, conducting activities in certain strategic industries (such as Orange), including (a) activities likely to prejudice national defense interests, participating in the exercise of official authority or likely to prejudice public order and public security (including activities related to weapons, dual-use goods and technologies, IT systems, cryptology, data capturing devices, gambling, toxic agents or data storage), (b) activities relating to essential infrastructure, goods or services (including energy, water, transportation, space, telecom, public health, farm products or media), (c) research and development activities related to critical technologies (including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing, semiconductors, quantum technologies, energy storage or biotechnology) or dual-use goods and technologies (Articles R. 151-1 et seq. of the French Monetary and Financial Code, is subject to the prior authorization of the French Ministry of Economy, which authorization may be conditioned on certain undertakings. In the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, a decree, as modified added a new 10% threshold for companies incorporated in France and listed on a regulated market (such as Orange), in addition to the abovementioned 25% threshold, in force through December 31, 2021.
The CMF also imposes statistical reporting requirements. Transactions by which non-French residents acquire at least 10% of the share capital or voting rights, or cross the 10% threshold, of a French resident company, are considered as foreign direct investments in France and are subject to statistical reporting requirements (Articles R. 152-1; R. 152-3 and R. 152-11 of the CMF). When the investment exceeds €12,500,000, companies must declare foreign transactions directly to the Banque de France within 20 business days following the date of certain direct foreign investments in the Company, including any purchase of ADSs. Failure to comply with such statistical reporting requirement may be sanctioned by five years’ imprisonment and a fine of a maximum amount equal to twice the amount which should have been reported, in accordance with Article L. 165-1 of the CMF. This amount may be increased fivefold if the violation is made by a legal entity.
The foregoing is a general description of certain regulations only, and are in addition to the various French legal and regulatory requirements (as well as provisions under our bylaws – see above reference to Section 6.4.1 Rights, preferences and restrictions attached to shares, on page 403) regarding disclosure of shareholdings and other matters which are applicable to all shareholders.
Enforceability of Civil Liabilities
Orange SA is a limited liability company (société anonyme) organized under the laws of France, and most of its officers and directors reside outside the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of its assets is located in France.
As a result, it may be difficult for investors:
− | to effect service of process upon or obtain jurisdiction over the Company or its non-U.S. resident officers and directors in U.S. courts, or obtain evidence in France or from French citizen or any individual being resident in France or any officer, representative, agent or employee of a legal person having its registered office or an establishment in a territory of France, in connection with those actions in actions predicated on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws; |
− | to enforce either inside or outside the United States judgments obtained in U.S. or non-U.S. courts in actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against the Company or its non-U.S. resident officers and directors; |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 29
− | to bring an original action in a French court to enforce liabilities based upon the U.S. federal securities laws against the Company or its non-U.S. resident officers or directors; and |
− | to enforce against the Company or its directors in non-U.S. courts, including French courts, judgments of U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. |
Nevertheless, a final judgment for the payment of money rendered by any federal or state court in the United States based on civil liability, whether or not predicated solely upon the U.S. federal securities laws, would be recognized and enforced in France provided that a French judge considers that this judgment meets the French legal requirement concerning the recognition and the enforcement of foreign judgments and is capable of being immediately enforced in the United States. A French court is therefore likely to grant the enforcement of a foreign judgment without a review of the merits of the underlying claim, only if (1) the judgment was rendered by a court having jurisdiction over the matter as the dispute is clearly connected to the jurisdiction of such court, the choice of the U.S. court was not fraudulent and the French courts did not have exclusive jurisdiction over the matter, (2) the judgment does not contravene international public policy rule applied by French courts, whether such rule pertains to the merits or pertains to the procedure of the case, including any defense right(s), (3) the U.S. judgment is not tainted with fraud, and (4) the judgment does not conflict with a French judgment or a foreign judgment (or an arbitral award) which has become effective in France.
In addition, French law guarantees full compensation for the harm suffered but is limited to the actual damages, so the victim does not suffer or benefit from the situation, it being specified that under French law, the principle of awarding punitive damages is not, per se, contrary to public order, provided the amount awarded is not disproportionate to the harm suffered and the defendant’s breach.
As a result, the enforcement, by U.S. investors, of any judgments obtained in U.S. courts in civil and commercial matters, including judgments under the U.S. federal securities law against the Company or members of its Board of Directors, officers or certain experts named herein who are residents of France or countries other than the United States would be subject to the above conditions. In addition, the enforcement of any such judgments obtained in U.S. courts (or in any other court) against the Company would be subject to limitations arising from applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
Finally, there may be doubt as to whether a French court would impose civil liability on the Company, the members of its Board of Directors, its officers or certain experts named herein in an original action predicated solely upon the U.S. federal securities laws brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in France against the Company or such members, officers or experts, respectively.
Provisions having the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company
None.
10.C | MATERIAL CONTRACTS |
See Note 3.2 Main changes in the scope of consolidation to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
10.D | EXCHANGE CONTROLS |
Under current French exchange control regulations, there are no limitations on the amount of payments that may be remitted by Orange to non-residents of France. Laws and regulations concerning foreign exchange controls do require, however, that all payments or transfers of funds made by a French resident to a non-resident, such as dividends payments, be handled by an authorized intermediary. In France, all registered banks and substantially all credit establishments are accredited intermediaries.
10.E | TAXATION |
The discussions set forth in this section are based on French tax law and U.S. federal income tax law, including applicable treaties and conventions, as in effect on the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F. These tax laws, and related interpretations, are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This section is further based in part on representations of the depositary and assumes that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 30
10.E.1 French Taxation
The following is a general summary of the material French tax consequences of owning and disposing of the Shares or ADSs of Orange. This summary may only be relevant to you if you are not a resident of France (as defined in Article 4 B of the French General Tax Code), no double tax treaty between France and your country contains a provision under which dividends or capital gains are expressly liable to French tax (see Article 4 bis of the French General Tax Code) and you do not hold your Shares or ADSs in connection with a permanent establishment or a fixed base in France through which you carry on a business or perform personal services.
This discussion is intended only as a descriptive summary. It does not address all aspects of French tax laws that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances.
If you are considering buying Shares or ADSs of Orange, you should consult your own tax advisor about the potential tax effects of owning or disposing of Shares or ADSs in your particular situation.
A comprehensive set of tax rules is specifically applicable to French assets (such as the Shares/ADSs) that are held by or in foreign trusts. These rules provide notably for the inclusion of trust real estate assets in the settlor's net assets for purpose of applying the French real estate wealth tax or trust assets in general for the application of French gift and death duties to French assets held in trust, for a specific tax on capital on the French assets of foreign trusts not already subject to the French real estate wealth tax and for a number of French tax reporting and disclosure obligations. The following discussion does not address the French tax consequences applicable to Shares and ADSs held in trusts. If the Shares or ADSs are held in trust, the grantor, trustee and beneficiary are urged to consult their own tax adviser regarding the specific tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of the Shares or ADSs.
Taxation on sale or disposal of Shares and ADSs
Generally, you will not be subject to any French income tax or capital gains tax when you sell or dispose of Shares or ADSs of Orange if all of the following apply to you:
| − | you are not a French resident for French tax purposes; and |
| − | you have not held more than 25% of Orange’s dividend rights, known as “droits aux bénéfices sociaux”, at any time during the preceding five years, either directly or indirectly, and, as relates to individuals, alone or with relatives, |
unless you are established or domiciled in a jurisdiction listed as a non-cooperative state or territory (Etat ou territoire non coopératif) within the meaning of Article 238-0 A of the French General Tax Code (a “Non-Cooperative State”), in which case you will be subject to a 75% tax on capital gain. The list of Non-Cooperative States is published by ministerial executive order and is updated from time to time.
If an applicable double tax treaty between France and your country contains more favorable provisions, you may not be subject to any French income tax or capital gains tax when you sell or dispose of any Shares or ADSs of Orange even if one or more of the above statements do not apply to you.
If you are a resident of the United States who is eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States of America and France dated August 31, 1994 (as further amended) (the “U.S. France Treaty”) and either you hold the Shares or the ADSs directly or hold them through a partnership which is fiscally transparent under U.S. law and is formed or organized in France, in the United States of America or in a state that has concluded with France an agreement containing a provision for the exchange of information with a view to the prevention of tax evasion, to the extent that the gain is treated for purposes of U.S. taxation as your income, you will not be subject to French tax on any capital gain if you sell or exchange your Shares or ADSs unless you have a permanent establishment or fixed base in France and the Shares or ADSs sold or exchanged were part of the business property of that permanent establishment or fixed base.
Special rules apply to individuals who are residents of more than one country.
Subject to specific conditions, foreign states, international organizations and a number of foreign public bodies are not considered French residents for these purposes.
Pursuant to Article 235 ter ZD of the French General Tax Code, purchases of certain securities are subject to a 0.3% French tax on financial transactions provided that the market capitalization of the issuer exceeds 1 billion euros as of December 1 of the year preceding the taxation year. A list of companies whose market capitalization exceeds 1 billion euros as at December 1, 2021, has been published in the official guidelines of the French tax authorities on December 29, 2021 (BOI-ANNX-000467-29/12/2021), and Orange has been included on such list as a company whose market capitalization exceeded 1 billion euros as at December 1, 2021. Therefore, purchases of Orange’s Shares or ADSs are subject to such French tax on financial transactions. Please note that such list may be amended in the future.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 31
Taxation of dividends
Under French domestic law, French companies must generally deduct a 25% French withholding tax from dividends (including distributions from share capital premium, insofar as the company has distributable reserves) paid to non-residents (12.8% for distributions made to individuals and 15% for distributions made to not-for-profit organizations with a head office in a Member State of the European Economic Area which would be subject to the tax regime set forth under Article 206-5 of the French General Tax Code if its head office were located in France and which meet the criteria set forth in the administrative guidelines BOI-RPPM-RCM-30-30-10-70-24/12/2019, n°130 et seq.). Under most tax treaties between France and other countries, the rate of this withholding tax may be reduced in specific circumstances. Generally, a holder who is a non-French resident is subsequently entitled to a tax credit in his or her country of residence for the amount of tax actually withheld at the appropriate treaty rate.
However, dividends paid or deemed to be paid by a French corporation, such as Orange, towards a Non-Cooperative State, will generally be subject to French withholding tax at a rate of 75%, irrespective of the tax residence of the beneficiary of the dividends if the dividends are received or deemed to be received in such States or territories (subject to the more favorable provisions of an applicable double tax treaty).
Under some tax treaties, a shareholder who fulfills specific conditions may generally apply to the French tax authorities for a lower rate of withholding tax, generally 15%. Under some tax treaties, the withholding tax is eliminated altogether.
If the arrangements provided for by any of such treaties apply to a shareholder, Orange or the authorized intermediary will withhold tax from the dividend at the lower rate, provided that the shareholder complies, before the date of payment of the dividend, with the applicable filing formalities. Otherwise, Orange or the authorized intermediary must withhold tax at the full rate of 15%, 12.8%, 25% or 75% as applicable, and the shareholder may subsequently claim the refund of excess tax paid.
If you are a resident of the United States who is eligible for the benefits of the U.S. France Treaty (in particular, entitled to Treaty benefits under the ‘‘Limitation on Benefits’’ provision) and either you hold the Shares or the ADSs directly or hold them through a partnership which is fiscally transparent under U.S. law and is formed or organized in France, or in the United States of America or in a state that has concluded with France an agreement containing a provision for the exchange of information with a view to the prevention of tax evasion, to the extent that the dividend is treated for purposes of the U.S. taxation as your income, French dividend withholding tax is reduced to 15% provided your ownership of the Shares or ADSs is not effectively connected with a permanent establishment or a fixed base that you have in France. A U.S. partnership generally can claim benefits under the U.S. France Treaty only to the extent its income is taxable in the United States as the income of a resident, either in the hands of such partnership or in the hands of its partners. The French tax authorities have, however, conceded that the benefits of the U.S. France Treaty may still be claimed if one or several members of the U.S. partnership are themselves U.S. partnerships to the extent of the income taxable in the United States as the income of a resident in the hands of the ultimate partner or partners. Certain other requirements must be satisfied. In particular, you will have to comply with the formalities set out in Item 10.E.3 “Procedure for Reduced Withholding Rate”. If you fail to comply with such formalities before the date of payment of the dividend, Orange or the authorized intermediary shall deduct French withholding tax at the rate of 15%, 12.8%, 26.5% or 75% as applicable. In that case, you may claim a refund from the French tax authorities of the excess withholding tax.
Certain tax exempt U.S. entities (such as tax-exempt U.S. pension funds, which include the exempt pension funds established and managed in order to pay retirement benefits subject to the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (qualified retirement plans), Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (tax deferred annuity contracts) or Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code (deferred compensation plans), and various other tax-exempt entities, including certain state-owned institutions, not-for-profit organizations and individuals with respect to dividends which they beneficially own and which are derived from an investment retirement account) may be eligible for the reduced withholding tax rate of 15% on dividends. Specific rules apply to them as further described below in Item 10.E.3 “Procedure for Reduced Withholding Rate”.
Estate and Gift Tax
France imposes estate and gift tax where an individual or entity acquires shares of a French company from a non-resident of France by way of inheritance or gift. France has entered into estate and gift tax treaties with a number of countries. Under these treaties, the transfer by residents of those countries of shares of a French company by way of inheritance or gift may be exempt from French inheritance or gift tax or give rise to a tax credit in such countries, assuming specific conditions are met.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 32
Under the “Convention Between the United States of America and the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Estates, Inheritance and Gifts of November 24, 1978” (as further amended), French estate and gift tax generally will not apply to the individual or entity acquiring your Shares or ADSs if that individual or entity as well as you are residents of the United States and if you transfer your Shares or ADSs by gift, or they are transferred by reason of your death, unless you are a citizen of France or domiciled in France at the time of making the gift of the Shares or ADSs or at the time of your death, or you used the Shares or ADSs in conducting a business through a permanent establishment or fixed base in France, or you held the Shares or ADSs for that use.
You should consult your own tax advisor about whether French estate and gift tax will apply and whether an exemption or tax credit can be claimed.
Real Estate Wealth Tax
The French real estate wealth tax known as impôt sur la fortune immobilière replaced the French wealth tax, known as impôt de solidarité sur la fortune, with effect from January 1, 2018.
Company Shares are included in the basis of calculation of the French real estate wealth tax for the fraction of their value representing property or real estate rights held directly or indirectly by the company. However, buildings and real estate rights allocated to the industrial or commercial activity of the company that holds them directly are excluded from the calculation of the taxable fraction (article 965, 2°-a of the French General Tax Code).
In any case, you will not be subject to French real estate wealth tax, on your Shares or ADSs of Orange if both of the following apply to you:
| − | you are not a French resident for the purpose of French taxation; and |
| − | you own, either directly or indirectly, less than 10% of Orange capital stock, provided your Shares or ADSs do not enable you to exercise influence on Orange. |
If a double tax treaty between France and your country contains more favorable provisions, you may not be subject to French real estate wealth tax even if one or both of the above statements do not apply to you.
The French real estate wealth tax generally does not apply to Shares or ADSs if you are a resident of the United States for purposes of the U.S. France Treaty provided that you do not own directly or indirectly Shares or ADSs exceeding 25% of the financial rights of Orange.
10.E.2 U.S. Taxation of U.S. Holders
The following discussion is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to the ownership and disposition of Orange Shares and ADSs. The discussion is not a complete description of all income tax considerations that may be relevant to you. It does not deal with federal estate or gift taxation or taxation by U.S. states. It does not consider your particular circumstances. It applies to you only if you are a U.S. Holder, you hold the Shares or ADSs as capital assets, you use the U.S. dollar as your functional currency and you are eligible for the benefits of the U.S. France Treaty. It does not address the tax treatment of investors subject to special rules, such as banks, tax-exempt entities, insurance companies, dealers, traders in securities that elect to mark to market, U.S. expatriates or persons who directly, indirectly or constructively own 10% or more of the Shares or ADSs, have a permanent establishment in France, acquire ADSs in a “pre-release” transaction or hold Shares or ADSs as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction. For certain additional information regarding U.S. partnerships, see also the discussion presented under the caption “Taxation of Dividends” in Item 10.E.1 (French Taxation).
As used here, a “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of the Shares or ADSs, that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation or other business entity taxed as a corporation that is created or organized under the laws of the United States or its political subdivisions, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax without regard to its source or (iv) a trust subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more U.S. persons or that has elected to be treated as a domestic trust.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in a partnership that holds Shares or ADSs will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships should consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Shares or ADSs.
U.S. Holders of ADSs generally will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as owners of the Shares underlying the ADSs.
Orange believes, and this discussion assumes, that Orange is not and will not become a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Dividends
Distributions on Orange Shares and ADSs, including French tax withheld and the gross amount of any payment on account of a French tax credit, will be includable in income as dividends from foreign sources when actually or constructively received. The dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations. The dividends received by non-corporate U.S. Holders, however, should be taxed as qualified dividends, currently at the same preferential rate allowed for long-term capital gains, because the ADSs are readily tradable on the NYSE.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 33
The U.S. dollar amount of a euro dividend received on the Shares or ADSs will be based on the exchange rate for the euros received on the date you recognize the dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes, whether or not you convert the euros into U.S. dollars. You will have a basis in the euros received equal to the U.S. dollar amount of the dividend you realized. Any gain or loss on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the euros generally will be ordinary income or loss from U.S. sources.
Subject to generally applicable limitations, you may claim a deduction or a foreign tax credit for tax withheld at the applicable withholding rate. In computing foreign tax credit limitations, non-corporate U.S. Holders eligible for the preferential tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income may take into account only the portion of the dividend effectively taxed at the highest applicable marginal rate. You should consult your own tax adviser about your eligibility for benefits under the U.S. France Treaty including a reduced rate of French withholding tax and for applicable limitations on claiming a deduction or foreign tax credit for any French tax withheld.
Dispositions
You will recognize gain or loss on a disposition of Orange Shares or ADSs in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you realize and your adjusted tax basis in the Shares or ADSs. Your adjusted tax basis in a Share or ADS will generally be the amount you paid for it measured in U.S. dollars. The U.S-dollar cost of a Share or ADS purchased with foreign currency will generally be the U.S-dollar value of the purchase price. The gain or loss generally will be from sources within the United States. The gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the Shares or ADSs for at least one year. Long term capital gains realized by non-corporate U.S. Holders currently qualify for preferential tax rates. Deductions for capital losses are subject to limitations.
If you receive a currency other than U.S. dollars upon disposition of the Shares or ADSs, you will realize an amount equal to the U.S. dollar value of the currency received on the date of disposition (or, if you are a cash-basis or an accrual basis taxpayer that files an election with the IRS, the settlement date). You will have a tax basis in the currency received equal to the U.S. dollar amount you realized. Any gain or loss on a subsequent conversion or disposition of the currency received generally will be U.S. source ordinary income or loss.
Deposits or withdrawals of Shares in exchange for ADSs will not be taxable transactions subject to U.S. federal income tax.
U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding for U.S. Holders
Your dividends on the Shares or ADSs and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the Shares or ADSs may be reported to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service unless you are a corporation or you otherwise establish a basis for exemption. Backup withholding tax may apply to amounts subject to reporting if you fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or otherwise establish a basis for exemption. You can claim a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability for amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules and a refund for any excess.
Certain U.S. Holders will be required to report information with respect to Shares and ADSs that are held through foreign accounts. U.S. Holders who fail to report information required under these rules could become subject to substantial penalties. You are urged to consult your U.S. tax advisor regarding these and other reporting requirements that may apply with respect to your Shares or ADSs, as well as the application of all of the above rules to your particular tax situation.
10.E.3 Procedure for reduced withholding rate
If you are eligible for benefits under the U.S. France Treaty, you will be entitled to reduce the rate of French withholding tax on dividends by filing the applicable form(s) with the depositary or other financial institution managing your securities account in the United States, or failing that, the French paying agent, if the financial institution managing your securities account or the French paying agent receives the form(s) before the date of payment of the dividend. If you fail to submit the applicable form(s) in time to avoid withholding, you may claim a refund for the amount withheld in excess of the U.S. France Treaty rate.
In order to have taxes on dividends withheld at the reduced amount, you generally must provide the depositary, or other financial institution managing your securities account in the United States, with a certificate of residence before the dividend is paid. If this certificate is not stamped by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the depositary or other financial institution managing your securities account in the U.S. must provide the French paying agent with a document listing certain information about the U.S. Holder and its Shares or ADSs and a certificate whereby the financial institution managing your securities account in the United States takes full responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided in the document.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 34
Tax exempt U.S. pension funds, charities or other tax exempt organizations must also provide a certificate from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service setting out that they have been created and operate in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Tax exempt organizations may obtain this certification by filing a U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8802. Similar requirements apply to REITs, RICs and REMICs.
Collective trusts of pension funds may apply for the withholding tax reduction on behalf of their members if they provide a complete list of their members, the required certificate from the IRS for each member which is a tax exempt U.S. pension fund and a certificate setting out the dividend to which each tax exempt U.S. pension fund which is a member is entitled.
The relevant French forms will be provided by the depositary to all U.S. Holders of ADSs registered with the depositary and all U.S. Internal Revenue Service Forms are also available from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The depositary will arrange for the filing with the French paying agent and the French tax authorities of all forms completed by U.S. Holders of ADSs that are returned to the depositary in sufficient time.
You should consult your own independent tax advisors about the availability and applicability of the reduced rate of French withholding tax.
10.F | DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS |
Not applicable.
10.G | STATEMENT BY EXPERTS |
Not applicable.
10.H | DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY |
Orange is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers. In connection with the Exchange Act, Orange files reports, including this annual report on Form 20-F, and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such reports and other information are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and may also be inspected and copied at prescribed rates at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at its Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
All documents provided to shareholders as required by law may be consulted at Orange's registered offices at 111, quai du Président Roosevelt, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, France.
In addition, the bylaws of Orange are available on Orange’s website at www.orange.com. For the avoidance of doubt, the information available on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Form 20-F.
10.I | SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION |
For information relating to the Company’s subsidiaries, see Note 20 Main consolidated entities to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
10.J | DISCLOSURE PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 (r) OF THE UNITED STATES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Section 13(r) of the United States Exchange Securities Act of 1934 requires an issuer to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports, as applicable, certain activities, including certain transactions or dealings relating to the “Government of Iran” as defined under § 560.304 of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (31 C.F.R. Part 560) and certain persons that are the subject of U.S. sanctions. Disclosure may be required even where the activities, transactions or dealings are conducted outside the United States by non-U.S. affiliates in compliance with applicable law and regardless of whether the activities are sanctionable under U.S. law.
Orange conducts limited business in Iran, all of which relates to telecommunications. The total revenue from these activities constitutes much less than 1% of the Group's consolidated revenue in 2021. Orange maintains roaming agreements and interconnection agreements with certain Iranian telecommunications companies. Orange also maintains a connectivity agreement with the Telecommunications Infrastructure Company (TIC). Separately, Orange’s Enterprise operating segment provides (through indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Orange) telecommunications services to certain international public organizations and multinationals in Iran. In 2021, these telecommunication services represented gross revenues of approximately 3.7 million euros and a net profit of approximately 0.33 million euros.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 35
In addition, Orange provides standard commercial telecommunications services to certain Iranian companies present in France and the branches of several Iranian banks in France. In 2021, these telecommunication services represented gross revenues of approximately 0.05 million euros and a net profit of approximately 0.01 million euros.
Orange intends to continue carrying out these activities.
Item 11 | Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk |
See Note 14 Information on market risk and fair value of financial assets and liabilities (telecom activities) to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Orange only enters into market risk instruments for purposes other than trading.
Item 12 | Description of securities other than equity securities |
12.A | DEBT SECURITIES |
Not applicable.
12.B | WARRANTS AND RIGHTS |
Not applicable.
12.C | OTHER SECURITIES |
Not applicable.
12.D | AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES |
Orange's ADR facility is maintained by Bank of New York Mellon, which principal executive office is located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286 (the Depositary).
One American Depositary Share represents one Share of Orange. A copy of our form of Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement (the Deposit Agreement) among the Depositary, owners and holders of ADSs evidenced by ADRs issued under the Deposit Agreement and Orange was filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Form F-6 filed on July 27, 2017. Société Générale (the Custodian) acts as agent of the Depositary for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement. For more complete information, including on holders’ rights and obligations, holders should read the entire deposit agreement, as amended, and the ADR itself.
Fees and charges payable by a holder of ADSs
Under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary collects fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing Shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The Depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of the distributable property to pay the fees.
The fees payable to the Depositary by investors are as follows:
Depositary actions: |
| Fee: |
− Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of Shares or rights or other property | $5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) | |
− Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the Deposit Agreement terminates | $5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) | |
− Any cash distribution to ADS registered holders | $0.05 (or less) per ADS |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 36
− Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities which are distributed by the Depositary to ADS registered holders | A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to holders of deposited securities had been Shares and the Shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs | |
− Transfer and registration of Shares on the Depositary’s share register to or from the name of the Depositary or its agent when depositing or withdrawing Shares | Registration or transfer fees |
In addition, investors must, as necessary, reimburse the Depositary for:
Fees and payments made by the Depositary to the Issuer
The Depositary has agreed to reimburse the Company for expenses the Company incurs that are related to establishment and maintenance expenses of the ADR facility. The Depositary has agreed to reimburse the Company for its continuing annual stock exchange listing fees. The Depositary has also agreed to pay the standard out-of-pocket maintenance costs for the ADRs, which consist of the expenses of postage and envelopes for mailing annual and interim financial reports, printing and distributing dividend checks, electronic filing of U.S. Federal tax information, mailing required tax forms, stationery, postage, facsimile, and telephone calls. It has also agreed to reimburse the Company annually for certain investor relationship programs or special investor relations promotional activities. The Depositary has agreed to provide additional payments to the Company based on activity indicators relating to the outstanding ADRs.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, payments of 2.3 million U.S. dollars were made to Orange in relation thereto.
Voting the Shares at shareholders’ meetings
Pursuant to a deposit agreement signed with the Company, the Company shall timely notify the Depositary in writing prior to any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities of such meeting. Upon receipt of such notice, and upon consultation with the Company, the Depositary shall, in a timely manner, mail to owners of ADSs (the Owners):
| − | a notice of impending meetings, |
| − | a statement that the Owners will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of French law and the bylaws of the Company, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the Shares represented by the ADSs, |
| − | copy or summary of any material provided by the Company, |
| − | a voting instruction card, |
| − | and a statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given, including an express indication that if no instruction is received, such instructions may be given or deemed given, to the Depositary to give the Custodian instructions to vote or cause to vote the Deposited Securities underlying the ADSs for which voting instructions are specifically given or deemed given, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors of the Company. |
The Depositary will not charge any fee in connection with enabling the Owners to exercise their voting rights.
The Depositary and the Company may amend the voting procedures from time to time as they determine appropriate to comply with French or United States law or the bylaws of the Company.
Reports, Notices and Other Communications
On or before the first date on which the Company gives notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or of the taking of any action in respect of any cash or other distribution or the offering of any rights, the Company shall transmit to the Depositary a copy of the notice thereof. The Company will also arrange for the prompt transmittal to the Depositary of any other report and communication which is made generally available by the Company to holders of its Shares. The Company may arrange for the Depositary to mail copies of such notices, reports and communications to all Owners.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 37
PART II
Item 13 | Defaults, dividend arrearages and delinquencies |
Not applicable.
Item 14 | Material modifications to the rights of security holders and use of proceeds |
None.
Item 15 | Controls and procedures |
15.A | DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Since 2003, Orange has had a Disclosure Committee whose mission is to ensure the accuracy, the compliance with applicable laws, regulations and recognized practices, the consistency and the quality of the financial information disclosed by Orange. The Disclosure Committee, operating under the authority of the Delegate Chief Executive Officer Finance, Performance and Development, reviews all financial information distributed by the Group, as well as related documents such as press releases announcing financial results, presentations to financial analysts and management reports. The Disclosure Committee is chaired, by delegation, by the Group Accounting Director and brings together the heads of the Legal, Internal Audit, Controlling, Investor Relations and Communication Departments.
Orange’s Chief Executive Officer and Delegate Chief Executive Officer Finance, Performance and Development (in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer), after evaluating the effectiveness of the Group’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2021, have concluded that, as of such date, Orange’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Orange’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the specified time periods, and that such information is made known to the Chief Executive Officer and Delegate Chief Executive Officer Finance, Performance and Development (in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
15.B | MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING |
Orange’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting of Orange (as defined by Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act).
Orange’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The Group’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Group; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Group are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Group’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Group management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework presented in the Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework).
Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Group’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021. The effectiveness of the Group’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by KPMG S.A. and Deloitte Associés, independent registered public accounting firms, as stated in their report which is included herein.
15.C | REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMS |
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Orange S.A.,
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Orange S.A. and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 38
Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Group maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated statement of financial position of the Group as of December 31, 2021 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows, for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the Consolidated Financial Statements) and our report dated March 3, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Group’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Group’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are public accounting firms registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Group in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Paris-La Défense, France, March 3, 2022
/s/ KPMG Audit, a division of KPMG S.A. | /s/ Deloitte Associés |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 39
15.D | CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING |
None.
Item 16 | [Reserved] |
Item 16A | Audit committee financial expert |
Jean-Michel Severino is the Audit Committee's financial expert as defined in Item 16A(b) and (c) of the SEC General Instructions on Form 20-F. Jean-Michel Severino is “independent” as defined by Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(ii) of the Exchange Act, as amended (see Item 6 Directors, Senior Management and Employees).
Item 16B | Code of ethics |
Orange’s Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all Orange employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, the Delegate Chief Executive Officer Finance, Performance and Development (in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer), the principal accounting officer and the persons performing similar functions. In 2016, following the entry into force of the European Market Abuse Regulation (“MAR”), the Audit Committee approved the Code of Ethics endorsed by the Group's Ethics Committee. A copy of Orange’s Code of Ethics is filed as Exhibit 11 to this document.
Item 16C | Principal accountant fees and services |
Information about fees billed to Orange by our current statutory auditors
All services provided by the statutory auditors prior to the entry into force of the European Union (“EU”) Audit Reform legislation (applicable throughout the EU since June 17, 2016), were approved in accordance with the approval rules adopted by the Audit Committee in 2003 and updated in October 2013. All services provided by the statutory auditors following the entry into force of the EU Audit Reform legislation have been approved in accordance with the approval rules adopted by the Audit Committee in 2003 and updated in October 2016. Both rules include procedures for preapproval of services as required.
Item 16D | Exemptions from listing standards for audit committees |
Orange’s Audit Committee consists of four directors including two directors who meet the independence requirements under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act, as amended, and two who are exempt from such requirements pursuant to Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee members exempt from the independence requirements are Ms. Stéphanie Besnier who meets the exemption requirements under Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv)(E) of the Exchange Act relating to foreign government representatives, and Mr. Sébastien Crozier who meets the exemption requirements under Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv)(C) of the Exchange Act relating to non-executive employees. Orange’s reliance on such exemptions does not materially adversely affect the ability of the Audit Committee to act independently.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 40
Item 16E | Purchase of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers |
The information required by this section is set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document in Section 6.1.4 Treasury shares – Share Buyback program, on pages 400 and 401, and is incorporated this section by reference.
The table below presents additional information on the purchases of treasury Shares in 2021:
Settlement month |
| Total number of |
| Weighted average |
| Total number of |
| Maximum number of |
January 2021 |
| 1,454,648 |
| 9.8545 |
| 1,454,648 |
| 254,679,368 |
February 2021 |
| 3,068,130 |
| 9.7459 |
| 3,068,130 |
| 251,611,238 |
March 2021 |
| 2,619,239 |
| 10.0032 |
| 2,619,239 |
| 248,991,999 |
April 2021 |
| 2,355,125 |
| 10.3875 |
| 2,355,125 |
| 246,636,874 |
May 2021 |
| 2,291,000 |
| 10.4304 |
| 2,291,000 |
| 263,714,660 |
June 2021 |
| 1,855,592 |
| 10.2354 |
| 1,855,592 |
| 261,859,068 |
July 2021 |
| 306,588 |
| 9.4929 |
| 306,588 |
| 261,552,480 |
August 2021 |
| 777,012 |
| 9.5096 |
| 777,012 |
| 260,775,468 |
September 2021 |
| 799,915 |
| 9.4683 |
| 799,915 |
| 259,975,553 |
October 2021 |
| 1,185,541 |
| 9.4215 |
| 1,185,541 |
| 258,790,012 |
November 2021 |
| 29,163,066 |
| 9.4854 |
| 29,163,066 |
| 229,626,946 |
December 2021 |
| 1,306,946 |
| 9.2986 |
| 1,306,946 |
| 228,320,000 |
Total |
| 47,182,802 |
|
|
| 47,182,802 |
|
| (1) | Until May 19, 2020, under the 2019 Share buyback program approved by the Annual Shareholders' Meeting of May 21, 2019 for up to 10% of Orange’s share capital; from May 20, 2020, under the 2020 Share buyback program approved by the Annual Shareholders' Meeting of May 19, 2020 for up to 10% of Orange’s share capital for a period of 18 months. |
| (2) | At month end. |
Item 16F | Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant |
The terms of office of Ernst Young Audit, joint principal Statutory Auditor of the Company since September 18, 1991, expired at the end of the Shareholders’ Meeting of May 18, 2021. Ernst Young Audit’s terms of office could not be legally extended as they had reached the maximum legal duration following the transposition of the European audit reform into French law.
Consequently, the Board of Directors decided not to propose the renewal of the terms of office of Ernst Young Audit and to propose instead to the Shareholders’ Meeting to appoint Deloitte Associés as new joint Principal Statutory Auditor.
The Shareholders’ Meeting of May 18, 2021 resolved to appoint Deloitte Associés as new joint principal Statutory Auditor to replace Ernst Young Audit. The selection of the Statutory Auditors to be appointed by the Shareholders’ Meeting was overseen by the Audit Committee which issued a recommendation to the Board of Directors. Their nomination was made according to a process that fully complies with the recommendations of the French Afep-Medef Code of Corporate Governance of listed companies.
The report of Ernst Young Audit and KPMG SA on the consolidated financial statements for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| - | there were no “disagreements” (as that term is described in Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of the Instructions to Form 20-F and the instructions to Item 16F) between Orange and Ernst Young Audit on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreement(s), if not resolved to Ernst Young Audit’s satisfaction, would have caused Ernst Young Audit to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement(s) in connection with its report; and |
| - | there were no “reportable events” (as that term is defined in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of the Instructions to Form 20-F). |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 41
During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years, and any subsequent interim period prior to engaging Deloitte Associés, neither the Company, nor anyone on its behalf, has consulted Deloitte Associés regarding:
| - | either the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the registrant's financial statements; and neither a written report was provided to the Company, nor oral advice was provided, that Deloitte Associés concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; |
| - | or any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as described in Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of the Instructions to Form 20-F and the related instructions to this Item) or a reportable event (as defined in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of the Instructions to Form 20-F). |
The Company has furnished Ernst Young Audit with a copy of the statements made in this Item 16F and requested that Ernst Young Audit furnish a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the above statements and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree.
A copy of Ernst Young Audit’s letter, dated April 1, 2022, is filed as Exhibit 15.5 to this Form 20-F.
The terms of office of all the Statutory Auditors will expire following the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting convened to approve the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2026.
Item 16G | Corporate governance |
Orange has endeavored to take into account the NYSE corporate governance standards as codified in section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. However, because Orange SA is not a U.S. company, most of those standards do not apply to Orange, which may choose to follow rules applicable in France.
The table below discloses the significant ways in which Orange’s corporate governance practices differ from those required for U.S. companies listed on the NYSE.
NYSE Standards | Corporate Governance Practices of Orange |
|---|---|
Board Independence | Orange’s Board of Directors has chosen to determine the independence of its members against the criteria set out in France in the Afep-Medef Report (defined in Item 16G as “the Report”), which provides that one-third of board members should be independent. According to the criteria the Report sets out, five members (out of the total of 14 current board members) are independent. Orange has not tested the independence of its board members under the NYSE standards; a majority of the board may not be independent under those criteria. The criteria against which the directors’ independence must be tested, as provided in the Report, are set forth in Section 5.2.1.2 Independent Directors on pages 371 and 372 of the 2021 Universal Registration Document, filed as Exhibit 15.1 of this document and is incorporated this section by reference. |
Executive Sessions/ Communications with the Presiding Director or Non-Management Directors | French law does not require (and Orange does not provide for) non-management directors to meet regularly without management and nothing requires non-management directors to meet alone in an executive session at least once a year. However, if the directors decide to meet in such session, they may do so. French law does not mandate (and Orange does not provide for) a method for interested parties to communicate with the presiding director or non-management directors. |
Compensation/Nominating/ Corporate Governance Committee | Orange has a combined Governance and Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility Committee. The Committee consists of three directors, including one independent director (according to the criteria set out in the Report). The NYSE standards provide for the implementation of two separate committees (a Nominating Committee and a Compensation Committee) composed exclusively of independent directors. In terms of internal mechanics, while the Committee has a written charter, it does not comply with all the requirements of the NYSE. In addition, in accordance with law, the Governance and Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility Committee is not vested with the same scope of authority and responsibilities as that available to U.S. domestic companies. Under French law, the committees of our Board of Directors are advisory only; our Board of Directors is, pursuant to French law, the only competent body to take decisions, albeit taking into account the recommendation of the relevant committees. |
Audit Committee | Orange’s Audit Committee consists of four directors including two independent directors (according to the criteria set out in the Report) and two non-independent directors. Of those, one is a representative of the French Government and one is an employee who is not an executive officer of the Issuer. While not meeting the definition of independence set forth in Rules 10A-3 (b) (1) of the Exchange Act, as amended, they fall within the exceptions under Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv) (C) relating to non-executive employees and Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv) (E) relating to foreign government representatives. For its part, the Report recommends that two-thirds of an audit committee’s members should be independent. The Committee is responsible for organizing the procedure for selecting the statutory auditors. It makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors regarding their choice and terms of compensation. As required by French law, the actual appointment of the statutory auditors is made by the Shareholders’ Meeting. According to its charter, the Committee has the authority to engage advisors and determine appropriate funding for payment of compensation to an accounting firm for an audit or other service. French corporate law provides that the Board of Directors must vote to approve a broadly defined range of related-party transactions (conventions règlementées) between the Company on the one hand and its |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 42
NYSE Standards | Corporate Governance Practices of Orange |
|---|---|
directors and officers on the other hand, which are then presented to shareholders for approval at the next annual meeting. This legal safeguard operates in place of certain provisions of the NYSE rules. | |
Equity Compensation Plans | The NYSE requires a listed U.S. company to obtain prior shareholder approval for certain issuances of authorized stock and equity compensation plans when such plans are established or materially amended. Under French law, Orange must obtain shareholder approval at a Shareholders’ Meeting in order to adopt an equity compensation plan. Generally, the shareholders then delegate to the Board of Directors the authority to decide on the specific terms and conditions of the granting of equity compensation, within the limits of the shareholders' authorization. While the Company may, from time to time, obtain shareholder approval of an issuance of authorized stock or an equity compensation plans in order to obtain advantageous tax treatment or otherwise, as a general matter, we intend to follow our French home country practice, which does not require such shareholder approvals, rather than complying with these NYSE rules. |
Adoption and disclosure of corporate governance guidelines | Orange has adopted corporate governance guidelines (the “Internal Guidelines”, available on its website at www.orange.com under Group/Governance/Documentation links to Governance) as required by French law. For the avoidance of doubt, the information available on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Form 20-F. These corporate governance guidelines do not cover all items required by NYSE guidelines for U.S. companies. |
Code of Ethics | Orange has adopted a Code of Ethics to be observed by all its directors, officers and other employees that generally meets the requirements of the NYSE. |
Annual certifications | Because Orange is a “foreign private issuer” as described above, its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer issue the certifications required by Section 302 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 on an annual basis (with the filing of its Annual Report on Form 20-F)) rather than on a quarterly basis as would be the case of a US corporation filing quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. |
Item 16H | Mine Safety Disclosure |
Not applicable.
Item 16I | Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections |
Not applicable.
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 43
PART III
ITEM 17 | Financial statements |
Not applicable.
ITEM 18 | Financial statements |
The information required in this item is included in pages F-1 to F-133 attached hereto.
ITEM 19 | List of exhibits |
1. | |
2.(a)* | |
2.(c)** | Indenture dated March 14, 2001 between Orange (formerly France Telecom) and, inter alia, Citibank, NA as Trustee. |
8. | List of Orange’s subsidiaries: see Note 20 Main consolidated entities to the Consolidated Financial Statements at page F-131. |
11. | |
12.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
12.2 | |
13.1 | |
13.2 | |
15.1 | |
15.2 | |
15.3 | Consent of KPMG S.A. as auditor of Orange with respect to the financial year ended December 31, 2021 |
15.4 | Consent of Deloitte as auditor of Orange with respect to the financial year ended December 31, 2021 |
15.5 | |
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Calculation Linkbase |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Definition Linkbase |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Label Linkbase |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Presentation Linkbase |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Date File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-6 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2017. (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1201935/000120193517000005/orangedepnrec.htm) |
** | Incorporated by reference to Orange’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2000, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2001. |
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 44
Signature
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
ORANGE
/s/ Ramon Fernandez
Name: Ramon Fernandez
Title: Delegate Chief Executive Officer, Finance, Performance and Development
Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
April 1, 2022
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – 45
Report of independent registered public accounting firms
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Orange S.A.
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position of Orange S.A. and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) as of December 31, 2021, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Group as of December 31, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union and in conformity with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
We also have audited the adjustments to the 2020 and 2019 consolidated financial statements to retrospectively apply the change in accounting with respect to the IFRS IC agenda decision concerning IAS 19 “Employee Benefits” described in Note 2.3.1. In our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2020 or 2019 consolidated financial statements of the Group other than with respect to the adjustments and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2020 or 2019 consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Group’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework), and our report dated March 3, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2.3.1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Group has changed its method of accounting for certain defined benefit pension plans as of December 31, 2021 (with retrospective effect to January 1, 2019), due to the implementation of the IFRS IC agenda decision concerning IAS 19 “Employee Benefits” published in May 2021.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Group's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are public accounting firms registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Group in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the Audit Committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Evaluation of the goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment impairment analyses
Description of the matter
As discussed in Notes 7 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the total goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment balances were € 24,192 million, € 14,940 million and € 30,484 million respectively, as of December 31, 2021. The Group performs impairment analyses with respect to these assets at least annually and more frequently when there is an indication of impairment. These tests are performed at the level of each cash generating unit (CGU) or group of CGUs, which generally correspond to the business segment, or to each country in the Africa and Middle East region and Europe. An impairment loss is recognized if the recoverable amount is lower than the carrying value. The recoverable amount is determined mostly upon retaining the value in use. The estimate of value in use is the present value of expected future cash flows.
We identified the evaluation of the goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment impairment analyses as a critical audit matter. Specifically, the assessment of the value in use required certain estimates and judgments. In particular, the assessment of 1) the competitive, economic and financial environment of certain countries in which the Group operates, 2) the ability to realize operating cash flows from strategic plans, 3) the level of investment to be made, and 4) the discount and perpetual growth rates used in calculating recoverable amounts required subjective auditor judgment due to the inherent uncertainties and forward-looking nature of such assumptions.
How we addressed the matter in our audit
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Group’s impairment assessment process, including controls related to the determination of the recoverable amount of the CGUs or groups of CGUs, and the development of the revenue growth rates and discount rate assumptions. To assess the Group’s ability to forecast, we compared the Group’s previous forecasts to actual results. We performed sensitivity analyses over forecasted cash flows and the discount and perpetual growth rates to assess their impact on the impairment analyses. We evaluated the Group’s forecasted revenue growth rates, by comparing the growth rate to the Group’s peer companies’ analyst reports and market research reports. In addition, we involved our valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in evaluating the discount and growth rates used in the valuations by comparing them against rate ranges that were independently developed using publicly available market data for comparable entities. We compared the data included in the models used by the Group in the determination of recoverable values to the plans submitted to those charged with governance. In addition, we assessed the adequacy of the disclosures in Notes 7 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
Evaluation of the realizability of deferred tax assets associated with tax loss carryforwards
Description of the matter
As discussed in Notes 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 to the consolidated financial statements, € 692 million of deferred tax assets were recognized as of December 31, 2021. The Group recognizes deferred tax assets only to the extent that it is probable that the tax entity will have sufficient future taxable profit to recover them. Unrecognized deferred tax assets amounted to € 3,922 million and mainly comprised tax losses that can be carried forward indefinitely.
We identified the evaluation of the realizability of deferred tax assets associated with tax loss carryforwards as a critical audit matter. Specifically, there was a high degree of auditor judgment required to assess the Group’s forecasted taxable income and feasibility and viability of the Group tax planning opportunities related to the realizability of deferred tax assets associated with tax loss carryforwards.
How we addressed the matter in our audit
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Group’s deferred tax asset valuation process, including controls related to the development of assumptions and application of the relevant tax regulations in determining the forecasted taxable income. To assess the Group’s ability to forecast, we compared the Group’s previous forecasts by tax jurisdiction to actual results. We evaluated the Group’s forecasted revenue growth rate, by comparing the growth rate to the Group’s peer companies’ analyst reports and market research reports. We involved our tax professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in assessing the Group’s application of the relevant tax regulations and evaluated the feasibility and viability of the Group’s tax-planning strategies. We compared certain assumptions that were used to evaluate the realizability of deferred tax asset with those used for asset impairment testing. In addition, we assessed the adequacy of the information disclosed in Notes 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 to the consolidated financial statements.
Evaluation of provisions for competition and regulatory disputes
Description of the matter
As discussed in Notes 5.2, 5.7 and 18 to the consolidated financial statements, the Group is involved in a number of legal disputes in France and abroad, including matters relating to competition issues and national and European Commission regulations. Provisions arising from these proceedings are recorded when the Group has a present obligation towards a third party arising from a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, which can be quantified or estimated on a reasonable basis. A provision of € 405 million was recorded, a portion of which relates to competition and regulatory disputes involving the Group as of December 31, 2021.
We identified the evaluation of provisions for competition and regulatory disputes as a critical audit matter. Evaluating this matter required a higher degree of auditor judgment due to the nature of the estimates and assumptions, including judgments about future events and outcomes of the matters considering the inherent uncertainties as to how they may be resolved.
How we addressed the matter in our audit
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Group’s provision for competition and regulatory disputes process, including controls related to the evaluation of information from internal and external legal counsel. We assessed the amounts recorded and/or disclosed by evaluating responses received directly from the Group’s internal and external legal counsel related to competition and regulatory disputes. We evaluated relevant publicly available information, including court proceedings related to competition and regulatory disputes regarding the Group and events subsequent to the date of the consolidated statement of financial position. To assess the Group’s ability to estimate provisions for competition and regulatory disputes, we compared historical provision estimates to actual settlements. In addition, we assessed the adequacy of the information disclosed in Notes 5.2, 5.7 and 18 to the consolidated financial statements.
/s/ KPMG Audit, a division of KPMG S.A. Represented by Jacques Yves PIERRE We have served as the Group‘s auditor since 2015 | /s/ Deloitte Associés We have served as the Group‘s auditor since 2021 |
Paris-La Défense, France
March 3, 2022
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – F-3
Report of independent registered public accounting firms
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Orange S.A.
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited, before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in accounting described in Note 2.3.1, the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Orange S.A. and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). The 2020 and 2019 consolidated financial statements before the effects of the adjustments described in Note 2.3.1 are not presented herein. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements, before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in accounting described in Note 2.3.1, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Group as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union and in conformity with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in accounting described in Note 2.3.1 and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those adjustments were audited by other auditors.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Group's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are public accounting firms registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Group in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ KPMG Audit, a division of KPMG S.A. Represented by Jacques Yves PIERRE | /s/ERNST YOUNG Audit |
We have served as the Group‘s auditor since 2015 | We served as the Group‘s auditor from 1991 to 2021 |
Paris-La Défense, France
February 18, 2021
2021 Form 20-F / ORANGE – F-4
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-5 |
Significant events 2021
Impairment of goodwill in Spain | French part-time for seniors plan | Significant changes in the scope of consolidation in 2021 | |||||
The downward revision of the business plan for the cash-generating unit in Spain has led to the recognition at June 30, 2021 of an impairment loss of (3,702) million euros in goodwill. | On December 17, 2021, as part of the renegotiation of the intergenerational agreement, a new French part-time for seniors plan was signed in France, resulting in the recognition of an employee benefit liability of 1,225 million euros. | In 2021, the Group carried out several significant transactions that had an impact on the scope of consolidation: ● Disposal of 50% of Orange Concessions shares ● Disposal of 50% of Orange Polska's FiberCo shares ● Acquisition of 54% of Telekom Romania Communications shares ● Public share buyback offer of Orange Belgium | |||||
| Note 7 |
| Note 6.2.1 |
| Note 3.2 | ||
Table of contents
Financial statements | ||
F-9 | ||
F-10 | ||
F-11 | ||
F-12 | ||
Analysis of changes in shareholders’ equity related to components of the other comprehensive income | F-13 | |
F-14 | ||
F-16 | ||
F-16 | ||
F-16 | ||
F-18 | ||
F-20 | ||
F-22 | ||
F-24 | ||
F-26 | ||
F-28 | ||
Simplified statement of cash flows on telecommunication and Mobile Financial Services activities | F-30 | |
F-33 | ||
F-34 | ||
Description of business and basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements | F-34 | |
F-34 | ||
F-35 | ||
New standards and interpretations applied from January 1, 2021 | F-35 | |
F-37 | ||
F-38 | ||
Gains and losses on disposal and main changes in scope of consolidation | F-40 | |
Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities | F-40 | |
F-40 | ||
F-45 | ||
F-45 | ||
F-47 | ||
F-47 | ||
F-49 | ||
F-51 | ||
F-52 | ||
F-52 | ||
F-53 | ||
F-54 | ||
F-55 | ||
F-55 | ||
F-56 | ||
F-56 | ||
F-57 | ||
F-57 | ||
F-57 | ||
F-61 | ||
F-64 | ||
F-64 | ||
F-64 | ||
F-65 | ||
F-66 | ||
F-67 | ||
F-69 | ||
F-69 | ||
F-69 | ||
F-70 | ||
F-71 | ||
F-73 | ||
F-74 | ||
F-75 | ||
F-75 | ||
F-76 | ||
F-77 | ||
F-78 | ||
F-78 | ||
F-80 | ||
F-84 | ||
F-86 | ||
F-86 | ||
F-87 | ||
Contractual commitments on interests in associates and joint ventures | F-87 | |
F-87 | ||
Financial assets, liabilities and financial results (telecom activities) | F-88 | |
F-88 | ||
Profits and losses related to financial assets and liabilities | F-89 | |
F-90 | ||
F-93 | ||
F-94 | ||
Loans from development organizations and multilateral lending institutions | F-96 | |
F-97 | ||
F-98 | ||
Information on market risk and fair value of financial assets and liabilities (telecom activities) | F-101 | |
F-101 | ||
F-102 | ||
F-103 | ||
F-105 | ||
F-105 | ||
F-106 | ||
F-107 | ||
F-107 | ||
F-109 | ||
F-109 | ||
F-110 | ||
F-110 | ||
F-111 | ||
F-113 | ||
F-114 | ||
F-115 | ||
F-116 | ||
F-116 | ||
F-119 | ||
F-120 | ||
F-120 | ||
Financial assets and liabilities of Mobile Financial Services | F-120 | |
Information on market risk management with respect to Orange Bank activities | F-124 | |
F-128 | ||
F-128 | ||
F-131 | ||
F-131 | ||
F-133 |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. The accounting principles are split within each note in gray areas.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-8 |
Consolidated income statement
(in millions of euros, except for per share data) |
| Note |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 | |
Revenue |
| 4.1 |
| |
| |
| | |
External purchases |
| 5.1 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Other operating income |
| 4.2 |
| |
| |
| | |
Other operating expenses |
| 5.2 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Labor expenses |
| 6.1 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Operating taxes and levies |
| 10.1.1 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities |
| 3.1 |
| |
| |
| | |
Restructuring costs |
| 5.3 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets | 8.2 | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Depreciation and amortization of financed assets | 8.5 | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Depreciation and amortization of right-of-use assets |
| 9.1 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Reclassification of translation adjustment from liquidated entities |
|
| ( |
| — |
| | ||
Impairment of goodwill |
| 7.1 |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |
Impairment of fixed assets |
| 8.3 |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |
Impairment of right-of-use assets | 9.1 | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures |
| 11 |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Operating income |
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
Cost of gross financial debt excluding financed assets |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Interests on debts related to financed assets | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Gains (losses) on assets contributing to net financial debt |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| | ||
Foreign exchange gain (loss) |
|
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Interests on lease liabilities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Other net financial expenses |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Effects resulting from BT stake |
| 13.7 |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Finance costs, net |
| 13.2 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Income taxes |
| 10.2.1 |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Consolidated net income |
|
|
| | |
| | ||
Net income attributable to owners of the parent company |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Non-controlling interests |
| 15.6 |
| |
| |
| | |
Earnings per share (in euros) attributable to parent company |
| 15.7 |
| ||||||
Net income |
|
| |||||||
– basic |
|
| | | | ||||
– diluted |
|
| | | |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-9 |
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
(in millions of euros) |
| Note |
| 2021 |
| 2020(1) |
| 2019(1) |
|
Consolidated net income |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability |
| 6.2 | |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Assets at fair value |
| 13.7-17.1 | |
| |
| ( | ||
Income tax relating to items that will not be reclassified |
| 10.2.2 | ( |
| |
| | ||
Share of other comprehensive income in associates and joint ventures that will not be reclassified |
| ( |
| — |
| — | |||
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss (a) |
|
| |
| |
| ( | ||
Assets at fair value | 13.7-17.1 | | | | |||||
Cash flow hedges |
| 13.8.2 | |
| |
| | ||
Translation adjustment gains and losses |
| 15.5 | |
| ( |
| | ||
Income tax relating to items that are or may be reclassified |
| 10.2.2 | ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Share of other comprehensive income in associates and joint ventures that are or may be reclassified | | — | — | ||||||
Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss (b) |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Other consolidated comprehensive income (a) + (b) |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Consolidated comprehensive income |
| |
| |
| | |||
Comprehensive income attributable to the owners of the parent company |
| |
| |
| | |||
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC agenda decision on calculation of some retirement indemnities plans (see Note 2.3.1). |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-10 |
Consolidated statement of financial position
(in millions of euros) | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020(1) |
| 2019(1) | |||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Goodwill |
| 7.2 |
| |
| |
| | |
Other intangible assets |
| 8.4 |
| |
| |
| | |
Property, plant and equipment |
| 8.5 |
| |
| |
| | |
Right-of-use assets | 9.1 | | | | |||||
Interests in associates and joint ventures |
| 11 |
| |
| |
| | |
Non-current financial assets related to Mobile Financial Services activities |
| 17.1 |
| |
| |
| | |
Non-current financial assets |
| 13.1 |
| |
| |
| | |
Non-current derivatives assets |
| 13.1 |
| |
| |
| | |
Other non-current assets |
| 4.5 |
| |
| |
| | |
Deferred tax assets |
| 10.2.3 |
| |
| |
| | |
Total non-current assets |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Inventories |
| 5.4 |
| |
| |
| | |
Trade receivables |
| 4.3 |
| |
| |
| | |
Other customer contract assets | 4.4 | | | | |||||
Current financial assets related to Mobile Financial Services activities |
| 17.1 |
| |
| |
| | |
Current financial assets |
| 13.1 |
| |
| |
| | |
Current derivatives assets |
| 13.1 |
| |
| |
| | |
Other current assets |
| 4.5 |
| |
| |
| | |
Operating taxes and levies receivables |
| 10.1.2 |
| |
| |
| | |
Current taxes assets |
| 10.2.3 |
| |
| |
| | |
Prepaid expenses |
| 5.5 |
| |
| |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents |
| 13.1 |
| |
| |
| | |
Total current assets |
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
Total assets |
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
Equity and liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Share capital |
| |
| |
| | |||
Share premiums and statutory reserve |
| |
| |
| | |||
Subordinated notes |
| |
| |
| | |||
Retained earnings |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |||
Equity attributable to the owners of the parent company |
| |
| |
| | |||
Non-controlling interests |
| |
| |
| | |||
Total equity |
| 15 | |
| |
| | ||
Non-current financial liabilities |
| 13.1 | |
| |
| | ||
Non-current derivatives liabilities |
| 13.1 | |
| |
| | ||
Non-current lease liabilities | 9.2 | | | | |||||
Non-current fixed assets payables |
| 8.6 | |
| |
| | ||
Non-current financial liabilities related to Mobile Financial Services activities |
| 17.1 | |
| — |
| — | ||
Non-current employee benefits |
| 6.2 | |
| |
| | ||
Non-current dismantling provisions |
| 8.7 | |
| |
| | ||
Non-current restructuring provisions |
| 5.3 | |
| |
| | ||
Other non-current liabilities |
| 5.7 | |
| |
| | ||
Deferred tax liabilities |
| 10.2.3 | |
| |
| | ||
Total non-current liabilities |
| |
| |
| | |||
Current financial liabilities |
| 13.1 | |
| |
| | ||
Current derivatives liabilities |
| 13.1 | |
| |
| | ||
Current lease liabilities | 9.2 | | | | |||||
Current fixed assets payables |
| 8.6 | |
| |
| | ||
Trade payables |
| 5.6 | |
| |
| | ||
Customer contract liabilities | 4.4 | | | | |||||
Current financial liabilities related to Mobile Financial Services activities |
| 17.1 | |
| |
| | ||
Current employee benefits |
| 6.2 | |
| |
| | ||
Current dismantling provisions |
| 8.7 | |
| |
| | ||
Current restructuring provisions |
| 5.3 | |
| |
| | ||
Other current liabilities |
| 5.7 | |
| |
| | ||
Operating taxes and levies payables |
| 10.1.2 | |
| |
| | ||
Current taxes payables |
| 10.2.3 | |
| |
| | ||
Deferred income |
| |
| |
| | |||
Total current liabilities |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Total equity and liabilities |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-11 |
Consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity
(in millions of euros) | Attributable to owners of the parent company | Attributable to non-controlling interests | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Share | Share | Subor- | Reserves | Other | Total |
| Reserves | Other | Total | equity | ||||||||||||||
issued shares | capital | premiums | dinated | compre- | compre- | ||||||||||||||||||||
and | notes | hensive | hensive | ||||||||||||||||||||||
statutory | income | income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| reserve |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2019 | | | | | ( | ( | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Effect of the application of the IFRC IC decision on IAS 19(1) | — | — | — | — | | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2019 after restatement(1) | | | | | ( | ( | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Consolidated comprehensive income(1) | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation |
| 6.1 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| | |
Purchase of treasury shares |
| 15.2 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Dividends |
| 15.3 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | |
Issues and purchases of subordinated notes | 15.4 | — | — | — | | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||
Subordinated notes remuneration |
| 15.4 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Changes in ownership interests with no gain/loss of control | 3.2 | — | — | — | — | | — | | | — | | | |||||||||||||
Changes in ownership interests with gain/loss of control | 3.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | | | |||||||||||||
Other movements(2) |
|
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| | ||
Balance as of December 31, 2019(1) | | | | | ( | ( | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Consolidated comprehensive income(1) |
|
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||
Share-based compensation |
| 6.1 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| | |
Purchase of treasury shares |
| 15.2 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| | |
Dividends |
| 15.3 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | |
Issues and purchases of subordinated notes | 15.4 | — | — | — | | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||
Subordinated notes remuneration |
| 15.4 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Changes in ownership interests with no gain/loss of control |
| 3.2 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| |
| ( | |
Other movements |
|
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Balance as of December 31, 2020(1) | | |
| |
| | |
| ( | | | | | | |||||||||||
Consolidated comprehensive income |
|
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Share-based compensation |
| 6.1 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| | |
Purchase of treasury shares |
| 15.2 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Dividends |
| 15.3 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | |
Issues and purchases of subordinated notes | 15.4 | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||
Subordinated notes remuneration |
| 15.4 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Changes in ownership interests with no gain/loss of control(3) |
| 3.2 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | |
Changes in ownership interests with gain/loss of control(4) |
| 3.2 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| | |
Other movements |
|
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
| (1) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC agenda decision on calculation of some retirement indemnities plans (see Note 2.3.1) |
| (2) | |
| (3) |
| (4) |
Analysis of changes in shareholders’ equity related to components of the other comprehensive income
(in millions of euros) | Attributable to owners of the parent company | Attributable to non-controlling interests | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets at | Hedging | Translation | Actuarial | Deferred | Other | Total | Assets at | Hedging | Translation | Actuarial | Deferred | Total | other | |||||||||||||||
fair value | instruments | adjustment | gains | tax(2) | compre- | fair value | instruments | adjustment | gains | tax | compre- | |||||||||||||||||
|
| and |
| hensive |
|
| and |
| hensive | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| losses(2) |
|
| income |
|
|
|
|
| losses |
|
|
| income | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
| of associates |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| and joint |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ventures(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2019 | ( | ( | | ( | | ( | ( | ( | ( | | ( | | | ( | ||||||||||||||
Variation(1) | ( | | | ( | ( | — | | | ( | | ( | ( | | | ||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2019 | ( | ( | | ( | | ( | ( | ( | ( | | ( | | | ( | ||||||||||||||
Variation(1) |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | | ( | ( | ( | | ( | ( | ( | ( | | ( | | | ( | ||||||||||||||
Variation(1) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| (1) |
Including in 2020 a variation of (
Including in 2019 a variation of
| (2) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated for the IFRS IC decision relating to the calculation of the obligations of some pension plans (see Note 2.3.1). |
| (3) | Amounts excluding translation adjustment. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-13 |
Consolidated statement of cash flows
(in millions of euros) |
| Note |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Consolidated net income |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Non-monetary items and reclassified items for presentation |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Operating taxes and levies | 10.1.1 | | | | |||||
Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities |
| 3.1 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Other gains and losses | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets |
| 8.2 | |
| |
| | ||
Depreciation and amortization of financed assets | 8.5 | | | | |||||
Depreciation and amortization of right-of-use assets | 9.1 | | | | |||||
Changes in provisions |
| 4-5-6-8 |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |
Reclassification of cumulative translation adjustment from liquidated entities |
| |
| — |
| ( | |||
Impairment of goodwill |
| 7.1 |
| |
| — |
| | |
Impairment of fixed assets |
| 8.3 |
| |
| |
| ( | |
Impairment of right-of-use assets | 9.1 | | | | |||||
Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures |
| 11 |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Operational net foreign exchange and derivatives |
|
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Finance costs, net |
| 13.2 |
| |
| |
| | |
Income tax |
| 10.2.1 |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Share-based compensation |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Changes in working capital and operating banking activities(1) |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Decrease (increase) in inventories, gross |
|
| ( |
| |
| | ||
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables, gross |
|
| |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Increase (decrease) in trade payables |
|
| |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Changes in other customer contract assets and liabilities |
|
| |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Changes in other assets and liabilities (2) |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Other net cash out |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Operating taxes and levies paid |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Dividends received |
|
| | | | ||||
Interest paid and interest rates effects on derivatives, net (3) |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Tax dispute for fiscal years 2005-2006 |
|
| — |
| |
| — | ||
Income tax paid excluding the effect of the tax litigation for years 2005-2006 |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities (a) |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Purchases and sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |
|
| ( | ( |
| ( | |||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (4) |
| 8.4-8.5 |
| ( | ( |
| ( | ||
Increase (decrease) in fixed assets payables |
|
| ( | |
| | |||
Investing donations received in advance | | | | ||||||
Sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (5) | | | | ||||||
Cash paid for investment securities, net of cash acquired |
|
| ( | ( |
| ( | |||
Telekom Roumania Communications | 3.2 | ( | — | — | |||||
SecureLink | — | — | ( | ||||||
SecureData | — | — | ( | ||||||
Other |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Investments in associates and joint ventures |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Purchases of equity securities measured at fair value |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Proceeds from sales of investment securities, net of cash transferred | | | ( | ||||||
Orange Concessions | 3.2 | | — | — | |||||
Swiatłowod Inwestycje Sp. z o.o (FiberCo in Poland) | 3.2 | | — | — | |||||
Sales of BT | 13.7 | — | — | | |||||
Other proceeds from sales of investment securities at fair value |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Decrease (increase) in securities and other financial assets |
|
| | | ( | ||||
Investments at fair value, excluding cash equivalents |
|
| |
| |
| ( | ||
Other(6) |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Net cash used in investing activities (b) |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
(in millions of euros) |
| Note |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Financing activities | ||||||||
Medium and long-term debt issuances |
| 13.5-13.6 |
| |
| |
| |
Medium and long-term debt redemptions and repayments(7) |
| 13.5-13.6 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Repayments of lease liabilities |
| ( | ( | ( | ||||
Increase (decrease) of bank overdrafts and short-term borrowings |
|
|
| |
| ( |
| ( |
o/w redemption of subordinated notes reclassified in 2019 as short-term borrowings | 15.4 | — | ( | — | ||||
Decrease (increase) of cash collateral deposits |
|
|
| |
| ( |
| |
Exchange rates effects on derivatives, net |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Subordinated notes issuances (purchases) and other related fees |
| 15.4 |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
Coupon on subordinated notes |
| 15.4 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Proceeds (purchases) treasury shares |
| 15.2 |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
o/w employee share offering (Orange Together 2021) |
| 6.3 |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
o/w Orange Vision 2020 free share award plan | — | — | ( | |||||
Capital increase (decrease) - non-controlling interests | | | | |||||
Changes in ownership interests with no gain / loss of control |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Dividends paid to owners of the parent company |
| 15.3 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests | 15.6 | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities (c) |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (a) + (b) + (c) |
|
| |
| |
| | |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Cash and cash equivalents in the opening balance | | | | |||||
Cash change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Non-cash change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
| |
| ( |
| |
o/w effect of exchange rates changes and other non-monetary effects | | ( | | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents in the closing balance |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| (1) |
| (2) |
| (3) |
| (4) |
| (5) |
| (6) |
| (7) |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-15 |
Note 1 Segment information
1.1 Segment revenue
(in millions of euros) |
| France |
|
| ||||
Other | Eliminations | |||||||
|
| Spain |
| European |
| Europe | ||
countries | ||||||||
December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
Revenue(3) |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
Convergent services |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Mobile-only services |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Fixed-only services |
| | (4) | | |
| — | |
IT integration services |
| — |
| | |
| — | |
Wholesale |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
Equipment sales | | | | — | ||||
Other revenue | | | | | ||||
External |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Inter-operating segments |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
| |||||
Revenue(3) |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
Convergent services |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Mobile-only services |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Fixed-only services |
| | (4) | | |
| — | |
IT integration services |
| — |
| | |
| — | |
Wholesale |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
Equipment sales | | | | — | ||||
Other revenue | | | | — | ||||
External | | | | — | ||||
Inter-operating segments | | | | ( | ||||
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
| ||||
Revenue(3) |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
Convergent services |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Mobile-only services |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Fixed-only services |
| | (4) | | |
| — | |
IT integration services |
| — |
| | |
| — | |
Wholesale |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
Equipment sales |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Other revenue |
| |
| | |
| — | |
External |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Inter-operating segments |
| |
| | |
| ( |
| (1) | Including, in 2021, revenue of |
Including, in 2020, revenue of
Including, in 2019, revenue of
| (2) | Including revenue of |
| (3) | The description of different sources of revenue is presented in Note 4.1. |
| (4) | Including, in 2021, fixed only broadband revenue of |
Including, in 2020, fixed only broadband revenue of
Including, in 2019, fixed only broadband revenue of
| (5) | Including, in 2021, revenue of |
Including, in 2020, revenue of
Including, in 2019, revenue of
(in millions of euros) |
| Europe |
| Africa |
| Enterpri-se(1) |
| International |
| Eliminations |
| Total |
| Mobile |
| Eliminations |
| Orange |
| Total |
| Middle-East |
|
| Carriers |
|
| telecom |
| Financial |
| telecom |
| consolidated | |||
Shared | activities | Services | activities / | financial | ||||||||||||||
Services (2) | mobile | statements | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
| financial services | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenue(3) |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | ||||
Convergent services |
| | — | — | — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Mobile-only services |
| | | | — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | ||||
Fixed-only services |
| | | | (5) | — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | |||
IT integration services |
| | | | — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | ||||
Wholesale |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| | | ||||
Equipment sales | | | | — | ( | | — | ( | | |||||||||
Other revenue | | | — | | ( | | — | ( | | |||||||||
External |
| | | | |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Inter-operating segments |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | — | ||||
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Revenue(3) |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | ||||
Convergent services |
| | — | — | — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Mobile-only services |
| | | | — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | ||||
Fixed-only services |
| | | | (5) | — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | |||
IT integration services |
| | | | — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | ||||
Wholesale |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Equipment sales | | | | — | ( | | — | ( | | |||||||||
Other revenue | | | — | | ( | | — | ( | | |||||||||
External | | | | | — | | — | — | | |||||||||
Inter-operating segments | | | | | ( | | — | ( | — | |||||||||
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Revenue(3) |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | ||||
Convergent services |
| | — | — | — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Mobile-only services |
| | | | — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | ||||
Fixed-only services |
| | | | (5) | — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | |||
IT integration services |
| | | | — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | ||||
Wholesale |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Equipment sales |
| | | | — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | ||||
Other revenue |
| | | — | |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | | ||||
External |
| | | | |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Inter-operating segments |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | — |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-17 |
1.2 Segment revenue to consolidated net income in 2021
(in millions of euros) |
| France |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Europe |
Spain | Other | Elimina- | Total | |||||||
European | tions | |||||||||
countries | Europe | |||||||||
Revenue |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
External purchases |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
Other operating income |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
Other operating expenses |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Labor expenses |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Operating taxes and levies |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Restructuring costs |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Depreciation and amortization of financed assets |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Depreciation and amortization of right-of-use assets |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Impairment of right-of-use assets |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
EBITDAaL (1) |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Significant litigations (1) |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Specific labour expenses (1) |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Fixed assets, investments and businesses portfolio review (1) |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
Restructuring programs costs (1) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Acquisition and integration costs (1) |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Reclassification of translation adjustment from liquidated entities |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Impairment of goodwill |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
Impairment of fixed assets |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
Elimination of interests on debts related to financed assets(3) |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Elimination of interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Operating Income |
| |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( |
Cost of gross financial debt except financed assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gains (losses) on assets contributing to net financial debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange gain (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interests on lease liabilities(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other net financial expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance costs, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) | See Note 1.9. for EBITDAaL adjustments. |
| (2) | Mobile Financial Services's net banking income is recognized in other operating income and amounts to |
| (3) | Presentation adjustments allow the reallocation of the lines of specific items identified in the segment information to the operating revenue and expense lines presented in the consolidated income statement. Interests on debts related to financed assets and interests on lease liabilities are included in segment EBITDAaL. They are excluded from segment operating income and included in net finance costs presented in the consolidated income statement. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-18 |
(in millions of euros) | Africa | Enterprise | Interna- | Elimination | Total |
| Mobile |
| Elimina- |
| Total |
| Presenta- |
| Orange | |||||
Middle- | tional | telecom | telecom | Financial | tions | tion adjust- | consoli- | |||||||||||||
| East |
|
| Carriers |
| activities |
| activities | Services(2) | telecom | ments(3) | dated | ||||||||
Shared | activites / | financial | ||||||||||||||||||
Services | mobile | statements | ||||||||||||||||||
financial | ||||||||||||||||||||
services | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| |
External purchases |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Other operating income |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| |
Other operating expenses |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Labor expenses |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Operating taxes and levies |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
Restructuring costs |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
Depreciation and amortization of financed assets |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Depreciation and amortization of right-of-use assets |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Impairment of right-of-use assets |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| n/a |
Interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| n/a |
EBITDAaL (1) |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| |
| n/a |
Significant litigations (1) |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| n/a |
Specific labour expenses (1) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| n/a |
Fixed assets, investments and businesses portfolio review (1) |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| n/a |
Restructuring programs costs (1) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| n/a |
Acquisition and integration costs (1) |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| n/a |
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Reclassification of translation adjustment from liquidated entities |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Impairment of goodwill |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Impairment of fixed assets |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures |
| |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
Elimination of interests on debts related to financed assets(3) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| n/a |
Elimination of interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| n/a |
Operating Income |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
Cost of gross financial debt except financed assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ( |
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ( |
Gains (losses) on assets contributing to net financial debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ( |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Interests on lease liabilities(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ( |
Other net financial expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Finance costs, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ( |
Income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ( |
Consolidated net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-19 |
1.3 Segment revenue to consolidated net income in 2020
(in millions of euros) | France | Europe | ||||||||
|
|
| Other |
| Elimina- |
| ||||
Spain | European | tions | Total | |||||||
|
|
| countries |
| Europe |
| ||||
Revenue |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
External purchases |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
Other operating income |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
Other operating expenses |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
Labor expenses |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Operating taxes and levies |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Restructuring costs |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Depreciation and amortization of financed assets | ( | — | — | — | — | |||||
Depreciation and amortization of right-of-use assets | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||
Impairment of right-of-use assets | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) | ( | — | — | — | — | |||||
Interests on lease liabilities(3) | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||
EBITDAaL (1) |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Significant litigations (1) |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Specific labour expenses (1) |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
Fixed assets, investments and businesses portfolio review (1) | | | | — | | |||||
Restructuring programs costs (1) | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||
Acquisition and integration costs (1) | ( | — | ( | — | ( | |||||
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||
Reclassification of translation adjustment from liquidated entities | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
Impairment of goodwill | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
Impairment of fixed assets | ( | — | ( | — | ( | |||||
Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures | ( | — | | — | | |||||
Elimination of interests on debts related to financed assets(3) | | — | — | — | — | |||||
Elimination of interests on lease liabilities(3) | | | | — | | |||||
Operating Income |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Cost of gross financial debt except financed assets |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Gains (losses) on assets contributing to net financial debt |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Other net financial expenses |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Finance costs, net |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Income Taxes |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Consolidated net income |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (1) | See Note 1.9. for EBITDAaL adjustments. |
| (2) | Mobile Financial Services's net banking income is recognized in other operating income and amounts to |
| (3) | Presentation adjustments allow the reallocation of the lines of specific items identified in the segment information to the operating revenue and expense lines presented in the consolidated income statement. Interests on debts related to financed assets and interests on lease liabilities are included in segment EBITDAaL. They are excluded from segment operating income and included in net finance costs presented in the consolidated income statement. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-20 |
(in millions of euros) | Africa | Entreprise | Interna-tional | Elimina-tion | Total | Mobile | Elimina-tions | Total | Presenta- | Orange | ||||||||||
| Middle-East |
|
| Carriers |
| telecom |
| telecom |
| Financial |
| telecom |
| tion | consoli- | |||||
Shared | activities | activities | Services(2) | activities/mobile | adjust- | dated financial | ||||||||||||||
| Services |
| financial services |
|
| ments(3) |
| statements | ||||||||||||
Revenue |
| | | | ( | | — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| | |||||
External purchases |
| ( | ( | ( | | ( | ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Other operating income |
| | | | ( | | |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| | |||||
Other operating expenses |
| ( | ( | ( | | ( | ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Labor expenses |
| ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Operating taxes and levies |
| ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |||||
Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| | |||||
Restructuring costs |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Depreciation and amortization of financed assets | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of right-of-use assets | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Impairment of right-of-use assets | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | | n/a | ||||||||||
Interests on lease liabilities(3) | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | | n/a | ||||||||||
EBITDAaL (1) |
| | | ( | - | | ( |
| |
| |
| |
| n/a | |||||
Significant litigations (1) |
| — | — | ( | — | ( | — |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| n/a | |||||
Specific labour expenses (1) |
| ( | | ( | — | ( | ( |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| n/a | |||||
Fixed assets, investments and businesses portfolio review (1) | | | | — | | — | — | | ( | n/a | ||||||||||
Restructuring programs costs (1) | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | | n/a | ||||||||||
Acquisition and integration costs (1) | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | | n/a | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Reclassification of translation adjustment from liquidated entities | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||
Impairment of fixed assets | ( | — | ( | — | ( | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures | | | ( | — | ( | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Elimination of interests on debts related to financed assets(3) | — | — | — | — | | — | — | | ( | n/a | ||||||||||
Elimination of interests on lease liabilities(3) | | | | — | | | — | | ( | n/a | ||||||||||
Operating Income |
| | | ( | — | | ( |
| |
| |
| — |
| | |||||
Cost of gross financial debt except financed assets |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | ||||||
Gains (losses) on assets contributing to net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | ||||||
Foreign exchange gain (loss) |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | ||||||
Interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | ||||||
Other net financial expenses |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| | ||||||
Finance costs, net |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | ||||||
Income Taxes |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| | ||||||
Consolidated net income |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-21 |
1.4 Segment revenue to consolidated net income in 2019
(in millions of euros) |
| France | Europe | |||||||
Spain | Other | Elimina- | Total | |||||||
|
| European |
| tions |
| |||||
|
|
| countries |
| Europe |
| ||||
Revenue |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
External purchases |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
Other operating income |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
Other operating expenses |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
Labor expenses |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Operating taxes and levies |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Restructuring costs |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Depreciation and amortization of financed assets | ( | — | — | — | — | |||||
Depreciation and amortization of right-of-use assets | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||
Impairment of right-of-use assets | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) | ( | — | — | — | — | |||||
Interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
EBITDAaL(1) |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Significant litigations(1) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Specific labour expenses(1) |
| ( | — | | — | | ||||
Fixed assets, investments and businesses portfolio review(1) | | | | — | | |||||
Restructuring programs costs(1) | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||
Acquisition and integration costs(1) | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||
Reclassification of translation adjustment from liquidated entities | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
Impairment of goodwill | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
Impairment of fixed assets | ( | — | ( | — | ( | |||||
Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures | — | — | | — | | |||||
Elimination of interests on debts related to financed assets(3) | | — | — | — | — | |||||
Elimination of interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Operating Income |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Cost of gross financial debt except financed assets |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||
Gains (losses) on assets contributing to net financial debt | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
Interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||
Other net financial expenses | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
Effects resulting from BT sale |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||
Finance costs, net | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
Income Taxes | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
Consolidated net income |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| (1) | See Note 1.9. for EBITDAaL adjustments. |
| (2) | Mobile Financial Services's net banking income is recognized in other operating income and amounts to |
| (3) | Presentation adjustments allow the reallocation of the lines of specific items identified in the segment information to the operating revenue and expense lines presented in the consolidated income statement. Interests on debts related to financed assets and interests on lease liabilities are included in segment EBITDAaL. They are excluded from segment operating income and included in net finance costs presented in the consolidated income statement. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-22 |
(in millions of euros) | Africa | Enterprise | Interna-tional | Elimina-tion | Total | Mobile | Elimina-tions | Total | Presenta-tion | Orange | ||||||||||
| Middle-East |
|
| Carriers |
| telecom |
| telecom |
| Financial |
| telecom |
|
| adjust-ments(3) | consoli-dated | ||||
Shared | activities | activities | Services(2) | activities/ | financial | |||||||||||||||
| Services |
|
| mobile |
|
|
| statements | ||||||||||||
financial | ||||||||||||||||||||
services | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
| | | | ( | |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| | ||||
External purchases |
| ( | ( | ( | | ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | ||||
Other operating income |
| | | | ( | | | ( | | — | | |||||||||
Other operating expenses |
| ( | ( | ( | | ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||||
Labor expenses |
| ( | ( | ( | — | ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||||
Operating taxes and levies |
| ( | ( | ( | — | ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | ||||
Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| | ||||
Restructuring costs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of financed assets | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of right-of-use assets | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Impairment of right-of-use assets | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | | n/a | ||||||||||
Interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| ( | ( | ( | — | ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| n/a | ||||
EBITDAaL(1) |
| | | ( | — | |
| ( |
| |
| |
| |
| n/a | ||||
Significant litigations(1) |
| — | — | ( | — | ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| n/a | ||||
Specific labour expenses(1) |
| — | | | — | ( | — | — | ( | | n/a | |||||||||
Fixed assets, investments and businesses portfolio review(1) | ( | — | | — | | — | — | | ( | n/a | ||||||||||
Restructuring programs costs(1) | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | | n/a | ||||||||||
Acquisition and integration costs(1) | — | ( | ( | — | ( | — | — | ( | | n/a | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Reclassification of translation adjustment from liquidated entities | | — | | — | | — | — | | — | | ||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill | ( | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Impairment of fixed assets | | | ( | — | | — | — | | — | | ||||||||||
Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures |
| | | ( | — | | — | — | | — | | |||||||||
Elimination of interests on debts related to financed assets(3) | — | — | — | — | | — | — | | ( | n/a | ||||||||||
Elimination of interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| | | | — | |
| — |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| n/a | ||||
Operating Income |
| | | ( | — | |
| ( |
| |
| |
| — |
| | ||||
Cost of gross financial debt except financed assets |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( | ||||||||
Interests on debts related to financed assets(3) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||
Gains (losses) on assets contributing to net financial debt | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||
Foreign exchange gain (loss) |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| | ||||||||
Interests on lease liabilities(3) |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( | ||||||||
Other net financial expenses |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| | ||||||||
Effects resulting from BT sale |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( | ||||||||
Finance costs, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||
Income Taxes |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( | ||||||||
Consolidated net income |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-23 |
1.5 Segment investments
(in millions of euros) |
| France |
|
|
| |||
Spain | Other | Elimina- | ||||||
European | tions | |||||||
countries | Europe | |||||||
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
eCapex (1) |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Elimination of proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Telecommunications licenses |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Financed assets |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Total investments (4) |
| |
| | |
| — | |
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
| ||||
eCapex (1) |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Elimination of proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | | | | — | ||||
Telecommunications licenses |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Financed assets |
| |
| — | — |
| — | |
Total investments (4) |
| |
| | |
| — | |
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
| ||||
eCapex (1) |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Elimination of proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | | | | — | ||||
Telecommunications licenses |
| — |
| | |
| — | |
Financed assets |
| |
| — | — |
| — | |
Total investments (4) |
| |
| | |
| — |
| (1) | See Note 1.9 for eCapex definition. |
| (2) | Including investments in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment in France for |
| (3) | Including investments in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment in France for |
| (4) | Including |
Including
Including
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-24 |
(in millions of euros) |
| Europe |
| Africa |
| Enterprise(2) |
| International |
| Eliminations |
| Total |
| Mobile |
| Eliminations |
| Orange |
Total | Middle-East |
| Carriers | telecom | telecom | Financial | telecom | consolidated | ||||||||||
Shared | activities | activities | Services | activities/ | financial | |||||||||||||
Services(3) | and | mobile | statements | |||||||||||||||
| unallocated |
|
| financial |
| |||||||||||||
|
|
|
| items |
|
|
| services |
| |||||||||
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
eCapex (1) |
| | | | | — | |
| |
| — |
| | |||||
Elimination of proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |
| | | | | — | |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||
Telecommunications licenses |
| | | | — | — | |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||
Financed assets |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||
Total investments (4) |
| | | | | — | |
| |
| — |
| | |||||
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||
eCapex (1) |
| | | | | — | |
| |
| — |
| | |||||
Elimination of proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | | | | | — | | — | — | | |||||||||
Telecommunications licenses |
| | | | | — | |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||
Financed assets |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||
Total investments (4) |
| | | | | — | |
| |
| — |
| | |||||
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||
eCapex (1) |
| | | | | — | |
| |
| — |
| | |||||
Elimination of proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | | | | | — | | — | — | | |||||||||
Telecommunications licenses |
| | | | | — | |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||
Financed assets |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||
Total investments (4) |
| | | | | — | |
| |
| — |
| |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-25 |
1.6 Segment assets
(in millions of euros) |
| France |
|
| ||||
Spain | Other | Elimina- | ||||||
European | tions | |||||||
countries | Europe | |||||||
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Goodwill |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Other intangible assets |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Property, plant and equipment |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Right-of-use assets | | | | — | ||||
Interests in associates and joint ventures |
| |
| — | |
| — | |
Non-current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Other |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Total non-current assets |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Inventories |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Trade receivables |
| |
| | |
| | |
Other customer contract assets | | | | — | ||||
Prepaid expenses |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Other |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Total current assets |
| |
| | |
| | |
Total assets |
| |
| | |
| | |
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Goodwill |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Other intangible assets |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Property, plant and equipment |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Right-of-use assets | | | | — | ||||
Interests in associates and joint ventures |
| |
| — | |
| — | |
Non-current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Other |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Total non-current assets |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Inventories |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Trade receivables |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
Other customer contract assets | | | | — | ||||
Prepaid expenses |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Other |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Total current assets |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
Total assets |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Goodwill |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Other intangible assets |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Property, plant and equipment |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Right-of-use assets | | | | — | ||||
Interests in associates and joint ventures |
| |
| — | |
| — | |
Non-current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Other |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Total non-current assets |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Inventories |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Trade receivables |
| |
| | |
| | |
Other customer contract assets | | | | — | ||||
Prepaid expenses |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Other |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Total current assets |
| |
| | |
| | |
Total assets |
| |
| | |
| |
| (1) | Including intangible and tangible assets for |
| (2) | Including intangible and tangible assets for |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-26 |
(in millions of euros) | Europe | Africa | Enterprise | International | Eliminations | Total | Mobile | Eliminations | Orange | ||||||||||
Total | Middle-East | Carriers | telecom | telecom | Financial | telecom | consolidated | ||||||||||||
Shared | activities | activities | Services | activities / | financial | ||||||||||||||
Services | and | mobile | statements | ||||||||||||||||
unallocated | financial | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
| items |
|
|
| services |
| |||||||||||
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Goodwill |
| | | | |
|
| — |
| |
| |
| — | | ||||
Other intangible assets |
| | | | (1) | | (2) |
| — |
| |
| |
| — | | |||
Property, plant and equipment |
| | | | (1) | | (2) |
| ( |
| |
| |
| — | | |||
Right-of-use assets | | | | | — | | | — | | ||||||||||
Interests in associates and joint ventures |
| | | | |
|
| ( |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Non-current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — |
|
| |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Other |
| | | | |
|
| | |
| | (4) | ( | | |||||
Total non-current assets |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| | ( | | |||||
Inventories |
| | | | |
|
| ( |
| |
| | — | | |||||
Trade receivables |
| | | | |
|
| ( |
| |
| | ( | | |||||
Other customer contract assets | | | | | | | — | — | | ||||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
| | | | |
|
| ( |
| |
| | ( | | |||||
Current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| — | — | | |||||
Other |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| | (5) | ( | | ||||
Total current assets |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| ( | | ||||
Total assets |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| ( | | ||||
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Goodwill |
| | | | |
|
| — |
| |
| |
| — | | ||||
Other intangible assets |
| | | | (1) | | (2) |
| — |
| |
| |
| — | | |||
Property, plant and equipment |
| | | | (1) | | (2) |
| — |
| |
| |
| — | | |||
Right-of-use assets | | | | | — | | | — | | ||||||||||
Interests in associates and joint ventures |
| | | | |
|
| — |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Non-current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — |
|
| |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Other |
| | | | |
|
| | (3) | |
| | (4) | ( | | ||||
Total non-current assets |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| ( | | ||||
Inventories |
| | | | |
|
| — |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Trade receivables |
| | | | |
|
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | | ||||
Other customer contract assets | | | | — | — | | — | — | | ||||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
| | | | |
|
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | | ||||
Current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — |
|
| |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Other |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| | (5) | ( | | ||||
Total current assets |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| ( | | ||||
Total assets |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| ( | | ||||
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Goodwill |
| | | | |
|
| — |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Other intangible assets |
| | | | (1) | | (2) |
| — |
| |
| |
| — | | |||
Property, plant and equipment |
| | | | (1) | | (2) |
| — |
| |
| |
| — | | |||
Right-of-use assets | | | | | — | | | — | | ||||||||||
Interests in associates and joint ventures |
| | | | |
|
| — |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Non-current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — |
|
| |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Other |
| | | | |
|
| | (3) | |
| | (4) | ( | | ||||
Total non-current assets |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| ( | | ||||
Inventories |
| | | | |
|
| — |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Trade receivables |
| | | | |
|
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | | ||||
Other customer contract assets | | | | — | — | | — | — | | ||||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
| | | | |
|
| ( |
| |
| |
| — | | ||||
Current assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — |
|
| |
| |
| — |
| — | | ||||
Other |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| | (5) | ( | | ||||
Total current assets |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| ( | | ||||
Total assets |
| | | | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| ( | |
| (3) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC decision on the calculation of obligations relating to certain defined benefit pension plans (see Note 2.3.1). |
| (4) | Including |
| (5) | Including |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-27 |
1.7 Segment equity and liabilities
(in millions of euros) |
| France |
|
|
| |||
Spain | Other | Elimina- | ||||||
European | tions | |||||||
countries | Europe | |||||||
December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
Equity |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Non-current lease liabilities | | | | — | ||||
Non-current fixed assets payables |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Non-current employee benefits |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Non-current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Other |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Total non-current liabilities |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Current lease liabilities | | | | — | ||||
Current fixed assets payables |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Trade payables |
| |
| | |
| | |
Customer contracts liabilities | | | | — | ||||
Current employee benefits |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Deferred income |
| — |
| | |
| — | |
Current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Other |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Total current liabilities |
| |
| | |
| | |
Total equity and liabilities |
| |
| | |
| | |
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
| |||||
Equity |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Non-current lease liabilities |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Non-current fixed assets payables | | | | — | ||||
Non-current employee benefits |
| | (3) | | |
| — | |
Non-current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Other |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Total non-current liabilities |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Current lease liabilities | | | | — | ||||
Current fixed assets payables |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Trade payables |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
Customer contracts liabilities | | | | — | ||||
Current employee benefits |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Deferred income |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Other |
| |
| | |
| — | |
Total current liabilities |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
Total equity and liabilities |
| |
| | |
| ( | |
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Equity |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | |
Non-current lease liabilities | | | | — | ||||
Non-current fixed assets payables | | | | — | ||||
Non-current employee benefits |
| | (3) | | | — | ||
Non-current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — | |||
Other |
| | | | — | |||
Total non-current liabilities |
| | | | — | |||
Current lease liabilities | | | | — | ||||
Current fixed assets payables |
| | | | — | |||
Trade payables |
| | | | | |||
Customer contracts liabilities |
| | | | — | |||
Current employee benefits |
| | | | — | |||
Deferred income |
| | — | | — | |||
Current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | ||||
Other |
| | | — | ||||
Total current liabilities |
| | | | | |||
Total equity and liabilities |
| | | | |
| (1) | Including in 2021, |
| (2) | Including in 2021, |
| (3) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC decision on the calculation of obligations relating to certain defined benefit pension plans (see Note 2.3.1). |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-28 |
(in millions of euros) |
| Europe |
| Africa |
| Enterprise |
| International |
| Eliminations |
| Total |
| Mobile |
| Eliminations |
| Orange |
Total | Middle-East | Carriers | telecom | telecom | Financial | telecom | consolidated | |||||||||||
Shared | activities | activities | Services | activities / | financial | |||||||||||||
Services | and | mobile | statements | |||||||||||||||
unallocated | financial | |||||||||||||||||
|
| items |
|
|
| services |
| |||||||||||
December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity |
| — | — | — | — |
| |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| | |||
Non-current lease liabilities | | | | | — | | | — | | |||||||||
Non-current fixed assets payables |
| | | | |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — |
| | |||
Non-current employee benefits |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| |
| — |
| | |||
Non-current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| | |||
Other |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| | (1) | ( |
| | |||
Total non-current liabilities |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| | ( |
| | ||||
Current lease liabilities | | | | | ( | | | — | | |||||||||
Current fixed assets payables |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| | — |
| | ||||
Trade payables |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| | ( |
| | ||||
Customer contracts liabilities | | | | | ( | | | ( | | |||||||||
Current employee benefits |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| | — |
| | ||||
Deferred income |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| | ( |
| | ||||
Current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — |
| |
| |
| — | ( |
| | ||||
Other |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| | (2) | ( |
| | |||
Total current liabilities |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| | ( |
| | ||||
Total equity and liabilities |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| | ( |
| | ||||
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Equity |
| — | — | — | — |
| | (3) | |
| ( | — |
| | ||||
Non-current lease liabilities | | | | | — | | | — | | |||||||||
Non-current fixed assets payables |
| | | — | — |
| — |
| |
| — | — |
| | ||||
Non-current employee benefits |
| | | | (3) | | (3) | — |
| |
| | — |
| | |||
Non-current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — |
| |
| |
| — | — |
| | ||||
Other |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| | (1) | ( |
| | |||
Total non-current liabilities |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| | ( |
| | ||||
Current lease liabilities | | | | | — | | | — | | |||||||||
Current fixed assets payables |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| — | — |
| | ||||
Trade payables |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| | ( |
| | ||||
Customer contracts liabilities | | | | | ( | | — | ( | | |||||||||
Current employee benefits |
| | | | |
| — |
| |
| | — |
| | ||||
Deferred income |
| | | | |
| ( |
| |
| — | — |
| | ||||
Current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — |
| |
| |
| — | ( |
| | ||||
Other |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| | (2) | ( |
| | |||
Total current liabilities |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Total equity and liabilities |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Equity |
| — | — | — | — |
| | (3) | |
| ( |
| — |
| | |||
Non-current lease liabilities | | | | | — | | | — | | |||||||||
Non-current fixed assets payables | | | — | — | — | | — | — | | |||||||||
Non-current employee benefits |
| | | | (3) | | (3) | — | | | — | | ||||||
Non-current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — |
| | | — | — | | |||||||
Other |
| | | | |
| | | | (1) | ( | | ||||||
Total non-current liabilities |
| | | | |
| | | | ( | | |||||||
Current lease liabilities | | | | | — | | | — | | |||||||||
Current fixed assets payables |
| | | | |
| ( | | — | — | | |||||||
Trade payables |
| | | | |
| ( | | | ( | | |||||||
Customer contracts liabilities |
| | | | |
| ( | | — | — | | |||||||
Current employee benefits |
| | | | |
| — | | | — | | |||||||
Deferred income |
| | | | |
| — | | — | — | | |||||||
Current liabilities included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| — | — | — | — |
| | | — | ( | | |||||||
Other |
| | | | |
| | | | (2) | — | | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
| | | | |
| | | | ( | | |||||||
Total equity and liabilities |
| | | | |
| | | | ( | |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-29 |
1.8 Simplified statement of cash flows on telecommunication and Mobile Financial Services activities
2021 | |||||||||
| Telecom |
| Mobile |
| Eliminations |
| Orange |
| |
activities | Financial | telecom | consoli- |
| |||||
Services | activities / | dated financial |
| ||||||
mobile financial | statement |
| |||||||
(in millions of euros) |
|
|
|
|
| services |
|
| |
Operating activities | |||||||||
Consolidated net income |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | |
Non-monetary items and reclassified items for presentation |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Changes in working capital and operating banking activities |
|
|
|
| |||||
Decrease (increase) in inventories, gross |
| ( | ( | — | ( | ||||
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables, gross |
| | ( | | | ||||
Increase (decrease) in trade payables |
| | | ( | | ||||
Changes in other customer contract assets and liabilities | | — | — | | |||||
Changes in other assets and liabilities |
| | ( | — | ( | ||||
Other net cash out |
|
|
|
| |||||
Operating taxes and levies paid |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |
Dividends received |
| |
| — |
| — |
| | |
Interest paid and interest rates effects on derivatives, net |
| ( | (1) | ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Income tax paid |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | |
Net cash provided by operating activities (a) |
| | (2) | ( |
| — |
| | |
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Purchases (sales) of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (3) |
| ( | ( |
| — |
| ( | ||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||
Increase (decrease) in fixed assets payables | ( | | — | ( | |||||
Investing donations received in advance | | — | — | | |||||
Sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | | — | — | | |||||
Cash paid for investment securities, net of cash acquired |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |
Investments in associates and joint ventures |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Purchases of equity securities measured at fair value |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |
Proceeds from sales of investment securities, net of cash transferred |
| |
| — |
| — |
| | |
Other proceeds from sales of investment securities at fair value | | — | — | | |||||
Other decrease (increase) in securities and other financial assets |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Net cash used in investing activities (b) |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | |
Financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Medium and long-term debt issuances |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Medium and long-term debt redemptions and repayments |
| ( | (4) | ( |
| |
| ( | |
Increase (decrease) of bank overdrafts and short-term borrowings |
| | ( | ( | | ||||
Decrease (increase) of cash collateral deposits |
| | | — | | ||||
Exchange rates effects on derivatives, net | |
| — |
| — |
| | ||
Other cash flows |
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Repayments of lease liabilities | ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | ||
Subordinated notes issuances (purchases) and other related fees |
| ( | — | — | ( | ||||
Coupon on subordinated notes |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Proceeds (purchases) from treasury shares | ( | — | — | ( | |||||
Capital increase (decrease) - non-controlling interests | | | — | | |||||
Capital increase (decrease) - telecom activities / mobile financial services (6) |
| ( | | — |
| | |||
Changes in ownership interests with no gain / loss of control |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Dividends paid to owners of the parent company |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Net cash used in financing activities (c) |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |
Cash and cash equivalents in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| — |
| | |
Cash change in cash and cash equivalents (a) + (b) + (c) |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash and cash equivalents and other non-monetary effects |
| |
| |
| — |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| — |
| | |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-30 |
2020 |
| ||||||||
Telecom | Mobile | Eliminations | Orange |
| |||||
activities | Financial | telecom | consoli- |
| |||||
| Services |
| activities / | dated financial |
| ||||
|
|
| mobile financial |
| statement |
| |||
(in millions of euros) | services | ||||||||
Operating activities | |||||||||
Consolidated net income |
| | ( |
| — |
| | ||
Non-monetary items and reclassified items for presentation |
| | |
| |
| |||
Changes in working capital and operating banking activities |
|
|
| ||||||
Decrease (increase) in inventories, gross | | — | — | | |||||
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables, gross | ( | ( | | ( | |||||
Increase (decrease) in trade payables | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Changes in other customer contract assets and liabilities | ( | — | ( | ( | |||||
Changes in other assets and liabilities | | ( | — | ( | |||||
Other net cash out | |||||||||
Operating taxes and levies paid | ( | | — | ( | |||||
Dividends received | | — | — | | |||||
Interest paid and interest rates effects on derivatives, net |
| ( | (1) | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Tax dispute for fiscal years 2005-2006 |
| | — |
| — |
| | ||
Income tax paid excluding the effect of the fiscal litigation for years 2005-2006 |
| ( | ( |
| — |
| ( | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities (a) |
| | (2) | ( |
| ( |
| | |
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Purchases (sales) of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets(3) |
| ( | ( |
| — |
| ( | ||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||
Increase (decrease) in fixed assets payables |
| | — |
| — |
| | ||
Investing donations received in advance | | — | — | | |||||
Sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |
| | — |
| — |
| | ||
Cash paid for investment securities, net of cash acquired |
| ( | ( | — |
| ( | |||
Investments in associates and joint ventures | ( | — | — | ( | |||||
Purchases of equity securities measured at fair value | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||
Sales of investment securities, net of cash transferred |
| | |
| — |
| | ||
Decrease (increase) in securities and other financial assets |
| | |
| ( |
| | ||
Net cash used in investing activities (b) |
| ( | |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||||
Medium and long-term debt issuances |
| | — |
| — |
| | ||
Medium and long-term debt redemptions and repayments |
| ( | (4) | — |
| — |
| ( | |
Increase (decrease) of bank overdrafts and short-term borrowings |
| ( | (5) | ( |
| |
| ( | |
Decrease (increase) of cash collateral deposits |
| ( | |
| — |
| ( | ||
Exchange rates effects on derivatives, net | | — | — | | |||||
Other cash flows | |||||||||
Repayments of lease liabilities | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||
Subordinated notes issuances (purchases) and other related fees | ( | — | — | ( | |||||
Coupon on subordinated notes | ( | — | — | ( | |||||
Other proceeds (purchases) from treasury shares | | — | — | | |||||
Capital increase (decrease) – non-controlling interests |
| | — |
| — |
| | ||
Capital increase (decrease) - telecom activities / mobile financial services (6) | ( | | — | — | |||||
Changes in ownership interests with no gain / loss of control |
| ( | — | — |
| ( | |||
Dividends paid to owners of the parent company |
| ( | — |
| — |
| ( | ||
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests |
| ( | ( |
| — |
| ( | ||
Net cash used in financing activities (c) |
| ( | |
| |
| ( | ||
Cash and cash equivalents in the opening balance |
| | |
| — |
| | ||
Cash change in cash and cash equivalents (a) + (b) + (c) |
| | ( |
| — |
| | ||
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash and cash equivalents and other non-monetary effects |
| ( | — |
| — |
| ( | ||
Cash and cash equivalents in the closing balance |
| | |
| — |
| | ||
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-31 |
2019 | ||||||||
| Telecom |
| Mobile |
| Eliminations |
| Orange | |
activities | Financial | telecom | consoli- | |||||
Services | activities / | dated | ||||||
mobile financial | financial | |||||||
(in millions of euros) | services | statement | ||||||
Operating activities |
|
|
|
| ||||
Consolidated net income | | ( | — | | ||||
Non-monetary items and reclassified items for presentation |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Changes in working capital and operating banking activities |
|
|
|
| ||||
Decrease (increase) in inventories, gross |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables, gross |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Increase (decrease) in trade payables |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
Changes in other customer contract assets and liabilities |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
Changes in other assets and liabilities |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Other net cash out |
|
|
|
| ||||
Operating taxes and levies paid |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Dividends received |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
Interest paid and interest rates effects on derivatives, net |
| ( | (1) | ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Income tax paid |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( |
Net cash provided by operating activities (a) |
| | (2) | ( |
| — |
| |
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases (sales) of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets(3) |
| ( | ( |
| — |
| ( | |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | ( | ( | — | ( | ||||
Increase (decrease) in fixed assets payables | | ( | — | | ||||
Investing donations received in advance | | — | — | | ||||
Sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | | — | — | | ||||
Cash paid for investment securities, net of cash acquired |
| ( |
| — | — |
| ( | |
Investments in associates and joint ventures |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
Purchases of equity securities measured at fair value |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Sales of investment securities, net of cash transferred |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
Decrease (increase) in securities and other financial assets |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
Net cash used in investing activities (b) |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
Financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medium and long-term debt issuances |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
Medium and long-term debt redemptions and repayments |
| ( | (4) | — |
| — |
| ( |
Increase (decrease) of bank overdrafts and short-term borrowings |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
Decrease (increase) of cash collateral deposits |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| |
Exchange rates effects on derivatives, net |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
Other cash flows |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Repayments of lease liabilities |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Subordinated notes issuances (purchases) and other related fees |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
Coupon on subordinated notes |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
Purchases of treasury shares | ( | — | — | ( | ||||
Capital increase (decrease) - non-controlling interests |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Capital increase (decrease) - telecom activities / mobile financial services (6) |
| ( | | — |
| — | ||
Changes in ownership interests with no gain / loss of control |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
Dividends paid to owners of the parent company |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
Net cash used in financing activities (c) |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| |
Cash and cash equivalents in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Cash change in cash and cash equivalents (a) + (b) + (c) |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| |
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash and cash equivalents and other non-monetary effects |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
Cash and cash equivalents in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| (1) | Including interests paid on lease liabilities for million euros in 2021, ( |
| (2) | Including significant litigations paid and received for ( |
| (3) | Including telecommunication licenses paid for ( |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-32 |
| (4) | Including repayments of debts relating to financed assets for ( |
| (5) | Including redemption of subordinated notes reclassified in 2019 as short-term borrowings of ( |
| (6) | Including Orange Bank's share capital invested by Orange group for |
The table below shows the reconciliation between net cash provided by operating activities (telecom activities), as shown in the simplified statement of cash flows, and organic cash flow from telecom activities.
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities (telecom activities) |
| |
| |
| |
Purchases (sales) of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Repayments of lease liabilities |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Repayments of debts relating to financed assets |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Elimination of telecommunication licenses paid |
| |
| |
| |
Elimination of significant litigation paid (and received) (1) |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
Organic cash flow from telecom activities |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | In 2020, including the tax proceeds of |
1.9 Definition of operating segments and performance indicators
Accounting policies
Segment information
The decisions regarding the allocation of resources and the assessment of Orange's performance (hereinafter referred to as “the Group”) are made by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (main operational decision-maker) at business segment level, mainly consisting of the geographical establishments.
The business segments are:
– France (excluding Enterprise);
– Spain and each of the Other European countries (including the business segments Poland, Belgium and Luxembourg and each of the Central European countries). The Europe aggregate thus presents all the business segments in this region;
– the Sonatel subgroup (grouping together Sonatel in Senegal, Orange Mali, Orange Bissau, Orange in Guinea and Orange in Sierra Leone), the Côte d’Ivoire subgroup (including the Orange Côte d’Ivoire entities, Orange in Burkina Faso and Orange in Liberia) and each of the other countries in Africa and Middle East. The Africa and Middle East aggregate thus presents all the business segments in this region;
– Enterprise, which brings together dedicated communication solutions and services for businesses in France and around the world (including the Cyberdefense activity);
– the activities of International Carriers Shared Services (ICSS), which contain certain resources, mainly in the areas of networks, information systems, research and development and other shared Group activities, as well as the Orange brand;
– Mobile Financial Services, which includes the Orange Bank entity.
The use of shared resources, mainly provided by ICSS, is taken into account in segment results based either on the terms of contractual agreements between legal entities, external benchmarks or by reallocating costs among the segments. The supply of shared resources is included in other revenues of the service provider, and the use of these resources is included in expenses of the service user. The cost of shared resources may be affected by changes in contractual relationships or organization and may therefore impact the segment results disclosed from one fiscal year to another.
Operating performance indicators
EBITDAaL and eCapex are the key operating performance indicators used by the Group to:
| ◾ | manage and assess its operating and segment results; and |
| ◾ | implement its investment and resource allocation strategy. |
The Group’s management believes that the presentation of these indicators is relevant as it provides readers with the same management indicators as those used internally.
EBITDAaL relates to operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization of fixed assets, effects resulting from business combinations, reclassification of translation adjustment from liquidated entities, impairment of goodwill and fixed assets, share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures, and after interests on debts related to financed assets and on lease liabilities, adjusted for:
– significant litigation impacts;
– specific labor expenses;
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-33 |
– fixed assets, investments and business portfolio review;
– restructuring program costs;
– acquisition and integration costs;
– where appropriate, other specific items.
This measurement indicator allows for the effects of certain specific factors to be isolated, irrespective of their recurrence and the type of income and expense, when they are linked to:
– significant litigation: significant litigation expenses relate to risk reassessments regarding various litigations. Associated procedures are based on third-party decisions (regulatory authority, court, etc.) and occur over a different period to the activities at the source of the litigation. Costs are by nature difficult to predict in terms of their source, amount and period;
– specific labor expenses: independent of any departure plans included in the costs of restructuring programs, certain employee working time adjustment programs have a negative impact on the period in which they are signed and implemented. Specific labor expenses also relate to changes in assumptions and experience effects for the various part-time for seniors plans in France;
– fixed assets, investments and business portfolio review: the Group conducts an ongoing review of its portfolio of fixed assets, investments and businesses. In this context, exit or disposal decisions are implemented and, by their nature, have an impact on the period in which they take place;
– restructuring program costs: the adaptation of the Group’s activities to changes in the environment may generate costs related to the shutdown or major transformation of an activity. These costs, linked to the cessation or major transformation of an activity, mainly consist of employee departure plans, contract terminations and costs in respect of contracts that have become onerous;
– acquisition and integration costs: the Group incurs costs directly related to the acquisition of entities and their integration in the months following their acquisition. These are primarily legal and advisory fees, registration fees and earn-outs;
– where appropriate, other specific items that are systematically specified in relation to income and/or expenses.
EBITDAaL is not a financial indicator defined by IFRS and may not be comparable to similarly titled indicators used by other groups. It is provided as additional information only and should not be considered as a substitute for operating income or cash flow provided by operating activities.
eCapex relates to acquisitions of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets excluding telecommunication licenses and financed assets, minus the disposal price of fixed assets. It is used internally as an indicator to allocate resources. eCapex is not a financial indicator defined by IFRS and may not be comparable to similarly titled indicators used by other companies.
The Group uses organic cash flow from telecom activities as an operating performance measure for telecom activities as a whole. Organic cash flow from telecom activities relates to net cash provided by telecom activities minus (i) repayment of lease liabilities and debts related to financed assets, (ii) purchases and disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, net of the change in fixed asset payables, (iii) excluding the effect of telecommunication licenses paid and principal litigations paid and received. Organic cash flow is not a financial indicator defined by IFRS and may not be comparable to similarly titled indicators used by other groups.
Assets and liabilities
Inter-segment assets and liabilities are reported in each business segment.
Non-allocated assets and liabilities for telecom activities mainly include external financial debt, external cash and cash equivalents, current and deferred tax assets and liabilities, as well as equity. Financial debt and investments between these segments are presented as non-allocated elements.
For Mobile Financial Services, the line “other” includes the assets and liabilities listed above as well as loans and receivables and payables related to Mobile Financial Services transactions.
The other accounting policies are presented within each note to which they refer.
1.10 Change in segment information expected in 2022
In February 2021, Orange announced the creation of TOTEM, a European TowerCo that will operate a tower portfolio consisting of approximately
Note 2 Description of business and basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements
2.1 Description of business
Orange provides B2C customers, businesses and other telecommunication operators with a wide range of services including fixed telephony and mobile telecommunications, data transmission and other value-added services, including mobile financial services. In addition to its role as a supplier of connectivity, the Group provides business services, primarily solutions in the fields of digital work, security and improving business line processes.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-34 |
Telecommunication operator activities are regulated and dependent upon the granting of licenses, just as Mobile Financial Services activities have their own regulations.
2.2 Basis of preparation of the financial statements
The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors' Meeting of February 16, 2022 and will be submitted for approval at the Shareholders' Meeting of May 19, 2022.
The 2021 consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as endorsed by the European Union. Comparative figures are presented for 2020 and 2019 using the same basis of preparation.
The data are presented in millions of euros, without a decimal. Rounding to the nearest million may in some cases lead to non-significant discrepancies in the totals and subtotals shown in the tables.
For the reported periods, the accounting standards and interpretations endorsed by the European Union are similar to the compulsory standards and interpretations published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) with the exception of the texts currently being endorsed, that have no effect on the Group accounts. Consequently, the Group financial statements are prepared in accordance with the IFRS standards and interpretations, as published by the IASB.
The principles applied to prepare the 2021 financial data are based on:
– all the standards and interpretations endorsed by the European Union compulsory at December 31, 2021;
– options taken relating to date and methods of first application (see 2.3 below);
– the recognition and measurement alternatives allowed by the IFRSs:
Standard | Alternative used | ||
IAS 1 | Accretion expense on operating liabilities (employee benefits, environmental liabilities and licenses) | Classification as financial expenses | |
IAS 2 | Inventories | Measurement of inventories determined by the weighted average unit cost method | |
IAS 7 | Interest paid and received dividends | Classification as net operating cash flows | |
IAS 16 | Property, plant and equipment | Measurement at amortized historical cost | |
IAS 38 | Intangible assets | Measurement at amortized historical cost | |
IFRS 3 | Non-controlling interests | At the acquisition date, measurement either at fair value or at the portion of the net identifiable asset of the acquired entity | |
– accounting positions adopted by the Group in accordance with paragraphs 10 to 12 of IAS 8:
Topic |
| Note |
Presentation of consolidated financial statements |
| Financial statements and segment information |
Operating taxes and levies payables |
| 10.1 |
Income taxes |
| 10.2 |
Non-controlling interests: | ||
change in ownership interest in a subsidiary and transactions with owners |
| 3 and 15.6 |
In the absence of any accounting standard or interpretation applicable to a specific transaction or event, the Group's management uses its judgment to define and apply an accounting policy that will result in relevant and reliable information, such that the financial statements:
– fairly present the Group’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows;
– reflect the economic substance of transactions;
– are neutral;
– are prepared on a prudent basis; and
– are complete in all material respects.
2.3 New standards and interpretations applied from January 1, 2021
2.3.1 Decision of the IFRS IC concerning IAS 19 Employee Benefits on the calculation of obligations relating to certain defined benefit pension plans
The IFRS Interpretations Committee (IC) was asked to comment on the calculation of defined benefit pension plans for which the granting of rights is conditional on the employee's presence in the Group at the time of retirement (with loss of all rights in the event of early retirement) and for which the rights depend on seniority, while being capped at a certain number of years of service. For plans reviewed by the IFRS IC, the cap may be reached at a date prior to retirement.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-35 |
In France, the interpretation of IAS 19 had led to the practice of measuring and recognizing the commitment on a straight-line basis over the employee's career with the Group. The commitment calculated in this way corresponds to the pro rata rights acquired by the employee at the time of retirement.
The decision of the IFRS IC, published on May 24, 2021, concludes, in this case, that no rights are acquired in the event of departure before retirement age and that the rights are capped after a certain number of years of seniority (X), and the commitment would only be recognized for the last X years of the employee's career within the company.
This decision was implemented by the Group at December 31, 2021 for plans falling within the scope of the Interpretation Committee's decision. The effect of this implementation mainly limited to retirement benefit plans in France.
As the application of this decision constitutes a change in accounting policy, the effects of the implementation have been calculated retrospectively and have affected the opening equity. The effect of the implementation of this decision on the income statement is not material for the periods presented.
The required information on employee benefits is presented in Note 6.2.
– Effects on the consolidated statement of financial position:
(in millions of euros) |
| January 1, |
| Effects of |
| January 1, |
| 2019 |
| Effects of |
| December 31, |
| 2020 |
| Effects of |
| December 31, |
2019 | IFRS IC | 2019 restated | variation | IFRS IC | 2019 restated | variation | IFRS IC | 2020 restated | ||||||||||
decision | data | decision | data | decision | data | |||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets |
| | ( |
| | ( |
| ( |
| | ( |
| ( |
| | |||
Total non-current assets |
| | ( |
| | ( |
| ( |
| | |
| ( |
| | |||
Total assets | | ( | | | ( | | | ( | | |||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity attributable to owners of the parent company | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
o/w reserves | ( | | ( | | — | ( | | — | | |||||||||
o/w other comprehensive income | ( | — | ( | | | ( | ( | | ( | |||||||||
o/w deferred tax | | — | | ( | ( | | ( | ( | | |||||||||
o/w actuarial gains and losses | ( | — | ( | ( | | ( | ( | | ( | |||||||||
Equity attributable to non-controlling interests | | — | | | — | | ( | — | | |||||||||
Total Equity | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
Non-current employee benefits | | ( | | ( | ( | | ( | ( | | |||||||||
Total non-current liabilities |
| | ( |
| | |
| ( |
| | ( |
| ( |
| | |||
Total equity and liabilities |
| | ( |
| | |
| ( |
| | |
| ( |
| |
2.3.2 Amendment to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16: IBOR reform phase 2
The amendments to the standards for this phase 2 provide in particular practical expedients for the modification of financial instruments or leases related to the IBOR reform. For debt instruments affected by the IBOR reform, it will not be necessary to apply the provisions of IFRS 9 to determine whether the modification of the instrument is substantial. These amendments propose that modifications to financial instruments related to the reform be treated prospectively as an update to the interest rate with no impact on profit or loss. With regard to hedge accounting, the amendments introduce an exemption allowing hedge accounting to be maintained despite the change in future cash flows impacted by the change in rates due to the reform.
Discussions with the counterparties to negotiate the replacement of the indices with the new ones have been finalized. At December 31, 2021, the Group's exposure to financial instruments indexed to variable rates that are due to expire and maturing after the reform's implementation date is now nil.
2.3.3 IFRS IC decision on implementation costs of a cloud computing agreement — IAS 38
The IFRS IC has specified the cases in which configuration and adaptation costs for software acquired as part of SaaS (software as a service) may be capitalized as intangible assets. In accordance with this decision, only services that result in the creation of an additional code controlled by the customer could be capitalized. Other services would be recognized as expenses for the period or as prepaid expenses. The method used to expense the implementation costs of the Group's SaaS contracts complies with the accounting provisions set out by the IFRS IC in its decision.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-36 |
2.4 Main standards and interpretations compulsory after December 31, 2021 with no early application elected by the Group
2.4.1 Amendment to IAS 1: Classification of liabilities as current or non-current
The amendment to the standard clarifies the current requirements of IAS 1 on the classification of liabilities in an entity's balance sheet. This amendment is not expected to have a significant impact on the Group's statement of financial position. However, the implementation of this amendment could lead to the reclassification of certain liabilities from current to non-current, and vice versa. The date of entry into force of this amendment is January 1, 2024.
2.4.2 Amendment to IAS 16: Proceeds before intended use
The amendment clarifies that an entity is not permitted to recognize any revenue from the sale of items produced as a deduction from the cost of the fixed asset while preparing the asset for its intended use. The proceeds from selling such items are recognized in profit or loss. This amendment should have no effect on the Group's financial statements. The amendment is applicable from January 1, 2022.
2.4.3 Amendment to IAS 37: Onerous contracts – cost of fulfilling a contract
The clarifications provided by the amendment concern the incremental costs of fulfilling an onerous contract to be taken into account in the provision, namely the costs of direct labor and materials and the allocation of other costs directly related to the contract, for example the depreciation expense relating to a fixed asset used in fulfilling the contract. The potential provisions of this amendment are currently being analyzed. The amendment is applicable from January 1, 2022.
2.4.4 Amendment to IAS 12: Taxes — Deferred taxes related to an asset or liability acquired through a single transaction
The amendment introduces a new exception to the exemption from the initial recognition of deferred taxes. As a result of this amendment, an entity does not apply the initial recognition exemption for transactions that give rise to deductible temporary differences.
Under applicable tax law, equal taxable and deductible temporary differences may arise on initial recognition of an asset and a liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting profit nor taxable profit. For example, this may occur when the lease liability and the corresponding right of use are recognized under IFRS 16 at the inception of a lease. The Group's accounting policies are already aligned with the proposals of the amendment. The provisions of this amendment will apply as of January 1, 2023.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-37 |
2.5 Accounting policies, use of judgment and estimates
The accounting policies are presented within each note to which they refer. In summary:
Note | Topic | Accounting policies | Judgments and |
1 | Segment information | X | |
3 | Changes in the scope of consolidation, takeovers (business combinations), internal transfer of consolidated shares, assets held for sale | X | X |
4.1 | Revenue | X | X |
4.3 | Trade receivables | X | X |
4.4 | Customer contract net assets and liabilities, costs of obtaining a contract and costs to fulfill a contract, unfulfilled performance obligations | X | X |
4.5 | Submarine cable consortiums, Orange Money | X | |
5.1 | Advertising, promotion, sponsoring, communication and brand marketing costs | X | |
5.2 | Litigation, acquisition and integration costs | X | X |
5.3 | Restructuring costs | X | X |
5.4 | Broadcasting rights and equipment inventories | X | |
5.6 | Trade payables (goods and services) | X | X |
6.2 | Employee benefits | X | X |
6.3 | Employee share-based compensation | X | |
7 | Goodwill, impairment of goodwill | X | X |
8.2 | Depreciation and amortization | X | |
8.3 | Impairment of non-current assets | X | X |
8.4 | Other intangible assets | X | X |
8.5 | Property,plant and equipment financial liabilities | X | X |
8.6 | Fixed assets payables | X | X |
8.7 | Dismantling provisions | X | X |
9 | Leases | X | X |
9.1 | Right-of-use assets | X | |
9.2 | Lease liabilities | X | X |
10.1 | Operating taxes and levies | X | |
10.2 | Income taxes | X | X |
11 | Interests in associates and joint ventures | X | X |
12 | Transactions with related parties | X | |
13.3 | Net financial debt | X | X |
13.3 | Cash and cash equivalents, bonds, bank loans and loans from multilateral lending institutions | X | |
13.4 | Perpetual bonds redeemable for shares (TDIRA) | X | X |
13.7 | Financial assets (telecom activities) | X | X |
13.8 | Derivatives (telecom activities) | X | |
14.8 | Fair value of financial assets and liabilities (telecom activities) | X | X |
15.2 | Treasury shares | X | |
15.4 | Subordinated notes, equity component of perpetual bonds redeemable for shares (TDIRA) | X | X |
15.5 | Translation adjustments | X | |
15.6 | Non-controlling interests | X | |
15.7 | Earnings per share | X | |
17.1 | Financial assets and liabilities of Mobile Financial Services | X | |
17.1.1 | Financial assets related to Orange Bank activities | X | X |
17.2.7 | Fair value of financial assets and liabilities of Orange Bank | X | |
18 | Litigation | X |
| (1) | See Notes 2.5.1 and 2.5.2 |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-38 |
2.5.1 Use of judgment
In addition to the alternatives or accounting positions mentioned above in 2.2, Management exercises judgment in order to define the accounting policies for certain transactions:
Topic | Nature of accounting judgment | |
Notes 3 and 20 | Control | Requiring judgment in certain circumstances with respect to the existence or not of the control Continuous control assessment which can affect the scope of consolidation, as for instance when a shareholders’ agreement is revised or terminated, or when protective rights turn into substantive rights |
Note 4 | Revenue | Splitting transaction price between mobile and service Identification of distinct or non-distinct performance obligations |
Notes 5, 10 and 18 | Purchases and other expenses, tax and litigation | Litigation and tax: measurement of technical merits of the interpretations and legislative positions and qualification of the facts and circumstances Onerous supplier contracts: trigger event, nature of unavoidable costs |
Note 5 | Purchases and other expenses | Reverse factoring: distinguishing operating debt and financial debt |
Note 8 | Fixed assets | Qualifying network, sites or equipment sharing among operators as joint operations |
Note 9 | Leases | Determination of the non-cancellable lease term and assessment of the exercise or not of termination, extension and purchase option Separation of service and lease components of leases TowerCos arrangements: electing the unit of account (tower or used space) and analyzing the arrangements in order to determine whether they contain a lease |
Notes 13 and 15 | Financial assets, liabilities and financial results (telecom activities) Equity | Distinguishing equity and debt: assessing specific contractual clauses |
2.5.2 Use of estimates
In preparing the Group's financial statements, Orange's management makes estimates, insofar as many elements included in the financial statements cannot be measured precisely. Management revises these estimates if the underlying circumstances evolve or in light of new information or more experience. Consequently, the estimates made at December 31, 2021 may subsequently be changed.
Topic | Key sources of estimates on future income and/or cash flows | |
Notes 4, 14 and 17 | Sales | Deciding duration of legally binding rights and obligations |
Notes 5, 10 and 18 | Risk of resources outflow linked to claims and litigation and to tax legislation Onerous contracts | Underlying assumptions of the assessment of legal and fiscal positions Identifying and releasing of uncertain legal and tax positions Underlying assumptions of the assessment |
Notes 7.3, 7.4, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 and 11 | Measurement of the recoverable values for the impairment tests (goodwill, property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, investments accounted for under the equity method) | Sensitivity to discount rates, perpetual growth rate and business plans’ assumptions which affect the expected cash flows (revenues, EBITDAaL and investments) Assessing the competitive, economic and financial environment of the countries where the Group operates |
Note 10.2 | Measurement of the recoverable value of deferred tax assets | Assessing the deferred tax assets’ recovery timeline when a tax entity reverts to profitability or when the tax legislation limits the use of tax loss carryforwards |
Note 8 | Fixed assets | Assessing assets’ useful life according to the change in the technological, regulatory or economic environment (notably the migration from the copper local loop into fiber and other greater bandwidth technologies, radio technology migration) Provision for dismantling and restoring sites: dismantling timeframe, discount rate, expected cost |
Note 9 | Leases | Determination of the incremental borrowing rate of the lease when the implied interest rate is not identifiable in the lease Determination of the term of certain leases |
Note 6.2 | Employee benefits | Sensitivity to discount rates Sensitivity to sign-up rate senior plans |
Notes 14 and 17 | Fair value of financial assets and liabilities | Models, selection of parameters, fair value hierarchy, evaluation of non-performance risks |
Furthermore, aside from the elements linked to the level of activity, income and future cash flows are sensitive to changes in financial market risks, notably interest rate and foreign exchange risks (see Note 14).
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-39 |
2.5.3Consideration of climate change risks
Natural disasters as well as other accidental events related to climate change, such as fires, could lead to significant destruction of the Orange Group's facilities, resulting in both service interruptions and high repair costs. The frequency and intensity of weather events related to climate change (e.g., floods, storms, heat waves) continue to increase, which could aggravate disasters and increase related damage. In the medium term, rising sea levels could affect sites and facilities located near the coast more often. While coverage of claims by insurers could decrease further, the damage caused by major disasters could result in significant costs to Orange, some of which could be at the expense of the Orange Group and thus affect its financial situation and prospects.
The Group is therefore integrating climate change risks more systematically into its activities. This can be seen in the assessment of these risks on the value of some of its assets through their depreciation schedule or as an event that could lead to the identification of an indication of impairment loss or on the eventual possibility of obtaining financing. Consideration of climate risks is also reflected in the Group's commitment to be carbon neutral by 2040. This commitment changes certain choices in terms of investments related to its activity.
Numerous projects have been initiated within the Group in order to understand the impacts of climate change on its operations. The implementation of actions to limit the effects of the Group's activities on climate change is also underway. The outcome of these projects could lead the Group to review certain accounting treatments, judgments or estimates. At December 31, 2021, the Group has not identified any significant impact on its financial statements at the stage of completion of the projects in progress.
Note 3 Gains and losses on disposal and main changes in scope of consolidation
3.1 Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets (see Note 8.1) |
| |
| |
| |
Gains (losses) on disposal of investments and activities (see Note 3.2) |
| |
| |
| ( |
Gain (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities |
| |
| |
| |
The results of the disposal of BT shares in 2019 are presented in net finance costs in the income statement and detailed in Note 13.6.
3.2 Main changes in the scope of consolidation
Changes in the scope of consolidation during 2021
Disposal of
On 3 November 2021, after receiving final approvals of the antitrust and local authorities, the Orange group sold a
The transaction also includes a call option for the acquisition of an additional 1%, exercisable by Orange during the second quarter of the years 2025 to 2027. Guarantees, which are customary in this type of transaction, have also been granted (see note 16 Contractual obligations and off-balance sheet commitments).
As part of the transaction,
Following this transaction, Orange Concessions is
This investment has been accounted for using the equity method since November 3, 2021. The fair value of the remaining stake retained by the Orange group (corresponding to
This transaction was reflected in the Group's consolidated income statement as follows:
(in millions of euros) |
| At disposal date |
Sale price of |
| |
Reameasurement at fair value of remaining interests held by Orange |
| |
Fair value of Orange Concessions at the disposal date (a) |
| |
Net book value and transaction costs related to sale of Orange Concessions (b) |
| |
Gain resulting from the loss of exclusive control on Orange Concessions (a)+(b) |
| |
Tax cost related to sale of the shares |
| ( |
Net gain resulting from the loss of exclusive control on Orange Concessions |
| |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-40 |
The effects of the disposal of Orange Concessions shares presented in the cash flow statement are as follows:
(in millions of euros) |
| At disposal date |
Sale price of sold shares, net of transaction costs |
| |
Tax costs related to sale of Orange Concessions' shares |
| ( |
Transferred cash of Orange Concessions |
| ( |
Sales of investment securities, net of cash transferred |
| |
The following assets and liabilities of Orange Concessions and its subsidiaries were derecognized on the date of disposal:
| At disposal date | |
(in millions of euros) |
|
|
Assets |
| |
Intangible and tangible assets |
| |
Financial assets |
| |
Trade receivables |
| |
Other assets |
| |
Cash and cash equivalents |
| |
Liabilities |
| |
Net equity |
| ( |
Trade payables |
| |
Financial liabilities |
| |
Other liabilities |
| |
Income statement |
|
|
Revenues |
| |
Operating Income |
| ( |
Finance cost, net |
| ( |
Income taxes |
| ( |
Net income |
| ( |
Disposal of
On August 31, 2021, Orange Polska and the APG Group finalized a share sale agreement under which the Group sold a
The net tax gain associated with the loss of control in the FiberCo, recognized in the consolidated income statement, amounted to
(in millions of euros) |
| At disposal date |
Sale price of |
| |
Reameasurement at fair value of remaining interests hold by Orange Polska |
| |
Fair value of the FiberCo shares at the disposal date (a) |
| |
Net book value and transaction costs related to sale of the FiberCo (b) |
| ( |
Gain resulting from the loss of control on the FiberCo (a)+(b) |
| |
Tax cost related to sale of the shares |
| ( |
Net gain resulting from the loss of exclusive control on FiberCo |
| |
The sale price of the shares sold amounts to
Below are the effects of the disposal of FiberCo's shares in the cash flow statement (cash-flows related to investment activities):
(in millions of euros) |
| At disposal date |
Sale price of sold shares, net of transaction costs |
| |
Tax costs related to the transaction (VAT and income tax) |
| ( |
Transferred cash of the sold entity |
| ( |
Receivables on sale of shares |
| ( |
Sales of investment securities, net of cash transferred |
| |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-41 |
The following assets and liabilities of FiberCo were derecognized on the date of disposal:
(in millions of euros) |
| At disposal date |
Assets |
| |
Tangible assets |
| |
Operating taxes assets |
| |
Prepaid expenses |
| |
Other assets |
| |
Cash and cash equivalents |
| |
Liabilities |
| |
Equity |
| |
Non current financial liabilities |
| |
Other liabilities |
| |
Guarantees, customary in this kind of transaction, were granted. The transaction also includes:
| ● | an obligation on each party to refinance the entity for around |
| ● | a call option for an additional stake of approximately |
As of August 31, 2021, Światłowód Inwestycje became a jointly controlled entity with the APG Group accounted for using the equity method (see Note 11 Interests in associates and joint ventures).
Takeover of Telekom Romania Communications
On September 30, 2021, Orange Romania completed the acquisition of a
In accordance with standard practice in this type of transaction, the amount paid by Orange Romania is subject to price adjustments in the months following the transaction.
(in millions of euros) |
| At acquisition date |
Acquisition cost |
| |
Cash acquired |
| ( |
Cash paid for investment securities, net of cash acquired |
| |
In accordance with IFRS 3 — Business Combinations, the Group has one year from the acquisition date to measure the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This work has not yet been finalized. The amounts disclosed below at December 31, 2021 are therefore provisional and will be reviewed during the first half of 2022.
(in millions of euros) |
| At acquisition date |
Purchase price related to the acquisition of the |
| |
Fair value of the non-controlling interests |
| |
Acquisition cost (a) |
| |
Net book value acquired before purchase price allocation (b) |
| |
Preliminary goodwill (a)-(b) |
| |
In 2021, Telekom Romania Communications' contribution to Group revenues, from the date of acquisition, amounts to
Liability guarantees, which are customary in this type of transaction, were also granted to Orange.
Conditional voluntary public tender offer on shares of Orange Belgium
On April 8, 2021, Orange SA launched a conditional voluntary public tender offer on
The total acquisition cost of these shares amounts to
This change in the percentage share held by Orange is shown in the financing flows in the statement of cash flows.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-42 |
Ongoing transactions as at December 31, 2021
Signing of an agreement with Nethys for the acquisition of a majority block of approximately 75% of the capital of VOO in Belgium
On December 24, 2021, Orange Belgium announced the signing of an agreement to acquire
Completion of the transaction is subject to the customary conditions precedent, including the approval of the European Commission expected in 2022. The transaction values VOO SA at an enterprise value of
At the end of the transaction, Nethys will retain a minority stake in VOO and governance rights to ensure the completion of the industrial and social project. The transaction also includes the option for Nethys to convert its stake in VOO into Orange Belgium shares.
Changes in the scope of consolidation during 2020
Squeeze-out offer on Business Decision shares
On May 28, 2020, Orange Business Services launched a mandatory public buyout offer for all the shares of Business Decision not yet held by the Group, representing
This offer closed on July 8 and was followed by the effective delisting of Business Decision shares on July 13, 2020.
Following this public buyout offer and the acquisition of the remaining shares of capital over the second half of the year for an amount of (
Changes in the scope of consolidation during 2019
Acquisitions of SecureLink and SecureData
On January 31, 2019, Orange acquired a
On July 8, 2019, the Group acquired
At acquisition date |
| SecureLink |
| SecureData |
(in millions of euros) |
|
|
|
|
Acquisition cost |
| |
| |
Cash acquired net of transaction costs |
| ( |
| ( |
Cash paid for investment securities, net of cash acquired |
| |
| |
Goodwill was recognized in the amount of
At acquisition date |
| SecureLink |
| SecureData |
(in millions of euros) |
|
|
|
|
Acquisition cost (a) |
| |
| |
Net book value acquired |
| ( |
| ( |
Effects of fair value measurement: |
|
|
|
|
Customer relationship(1) |
| |
| |
Trademark |
| — |
| — |
Other intangibles |
| — |
| — |
Net deferred tax |
| ( |
| ( |
Net asset remeasured at fair value (b) |
| ( |
| |
Goodwill (a)-(b) |
| |
| |
| (1) | Depreciation between |
Fair values were measured using the excess earnings method for the customer base. Goodwill was primarily related to the acquisition of future customers.
The SecureLink and SecureData acquisition effect on revenue, in 2019, amounted to
Business Decision
Since December 31, 2018, Orange has acquired
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-43 |
Sale of Orange Niger
On November 22, 2019, Orange sold its
Accounting policies
Changes in the scope of consolidation
Entities are fully consolidated if the Group has the following:
– power over the investee; and
– exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and
– the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the investor’s returns.
When assessing control, IFRS 10 requires judgment and continuous assessment.
Clarifications of when the ownership interest does not imply a de facto presumption are provided in Note 20 which lists the main consolidated entities.
Joint ventures and companies over which the Group exercises significant influence (generally corresponding to an ownership interest of 20% to 50%) are accounted for using the equity method.
When assessing the level of control or significant influence exercised over a subsidiary or associate, the existence and effect of any exercisable or convertible potential voting rights at the closing date is taken into account.
Takeovers (business combinations)
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method:
– the acquisition cost is measured at the fair value of the consideration transferred, including all contingent consideration, at the acquisition date. Subsequent changes in the fair value of contingent consideration are accounted for either through profit or loss or through other comprehensive income, in accordance with the applicable standards;
– goodwill is the difference between the consideration transferred and the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, and is recognized as an asset in the statement of financial position. Considering the Group’s activity, the fair values of the identifiable assets relate mainly to licenses, customer bases and brands (which cannot be capitalized when developed in-house), generating induced deferred taxes. The fair value of these assets, which cannot be observed, is established using commonly adopted methods, such as those based on revenues or costs (e.g.: the Greenfield method for the valuation of licenses, the relief from royalty method for the valuation of brands and the excess earnings method for customer bases).
For each business combination with an ownership interest below 100%, non-controlling interest is measured:
– either at its fair value: in which case, goodwill is recognized for the portion relating to non-controlling interests;
– or proportionate to its share of the acquiree's identifiable net assets: in which case, goodwill is only recognized for the share acquired.
Acquisition-related costs are directly recognized in operating income in the period in which they are incurred.
When a business combination is achieved in stages, the previously held equity interest is re-measured at fair value at the acquisition date through operating income. The related other comprehensive income, if any, is fully reclassified to profit or loss.
Loss of exclusive control resulting from the partial disposal of consolidated shares
A loss of exclusive control by the Group over one of its subsidiaries results in the recognition of a capital gain or loss on the disposal, and in the revaluation at fair value of the residual share retained in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 10 applicable in the event of a loss of control.
Internal transfer of consolidated shares
IFRS do not address the accounting treatment for the transfer of consolidated shares within the Group resulting in changes in ownership interest. The Group applies the following accounting policy:
– the transferred shares are carried at historical cost and the gain or loss on the transfer is fully eliminated in the acquirer’s accounts;
– the non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the change in their share in the equity against Group retained earnings, with no impact on profit and loss and equity.
Assets held for sale
The Group qualifies an asset or group of assets as “held for sale” when:
– the management is committed to a plan to sell;
– the asset is available for immediate sale in its current state (subject to any conditions precedent that are usual in such disposals); and
– the sale is highly probable, within 12 months.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-44 |
Thus, when the Group is committed to a plan to sell involving the loss of control or significant influence over one of its assets, it classifies all assets and liabilities of the entities concerned under a separate line in the statement of financial position: Assets/Liabilities held for sale, at a value equal to the lower of the net carrying value and the fair value net of disposal costs.
In addition, when the asset or group of assets held for sale represents a major line of an operating segment, its contribution to the income statement is presented separately below “consolidated net income of continuing operations” and its cash flow contribution is presented in the statement of cash flows.
Note 4 Sales
4.1 Revenue
The presentation of revenue is disaggregated by category and segment in Note 1.1 “Segment information.” The breakdown of revenue by type is as follows:
– Convergence services: these include revenue from convergence services for the B2C market (combined Internet + Mobile products);
– Mobile only services: mobile only services revenue is generated by incoming and outgoing calls (voice, SMS and data), mainly outgoing, excluding convergent services (details below);
– Fixed only services: revenue from fixed only services includes retail sales of broadband and narrowband fixed services, excluding convergent services (see below) and fixed network business solution services, including voice and data services;
– IT integration services: these services include unified communication and collaboration services (LAN and telephony, consultancy, integration, project management), hosting and infrastructure services (including Cloud Computing), application services (customer relations management and other application services), security services, video conferencing offers, as well as sales of equipment related to the above products and services;
– Services to carriers (wholesale): wholesale revenue includes roaming revenue from customers of other networks (national and international), revenue from Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) and from network sharing, among others;
– Equipment sales: Equipment sales include all sales of equipment (mobile terminals, broadband equipment, connected objects and accessories) with the exception of sales of equipment related to integration and information technology services (presented in the IT integration services line), sales of network equipment related to the operation of voice and data services in the Enterprise segment (presented in the Fixed only services line) and sales of equipment to external distributors or brokers (presented in the Other revenues line);
– Other revenues: these revenues include, in particular, equipment sales to external distributors and brokers, revenues from portals, online advertising and the Group’s cross-functional activities and other miscellaneous revenues.
Accounting policies
Most revenue falls within the application scope of IFRS 15 “Revenue from contracts with customers.” Orange’s products and services are offered to customers under service-only contracts and contracts combining the equipment used to access services and/or other service offers. Revenue is recognized net of VAT and other taxes collected on behalf of governments.
– Standalone service offers (mobile only services, fixed only services, convergent services)
Orange offers its B2C and B2B customers a range of fixed and mobile telephony services, fixed and mobile Internet access offers and content offers (TV, video, media, added-value audio service, etc.). Some contracts are for a fixed term (generally or
Service revenue is recognized when the service is provided, based on use (e.g. minutes of traffic or bytes of data processed) or the period (e.g. monthly service costs).
Under some content offers, Orange may act solely as an agent enabling the supply by a third-party of goods or services to the customer and not as a principal in the supply of the content. In such cases, revenue is recognized net of amounts transferred to the third-party.
Contracts with customers generally do not include a material right, as the price invoiced for contracts and the services purchased and consumed by the customer beyond the specific scope (e.g. additional consumption, options, etc.) generally reflect their standalone selling prices. There is no significant impact from contract modification for this type of service contract. Service obligations transferred to the customer at the same pace are treated as a single obligation.
When contracts include contractual clauses relating to commercial discounts (initial discount on signing the contract or conditional on reaching a consumption threshold) or items provided free of charge (for example: a free
If the performance obligations are not classified as distinct, the offer revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term. One of the main applications of this method is the initial service connection in the context of a service contract and communication. It is not generally separable from the service contract and communication offer and is therefore recognized in income over the average term of the expected contractual relationship.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-45 |
– Separate equipment sales
Orange offers its B2C and B2B customers several ways to buy their equipment (primarily mobile phones): equipment sales may be separate from or bundled with a service offer. When separate from a service offer, the amount invoiced is recognized in revenue on delivery and receivable immediately or in installments over a period of up to 24 months. Where payment is received in installments, the offer comprises a financial component and gives rise to the calculation of interest deducted from the amount invoiced and recognized over the payment period in net finance costs.
Where Orange purchases and sells equipment to indirect channels, the Group generally considers that Orange maintains control until resale to the end-customer (the distributor acts as an agent), even where ownership is transferred to the distributor. Sale proceeds are therefore recognized when the end-customer takes possession of the equipment (on activation).
– Bundled equipment and service offers
Orange proposes numerous offers to its B2C and B2B customers comprising equipment (e.g. a mobile handset) and services (e.g. a communication contract).
Equipment revenue is recognized separately from service revenue if the
The provision of a Livebox® (proprietary Internet box) is neither a separate component of the Internet access service offer nor a lease, as Orange maintains control of the box.
– Services including a build and run phase
For business clients, some contracts have two phases: build and then management (operation and maintenance) of assets built and delivered to customers. Revenue recognition requires an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each contract in order to determine whether distinct performance obligations exist. Under these contracts, if the construction phase is classified as separate, the Group recognizes the revenue of this phase according to the percentage of completion. However, if the Group does not have a certain right to payment and/or if there is no continuous transfer of control of the asset under construction, then revenue for this phase is recognized upon completion. These contracts are generally multi-year, with scalable offers. On each contract modification, we assess the scope of the modification or its impact on the contract price in order to determine whether the modification should be treated as a distinct contract, as though the existing contract were terminated and a new contract signed, or whether the modification should be considered as a change to the existing contract.
– Service offers to carriers (wholesale)
– pay-as-you-go model: contract generally applied to “legacy” regulated activities (bitstream call termination, local loop access, roaming and certain data solution contracts), where contract services are not covered by a firm volume commitment. Revenue is recognized as the services are provided (which relates to transfer of control) over the contractual term;
– send-or-pay model: contract where the price, volume and term are defined. The customer has a commitment to pay the amount indicated in the contract irrespective of actual traffic consumed over the commitment period. This contract category notably includes certain MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), IDD (International Direct Dialing) or hubbing (call free floating) contracts. Related revenue is recognized progressively based on actual traffic during the period, to reflect transfer of control to the customer;
– mix model: hybrid contract combining the “pay-as-you-go” and “send-or-pay” models, comprising a fixed entry fee paid by the customer providing access to preferential pricing conditions for a given volume (“send-or-pay” component). In addition to this entry fee, an amount is invoiced based on traffic consumption (“pay-as-you-go” component). The amount invoiced for the entry fee included in this type of commercial agreement is recognized progressively in revenue based on actual traffic over the period.
Current agreements between major transit carriers are not billed or cross-billed (free peering) and are therefore not recognized in revenue.
– Service level commitment clause
The contracts entered into by the Group and its customers include service level commitments regarding the processing of orders, delivery and after sales support (delivery time, performance, service reinstatement time). If the Group fails to comply with one of these commitments, it then pays compensation to the customer, which is usually a tariff reduction. The projected amount of these penalties is recognized as a deduction from revenue whenever it is expected that the commitment will not be fulfilled.
– Public-private service concession arrangements
The Group rolls out and/or operates certain networks under service concessions, such as the public initiative networks implemented in France to roll out fiber-optic networks in less populated areas. Some contracts are analyzed in accordance with IFRIC 12 “Service concession arrangements.” When the Group builds a network, construction revenue is recognized as counterparty to a right to receive a consideration from either a public entity or users of the public service. This right is accounted for as:
– an intangible asset in respect of the right to receive payments from public service users amounting to the fair value of the corresponding infrastructure and is amortized over the term of the contract; and/or
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-46 |
– a financial receivable in respect of the unconditional right to receive royalties from the public entity, for the fair value of the consideration expected from the public entity. This receivable is recognized at amortized cost.
– Leases
Orange’s lease income is related either to its regulatory obligations to lease technical sites to its competitors, to the supply of equipment in certain contracts with business clients, or to the granting of rights of use meeting the criteria for leasing network equipment, i.e. occasional leases of surplus space in certain buildings to third parties.
Lease revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term, except for certain equipment leases to business clients, which are classified as finance leases; in such cases the equipment is considered sold on credit.
4.2 Other operating income
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Net banking income (NBI) |
| |
| |
| |
Income from client collection | | | | |||
Site rentals and franchises income |
| |
| |
| |
Tax credits and subsidies |
| |
| |
| |
Income from universal service |
| |
| |
| |
Other income |
| |
| |
| |
Total |
| |
| |
| |
Net banking income (NBI) represents the net balance between income from banking operations (fees charged to customers, interest from loans, banking activities retail commissions and other income from banking operations) and expenses from banking operations (interest paid on loans, commissions paid and other expenses from banking operations). It is prepared in accordance with accounting practices that are commonly used in France in the banking sector.
Income from customer collections mainly includes interest charged to customers for late payments and recovery of trade receivables previously recognized as loss.
Other income is predominantly comprised of rebilling of network sharing costs, income received from litigation and income relating to line damages.
4.3 Trade receivables
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Net book value of trade receivables - in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| |
Business related variations |
| ( |
| |
| |
Changes in the scope of consolidation(1) |
| |
| |
| |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( |
| |
Reclassifications and other items |
| |
| |
| ( |
Net book value of trade receivables - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| |
(1) | Changes in the scope of consolidation in 2021 include the externalization of Orange SA's trade receivables from concession contracts resulting from the loss of sole control over Orange Concessions for |
Sales of receivables program
Orange has set up non-recourse programs for the sales of its receivables due in installments in several countries. These are no longer recorded on the balance sheet. The receivables sold mainly concern Spain, France and Poland and amounted to approximately
Since 2020, Orange Spain has had in place a non-recourse program with Orange Bank for the disposal of receivables due in installments, replacing an existing program with a third-party bank. This program led to these receivables being derecognized from the balance sheet of Orange Spain (within telecom activities) and presented as customer loans and receivables within Mobile Financial Services activities (see Note 17.1.1).
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-47 |
(in millions of euros) | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | ||||
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| |
Net trade receivables, depreciated according to their age |
| |
| |
| | |
Net trade receivables, depreciated according to other criteria |
| |
| |
| | |
Net trade receivables past due |
| |
| |
| | |
Net trade receivables not past due(1) |
| |
| |
| | |
Net trade receivables |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w short-term trade receivables |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w long-term trade receivables (2) |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Not past due receivables are presented net of the balance of expected losses on trade receivables, which amounted to ( |
The increase is mainly due to the integration of Telekom Romania Communications and the externalization of Orange SA's receivables from concession contracts resulting from the loss of sole control over Orange Concessions.
| (2) | Includes receivables from sales of handsets with payment on instalments that are payable in more than |
Shown below is the ageing table of the net trade receivables which are past due and impaired according to their maturity:
(in millions of euros)
The Group assessed the risk of non-recovery of trade receivables at December 31, 2021 and recognized impairment and losses on trade receivables in the income statement for an amount of (
In the 2021 fiscal year, the Group did not experience a major deterioration in the collectability of trade receivables, due in particular to the increased monitoring of trade receivables since the beginning of the health crisis in 2020 in order to manage and adapt the recovery measures.
The health crisis has resulted in the provision of economic support measures for companies and individuals in a number of countries. Such measures have helped to partially reduce the risk of non-recovery of trade receivables at December 31, 2021, but further reduce visibility on the evolution of the economic environment (in particular on the risk of business failures).
There is no change compared to December 31, 2020 in Orange’s belief that the concentration of counterparty risk related to customer accounts is limited due to the large number of customers, their diversity (residential, professional and large companies) and their various sectors of the economy, as well as their wide geographic distribution in France and abroad.
For Mobile Financial Services, the effects of the health crisis on bank credit risk are described in Note 17.2.1.
The table below provides an analysis of the change in impairment for trade receivables in the statement of financial position:
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Allowances on trade receivables - in the opening balance |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net addition with impact on income statement (1) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Losses on trade receivables |
| |
| |
| | |
Changes in the scope of consolidation(2) |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Translation adjustment |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Reclassifications and other items |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Allowances on trade receivables - in the closing balance |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| (1) | The change in the provision for expected losses, in accordance with IFRS 9, amounts to |
| (2) | The change in scope of consolidation is mainly related to the integration of Telekom Romania Communications in 2021. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-48 |
Accounting policies
Trade receivables are mainly short-term with no stated interest rate and are measured in the statement of financial position at original invoice amount, in accordance with IFRS 15. Those trade receivables which include deferred payment terms over
In order to meet the requirements of IFRS 9, the impairment of trade receivables is based on
– a collective statistical method: this is based on historical losses and leads to a separate impairment rate for each ageing balance category. This analysis is performed over a homogeneous group of receivables with similar credit characteristics because they belong to a customer category (B2C, professionals);
– a stand-alone method: the assessment of impairment probability and its amount are based on a set of relevant qualitative factors (ageing of late payment, other balances with the counterpart, rating from independent agencies, geographical area). This method is mainly used for carrier customers (national and international), administrations and public authorities, as well as for large business service accounts;
– a provisioning method based on anticipated loss: IFRS 9 requires recognition of expected losses on receivables immediately upon recognition of the financial instruments. In addition to the pre-existing provisioning system, the Group applies a simplified approach of anticipated impairment at the time the asset is recognized. The rate applied depends on the maximum revenue non-recoverability rate.
Identification of impairment losses for a group of receivables represents the step preceding identification of impairment for individual receivables. As soon as information is available (clients in bankruptcy or subject to equivalent judicial proceedings), these receivables are then excluded from the statistical impairment database and individually impaired.
The trade receivables may be part of non-recourse programs. When they are sold to consolidated securitization mutual funds, they remain on the statement of financial position. Other disposals to financial institutions may lead to their de-recognition in the event that legal ownership and almost all the risks and benefits of the receivables are transferred as described by IFRS 9.
4.4 Customer contract net assets and liabilities
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 |
| December 31, 2019 |
Customer contract net assets (1) |
| |
| |
| |
Costs of obtaining a contract |
| |
| |
| |
Costs to fulfill a contract |
| |
| |
| |
Total customer contract net assets |
| |
| |
| |
Prepaid telephone cards |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Connection fees |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Loyalty programs |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Other deferred revenue (2) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Other customer contract liabilities |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Total deferred revenue related to customer contracts |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Total customer contract net assets and liabilities |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| (1) | Assets net of remaining performance obligations. |
| (2) | Includes in particular subscription contracts. The variation of Other deferred revenue is detailed below. |
The following tables give an analysis of the balances of customer contract net assets and the costs of acquiring and fulfilling them in the financial statements.
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Customer contract net assets - in the opening balance |
| |
| | | |
Business related variations(1) |
| |
| ( | ( | |
Changes in the scope of consolidation |
| |
| — | — | |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( | | |
Reclassifications and other items |
| ( |
| ( | | |
Customer contract net assets - in the closing balance |
| |
| | |
| (1) | Mainly includes new contract assets net of related liabilities, transfer of net contract assets directly to trade receivables and impairment in the period. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-49 |
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Costs of obtaining a contract - in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| |
Business related variations |
| |
| |
| |
Changes in the scope of consolidation |
| |
| — |
| |
Translation adjustment |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
Reclassifications and other items |
| — |
| — |
| |
Costs of obtaining a contract - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| |
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Costs to fulfill a contract - in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| |
Business related variations |
| |
| |
| |
Changes in the scope of consolidation |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( |
| |
Reclassifications and other items |
| |
| |
| — |
Costs to fulfill a contract - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| |
Below is presented the change in deferred income on customer contracts (prepaid telephone cards, service access fees, loyalty programs and other unearned income) in the statement of financial position:
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Deferred revenue related to customer contracts - in the opening balance | ||||||
Business related variations(1) |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
Changes in the scope of consolidation(2) |
| |
| — |
| |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( |
| |
Reclassifications and other items |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
Deferred revenue related to customer contracts - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | In 2021, business related variations mainly concern contracts for the provision of the Orange network in Spain and submarine cable contracts in France. |
| (2) | In 2021, changes in the scope of consolidation mainly concern the prepayment of network construction services from FiberCo in Poland to Orange Polska and the integration of Telekom Romania Communications. In 2019, the changes mainly concerned maintenance services paid in advance as part of the acquisition of SecureLink. |
Accounting policies
Customer contract net assets and liabilities
The timing of revenue recognition may differ from customer invoicing.
Trade receivables presented in the consolidated statement of financial position represent an unconditional right to receive consideration (primarily cash), i.e. the services and goods promised to the customer have been transferred.
In contrast, contract assets mainly refer to amounts allocated under IFRS 15 as compensation for goods or services provided to customers, but for which the right to collect payment is subject to providing other services or goods under that same contract (or group of contracts). This is the case in a bundled offer combining the sale of a mobile phone and mobile communication services for a fixed period, where the mobile phone is invoiced at a reduced price leading to the reallocation of a portion of amounts invoiced for telephone communication services to the supply of the mobile phone. The excess of the amount allocated to the mobile phone over the price invoiced is recognized as a contract asset and transferred to trade receivables as the service is invoiced.
Contract assets, like trade receivables, are subject to impairment for credit risk. The recoverability of contract assets is also verified, especially to cover the risk of impairment should the contract be interrupted. Recoverability may also be impacted by a change in the legal environment governing offers.
Contract liabilities represent amounts paid by customers to Orange before receiving the goods and/or services promised in the contract. This is typically the case for advances received from customers or amounts invoiced and paid for goods or services not yet transferred, such as contracts payable in advance or prepaid contracts (previously recognized in deferred income).
Customer contract assets and liabilities are presented, respectively, in current assets and current liabilities since they are a normal part of the Group’s operations.
Cost of obtaining a contract
Where a telecommunication service contract is signed via a third-party distributor, this distributor may receive business provider remuneration, generally paid in the form of a commission for each contract or invoice-indexed commission. Where the Group considers the commission incremental and believes that it would not have been paid in the absence of the customer contract, the commission cost is estimated and capitalized in the balance sheet. It should be noted that the Group has adopted the simplification measure authorized by IFRS 15 to recognize the costs of obtaining contracts as an expense at the time they are incurred if the amortization period of the asset that the Group would have recognized in respect of them, does not exceed one year.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-50 |
The costs of obtaining fixed-period mobile service contracts are capitalized and recognized prorata temporis over the enforceable period of the contract, as these costs are generally incurred each time a customer renews the fixed period. The costs of obtaining fixed services contracts for a pre-determined term for B2C market customers are expensed prorata temporis over the estimated period of the customer relationship. The costs of obtaining B2B and operator solution contracts are not material.
Costs to fulfill a contract
Contract fulfillment costs consist of all the initial contractual costs necessary to fulfill one or more performance obligations of a contract. These costs, when they are directly related to a contract, are capitalized and recognized prorata temporis over the enforceable period of the contract.
At Group level, these costs mainly concern contracts for business clients, with, for example, design, installation, connection and migration fees that relate to a future performance obligation of the contract.
The assumptions underlying the period over which the costs of fulfilling a contract are expensed are periodically reviewed and adjusted in line with observations; termination of the contractual relationship with the customer results in the immediate expensing of the remaining deferred costs. Where the book value of deferred costs exceeds the remaining consideration expected to be received for the transfer of the related goods and services, less expected costs relating directly to the transfer of these goods and services yet to be incurred, the excess amount is similarly immediately expensed.
The following table presents the transaction price assigned to unfulfilled performance obligations at December 31, 2021. Unfulfilled performance obligations are the services that the Group is obliged to provide to customers during the remaining fixed term of the contract. As allowed by the simplification procedure under IFRS 15, these disclosures are only related to performance obligations with an initial term greater than one year.
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, 2021 |
Less than one year |
| |
Between 1 and 2 years |
| |
Between 2 and 3 years |
| |
Between 3 and 4 years |
| |
Between 4 and 5 years |
| |
More than 5 years |
| |
Total remaining performance obligations |
| |
Accounting policies
Unfulfilled performance obligations
During allocation of the total contract transaction price to identified performance obligations, a portion of the total transaction price can be allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially satisfied at the end of the reporting period. We have elected to apply certain available practical expedients when disclosing unfulfilled performance obligations, including the option to exclude expected revenues from unsatisfied obligations of contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less. These contracts are primarily monthly service contracts.
In addition, certain contracts offer customers the ability to purchase additional services. These additional services are not included in the transaction price and are recognized when the customer exercises the option (generally on a monthly basis). They are not therefore included in unfulfilled performance obligations.
Some multi-year service contracts with B2B and operator customers include fixed monthly costs and variable user fees. These variable user fees are excluded from the table of unfulfilled performance obligations.
4.5 Other assets
December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | |||||
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Advances and downpayments |
| |
| |
| | |
Submarine cable consortiums (1) |
| |
| |
| | |
Security deposits paid |
| |
| |
| | |
Orange Money - isolation of electronic money (1) |
| |
| |
| | |
Other(2) |
| |
| |
| | |
Total |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | These receivables are offset by the liabilities of the same amount (see accounting policies below and Note 5.7). |
| (2) | Includes receivables from the disposal of FiberCo shares in 2021 for |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-51 |
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Other assets - in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| |
Business related variations(1) |
| |
| |
| |
Changes in the scope of consolidation |
| |
| |
| |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( |
| |
Reclassifications and other items |
| |
| ( |
| |
Other assets - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| |
o/w other non-current assets |
| |
| |
| |
o/w other current assets |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Includes receivables from the disposal of FiberCo shares in 2021 for |
Accounting policies
Other assets relating to “Submarine cable consortiums” are receivables from submarine cable consortium members when Orange is in charge of centralizing the payments to the equipment suppliers that build and manage these cables. These receivables are offset by the liabilities of the same amount (see Note 5.7).
Orange Money is a money transfer, payment and financial services solution provided via an electronic money (“e-money”) account linked to an Orange mobile number.
Since 2016, the Orange group has become an Electronic Money Issuer (“EMI”) in some of the countries in which it operates, via dedicated, approved, internal subsidiaries. Regulations state that EMIs, as last-resort guarantors for the reimbursement of e-money holders, are obliged to restrict the funds collected in exchange for the issue of e-money (obligation to protect holders). The e-money distribution model relies on Orange’s subsidiaries and third-party distributors. EMIs issue e-money (or units of value “UV”) at the request of these distributors in exchange for funds collected therefrom. The distributors then transfer the e-money to end holders.
Within the Orange group, this restriction includes the protection of third-party holders (distributors and customers).
These transactions have no impact on the Group's net financial debt and are listed under the following headings:
– assets restricted to an amount equal to the e-money in circulation outside of the Orange group (or UV in circulation);
– UV in circulation under liabilities, representing the obligation to reimburse the third-party holders (customers and third-party distributors).
These two headings are presented under “other assets” and “other liabilities” and under operating activities as “change in working capital requirement”.
Note 5 Purchases and other expenses
5.1 External purchases
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 | 2019 |
| |
Commercial, equipment expenses and content rights |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
|
o/w costs of terminals and other equipment sold (1) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
|
o/w advertising, promotional, sponsoring and rebranding costs |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
|
Service fees and inter-operator costs |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
|
o/w interconnexion costs | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Other network expenses, IT expenses |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
|
Other external purchases |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
|
o/w building cost for resale | ( | ( | ( | ||||
o/w overhead | ( | ( | ( | ||||
o/w rental expenses |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
|
Total |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
|
| (1) | The decline in the cost of terminals and other equipment sold in 2020 is mainly due to the closure of stores during the lockdown, which led to a sharp decline in equipment sales throughout the Group. |
Accounting policies
Firm purchase commitments are disclosed as unrecognized contractual commitments (see Note 16).
Advertising, promotion, sponsoring, communication and brand development costs are recorded as expenses during the period in which they are incurred.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-52 |
At January 1, 2019, lease expenses include rental payments on leases with an enforceable period, with no option to extend, of 12 months or less, leases where the value, when new, of the underlying asset is less than approximately 5,000 euros, and variable lease payments which were not included in the measurement of the lease liability (see Note 9).
5.2 Other operating expenses
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Litigation |
| ( | ( | ( | |||
Allowances and losses on trade receivables – telecom activities |
| ( | ( | ( | |||
Cost of bank credit risk | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Expenses from universal service |
| ( | ( | ( | |||
Operating foreign exchange gains (losses) |
| ( | | ( | |||
Acquisition and integration costs | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Other expenses |
| ( | ( | ( | |||
Total |
| ( | ( | ( |
Impairment and losses on trade receivables from telecom activities are detailed in Note 4.3.
The cost of credit risk exclusively applies only to Mobile Financial Services and includes impairment charges and reversals on fixed-income securities, loans and receivables to customers as well as impairment charges and reversals relating to guarantee commitments given, losses on receivables and recovery of amortized debts. In the context of the health crisis, Orange Bank has reviewed its estimate of credit risks, taking into account the uncertainties, and considered whether the sectoral provisions used in the calculation of provisions should be renewed (see Note 17.2.1).
Certain expenses related to litigation are directly recorded in operating income and are not included in the following movements of provisions:
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Provisions for litigation - in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| | |
Additions with impact on income statement |
| |
| |
| | |
Reversals with impact on income statement |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Discounting with impact on income statement |
| |
| — |
| — | |
Utilizations without impact on income statement (1) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Changes in consolidation scope |
| ( |
| — |
| | |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Reclassifications and other items |
| |
| — |
| | |
Provisions for litigation - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w non-current provisions |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w current provisions |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Corresponds mainly to the conviction linked to anti-competitive practices in the Enterprise market segment in 2021 and to the conviction in the Digicel litigation in 2020 (see Note 18). |
The Group’s significant litigations are described in Note 18.
Accounting policies
Litigation
In the ordinary course of business, the Group is involved in a number of legal and arbitration proceedings and administrative actions described in Note 18.
The costs which may result from these proceedings are accrued at the reporting date if the Group has a present obligation toward a third party resulting from a past event and it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and the amount of that liability can be quantified or estimated within a reasonable range. The amount of provision recorded is based on a case-by-case assessment of the risk level, and events arising during the course of legal proceedings may require a reassessment of this risk at any time. Where appropriate, litigation cases may be analyzed as contingent liabilities, which correspond to:
– probable obligations arising from past events that are not recognized because their existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the Company’s control; or
– present obligations arising from past events that are not recognized because it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation or because the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability.
Acquisition and integration costs
Acquisition and integration costs are incurred at the time of acquisition of legal entities (costs linked to the acquisition of the entity, consultancy fees, training costs for new staff, migration costs associated with customer offers, labor expenses associated with the transition). They are incurred over a maximum period of 12 months following the acquisition date.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-53 |
5.3 Restructuring and integration costs
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Departure plans(1) | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Lease property restructuring (2) | ( | | | ||||
Distribution channels(3) | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Other | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Total restructuring costs | ( | ( | ( |
| (1) | Mainly voluntary departure plans for Orange Spain (around |
| (2) | Essentially related to onerous contracts due to vacant leases in France. |
| (3) | Essentially concerns the closure of sales outlets in Spain in 2021. |
Some restructuring costs are directly recorded in operating income and are not included in the following movements of provisions:
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Restructuring provisions - in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| | |
Additions with impact on income statement | | | | ||||
Reversals releases with impact on income statement |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Discounting with impact on income statement |
| ( |
| |
| | |
Utilizations without impact on income statement |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Translation adjustment |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |
Reclassifications and other items (1) |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |
Restructuring provisions - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w non-current provisions |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w current provisions |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Starting January 1, 2019, following IFRS 16 application, restructuring provisions related to leases are presented in Impairment of right-of-use assets. Only rental charges and taxes are presented in restructuring provisions. |
Accounting policies
Restructuring costs
The adaptation of the Group's activities to changes in the environment may generate costs related to the discontinuation or major transformation of an activity. These actions may have a negative effect on the period during which they are announced or implemented; for instance but not limited to, some of the transformation plans approved by the internal governance bodies.
Provisions are recognized only when the restructuring has been announced and the Group has drawn up or started to implement a detailed formal plan prior to the end of the reporting period.
The types of costs approved by the Group as restructuring costs primarily consist of:
– employee departure plans;
– termination of contracts linked to a fundamental reorganization of the activity (compensation paid to suppliers to terminate contracts, etc.);
– cost of vacant buildings (outside the scope of IFRS 16);
– fundamental transformation plans for communication network infrastructures;
– onerous contracts related to the termination or fundamental reorganization of business: during the course of a contract, when the economic circumstances that prevailed at inception change, some commitments toward the suppliers may become onerous, i.e. the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-54 |
5.4 Broadcasting rights and equipment inventories
(in millions of euros) | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | ||||
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| |
Handset inventories (1) |
| |
| |
| | |
Other products/services sold |
| |
| |
| | |
Available broadcasting rights |
| |
| |
| | |
Other supplies |
| |
| |
| | |
Gross value |
| |
| |
| | |
Depreciation |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net book value |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Of which inventories treated as consignment with distributors amounting to |
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Net balance of inventories - in the opening balance |
| |
| | | |
Business related variations |
| |
| ( | ( | |
Changes in the scope of consolidation |
| |
| — | | |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( | | |
Reclassifications and other items |
| ( |
| ( | | |
Net balance of inventories - in the closing balance |
| |
| | |
Accounting policies
Network maintenance equipment and equipment intended for sale to customers are measured at the lower of cost or likely realizable net book value. The cost corresponds to the purchase or production cost determined by the weighted average cost method.
Handset inventories include inventories treated as consignment with distributors when these are qualified, for accounting purposes, as agents in the sales of handsets bought from the Group.
Film or sports broadcasting rights are recognized in the statement of financial position when they are available for exhibition and expensed when broadcast.
5.5 Prepaid expenses
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| |
(in millions of euros) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
Prepaid external purchases |
| |
| |
| | |
Other prepaid operating expenses |
| |
| |
| | |
Total |
| |
| |
| |
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Prepaid expenses - in the opening balance |
| |
| | | |
Business related variations (1) |
| |
| | | |
Changes in the scope of consolidation |
| |
| — | | |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( | | |
Reclassifications and other items(2) |
| ( |
| ( | ( | |
Prepaid expenses - in the closing balance |
| |
| | |
| (1) | In 2020, the change includes a prepaid expense recognized in respect of an agreement for the provision of FTTH capacity in Spain. |
| (2) | Including the effect of the reclassification of prepaid expenses as costs to fulfill contracts (see Note 4.4). |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-55 |
5.6 Trade payables
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Trade payables - in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| |
Business related variations |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
Changes in the scope of consolidation(1) |
| |
| |
| |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( |
| |
Reclassifications and other items |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
Trade payables - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| |
o/w trade payables from telecoms activities |
| |
| |
| |
o/w trade payables from Mobile Financial Services |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Of which |
Supplier payment terms are mutually agreed between the suppliers and Orange in accordance with the rules in force. Certain key suppliers and Orange have agreed to a flexible payment schedule which, for certain invoices, can be extended up to
Trade payables for goods and services and fixed assets that were subject to a payment extension, and which had an impact on the change in working capital requirements at the end of the period, amounted to approximately
Accounting policies
Trade payables resulting from trade transactions and settled in the normal operating cycle are classified as current items. They include those that have been financed by the supplier (with or without notification of transfer to financial institutions) under direct or reverse factoring, and those for which the supplier proposed an extended payment period to Orange and for which Orange confirmed the payment arrangement under the agreed terms. Orange considers these financial liabilities to carry the characteristics of trade payables, in particular due to the ongoing trade relationship, the payment schedules ultimately consistent with the operational cycle of a telecommunications operator in particular for the purchase of primary infrastructures, the supplier’s autonomy in the anticipated relationship and a financial cost borne by Orange that corresponds to the compensation of the supplier for the extended payment schedule agreed.
For payables without specified interest rates, they are measured at nominal value if the interest component is negligible. For interest bearing payables, the measurement is at amortized cost.
5.7 Other liabilities
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
|
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
Provisions for litigations (1) |
| |
| |
| | |
Cable network access fees (URI) |
| |
| |
| | |
Submarine cable consortium (2) |
| |
| |
| | |
Security deposits received |
| |
| |
| | |
Orange Money – units in circulation (2) |
| |
| |
| | |
Other |
| |
| |
| | |
Total |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w other non-current liabilities |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w other current liabilities |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | See Note 5.2. |
| (2) | These liabilities are offset by the receivables of the same amount (see accounting policies in Note 4.5). |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-56 |
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Other liabilities - in the opening balance |
| |
| | | |
Business related variations |
| |
| | | |
Changes in the scope of consolidation |
| |
| — | | |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( | | |
Reclassifications and other items |
| ( |
| ( | ( | |
Other liabilities - in the closing balance |
| |
| | |
Note 6 Employee benefits
6.1 Labor expenses
(in millions of euros) |
| Note |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Average number of employees (full-time equivalents)(1) |
| |
| |
| | |||
Wages and employee benefit expenses |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
o/w wages and salaries |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
o/w social security charges |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
o/w French part-time for seniors plans |
| 6.2 |
| ( |
| |
| | |
o/w capitalized costs (2) |
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
o/w other labor expenses (3) |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Employee profit sharing |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Share-based compensation (4) |
| 6.3 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
o/w employee shareholding plan Together 2021 | ( | — | — | ||||||
o/w free share award plans | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Total in operating income |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net interest on the net defined liability in finance costs |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Actuarial (gains)/losses in other comprehensive income (5) |
|
|
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| (1) | Of whom |
| (2) | Capitalized costs correspond to labor expenses included in the cost of assets produced by the Group (see Notes 8.4 and 8.5). |
| (3) | Other labor expenses comprise other short-term allowances and benefits, payroll taxes, post-employment benefits and other long-term benefits (except French part-time for seniors plans). |
| (4) | Includes social contributions of ( |
| (5) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC agenda decision on calculation of some retirement indemnities plans (see Note 2.3.1). |
6.2 Employee benefits
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
|
2021 | 2020(1) | 2019(1) | |||||
Post-employment benefits (2) |
| |
| |
| | |
Other long-term benefits |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w French part-time for seniors plans |
| |
| |
| | |
Provisions for employment termination benefits |
| |
| |
| | |
Other employee-related payables and payroll taxes due |
| |
| |
| | |
Provisions for social risks and litigation |
| |
| |
| | |
Total |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w non-current employee benefits |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w current employee benefits |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC agenda decision on calculation of some retirement indemnities plans (see Note 2.3.1). |
| (2) | Does not include defined contribution plans. |
The payments to be made in respect of post-employment benefits and other long-term benefits are presented below. These are estimated based on Group headcounts as at December 31, 2021, including rights acquired and not acquired at December 31, 2021, but for which it is assumed the rights will be acquired by the year 2040 approximately:
(in millions of euros) | Schedule of benefits to be paid, undiscounted |
| |||||||||||
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2025 |
| 2026 |
| 2027 and beyond | ||
Post-employment benefits |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Other long-term benefits (1) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w French part-time for seniors plans |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Total |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| (1) | Provisions for Time Saving Account (CET) and long-term leave and long-term sick leave not included. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-57 |
6.2.1 Types of post-employment benefits and other long-term benefits
In accordance with the laws and practices in force in the countries where it operates, the Group has obligations in terms of employee benefits:
– with regard to retirement, the majority of employees are covered by defined contribution plans required by law or under national agreements. In France, civil servants employed by Orange SA are covered by the French government sponsored civil and military pension plan. Orange SA’s obligation under the plan is limited to the payment of annual contributions (French law No. 96-660 dated July 26, 1996). Consequently, Orange SA has no obligation to fund future deficits of the pension plans covering its own civil servant employees or any other civil service plans. Expenses recognized under the terms of defined contribution pension plans amounted to (
– the Group is committed to a limited number of annuity-based defined-benefit plans: notably the Equant plans in the United Kingdom for
– the Group is also committed to capital-based defined benefit plans where, in accordance with the law or contractual agreements, employees are entitled to bonuses on retirement, depending on their years of service and end of career salary; this essentially relates to bonuses due upon retirement in France, particularly for employees under private-law contracts (
– other post-employment benefits are also granted to retired employees: these are benefits other than defined-benefit and defined-contribution plans;
– other long-term benefits may also be granted such as seniority awards, long-term compensated absences and French part-time for seniors plans (TPS) detailed below.
French part-time for seniors plans
As part of the renegotiations of the intergenerational agreement, a new French part-time for seniors plan (TPS) was signed on December 17, 2021, resulting in the recognition of an employee benefit liability of
The part-time for seniors plans are accessible to civil servants and employees under private contract from the French entities who will retire no later than January 1, 2028, and who have at least
These plans give employees the opportunity to work
– a base salary between
– the retirement entitlement benefits of full-time employment during the period in question (both the Company’s and the employee’s contributions);
– a minimum salary level.
These plans last for a period of at least
The beneficiaries may decide to invest part of their base compensation (
At December 31, 2021, the number of employees who are or will be participating in the French part-time for seniors plans and thus included in the provision, is estimated approximately at
6.2.2 Key assumptions used to calculate the amount of obligations
The assessment of post-employment benefits and other long-term benefits is based on retirement age calculated in accordance with the provisions applicable to each plan and the necessary conditions to ensure entitlement to a full pension, both of which are often subject to legislative changes.
The valuation of the obligation of the French part-time for seniors plans is sensitive to estimates of the potentially eligible population and to the sign-up rate for the plans (estimated at
The discount rates used for the euro zone (which accounts for
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| |
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
More than 10 years |
| % | % | % | |||
Less than 10 years |
| - | %(1) | - | % | - | % |
| (1) | A - |
The discount rates used for the euro zone are based on corporate bonds rated AA with a duration equivalent to the duration of the obligations.
The increase in annuities of the Equant plans in the United Kingdom is based on inflation (
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-58 |
The main capital-based defined benefit plan (retirement bonuses for employees under private-law contracts in France) is principally sensitive to employment policy assumptions (Orange has historically had high numbers of staff at retirement age). The estimated increase in the capital of this plan is based on a long-term inflation assumption of
The impacts on pension benefit obligations of changes in key assumptions would be as follows:
(in millions of euros) |
| Rate increase by |
| Rate decrease by |
|
Discount rates(1) |
| ( |
| ||
| Rate decrease by |
| Rate increase by | ||
Sign-up rates for French part-time for seniors plans (2) |
| ( |
|
| (1) | Includes |
| (2) | Sensitivity is performed on future entries in French part-time for seniors plans (TPS). |
6.2.3 Commitments and plan assets
(in millions of euros) | Post-employment benefits | Long-term benefits | 2021 | 2020 (1) | 2019 (1) |
| |||||||||||
Annuity- | Capital- | Other | French part- | Other | |||||||||||||
| based |
| based |
|
| time for |
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
plans | plans | seniors plans |
| ||||||||||||||
| (TPS) | ||||||||||||||||
Total benefit obligations in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Service cost |
|
| |
| |
| | (2) | |
| |
| |
| | ||
Net interest on the defined benefit liability |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Actuarial losses/(gains) arising from changes of assumptions |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| | |
o/w arising from change in discount rate |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| | |
Actuarial losses/(gains) arising from experience |
| |
| |
| — |
| ( | ( |
| ( |
| ( | (3) | ( | ||
Benefits paid |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Translation adjustment and other |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
|
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Total benefit obligations in the closing balance (a) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | ||
o/w benefit obligations in respect of employee benefit plans that are wholly or partly funded |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w benefit obligations in respect of employee benefit plans that are wholly unfunded |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Weighted average duration of the plans (in years) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
(1)2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC agenda decision on calculation of some retirement indemnities plans (see Note 2.3.1).
(2)Of which
| (3) | In 2020, actuarial gains related to experience effects take into account a slowdown in the number of entries into the TPS plans. |
(in millions of euros) | Post-employment benefits | Long-term benefits | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| |||||||||||
Annuity- | Capital- | Other | French part- | Other | |||||||||||||
| based |
| based |
|
| time for |
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
plans | plans | seniors plans |
| ||||||||||||||
| (TPS) | ||||||||||||||||
Fair value of plan assets in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |
Net interest on the defined benefit liability |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |
(Gains)/Losses arising from experience |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |
Employer contributions |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |
Benefits paid by the fund |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Translation adjustment and other |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Fair value of plan assets in the closing balance (b) | |
|
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |||
Funded annuity-based plans represent
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-59 |
The funded annuity-based plans are primarily located in the United Kingdom (
Employee benefits in the statement of financial position correspond to commitments less plan assets. These have not been subject to asset ceiling adjustment for the periods presented.
(in millions of euros) | Post-employment benefits | Long-term benefits | 2021 | 2020 (1) | 2019 (1) |
| |||||||||||
Annuity- | Capital- | Other | French part- | Other | |||||||||||||
| based |
| based |
|
| time for |
|
|
|
| |||||||
| plans | plans | seniors plans | ||||||||||||||
| (TPS) | ||||||||||||||||
Employee benefits in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Net expense for the period | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
Employer contributions | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||
Benefits directly paid by the employer | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||
Actuarial (gains)/losses generated during the year through other comprehensive income | ( | ( | ( | — | — | ( | | | |||||||||
Translation adjustment and other |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Employee benefits in the closing balance - Net unfunded status (a) - (b) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w non-current |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w current |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
(1) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC agenda decision on calculation of some retirement indemnities plans (see Note 2.3.1). |
The following table discloses the net expense:
Post-employment benefits | Long-term benefits | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Annuity- | Capital- | Other | French part- | Other | ||||||||||||
| based |
| based |
|
| time for |
|
|
|
| ||||||
| plans | plans | seniors plans | |||||||||||||
(in millions of euros) |
| (TPS) |
| |||||||||||||
Service cost |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | (1) | ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Net interest on the net defined benefit liability |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Actuarial gains/(losses) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Total |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
o/w expenses in operating income |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
o/w net interest on the net defined liability in finance cost |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| (1) | Of which ( |
Accounting policies
Post-employment benefits are granted through:
– defined contribution plans: the contributions, paid to independent institutions which are in charge of the administrative and financial management thereof, are recognized in the fiscal year during which the services are rendered;
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-60 |
– defined-benefit plans: the sum of future obligations under these plans are based on actuarial assumptions using the projected unit credit method:
– their calculation is based on demographic (employee turnover, mortality, gender parity, etc.) and financial assumptions (salary increases, rate of inflation, etc.) defined at the level of each entity concerned;
– the discount rate is defined by country or geographical area and by reference to market yields on high quality corporate bonds (or government bonds where no active market exists). Its computation is based on external indices commonly used as reference for the Eurozone;
– actuarial gains and losses on post-employment benefits are fully recorded in other comprehensive income;
– the Group’s defined benefit plans are generally not financed. In the rare cases where they are, hedging plan assets are set up by employer and employee contributions which are managed by separate legal entities whose investments are subject to fluctuations in the financial markets. These entities are generally administrated by joint committees comprising representatives of the Group and of the beneficiaries. Each committee adopts its own investment strategy which is designed to strike the optimum strategies to match assets and liabilities, based on specific studies performed by external experts. It is generally carried out by fund managers selected by the committees and depends on the market opportunities. Assets are measured at fair value, determined by reference to quoted prices, since they are mostly invested in listed securities (primarily shares and bonds) and the use of other asset categories is limited.
Other long-term benefits may be granted such as seniority awards, long-term compensated absences and French part-time for seniors plan (TPS) agreements. The calculation of the related commitments is based on actuarial assumptions (including demographic, financial and discounting assumptions) similar to those relating to post-employment benefits. The relevant actuarial gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss when they arise.
Termination benefits are subject to provisions (up to the related obligation). For all commitments where termination of employment contracts would trigger payment of an indemnity, actuarial gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss for the period when modifications take place.
6.3 Share-based payment
Employee shareholding plan Together 2021
On April 21, 2021, the Board of Directors approved the implementation of an employee shareholding plan, Together 2021, designed to strengthen the Group's employee shareholding. The offering relates to a maximum of subscriptions, including matching contributions, of a value of
The number of shares subscribed at the price of
The average fair value of the benefit granted to employees and former employees of the Group stands at
Free share award plans in force at December 31, 2021
The Board of Directors approved the implementation of free share award plans (Long Term Incentive Plan – LTIP ) reserved for the Executive Committee, Corporate Officers, and Senior Management holding the positions of Executives and Leaders.
Main characteristics
| LTIP 2021 - 2023 |
| LTIP 2020 - 2022 |
| LTIP 2019 - 2021 | |
Implementation date by the Board of Directors | July 28, 2021 | July 29, 2020 | July 24, 2019 | |||
Maximum number of free share units (1) | ||||||
Estimated number of beneficiaries | | | | |||
Acquisition date of the rights by the beneficiaries | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||
Delivery date of the shares to the beneficiaries | March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 |
| (1) | In countries where the regulations, tax codes or labor laws do not permit awards of stock, the beneficiaries of the plan will receive a cash value based on the exchange-traded price of Orange stock at the delivery date of the shares. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-61 |
Condition of continued employment
The allocation of rights to beneficiaries is subject to a condition of continued employment:
| LTIP 2021 - 2023 |
| LTIP 2020 - 2022 |
| LTIP 2019 - 2021 | |
Assessment of the employment continuation |
| From January 1, 2021 |
| From January 1, 2020 |
| From January 1, 2019 |
to December 31, 2023 | to December 31, 2022 | to December 31, 2021 |
Performance conditions
Depending on the plans, the allocation of rights to beneficiaries is subject to the achievement of internal and external performance conditions, namely:
– the organic cash flow from telecom activities internal performance condition, as defined in the plan regulations, assessed (i) annually against the budget for the LTIP 2019-2021, and (ii) at the end of the three years of the plan against the objective set by the Board of Directors for the LTIP 2020-2022 and LTIP 2021-2023;
– the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) internal performance condition, half of which relates to the change in the level of CO2 per customer use and (i) half to the Group's renewable electricity rate for LTIP 2019-2021 and LTIP 2020-2022, and (ii) half to the proportion of women in the Group's management networks for the LTIP 2021-2023, assessed at the end of the
– the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) external performance condition. The performance of the TSR is assessed by comparing the change in the Orange TSR based on the relative performance of the total return for Orange shareholders over the three fiscal years, and the change in the TSR calculated on the average values of the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Telecommunications index or any other index having the same purpose and replacing it during the term of the plan.
Rights subject to the achievement of performance conditions (as a % of the total entitlement):
| LTIP 2021 - 2023 |
| LTIP 2020 - 2022 |
| LTIP 2019 - 2021 | ||
Organic cash-flow from telecom activities |
| | % | | % | | % |
Total Shareholder Return (TSR) |
| | % | | % | | % |
Corporate Social Responsability (CSR) |
| | % | | % | — |
All performance conditions have been met or are estimated to be met at the end of the three years of the plan, with the exception of the condition relating to the TSR of the LTIP 2019-2021.
Valuation assumptions
LTIP 2021 - 2023 | LTIP 2020 - 2022 | LTIP 2019 - 2021 |
| ||||
Measurement date | July 28, 2021 | July 29, 2020 | July 24, 2019 | ||||
Vesting date | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||
Price of underlying instrument at measurement date | |||||||
Price of underlying instrument at closing date | |||||||
Expected dividends (% of the share price) | | % | | % | | % | |
Risk free yield | - | % | - | % | - | % | |
Fair value per share of benefit granted to employees | |||||||
o/w fair value of internal performance condition | |||||||
o/w fair value of external performance condition |
For the portion of the plan issued in the form of shares, fair value was determined based on the market price of Orange shares on the date of allocation and the expected dividends discounted to December 31, 2021. Fair value also takes into account the likelihood of achievement of the market performance conditions, determined on the basis of a model constructed using the Monte Carlo method. For the portion of the plan issued in cash, at December 31, 2021, fair value was determined based on the market price of Orange shares at the closing date.
Accounting effect
In 2021, an expense of (
In 2020, an expense of (
In 2019, an expense of (
Closure of the free share award plan LTIP 2018–2020
In 2018, the Board of Directors approved the implementation of a free share award plan (LTIP) reserved for the Executive Committee, Corporate Officers and Senior Management.
The shares were delivered to the beneficiaries on March 31, 2021.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-62 |
Main characteristics
| LTIP 2018 - 2020 | |
Implementation date by the Board of Directors | July 25, 2018 | |
Maximum number of free share units (1) | ||
Number of free share units delivered at delivery date (1) | ||
Estimated number of beneficiaries | | |
Acquisition date of the rights by the beneficiaries | December 31, 2020 | |
Delivery date of the shares to the beneficiaries | March 31, 2021 |
| (1) | In countries where the regulations, tax codes or labor laws do not permit awards of stock, the beneficiaries of the plan received a cash value based on the exchange-traded price of Orange stock at the delivery date of the shares, on March 31, 2021. |
Condition of continued employment
The allocation of rights to beneficiaries was subject to a condition of continued employment:
| LTIP 2018 - 2020 | |
| From January 1, 2018 | |
Assessment of the employment continuation | to December 31, 2020 |
Performance conditions
Depending on the plans, the allocation of rights to beneficiaries was subject to the achievement of internal and external performance conditions, namely:
– the organic cash flow from telecom activities internal performance condition, as defined in the plan regulations;
– the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) external performance condition. The performance of the TSR was assessed by comparing the change in the Orange TSR based on the relative performance of the total return for Orange shareholders over the three fiscal years, and the change in the TSR calculated on the average values of the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Telecommunications index or any other index having the same purpose and replacing it during the term of the plan.
Rights subject to the achievement of performance conditions (as a % of the total entitlement):
| LTIP 2018 - 2020 |
| |
Organic cash-flow from telecom activities | | % | |
Total Shareholder Return (TSR) |
| | % |
Performance was assessed for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 in relation to the budget for each of these
Valuation assumptions
LTIP 2018 - 2020 | |||
Measurement date | July 25, 2018 | ||
Vesting date | December 31, 2020 | ||
Price of underlying instrument at measurement date | |||
Price of underlying instrument at vesting date | |||
Price of underlying instrument at delivery date | |||
Expected dividends (% of the share price) | | % | |
Risk free yield | - | % | |
Fair value per share of benefit granted to employees | |||
o/w fair value of internal performance condition | |||
o/w fair value of external performance condition |
For the portion of the free share award plan issued in the form of shares, fair value was determined based on the market price of Orange shares on the date of award and the expected dividends discounted to December 31, 2020. The fair value also took into account the likelihood of achieving the market performance condition, determined on the basis of a model constructed using the Monte Carlo method. For that part of the plans remitted in the form of cash, the fair value was determined on the basis of the Orange share price at March 31, 2021.
Accounting effect
The cost of the plans including social security contributions is presented below:
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
LTIP 2018 - 2020 (1) |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| (1) | With corresponding entries in equity for |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-63 |
Other plans
The other share-based compensation and similar plans implemented in the Orange group are not material at Group level.
Accounting policies
Employee share-based compensation: the fair value of stock options and bonus shares is determined by reference to the exercise price, the life of the option, the current price of the underlying shares at the grant date, the expected share price volatility, expected dividends, and the risk-free interest rate over the option’s life. Vesting conditions other than market conditions are not part of the fair value assessment, but are part of the grant assumptions (employee turnover, probability of achieving performance criteria).
The determined amount is recognized in labor expenses on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, with as counterparty:
– employee benefit liabilities for cash-settled plans, re-measured against profit or loss at each year-end; and
– equity for equity-settled plans.
6.4 Executive compensation
The following table shows the compensation booked by Orange SA and its controlled companies to persons who were members of Orange SA’s Board of Directors or Executive Committee at any time during the year or at the end of the year.
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
|
2021 | 2020 (4) | 2019 | |||||
Short-term benefits excluding employer social security contributions (1) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Short-term benefits: employer’s social security contributions |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Post-employment benefits (2) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Share-based compensation (3) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| (1) | Includes all compensation: gross salaries including the variable component, bonuses, attendance fees and benefits in kind, incentive scheme and profit-sharing, cash settled Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). |
| (2) | Service cost. |
| (3) | Includes employee shareholding plans and shares settled Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). |
| (4) | In 2020, an amount of ( |
The total amount of retirement benefits (contractual retirement bonuses and defined-benefit supplementary pension plan) provided in respect of persons who were members of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee at the end of the year was
Executive Committee members’ contracts include a clause providing for a contractual termination settlement not exceeding
Orange has not acquired any other goods or services from persons who are or were at any time during the year or at the end of the fiscal year, members of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee of Orange SA (or any parties related thereto).
Note 7 Impairment losses and goodwill
7.1 Impairment losses
(in millions of euros) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||
Spain | ( | — | — | |||
Jordan | — | — | ( | |||
Total of impairment of goodwill |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
The impairment tests on Cash-Generating Units (CGUs) may result in impairment losses on goodwill and on fixed assets (see Note 8.3).
At December 31, 2021
In Spain, the business plan has been significantly revised downward since December 31, 2020, in view of:
| − | a deteriorating competitive environment despite market consolidation operations (affected by the erosion of average revenue per user); and |
| − | uncertainties surrounding the continuation of the health crisis (delay in the forecasts for economic recovery). |
The revision of the business plan in Spain has led to the recognition during the first semester of (
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-64 |
At December 31, 2020
At December 31, 2020, impairment tests did not result in the Group recognizing any impairment losses.
At December 31, 2019
In Jordan, the (
In Egypt, the reversal of
7.2 Goodwill
| |||||||||||
(in millions of euros) | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 |
| |||||||
Gross value | Accumulated | Net book value | Net book value | Net book value | |||||||
impairment |
| ||||||||||
|
| losses |
|
|
|
| |||||
France |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
Europe |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
Spain | | ( | | | | ||||||
Romania |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
Slovakia |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |
Belgium |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
Poland |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
Moldova | | — | | | | ||||||
Luxembourg | | ( | | | | ||||||
Africa Middle East | | ( | | | | ||||||
Burkina Faso |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |
Côte d’Ivoire |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
Morocco |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |
Sierra Leone |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |
Jordan |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
Cameroon |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
Other |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
Enterprise |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
International Carriers Shared Services | | — | | | | ||||||
Mobile Financial Services |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — | |
Goodwill |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
(in millions of euros) |
|
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, | |
Note | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
Gross Value in the opening balance |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Acquisitions(1) |
|
| |
| |
| | |
Disposals |
|
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |
Translation adjustment |
|
|
| |
| ( |
| |
Reclassifications and other items |
|
| — |
| — |
| | |
Gross Value in the closing balance |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Accumulated impairment losses in the opening balance |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Impairment |
| 7.1 |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
Disposals |
|
|
| ( |
| — |
| |
Translation adjustment |
|
|
| ( |
| |
| ( |
Accumulated impairment losses in the closing balance |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Net book value of goodwill |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
(1) | The change corresponds mainly to the preliminary goodwill of Telekom Romania Communications amounting to |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-65 |
7.3 Key assumptions used to determine recoverable amounts
The key operational assumptions reflect past experience and expected trends: unforeseen changes have in the past affected, and could continue to significantly affect, these expectations. In this respect, the review of expectations could affect the margin of recoverable amounts over the book value tested (see Note 7.4) and result in impairment losses on goodwill and fixed assets.
In 2021, the Group updated its strategic plan during the first semester (for the period 2021–2025). Accordingly, new business plans were prepared for all CGUs.
The discount rates and perpetual growth rates used to determine the values in use were revised as follows at the end of December 2021:
– the discount rates (which may incorporate a specific premium reflecting an assessment of the performance risks of certain business plans or country risks) experienced a slight increase as a result, on one hand, of the revision of one of their calculation parameters during the second half of 2021, and on the other hand, of the recognition of a precaution on the Enterprise CGU with a view to integrating the effects of the accelerated decline in fixed voice into the valuation used at December 31, 2021.
– perpetual growth rates were maintained in most regions, with the effects of the health crisis not leading to any change in the long-term outlook of the service markets offered by the Group.
At December 31, 2021, business plans and key operating assumptions were sensitive to the following:
– the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic: deterioration in the situation compared to December 31, 2020 in certain geographical areas in terms of the return to an economic situation deemed normal (such as in Spain or Romania);
– the tradeoffs to be made by regulatory and competition authorities between reducing prices to consumers and stimulating business investment, or in terms of rules for awarding 5G operating licenses or market concentration;
– the fiercely competitive nature of the markets in which the Group operates, where price pressure is strong, particularly in Spain;
– the Group's ability to adjust costs and capital expenditure to changes in revenue;
– and specifically in the Middle East and the Maghreb (Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia) as well as in some African countries (Mali, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso): changes in the political situation and security with their resulting negative economic impacts on the overall business climate.
The parameters used to determine the recoverable amount of the main consolidated activities or the activities most sensitive to the assumptions of the impairment tests are as follows:
December 31, 2021 | France | Spain | Poland | Enterprise | Romania | ||||||||||
Basis of recoverable amount | Value in use |
| |||||||||||||
Source used | Internal plan |
| |||||||||||||
Methodology | Discounted cash flow |
| |||||||||||||
Perpetuity growth rate |
| | % | | % | | % | | % | % | |||||
Post-tax discount rate |
| | %(1) | | % | | % | | % | % | |||||
Pre-tax discount rate |
| | % | | % | | % | | % | % | |||||
Belgium/ | |||||||||||||||
December 31, 2020 |
| France |
| Spain |
| Poland |
| Enterprise |
| Romania |
| Morocco |
| Luxembourg | |
Basis of recoverable amount |
| Value in use | Fair value | ||||||||||||
Source used |
| Internal plan | NA | ||||||||||||
Methodology |
| Discounted cash flow | NA | ||||||||||||
Perpetuity growth rate |
| | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | NA | |
Post-tax discount rate |
| | %(1) | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | NA | |
Pre-tax discount rate |
| | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | NA | |
Sierra | |||||||||||||||
December 31, 2019 |
| France |
| Spain |
| Poland |
| Enterprise |
| Leone |
| Liberia |
| Belgium | |
Basis of recoverable amount |
| Value in use | |||||||||||||
Source used |
| Internal plan | |||||||||||||
Methodology |
| Discounted cash flow | |||||||||||||
Perpetuity growth rate |
| | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % |
Post-tax discount rate |
| | %(1) | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % |
Pre-tax discount rate |
| | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % |
| (1) | The after-tax discount rate for France includes a corporate tax reduction of |
At December 31, 2021, the fair value of the Belgium/Luxembourg entity was defined on the basis of the conditional voluntary public tender offer for the shares of Orange Belgium closed on May 4, 2021 (see Note 3.2).
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-66 |
The Group's listed subsidiaries are Orange Polska (Warsaw Stock Exchange), Orange Belgium (Brussels Stock Exchange), Jordan Telecom (Amman Stock Exchange) and Sonatel (Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM)). The aggregated share of these subsidiaries, which publish their own regulated information, is less than or equal to
7.4 Sensitivity of recoverable amounts
Because of the correlation between operating cash flow and investment capacity, a sensitivity of net cash flow is used. Cash flow for the terminal year forming a significant part of the recoverable amount, a change of plus or minus
Cash flow is cash provided by operating activities net of acquisitions and disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (including tax at a standard rate, repayment of lease liabilities and debts related to financed assets, related interest expenses and excluding other interest expenses).
A sensitivity analysis was carried out on the main consolidated activities or the activities most sensitive to the assumptions of the impairment tests and is presented below to enable readers of the financial statements to estimate the effects of their own estimates. Changes in cash flow, perpetual growth rates or discount rates exceeding the sensitivity levels presented have been observed in the past.
|
|
| Decrease in the discounted cash |
| |||
Increase in discount rate in order | Decrease in the perpetual growth | flows of the terminal value in | |||||
for the recoverable amount to be | rate in order for the recoverable | order for the recoverable amount to | |||||
equal to the net carrying value (in | amount to be equal to the net | be equal to the net carrying value | |||||
| basis points) |
| carrying value (in basis points) |
| (in %) |
| |
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
| |||
France | + | ( | - | % | |||
Spain | + | ( | - | % | |||
Poland | + | ( | - | % | |||
Enterprise | + | ( | - | % | |||
Romania | + | ( | - | % | |||
December 31, 2020 | |||||||
France | + | ( | - | % | |||
Spain | + | ( | % | ||||
Poland |
| + |
| ( |
| - | % |
Enterprise |
| + |
| ( |
| - | % |
Romania |
| + |
| ( |
| - | % |
Morocco |
| + |
| ( |
| - | % |
Belgium |
| n/a | n/a |
| n/a | ||
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
France |
| + |
| ( |
| - | % |
Spain |
| + |
| ( |
| - | % |
Poland |
| + |
| ( |
| - | % |
Enterprise |
| + |
| ( |
| - | % |
Belgium | + | ( | - | % | |||
Sierra Leone | + | ( | - | % | |||
Liberia |
| + |
| ( |
| - | % |
Spain
In 2021, the value in use of the Spain CGU was revised based on the key valuation assumptions established by the local governance. The revision of the assumptions resulted in (
A sensitivity analysis was carried out at December 31, 2021 on each of the following criteria, taken individually:
– increase of
– decrease of
– decrease of
This sensitivity analysis identified a risk of impairment of up to
Belgium
At December 31, 2021, the fair value of the Belgium/Luxembourg entity was defined based on the conditional voluntary public tender offer for all shares of Orange Belgium SA closed on May 4, 2021 (see Note 3.2). Sensitivity analyzes, calculated on cash flows and financial parameters, are therefore not relevant for these CGUs at December 31, 2021. A change of one euro in the reference price per share used to calculate the fair value of the Belgium/Luxembourg entity would have an effect on the recoverable amount of
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-67 |
Other
A sensitivity analysis was also carried out on Romania on each of the following criteria, taken individually:
– increase of
– decrease of
– decrease of
This sensitivity analysis identified a risk of impairment of up to
The other entities not listed above each account for less than
Accounting policies
Goodwill recognized as an asset in the statement of financial position comprises the excess calculated:
– either on the basis of the equity interest acquired (and for business combinations after January 1, 2010, with no subsequent changes for any additional purchases of non-controlling interests); or
– on a
Goodwill is not amortized. It is tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently when there is an indication that it may be impaired. Thus, changes in general economic and financial trends, the different levels of resilience of the telecommunication operators with respect to the deterioration of local economic environments, changes in the market capitalization of telecommunication operators, as well as financial performance compared to market expectations represent external impairment indicators that are analyzed by the Group, together with internal performance indicators, in order to assess whether an impairment test should be performed more than once a year.
These tests are performed at the level of each Cash-Generating Unit (CGU) (or group of CGUs). These generally correspond to business segments or to each country in the Africa and Middle East region and Europe. This is reviewed if the Group changes the level at which it monitors return on investment for goodwill testing purposes.
To determine whether an impairment loss should be recognized, the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the CGUs or groups of CGUs is compared to their recoverable amount, for which Orange uses mostly the value in use.
Value in use is estimated as the present value of the expected future cash flows. Cash flow projections are based on economic and regulatory assumptions, license renewal assumptions and sales activity and investment forecasts drawn up by the Group’s management, as follows:
–
– post-tax cash flow projections beyond that timeframe may be extrapolated by applying a declining or flat growth rate for the next year, and then a perpetual growth rate reflecting the expected long-term growth in the market;
– post-tax cash flows are subject to a post-tax discount rate, using rates which incorporate a relevant premium reflecting a risk assessment for the implementation of certain business plans or country risks. The value in use derived from these calculations is identical to the one that would result from discounting pre-tax cash flows at pre-tax discount rates.
The key operating assumptions used to determine values in use are common across all of the Group’s business segments. Key assumptions for most CGUs include:
– key revenue assumptions, which reflect market level, penetration rate of the offers and market share, positioning of the competition’s offers and their potential impact on market price levels and their transposition to the Group’s offer bases, regulatory authority decisions on pricing of services to customers and on access and pricing of inter-operator services, technology migration of networks (e.g. extinction of copper local loops), decisions of competition authorities in terms of concentration or regulation of adjacent sectors such as cable;
– key cost assumptions, on the level of marketing expenses required to deal with the pace of product line renewals and the positioning of the competition, the ability to adjust costs to potential changes in revenues or the effects of natural attrition and employee departure plans underway;
– key assumptions on the level of capital expenditure, which may be affected by the rollout of new technologies, by decisions of regulatory authorities relating to licenses and spectrum allocation, deployment of fiber networks, mobile network coverage, sharing of network elements or obligations to open up networks to competitors.
Tested net carrying values include goodwill, land and assets with finite useful lives (property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and net working capital requirements including intra-group balances). The Orange brand, an asset with an indefinite useful life, is subject to a specific test, see Note 8.3.
If an entity partially owned by the Group includes goodwill attributable to non-controlling interests, the impairment loss is allocated between the shareholders of Orange SA and the non-controlling interests on the same basis as that on which profit or loss is allocated (i.e. ownership interest).
Impairment loss for goodwill is recorded definitively in operating income.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-68 |
Note 8 Fixed assets
8.1 Gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Transfer price |
| |
| |
| |
Net book value of assets sold |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Proceeds from the disposal of fixed assets (1) |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | In 2021, the gains on disposal of fixed assets related to the sale and leaseback transactions amount to |
8.2 Depreciation and amortization
(in millions of euros)
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets
(in millions of euros)
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-69 |
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment
(in millions of euros)
Accounting policies
Assets are amortized to expense their cost (generally with no residual value deducted) on a basis that reflects the pattern in which their future economic benefits are expected to be consumed. The straight-line basis is usually applied. The useful lives are reviewed annually and are adjusted if current estimated useful lives differ from previous estimates. This may be the case for outlooks on the implementation of new technologies (for example, the replacement of copper local loop by optical fiber). These changes in accounting estimates are recognized prospectively.
Main assets | Depreciation period (average) |
Brands acquired | Up to |
Customer bases acquired | Expected life of the commercial relationship: |
Mobile network licenses | Grant period from the date when the network is technically ready and the service can be marketed |
Indefeasible Rights of Use of submarine and terrestrial cables | Shorter of the expected period of use and the contractual period, generally less than |
Patents | |
Software | |
Development costs | |
Buildings | |
Transmission and other network equipment | |
Copper cables, optical fiber and civil works | |
Computer hardware |
8.3 Impairment of fixed assets
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
France |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
International Carriers Shared Services | ( | ( | — | |||
Poland |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Egypt |
| |
| |
| |
Other |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Total of impairment of fixed assets |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
The impairment of fixed assets resulting from impairment tests on Cash-Generating Units (CGUs) are described in Note 7.1.
Key assumptions and sensitivity of the recoverable amount of the Orange brand
The key assumptions and sources of sensitivity used in the assessment of the recoverable amount of the Orange brand are similar to those used for the goodwill of consolidated activities (see Note 7.3), which affect the revenue base and potentially the level of brand royalties.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-70 |
Other assumptions that affect the assessment of the recoverable amount are as follows:
December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| ||
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| |
Basis of recoverable amount | Value in use | Value in use | Value in use |
| |||
Source used | Internal plan | Internal plan | Internal plan |
| |||
Methodology | Discounted net fees | Discounted net fees | Discounted net fees |
| |||
Perpetuity growth rate | | % | | % | | % | |
Post-tax discount rate | | % | | % | | % | |
Pre-tax discount rate | | % | | % | | % |
The sensitivity analysis did not highlight any risk of impairment of the Orange brand.
Accounting policies
Given the nature of its assets and businesses, most of the Group’s individual assets do not generate cash flow independent of the cash flows generated by Cash-Generating Units. The recoverable amount is therefore determined at the level of the CGU (or group of CGUs) to which the assets belong, according to a method similar to that described for goodwill.
The Orange brand has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually. Its recoverable amount is assessed based on the expected contractual royalties (and included in the business plan) discounted in perpetuity, less the costs attributable to the brand’s owner.
8.4 Other intangible assets
December 31, 2021 |
| December 31, | December 31, |
| ||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Gross value |
| Accumulated |
| Accumulated |
| Net book |
| Net book |
| Net book |
| ||
depreciation | impairment | value | value | value |
| |||||||||
and |
| |||||||||||||
(in millions of euros) | amortization |
|
| |||||||||||
Telecommunications licenses |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
Software |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
Orange brand |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| | ||
Other brands |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
Customer bases |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
Other intangible assets |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
Total |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Net book value of other intangible assets - in the opening balance |
| | | | |||
Acquisitions of other intangible assets | | | | ||||
o/w telecommunications licenses(1) | | | | ||||
Impact of changes in the scope of consolidation(2) | ( | | | ||||
Disposals | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Impairment (3) | ( | ( | | ||||
Translation adjustment | | ( | | ||||
Reclassifications and other items(4) | | ( | | ||||
Net book value of other intangible assets - in the closing balance | | | |
| (1) | In 2021, includes the acquisition of the 5G license in Spain for |
| (2) | In 2021, mainly relates to the effects of the loss of sole control over Orange Concessions. In 2019, mainly relates to the effects of SecureLink and SecureData acquisitions. |
| (3) | Includes impairment detailed in Note 7.1. |
| (4) | In 2021, mainly relates to incentive bonus fees on penetration rates and business continuity payable by the public initiative networks to the local authorities for |
Internal costs capitalized as intangible assets
Internal costs capitalized as intangible assets relate to labor expenses and amounted to
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-71 |
Information on telecommunications licenses at December 31, 2021
Orange’s principal commitments under licenses awarded are disclosed in Note 16.
|
| |||||
(in millions of euros) |
| Gross value |
| Net book value |
| Residual useful life(1) |
| | |||||
LTE ( |
| |
| |
| |
UMTS ( |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ||
France |
| |
| |
| |
5G ( |
| |
| |
| |
LTE ( |
| |
| |
| |
GSM ( |
| |
| |
| |
Spain |
| |
| |
| |
LTE ( |
| |
| |
| |
UMTS ( |
| |
| |
| |
GSM ( |
| |
| |
| |
Poland |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ||
| |
| |
| ||
GSM ( |
| |
| |
| |
Egypt |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ||
| |
| |
| ||
| |
| |
| ||
Morocco |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ||
| |
| |
| ||
| |
| |
| ||
Romania |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ||
UMTS ( |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ||
Jordan |
| |
| |
| |
LTE ( |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ||
| |
| |
| ||
Belgium |
| |
| |
|
|
(2 licenses) | | | ||||
| | |||||
UMTS ( | | | | |||
| | |||||
Slovensko | | | ||||
Other |
| |
| |
|
|
Total |
| |
| |
|
|
| (1) | In number of years, at December 31, 2021. |
| (2) | Comprises the |
Accounting policies
Intangible assets mainly consist of acquired brands, acquired customer bases, telecommunications licenses and software, as well as operating rights granted under certain concession agreement.
Intangible assets are initially recognized at acquisition or production cost. The payments indexed to revenue, especially for some telecommunications licenses, are expensed in the relevant periods.
The operating rights granted under certain concession arrangements are booked under other intangible assets and give right to charge users of the public service (see Note 4.1).
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-72 |
8.5 Property, plant and equipment
December 31, 2021 | December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
| 2020 |
| 2019 | |||||||
Gross value | Accumulated | Accumulated | Net book | Net book | Net book | |||||||||
depreciation | impairment | value | value | value | ||||||||||
and |
|
| ||||||||||||
(in millions of euros) | amortization | |||||||||||||
Networks and terminals |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
Land and buildings |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
IT equipment |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
Other property, plant and equipment |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
Total property, plant and |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
The networks and terminals are broken down as follows:
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Net book value of property, plant and equipment - in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| | |
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w financed assets |
| |
| |
| | |
Impact of changes in the scope of consolidation (1) |
| |
| |
| ( | |
Disposals and retirements |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Depreciation and amortization |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
o/w fixed assets | ( | ( | ( | ||||
o/w financed assets | ( | ( | ( | ||||
Impairment (2) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Reclassifications and other items |
| |
| |
| | |
Net book value of property, plant and equipment - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Mainly relates, in 2021, to the effects of the acquisition of Telekom Romania Communications and the loss of sole control over FiberCo in Poland (see Note 3.2). |
Mainly relates, in 2019, to the disposal of Orange Niger.
| (2) | Includes impairment detailed in Note 7.1. |
Financed assets
Financed assets include at December 31, 2021 the set-up boxes in France which are financed by an intermediary bank: they meet the standard criterion of a tangible asset according to IAS 16. The debts associated to these financed assets are presented in financial liabilities and are included in the definition of the net financial debt (see Note 13.3)
Internal costs capitalized as property, plant and equipment
Internal costs capitalized as property, plant and equipment relate to labor expenses and amount to
Accounting policies
Property, plant and equipment are made up of tangible fixed assets and financed assets. They mainly comprise network facilities and equipment.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-73 |
The gross value of property, plants and equipment is made up of their acquisition or production cost, which includes study and construction fees as well as enhancement costs that increase the capacity of equipment and facilities. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred, except where they serve to increase the asset’s productivity or extend its useful life.
The cost of property, plant and equipment also includes the estimated cost of dismantling, removing and restoring the site occupied due to the obligation incurred by the Group.
The roll-out of assets by stage, especially for network assets, in the Group’s assessment, does not generally require a substantial period of preparation. As a result, the Group does not generally capitalize the interest expense incurred during the construction and acquisition phase for its property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.
In France, the regulatory framework governing the optical fiber network roll-out (Fiber To The Home – FTTH) organizes the access by commercial operators to the last mile of networks rolled-out by another operator on a co-funding basis (ab initio or a posteriori) or through a line access. The sharing of rights and obligations between the various operators co-financing the terminal section of networks is classified as a joint operation in accordance with IFRS 11 Partnerships: Orange only recognizes as an asset its share of the network assets self-built or purchased to other co-financing operators.
The Group has entered into network sharing arrangements with other mobile operators on a reciprocal basis, which may cover passive infrastructure sharing, active equipment or even spectrum.
8.6 Fixed assets payables
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
|
| 2019 |
Fixed assets payable - in the opening balance |
| |
| | | ||
Business related variations(1) |
| ( |
| | | ||
Changes in the scope of consolidation(2) |
| ( |
| ( | ( | ||
Translation adjustment |
| |
| ( | | ||
Reclassifications and other items(3) |
| |
| | | ||
Fixed assets payable - in the closing balance |
| |
| | | ||
o/w long-term fixed assets payable |
| |
| | | ||
o/w short-term fixed assets payable |
| |
| | |
| (1) | Includes, in 2021, the disbursement of the 5G license for ( |
| (2) | Includes ( |
| (3) | In 2021, mainly relates to incentive bonus fees on penetration rates and business continuity payable by the public initiative networks to the local authorities in the amount of |
Accounting policies
These payables are generated from trading activities. The payment terms can be over several years in the case of infrastructure roll-out and license acquisition. The payables due in more than
Trade payables also include those that the supplier may have sold with or without notifying financial institutions in a direct or reverse factoring arrangement (see Note 5.6).
Firm purchase commitments are disclosed as unrecognized contractual commitments (see Note 16), net of any prepayment, which are recognized as prepayment on fixed assets.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-74 |
8.7 Dismantling provisions
The asset dismantling obligations mainly relate to restoration of mobile telephony antenna sites, dismantling of telephone poles, treatment of electrical and electronic equipment waste and dismantling of telephone booths.
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Dismantling provisions - in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| | |
Provision reversal with impact on income statement |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Discounting with impact on income statement |
| |
| |
| | |
Utilizations without impact on income statement |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Changes in provision with impact on assets |
| |
| |
| | |
Changes in the scope of consolidation |
| |
| — |
| — | |
Translation adjustment |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |
Reclassifications and other items |
| |
| |
| | |
Dismantling provisions - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w non-current provisions |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w current provisions |
| |
| |
| |
Accounting policies
The Group is required to dismantle technical equipment and restore the technical sites it occupies.
When the obligation arises, a dismantlement asset is recognized in compensation for the dismantling provision.
The provision is based on dismantling costs (on a per-unit basis for telephone poles, terminals and telephone booths, and on a per-site basis for mobile antennas) incurred by the Group to meet its environmental commitments over the asset dismantling and site restoration planning. The provision is assessed on the basis of the identified costs for the current fiscal year, extrapolated for future years using the best estimate of the commitment settlement. This estimate is revised annually and adjusted where appropriate against the asset to which it relates. The provision is present-discounted at a rate set by geographical area and equal to the average rate of risk-free investments in
In case of extinguishment of the obligation, the provision is reversed in compensation for the net carrying value of the dismantling asset and of the net carrying value of the underlying assets if the dismantling asset is less than the reversal of the provision.
Note 9 Lease agreements
In the course of its activities, the Group regularly enters into leases as a lessee. These leases concern the following asset categories:
− Land and buildings
− Networks and terminals
− IT equipment
− Other
Accounting policies
IFRS 16 Leases, the application of which is mandatory, has been applied within the Group since January 1, 2019.
IFRS 16 defines a lease as a contract that grants the lessee the right to control the use of an identified asset. All leases are recognized in the balance sheet as an asset reflecting the right to use the leased assets and a corresponding liability reflecting the related lease liabilities (see Notes 9.1 and 9.2). In the income statement, depreciation of right-of-use assets (see Note 9.1) is presented separately from the interest expenses on lease liabilities. In the statement of cash flows, cash outflows relating to interest expenses impact operating cash flows, while repayment of lease liabilities impacts financing cash flows.
For the lessor, assets subject to leases must be recognized on the balance sheet according to the nature of the asset and the associated leasing revenues as income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
When the Group carries out a transaction qualified as sale and leaseback in accordance with IFRS 16, a right-of-use asset is recognized in proportion to the previous carrying value of the asset corresponding to the right-of-use asset retained as counterparty to a lease liability. A gain (or loss) on disposal of fixed assets is recognized in the income statement in proportion to the rights transferred to the buyer-lessor. The adjustment of the gain (or loss) on disposal recognized in the income statement for the share on which the Group retains its user rights via the lease relates to the difference between the right-of-use asset and the lease liability recognized in the balance sheet.
Finally, the Group applies the two exemptions provided for in IFRS 16, concerning leases with a term of 12 months or less that are not tacitly renewable and leases where the value, when new, of the underlying asset is less than approximately
The Group classifies as a lease a contract that confers to the lessee the right to control the use of an identified asset for a given period, including a service contract if it contains a lease component.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-75 |
The Group has defined
− land and buildings: these leases mainly concern commercial (point of sale) or service activity (office and head office) leases, as well as leases of technical buildings not owned by the Group. Real estate leases entered into in France generally have long terms (
− networks and terminals: the Group is required to lease a certain number of assets in connection with its mobile activities. This is notably the case of land on which to install antennas, mobile sites leased to third-party operators and certain “TowerCos” contracts (companies operating telecom towers). Leases are also entered into as part of fixed-line network activities. These leases mainly concern access to the local loop where the Orange group is a market challenger (total or partial unbundling), as well as the lease of land transmission cables;
− IT equipment: this asset category primarily comprises the lease of servers and hosting space in data centers;
− other: this asset category primarily comprises the lease of vehicles and technical equipment.
9.1 Right-of-use assets
(in millions of euros) | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||
Gross value | Accumulated | Accumulated | Net book | Net book value | Net book value | |||||||
depreciation | impairment | value | ||||||||||
and | ||||||||||||
amortization | ||||||||||||
Land and buildings |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |
| | |
Networks and terminals |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | |
| | |
IT equipment |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |
| | |
Other right-of-use |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |
| | |
Total right-of-use assets |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |
| | |
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 | 2020 |
| 2019 | |
Net book value of right-of-use assets - in the opening balance |
| | | | ||
Increase (new right-of-use assets)(1) |
| | | | ||
Impact of changes in the scope of consolidation |
| | | | ||
Depreciation and amortization |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Impairment (2) |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Impact of changes in the assessments |
| | | | ||
Translation adjustment |
| | ( | | ||
Reclassifications and other items |
| ( | ( | ( | ||
Net book value of right-of-use assets - in the closing balance |
| | | |
| (1) | Comprises in 2021, the right-of-use assets related to the new headquarters of the Orange group (Bridge) in France for |
| (2) | Impairment losses on right-of-use assets mainly concern real estate leases qualified as onerous contracts. |
Depreciation and amortization of right-of-use assets
In 2021, the rental expense recognized in external purchases in the income statement amounts to (
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-76 |
Accounting policies
A right-of use is recognized as an asset, with a corresponding lease liability (see Note 9.2). This right-of-use asset is equal to the amount of the lease liability, plus any direct costs incurred under certain leases such as fees, lease negotiation expenses or administration costs and less rent-free period liabilities and lessor financial contributions.
This right-of-use asset is amortized in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term chosen by the Group, in accordance with the lease terms defined in IFRS 16.
Work performed by the lessee and modifications to the leased asset, as well as guarantee deposits, are not components of the right-of-use asset and are recognized in accordance with other standards.
9.2 Lease liabilities
At December 31, 2021, lease liabilities amount to
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 | 2020 |
| 2019 | |
Lease liabilities - in the opening balance |
| | |
| | |
Increase with counterpart in right of use |
| | |
| | |
Impact of changes in the scope of consolidation |
| | |
| | |
Decrease in lease liabilities following rental payments |
| ( | ( |
| ( | |
Impact of changes in the assessments |
| | |
| | |
Translation adjustment |
| | ( |
| | |
Reclassifications and other items |
| | |
| | |
Lease liabilities - in the closing balance |
| | |
| | |
O/w non-current lease liabilities |
| | |
| | |
O/w current lease liabilities |
| | |
| |
The following table details the undiscounted future cash flows of lease liabilities as known at December 31, 2021:
(in millions of euros) | Total |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2025 |
| 2026 |
| 2027 and | |
beyond | ||||||||||||||
Undiscounted lease liabilities |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Accounting policies
The Group recognizes a liability (i.e. a lease liability) at the date the underlying asset is made available. This lease liability is equal to the present value of fixed and in-substance fixed payments not paid at that date, plus any amounts that Orange is reasonably certain to pay at the end of the lease, such as the exercise price of a purchase option (where it is reasonably certain to be exercised), or penalties payable to the lessor for terminating the lease (where such termination option is reasonably certain to be exercised).
The Group only takes the lease component into account when measuring the lease liability. For certain asset classes where leases include both service and lease components, the Group may recognize a single contract, classified as a lease (i.e. without distinguishing between the service and lease components).
Orange systematically determines the lease term as the period during which leases cannot be canceled, plus periods covered by any extension options that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise and by any termination options that the lessee is reasonably certain not to exercise. In the case of “3/6/9” leases in France, the term adopted is assessed on a contract-by-contract basis.
This period is also defined taking into account any laws and practices specific to each jurisdiction and business sector regarding the firm lease commitment term granted by lessors. The Group nonetheless assesses the enforceable period, based on the circumstances of each lease, taking into account certain indicators such as the existence of more than insignificant penalties in the event of termination by the lessee. To determine the length of this enforceable period, the Group considers the economic importance of the leased asset and the assumptions made in its strategic plan.
When non-removable leasehold improvements have been made to leased assets, the Group assesses, on a case-by-case basis, whether these improvements provide an economic benefit when determining the enforceable period of the lease.
When a lease includes a purchase option, the Group considers the enforceable period to be equal to the useful life of the underlying asset where the Group is reasonably certain to exercise the purchase option.
For each lease, the discount rate used is determined based on the yield rate on government bonds in the lessee country, in accordance with the lease term and currency, to which the Group’s credit spread is added.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-77 |
After the lease commencement date, the amount of the lease liability may be reassessed to reflect changes introduced in the following main cases:
− a change in term resulting from a contract amendment or a change in assessment of the reasonable certainty that a renewal option will be exercised or a termination option will not be exercised;
− a change in the amount of lease payments, for example following application of a new index or rate in the case of variable payments;
− a change in the assessment of whether a purchase option will be exercised;
− any other contractual change, for example a change to the scope of the lease or the underlying asset.
Note 10 Taxes
10.1 Operating taxes and levies
Although comprising a directly identifiable counterpart, the periodic spectrum fees are presented within the operating taxes and levies payables as they are set by and paid to the States and Local Authorities.
10.1.1 Operating taxes and levies recognized in the income statement
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Territorial Economic Contribution, IFER and similar taxes(1) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Spectrum fees |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Levies on telecommunication services |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Other operating taxes and levies |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Total |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
(1) Including in 2021a reduction of the territorial economic contribution (TEC) for (
The 2021 French Finance Act enacted the reduction of the applicable rate of the CVAE in France, effective January 1, 2021. The applicable rate for this tax was reduced from
The breakdown of operating taxes and levies per geographical area is the following:
(in millions of euros)
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-78 |
10.1.2 Operating taxes and levies in the statement of financial position
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
|
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
Value added tax (VAT) |
| |
| |
| | |
Other operating taxes and levies |
| |
| |
| | |
Operating taxes and levies - receivables |
| |
| |
| | |
Value added tax (VAT) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Territorial Economic Contribution, IFER and similar taxes |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Spectrum fees |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Levies on telecommunication services |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Other operating taxes and levies |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Operating taxes and levies - payables |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Operating taxes and levies - net |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Changes in operating taxes and levies
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Net tax liabilities and operating taxes and levies - in the opening balance |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Operating taxes and levies recognized in profit or loss |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Operating taxes and levies paid(1) |
|
| |
| | ||
Changes in the scope of consolidation |
| ( |
| — |
| | |
Translation adjustment |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Reclassifications and other items |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net tax liabilities and operating taxes and levies - in the closing balance |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
(1) Including in 2021 the reclassification in the consolidated statement of cash flows of
Accounting policies
Value Added Tax (VAT) receivables and payables correspond to the VAT collected or deductible from the various states. Collections and repayments to states have no impact on the income statement.
In the normal course of business, the Group regularly deals with differences of interpretation of tax law with the tax authorities, which can lead to tax reassessments or tax disputes.
Operating taxes and levies are measured by the Group at the amount expected to be paid or recovered from the tax authorities of each country, based on its interpretation with regard to the application of tax legislation. The Group calculates the tax assets, liabilities and accruals recognized in the statement of financial position based on the technical merits of the positions it defends versus that of the tax authorities.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-79 |
10.2 Income taxes
10.2.1 Income taxes
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Orange SA tax group |
| |
| |
| ( | |
• Current tax |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
o/w tax income related to the 2005-2006 tax dispute | — | | — | ||||
o/w current tax excluding the tax income related to the 2005-2006 tax dispute | ( | ( | ( | ||||
• Deferred tax |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |
Spanish tax group |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
• Current tax |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
• Deferred tax |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Africa Middle East |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
• Current tax |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
• Deferred tax |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
United Kingdom |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
• Current tax |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
• Deferred tax |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Other subsidiaries (1) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
• Current tax |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
• Deferred tax |
| ( |
| |
| | |
Total Income taxes |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
• Current tax |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
o/w tax income related to the 2005-2006 tax dispute | | | — | ||||
o/w current tax excluding the tax income related to the 2005-2006 tax dispute | ( | ( | ( | ||||
• Deferred tax |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
(1) | In 2021, include an income tax expense of ( |
In 2020, the Orange group's current tax was an income amounting to
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-80 |
The breakdown of current tax by geographical area or by tax group (excluding income related to the 2005-2006 tax dispute) is the following:
(in millions of euros)
Orange SA tax group
Current tax expense
Over the last three years, the income tax rate applicable in France gradually decreased from
The decrease in the tax rate in France from
The reduction in the tax rate from
The current tax expense reflects the requirement to pay income tax calculated on the basis of taxable income.
In 2021, the current tax expense includes tax income recorded resulting from the reassessment of an income tax charge booked in periods prior to those presented in the amount of
In 2020, the current tax expense included tax income of
Deferred tax expense
Deferred taxes are recorded at the tax rate expected at the time of their reversal.
The 2018 French Finance Act included a gradual reduction in the corporate income tax rate with an expected tax rate of
Spanish tax group
Current tax expense
The corporate tax rate applicable is
In 2021, the Spanish tax group was in deficit, which explains the absence of current tax expense recognized for the fiscal year.
Deferred tax expense
In 2021, a deferred tax expense of (
In 2020, a deferred tax expense of (
In 2019 , a deferred tax expense of (
Africa Middle East
The main contributors to the income tax expense are Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Guinea and Senegal:
– in Côte d’Ivoire, the corporate tax rate is
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-81 |
– in Mali, the corporate tax rate is
– in Guinea, the corporate tax rate is
– in Senegal, the corporate tax rate is
United Kingdom
Current tax expense
The current income tax expense primarily reflects the taxation of activities related to Orange’s brand activities at a tax rate of
Deferred tax expense
In 2021, a corporate tax rate increase was passed which will rise to
In 2020, the deferred tax expense included an increase of (
Group tax proof
(in millions of euros) |
| Note |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Profit before tax |
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
Statutory tax rate in France |
|
|
| | % | | % | | % |
Theoretical income tax |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Reconciling items : |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Tax income related to the 2005-2006 tax dispute (1) | — | | — | ||||||
Impairment of goodwill (2) |
| 7.1 |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |
Impairment of BT shares |
| 13.7 |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |
Impact related to the loss of sole control over Orange Concessions | | — | — | ||||||
Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures |
|
|
| |
| ( |
| | |
Adjustment of prior-year taxes |
|
|
| ( |
| |
| | |
Recognition / (derecognition) of deferred tax assets |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Difference in tax rates (3) |
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
Change in applicable tax rates (4) |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| | |
Other reconciling items(5) |
|
|
| |
| ( |
| | |
Effective income tax |
|
|
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Effective tax rate (ETR) |
|
|
| | % | ( | % | | % |
| (1) | Relates to the tax income of |
| (2) | Reconciling item calculated based on the tax rate applicable to the parent company of the Group. The difference between the tax rate of the parent company and the local tax rate of subsidiaries is presented below in “Difference in tax rates”. In 2021, the ( |
| (3) | The Group is present in jurisdictions in which tax rates are different from the French tax rate. This mainly includes the United Kingdom (tax rate of |
| (4) | Takes into account the remeasurement of the deferred tax due to change of tax rate in tax legislation, as well as the impact of the booking over the period of deferred tax at tax rates that differ from the rate applicable in the current fiscal year. |
| (5) | Includes in 2021 a tax income recorded resulting from the reassessment of an income tax charge booked in periods before those presented. |
10.2.2 Income tax on other comprehensive income
(in millions of euros) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| |||||||||
Gross | Deferred | Gross | Deferred | Gross | Deferred | ||||||||
| amount |
| tax |
| amount |
| tax |
| amount |
| tax |
| |
Actuarial gains and losses on post-employment benefits(1) |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Assets at fair value | | — | | — | ( | — | |||||||
Cash flow hedges |
| |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Translation adjustment |
| |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| — | |
Other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — | |
Total presented in other comprehensive income |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
| (1) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC agenda decision on calculation of some retirement indemnities plans (see Note 2.3.1). |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-82 |
10.2.3 Tax position in the statement of financial position
December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 (1) | December 31, 2019 (1) |
| ||||||||||||||||
(in millions of euros) |
| Assets |
| Liabi-lities |
| Net |
| Assets |
| Liabi-lities |
| Net |
| Assets |
| Liabi-lities |
| Net |
|
Orange SA tax group |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
• Current tax |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| ( | |
• Deferred tax (2) |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| | |
Spanish tax group |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
• Current tax |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| ( | |
• Deferred tax (3) |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| | |
Africa Middle East |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
• Current tax |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | |
• Deferred tax |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
United Kingdom |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
• Current tax |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| ( | |
• Deferred tax (4) |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | |
Other subsidiaries |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
• Current tax |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | |
• Deferred tax |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
• Current tax |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | |
• Deferred tax |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
| (1) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC agenda decision on calculation of some retirement indemnities plans (see Note 2.3.1). |
| (2) | Mainly includes deferred tax assets on employee benefits. |
| (3) | The recognized deferred tax assets are offset by the deferred tax liabilities on the goodwill which is tax deductible. |
| (4) | Mainly deferred tax liabilities on the Orange brand. |
Change in net current tax
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Net current tax assets / (liabilities) in the opening balance |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Cash tax payments / (reimbursements)(1) |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Change in income statement (1) |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Change in other comprehensive income | — | — | — | ||||
Change in retained earnings (2) |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Changes in the scope of consolidation |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |
Translation adjustment |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Reclassification and other items |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net current tax assets / (liabilities) in the closing balance |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| (1) | In 2021, include disbursements and income tax expenses on gain arising from losses of sole control over Orange Concessions in France and FiberCo in Poland in the amounts of |
| (2) | Mainly corresponds to the tax effect relating to the remeasurement of the portion of subordinated notes denominated in foreign currency and the tax effects of transaction costs and premium paid related to the refinancing of subordinated notes. |
Change in net deferred tax
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 (1) |
| 2019 (1) |
|
Net deferred tax assets / (liabilities) in the opening balance |
| ( |
| |
| | |
Change in income statement |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Change in other comprehensive income |
| ( |
| ( |
| ||
Change in retained earnings |
| |
| — |
| ( | |
Change in the scope of consolidation |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Translation adjustment |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |
Reclassification and other items |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net deferred tax assets / (liabilities) in the closing balance |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| (1) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC agenda decision on calculation of some retirement indemnities plans (see Note 2.3.1). |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-83 |
Deferred tax assets and liabilities by type
December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 |
| ||||||||||||||||
|
|
| Income |
|
|
| Income |
|
|
| Income |
| |||||||
(in millions of euros) | Assets | Liabilities | state-ment | Assets | Liabilities | state-ment | Assets | Liabilities | state-ment |
| |||||||||
Provisions for employee benefit obligations(1) |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( | |
Fixed assets |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | |
Tax losses carryforward |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| | |
Other temporary differences |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | |
Deferred tax |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | |
Depreciation of deferred tax assets |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |
Netting |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — | |
Total |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| ( | |
| (1) | 2019 and 2020 figures have been restated of the IFRS IC agenda decision on calculation of some retirement indemnities plans (see Note 2.3.1). |
At December 31, 2021, tax loss carryforwards mainly related to Spain and Belgium.
At December 31, 2021, the unrecognized deferred tax assets mainly related to Spain for
Most of the other tax losses carryforwards for which no deferred tax assets have been recognized will expire beyond 2026.
10.3 Developments in tax disputes and audits
Developments in tax disputes and audits in France
Tax audits
Orange SA was the subject of tax audits for the years 2017 and 2018 for which amending proposals were issued in 2021 for a total amount of approximately
All of these adjustments are contested by Orange SA. In accordance with its accounting policies, the Group makes a best estimate of the risk of these adjustments based on the technical merits of the positions defended.
Orange SA was subject to a tax audit covering fiscal years 2015 and 2016. An amending proposal was issued in 2019 covering the calculation of trademark fees paid by Orange SA to the British company Orange Brand Services Ltd and deducted from its taxable income. The administration questions the inclusion of revenue from the roaming contract with Free and revenue from the fixed PSTN business. This rectification request is contested by Orange SA, which has requested the opening of out-of-court proceedings and arbitration between the French and British tax authorities. The additional tax charge would effectively result in double taxation that would fail to comply with the provisions of the Franco-British tax agreement and the European arbitration agreement.
Tax disputes
There were no major developments in other tax disputes over the period.
Developments in tax disputes and audits in Spain
In the same way as other telecom operators, the Group regularly deals with disagreements concerning the taxation of its network in various countries.
Orange in Spain is involved in various tax disputes related to local taxes on mobile and fixed services:
| − | regarding mobile services, in May 2016, the Supreme Court of Spain considered admissible some terms and conditions of taxation, based on the value of the use. Since then, some municipalities sent out tax bills in accordance with such Supreme Court sentence. Orange continues to challenge the amount of the tax base, especially in Madrid, despite it was reduced by the municipality due to an error of the latter in the calculation of the tax base. |
| − | regarding fixed services, in January 2021, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJUE), in response to an interpretative question raised, has ruled on the 1.5% charge on fixed retail services. Since then, Orange Espagne has paid this tax when it is imposed by the municipalities. The application of this charge to fixed wholesale services is contested by Orange. At this stage, Orange estimates that the decision of the CJUE does not lead to a modification of its accounting position. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-84 |
Developments in tax disputes and audits in the rest of the Group
There were no major developments in other tax disputes and audits in the rest of the Group over the period.
Accounting policies
Current income tax and deferred tax are measured by the Group at the amount expected to be paid or recovered from the tax authorities of each country, based on its interpretation with regard to the application of tax legislation. The Group calculates the tax assets and liabilities recognized in the statement of financial position based on the technical merits of the positions it defends versus that of the tax authorities.
Deferred taxes are recognized for all temporary differences between the carrying values of assets and liabilities and their tax basis, as well as for unused tax losses, using the liability method. Deferred tax assets are recognized only when their recovery is considered probable.
A deferred tax liability is recognized for all taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, interests in joint ventures and associates, except to the extent that both of the following conditions are satisfied:
– the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference (e.g. the payment of dividends); and
– it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Accordingly, for fully consolidated companies, a deferred tax liability is only recognized in the amount of the taxes payable on planned dividend distributions by the Group.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted.
At each period end, the Group reviews the recoverable amount of the deferred tax assets carried by certain tax entities with significant tax losses carryforwards. The recoverability of the deferred tax assets is assessed in the light of the business plans used for impairment testing. This plan may be adjusted for any tax specificities.
Deferred tax assets arising on these tax losses are not recognized under certain circumstances specific to each company/tax consolidation group concerned, and particularly where:
– entities cannot assess the probability of the tax loss carryforwards being set off against future taxable profits, due to the horizon for forecasts based on business plans used for impairment testing and uncertainties as to the economic environment;
– entities have not yet begun to use the tax loss carryforwards;
– entities do not expect to use the losses within the timeframe allowed by tax regulations;
– it is estimated that tax losses are uncertain to be used due to risks of differing interpretations with regard to the application of tax legislation.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-85 |
Note 11 Interests in associates and joint ventures
11.1 Change in associates and joint ventures
The table below shows the value of the main interests in associates and joint ventures:
(in millions of euros) | ||||||||||||
Company |
| Main activity |
| Main co- |
| % |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| shareholders |
| interest |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 | |||
Entities jointly controlled | ||||||||||||
Orange Concessions and its subsidiaries |
| Operation / maintenance related to Public Initiative Networks |
| Consortium HIN ( |
| | % | |
| — |
| — |
Swiatłowod Inwestycje Sp. z o.o. (FiberCo in Poland) |
| Construction / operation in Poland |
| APG Group ( |
| | % | |
| — |
| — |
Mauritius Telecom |
| Telecommunications operator in Mauritius |
| Mauritius government ( |
| | % | |
| |
| |
Other |
| |
|
| | |||||||
Entities under significant influence | ||||||||||||
Orange Tunisie |
| Telecommunications operator in Tunisia |
| Investec ( |
| | % | |
| — |
| — |
Savoie connectée |
| Fiber infrastructure operator |
| Covage ( |
| | % | |
| |
| — |
IRISnet |
| Telecommunications operator in Belgium |
| MRBC ( |
| | % | |
| |
| |
Odyssey Music Group (Deezer) |
| Streaming platform |
| AI European Holdings SARL ( |
| | % | — |
| |
| |
Other |
| |
| |
| | ||||||
TOTAL |
| |
| |
| |
The change in interests in associates and joint ventures is as follows:
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Interests in associates - in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| | |
Dividends |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Share of profits (losses) |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Impairment |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | |
Change in components of other comprehensive income |
| |
| — |
| — | |
Changes in the scope of consolidation(1) |
| |
| |
| | |
Translation adjustment |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Reclassifications and other items |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Interests in associates - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Changes in the scope of consolidation mainly relate to Orange Concessions and Swiatłowod Inwestycje Sp. z o.o. (FiberCo in Poland) as described in Note 3.2. |
The main operations between the Group and associates and joint ventures are presented in Note 12.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-86 |
11.2Main figures of associates and joint ventures
The main figures relating to Orange Concessions and Swiatłowod Inwestycje Sp. z o.o. (FiberCo in Poland) are as follows (figures presented at 100% from financial statements):
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, 2021 | ||
| Orange |
| Swiatłowod | |
Concessions | Inwestycje Sp. z o.o. | |||
Assets(1) | ||||
Non-current assets | |
| | |
Current assets | |
| | |
Total assets | |
| | |
Liabilities(2) | ||||
Shareholder's equity | |
| | |
Non-current liabilities | |
| | |
Current liabilities | |
| | |
Total equity and liabilities | |
| | |
Income statement | ||||
Revenue | |
| | |
Operating income | ( |
| ( | |
Finance costs, net | ( |
| | |
Net income | ( |
| | |
(1) The assets are recognized by Orange Concessions in accordance with the provisions of IFRIC 12 “Service Concession Arrangements.”
(2) Orange Concessions has contracted bank loans during the period to finance the activity.
11.3Contractual commitments on interests in associates and joint ventures
Commitments related to Public Initiative Networks
As part of the deployment of the High and Very High Speed network in France, the Group entered into contracts via Public Initiative Networks (mainly public service delegation and public-private partnership contracts as well as public design, construction, operation and maintenance contracts). On November 3, 2021, the Orange group sold
The recoverable amount of interests in associates and joint ventures is based on the fair value of recent transactions.
Accounting policies
The carrying amount accounted for under the equity method corresponds to the initial acquisition cost increased by the share of profit or loss in the period. If an associate incurs losses and the carrying amount of the investment is reduced to zero, the Group ceases to recognize the additional share of losses since it has no commitment beyond its investment.
An impairment test is performed at least annually and when there is objective evidence of impairment, for instance a decrease in the quoted price when the investee is listed, significant financial difficulty of the entity, observable data indicating that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows, or information about significant changes having an adverse effect on the entity.
An impairment loss is recorded when the recoverable amount is lower than the carrying amount, the recoverable amount being the higher of the value in use and the fair value less costs to sell. The unit of account is the whole investment. Any impairment is recognized as “Share of profits (losses) of associates and joint ventures”. Impairment losses shall be reversed once the recoverable amount exceeds the carrying amount.
Note 12 Related party transactions
Transactions with the French State and affiliated bodies
The French State, either directly or through Bpifrance Participations, is one of the main shareholders of Orange SA.
The communication services provided to the French State are done so as part of a competitive process held for each service according to the nature of the service. They have no material impact on consolidated revenues.
Orange does not purchase goods or services from the French State (either directly or via Bpifrance Participations), except the use of spectrum resources. These resources are allocated after a competitive process.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-87 |
Transactions with the main associates and joint ventures
The main operations between the Group and the interests in associates and joint ventures are reflected as follow in Orange’s consolidated financial statements:
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
Assets | ||||||
Non-current financial assets |
| |
| |
| — |
Trade receivables |
| |
| |
| |
o/w Orange Concessions(1) |
| |
| — |
| — |
Current financial assets |
| |
| |
| |
Other current assets |
| |
| — |
| |
Liabilities | ||||||
Current financial liabilities |
| |
| |
| — |
Trade payables |
| |
| |
| |
Other current liabilities |
| |
| |
| |
Customer contract liabilities |
| |
| |
| |
o/w Swiatlowod Inwestycje Sp.z o.o.(2) |
| |
| — |
| — |
Income statement | ||||||
Revenue |
| |
| |
| |
o/w Orange Concessions |
| |
| — |
| — |
Operating income |
| |
| ( |
| |
Finance costs, net |
| |
| |
| |
Net income |
| |
| ( |
| |
(1) | Operations between the Group and Orange Concessions mainly comprise receivables of Orange SA towards Orange Concessions in relation with fiber deployment and maintenance activities operated by the Group. |
(2) | Customer contract liabilities correspond mainly to the recognition of deferred income by Orange Polska in connection with the prepayment of services provided to FiberCo. |
Accounting policies
Orange group’s related parties are listed below:
– the Group’s key management personnel and their families (see Note 6.4);
– the French State, and its departments in Bpifrance Participations and central State departments (see Notes 10 and 15);
– associates, joint ventures and companies in which the Group holds a significant stake (see Note 11).
Note 13 Financial assets, liabilities and financial results (telecom activities)
13.1 Financial assets and liabilities of telecom activities
In order to improve the readability of financial statements and to be able to distinguish the performance of telecom activities from the performance of the Mobile Financial Services activities, the notes related to financial assets and liabilities as well as financial income or expenses are split to respect these two business areas.
Note 13 presents the financial assets, liabilities and related gains and losses specific to telecom activities and Note 17 concerns the activities of Mobile Financial Services with regard to its assets and liabilities, with net financial income being not material.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-88 |
The following table reconciles the contributive balances of assets and liabilities for each of these two areas to the consolidated balance sheet (intra-group transactions between telecom activities and Mobile Financial Services activities are not eliminated) with the consolidated statement of financial position at December 31, 2021.
(in millions of euros) | Orange | O/w | Note | O/w Mobile | Note | O/w eliminations | |||||||
consolidated | telecom | Finance | telecom | ||||||||||
financial | activities | Services | activities /mobile | ||||||||||
| statements |
|
|
|
|
| finance services | ||||||
Non-current financial assets related to Mobile Financial Services activities | | — | | 17.1.1 | — | ||||||||
Non-current financial assets |
| | | 13.7 |
| — | ( | (1) | |||||
Non-current derivatives assets |
| | | 13.8 |
| | 17.1.3 | — | |||||
Current financial assets related to Mobile Finance Services activities | | — | | 17.1.1 | ( | ||||||||
Current financial assets |
| | | 13.7 |
| — | — | ||||||
Current derivatives assets |
| | | 13.8 |
| — | 17.1.3 | — | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
| | | 14.3 |
| | — | ||||||
Non-current financial liabilities related to Mobile Financial Services activities | — | — | | 17.1.2 | ( | (1) | |||||||
Non-current financial liabilities |
| | | 13.3 |
| — | — | ||||||
Non-current derivatives liabilities |
| | | 13.8 |
| | 17.1.3 | — | |||||
Current financial liabilities related to Mobile Financial Services activities | | — | | 17.1.2 | — | ||||||||
Current financial liabilities |
| | | 13.3 |
| — | ( | ||||||
Current derivatives liabilities |
| | | 13.8 |
| — | 17.1.3 | — |
| (1) | Loan granted by Orange SA to Orange Bank. |
13.2 Profits and losses related to financial assets and liabilities
The cost of net financial debt consists of gains and losses related to the components of net financial debt (described in Note 13.3) for the period.
Foreign exchange gains and losses related to the components of net financial debt correspond mainly to the revaluation in euros of bonds denominated in foreign currencies (Note 13.5) as well as to the symmetrical revaluation of associated hedges as defined by IFRS 9.
Foreign exchange financial income (loss) is mainly due to revaluation of the trading derivatives held as economic hedges on notional amounts of subordinated notes denominated in pounds sterling and recognized in equity at their historical value (see Note 15.4).
Other net financial expenses mainly comprise interest on lease liabilities for (
Finally, other comprehensive income includes the revaluation of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (Note 13.7) and cash flow hedges (Note 13.8.2).
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-89 |
Other gains and losses related to financial assets and liabilities are recognized in the operating income (foreign exchange gains and losses on trade receivables, trade payables and the associated derivative hedges) for (
(in millions of euros) | Finance costs, net | Other |
| ||||||||||||
compre- |
| ||||||||||||||
hensive income |
| ||||||||||||||
Cost of | Gains | Cost of net | Foreign | Other net | Finance | Reserves |
| ||||||||
gross | (losses) on | financial | exchange | financial | costs, net |
| |||||||||
financial | assets | debt | gains | expenses(2) |
| ||||||||||
debt(1) | contributing | (losses) |
| ||||||||||||
to net |
| ||||||||||||||
financial |
| ||||||||||||||
|
| debt |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Financial assets |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
|
|
| | |
Financial liabilities |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
|
|
| — | |
Lease liabilities | — | — | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||
Derivatives |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
|
|
| | (3) |
Discounting expense |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
|
|
| — | |
Total |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( | ( |
| | ||
2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Financial assets |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
|
|
| | |
Financial liabilities |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| — |
|
|
| — | |
Lease liabilities | — | — | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||
Derivatives |
| |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| |
|
|
| | |
Discounting expense |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
|
|
| — | |
Total |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ( |
| | ||
2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Financial assets |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
|
|
| ( | |
Financial liabilities |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
|
|
| — | |
Lease liabilities | — | — | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||
Derivatives |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
|
|
| | |
Discounting expense |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
|
|
| — | |
Total |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |
| (1) | Includes interests on debt relating to financed assets for ( |
| (2) | Includes interest on lease liabilities in the amount of ( |
| (3) | Includes the amount of retained earnings in other comprehensive income in respect of derivatives held by associates and joint ventures amounting to 5 million euros in 2021. |
13.3 Net financial debt
The definition of the net financial debt excludes the lease liabilities included in the scope of IFRS 16 (see Note 9.2) and includes the debts relating to financed assets.
Net financial debt is one of the indicators of financial position used by the Group. This aggregate, not defined by IFRS, may not be comparable to similarly entitled indicators used by other companies. It is provided as additional information only and should not be considered as a substitute for an analysis of all the Group’s assets and liabilities.
Net financial debt as defined and used by Orange does not take into account Mobile Financial Services activities, for which this concept is not relevant.
It consists of (a) financial liabilities excluding operating payables (translated into euros at the year-end closing rate) including derivative instruments (assets and liabilities), less (b) cash collateral paid, cash, cash equivalents and financial assets at fair value.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-90 |
Furthermore, financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges included in net financial debt are set up to hedge in particular items that are not included therein, such as future cash flows. As a result, the portion relating to these unmatured hedging instruments recorded in other comprehensive income is added to gross financial debt to offset this temporary difference.
(in millions of euros) | Note | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, |
| ||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
TDIRA |
| 13.4 |
| |
| |
| | |
Bonds |
| 13.5 |
| |
| |
| | |
Bank loans and from development organizations and multilateral lending institutions |
| 13.6 |
| |
| |
| | |
Debt relating to financed assets | | | | ||||||
Cash collateral received |
| 14.5 |
| |
| |
| | |
NEU Commercial Paper (1) |
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
Bank overdrafts |
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
Other financial liabilities |
|
|
| | | | |||
Current and non-current financial liabilities (excluding derivatives) included in the calculation of net financial debt |
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
Current and non-current Derivatives (liabilities) |
| 13.8 |
| |
| |
| | |
Current and non-current Derivatives (assets) |
| 13.8 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Other comprehensive income components related to unmatured hedging instruments |
| 13.8 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Gross financial debt after derivatives (a) |
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
Cash collateral paid (2) |
| 14.5 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Investments at fair value (3) |
| 14.3 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Cash equivalents |
| 14.3 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Cash |
|
| ( | ( |
| ( | |||
Assets included in the calculation of net financial debt (b) |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net financial debt (a) + (b) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Negotiable European Commercial Paper (formerly called commercial paper). |
| (2) | Only cash collateral paid, included in non-current financial assets of the consolidated statement of financial position, are deducted from gross financial debt. |
| (3) | Only investments at fair value, included in current financial assets of the consolidated statement of financial position, are deducted from gross financial debt (Note 14.3). |
Net financial debt is mostly carried by the group’s parent company, Orange SA, in the amount of
Debt maturity schedules are presented in Note 14.3.
Changes in financial assets or financial liabilities whose cash flows are disclosed in financing activities in the cash flow statement are the following (see Note 1.8):
(in millions of euros) | December 31, 2020 | Cash | Other changes with no impact | December 31, 2021 |
| |||||||||
|
|
| Changes in |
| Foreign |
| Other |
|
| |||||
TDIRA |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| | ||
Bonds |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| ( | (1) | | ||
Bank loans and from development organizations and multilateral lending institutions |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Debt relating to financed assets | | ( | — | — | | | ||||||||
Cash collateral received |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| |
| | ||
NEU Commercial Paper |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| | ||
Bank overdrafts |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
| | ||
Other financial liabilities |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
Current and non-current financial liabilities (excluding derivatives) included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | ||
Net derivatives |
| |
| |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Cash collateral paid |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
| ( | ||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
| (1) | Mainly corresponding to changes in accrued interests not yet due. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-91 |
(in millions of euros) | December 31, | Cash | Other changes with no impact | December 31, | |||||||||
2019 | flows | on cash flows | 2020 | ||||||||||
Changes in | Foreign | ||||||||||||
the scope of | exchange | ||||||||||||
consolidation | movement | Other | |||||||||||
TDIRA |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| | |
Bonds |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | (1) | | |
Bank loans and from development organizations and multilateral lending institutions |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| | |
Debt relating to financed assets |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| |
| | |
Cash collateral received |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| | |
NEU Commercial Paper |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| | |
Bank overdrafts |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| | |
Other financial liabilities |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |
Current and non-current financial liabilities (excluding derivatives) included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| | |
Net derivatives |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Cash collateral paid | ( | ( | — | | — | ( | |||||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
| ( |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
| (1) | Mainly corresponding to changes in accrued interests not yet due. |
(in millions of euros) | December 31, | Cash | Other changes with no impact | December 31, | |||||||||
2018 | flows | on cash flows | 2019 | ||||||||||
Changes in | Foreign | ||||||||||||
the scope of | exchange | ||||||||||||
consolidation | movement | Other | |||||||||||
TDIRA |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| | |
Bonds |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ( | (1) | | |
Bank loans and from development organizations and multilateral lending institutions |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
Finance lease liabilities |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — | |
Debt relating to financed assets | — | ( | — | — | | | |||||||
Cash collateral received |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| | |
NEU Commercial Paper |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| | |
Bank overdrafts |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
Other financial liabilities |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Current and non-current financial liabilities (excluding derivatives) included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Net derivatives |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Cash collateral paid |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| (1) | Mainly corresponding to changes in accrued interests not yet due. |
Net financial debt by currency
The net financial debt by currency is presented in the table below, after foreign exchange effects of hedging derivatives (excluding instruments set up to hedge operational items).
(equivalent value in millions of euros at year-end closing rate) |
| EUR |
| USD |
| GBP |
| PLN |
| EGP |
| JOD |
| MAD |
| Other |
| Total |
Gross financial debt after derivatives |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| |
| | |
Financial assets included in the calculation of net financial debt |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | — |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net debt by currency before effect of foreign exchange derivatives (1) |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | |
| |
| | |
Effect of foreign exchange derivatives |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| — |
| — | — |
| ( |
| — | |
Net financial debt by currency after effect of foreign exchange derivatives |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
| |
| |
| (1) | Including the market value of derivatives in local currency. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-92 |
Accounting policies
Cash and cash equivalents
The Group classifies investments as cash equivalents in the statement of financial position and statement of cash flows when they comply with the conditions of IAS 7 (see cash management detailed in Notes 14.3 and 14.5):
– held in order to face short-term cash commitments; and
– short-term and highly liquid assets at acquisition date, readily convertible into known amount of cash and not exposed to any material risk of change in value.
Bonds, bank loans and loans from multilateral lending institutions
Among financial liabilities, only commitments to redeem non-controlling interests are recognized at fair value in profit or loss.
Borrowings are recognized upon origination at the discounted value of the sums to be paid and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial liability are deducted from the liability’s book value. The costs are subsequently amortized over the life of the liability, using the effective interest rate method.
Some financial liabilities at amortized cost, mainly borrowings, are subject to hedging. This relates mostly to borrowings hedged against the exposure of their future cash flows to foreign exchange risk (cash flow hedge).
13.4 TDIRA
The perpetual bonds redeemable for shares (“TDIRAs”) with a par value of
The TDIRAs are redeemable in new Orange SA shares, at any time at the holders' request or, under certain conditions as described in the appropriate prospectus, at Orange SA's initiative based on a ratio of
Since January 1, 2010, the interest rate on the TDIRAs has been the three-month Euribor +
The TDIRA are subject to split accounting between equity and liabilities. For the securities outstanding at December 31, 2021, the equity component before deferred tax stood at
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 |
| December 31, 2019 |
|
Number of securities |
| |
| |
| | |
Equity component before deferred taxes |
| |
| |
| | |
Debt component |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w accrued interests not yet due |
| |
| |
| | |
Paid interest |
| |
| |
| |
Accounting policies
Some Group financial instruments include both a liability component and an equity component. This relates to perpetual bonds redeemable for shares (TDIRAs). On initial recognition, the liability component is measured at its market value, corresponding to the value of the contractually determined future cash flows discounted at the market rate applied at the date of issue to comparable instruments providing substantially the same conditions, but without the option to convert or redeem in shares. This liability component is subsequently recognized at amortized cost.
The book value of the equity component is determined at inception by deducting the fair value of the financial liability from the notional value of the instrument. This does not change throughout the life of the instrument.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-93 |
13.5 Bonds
In 2021, the Group carried out the following bond issues:
Notional currency |
| Initial |
| Maturity |
| Interest rate |
| Issuer |
| Type of operations |
| Amounts | |
nominal | (%) | in millions | |||||||||||
amount | of euros | ||||||||||||
(in millions | |||||||||||||
of currency) | |||||||||||||
EUR |
| | January 15, 2022 |
| |
| Orange SA |
| Re-Issuance |
| | ||
EUR |
| | June 29, 2026 |
| |
| Orange SA |
| Issuance |
| | ||
EUR |
| | June 29, 2034 |
| |
| Orange SA |
| Issuance |
| | ||
EUR |
| | December 16, 2033 |
| |
| Orange SA |
| Issuance |
| | ||
Total of issuances |
| | |||||||||||
EUR |
| | January, 14, 2021 |
| |
| Orange SA |
| Repayment at maturity |
| ( | ||
GBP |
| | June 27, 2021 |
| |
| Orange SA |
| Repayment at maturity |
| ( | ||
USD |
| | September, 14 2021 |
| |
| Orange SA |
| Early repayment |
| ( | (1) | |
EUR |
| | October, 13 2021 |
| 10Y CMS + |
| Orange SA |
| Repayment at maturity |
| ( | ||
EUR |
| | December 21, 2021 |
| 10Y TEC + |
| Orange SA |
| Repayment at maturity |
| ( | ||
EUR |
| | January 15, 2022 |
| |
| Orange SA |
| Early repayment |
| ( | ||
MAD |
| | December 18, 2025 |
| |
| Médi Telecom |
| Regular annual basis repayment |
| ( | ||
MAD |
| | December 18, 2025 |
| 1Y BDT + |
| Médi Telecom |
| Regular annual basis repayment |
| ( | ||
MAD |
| | December 10, 2026 |
| |
| Médi Telecom |
| Regular annual basis repayment |
| ( | ||
MAD |
| | December 10, 2026 |
| 1Y BDT + |
| Médi Telecom |
| Regular annual basis repayment |
| ( | ||
Total of repayments |
| ( |
| (1) | The early redemption of the bond with an initial maturity of September 2021 was carried out on April 1, 2021. |
The Group issued bonds exchangeable for BT securities for a notional amount of
Unmatured bonds at December 31, 2021, presented below, were all issued by Orange SA, with the exception of two obligations (each with a fixed-rate tranche and a variable-rate tranche) denominated in Moroccan dirhams held by Médi Telecom and one bond in CFA francs issued by Sonatel.
With the exception of the commitments made by Médi Telecom, which are redeemable on a regular annual basis, at December 31,2021, the bonds issued by the Group were redeemable at maturity. No specific guarantee had been given in relation to their issuance. Some bonds may be redeemed in advance, at the request of the issuer.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-94 |
Notional | Initial nominal | Maturity | Interest rate (%) | Outstanding amount (in millions of euros) |
| ||||||||
currency | amount | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, |
| ||||||||
(in millions of | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| |||||||||
| currency units) |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Bonds matured before December 31, 2021 | — |
| |
| | ||||||||
EUR |
| |
| September 16, 2022 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR |
| |
| March 1, 2023 |
| | |
| |
| | ||
EUR |
| |
| September 11, 2023 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
HKD |
| |
| October 6, 2023 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
HKD |
| |
| December 22, 2023 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR | | January 9, 2024 | | | | | |||||||
EUR |
| |
| July 15, 2024 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR |
| |
| May 12, 2025 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR |
| |
| September 12, 2025 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
NOK | | September 17, 2025 | | | | | |||||||
CHF |
| |
| November 24, 2025 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
GBP |
| |
| December 5, 2025 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
MAD (1) | | December 18, 2025 | | | | | |||||||
MAD (1) |
| |
| December 18, 2025 |
| 1Y BDT + |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR | | June 29,2026 | | | — | — | |||||||
EUR | | September 4, 2026 | | | | | |||||||
EUR |
| |
| November 30, 2026 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
MAD (1) | | December 10, 2026 | | | | | |||||||
MAD (1) |
| |
| December 10, 2026 |
| 1Y BDT + |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR | | February 3, 2027 | | | | | |||||||
EUR | | July 7, 2027 | | | | — | |||||||
XOF | | July 15, 2027 | | | | — | |||||||
EUR | | September 9, 2027 | | | | | |||||||
EUR | | March 20, 2028 | | | | | |||||||
EUR | | April 11, 2028 | | | | | |||||||
NOK | | July 24, 2028 | | | | | |||||||
GBP |
| |
| November 20, 2028 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR |
| |
| January 15, 2029 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR | | April 11, 2029 | | | | | |||||||
CHF | | June 22, 2029 | | | | | |||||||
EUR |
| |
| September 16, 2029 |
| |
| |
| |
| — | |
EUR |
| |
| January 16, 2030 |
| | |
| |
| | ||
EUR |
| |
| September 12, 2030 |
| | |
| |
| | ||
EUR |
| |
| September 17, 2030 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR |
| |
| November 6, 2030 |
| | (2) | |
| |
| | |
USD |
| |
| March 1, 2031 |
| | (3) | |
| |
| | |
EUR |
| |
| May 29, 2031 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR | | December 5, 2031 | | | | ||||||||
EUR |
| |
| December 8, 2031 |
|
| |
| |
| | ||
| (1) | Bonds issued by Médi Telecom. Bonds bearing 1Y BDT rate corresponds to 52 weeks Moroccan treasury bonds rate (recalculated once a year). |
| (2) | Bond bearing interest at a fixed rate of |
| (3) | Bond with a Step-up clause (clause that triggers a change in interest payments of Orange's credit rating from the rating agencies changes, see Note 14.3). |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-95 |
Notional | Initial nominal | Maturity | Interest rate (%) | Outstanding amount (in millions of euros) |
| ||||||||
currency | amount | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, |
| ||||||||
(in millions of | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| |||||||||
| currency units) |
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
EUR |
| |
| January 5, 2032 |
| | (zero coupon) | |
| |
| | |
GBP |
| |
| January 15, 2032 |
| | |
| |
| | ||
EUR | | April 7, 2032 | | | | — | |||||||
EUR |
| |
| September 4, 2032 |
| | |
| |
| | ||
EUR |
| |
| January 28, 2033 |
| | |
| |
| | ||
EUR |
| |
| September 30, 2033 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR |
| |
| December 16, 2033 |
| |
| |
| — |
| — | |
GBP |
| |
| January 23, 2034 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
HKD |
| |
| June 12, 2034 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR |
| |
| July 11, 2034 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR | | June 29, 2034 | | | — | — | |||||||
EUR | | April 16, 2038 | | | | | |||||||
USD | | January 13, 2042 | | | | | |||||||
USD |
| |
| February 6, 2044 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
EUR | | September 4, 2049 | | | | | |||||||
GBP |
| |
| November 22, 2050 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Outstanding amount of bonds |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | ||
Accrued interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
Amortized cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | |
13.6 Loans from development organizations and multilateral lending institutions
(in millions of euros) | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, |
| |||
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| |
Sonatel |
| |
| |
| | |
Orange Mali | | | | ||||
Médi Telecom |
| |
| |
| | |
Orange Côte d’Ivoire |
| |
| |
| | |
Orange Egypt |
| | |
| | ||
Orange Cameroon | | | | ||||
Orange Jordanie |
| |
| |
| | |
Orange Burkina Faso | | | | ||||
Other |
| |
| |
| | |
Bank loans |
| |
| |
| | |
Orange SA(1) |
| | | | |||
Orange Espagne |
| |
| — |
| | |
Loans from development organizations and multilateral lending institutions(2) |
| |
| |
| | |
Total |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | In 2021, Orange SA repaid at maturity a loan of |
| (2) | Entirely the European Investment Bank. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-96 |
13.7 Financial assets
The financial assets break down as follows:
(in millions of euros) | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
| Non-current |
| Current |
| Total |
| Total |
| Total | |
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to profit or loss | | — | | | | |||||
Investments securities |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Investments at fair value(1) |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Investments securities |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
Cash collateral paid (2) |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
Financial assets at amortized cost |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Receivables related to investments(3) |
| | |
| |
| |
| | |
Other |
| | |
| |
| | | ||
Total financial assets |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | NEU Commercial paper and bonds only (see Note 14.3). |
| (2) | See Note 14.5. |
| (3) | Including loan from Orange SA to Orange Bank for |
Investment securities
Investment securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income that may not be reclassified to profit or loss
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
|
Investment securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income that may not be reclassified to profit or loss - in the opening balance |
| |
| |
| | |
Acquisitions |
| |
| |
| | |
Changes in fair value | | | ( | ||||
Sales |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Other movements |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |
Investment securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income that may not be reclassified to profit or loss - in the closing balance |
| |
| |
| |
Investment securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income that may not be reclassified to profit or loss include numerous shares in companies held by investment funds.
Investment securities measured at fair value through profit or loss
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Investment securities measured at fair value through profit or loss - in the opening balance | | | | |||
Changes in fair value | | | | |||
Sale of BT shares | — | — | ( | |||
Other movements | | ( | ( | |||
Investment securities measured at fair value through profit or loss - in the closing balance | | | |
BT shares
On January 29, 2016, following the disposal of EE, Orange received
In 2017, the Orange group sold
In 2018, the Orange group sold
On June 28, 2019, the Group sold its residual stake of
Accounting policies
Financial assets
– Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVR)
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-97 |
Certain equity securities which are not consolidated or equity-accounted and cash investments such as negotiable debt securities, deposits and mutual funds (UCITS), which are compliant with the Group's liquidity risk management policy, may be designated by Orange as being recognized at fair value through profit or loss. These assets are recognized at fair value at inception and subsequently. All changes in fair value are recorded in net financial expenses.
– Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income that may not be reclassified to profit or loss (FVOCI)
Equity securities which are not consolidated or equity-accounted are, subject to exceptions, recognized as assets at fair value through other comprehensive income that may not be reclassified to profit or loss. They are recognized at fair value at inception and subsequently. Temporary changes in value and gains (losses) on disposals are recorded in other comprehensive income that may not be reclassified to profit/loss.
– Financial assets at amortized cost (AC)
This category mainly includes loans and receivables. These instruments are recognized at fair value at inception and are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. If there is any objective evidence of impairment of these assets, the value of the asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period. An impairment loss is recognized in the income statement when impairment tests demonstrate that the financial asset book value is higher than its recoverable amount. For these financial assets, the provisioning system also covers expected losses according to IFRS 9.
13.8 Derivatives instruments
13.8.1 Market value of derivatives
(in millions of euros) | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 |
| |||
|
|
|
| ||||
Hedging derivatives | | ( | | ||||
Cash flow hedge derivatives |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Fair value hedge derivatives |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | |
Derivatives held for trading (1) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net derivatives(2) |
| |
| ( |
| |
| (1) | Mainly due to the foreign exchange effects of the economic hedges against the revaluation of subordinated notes denominated in pounds sterling (equity instruments recognized at their historical value (see Note 15.4) for ( |
| (2) | Of which foreign exchange effects of the cross-currency swaps (classified as hedging or held for trading) hedging foreign exchange risk on gross debt notional for |
The risks hedged by these derivative instruments are described in Note 14. These derivatives are associated with cash-collateral agreements, the effects of which are described in Note 14.5.
Accounting policies
Derivative instruments are measured at fair value in the statement of financial position and presented according to their maturity date, regardless of whether they qualify for hedge accounting under IFRS 9 (hedging instruments versus trading instruments).
Derivatives are classified as a separate line item in the statement of financial position.
Trading derivatives are non-qualified economic hedges. Changes in the value of these instruments are recognized directly in profit and loss.
Hedge accounting is applicable when:
– at the inception of the hedge, there is a formal designation and documentation of the hedging relationship;
– the effectiveness of the hedge is demonstrated at inception and it is expected to continue in subsequent periods: i.e. at inception and throughout its duration, the company expects changes in the fair value of the hedged element to be almost fully offset by changes in the fair value of the hedged instrument.
There are three types of hedge accounting:
– the fair value hedge is a hedge of the exposure to changes in fair value of a recognized asset or liability (or an identified portion of the asset or liability) that are attributable to a particular interest rate and/or currency risk and which could affect profit or loss. The hedged portion of these items is re-measured at fair value in the statement of financial position. Change in this fair value is booked in the income statement and offset by symmetrical changes in the fair value hedging of financial hedging instruments up to the limit of the hedge effectiveness;
– the cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in cash flows that is attributable to a particular interest rate and/or currency risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction (such as a future purchase or sale) and which could affect profit or loss. As the hedged item is not recognized in the statement of financial position, the effective portion of change in fair value of the hedging instrument is booked in other comprehensive income. It is reclassified in profit or loss when the hedged item (financial asset or liability) affects the profit or loss or in the initial cost of the hedged item when it relates to the hedge of a non-financial asset acquisition cost;
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-98 |
– the net investment hedge is a hedge of the exposure to changes in values attributable to exchange risk of a net investment in a foreign operation, and could affect profit or loss on the disposal of the foreign operation.The effective portion of the net investment hedge is recorded in other comprehensive income. It is reclassified in profit or loss upon the disposal of the net investment.
For transactions qualified as fair value hedges and economic hedges, the foreign exchange impact of changes in the fair value of derivatives is booked in operating income when the underlying hedged item results from operational transactions and in net finance costs when the underlying hedged item is a financial asset or liability.
Hedge accounting can be terminated when the hedged item is no longer recognized, i.e. when the Group revokes the designation of the hedging relationship or when the hedging instrument is terminated or exercised. The accounting consequences are as follows:
– fair value hedge: at the hedge accounting termination date, the adjustment of the fair value of the liability is amortized using an effective interest rate recalculated at this date . Should the item hedged disappear, the change in fair value is recognized in the income statement;
– cash flow hedge: amounts recorded in other comprehensive income are immediately reclassified in profit or loss when the hedged item is no longer recognized. In all other cases, amounts are reclassified in profit or loss, on a straight basis, throughout the remaining life of the original hedging relationship.
In both cases, subsequent changes in the value of the hedging instrument are recorded in profit or loss.
Concerning the effects of the Foreign Currency Basis Spread, cross-currency swaps designated as cash flow hedges, the Group has chosen to designate them as costs of hedge. This option enables recognizing these effects in other comprehensive income and amortizing the cost of the Basis Spread to profit/loss over the period of the hedge.
13.8.2 Cash flow hedges
The main purpose of the Group's cash flow hedges is to neutralize foreign exchange risk on future cash flows (notional, coupons) or switch floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt.
The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges recognized in net income is not significant during the periods presented. The main hedges unmatured at December 31, 2021, as well as their effects on the financial statements, are detailed in the table below.
(in millions of euros) | Hedged risk | |||||||
| Total |
| Exchange and interest rate risk |
| Exchange risk |
| Interest rate risk | |
Hedging instruments | | Cross Currency Swap | Forward | Interest rate swap | ||||
| FX swap |
| Option | |||||
| Option | |||||||
Carrying amount - asset |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
Carrying amount – liability |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Change in cash flow hedge reserve |
| |
| |
| ( |
| |
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Reclassification in financial result |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
Reclassification in operating income |
| ( |
| — |
| |
| ( |
Reclassification in initial carrying amount of hedged item |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| |
Cash flow hedge reserve |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
o/w related to unmatured hedging instruments |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
o/w related to discontinued hedges |
| |
| |
| — |
| ( |
Hedged item |
| Bonds and credit lines |
| Purchases of handsets and equipment |
| Bonds and Lease liabilities | ||
Balance sheet item |
| Current and non-current financial liabilities |
| Property, plant and equipment |
| Lease and Financial Liabilities - current and non-current | ||
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-99 |
The main hedges unmatured at December 31, 2020, as well as their effects on the financial statements, are detailed in the table below.
(in millions of euros) | Hedged risk | |||||||
Total | Exchange and interest | |||||||
rate risk | Exchange risk | Interest rate risk | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Hedging instruments | ( | Cross Currency Swap | Forward | Interest rate swap | ||||
FX swap | Option | |||||||
Option | ||||||||
Carrying amount - asset |
| | | | | |||
Carrying amount - liability |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||
Change in cash flow hedge reserve |
| | | | | |||
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income |
| | ( | | | |||
Reclassification in financial result |
| | | ( | — | |||
Reclassification in operating income |
| | — | | — | |||
Reclassification in initial carrying amount of hedged item |
| ( | — | ( | — | |||
Cash flow hedge reserve |
| ( | ( | | ( | |||
o/w related to unmatured hedging instruments |
| ( | ( | | ( | |||
o/w related to discontinued hedges |
| | | — | | |||
Hedged item |
| Bonds and credit lines | Purchases of handsets | Bonds and Lease | ||||
| and equipment | liabilities | ||||||
Current and non-current | Property, plant and | Lease and Financial Liabilities - | ||||||
Balance sheet item | financial liabilities | equipment | current and non-current | |||||
The main hedges unmatured at December 31, 2019, as well as their effects on the financial statements, are detailed in the table below.
(in millions of euros) |
| Hedged risk | ||||||
Total | Exchange and interest | Exchange risk | Interest rate risk | |||||
rate risk | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Hedging instruments | | Cross Currency Swap | Forward | Interest rate swap | ||||
FX swap | ||||||||
Option | ||||||||
Carrying amount - asset |
| | | | | |||
Carrying amount - liability |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||
Change in cash flow hedge reserve |
| | | ( | | |||
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income |
| | | ( | | |||
Reclassification in financial result |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||
Reclassification in operating income |
| | — | | — | |||
Reclassification in initial carrying amount of hedged item |
| | — | | — | |||
Cash flow hedge reserve |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||
o/w related to unmatured hedging instruments |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||
o/w related to discontinued hedges |
| | | — | — | |||
Hedged item |
| Bonds and credit | Purchases of handsets | Bonds and Finance | ||||
| lines | and equipment | Lease | |||||
Current and non-current | Property, plant and | Current and non-current | ||||||
Balance sheet item | financial liabilities | equipment | financial liabilities | |||||
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-100 |
The nominal amounts of the main cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2021 are presented below.
Notional amounts of hedging instruments per maturity |
| ||||||||||
(in millions of hedged currency units) | |||||||||||
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2025 |
| 2026 |
| |
and | |||||||||||
beyond | |||||||||||
Orange SA |
| ||||||||||
Cross currency swaps |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
CHF | — | — | — | | | (1) | |||||
GBP |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| | (2) |
HKD |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — |
| | (3) |
NOK |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| | (4) |
USD |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| | (5) |
Interest rate swaps | |||||||||||
EUR | — | — | — | — | | (6) | |||||
FT Immo H | |||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | |||||||||||
EUR | | — | | — | — | ||||||
| (1) |
| (2) |
| (3) |
| (4) |
| (5) |
| (6) |
Note 14 Information on market risk and fair value of financial assets and liabilities (telecom activities)
The Group uses financial position or performance indicators that are not specifically defined by IFRS, such as EBITDAaL (see Note 1.9) and net financial debt (see Note 13.3).
Market risks are monitored by Orange’s Treasury and Financing Committee, which reports to the Executive Committee. The Committee is chaired by the Group’s Executive Committee Member in charge of Finance, Performance and Development and meets on a quarterly basis.
It sets the guidelines for managing the Group’s debt, especially in respect of its interest rate, foreign exchange, liquidity and counterparty risk exposure for the coming months, and reviews past management (transactions realized, financial results).
The health crisis has not called into question the risk management policy relating to financial instruments. The Group continued to set up and manage hedging instruments in order to limit its exposure to operational and financial foreign exchange and interest rate risks, while maintaining a diversified financing policy.
14.1 Interest rate risk management
Management of fixed-rate/variable-rate debt
Orange Group seeks to manage its fixed-rate/variable-rate exposure in euros in order to minimize interest costs by using firm and conditional interest rate derivatives such as swaps, futures, caps and floors.
The fixed-rate component of gross financial debt, excluding cash collateral received and agreements to buy back non-controlling interests, was estimated at
Sensitivity analysis of the Group’s position to changes in interest rates
The sensitivity of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities to interest rate risk is only analyzed for the components of net financial debt that are interest-bearing and therefore exposed to interest rate risk.
Sensitivity of financial expenses
Based on a constant amount of debt and a constant management policy, a
Sensitivity of cash flow hedge reserves
A
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-101 |
14.2 Foreign exchange risk management
Operational foreign exchange risk
The Group’s foreign operations are carried out by entities that operate in their own country and mainly in their own currency. Their operational exposure to foreign exchange risk is therefore limited to certain types of flows: purchases of equipment or network capacity, purchases of terminals and equipment sold or leased to customers, purchases from or sales to international operators.
Whenever possible, the entities of the Orange Group have put in place policies to hedge this exposure (see Note 13.8).
Financial foreign exchange risk
Financial foreign exchange risk mainly relates to:
– dividends paid to the parent company: in general, the Group’s policy is to economically hedge this risk as from the date of the relevant subsidiary’s Shareholders’ Meeting;
– financing of the subsidiaries: except in special cases, the subsidiaries are required to cover their funding needs in their functional currency;
– Group financing: most of the Group’s bonds, after derivatives, are denominated in euros. From time to time, Orange SA issues bonds in markets other than euro markets (primarily the US dollar, pound sterling and Swiss franc). If Orange SA does not have assets in these currencies, in most cases, the issues are translated into euros through cross-currency swaps. The debt allocation by currency also depends on the level of interest rates and particularly on the interest rate differential relative to the euro.
Lastly, the Group economically hedges foreign exchange risk on its subordinated notes denominated in pounds sterling that are recorded in equity at their historical value (see Note 15.4), with cross currency swaps, for a notional amount of
The table below shows the main exposures to foreign exchange fluctuations of the net financial debt in foreign currencies of Orange SA, excluding the hedging effects of the subordinated notes described above and of Orange Polska and also shows the sensitivity of the entity to a 10% change in the foreign exchange rates of the currencies to which it is exposed. Orange SA is the entity bearing the major foreign exchange risk, including internal operations which generate a net foreign exchange gain or loss in the consolidated financial statements.
Exposure in currency units (1) | Sensitivity analysis | |||||||||||||||
(in millions of currency units) | EUR | USD | GBP | PLN | CHF | Total | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
| translated |
| euro |
| euro | |||||||
Orange SA |
| — |
| |
| ( | | ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( | ||
Orange Polska | ( | ( | — | — | — | ( | | ( | ||||||||
Total (euros) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | | ( |
| ( |
|
|
|
| ||
| (1) | Excluding FX hedge of subordinated notes denominated in pounds sterling. |
Foreign exchange risk to assets
Due to its international presence, the Orange Group’s statement of financial position is exposed to foreign exchange fluctuations, as these affect the translation of subsidiaries’ assets and equity interests denominated in foreign currencies. The currencies concerned are mainly the pound sterling, the zloty, the Egyptian pound, the US dollar, the Jordanian dinar and the Moroccan dirham.
To hedge its largest foreign asset exposures, Orange has issued debt in the relevant currencies.
The amounts presented below take into account the activities of Mobile Financial Services (activities mainly in euros).
Contribution to consolidated net assets | Sensitivity analysis | |||||||||||||||||||||
EUR | USD | GBP | PLN | EGP | JOD | MAD | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||
(in millions of euros) | currencies | gain in | loss in | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| euro |
| euro | |||||||||||
Net assets excluding net debt (a) (2) |
| |
| |
| ( | (1) | |
| | |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | |
Net debt by currency including derivatives (b) (3) |
| ( |
| |
| | (4) | ( |
| ( | ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |
Net assets by currency (a) + (b) |
| |
| |
| |
| | (5) | | |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | |
| (1) | Negative net asset correspond mainly to subordinated notes in pounds sterling. |
| (2) | Excluding components of net financial debt. |
| (3) | Net financial debt as defined and used by Orange does not take into account Mobile Financial Services activities, for which this concept is not relevant (see Note 13.3). |
| (4) | Of which economic hedge of subordinated notes denominated in pounds sterling for |
| (5) | Share of net assets attributable to owners of the parent company in zlotys amounts to |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-102 |
Due to its international presence, the Orange Group income statement is also exposed to risk arising from changes in foreign exchange rates due to the conversion, in the consolidated financial statements, of its foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements.
(in millions of euros) | Contribution to consolidated financial income statement |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| EUR |
| USD |
| GBP |
| PLN |
| EGP |
| JOD |
| MAD |
| Other |
| Total |
|
|
| |||
currencies | in euro | in euro | |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | | | | | | | | | | ( | | ||||||||||||
EBITDAaL |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Operating income |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
14.3 Liquidity risk management
Diversification of sources of funding
Orange has diversified sources of funding:
– regular issues in the bonds markets;
– occasional financing through loans from multilateral or development lending institutions;
– issues in the short-term securities markets under the NEU Commercial Paper program (Negotiable European Commercial paper, formerly called commercial paper);
– on December 21, 2016, Orange had entered into a
Liquidity of investments
Orange invests its cash surpluses in cash equivalents that meet IAS 7 cash equivalent criteria or in fair value investments (negotiable debt securities, bonds with a maturity of no more than two years, UCITS and term deposits). These investments prioritize minimizing the risk of capital loss over performance.
Cash, cash equivalents and fair value investments are held mainly in France and other European Union countries, which are not subject to restrictions on convertibility or exchange controls.
Smoothing debt maturities
The policy followed by Orange is to apportion the maturities of debt evenly over the years to come.
The following table shows undiscounted future cash flows for each financial liability shown on the statement of financial position. The key assumptions used in this schedule are:
– amounts in foreign currencies are translated into euro at the year-end closing rate;
– future variable-rate interest is based on the last fixed coupon, unless a better estimate is available;
– TDIRA being necessarily redeemable in new shares, no redemption is taken into account in the maturity analysis. In addition, interest payable on the bonds is due over an undetermined period of time (see Note 13.4) therefore, only interest payable for the first period is included (including interest payments for the other periods would not provide relevant information);
– the maturity dates of revolving credit facilities are the contractual maturity dates;
– the “Other items” (undated and non-cash items) reconcile, for financial liabilities not accounted for at fair value, the future cash flows and the balance in the statement of financial position.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-103 |
(in millions of euros) |
| Note |
| December 31, |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2025 |
| 2026 |
| 2027 and |
| Other |
2021 | beyond | items (1) | ||||||||||||||||
TDIRA |
| 13.4 |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
Bonds |
| 13.5 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
Bank loans and from development organizations and multilateral lending institutions |
| 13.6 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ( |
Debt relating to financed assets |
| 13.3 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Cash collateral received |
| 13.3 |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
NEU commercial papers(2) |
| 13.3 |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Bank overdrafts |
| 13.3 |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Other financial liabilities |
| 13.3 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
Derivatives (liabilities) |
| 13.3 |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Derivatives (assets) |
| 13.3 |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
Other Comprehensive Income related to unmatured hedging instruments |
| 13.3 |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Gross financial debt after derivatives |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Trade payables |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
Total financial liabilities (including derivatives assets) |
|
|
| |
| | (3) | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Future interests on financial liabilities(4) |
|
|
| — |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| (1) | Undated items: TDIRA notional. Non-cash items: amortized cost on bonds and bank loans, and discounting effect on long term trade payables. |
| (2) | Negotiable European Commercial Papers (formerly called commercial papers). |
| (3) | Amounts presented for 2022 correspond to notional and accrued interests for |
| (4) | Mainly future interests on bonds for |
The liquidity position is one of the indicators of financial position used by the Group. This aggregate, not defined by IFRS, may not be comparable to similarly entitled indicators used by other groups.
At December 31, 2021, the liquidity position of Orange’s telecoms activities amounts to
Liquidity position
(in millions of euros)
At December 31, 2021, the Orange group's telecom activities had access to credit facilities in the form of bilateral credit lines and syndicated credit lines. Most of these lines bear interest at variable rates. Available undrawn amount of credit facilities amounts to
Cash equivalents amounted to
Investments at fair value amounted to
Any specific contingent commitments in terms of financial ratios are presented in Note 14.4.
Due to its cash level and other immediately disposable investments, the Group is not dependent on the sale of receivables organized in certain countries (see Note 4.3).
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-104 |
Change in Orange’s credit rating
Orange’s credit rating is an additional overall performance indicator used to assess the Group’s financial policy and risk management policy and, in particular, its solvency and liquidity risk. It is not a substitute for an analysis carried out by investors. Rating agencies regularly review the ratings they award. Any change in the rating could have an effect on the cost of future financing or access to liquidity.
In addition, a change in Orange’s credit rating will, for certain outstanding financing, affect the compensation paid to investors:
– One Orange SA bond (see Note 13.5) with an outstanding amount of
– The margin of the syndicated credit line of
At December 31, 2021, neither Orange's credit ratings nor the outlook had changed compared with December 31, 2020.
| Standard |
| Moody’s |
| Fitch | |
Poor’s | Ratings | |||||
Long-term debt |
| BBB+ |
| Baa1 |
| BBB+ |
Outlook |
| Stable |
| Stable |
| Stable |
Short-term debt |
| A2 |
| P2 |
| F2 |
14.4 Financial ratios
Main commitments with regard to financial ratios
Orange SA does not have any credit line or loan subject to specific covenant with regard to financial ratios.
Certain subsidiaries of Orange SA have pledged to comply with certain financial ratios related to indicators defined in the contracts with the banks. The breach of these ratios constitutes an event of default that can lead to early repayment of the line of credit or loan concerned.
The main obligations are as follows:
– Orange Egypt: in respect of bank financing contracts signed in 2018, of which the total nominal amount outstanding at December 31, 2021 was
– Médi Telecom: in respect of its bank financing contracts signed in 2012, 2014 and 2015, of which the total nominal amount outstanding at December 31, 2021 was
– Orange Côte d’Ivoire: in respect of its bank financing contracts signed in 2016 and 2019, of which the total nominal amount outstanding at December 31, 2021 was
– Orange Cameroon: in respect of its bank financing contracts signed in 2015 and 2018, of which the total nominal amount outstanding at December 31, 2021 was
These ratios were complied with at December 31, 2021.
Clauses related to instances of default or material adverse changes
Most of Orange’s financing agreements, including in particular the
14.5 Credit risk and counterparty risk management
The Group could be exposed to a concentration of counterparty risk in respect of its trade receivables, cash and cash equivalents, investments and derivatives.
Orange considers that it has limited concentration in counterparty risk with respect to trade receivables due to its large and diverse customer base (residential, professional and large business customers) operating in numerous industries and located in many French regions and foreign countries. The maximum value of the counterparty risk on these financial assets is equal to their recognized net book value. An analysis of net trade receivables past due is provided in Note 4.3. For loans and other receivables, amounts past due but not provisioned are not material.
Orange SA is exposed to counterparty risk through its investments and derivatives. Therefore, it performs a strict selection of public, financial or industrial institutions in which it invests or with which it enters into derivatives agreements. This selection takes particular note of the institutions' credit ratings. Therefore:
– For each non-banking counterparty selected for investments, limits are based on ratings and maturities of the investments.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-105 |
– For each counterparty bank selected for investments and derivatives, limits are based on equity, rating, CDS (Credit Default Swap, an accurate indicator of potential default risk) as well as on periodic analyses carried out by the Treasury Department.
– Theoretical limits and consumption limits are monitored and reported on a daily basis to the Group treasurer and the head of the trading room. These limits are adjusted regularly depending on credit events.
For derivatives, master agreements relating to financial instruments (French Banking Federation) are signed with all counterparties and provide for a net settlement of debts and receivables, in case of failure of one of the parties, as well as for calculation of a final balance to be received or paid. These agreements include a CSA (Credit Support Annex) cash collateral clause that can lead to either a deposit (collateral paid) or collection (collateral received), on a daily basis. These payment amounts correspond to the change in market value of all derivatives.
As a rule, investments are negotiated with high-grade banks. Exceptionally, subsidiaries occasionally deal with counterparties with the highest ratings available locally.
Effect of mechanisms to offset exposure to credit risk and counterparty risk of the derivatives
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
Collateralised Derivatives (net) (a) | | ( | | |||
Fair value of collateralised derivatives assets |
| |
| |
| |
Fair value of collateralised derivatives liabilities |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Amount of cash collateral paid/(received) (b) | ( | | ( | |||
Amount of cash collateral paid |
| |
| |
| |
Amount of cash collateral received |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Residual exposure to counterparty risk (a) + (b) (1) |
| |
| |
| |
Non collateralised Derivatives (net) | ( | | ( | |||
Fair value of non collateralised derivatives assets | — | | | |||
Fair value of non collateralised derivatives liabilities | ( | ( | ( |
| (1) | The residual exposure to counterparty risk is mainly due to a time difference between the valuation of derivatives at the closing date and the date on which the cash collateral exchanges were made. |
Changes in net cash collateral between 2020 and 2021 stem mainly from the appreciation of the US dollar and the pound sterling against the euro.
Sensitivity analysis of cash collateral to changes in market interest rates and exchange rates
A change in market rates (mainly euro) of +/- affect the fair value of interest rate hedging derivatives as follows:
(in millions of euros) |
| Rate decrease of |
| Rate increase of |
Change of fair value of derivatives |
| ( |
| |
| Rate decrease of | Rate increase of | ||
Amount of cash collateral received (paid) |
| |
| ( |
The effects of a 10% increase or decrease in the euro exchange rate on the fair value of derivatives hedging foreign exchange risk would be as follows:
(in millions of euros) |
|
| ||
Change of fair value of derivatives |
| |
| ( |
|
| |||
Amount of cash collateral received (paid) |
| ( |
| |
14.6 Equity market risk
Orange SA had no options to purchase its own shares, no forward purchase of shares and at December 31, 2021, held
The mutual funds (UCITS) in which Orange invests for cash management purposes contain no equities.
The Orange group is also exposed to equity risk through certain retirement plan assets (see Note 6.2).
At December 31, 2021, the Group was not significantly exposed to market risk on the shares of listed companies. The Group’s prior exposure had been significantly reduced in 2019, with the disposal in June 2019 of its residual
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-106 |
14.7 Capital management
Orange SA and its non-financial subsidiaries are not subject to regulatory requirements related to equity (other than the usual standards applicable to any commercial company).
Its financial subsidiaries (like electronic money institutions) are subject to regulatory equity requirements specific to their sector and jurisdiction.
Like any company, Orange manages its financial resources (both equity and net financial debt) as part of a balanced financial policy, aiming to ensure flexible access to capital markets, including for the purpose of selectively investing in development projects, and to provide a return to shareholders.
In terms of net financial debt (see Note 13.3), this policy translates into liquidity management as described in Note 14.3 and a specific attention to credit ratings assigned by rating agencies.
This policy is also reflected, in some markets, by the presence of minority shareholders in the capital of subsidiaries controlled by Orange. This serves to limit the Group’s debt while providing a benefit from the presence of local shareholders.
14.8 Fair value of financial assets and liabilities
The market value of the net financial debt carried by Orange is estimated at
(in millions of euros) | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||
Note | Classification | Book | Estimated | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||
under IFRS 9 (1) | value | fair | and | |||||||||||
value | cash | |||||||||||||
Trade receivables |
|
| AC |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — | |
Financial assets |
| 13.7 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Equity securities |
|
|
| FVOCI |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Equity securities |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Investments at fair value |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Cash collateral paid |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Financial assets at amortized cost |
|
|
| AC |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Cash and Cash equivalents |
| 13.3 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Cash |
|
|
| AC |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Cash equivalents |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Trade payables |
|
| AC |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — | |
Financial liabilities |
| 13.3 |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Financial debts |
|
| AC |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — | |
Other |
|
|
| FVR |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
Derivatives (net amount) (2) |
| 13.8 |
|
|
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
| (1) | “AC stands for amortized cost, FVR stands for fair value through profit or loss, FVOCI stands for fair value through other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to profit or loss. |
| (2) | The classification for derivatives depends on their hedging qualification. |
The table below provides an analysis of the change in level 3 market values for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the statement of financial position.
(in millions of euros) |
| Equity securities |
| Financial |
|
liabilities at fair |
| ||||
value through |
| ||||
profit or loss, excluding |
| ||||
derivatives |
| ||||
Level 3 fair values at December 31, 2020 | ( |
| |||
Gains (losses) taken to profit or loss |
| — |
| | |
Gains (losses) taken to other comprehensive income |
| |
| — | |
Acquisition (sale) of securities |
| |
| — | |
Other | ( | — | |||
Level 3 fair values at December 31, 2021 |
| |
| ( |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-107 |
The market value of the net financial debt carried by Orange was estimated at
(in millions of euros) | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Note |
| Classification |
| Book |
| Estimated |
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 | |
under IFRS 9 | value | fair value | and cash | |||||||||||
Trade receivables |
|
| AC |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — | |
Financial assets |
| 13.7 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Equity securities |
|
|
| FVOCI |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Equity securities |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Investments at fair value |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Cash collateral paid |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Financial assets at amortized cost |
|
|
| AC |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Cash and Cash equivalents |
| 13.3 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Cash |
|
|
| AC |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Cash equivalents |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Trade payables |
|
| AC |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — | |
Financial liabilities |
| 13.3 |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Financial debts |
|
|
| AC |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
Bonds at fair value |
|
|
| FVR |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Other |
|
|
| FVR |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
Derivatives (net amount) |
| 13.8 |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
The market value of the net financial debt carried by Orange was estimated at
December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||
(in millions of euros) |
| Note |
| Classification |
| Book |
| Estimated |
| Level 1 |
|
| ||
under IFRS 9 | value | fair value | and cash | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||
Trade receivables |
|
| AC |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — | |
Financial assets |
| 13.7 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Equity securities |
|
|
| FVOCI |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
Equity securities |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Investments at fair value |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Cash collateral paid |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Financial assets at amortized cost |
|
|
| AC |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Cash and Cash equivalents |
| 13.3 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Cash |
|
|
| AC |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Cash equivalents |
|
|
| FVR |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Trade payables |
|
| AC |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — | |
Financial liabilities |
| 13.3 |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Financial debts |
|
|
| AC |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Bonds at fair value |
|
|
| FVR |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
Other |
|
|
| FVR |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
Derivatives (net amount) |
| 13.8 |
|
|
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
Accounting policies
The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the statement of financial position have been classified based on the three hierarchy levels:
– level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date;
– level 2: inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly;
– level 3: unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
The fair value of the financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI and FVOCIR) is the quoted price at year-end for listed securities and, for non-listed securities, uses a valuation technique determined according to the most appropriate financial criteria in each case (comparable transactions, multiples for comparable companies, shareholders’ agreement, discounted present value of future cash flows).
For financial assets at amortized cost (AC), the Group considers that the book value of cash, trade receivables and various deposits provide a reasonable approximation of fair value, due to the high liquidity of these elements.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-108 |
Among financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVR), with respect to very short-term investments such as deposits, certificates of deposit, commercial paper or negotiable debt securities, the Group considers that the nominal value of the investment and any related accrued interest represent a reasonable approximation of fair value.
The fair value of mutual funds (UCITS) is the latest net asset value.
The fair value of equity securities is the quoted price at year-end for listed securities and for non-listed securities uses a valuation technique determined according to the most appropriate financial criteria in each case (comparable transactions, multiples for comparable companies, shareholders’ agreement, discounted present value of future cash flows).
For financial liabilities at amortized cost (“AC”) the fair value of financial liabilities is determined using:
– the quoted price for listed instruments (a detailed analysis is performed in the case of a material decrease in liquidity to evidence whether the observed price corresponds to the fair value; otherwise the quoted price is adjusted).
– the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted using rates observed by the Group at the end of the period for other instruments. The results calculated using the internal valuation model are systematically benchmarked with the values provided by Bloomberg.
The Group considers the book value of trade payables and deposits received from customers to be a reasonable approximation of fair value, due to the high liquidity of these elements.
The fair value of long-term trade payables is the value of future cash flows discounted at the interest rates observed by the Group at the end of the period.
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss (“FVR”) mainly concern firm or contingent commitments to purchase non-controlling interests. Their fair value is measured in accordance with the provisions of the contractual agreements. When the commitment is based on a fixed price, a discounted value is retained.
The fair value of derivatives, mostly traded over-the-counter, is determined using the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted using the interest rates observed by the Group at the end of the period. The results calculated using the internal valuation model are consistently benchmarked with the values provided by bank counterparties and Bloomberg.
When there are no reliable market data which identify the probability of default, the CVA (Credit Value Adjustment) and the DVA (Debit Value Adjustment) are measured based on historical default charts and CDS (Credit Default Swap) trends. Counterparty credit risk and the Group’s own specific default risk are also continuously monitored based on the monitoring of debt security credit spreads on the secondary market and other market information. Given the implementation of collateralization, and based on counterparty policies and the management of indebtedness and liquidity risk described in Note 14, CVA and DVA estimates are not material compared to the measurement of the related financial instruments.
Note 15 Equity
At December 31, 2021, Orange SA’s share capital, based on the number of issued shares at this date, amounted to
At December 31, 2021, the share capital and voting rights of Orange SA broke down as follows:
15.1 Changes in share capital
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-109 |
15.2 Treasury shares
As authorized by the Shareholders’ Meeting of May 18, 2021, the Board of Directors instituted a new share buyback program (the 2021 Buyback Program) and canceled the 2020 Buyback Program, with immediate effect. This authorization is granted for a period of
During the 2021 fiscal year, Orange bought and delivered treasury shares to the beneficiaries of the “Together 2021” Employee Offering. At the same time, share buybacks were carried out by Orange mainly in respect of the free share award plans (Long Term Incentive Plan – LTIP) LTIP 2019-2021, 2020-2022 and 2021-2023 and in particular to service the delivery of LTIP 2019-2021 (see Note 6.3).
At December 31, 2021, the Company held
At December 31, 2020, the Company held
At December 31, 2019, the Company held
Accounting policies
Treasury shares are recorded as a deduction from equity, at acquisition cost. Gains and losses arising from the sale of treasury shares are recognized in consolidated reserves, net of tax.
15.3 Dividends
Full Year |
| Approved by |
| Description |
| Dividend |
| Payout date |
| How paid |
| Total |
per share | (in millions | |||||||||||
(in euro) | of euros) | |||||||||||
2021 |
| Board of Directors Meeting on July 28, 2021 |
| 2021 interim dividend |
| |
| December 15, 2021 |
| Cash |
| |
| Shareholders' Meeting on May 18, 2021 |
| Balance for 2020 |
| |
| June 17, 2021 |
| Cash |
| | |
Total dividends paid in 2021 |
| | ||||||||||
2020 |
| Board of Directors Meeting on October 28, 2020 |
| 2020 interim dividend |
| |
| December 9, 2020 |
| Cash |
| |
| Shareholders' Meeting on May 19, 2020 |
| Balance for 2019 |
| |
| June 4, 2020 |
| Cash |
| | |
Total dividends paid in 2020 |
| | ||||||||||
2019 |
| Board of Directors Meeting on July 24, 2019 |
| 2019 interim dividend |
| |
| December 4, 2019 |
| Cash |
| |
| Shareholders' Meeting on May 21, 2019 |
| Balance for 2018 |
| |
| June 6, 2019 |
| Cash |
| | |
Total dividends paid in 2019 |
| | ||||||||||
2018 |
| Board of Directors Meeting on July 25, 2018 |
| 2018 interim dividend |
| |
| December 6, 2018 |
| Cash |
| |
| Shareholders' Meeting on May 4, 2018 |
| Balance for 2017 |
| |
| June 7, 2018 |
| Cash |
| | |
Total dividends paid in 2018 |
| | ||||||||||
The amount available to provide a return to shareholders in the form of dividends is calculated on the basis of the total net income and retained earnings, under French GAAP, of the entity Orange SA, the Group’s parent company.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-110 |
15.4 Subordinated notes
Nominal value of subordinated notes
Issues and purchases of subordinated notes are presented below:
Initial issue date |
| Initial |
| Initial |
| Initial |
| Rate |
| December |
| Issue |
| December |
| Issue |
| December |
| Residual |
nominal | nominal | currency | 31, 2019 | Redemp- | 31, 2020 | Redemp- | 31, 2021 | nominal | ||||||||||||
value | value | (in millions | tion | (in millions | tion | (in millions | value | |||||||||||||
(in millions | (in millions | of euros) | of euros) | of euros) | (in millions | |||||||||||||||
of currency) | of euros) | of currency) | ||||||||||||||||||
2/7/2014 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
2/7/2014 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
2/7/2014 |
| |
| |
| GBP |
| | % | |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
10/1/2014 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
10/1/2014 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
10/1/2014 |
| |
| |
| GBP |
| | % | |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| |
| |
4/15/2019 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
9/19/2019 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
10/15/2020 | | | EUR | | % | — | | | — | | | |||||||||
5/11/2021 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
| |
Issues and purchases of subordinated notes |
| | — |
| | (306) |
| | ||||||||||||
– On February 7, 2014, as part of its EMTN program, Orange issued the equivalent of
Orange has a call option on each of these tranches respectively from February 7, 2020, February 7, 2024, and February 7, 2022 and upon the occurrence of certain contractually-defined events.
Step-up clauses provide for coupon adjustments of
– On October 1, 2014, as part of its EMTN program, Orange issued the equivalent of
Orange has a call option on each of these tranches respectively from October 1, 2021, October 1, 2026, and April 1, 2023 and upon the occurrence of certain contractually-defined events.
Step-up clauses provide for coupon adjustments of
Both issuances were the subject of a prospectus approved by the AMF under visa nos. 14-036 and 14-525.
Under IFRS, these instruments are recognized at their historical value. The tranches denominated in pounds sterling were recognized at the ECB fix rate on the issue date (
– On April 15, 2019, as part of its EMTN program, Orange issued the equivalent of
Orange has a call option on this tranche from April 15, 2025 (first date for the revision of the rates of the tranche in question) and upon the occurrence of certain contractually-defined events.
Step-up clauses provide for a coupon adjustment of
– On September 19, 2019, as part of its EMTN program, Orange issued the equivalent of
Orange has a call option on this tranche from March 19, 2027 (first date for the revision of the rates of the tranche in question), and upon the occurrence of certain contractually-defined events.
Step-up clauses provide for a coupon adjustment of
These issuances were the subject of a prospectus approved by the AMF (under visa nos. 14-036, 14-525, 19-152 and 19-442 respectively).
On December 12, 2019, the Group announced its intention to exercise, on February 7, 2020, in accordance with contractual provisions, its call option concerning the remaining
– On October 15, 2020, as part of its EMTN program, Orange issued the equivalent of
Orange has a call option on this tranche from July 15, 2028 (first date for the revision of the rates of the tranche in question), and upon the occurrence of certain contractually-defined events.
Step-up clauses provide for a coupon adjustment of
This issuance of subordinated notes was the subject of a prospectus approved by the AMF (visa no. 20-509).
– On May 11, 2021, as part of its EMTN program, Orange issued the equivalent of
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-111 |
Orange has a call option on this tranche from May 11, 2029 (first date for the revision of the rates of the tranche in question) and upon the occurrence of certain contractually defined events.
This issuance of subordinated notes was the subject of a prospectus approved by the AMF on May 7, 2021 (visa no. 21-141).
All notes, listed on Euronext Paris, are deeply subordinated notes (senior compared to ordinary shares): the holders will only be remunerated (whether for the nominal, interest or any other amount) after all other creditors, including holders of participating loans and securities, simply subordinated or not, representing a claim on Orange.
At each interest payment date, settlement may be either paid or deferred, at the option of the issuer. Deferred coupons are capitalized and become due and payable in full under certain circumstances defined contractually and under the control of Orange.
Gains (losses) on disposal, premiums and issuance costs related to issues/redemptions of subordinated notes are presented under “reserves” in equity.
The Group understands that some rating agencies assign an “equity” component from
Subordinated notes remuneration
The remuneration of holders is recorded in equity five working days before the annual payment date, unless Orange exercises its right to defer the payment.
The tax impact relating to the remuneration of subordinated notes is recorded through profit or loss in the period.
Since their issuance, Orange has not exercised its right to defer the coupon payments related to subordinated notes.
The remuneration of subordinated notes is as follows:
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Initial nominal value |
| Initial nominal value |
| Initial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Initial issue date | (in millions of currency) | (in millions of euros) | currency | Rate | (in millions of currency) | (in millions of euros) | (in millions of currency) | (in millions of euros) | (in millions of currency) | (in millions of euros) | ||||||||||
2/7/2014 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | — |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
2/7/2014 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
2/7/2014 |
| |
| |
| GBP |
| | % | ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
10/1/2014 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
10/1/2014 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
10/1/2014 |
| |
| |
| GBP |
| | % | ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
4/15/2019 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
9/19/2019 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
10/15/2020 | | | EUR | | % | ( | ( | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
5/11/2021 |
| |
| |
| EUR |
| | % | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
Subordinated notes remuneration paid |
| ( |
|
| ( | |||||||||||||||
Coupons on subordinated notes reclassified as short-term borrowings at the end of 2019 and paid in 2020 |
| — |
| |
| ( | ||||||||||||||
Subordinated notes remuneration classified in equity |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||||||||||||||
The tax effects from the conversion of subordinated notes whose par value is denominated in pounds sterling, and from the gains and losses on disposal, premiums and issuance costs on subordinated notes that have been refinanced, are presented under “other movements” in the consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity and amounted to
Accounting policies
Subordinated notes
The Group issued subordinated notes in several tranches.
These instruments have no maturity and the coupon settlement may be deferred at the option of the issuer. They are booked in equity.
As equity instruments are recognized at historical value, the tranche denominated in foreign currency is never re-measured. Where appropriate, a translation adjustment impact is booked in equity when a call option is exercised.
The remuneration of holders is recorded directly in equity at the time of the decision to pay the coupons.
The tax impact related to the remuneration is accounted for through profit or loss, and that related to the remeasurement of the foreign currency portion is accounted for in equity.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-112 |
Equity component of perpetual bonds redeemable for shares (TDIRAs) (see Note 13.4)
The equity component is determined as the difference between the fair value of the instrument taken as a whole and the fair value of the debt component. The equity component thus determined and recognized at inception is not subsequently re-measured and remains in equity, even when the instrument is extinguished.
15.5 Translation adjustment
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income during the period |
| |
| ( |
| |
Reclassification to net income for the period |
| |
| — |
| ( |
Total translation adjustments |
| |
| ( |
| |
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 |
| December 31, 2019 |
Polish zloty |
| |
| |
| |
Egyptian pound |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Slovak koruna |
| |
| |
| |
Leone | ( | ( | ( | |||
Other |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Total translation adjustments |
| |
| ( |
| |
o/w share attributable to the owners of the parent company |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
o/w share attributable to non-controlling interests |
| |
| |
| |
Accounting policies
The functional currency of foreign operations located outside the euro area is generally the local currency, unless the major cash flows are made with reference to another currency (such as the Orange entities in Romania – euros and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – US dollars).
The financial statements of foreign operations whose functional currency is neither the euro nor the currency of a hyper-inflationary economy are translated into euros (the Group’s presentation currency) as follows:
– assets and liabilities are translated at the year-end rate;
– items in the income statement are translated at the average rate for the period;
– the translation adjustment resulting from the use of these different rates is included in other comprehensive income.
The translation adjustments are reclassified to profit or loss when the entity disposes or partially disposes (loss of control, loss of joint control, loss of significant influence) of its interest in a foreign operation through the sale, liquidation, repayment of capital or abandon of all, or part of, that activity. The reduction in the carrying value of a foreign operation, either because of its own losses or because of the recognition of an impairment loss, does not lead to a reclassification through profit or loss of the accumulated translation adjustments.
Recycling of translation adjustments is presented in profit or loss within:
– consolidated net income of discontinued operations, when a line of business or major geographical area is disposed of;
– gains (losses) on disposal of fixed assets, investments and activities, when other businesses are disposed of;
– reclassification of translation adjustment from liquidated entities, in the event of the liquidation or abandonment of an activity without disposal.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-113 |
15.6 Non-controlling interests
The data presented below concern all entities of the following groups:
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Credit part of net income attributable to non-controlling interests (a) |
| |
| |
| |
o/w sub-group Sonatel |
| |
| |
| |
o/w group Orange Polska |
| |
| — |
| |
o/w sub-group Orange Côte d'Ivoire | | | | |||
o/w Médi Telecom | | | | |||
o/w Jordan Telecom |
| |
| |
| |
o/w group Orange Belgium |
| |
| |
| |
Debit part of net income attributable to non-controlling interests (b) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
o/ w Orange Bank |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
o/ w group Orange Polska |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
Total part of net income attributable to non-controlling interests (a) + (b) |
| |
| |
| |
Credit part of comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests (a) |
| |
| |
| |
o/w sub-group Sonatel |
| |
| |
| |
o/w group Orange Polska |
| |
| — |
| |
o/w sub-group Orange Côte d'Ivoire | | | | |||
o/w Jordan Telecom | | — | | |||
o/w Médi Telecom | | — | — | |||
o/w group Orange Belgium |
| |
| |
| |
Debit part of comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests (b) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
o/ w Orange Bank |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
o/w group Orange Polska | — | ( | — | |||
o/ w Jordan Telecom |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
Total part of comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests (a) + (b) |
| |
| |
| |
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Dividends paid to minority shareholders |
| |
| |
| |
o/w sub-group Sonatel |
| |
| |
| |
o/w sub-group Orange Côte d'Ivoire | | | | |||
o/w Jordan Telecom | | | | |||
o/w group Orange Belgium | | | | |||
o/w Médi Telecom |
| — |
| |
| |
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
|
2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| ||||
Credit part of equity attributable to non-controlling interests (a) |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w group Orange Polska |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w sub-group Sonatel |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w sub-group Orange Côte d'Ivoire |
| |
| |
| | |
o/w Telekom Romania Communications |
| |
| — |
| — | |
o/w Jordan Telecom | | | | ||||
o/w Médi Telecom | | | | ||||
o/w group Orange Belgium |
| |
| |
| | |
Debit part of equity attributable to non-controlling interests (b) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |
Total equity attributable to non-controlling interests (a) + (b) |
| |
| |
| |
The main movements at December 31, 2021 on non-controlling interests are related to the buyback of Orange Belgium minority interests mainly under the Public Tender Offer launched in April 2021, as well as the buyback of the remaining minority interests in Orange Bank and the acquisition of
Accounting policies
Commitments to purchase non-controlling interests (put options)
When the Group grants firm or contingent commitments to purchase holdings from non-controlling shareholders, the carrying value of the non-controlling interests is reclassified to financial debt.
When the amount of the commitment exceeds the amount of the non-controlling interests, the difference is recorded as a reduction in equity attributable to the owners of the parent company. Financial debt is re-measured at each reporting period end in accordance with the contractual arrangements (at fair value or at present value if fixed price) and, in the absence of any guidance provided by IFRS, with a counterparty in net finance costs.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-114 |
Non-controlling interests that are debtors
Total comprehensive income of a subsidiary is attributed to the owners of the parent company and to the non-controlling interests. In accordance with IFRS 10, this can result in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.
Transactions with owners
Each transaction with minority shareholders of an entity controlled by the Group, when not resulting in a loss of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction with no effect on consolidated comprehensive income.
15.7 Earnings per share
Net income
Net income, Group share, used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share is determined according to the following method:
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Net income - basic |
| |
| |
| |
Effect of subordinated notes |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
Net income attributable to the owners of the parent company - basic (adjusted) |
| |
| |
| |
Impact of dilutive instruments: |
|
|
|
| ||
TDIRA |
| — |
| |
| |
Net income attributable to the owners of the parent company - diluted |
| |
| |
| |
Number of shares
The weighted average number of shares used for calculating the basic and diluted earnings per share is presented below:
(number of shares) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding |
| |
| |
| |
Impact of dilutive instruments on number of ordinary shares: |
|
|
|
|
| |
TDIRA |
| — |
| |
| |
Free share award plan (LTIP) | | | | |||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted |
| |
| |
| |
The average market price of the Orange share in 2021 was higher than the fair value adopted under the LTIP 2019-2021, 2020-2022 and 2021-2023 free share award plans (see Note 6.3). The number of shares corresponding to this difference is dilutive at December 31, 2021.
The average market price of the Orange share in 2020 and 2019 was higher than the fair value adopted under the Orange Vision 2020, LTIP 2018-2020, 2019-2021 and 2020-2022 free share award plans (see Note 6.3). The number of shares corresponding to this difference was dilutive at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
The TDIRAs were not included in the calculation of diluted net earnings per share at December 31, 2021 since they are anti-dilutive, in contrast to December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 when they were dilutive.
Earnings per share
(in euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Earnings per share - basic |
| |
| |
| |
Earnings per share - diluted |
| |
| |
| |
In 2021 basic earnings per share were
Accounting policies
Earnings per share
The Group discloses both basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for continuing operations and discontinued operations:
– basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income for the year attributable to the equity holders of the Group, after deduction of the remuneration net of the tax to holders of subordinated notes, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period;
– diluted earnings per share are calculated based on the same net income, adjusted for the finance cost of dilutive debt instruments, net of the related tax effect. The number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share takes into account the conversion into ordinary shares of potentially dilutive instruments outstanding during the period. These instruments are considered to be dilutive when they have the effect of reducing earnings per share of continuing operations.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-115 |
When basic earnings per share are negative, diluted earnings per share are identical to basic earnings per share. In the event of a capital increase at a price lower than the market price, and in order to ensure comparability of the reporting periods shown, the weighted average numbers of shares outstanding in current and previous periods are adjusted. Treasury shares owned, which are deducted from the consolidated equity, do not enter into the calculation of earnings per share.
Note 16 Unrecognized contractual commitments (telecom activities)
At December 31, 2021, Orange is not aware of having entered into any commitment involving entities controlled by the Group that may have a material effect on its current or future financial position, other than the commitments described in this note.
16.1 Operating activities commitments
(in millions of euros) |
| Total |
| Less than |
| From one |
| More than |
one year | to five years | five years | ||||||
Operating activities commitments |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Operating leases commitments |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Handsets purchase commitments |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Transmission capacity purchase commitments |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Other goods and services purchase commitments |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Investment commitments |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Public initiative networks commitments(1) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Guarantees granted to third parties in the ordinary course of business |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Including unrecognized contractual commitments carried by Orange SA in the context of the deployment of the High and Very High Speed network in France. The unrecognized contractual commitments relating to Orange Concessions' group are presented in Note 11.3. |
Lease commitments
Lease commitments include real estate leases relating to contracts for which the underlying asset will be available after December 31, 2021 and leases for which the Group applies the exemptions allowed by IFRS 16 (see Note 9).
(in millions of euros) |
| Minimum future |
lease payments | ||
Property lease commitments |
| |
o/w technical activities |
| |
o/w shops/offices activities |
| |
Maturities are set forth below:
(in millions of euros) |
| Minimum |
| Less than |
| 1-2 |
| 2-3 |
| 3-4 |
| 4-5 |
| More than |
future | one year | years | years | years | years | five years | ||||||||
lease | ||||||||||||||
payments | ||||||||||||||
Property lease commitments |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
The lease commitments correspond to the outstanding minimum future lease payments until the normal date of renewal of the leases or the earliest possible termination date.
Real estate lease commitments in France represent
Handsets purchase commitments
Following the signing of new handset purchase commitments at the end of July 2021 for a three-year period, the total amount of handset purchase commitments was
Transmission capacity purchase commitments
Transmission capacity purchase commitments as at December 31, 2021 represented
Other goods and services purchase commitments
The Group’s other goods and services purchase commitments mainly relate to network maintenance and management, as well as the acquisition of content.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-116 |
At December 31, 2021, these commitments include:
– commitments relating to the co-financed and leased lines for an amount of
– the purchase of broadcasting rights for an amount of
– energy purchase commitments for an amount of
– hosting services for active equipment for mobile sites under a Built-to-suit agreement for an amount of
– site management service contracts (TowerCos) signed in Africa: the amount of these commitments represents
– the maintenance of submarine cables for which Orange has joint ownership or user rights, for an amount of
– the network maintenance for an amount of
– commitments to partners in the field of sports for an amount of
Investment commitments
At the end of December 2021, investment commitments amounted to
In addition to these commitments, which are expressed in monetary terms, the Group made certain commitments to the national regulatory authorities such as ensuring certain coverage of the population regarding fixed or mobile networks, particularly in the context of assignment of licenses and quality of service. These commitments will require investment expenditure in future years to roll out and enhance the networks. They are not shown in the table above if they have not been expressed in monetary terms, which is usually the case. The Group has accordingly agreed to meet the following conditions:
In France:
– the obligations included in the authorization to use 5G frequencies in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band issued to Orange on November 12, 2020 are as follows:
– the rollout of sites (
– widespread availability of a 5G service at all sites by the end of 2030, an obligation that may be met either with the
– the provision of a speed of at least 240 Mbps per sector from
– coverage of the main highways by the end of 2025, major roads by the end of 2027;
– the provision of differentiated services and activation of the IPv6 network protocol (Internet Protocol version 6).
In addition, the commitments made by Orange to participate in the first stage of the procedure and which made it possible to obtain 50 MHz at a reserve price became obligations in the authorization issued:
– from the end of 2023, Orange will have to provide a fixed offer from sites using the 3.5 GHz band and a fixed offer to cover the premises that benefit from fixed-access radio network services;
– Orange will have to meet reasonable requests for the provision of services from private sector companies and public sector structures, provide indoor coverage, offer hosting for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and be transparent about network failures and planned rollouts.
– pursuant to the provisions of Article L.33-13 of the French Postal Electronic Communications Code regarding coverage in lightly inhabited areas:
– Orange proposed that it commit to ensuring that, within its FTTH deployment scope in the AMII area, unless refused by third parties, that
– outside of the AMII area, Orange proposed that it make deployment commitments regarding AMEL in the Vienne, Haute-Vienne, Deux-Sèvres and Lot-et-Garonne departments;
– Lastly, Orange proposed to make commitments outside of the AMII and AMEL areas in the following departments: Orne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Yvelines, Territoire-de-Belfort, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
– on January 14, 2018, the Orange Group and the other French mobile operators signed an agreement (the New Deal) to ensure better mobile coverage of French territory, particularly rural areas. This agreement includes enhanced coverage obligations, which are included for the period 2018-2021 in our licenses in force in the bands
– targeted programs for the improvement of coverage, with the coverage of
– the generalization of 4G by the end of 2020 on almost all existing mobile sites;
– the acceleration of the coverage of the transport routes, ensuring that the main road and rail routes have 4G coverage;
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-117 |
– the supply of a fixed 4G service and the extension of the service to
– the widespread use of telephone coverage inside buildings, proposing voice over Wi-Fi and SMS over Wi-Fi offers and offers involving the indoor coverage of buildings upon request;
– the improvement of reception quality throughout the country, particularly in rural areas, with good coverage (according to the Arcep decision No. 2016-1678 relative to publications giving information on mobile coverage) by 2024/2027.
– in 2015, in France, when the frequencies in the
– coverage obligations in “priority deployment areas” (
– in 2011, in France, when the frequencies in the
– an optional commitment to host mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) on certain technical and pricing terms under Full MVNO schemes;
– an obligation to provide mobile coverage with theoretical maximum download of at least
– for the 800 MHz band, specifically: a coverage obligation in priority areas (
In Europe:
– in 2021 in Spain, when the two license blocks in the
– an obligation to provide network coverage of the municipalities with a population of more than
– an obligation to provide network coverage of airports, ports, railway stations and roads for municipalities with more than
– when a 5G license in the
– an obligation to provide 5G services using a new radio access network within two years of the award;
– an obligation to cover
In Africa Middle-East:
– in 2016, in Senegal, when the 4G license was awarded and the license for mobile 2G and 3G was renewed:
– a coverage obligation of
– an obligation to cover in 5 years all territory in the inhabited border areas of Senegal whose number of inhabitants is equal to or greater than 200;
– a coverage obligation on national roads and highways in 2 years.
– in 2016, in Egypt, when the 4G license was granted, an obligation to provide 4G coverage of
– in 2020, in Burkina Faso, when the 4G license was granted and the 2G and 3G licenses renewed, an obligation to cover
Non-compliance with these obligations could result in fines and other sanctions ultimately including the withdrawal of licenses awarded. Management believes that the Group has the ability to fulfill these commitments towards government authorities.
Guarantees granted to third parties in the ordinary course of business
Commitments made by the Group to third parties in the ordinary course of business represented
The amount of guarantees granted by the Group to third parties (financial institutions, partners, customers and government agencies) to cover the performance of the contractual obligations of non-consolidated entities is not significant. Guarantees granted by the Group to cover the performance of the contractual obligations of the consolidated subsidiaries are not considered as unrecognized contractual commitments, as they would not increase the Group’s commitments in comparison to the underlying obligations of the consolidated subsidiaries.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-118 |
16.2 Consolidation scope commitments
Asset and liability warranties granted in relation to disposals
Under the terms of agreements between certain Group companies and the acquirers of certain assets, the Group is subject to warranty clauses relating to assets and liabilities. Nearly all material sale agreements provide for ceilings on these warranties.
At December 31, 2021, the main warranties in effect were the following:
– the uncapped warranties granted to the EE joint venture when contributing the operations in the United Kingdom, concerning the restructuring of equity investments and assets done prior to the contribution expiring in 2022;
– a warranty given to BT as part of the EE sale, backed by Orange Group and Deutsche Telekom as tax and operating warranties, except for events ascribable solely to one or the other, and capped at the contractually set disposal price of
– standard uncapped warranties granted to Vivendi as part of the additional disposal of Dailymotion (completed in 2017 for the remaining
– warranties granted to the HIN consortium in connection with the disposal of Orange Concessions (
– warranties granted to the APG group in connection with the disposal of FiberCo Poland (
– miscellaneous standard warranties granted to buyers of real estate sold by the Group.
Orange believes that the risk of these warranties being enforced is remote and that the potential consequences of their being called are not material with respect to the Group’s results and financial position.
Asset and liability warranties received in relation to acquisitions
Under the terms of acquisition agreements between Group companies and the transferors of certain assets, the Group received warranty clauses relating to assets and liabilities. Nearly all material acquisition agreements provide for ceilings on these warranties.
At December 31, 2021, the main warranties in effect were the following:
– standard and specific capped warranties obtained from Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A. in connection with the acquisition of Telekom Romania Communications, which will expire on March 31, 2023 (with respect to the general representations and warranties) and September 30, 2028 (with respect to the fundamental warranties). Some specific capped allowances have also been obtained, for up to
Orange believes that the risk of all these warranties being enforced is remote and that the potential consequences of their being called are not material with respect to the Group's results and financial position.
Commitments relating to securities
Under the terms of agreements with third parties, Orange can make or receive commitments to purchase or to sell securities. The on-going commitments at December 31, 2021 are not likely to have material impacts on the Group’s financial position.
Orange Tunisie
Under the terms of the shareholders’ agreement with Investec dated May 20, 2009, Orange has a call option giving it the right to purchase at market value
Orange Concessions
Under the terms of the shareholders' agreement signed on March 27, 2021, which became effective on November 3, 2021, with the HIN consortium (made up of La Banque des Territoires, Caisse des Dépôts, CNP Assurances and EDF Invest), Orange has a call option that can be exercised in fiscal year 2025 enabling it to acquire at market value
FiberCo Poland
Under the terms of the shareholders' agreement with APG Group signed on April 11, 2021, Orange has a call option that can be exercised from fiscal year 2027 giving it the right to purchase at market value
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-119 |
16.3 Financing commitments
The Group’s main commitments related to borrowings are set out in Note 14.
Orange has pledged (or given as guarantees) certain investment securities and other assets to financial institutions or used them as collateral to cover bank loans and credit facilities.
Guarantees granted to some lending institutions to finance consolidated subsidiaries are not set out below.
Assets covered by commitments
The items presented below do not include the impact of the regulation on the transferability of the assets or the possibility of contractual restrictions in network asset sharing agreements.
As of December 31, 2021 Orange has no material pledge on its subsidiaries’ securities.
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
Assets held under leases |
| |
| |
| |
Non-current pledged, mortgaged or receivership assets(1) |
| |
| |
| |
Collateralized current assets |
| |
| |
| |
Total |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Non-current pledged, mortgaged or receivership assets are shown excluding cash collateral deposits, which are presented in Note 9. |
Non-current pledged or mortgaged assets comprise the following assets given as guarantees:
December 31, 2021 |
| Total in statement of |
| Amount of asset pledged, |
| Percentage |
|
(in millions of euros) | financial position (a) | mortgaged or receivership (b) | (b)/(a) |
| |||
Intangibles assets, net (excluding goodwill) |
| |
| |
| | % |
Property, plant and equipment, net |
| |
| |
| | % |
Non-current financial assets |
| |
| — |
| — | |
Other(1) |
| |
| — |
| — | |
Total |
| |
| |
| | % |
| (1) | This item mainly includes net goodwill, interests in associates, net deferred tax assets, non-current derivatives assets and rights of use. |
Note 17 Mobile Financial Services activities
17.1 Financial assets and liabilities of Mobile Financial Services
The financial statements of Mobile Financial Services activities were put into the format of Orange group’s consolidated financial statements and therefore differ from a presentation that complies with the banking format.
In order to improve the readability of financial statements and to be able to distinguish the performance of telecom activities from the performance of the Mobile Financial Services activities, the notes related to financial assets and liabilities as well as financial income or expenses are split to respect these
Note 13 presents the financial assets, liabilities and related gains and losses specific to telecom activities and Note 17 concerns the activities of Mobile Financial Services with regard to its assets and liabilities, with net financial income being not material.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-120 |
The following table reconciles the contributive balances of assets and liabilities for each of these
(in millions of euros) |
| Orange |
| o/w telecom |
| Note |
| o/w Mobile |
| Note |
| o/w eliminations | |
consolidated | activities | Financial |
| telecom | |||||||||
financial | Services | activities / mobile | |||||||||||
statements |
| financial services | |||||||||||
Non-current financial assets related to Mobile Finance Services activities |
| | — |
| | 17.1.1 | — | ||||||
Non-current financial assets |
| | |
| 13.7 |
| — | ( | (1) | ||||
Non-current derivatives assets |
| | |
| 13.8 |
| | 17.1.3 | — | ||||
Current financial assets related to Mobile Financial Services activities |
| | — |
|
| | 17.1.1 | ( | |||||
Current financial assets |
| | |
| 13.7 |
| — | — | |||||
Current derivatives assets |
| | |
| 13.8 |
| — | 17.1.3 | — | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
| | |
| 14.3 |
| | — | |||||
Non-current financial liabilities related to Mobile Finance Services activities | — | — | | 17.1.2 | ( | (1) | |||||||
Non-current financial liabilities |
| | |
| 13.3 | — | — | ||||||
Non-current derivatives liabilities |
| | |
| 13.8 |
| | 17.1.3 | — | ||||
Current financial liabilities related to Mobile Financial Services activities |
| | — |
|
| | 17.1.2 | — | |||||
Current financial liabilities |
| | |
| 13.3 |
| — | ( | |||||
Current derivatives liabilities |
| | |
| 13.8 |
| — | 17.1.3 | — |
| (1) | Loan granted by Orange SA to Orange Bank. |
The Mobile Financial Services segment includes Orange Bank and other entities. As the contribution of other entities to the statement of financial position of the Mobile Financial Services segment and a fortiori of the Group was not material, only Orange Bank data is presented in detail below.
Accounting policies
Since the concept of current or non-current is non-existent in bank accounting, financial assets and liabilities related to loans and borrowings to customers or credit institutions (the ordinary activities of a bank) are classified as current for all periods presented.
With regard to other financial assets and liabilities, classification as current and non-current has been made in light of both the original intention of management and the nature of the assets and liabilities in question. For instance, with regard to Orange Bank’s other financial assets, since investments are managed by portfolio, only the transaction portfolios (financial assets at fair value through profit or loss) have been recognized in current financial assets.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-121 |
17.1.1 Financial assets related to Orange Bank transactions (excluding derivatives)
The financial assets in connection with the transactions of Orange Bank break down as follows:
(in millions of euros) | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
| Non-current |
| Current |
| Total |
| Total |
| Total | |
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to profit or loss |
| |
| — |
| | | | ||
Investments securities |
| |
| — |
| | | | ||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or loss |
| |
| |
| | | | ||
Debt securities |
| |
| |
| | | | ||
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
| |
| — |
| | | | ||
Investments at fair value |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | | ||
Cash collateral paid | | — | | | | |||||
Other |
| |
| — |
| | | | ||
Financial assets at amortized cost |
| |
| |
| | | | ||
Fixed-income securities |
| |
| |
| | | | ||
Loans and receivables to customers |
| — |
| |
| | | | ||
Loans and receivables to credit institutions |
| — |
| |
| | | | ||
Other |
| — |
| |
| | | | ||
Total financial assets related to Orange Bank activities |
| |
| |
| | | | ||
Debt securities at fair value through other comprehensive income that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Debt securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or loss - in the opening balance |
| | | | ||
Acquisitions |
| | |
| | |
Repayments and disposals |
| ( | ( |
| ( | |
Changes in fair value |
| — | |
| | |
Other items |
| | ( |
| ( | |
Debt securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or loss - in the closing balance |
| | |
| |
(in millions of euros) |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
Profit (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income during the period |
| | | | ||
Reclassification in net income during the period |
| | | | ||
Other comprehensive income related to Orange Bank |
| | | |
Loans and receivables of Orange Bank
Loans and receivables of Orange Bank are composed of loans and receivables with customers and credit institutions.
In the context of adapting the bank’s accounts into the Group’s financial statements, the following have been considered as loans and advances to customers: clearing accounts and other amounts due, as well as amounts related to securities transactions on behalf of customers.
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
Overdrafts |
| | | | ||
Housing loans |
| | | | ||
Investment loans |
| | | | ||
Installment receivables (1) | | | - | |||
Current accounts |
| | | | ||
Other |
| | | | ||
Total loans and receivables to customers |
| | | (2) | | |
Overnight deposits and loans |
| | — | | ||
Loans and receivables |
| | | | ||
Other |
| | | | ||
Total loans and receivables to credit institutions |
| | | |
| (1) | Purchase of Orange Spain receivables. |
| (2) | Since October 2020, Orange Bank is engaged in a self-subscribed securitization program of a portfolio of French personal loans for approximately 600 million euros. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-122 |
Accounting policies
Financial assets
– Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVR)
Certain equity securities which are not consolidated or equity-accounted and cash investments such as negotiable debt securities, deposits and money market mutual funds (UCITS), which are compliant with the Group’s liquidity risk management policy, may be designated by Orange Bank as being recognized at fair value through profit or loss. These assets are recognized at fair value at inception and subsequently. All changes in fair value are recorded in profit or loss.
– Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income that may not be reclassified to profit or loss (FVOCI)
Equity securities which are not consolidated or equity-accounted are, subject to exceptions, recognized as assets at fair value through other comprehensive income that may not be reclassified to profit or loss. They are recognized at fair value at inception and subsequently. Temporary changes in value and gains (losses) on disposals are recorded in other comprehensive income that may not be reclassified to profit/loss.
– Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss (FVOCIR)
Assets at fair value through other comprehensive income that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss mainly include investments in debt securities. They are recognized at fair value at inception and subsequently. Temporary changes in value are recorded in other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or loss. In case of disposal, the cumulative profit (or loss) recognized in other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or loss is then reclassified to profit or loss.
– Financial assets at amortized cost (AC)
This category primarily comprises miscellaneous loans and receivables as well as fixed-income securities held with the aim of collecting contractual flows. These instruments are recognized at fair value at inception and are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
Impairment of financial assets
In accordance with IFRS 9, debt instruments classified as financial assets at amortized cost or as financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, rental receivables, financing commitments and financial guarantees given are systematically subject to impairment or a provision for expected credit loss. These impairments and provisions are recorded as soon as loans are granted, commitments are concluded or bond securities are acquired, without waiting for the appearance of an objective indication of impairment.
To do this, the financial assets concerned are split into three categories according to the change in credit risk observed since their initial recognition and a depreciation is recorded on the amount outstanding of each of these categories as follows:
- Performing loans: the calculation of losses expected is made on a 12-months basis, and the financial income (interest) is calculated on the basis of the instrument's gross amount;
- Impaired loans: if the credit risk has significantly worsened since the debt has been booked to the balance sheet, the expected losses, estimated over the duration of the loan, are recognized and the financial income (interest) is calculated based on the gross amount of the instrument;
- Doubtful loans: the expected loss, estimated over the duration of the loan, is depreciated. The financial income is calculated on the basis of the amount of the instrument net of the depreciation.
17.1.2 Financial liabilities related to Orange Bank transactions (excluding derivatives)
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 |
| December 31,2019 |
Payables to customers |
| | | (1) | | |
Debts with financial institutions |
| |
| | | |
Deposit certificate |
| |
| | | |
Other | | | | |||
Total Financial liabilities related to Orange Bank activities(2) |
| |
| | |
| (1) | The decrease on payables to customers between 2019 and 2020 is mainly due to the discontinuation of Groupama group companies' account-holding activities. |
| (2) | Including |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-123 |
Debts related to Orange Bank transactions are composed of customer deposits and bank debts with financial institutions.
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
2021 |
| 2020 | 2019 | |||
Current accounts |
| | | | ||
Passbooks and special savings accounts |
| | | | ||
Other |
| | | | ||
Total payables to customers |
| | | | ||
Term borrowings and advances |
| | | | ||
Securities delivered under repurchase agreements |
| | | — | ||
Other | | — | — | |||
Total debts with financial institutions |
| | | |
17.1.3Derivatives of Orange Bank
Derivatives qualified as fair value hedges
The main unmatured fair value hedges at the end of 2021 and set up by Orange Bank concern the following interest rate swaps:
–
–
–
–
–
The ineffective portion of these hedges recognized in profit or loss in 2021 was not material.
Cash flow hedge derivatives
At January 1, 2020, Orange Bank had documented a micro-hedge of its issues with interest rate swaps which, at the end of 2021, represented:
–
Trading Derivatives
– Orange Bank has set up interest rate swaps as economic hedges (not designated as hedges under IFRS) of EIB securities for a total notional amount of
– Orange Bank has a portfolio of trading swaps with a total notional value of
– Orange Bank has set up interest rate futures with a notional amount of
17.2 Information on market risk management with respect to Orange Bank activities
Orange Bank has its own risk management system in accordance with banking regulations. In terms of banking regulation, Orange Bank is under the supervision of the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution – ACPR) and must at all times comply with capital requirements in order to withstand the risks associated with its activities.
Orange Bank’s activities expose it to all of the risks defined by the ordinance of November 3, 2014, relating to the internal control of companies in the banking, payment services and investment services sector subject to the control of the ACPR:
– credit risk and counterparty risk: risk of loss incurred in the event of the default of a counterparty or counterparties considered as the same beneficiary;
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-124 |
– consolidation risk: risk arising from an excessive exposure to a counterparty, to a group of counterparties operating in the same economic sector or the same geographic area, or the application of credit risk reduction techniques, particularly collateral issued by a single entity;
– market risk: risk of loss due to movements in market prices;
– operational risk: risk resulting from an inadequacy or a failure due to procedures, staff, internal systems or to outside events, including events that are unlikely to occur but that would incur a high risk of loss. Operational risk includes risks of internal and external fraud and IT risk;
– interest rate risk: risk incurred in the event of changes in interest rates impacting on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet transactions, excluding, where applicable, transactions exposed to market risks;
– liquidity risk: risk that the company would not be able to meet its commitments or not be able to unwind or offset a position due to the market situation;
– non-compliance risk: risk of judicial, administrative or disciplinary sanction, significant financial loss or damage to reputation, arising from non-compliance with provisions specific to banking and financial activities.
The size of the bank and its moderate risk profile led to the choice of standard methods regarding the application of Regulation No. 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on June 26, 2013.
Orange Bank is not involved with complex products. For market operations, the Risk Department defines, on one hand, the limits implemented and controlled and, on the other hand, the quality of the authorized signatories. In addition, the Bank has defined and regularly tests its business continuity system. The Bank has also undertaken, as comprehensively as possible, the identification and assessment of its operational risks, for which it also monitors occurrences.
In line with regulations, and in particular Titles IV and V of the Ordinance of November 3, 2014, the bank’s Executive Committee, upon recommendation of the Risk Management Department, sets the institution’s risk policy, which is formalized through the risk appetite framework and is guarantor of its proper implementation.
The Risk Management Department analyzes and monitors risks, carries out the necessary controls and produces reports for various committees: The Credit Committee (management of credit and counterparty risk), Risks and Audit Committee (management of operational risks), Financial Security and Compliance Committee (management of non-compliance risk), ALM Committee (management of market, interest rate and liquidity risks) and the Executive Committee.
17.2.1Credit and counterparty risk management
Against the backdrop of the health crisis, Orange Bank continued to maintain a cautious provisioning policy.
In France, Orange Bank reviewed its credit risk estimate by taking into account the uncertainties surrounding the economic situation due to the health crisis and considered that segment provisions (i.e. around
Furthermore, the retail bank, consumer credit and demand accounts asset category, is a statistical method for calculating expected losses. In this respect, the inputs estimated internally by Orange Bank (probability of default (PD), exposure at default (EAD) and loss given default (LGD)) were back tested in 2021 in order to check the performance of the model in production and to take account of the new definition of default (NDOD) that came into force on January 1, 2021. These works led to the recalibrating of inputs for all products. The new recalibrated inputs take into account a more recent data history to estimate the probability of default and loss given default.
To take into account the review of these inputs, a provision of
In Spain, Orange Bank maintained its prudent provisioning policy on the receivables disposal program with Orange Spain. Thanks to a second year of production of short loans, Orange Bank has gained more perspective, leading to a revision of its provisioning rates in 2021. This rates adjustment, based on a preliminary statistical study, has made it possible to estimate new risk inputs for the calculation of expected loss, more conservative than the hedging rates recommended by the Bank of Spain on the consumer credit asset category. In this respect, an additional provision of 8 million euros was recognized at December 31, 2021. With a view to 2022, works are in progress for a finer analysis and to build statistical models enhanced with data from ongoing observations of portfolio behavior.
At end-December 2021, cost of risk for Orange Bank amounted to
Excluding methodological adjustments, cost of risk would amount to
17.2.2Market and interest rate risk management
Orange Bank does not carry out trading operations on its own behalf, its market activity mainly concerns investments to optimize liquidity management and purchases of interest rate hedges.
The outstanding securities portfolio continues to decrease in line with the bank's strategy, market risk indicators remain almost stable and the associated risks are immaterial.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-125 |
Fixed interest securities in investment portfolios are hedged. At December 2021,
Orange Bank finalized its transition plan from Eonia benchmark indices toward €ster (iBor) in 2021; the novation of contracts with the bank counterparties was carried out and the documentation of updated hedging relations.
17.2.3Liquidity risk management
In 2021, Orange Bank continued to prudently manage its liquidity. At December 2021, Net Funding Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) was
Orange Bank intensified the diversification of its financing sources and in order to anticipate loan production growth and the slowdown of TLTRO programs of the ECB.
17.2.4Operational risk management
At bank level, the operational risk guidance scope covers:
– operational risks carried by all the bank's activities (management, operating and support activities);
– operational risks from essential service providers.
Operational risk is managed by the Permanent Control and Operational Risk Director who reports to the Risk, Controls and Compliance Director, who in turn is directly under the authority of an Orange Bank effective manager.
A system is in place for identifying all of the bank's operational incidents (proven risks) including non-compliance. Incidents are reported as soon as they are detected by all bank employees in a dedicated IT tool.
In the event of the identification of non-compliance incidents, the operational risks department notifies the compliance department to ensure monitoring and management of such incidents.
The operational losses sustained by the bank amounted to
17.2.5Non-compliance risk management
Orange Bank has a Compliance department, which reports to the Risk, Control and Compliance director. In addition, the bank is equipped with a system that enables it to guarantee regular monitoring of changes that may occur in the texts applicable to its activity. The presentation of major regulatory amendments is also carried out in the Compliance, Financial Security and Fraud Committees.
The Financial Security and Compliance Committee meets every quarter to examine the actions and situation of bank with respect to compliance, in particular in the light of its customer protection obligations.
The Human Resources Department training unit, in conjunction with the compliance unit, handles the establishing and monitoring of employee training procedures, the foundation of the compliance system. Mandatory training programs are organized for all new arrivals. In 2021, 105 new employees participated in mandatory training provided in person (or via video conference due to the COVID crisis) by the Compliance Manager.
Furthermore, training programs dedicated to mortgages and to consumer credit and to the claims management system are given to the employees concerned.
Lastly, the compliance unit contributes its expertise in the preparation of answers to address sensitive customer complaints as well as those sent to us directly the supervisory authorities.
17.2.6Remaining term to maturity
The following table details the remaining terms of Orange Bank’s financial assets and liabilities, calculated on the basis of the contractual maturity dates:
– maturity-by-maturity for amortizable transactions;
– for roll-over loans, since renewals cannot be presumed, the renewal dates are taken to be the final maturity dates;
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-126 |
– since derivatives are interest rate swaps, they are not subject to any exchange of notional. Their fair value has been broken down by maturity.
(in millions of euros) | Note | December 31, | 2022 | 2023 to | 2027 |
| |||||
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2026 |
| and beyond |
| |||
Investments securities |
| 17.1.1 |
| |
| — |
| |
| — | |
Debt securities |
| 17.1.1 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Investments at fair value |
| 17.1.1 |
| - |
| — |
| — |
| — | |
Fixed-income securities |
| 17.1.1 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Loans and receivables to customers |
| 17.1.1 |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Loans and receivables to credit institutions |
| 17.1.1 |
| | |
| — |
| — | ||
Other financial assets and derivatives |
|
| | |
| — |
| | |||
Total financial assets |
|
| | |
| |
| | |||
Payable to customers |
| 17.1.2 |
| | |
| — |
| — | ||
Debts with financial institutions |
| 17.1.2 |
| | |
| |
| — | ||
Deposit certificate |
| 17.1.2 |
| | |
| |
| — | ||
Other financial liabilities and derivatives |
|
|
| | |
| |
| | ||
Total financial liabilities |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
17.2.7 Fair value of financial assets and liabilities of Orange Bank
(in millions of euros) | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||
Classification | Book value | Estimated | Level 1 and | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||
|
| under IFRS |
|
| fair value |
| cash |
|
| |||||
9(1) | ||||||||||||||
Loans and receivables | 17.1.1 |
| AC |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — | |
Financial assets at amortized cost |
| 17.1.1 |
| AC |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
| 17.1.1 |
| FVR |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Debt securities |
| 17.1.1 |
| FVOCIR |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Investments securities |
| 17.1.1 |
| FVOCI |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Cash and cash equivalent(2) |
| 17.1 |
| AC |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
Financial liabilities related to Orange Bank activities |
| 17.1.2 |
| AC |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
Derivatives (net amount)(3) |
| 17.1.3 |
|
|
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
(1) | AC stands for amortized cost, FVR stands for fair value through profit or loss, FVOCI stands for fair value through other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to profit or loss, FVOCIR stands for fair value through other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or loss. |
(2) | Includes only cash. |
(3) | The classification for derivatives instruments depends on their hedging qualification. |
(in millions of euros) | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||
Classification | Book | Estimated | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||
|
| under IFRS 9 (1) |
| value |
| fair value |
| and cash |
|
| ||||
Loans and receivables |
| 17.1.1 | AC |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — | |
Financial assets at amortized cost |
| 17.1.1 | AC |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — | |
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
| 17.1.1 | FVR |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — | |
Debt securities |
| 17.1.1 | FVOCIR |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — | |
Investments securities |
| 17.1.1 | FVOCI |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — | |
Cash and cash equivalent(2) |
| AC |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — | ||
Financial liabilities related to Orange Bank activities |
| 17.1.2 | AC |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — | |
Derivatives (net amount)(3) |
|
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — | |||
| (1) | AC stands for amortized cost, FVR stands for fair value through profit or loss, FVOCI stands for fair value through other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to profit or loss, FVOCIR stands for fair value through other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or loss. |
| (2) | Includes only cash. |
| (3) | The classification for derivatives instruments depends on their hedging qualification. |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-127 |
(in millions of euros) | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
Classification | Book | Estimated | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||
|
| under IFRS 9(1) |
| value |
| fair value |
| and cash |
|
| ||||
Loans and receivables | 17.1.1 | AC |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| — | ||
Financial assets at amortized cost | 17.1.1 | AC |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — | ||
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
| 17.1.1 | FVR |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — | |
Debt securities |
| 17.1.1 | FVOCIR |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| — | |
Investments securities |
| 17.1.1 | FVOCI |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — | |
Cash and cash equivalent(2) |
| AC |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — | ||
Financial liabilities related to Orange Bank activities |
| 17.1.2 | AC |
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| — | |
Derivatives (net amount)(3) | | ( | — | ( | — | |||||||||
| (1) | AC stands for amortized cost, FVR stands for fair value through profit or loss, FVOCI stands for fair value through other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to profit or loss, FVOCIR stands for fair value through other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or loss. |
| (2) | Includes only cash. |
| (3) | The classification for derivatives instruments depends on their hedging qualification. |
17.3 Orange Bank’s unrecognized contractual commitments
As at December 31, 2021, Orange Bank is not aware of having entered into any commitment that may have a material effect on its current or future financial position, other than the commitments mentioned below.
Commitments given
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 |
| December 31, 2019 |
Financing commitments (1) |
| |
| |
| |
Guarantee commitments |
| |
| |
| |
On behalf of financial institutions |
| |
| |
| |
On behalf of customers | | | | |||
Property lease commitments |
| — |
| — |
| |
Total |
| |
| |
| |
| (1) | Corresponds to credit commitments granted to customers, credits granted but not yet released and unused portion of financing granted. As at December 31, 2019, these commitments also included a financing commitment for Groupama of |
Commitments received
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 |
| December 31, 2019 |
Received from financial institutions (1) | | | | |||
Received from customers | | | | |||
Total | | | |
| (1) | Corresponds to guarantees received from Crédit Logement to counter-guarantee the mortgages distributed. |
Assets covered by commitments
(in millions of euros) |
| December 31, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 |
| December 31, 2019 |
Assets pledged as security to lending financial institutions as guarantees for bank loans |
| | |
| | |
Total |
| | |
| |
Note 18 Litigation
This note presents all of the significant disputes in which the Group is involved with the exception of litigation relating to disputes between Orange and the tax or social administrations in relation to operational or income taxes or social contributions. These disputes are described, respectively, in Notes 6.2 and 10.3, as appropriate.
At December 31, 2021, the provisions for risks recorded by the Group for all the disputes (except those presented in Notes 6.2 and 10.3) amounted to
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-128 |
France
Mobile services
– In parallel to the judicial inquiry for which a final decision was handed down on December 17, 2015 a final verdict was reached by the French Competition Authority fining Orange
– Concurrently to their complaints filed with the French Competition Authority, regarding the practices of Orange in the mobile and fixed-to-mobile markets in the French Caribbean and in French Guiana, for which Orange received a definitive sentence, Digicel and Outremer Telecom initiated before the Paris Commercial Court legal actions for alleged damages stemming from these practices. After being sentenced by the Paris Commercial Court in March 2015, the Paris Court of Appeal decreased the amount of the fine to be paid to Outremer Telecom to
Fixed services
– In 2010, SFR and then Verizon summoned Orange SA to appear before the Paris Commercial Court demanding the reimbursement of alleged overpayments on interconnection services provided by Orange, the price of which allegedly did not reflect their cost. On June 18 and 25, 2013, the Paris Commercial Court dismissed their claims but ordered Orange to pay Verizon
– In 2012, SFR brought an action against Orange SA before the Paris Commercial Court denouncing its retail offers for the secondary residences market. In February 2014, the trial court ruled that Orange had abused its dominant position but in Octoberr 2014, the Paris Appeal Court annulled this ruling. This decision was then overturned by the French Supreme Court in 2016 and Orange had to pay
– On April 16, 2021, Bouygues Telecom brought an action against Orange before the Paris Civil Court concerning the service quality of its wholesale offers for an amount of
Other proceedings in France
– In June 2018, Iliad brought summary proceedings against Orange SA before the presiding judge of the Paris Commercial Court, aiming to ban some of its mobile telephony offers proposing mobile handsets at attractive prices accompanied by a subscription package, on the grounds that they constituted consumer credit offers. The case is currently being investigated by the judges deciding on the merits of the case. On October 16, 2020, Iliad, for the first time, assessed its loss at
– In December 2018 the administrators of former UK retailer Phones 4U, (which is in administration and no longer trading), filed a claim against the three main UK mobile network operators, including EE, and their respective existing or former parent companies, including Orange. The Phones 4U claim (of an unquantified amount) is currently being disputed before the High Court of England and Wales. Orange vigorously challenges the allegations raised by Phones 4U which include collusion between various operators.
– Orange Bank is the object of
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-129 |
– In August 2020, ASSIA brought proceedings against Orange SA before the Paris Civil Court for infringement of
– The Evaluation and Compensation Committee, set up as part of the France Telecom employee-related crisis trial, to examine individual claims submitted by individuals present in the company between 2007 and 2010 and their beneficiaries, extended the period for submitting files until December 31, 2020. This Committee is continuing to analyze and process the requests received. At the end of December 2021,
Poland
– In 2013, the UOKiK opened an investigation on the country’s
– In addition, in 2015 P4 issued
Romania
– On March 29, 2016, investigators from the Romanian Competition Council made an investigation at the headquarters of Orange Romania, concerning possible discriminatory practices in the mobile payment and advertising markets. Following the investigation, the Competition Council fined Orange Romania
Middle East and Africa
– A number of shareholder disputes are ongoing between the joint venture comprising Agility and Orange, on the
– In Jordan, the telecom operator Zain brought an action against Jordan Telecommunications Company (Orange Jordan) for failure to open geographical numbers allocated by the Jordanian regulator in application of the interconnection agreement entered into Zain and Orange Jordan pursuant to which Zain considers that it has suffered an estimated loss of
– In Mali, a lawsuit had been brought against the telecoms operators to challenge the billing of communications ending up on voicemail. In 2013, the Court of First Instance had dismissed the case of the plaintiffs, and the Malian Regulatory Authority (AMRTP) confirmed the compliance of this billing. At the end of 2021, following an appeal by the plaintiffs, the Bamako Court of Appeal sentenced the telecoms operators, and in particular Orange Mali to pay the sum of
In order to provide its telecommunication services, the Group sometimes uses fixed assets of other parties. Terms of use of these assets are not always formalized. The Group is sometimes subject to claims and might be subject to future claims in this respect, which could result in a cash outflow in the future. The amount of the potential obligations or future commitments cannot be measured with sufficient reliability due to legal complexities involved.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-130 |
Other than proceedings that may be initiated in respect of tax, income taxes and social audits (see Notes 6.2 and 10.3), there are no other administrative, legal or arbitration proceedings, including any proceedings that are pending, suspended or threatened, of which Orange is aware, which may have or have had in the last 12 months a material impact on the Company’s and/or Group’s financial position or profitability.
Note 19 Subsequent events
Appointment of the new Chief Executive Officer
The Orange Board of Directors met on January 28 and appointed Christel Heydemann as the Chief Executive Officer of Orange as from April 4, 2022. As the Board noted a separation of the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, at the arrival of the new Chief Executive Officer, Stéphane Richard will continue to carry out the duties of non-executive Chairman until the arrival of a new Chairperson and until May 19, 2022, at the latest, the date of the Orange Shareholders' Meeting.
Note 20 Main consolidated entities
As at December 31, 2021, the scope of consolidation consisted of
The main changes in the scope of consolidation in 2021 are presented in Note 3.2.
Regarding subsidiaries with minority interests:
– financial statements for Orange Polska Group, Sonatel Group, Jordan Telecom Group and Orange Belgium Group are respectively published to the Warsaw Stock Exchange, the Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM), the Amman Stock Exchange and the Brussels Stock Exchange, those companies being quoted;
– the other subsidiaries are not significant compared to Orange’s financial data. Consequently, financial information is not presented for these subsidiaries in the notes to Orange’s consolidated financial statements.
Pursuant to ANC Regulation No. 2016-09 of December 2, 2016 of the French Accounting Standards Authority, the full list of the companies included in the scope of consolidation, the companies excluded from the scope of consolidation and the non-consolidated equity investments, is available on the Group’s website (https://gallery.orange.com/finance#lang=env=5c6a1b51-a537-454e-b2d3-6e4664be2c6a).
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-131 |
The list of the principal operating entities shown below was determined based on their contributions to the following financial indicators: revenue and EBITDAaL.
Company |
|
| Country | |
Orange SA | Parent company | France | ||
Main consolidated entities |
|
|
|
|
France |
| % Interest |
| Country |
Générale de Téléphone |
| |
| France |
Orange SA - Business Unit France |
| |
| France |
Orange Caraïbe |
| |
| France |
Orange Concessions and its subsidiaries (1) | | France | ||
Europe |
| % Interest |
| Country |
Orange Belgium |
| |
| Belgium |
Orange Communications Luxembourg |
| |
| Luxembourg |
Orange Espagne and its subsidiaries |
| |
| Spain |
Orange Moldova |
| |
| Moldova |
Orange Polska and its subsidiaries |
| |
| Poland |
Orange Romania |
| |
| Romania |
Orange Slovensko |
| |
| Slovakia |
Telekom Romania Communications and its subsidiary | | Romania | ||
Africa Middle-East |
| % Interest |
| Country |
Jordan Telecom and its subsidiaries | | Jordan | ||
Médi Telecom (2) |
| |
| Morocco |
Orange Bissau (3) | | Guinea-Bissau | ||
Orange Botswana |
| |
| Botswana |
Orange Burkina Faso |
| |
| Burkina Faso |
Orange Cameroon |
| |
| Cameroon |
Orange Côte d'Ivoire and its subsidairies |
| |
| Côte d'Ivoire |
Orange Egypt for Telecommunications and its subsidiaries | | Egypt | ||
Orange Guinée (3) |
| |
| Guinea |
Orange Mali (3) |
| |
| Mali |
Orange RDC | | Congo | ||
Sonatel (3) |
| |
| Senegal |
Enterprise |
| % Interest |
| Country |
Orange SA - Business Unit Enterprise |
| |
| France |
Orange Business Services Participations and its subsidiaries |
| |
| United Kingdom |
Orange Business Services SA and its subsidiaries |
| |
| France |
Business Decision and its subsidiaries |
| |
| France |
Basefarm and its subsidiaries |
| |
| Norway |
Globecast Holding and its subsidiaries |
| |
| France |
SecureData and its subsidiaries | | United Kingdom | ||
SecureLink and its subsidiaries | | Netherlands | ||
International Carriers Shared Services |
| % Interest |
| Country |
Orange SA - Business Unit ICSS |
| |
| France |
FT IMMO H |
| |
| France |
Orange Marine |
| |
| France |
OCS |
| |
| France |
Orange Brand Services |
| |
| United Kingdom |
Mobile Financial Services |
| % Interest |
| Country |
Orange Bank |
| |
| France |
| (1) | Orange Concessions is consolidated using the equity method. |
| (2) | Orange SA controls Medi Telecom and its subsidiaries, which are fully consolidated, following the acquisition in December 2010 of |
| (3) | Orange SA controls Sonatel and its subsidiaries, which are fully consolidated, under the terms of the shareholders' agreement as supplemented by the Strategic Committee Charter dated July 13, 2005 (Orange SA owns and controls |
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-132 |
Note 21 Auditors’ fees
As required by Decree no. 2008-1487 of December 30, 2008, the following table shows the amount of fees of the auditors of the parent company and their partner firms in respect of the fully consolidated subsidiaries.
(in millions of euros) | Audit and related services | Other services | Total |
| |||||||||||
Statutory audit fees, certification, | Services required | Sub-total | rendered by |
| |||||||||||
auditing of the accounts | by the law | auditors' networks to |
| ||||||||||||
| o/w issuer |
| o/w issuer |
|
| fully-consolidated |
|
| |||||||
Deloitte |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| subsidiaries |
|
| |
2021 |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |
% | | % | | % | | % | — | | % | | % | | % | ||
KPMG | |||||||||||||||
2021 | | | | | | | | ||||||||
% | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | |
2020 | | | | | | | | ||||||||
% | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | |
2019 | | | | | | | | ||||||||
% | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | |
EY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
2021 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| |
|
% | — | — | — | — | — | | % | | % | ||||||
2020 | | | | | | | | ||||||||
% | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | |
2019 | | | — | | | | |||||||||
% | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | | % | |
The services provided by the statutory auditors were authorized pursuant to the rules adopted by the Audit Committee and updated each year since October 2016.
Consolidated financial statements 2021 | F-133 |