Dutch telecommunications operator KPN today reported a record net loss of €9.54 billion ($10.29 billion) in 2002.
The net loss followed a €7.5 billion loss in 2001 and was in line with analysts' expectations ranging between €9.4 billion and €9.7 billion.
The loss was mostly due to €9.38 billion in exceptional items, such as restructuring charges and charges on goodwill and licences.
However, excluding the exceptional items, KPN pared its net loss to €163 million in 2002 from €1.41 billion in 2001.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), excluding exceptional items, rose 22 per cent last year to €4.38 billion.
For the fourth quarter of 2002, KPN reported a net profit of €7 million compared with a loss of €6.23 billion in the same period a year earlier.
"KPN continues on the road to recovery. I am very satisfied with the results of KPN in the fourth quarter . . . despite the weakness in the economy we have been able to exceed our stated targets," KPN chairman Mr Ad Scheepbouwer said.