Provided by MZ Data Products
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 
FORM 6-K
 
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of March, 2004

Commission File Number 001-14489
 

 
TELE CENTRO OESTE CELULAR PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

Tele Centro Oeste Celular Participações Holding Company
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
 

SCS - Quadra 2, Bloco C, Edifício Anexo-Telebrasília Celular
-7° Andar, Brasília, D.F.
Federative Republic of Brazil
(Address of principal executive office)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. 

Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F _______

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  

Yes _______ No ___X____


(Convenience Translation into English from the
Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

Tele Centro Oeste Celular
Participações S.A. and Subsidiaries

Financial Statements for the Years Ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002 and
Independent Auditors’ Report




Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes




(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

To the Shareholders and Management of
Tele Centro Oeste Celular Participações S.A.
Brasília - DF

1.

We have audited the accompanying individual (Company) and consolidated balance sheets of Tele Centro Oeste Celular Participações S.A. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003, and the related statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and changes in financial position for the year then ended, all expressed in Brazilian reais and prepared under the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements.


2.

Our audit was conducted in accordance with auditing standards in Brazil and comprised: (a) planning of the work, taking into consideration the significance of the balances, volume of transactions, and the accounting and internal control systems of the Company and its subsidiaries, (b) checking, on a test basis, the evidence and records that support the amounts and accounting information disclosed, and (c) evaluating the significant accounting practices and estimates adopted by management, as well as the presentation of the financial statements taken as a whole.


3.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to in paragraph 1 present fairly, in all material respects, the individual and consolidated financial positions of Tele Centro Oeste Celular Participações S.A. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003, and the results of their operations, the changes in shareholders’ equity, and the changes in their financial positions for the year then ended in conformity with Brazilian accounting practices.


4.

The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002, presented for comparative purposes, were audited by other independent auditors whose report thereon, dated February 14, 2003, was unqualified.


5.

The accompanying financial statements have been translated into English for the convenience of readers outside Brazil.


São Paulo, February 3, 2004

DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU José Domingos do Prado
Auditores Independentes Engagement Partner

(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

TELE CENTRO OESTE CELULAR PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A.

BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(In thousands of Brazilian reais - R$)



  Company Consolidated
 

ASSETS 2003  2002  2003  2002 





 
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents 107,516  11,820  972,054  158,503 
Trade accounts receivable, net 98,349  61,510  398,253  228,256 
Receivables from subsidiaries and affiliates 97,636  50,487 
Inventories 22,718  11,318  79,076  48,369 
Deferred and recoverable taxes 31,817  58,955  150,011  120,117 
Prepaid expenses 2,914  863  12,274  2,135 
Debentures 224,254  712,135 
Derivatives 34,057  38,441 
Other 2,946  1,613  6,565  5,480 
 



  363,896  454,877  1,618,233  1,313,436 
 



 
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Receivables from subsidiaries and affiliates 4,301  10,617 
Deferred and recoverable taxes 31,022  11,658  55,264  48,449 
Derivatives 44  5,709  87  14,863 
Other 56,818  53,703  58,134  56,630 
 



  92,185  81,687  113,485  119,942 
 



 
PERMANENT ASSETS
Investments 1,280,369  1,061,288  4,588  8,430 
Property, plant and equipment, net 247,355  236,584  891,030  891,418 
Deferred charges, net 26,910  31,520 
 



  1,527,724  1,297,872  922,528  931,368 
 
 



TOTAL ASSETS 1,983,805  1,834,436  2,654,246  2,364,746 
 




  Company Consolidated
 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 2003  2002  2003  2002 





CURRENT LIABILITIES
Payroll and related accruals 11,159  6,415  20,326  12,028 
Trade accounts payable 64,142  30,392  276,261  154,389 
Taxes payable 35,451  27,131  133,345  107,830 
Loans and financing 26,783  246,555  135,042  324,980 
Interest on capital and dividends payable 127,916  93,279  135,119  99,729 
Derivatives 2,943  1,536  9,426  1,567 
Other 5,360  4,581  21,972  14,317 
 



  273,754  409,889  731,491  714,840 
 



 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Loans and financing 43,435  78,716  213,126  302,800 
Reserve for contingencies 105,166  94,639  109,373  99,104 
Taxes payable 9,972  4,141 
Payables to subsidiaries and affiliates 31,409 
Accrued pension plan liability 1,681  315  2,810  464 
Derivatives 3,011  273  5,667  273 
Other 546  546  546  546 
 



  153,839  205,898  341,494  407,328 
 



 
MINORITY INTEREST 25,049  23,929 
 



 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Capital 570,095  534,046  570,095  534,046 
Treasury shares (49,162) (49,162) (49,162) (49,162)
Capital reserves 114,380  114,380  114,380  114,380 
Profit reserves 655,574  322,165  655,574  322,165 
Retained earnings 265,199  297,094  265,199  297,094 
 



  1,556,086  1,218,523  1,556,086  1,218,523 
 



 
FUNDS FOR CAPITALIZATION 126  126  126  126 
 
 



TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 1,983,805  1,834,436  2,654,246  2,364,746 
 



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

TELE CENTRO OESTE CELULAR PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A.

STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(In thousands of Brazilian reais - R$, except for per share data)

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



GROSS REVENUE        
Telecommunication services 537,001  475,130  2,103,805  1,705,409 
Sales of products 76,325  70,025  383,471  276,884 
 



  613,326  545,155  2,487,276  1,982,293 
 
DEDUCTIONS (121,043) (107,921) (528,366) (410,183)
 



NET OPERATING REVENUE 492,283  437,234  1,958,910  1,572,110 
Cost of services provided (131,097) (119,975) (513,996) (427,579)
Cost of products sold (82,380) (81,769) (390,026) (314,193)
 



GROSS PROFIT 278,806  235,490  1,054,888  830,338 
 
OPERATING (EXPENSES) INCOME
Selling expenses (68,643) (46,218) (300,516) (215,282)
General and administrative expenses (105,349) (81,497) (193,258) (141,860)
Other operating income 52,961  41,976  32,879  25,495 
Other operating expenses (15,779) (14,749) (46,342) (40,123)
Equity pick-up 374,095  242,391 
 



  237,285  141,903  (507,237) (371,770)
 



INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE FINANCIAL INCOME (EXPENSES) 516,091  377,393  547,651  458,568 
Financial expenses (235,206) (176,801) (308,793) (321,064)
Financial income 214,973  95,158  288,225  230,399 
 



INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 495,858  295,750  527,083  367,903 
Nonoperating income (expenses), net (6,872) 4,143  (6,364) 4,292 
 



INCOME BEFORE TAXES 488,986  299,893  520,719  372,195 
Income and social contribution taxes (42,312) (21,741) (181,089) (131,516)
Minority interest (8,460) (6,131)
 



INCOME BEFORE REVERSAL OF INTEREST ON CAPITAL 446,674  278,152  331,170  234,548 
Reversal of interest on capital 16,734  51,031  132,238  94,635 
 



NET INCOME 463,408  329,183  463,408  329,183 
 



EARNINGS PER THOUSAND SHARES - R$ 1.24104  0.88158       
 

   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

TELE CENTRO OESTE CELULAR PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(In thousands of Brazilian reais - R$)

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



SOURCE OF FUNDS        
Net income 463,408  329,183  463,408  329,183 
Minority interest 8,460  6,131 
Items not affecting working capital:
    Depreciation and amortization 63,683  60,677  194,781  158,750 
    Equity pick-up (374,095) (243,320)
    Monetary variations on noncurrent assets (2,989) (198) (7,015) (6,795)
    Monetary variations on long-term liabilities 1,502  36,511  6,698  45,253 
    Net book value of permanent assets sold 6,688  308,592  19,421  14,647 
    Provision for contingencies 10,527  22,777  10,269  22,628 
    Expired dividends and interest on capital of subsidiary 1,400  1,400 
    Negative goodwill on acquisition of investment in NBT 2,282  2,282 
    Provision for losses on investments - TCO IP 4,730  929 
 
Funds provided by operating activities 177,136  515,151  699,704  569,797 
 
From shareholders:
    Interest on capital and dividends received 149,419  61,267 
    Acquisition of minority interest in Telebrasília Celular S.A. 37,545 
    Expired dividends and interest on capital 4,155  4,155 
 



  153,574  98,812  4,155 
 
From third parties:
    Decrease in noncurrent assets 13,198  20,095 
    Transfer from noncurrent to current assets 1,270  16,404 
    Transfer from current to long-term liabilities 1,366  9,403  2,346  6,704 
    Increase in long-term liabilities 46,833  3,990  17,000 
 



  15,834  56,236  42,835  23,704 
 



Total sources 346,544  670,199  746,694  593,501 
 



 
USE OF FUNDS
Increase in noncurrent assets 45,397  43,755 
Increase in investments 4,378  729 
Additions to property, plant and equipment 79,581  33,317  207,644  170,622 
Transfer from long-term to current liabilities 35,494  89,137 
Transfer from current to noncurrent assets 21,977  11,507  23,027  9,853 
Decrease in long-term liabilities 29,960 
Interest on capital and proposed dividends 130,000  93,499  134,363  95,066 
Merger of Telebrasília:
    Noncurrent assets 16,518 
    Property, plant and equipment 260,717 
    Investment 110,303 
Capitalization of goodwill benefit 15,584  15,584 
Treasury shares 49,297  49,297 
Minority shareholders 4,377  729 
 



Total uses 301,390  636,868  458,548  384,906 
 
 



INCREASE IN WORKING CAPITAL 45,154  33,331  288,146  208,595 
 



 
REPRESENTED BY
Current assets:
    Beginning of year 454,877  199,735  1,313,436  1,058,454 
    End of year 363,896  454,877  1,618,233  1,313,436 
 
 



  (90,981) 255,142  304,797  254,982 
Current liabilities:
    Beginning of year 409,889  188,078  714,840  668,453 
    End of year 273,754  409,889  731,491  714,840 
 



  (136,135) 221,811  16,651  46,387 
 
 



INCREASE IN WORKING CAPITAL 45,154  33,331  288,146  208,595 
 



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

TELE CENTRO OESTE CELULAR PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (COMPANY)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(In thousands of Brazilian reais - R$)

  Capital reserves Profit reserves
 

  Capital Treasury
shares
Interest on
construction
in progress
Premium Special
premium
Tax
incentives
Legal
reserve
Reserve for
expansion
Retained
earnings
Total
shareholders'
equity
 









BALANCES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001 505,000  (6,826) 52  87,773  40,567  383,609  1,010,175 
 
Merger of Telebrasilia Celular S.A. 29,046  679  37,481  153  1,662  (31,476) 37,545 
Cancellation of treasury shares 3,826  3,826 
Reserve for merged goodwill (15,584) (15,584)
Treasury shares (42,336) (10,787) (53,123)
Net income 329,183  329,183 
Proposal to Annual Shareholders' Meeting:
    Legal reserve 16,459  (16,459)
    Reserve for expansion - current year 219,225  (219,225)
    Reserve for expansion - prior year 44,252  (44,252)
    Interest on capital (93,499) (93,499)
 
 









BALANCES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2002 534,046  (49,162) 4,505  37,533  72,189  153  58,688  263,477  297,094  1,218,523 
 
Capital increase from retained earnings 36,049  (36,049)
Expired dividends - 1999 4,155  4,155 
Net income 463,408  463,408 
Proposal to Annual Shareholders' Meeting:
    Legal reserve 23,171  (23,171)
    Reserve for expansion - current year 310,238  (310,238)
    Interest on capital (130,000) (130,000)
 
 









BALANCES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003 570,095  (49,162) 4,505  37,533  72,189  153  81,859  573,715  265,199  1,556,086 
 









The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

TELE CENTRO OESTE CELULAR PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais - R$, unless otherwise indicated)

1. OPERATIONS

Tele Centro Oeste Celular Participações S.A. (“Company” or “TCO”) is a publicly-traded company which, as of December 31, 2003, is owned by Telesp Celular Participações S.A. (“TCP”) (86.58% of voting capital and 29.30% of total capital) which in turn is controlled by Brasilcel N.V. (“Brasilcel”). Brasilcel is controlled by Telefónica Móviles, S.A. (50.000% of total capital), PT Móveis - Serviços de Telecomunicações, SGPS, S.A. (49.999% of total capital), and Portugal Telecom, SGPS, S.A. (0.001% of total capital).

The Company is the controlling company of Telegoiás Celular S.A. (“Telegoiás”), Telemat Celular S.A. (“Telemat”), Telems Celular S.A. (“Telems”), Teleron Celular S.A. (“Teleron”), Teleacre Celular S.A. (“Teleacre”) and Norte Brasil Telecom S.A. (“NBT”) which provide wireless communications services, including necessary or useful activities to provide these services, in conformity with authorizations or concessions received, described as follows:

Subsidiary Interest - % Operating area by States Expiration date of
concession/authorization




 
Telegoiás 97.14 Goiás and Tocantins 10/29/2008 
Telemat 97.83 Mato Grosso 03/30/2009 
Telems 98.54 Mato Grosso do Sul 09/28/2009 
Teleron 97.23 Rondônia 07/21/2009 
Teleacre 98.35 Acre 07/15/2013 
NBT 100.00 Amazonas, Roraima, Amapá, Pará and Maranhão 11/29/2013 

The Company also owns TCO IP S.A. (“TCO IP”) which provides telecommunications services, Internet access, solutions and other.

Telecommunications services provided by the subsidiaries, including related services, are regulated by the Federal regulatory authority, the National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL), as authorized by Law No. 9,472 of July 16, 1997, and the respective regulations, decrees, decisions, and plans.

Changes in Ownership

On April 10, 2003, ANATEL approved the transfer of the equity interest held by BID S.A. in TCO.

On April 25, 2003, TCO was informed by its new controlling shareholder of the conclusion of the transfer of the Company’s equity interest to TCP, under the Preliminary Contract for Purchase and Sale of Shares. On that date, the operation was liquidated and the aforementioned shares representing TCO’s controlling interest were transferred to TCP.

Migration from SMC to SMP

On February 3, 2003, ANATEL and TCO and its subsidiaries Telegoiás, Telemat, Telems, Teleron, Teleacre and NBT, signed a document authorizing Personal Mobile Service (SMP), effective from the date of publication in the federal official gazette on February 5, 2003.

Authorizations granted to the Company and its subsidiaries are valid for the remaining periods of the concessions previously granted and currently replaced, and may be renewed once for fifteen years, on a chargeable basis.

On July 6, 2003, the wireless operators implemented the Carrier Selection Code (CSP) on national and international long distance (VC2 and VC3) calls, in accordance with SMP rules. The operators no longer receive VC2 and VC3 revenues; instead, they receive interconnection revenues for the use of their networks on these calls.

2. PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated financial statements include the balances and transactions of the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002.

In consolidation, all intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002 have been reclassified, where applicable, for comparison purposes.

3. SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING PRACTICES

a) Cash and cash equivalents

Represent available balances in cash and banks and all highly liquid temporary cash investments, stated at cost plus income earned to the balance sheet date.

b) Trade accounts receivable

Amounts billed are calculated at the tariff rate in effect on the date the services were rendered. Trade accounts receivable also include services provided to customers to the balance sheet date, but not yet invoiced, as well as accounts receivable from the sale of cellular handsets and accessories.

c) Allowance for doubtful accounts

Allowance is made for those receivables for which the chances of recovery are considered remote.

d) Foreign currency transactions

Recorded at the exchange rate in effect on the date of the related transactions. Foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Exchange variations and premiums related to derivative contracts are calculated and recorded monthly regardless of the settlement period.

e) Inventories

Consist of cellular handsets, accessories and maintenance materials stated at average acquisition cost. An allowance was recognized to adjust to realizable value the cost of handsets and accessories considered obsolete or in quantities greater than those usually sold in a reasonable period of time.

f) Prepaid expenses

Stated at amounts disbursed for expenses not yet incurred.

g) Investments

Permanent investments in subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method. The accounting practices of the subsidiaries are consistent with those applied by the Company.

h) Property, plant and equipment

Stated at acquisition or construction cost, less accumulated depreciation calculated under the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of these assets. Costs incurred for repairs and maintenance that represent improvements, increase capacity or extend the useful lives of assets are capitalized. All other routine costs are charged to income.

i) Deferred charges

Consist of revenues and expenses during the preoperating phase of the subsidiaries Norte Brasil Telecom S.A. and TCO IP S.A., amortized under the straight-line method over ten and five years, respectively.

j) Income and social contribution taxes

Calculated and recorded based on the tax rates in effect on the balance sheet date. Deferred taxes attributable to temporary differences and tax loss carryforwards are recorded based on the assumption of future realization.

k) Loans and financing

Updated for monetary and/or exchange variations plus interest accrued to the balance sheet date.

l) Reserve for contingencies

Recognized based on the opinions of legal counsel and management as to the likely outcome of the outstanding issues, updated to the balance sheet date for the amounts of probable losses considering the nature of each case.

m) Accrued pension plan

Actuarial liabilities are calculated under the projected unit credit method and plan assets are stated at fair market value. Actuarial gains and losses were recorded in income (Note 29).

n) Revenue recognition

Revenues from services are recognized when services are provided and are billed on a monthly basis. Unbilled revenues from the billing date to monthend are estimated and recognized as revenues during the month in which the service was provided. Revenues from sales of prepaid cellular minutes are deferred and recognized in income as services are effectively provided.

o) Financial income (expenses)

Represents interest earned (incurred) and monetary and exchange variations resulting from temporary cash investments, loans and financing obtained or granted. Exchange gains and losses on swaps are included.

p) Derivatives

The Company and its subsidiaries use derivative instruments to manage exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates for foreign currency cash flows. These derivatives are recorded at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date. Gains and losses, realized and unrealized, are estimated exclusively based on the contractual conditions and recorded as financial income or expenses.

q) Profit sharing

Provisions are recorded for employee profit sharing.

r) Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from the estimates.

s) Earnings per thousand shares

Calculated based on the number of shares outstanding at the balance sheet date.

4. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Cash and banks 8,494  3,936  24,690  37,141 
Temporary cash investments 99,022  7,884  947,364  121,362 
 



Total 107,516  11,820  972,054  158,503 
 



Temporary cash investments refer principally to fixed-income investments which are indexed to interbank deposit (CDI) rates and are highly liquid.

5. TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Unbilled amounts 17,877  15,758  61,300  47,389 
Billed amounts 44,681  23,945  159,560  93,513 
Interconnection 26,604  13,396  117,876  53,678 
Products sold 17,612  13,145  93,345  60,270 
Allowance for doubtful accounts (8,425) (4,734) (33,828) (26,594)
 



Total 98,349  61,510  398,253  228,256 
 



Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts were as follows:

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Beginning balance 4,734  9,118  26,594  40,781 
Addition to allowance 11,532  5,431  47,134  33,059 
Write-offs (7,841) (9,815) (39,900) (47,246)
 



Ending balance 8,425  4,734  33,828  26,594 
 



6. INVENTORIES

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Digital handsets 18,388  7,983  65,490  36,820 
Other 4,707  3,335  14,915  12,501 
Reserve for obsolescence (377) (1,329) (952)
 



Total 22,718  11,318  79,076  48,369 
 



7. DEFERRED AND RECOVERABLE TAXES

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Recoverable income and social contribution taxes 6,655  9,037  42,309  15,055 
Withholding income tax 6,234  19,559  28,689  41,758 
Recoverable ICMS (State VAT) 12,730  5,112  54,886  31,640 
Recoverable PIS and COFINS (taxes on revenue) and other 166  663  273  1.045 
 



Recoverable taxes 25,685  34,371  126,137  89,498 
ICMS on unearned revenue 509  407  3,228  2,506 
Deferred income and social contribution taxes 36,645  35,835  75,910  76,562 
 



Total 62,839  70,613  205,275  168,566 
 
Current 31,817  58,955  150,011  120,117 
 



Noncurrent 31,022  11,658  55,264  48,449 
 



Deferred income and social contribution taxes are comprised of:

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Merged tax credit (corporate restructuring) 6,359  12,718  21,943  43,886 
 
Allowance/Reserve for:
    Contingencies 24,270  20,691  25,701  22,209 
    Doubtful accounts 2,864  1,610  11,501  9,042 
Other 3,152  816  16,765  1,425 
 



Total 36,645  35,835  75,910  76,562 
 
Current 14,668  29,476  52,883  54,619 
 



Noncurrent 21,977  6,359  23,027  21,943 
 



Deferred taxes have been recorded based on the assumption of future realization, as follows:

a) The merged tax credit consists of the net balance of goodwill and the reserve for maintenance of integrity of shareholders’ equity (Note 30) and is realized in proportion to the goodwill amortization for TCO and its subsidiaries; this will be recovered by December 31, 2004.

b) Temporary differences will be realized upon payment of the accruals, effective losses on bad debts and realization of inventories.

Technical feasibility studies approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and Fiscal Council indicate the full recovery of the deferred taxes recognized as determined by CVM (Brazilian Securities Commission) Resolution No. 371.

Realization of the tax credits is estimated as follows:

Year Consolidated
    
2004 52,883 
2005 1,119 
2006 21,908 
Total 75,910 

CVM Resolution No. 371 determines that periodic studies must be carried out to support the maintenance of the amounts recorded. The subsidiary TCO IP did not recognize deferred income and social contribution taxes on tax losses and temporary differences, due to the lack of projections of taxable income to be generated in the short term.

8. PREPAID EXPENSES

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Advertising 2,091  9,587 
Financial charges 471  640  1,036  1,420 
Insurance premiums 70  162  224  533 
Other 282  61  1,427  182 
 



Total 2,914  863  12,274  2,135 
 



9. DEBENTURES

  Interest rate Due date Company
2002
Consolidated
2002
 



Debentures - FIXCEL CDI + 2% per year 08/08/2003 224,254  712,135 
      224,254  712,135 

On June 27 and August 8, 2003, the Company redeemed the debentures issued by FIXCEL S.A. (“FIXCEL”) that were acquired on July 2 and August 13, 2002, respectively.

10. OTHER ASSETS

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Advances to employees 2,258  1,294  4,126  3,747 
Tax incentives 1,302  3,913 
Advance for purchase of shares 44,461  40,226  44,461  40,226 
Escrow deposits 12,347  12,156  13,660  12,471 
Other 698  338  2,452  1,753 
 



Total 59,764  55,316  64,699  62,110 
 
Current 2,946  1,613  6,565  5,480 
 



Noncurrent 56,818  53,703  58,134  56,630 
 



Company management decided to write off amounts related to investments in FINAM/FINOR quotas, made by its subsidiaries in their 1998 income tax returns, because investment certificates have not been issued by the administrating financial institutions to date and the market value of the quotas is immaterial.

11. INVESTMENTS

a) Investments in subsidiaries

Investee Common stock
interest (%)
Preferred stock
interest (%)
Total
interest(%)




Telegoiás 98.62 96.35 97.14
Telemat 99.51 96.28 97.83
Telems 99.64 97.65 98.54
Teleron 98.26 96.66 97.23
Teleacre 99.96 96.62 98.35
NBT 100.00 100.00 100.00
TCO IP 99.99 100.00 99.99

b) Number of shares held

Investee Common shares Preferred shares Total shares




Telegoiás 2,281  4,146  6,427 
Telemat 329  345  674 
Telems 542  650  1,192 
Teleron 247  438  685 
Teleacre 999  891  1,890 
NBT 24,001  47,999  72,000 
TCO IP 499  500  999 

c) Information on subsidiaries

Investee Shareholders’ equity as of
December 31,2003
Shareholders’ equity as of
December 31,2002



Telegoiás 493,207  383,768 
Telemat 285,334  234,606 
Telems 223,012  192,474 
Teleron 69,269  56,885 
Teleacre 37,314  30,950 
NBT 197,276  177,953 
TCO IP (4,920) (190)

Investee Net income (loss) for the year
ended December 31,2003
Net income (loss) for the year
ended December 31,2002



Telegoiás 151,504  102,063 
Telemat 90,051  60,995 
Telems 66,264  48,195 
Teleron 23,070  16,928 
Teleacre 11,879  8,751 
NBT 39,787  12,520 
TCO IP (4,730) (930)

d) Components and changes

Investments of TCO are comprised of equity interests in the capital of Telegoiás, Telemat, Telems, Teleron, Teleacre, NBT and TCO IP, as well as goodwill and advance for future capital increase, reserve for investment losses and other investments, as shown below:

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Investment in subsidiaries 1,234,609  1,006,955 
Goodwill paid on investment acquisition 53,430  54,991  6,678  8,239 
Negative goodwill on acquisition of interest in NBT (2,282) (2,282)
Advance for future capital increase - TCO IP 510  510 
Reserve for investment losses - TCO IP (5,920) (1,190)
Other investments 22  22  192  191 
 



Total 1,280,369  1,061,288  4,588  8,430 
 



Changes in investment balances for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

  2003  2002 
 

Beginning balance of investments, net of reserve for loss 1,061,288  1,078,207 
Equity pick-up 374,095  243,320 
Interest on capital and dividends received (149,419) (61,267)
Goodwill (negative goodwill) paid on investment acquisitions 253  (204)
Reserve for investment losses (4,730) (929)
Investments in subsidiaries 1,843  935 
Decrease in investment - merged goodwill (25,436)
Write-off of investment due to merger of Telebrasília
Celular S.A. (171,802)
Expired dividends and interest on capital (subsidiary) (1,400)
Amortization of goodwill on investment acquisitions (1,561) (1,536)
 

Ending balance of investments, net of reserve for loss 1,280,369  1,061,288 
 

Goodwill and negative goodwill in the net amount of R$4,396 (R$8,239 as of December 31, 2002) refers to:

NBT

a) Acquisition of the 45% equity interest in NBT from Inepar S.A. (“Inepar”) in May 1999, capital increase in June 2000 by the Company.

b) Negative goodwill on purchase of the 1.67% equity interest in NBT from Inepar in June 2003 in the amount of R$2,282.

c) Amortization in 2003 in the amount of R$1,561.

Telegoiás

a) Acquisition of Telegoiás shares in the market in November 2001.

The goodwill related to NBT and Telegoiás are being amortized over ten and five years, respectively.

12. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

  Company
 
  2003 2002
 

  Annual
depreciation
rate - %
Cost Accumulated
depreciation
Net book
value
Net book
value
 




Transmission equipment 14.29 299,651  (208,019) 91,632  89,273 
Switching equipment 10  86,650  (35,555) 51,095  60,066 
Infrastructure 5 - 10 70,454  (41,434) 29,020  29,188 
Land - 2,185  2,185  2,962 
Software use rights 20  49,077  (23,156) 25,921  23,234 
Buildings 12,111  (5,849) 6,262  5,501 
Terminals 50  16,623  (14,447) 2,176  2,527 
Other assets 5 - 20 28,771  (13,986) 14,785  14,836 
Assets and construction in progress 24,279  24,279  8,997 
   



Total   589,801  (342,446) 247,355  236,584 
   




  Consolidated
 
  2003 2002
 

  Annual
depreciation
rate - %
Cost Accumulated
depreciation
Net book
value
Net book
value
 




Transmission equipment 14.29 839,910  (493,521) 346,389  325,056 
Switching equipment 10  271,136  (101,530) 169,606  194,560 
Infrastructure 5 - 10 177,828  (71,164) 106,664  96,281 
Land 7,898  7,898  5,830 
Software use rights 20  131,854  (55,260) 76,594  64,902 
Buildings 28,682  (8,132) 20,550  17,766 
Terminals 50  30,295  (22,620) 7,675  6,058 
Concession license 6.90 60,550  (17,508) 43,042  50,172 
Other assets 5 - 20 63,073  (28,154) 34,919  34,833 
Assets and construction in progress - 77,693  77,693  95,960 
   



Total   1,688,919  (797,889) 891,030  891,418 
   



Starting January 1, 2003, the useful life of terminals was reduced to two years, in order to better reflect the present state of operations. The effect of this reduction in 2003 resulted in an increase in depreciation expense of R$3,248.

13. DEFERRED CHARGES

  Consolidated
 
  Annual
amortization
rate - %
2003  2002 
 


Preoperating costs:
    Financial expenses 10 16,701  16,701 
    General and administrative expenses 10 27,991  28,060 
   

    44,692  44,761 
Accumulated amortization-
    Preoperating costs   (17,782) (13,241)
   

Total   26,910  31,520 
   

14. TRADE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Suppliers 45,303  26,647  192,335  139,618 
Interconnection 7,079  3,368  26,715  11,706 
Amounts to be transferred - SMP (*) 8,761  135  36,035  469 
Other 2,999  242  21,176  2,596 
 



Total 64,142  30,392  276,261  154,389 
 



(*) Refers to long-distance services billed to customers and to be passed on to operators due to the migration to SMP.

15. TAXES PAYABLE

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



State VAT (ICMS) 13,261  10,796  67,214  48,626 
Income and social contribution taxes 23  3,192 
PIS and COFINS (taxes on revenue) 8,472  3,892  16,718  10,533 
FISTEL fees 12,594  10,512  55,832  45,767 
FUST and FUNTTEL 313  301  1,219  1,060 
Other taxes 811  1,630  2,311  2,793 
 



Total 35,451  27,131  143,317  111,971 
 
Current 35,451  27,131  133,345  107,830 
 



Long-term 9,972  4,141 
 



The long-term portion refers to the benefit under the “Programa Teleproduzir”, an agreement made with the Goiás State Government for deferral of ICMS payments. Pursuant to this agreement, the ICMS due will be paid in 84 monthly installments, with a grace period of 12 months from the final date of utilization of the benefit, estimated for October 2004.

16. LOANS AND FINANCING

a) Composition of debt

  Company Consolidated
 

Description Currency Annual charges 2003  2002  2003  2002 







BNDES R$ TJLP + 3.5% to 4% 11,821  16,221  171,067  207,536 
Other R$ Column 20-FGV 1,845  1,586 
Finimp US$ Libor + interest of 2% to 7% 169,259  29,705  173,939 
Resolution No. 2,770 US$ US$ + average interest of 7.41% 205  48,563  1,755  60,359 
Export Development Corporation - EDC US$ Libor (6 months) + interest of 3.9% to 5% 57,784  89,587  125,509  162,535 
BNDES - basket of currencies UMBNDES UMBNDES variation + 3,5% 15,987  18,004 
Interest     408  1,641  2,300  3,821 
 



Total     70,218  325,271  348,168  627,780 
 
Current     26,783  246,555  135,042  324,980 
 



Long term     43,435  78,716  213,126  302,800 
 



TJLP - Brazilian long-term interest rate.

b) Repayment Schedule

The long-term portion of loans and financing matures as follows:

  2003
 
Year Company Consolidated



2005 23,664  88,613 
2006 19,771  81,196 
2007 39,721 
2008 3,596 
 

Total 43,435  213,126 
 

c) Restrictive clauses

The Company has loans and financing from the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and Export Development Corporation - EDC, the balances of which at December 31, 2003 were R$187,054 and R$125,509, respectively. As of that date, various loan covenants were complied with by the Company.

d) Hedges

Consolidated

As of December 31, 2003, the Company and its subsidiaries have exchange contracts in the amount of US$61,239,000 to hedge against exchange rate fluctuations on foreign currency obligations. As of December 31, 2003, the Company and its subsidiaries recognized an accumulated net unrealized loss of R$15,006 (net gain of R$51,463 as of December 31, 2002) on these hedges, represented by a balance of R$87 (R$53,303 as of December 31, 2002) in assets, of which R$87 (R$14,862 as of December 31, 2002) in noncurrent (R$38,441 as of December 31, 2002 in current), and a balance of R$15,093 (R$1,840 as of December 31, 2002) in liabilities, of which R$9,426 (R$1,567 as of December 31, 2002) in current and R$5,667 (R$273 as of December 31, 2002) in long term.

e) Guarantees

Banks Guarantees


BNDES - TCO operators In the event of default, 15% of receivables and CD’s equivalent to the amount of the next installment payable are pledged.
BNDES NBT In the event of default, 100% of receivables and CD’s equivalent to the amount of next installment payable during the first year and two installments payable in the remaining period are pledged.
EDC TCO’s and other subsidiaries’ guarantees.
Other loans and financing TCO’s guarantee.

17. OTHER LIABILITIES

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Services to be provided - prepaid 2,037  1,629  11,826  8,039 
Accrual for customer loyalty program (*) 340  214  870  561 
Customers 2,983  2,738  9,276  5,717 
 



Total 5,360  4,581  21,972  14,317 
 



(*) On November 1, 2002, the Company launched a customer loyalty program whereby the customer makes calls and earns points redeemable for prizes (call minutes, points in TAM airline loyalty program, and other). The points expire in 24 months. Accumulated points are accrued when granted, considering redemption prospects based on the consumption profile of participant customers. The accrual is reduced when points are redeemed by customers.

18. RESERVE FOR CONTINGENCIES

The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to certain lawsuits involving labor, tax and civil matters. Management has recognized reserves for cases in which the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is considered probable by legal counsel.

Components of the reserves are as follows:

  Company Consolidated
 

  2003 2002 2003 2002
 



Telebrás 94,931  82,431  94,931  82,431 
Tax 9,525  12,200  11,191  14,856 
Civil 534  2,653  1,539 
Labor 176  598  278 
 



Total 105,166  94,639  109,373  99,104 
 



Telebrás

Related to original loans from Telecomunicações Brasileiras S.A. - TELEBRÁS, that, according to Attachment II to the Spin-off Report dated February 28, 1998, approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting held in May 1998, and in the opinion of Company management, should be allocated to the respective holding companies of Telegoiás and Telebrasília Celular S.A.

Management believes that there was an error in the allocation of the loans upon the spin-off, suspending the payments after the change in the Company’s control, and is restating the loans based on the general market price index (IGP-M) plus 6% annual interest.

In June 1999, the Company filed a lawsuit with a declaration claiming that all assets related to these loans are owned by it, as well as the accessory items of these assets, and also claiming for refund of the installments paid.

In November 1999, management decided to transfer to the holding company the liability arising from the loan originally payable to TELEBRÁS, since the liability was absorbed in the spin-off process.

On August 1, 2001, a court decision dismissed the Company’s claims in the declaratory action; however, on October 8, 2001, the Company filed an appeal which has not yet been judged.

The opinion of the Company’s legal counsel regarding the chances of an unfavorable outcome on these contingencies is that they are probable as to the merit of the claim and possible but not probable as to the restatement index. The difference in contingencies not recognized between the original contractual rates and the restatement index used as described above is estimated at R$31,669 (R$68,780 as of December 31, 2002).

Tax

Probable loss

a) ICMS (State VAT)

The subsidiaries received tax assessment notices totaling R$1,656, related to: (i) levy of ICMS on bonus services provided for sales of prepaid cellular cards and handsets (deemed as communication services), for the period from June 1999 to December 2001 in the total amount of R$644, (ii) ICMS levied on chargeable communication/ telecommunication services, such as: access, connection and activation, Detraf (traffic and service document), and other supplementary services and additional resources that optimize or expedite the communication process, covering the period from January 1998 to December 2000, in the total amount of R$450, (iii) ICMS on supply of cellular phone cards and automatic inclusion of bonus cellular minutes, so as to provide to third parties conditions for communication to occur on business terms, for the period from May to December 2001, in the total amount of R$280, (iv) several ICMS assessments related to the sale of goods in the amount of R$282.

Possible loss

Based on its legal counsel’s and tax consultants’ opinions, management believes that the resolution of the matters below will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and, therefore, has not recorded any reserve in the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003.

a) ICMS

The subsidiaries received tax assessment notices totaling R$1,596, related to: (i) R$1,119 - ICMS on supplementary services, (ii) R$477 - several ICMS assessments.

Based on its legal counsel’s and tax consultants’ opinions, management believes that the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and, therefore, has not recorded any reserve in the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003.

b) PIS and COFINS (taxes on revenue)

On November 27, 1998, the calculation of PIS and COFINS was changed by Law No. 9,718 which: (i) increased the COFINS rate from 2% to 3%, (ii) authorized a deduction of up to 1/3 of the COFINS amount from the social contribution (CSLL) tax, and also (iii) indirectly increased COFINS and PIS due by the subsidiaries, requiring the inclusion of other income in their tax bases.

According to our legal counsel, this increase is unconstitutional, since: (i) article 195 of the Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil, which took effect upon publication of Law No. 9,718, determined that PIS and COFINS should be levied only on payroll, revenues and profits, (ii) the federal government used an inadequate method to increase COFINS and PIS, i.e., ordinary law instead of supplementary law, (iii) to come into force, the 90-day period from the date of publication of the law was not met.

Disagreeing with this requirement, the Company filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the tax collection. Even though the chance of loss was classified as possible, in order to suspend the tax credit requirement, reserves were recorded and escrow deposits were made for the amounts determined by the subsidiaries, totaling approximately R$9,709.

Due to the changes introduced by Law No. 10,637/02, the Company and its subsidiaries have been including other income in the PIS tax base since December 2002.

c) ISS (municipal service tax)

Alleged tax debt relating to the period from October 2000 to May 2002, for the nonpayment of ISS on revenue from several services provided by NBT (Roraima). The debt claimed is R$452.

Remote loss

a) ICMS

In June 1998, CONFAZ (National Council for Fiscal Policy) approved ICMS Agreement No. 69/98 which, among other things, determined that, beginning July 1, 1998, the amounts charged for cellular activation and other supplementary services must be included in the ICMS tax base. Supposedly due to its interpretative nature, said Agreement also determined that the ICMS could be applied retroactively on services provided up to five years before June 30, 1998.

Management believes that the predecessors of its subsidiaries are liable for any tax liabilities arising from the retroactive levy of ICMS on revenues from activation fees accounted for in periods prior to 1998. No accrual has been made in the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to 1998.

Disagreeing with this requirement, the subsidiaries filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the tax collection. To suspend the tax credit requirement, escrow deposits were made for the amounts determined by the subsidiaries, totaling approximately R$2,400.

Based on the precedent in the Superior Court of Justice, management believes that the chance of loss in this case is remote. For this reason, the Company’s subsidiaries reversed the accrued amounts totaling R$4,925.

b) PIS and COFINS

There are two tax assessments in the amount of R$9,200, claiming: (i) R$6,000 - COFINS levied on revenues from domestic and international roaming operations and international calls from Brazil, (ii) R$3,200 - COFINS stated in DCTFs (Declaration of Federal Tax Debts and Credits) for which payments were not identified.

c) IRPJ (corporate income tax) and CSLL (social contribution tax)

There are tax assessments in the amount of R$14,900, claiming: (i) R$4,600 - IRPJ stated in DCTFs for which payments were not identified, (ii) R$9,000 - collection of IRPJ for lack of supporting documentation for expenses and supposed lack of payment of FISTEL fees, relating to the base period of December 1998, (iii) R$1,300 - collection of supposed CSLL tax credit, due to lack of supporting documentation for expenses and supposed lack of payment of FISTEL fees, relating to the base period of December 1998.

Labor and civil

Include several labor and civil claims, for which reserves have been recognized as shown above, in amounts considered to be sufficient to cover probable losses.

In the cases in which the chance of loss is classified as possible but not probable, the amounts involved are R$5,505 for civil claims and R$1,149 for labor claims.

19. LEASES (CONSOLIDATED)

The Company and its subsidiaries have lease agreements. Expenses recorded in calendar 2003 were R$4,043 (R$1,122 in 2002). The outstanding obligations under such agreements, adjusted at the exchange rate prevailing at December 31, 2003, are R$3,704 (R$5,364 as of December 31, 2002). This balance will be paid in monthly, bimonthly and quarterly installments through June 2005, as established in the related agreements.

20. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

a) Capital

On April 29, 2003, the Company increased its capital by R$36,049, without issuance of new shares, through capitalization of part of the profit reserve exceeding capital as of December 31, 2002.

As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, capital is represented by shares without par value, as follows:

  Thousands
of shares

Common shares 126,433,338 
Common shares in treasury (5,791,394)
Preferred shares 252,766,698 

Total 373,408,642 

b) Treasury shares

Shares held in treasury as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 totaled 5,791,394,000 common shares. In 2003, no common or preferred shares were purchased.

c) Capital reserves

i) Special premium reserve

This reserve resulted from the corporate restructuring implemented by the Company and will be capitalized in favor of the controlling shareholder when the related tax benefit is effectively realized.

d) Profit reserves

i) Legal reserve

The legal reserve is calculated based on 5% of annual net income until it equals 20% of paid-up capital or 30% of capital plus capital reserves; thereafter, allocations to this reserve are no longer mandatory. This reserve is intended to ensure the integrity of capital and can only be used to offset losses or increase capital.

ii) Reserve for expansion

In conformity with article 196 of Law No. 6,404/76, management will propose at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to increase this profit reserve by R$310,238 with the remaining balance of net income for the year, after deductions for the legal reserve and dividends, for use in future investments based on the capital budget to be approved at that Meeting.

e) Dividends

Preferred shares do not have voting rights, except in the circumstances set forth in article 12 of the bylaws; they have priority in the redemption of capital, without premium, are entitled to receive dividends of at least 25% of net income for the year, calculated as defined by article 202 of corporate law, have priority in the payment of minimum, noncumulative dividends based on the greater of the following: (a) 6% per year of the amount resulting from the division of subscribed capital by the total number of shares outstanding, or (b) 3% per year of the amount resulting from the division of shareholders’ equity by the total number of shares outstanding, and are entitled to receive dividends equivalent to those paid to holders of common shares, after dividends in the same amount as mandatory minimum dividends on preferred shares have been paid to such holders.

On December 20, 2002, in conformity with article 17 of Law No. 6,404/76, as amended by Law No. 10,303/01, the Shareholders’ Meeting approved changes to the rules governing payment of dividends on preferred shares, which have priority in the redemption of capital, without premium, and in the payment of minimum, noncumulative dividends based on the greater of the following:

i) 6% per year of the amount resulting from the division of subscribed capital by the total number of shares outstanding.

ii) 3% of the net book value per share.

iii) Dividends of at least 25% of adjusted net income for each year, according to corporate law and the bylaws; this shall be increased to the amount needed to pay the priority dividend on preferred shares. Dividends were calculated as follows:

  2003  2002 


Net income for the year 463,408  329,183 
Legal reserve (23,170) (16,459)


Adjusted net income for the year 440,238  312,724 


Mandatory minimum dividends (25%) 110,059  78,181 
Common shares 35,558  26,068 
Preferred shares 74,501  52,113 
Dividends per thousand shares - R$ 0.290  0.206 

As determined by management, in 2003, shareholders were credited interest on capital of R$130,000 (R$0.348144 per thousand shares), subject to 15% withholding income tax, resulting in a net of R$110,500 (R$0.295922 per thousand shares). A proposal will be submitted to the Shareholders’ Meeting to offset interest payable, net of income tax, against the amount of mandatory minimum dividends, as follows:

  2003  2002 


Common shares 42,001  30,208 
Preferred shares 87,999  63,291 
Withholding income tax (19,500) (14,025)


Total 110,500  79,474 


Treasury shares are not included in the calculation of dividends and interest on capital.

21. NET OPERATING REVENUE

Company Consolidated


  2003 2002 2003 2002




Monthly subscription charges 49,467  43,387  148,316  114,956 
Use of network 269,583  234,638  1,095,847  882,980 
Roaming charges 4,336  7,706  11,693  19,356 
Additional call charges 10,435  7,569  30,827  22,890 
Interconnection 192,133  175,886  776,814  649,271 
Additional services - 5,700  - 14,581 
Sale of products 76,325  70,025  383,471  276,884 
Revenue from Internet - - - 1,131 
Other services 11,047  244  40,308  244 




 
Gross operating revenue 613,326  545,155  2,487,276  1,982,293 
Deductions (121,043) (107,921) (528,366) (410,183)




Net operating revenue 492,283  437,234  1,958,910  1,572,110 




22. COST OF SERVICES PROVIDED AND PRODUCTS SOLD

Company Consolidated


  2003 2002 2003 2002




Personnel (7,468) (6,780) (18,752) (15,581)
Outside services (8,744) (7,112) (40,112) (28,744)
Connections (6,733) (5,521) (36,885) (32,348)
Rent, insurance and condominium fees (3,582) (1,882) (13,710) (10,087)
Interconnection (34,608) (36,652) (147,137) (142,741)
Taxes and contributions (17,957) (12,356) (85,036) (60,178)
Depreciation and amortization (49,312) (46,806) (161,201) (128,749)
Cost of products sold (82,380) (81,769) (390,026) (314,193)
Other (2,693) (2,866) (11,163) (9,151)




Total (213,477) (201,744) (904,022) (741,772)




23. SELLING EXPENSES

Company Consolidated


  2003 2002 2003 2002




Personnel (8,093) (5,955) (36,222) (22,324)
Supplies (688) (549) (4,435) (4,312)
Outside services (42,714) (27,494) (194,808) (135,512)
Rent, insurance and condominium fees (2,680) (1,379) (7,379) (5,269)
Taxes and contributions (53) (12) (183) (78)
Depreciation and amortization (1,904) (2,445) (7,797) (10,164)
Allowance for doubtful accounts (11,532) (5,431) (47,134) (33,059)
Other (979) (2,953) (2,558) (4,564)




Total (68,643) (46,218) (300,516) (215,282)




24. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Company Consolidated


  2003 2002 2003 2002




Personnel (43,205) (31,530) (64,946) (42,120)
Supplies (1,796) (1,183) (3,985) (3,223)
Outside services (41,302) (34,565) (87,343) (71,394)
Rent, insurance and condominium fees (5,635) (2,262) (9,204) (4,814)
Taxes and contributions (2,350) (1,908) (3,065) (2,052)
Depreciation and amortization (10,907) (9,865) (24,223) (17,932)
Other (154) (184) (492) (325)




Total (105,349) (81,497) (193,258) (141,860)




25. OTHER OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES)

Company Consolidated


  2003 2002 2003 2002




Income:        
Fines 5,328  4,070  22,168  16,994 
Recovered expenses 219  243  602  252 
Reversal of reserves 2,675  61  5,869  396 
Corporate services TCO 44,161  35,949 
Other 578  1,653  4,240  7,853 




Total 52,961  41,976  32,879  25,495 




 
Expenses:
Provision for contingencies (178) (45) (3,000) (2,799)
Telegoiás and NBT goodwill
amortization (1,560) (1,560) (1,560) (1,560)
Taxes other than on income (10,753) (8,683) (29,916) (20,431)
Donations and sponsorships (2,680) (2,411) (10,937) (9,537)
Other (608) (2,050) (929) (5,796)




Total (15,779) (14,749) (46,342) (40,123)




26. FINANCIAL INCOME (EXPENSES)

Company Consolidated


  2003 2002 2003 2002




Income:        
Interest on capital 113,266  42,468  - -
Interest and other 53,134  47,661  228,392  168,186 
Exchange variations on assets (*) 59,061  1,482  79,812  2,981 
Hedge operations, net - 47,649  - 65,502 
PIS/COFINS on financial income (10,488) (3,622) (19,979) (9,226)




Total 214,973  135,638  288,225  227,443 




Expenses:
Interest on capital (130,000) (93,499) - -
Interest and other (35,716) (47,379) (212,776) (191,256)
Monetary/Exchange variations on liabilities (*) (1,087) (76,403) (3,364) (126,852)
Hedge operations, net (68,403) (92,653) -




 
Total (235,206) (217,281) (308,793) (318,108)




Financial expense, net (20,233) (81,643) (20,568) (90,665)




(*) Reflects currency fluctuations on debt denominated in foreign currency, including transactions with BNDES linked to the basket of currencies - UMBNDES.

27. TAXES ON INCOME

The Company and its subsidiaries estimate and pay the amounts for income and social contribution taxes based on monthly results, on the accrual basis. The subsidiary TCO IP has tax losses without recognition of income and social contribution tax credits since no profit is expected. The income and social contribution tax effect on these losses is shown under “Unrecognized income and social contribution taxes” in the reconciliation of taxes on income below, in the amount of R$2,193. Deferred taxes are provided on temporary differences as shown in Note 7. Income and social contribution taxes charged to income consist of the following:

Company Consolidated


  2003 2002 2003 2002




Income tax (31,026) (16,197) (132,274) (96,740)
Social contribution tax (11,286) (5,544) (48,815) (34,776)




Total (42,312) (21,741) (181,089) (131,516)




A reconciliation of the taxes on income reported and the amounts calculated at the combined statutory rate of 34% is as follows:

Company Consolidated


  2003 2002 2003 2002




Income before taxes 488.986  299.893  520.719  372.195 




 
Income and social contribution taxes at combined statutory rate (166,255) (101,964) (177,044) (126,546)
Permanent additions:
Donations and sponsorships (36) (165) (1,678) (1,763)
Other (1,573) (2,180) (2,439) (4,621)
Expired interest on capital (948) - (1,424) -
Permanent exclusions:
Equity pick-up 125,584  80,668  - -
Unrecognized income and social contribution taxes on temporary differences - TCO IP - (2,193) -
Surtax difference 24  24  168  168 
Other adjustments 889  1,876  3,521  1,246 




Income and social contribution tax charges (42,312) (21,741) (181,089) (131,516)




28. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT (CONSOLIDATED)

a) Risk considerations

The Company and its subsidiaries provide cellular mobile services in the States of Goiás, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Rondônia, Acre, Amazonas, Roraima, Amapá, Pará, Maranhão and Distrito Federal, in accordance with the terms of concessions granted by the Federal Government. The operators are also engaged in the purchase and sale of handsets through their own sales network as well as distribution channels, thus fostering their essential activities. The major market risks to which the Company and its subsidiaries are exposed include:

Since they were formed, the Company and its subsidiaries have been actively managing and mitigating risks inherent in their operations by means of comprehensive operating procedures, policies and initiatives.

Credit risk

Credit risk from providing telecommunication services is minimized by strictly monitoring the Company’s customer portfolio and actively addressing delinquent receivables by means of clear policies relating to the concession of postpaid services. Of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ customers, 77% use prepaid services that require pre-loading, thus not representing a credit risk to the Company. Delinquent receivables in 2003 represented 2.2% of gross revenue (1.62% in 2002). (*)

Credit risk from the sale of handsets is managed by following a conservative credit granting policy which encompasses the use of advanced risk management methods that include applying credit scoring techniques, analyzing the potential customer’s balance sheet, and making inquiries of credit protection agencies’ databases. In addition, an automatic control has been implemented in the sales module for releasing products which is integrated with the distribution module of the Company’s ERP system for consistent transactions. Delinquent receivables in the distribution network represented 0.11% of handset sales in 2003 (1.94% positive in 2002) for the Company. (*)

(*)Calculation of delinquent receivables:

(losses and allowance for delinquent receivables/gross revenues from services) * 100
(losses and allowance for delinquent receivables/gross revenues from sales of products) * 100

Interest rate risk

The Company and its subsidiaries are exposed to fluctuations in the TJLP (local index) on financing from BNDES. As of December 31, 2003, these operations amounted to R$171,067.

The Company and its subsidiaries have not entered into derivative operations to hedge against these risks.

Foreign currency-denominated loans are also exposed to Libor interest rate risk associated with foreign loans. As of December 31, 2003, these operations amounted to US$53,722,000.

Exchange rate risk

The Company and its subsidiaries utilize derivative financial instruments to protect against exchange rate risk on foreign currency-denominated loans. Such instruments usually include swap contracts.

The Company’s and its subsidiaries’ net exposure to currency risk as of December 31, 2003 is shown in the table below:

  In thousands
US$

Loans and financing - US$ (54,330)
Loans and financing - UMBNDES (5,533)
Hedge instruments 61,239 

Net exposure 1,376 

UMBNDES is a monetary unit prepared by BNDES, consisting of a basket of foreign currencies, of which the principal is the U.S. dollar; for this reason, the Company and its subsidiaries consider it as U.S. dollar in the risk coverage analysis related to fluctuations in exchange rates.

b) Derivative instruments

The Company and its subsidiaries record derivative gains and losses as a component of net financial expenses.

Book and market values of loans and financing, and derivative instruments are estimated as follows:

  Book
value
Market value Unrealized
gain



Loans and financing (348,168) (344,996) 3,172 
Derivative instruments (15,006) (7,368) 7,638 



Total (363,174) (352,364) 10,810 



c) Market value of financial instruments

The market values of loans and financing, and swap contracts were determined based on the discounted cash flows, using projected available interest rate information.

Estimated market values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Accordingly, the estimates presented above are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions may have a material effect on the estimated market values.

29. POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The Company and its subsidiaries, together with other companies of the former Telebrás System, sponsor private pension and health care plans for retired employees, managed by Fundação Sistel de Seguridade Social (“Sistel”). Until December 1999, all sponsors of the plans managed by Sistel were unified as to all plans then existing. On December 28, 1999, these sponsors negotiated conditions to create pension plans individualized by sponsor (PBS-TCO) and continuation of unification only for the participants already covered and who were in such position on January 31, 2000 (PBS-A), thus resulting in a proposal for the restructuring of Sistel’s bylaws and regulations which was approved by the Secretariat for Social Security and Supplementary Benefits on January 13, 2000.

Due to the end of unification in December 1999, the Company and its subsidiaries individually sponsor a defined benefit plan - PBS-TCO. In addition to the supplementary pension benefit, a multiemployer health care plan (PAMA) is provided for retired employees and their dependents, at shared costs.

Contributions to the PBS-TCO Plan are determined based on actuarial valuations prepared by independent actuaries, in accordance with rules in force in Brazil. Costing is determined using the capitalization method and the contribution due by the sponsor is equivalent to 13.5% of the payroll for employees covered by the plan, of which 12% is allocated to fund the PBS-TCO Plan and 1.5% for the PAMA Plan.

For 99% of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ employees, there is an individual defined contribution plan - the TCO PREV Plan, established by Sistel in August 2000. This plan is maintained by contributions made by both participants (employees) and the sponsors, which are credited to participants’ individual accounts. The Company and its subsidiaries are also responsible for the administrative and plan maintenance expenses, including risks of death and disability of participants. The employees participating in the defined benefit plan (PBS-TCO) were granted the option of migrating to the TCO PREV Plan. This option was extended to employees who did not participate in the PBS-TCO Plan, as well as to all new hires. The Company’s contributions to the TCO PREV Plan are equal to those of the participants, varying from 1% to 8% of the contribution salary, according to the percentage chosen by the participant.

During 2003, the Company contributed the amount of R$3 to the PBS-TCO Plan and R$4,380 to the TCO PREV Plan.

The Company and its subsidiaries elected to recognize actuarial liabilities as provided for in CVM Instruction No. 371 of December 13, 2000, as a direct charge to shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2001, net of the related tax effects. The actuarial valuation of the plans was made using the projected unit credit method. For multiemployer plans (PAMA and PSB-A), apportionment of assets is made based on the sponsoring entity’s actuarial liabilities in relation to the plans’ total actuarial liabilities. As of December 31, 2003, the total liability recognized amounted to R$2,346.

The following is the accrual for retired employees’ defined benefit and health care plans as of December 31, 2003 and other information required by CVM Instruction No. 371 applicable to such plans:

Plan 2003 2002



TCO Prev 2,471  395 
PAMA 339  69 


Total 2,810  464 


a) Reconciliation between assets and liabilities

  2003

  TCO Prev PAMA
(i)
PBS-TCO
(ii)
PBS-A
(ii)




Total actuarial liabilities 36,143  778  1,737  3,053 
Fair value of assets (33,672) (439) (1,884) (3,647)




Net liabilities (assets) 2,471  339  (147) (594)





  2002

  TCO Prev PAMA
(i)
PBS-TCO
(ii)
PBS-A
(ii)




Total actuarial liabilities 31,505  656  826  2,524 
Fair value of assets (25,225) (291) (2,660) (3,153)
Adjustment for allowed deferral - unrecognized actuarial gains (losses) (5,897) (292) 1,446  440 




Net liabilities (assets) 383  73  (388) (189)




(i) Refers to the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ proportional share in assets and liabilities of the multiemployer plans - PAMA and PBS-A.

(ii) Although TCP Prev, PBS and PBS-A have a surplus as of December 31, 2003, no assets were recognized by the sponsor, since reimbursing such surplus is not allowed by law. Moreover, as this is a noncontributory plan, the sponsor’s contributions cannot be reduced in the future.

b) Total expense recognized in the statement of income

2003

  TCO Prev PAMA


Cost of current service 1,343 
Interest 3,536  73 


Total 4,879  78 


c) Change in net actuarial liability

2003

  TCO Prev PAMA


Net liability as of December 31, 2002 383  73 
Recognition of gains for the year (1,436) 189 
Sponsor’s contributions for the year (1,355) (1)
Expenses for 2003 4,879  78 


Net liability recognized in the balance sheet 2,471  339 


d) Change in actuarial liability

2003

  TCO Prev PAMA PBS-TCO PBS-A




Actuarial liability as of December 31, 2002 31,505  656  826  2,524 
Cost of current service 1,343  66 
Interest on actuarial liability 3,536  73  91  275 
Benefits paid for the year (232) (33) (278) (210)
Actuarial (gains) losses for the year (9) 77  1,032  464 




Actuarial liability as of December 31, 2003 36,143  778  1,737  3,053 




e) Change in plan assets

2003

  TCO Prev PAMA PBS-TCO PBS-A




Fair value of plan assets as of December 31, 2002 25,225  291  2,660  3,153 
Benefits paid for the year (232) (33) (278) (210)
Sponsor’s contributions for the year 1,355 
Return on plan assets for the year 7,324  180  (502) 704 




Fair value of plan assets as of December 31, 2003 33,672  439  1,884  3,647 




f) Expenses estimated for 2004

2003

  TCO Prev PAMA PBS-TCO PBS-A




Cost of service 1,343  66 
Interest on actuarial obligations 3,536  73  91  275 
Expected return on assets (3,702) (41) (384) (443)
Amortization costs 762  73  (123) (68)
Employee contributions (10)




Total 1,939  110  (360) (236)




g) Actuarial assumptions

  2003

  TCO Prev PAMA PBS-A



Rate for discount of actuarial 11.30% p.a. 11.30% p.a. 11.30% p.a.
liability to present value
Expected return on plan assets 11.83% p.a. 11.30% p.a. 11.30% p.a.
Future salary increases 7.10% p.a. 7.10% p.a. 7.10% p.a.
Increase in health care costs N/A 8.15% p.a. N/A
Benefit increase rate 5.00% p.a. 5.00% p.a. 5.00% p.a.
Mortality table UP84 with 1 year of UP84 with 1 year of UP84 with 1 year of
  aggravation aggravation aggravation
Biometric disability table Mercer Mercer Mercer

2002

  TCO Prev PAMA PBS-A



Rate for discount of actuarial 11.30% p.a. 11.30% p.a. 11.30% p.a.
liability to present value
Expected return on plan assets 14.45% p.a. 14.45% p.a. 14.45% p.a.
Future salary increases 8.15% p.a. 8.15% p.a. 5.00% p.a.
Increase in health care costs N/A 10.62% p.a. N/A
Benefit increase rate 5.00% p.a. 5.00% p.a. 5.00% p.a.
Mortality table UP84 with 1 year of UP84 with 1 year of UP84 with 1 year of
  aggravation aggravation aggravation
Biometric disability table Mercer Mercer Mercer

30. CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING

In September 2000, the corporate restructuring plan was concluded, in which the goodwill paid on the privatization process of the Company was transferred to its subsidiaries.

The accounting records maintained for corporate and tax purposes include the Companies’ specific accounts related to merged goodwill, the related reserve, and the respective amortization, reversal and tax credit. As of December 31, 2003, balances are as follows:

Balances
on date
of merger
Company Consolidated


  2003 2002 2003 2002





Balance sheet:
Merged goodwill 322,693  18,703  37,406  64,538  129,077 
Merged reserve (212,977) (12,344) (24,688) (42,595) (85,191)





Net effect equivalent to merged tax credit 109,716  6,359  12,718  21,943  43,886 






Company Consolidated


  2003 2002 2003 2002




Statement of income:        
Goodwill amortization (18,703) (18,703) (64,538) (64,538)
Reversal of reserve 12,344  (12,344) 42,595  42,595 
Tax credit 6,359  6,359  21,943  21,943 




Effect on net income




As shown above, the amortization of goodwill, net of the reversal of the reserve and the corresponding tax credit, results in a zero effect on income and, consequently, on the basis for calculating the mandatory minimum dividend. For a better presentation of the financial position of the Companies in the financial statements, the net amount which, in essence, represents the merged tax credit balance, was classified in the balance sheet as current and noncurrent assets under deferred taxes (Note 7).

The merged tax credit will be capitalized in proportion to its effective realization. In 2003, the Company and its subsidiaries absorbed operating credits and utilized R$21,943 of the tax benefits from the restructuring.

31. MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION

In 2003 and 2002, management compensation amounted to R$2,767 and R$3,213 - consolidated, and R$2,633 and R$2,951 - Company, respectively, recorded as general and administrative expenses.

32. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The principal transactions with unconsolidated related parties are as follows:

a) Use of network and long-distance (roaming) cellular communication: these transactions involve companies owned by the same group: Telecomunicações de São Paulo S.A., Telerj Celular S.A., Telest Celular S.A., Telebahia Celular S.A., Telergipe Celular S.A., Telesp Celular S.A., Global Telecom S.A. and Celular CRT S.A. Part of these transactions was established based on contracts between Telebrás and the operating concessionaires before privatization under the terms established by ANATEL.

b) Corporate services are transferred to subsidiaries at the cost effectively incurred.

c) Payables to affiliates refer to loans between the Company and its subsidiaries.

A summary of balances and transactions with unconsolidated related parties is as follows:

Company Consolidated


  2003 2002 2003 2002




Assets:      
Trade accounts receivable 4,057  415 
Receivables from subsidiaries and affiliates 97,636 
Loans and financing 4,301 
 
Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable 914  6,312 
Loans and financing
Interest on capital 32,388  32,388 

  Company Consolidated


Statement of income:
Revenue from telecommunications services:
Telegoiás Celular 45 
Telamat Celular 154 
Telems Celular 142 
Teleron Celular 178 
Telacre Celular 75 
NBT 290 
Telerj Celular 134  243 
Telest 32  77 
Telebahia 43  62 
Telesergipe 21  24 
CRT 82  243 


Total 2003 1,196  649 


Revenue from intercompany sales of products and cards:
Telegoiás Celular 54 
Telamat Celular 415 
Telems Celular 106 
Telacre Celular 74 
NBT 864 


Total 2003 1,513 


Cost of services provided:
Telegoiás Celular (131)
Telamat Celular (403)
Telems Celular (118)
Teleron Celular (96)
Telacre Celular (58)
NBT (184)
Telerj Celular (213) (373)
Telest (34) (65)
Telebahia (68) (121)
Telesergipe (3) (4)
CRT (68) (223)


Total 2003 (1,376) (786)



  Company Consolidated


Cost of products sold:
Telegoiás Celular (764)
Telamat Celular (619)
Telems Celular (12)
Teleron Celular (500)
Telacre Celular (5)
NBT (1,034)


Total 2003 (2,934)


Financial income:
Telegoiás Celular 41,415 
Telamat Celular 24,090 
Telems Celular 18,957 
Teleron Celular 5,705 
Telacre Celular 3,128 
NBT 20,484 
TCO IP 11 


Total 2003 113,790 


Financial expense:
Telegoias Celular (1,770)
Telamat Celular (51)
Telems Celular (104)
Teleron Celular (26)
Telacre Celular (27)
NBT (9)


Total 2003 (1,987)


Recovery of apportionment expenses
Joint venture - Brasilcel and Corporativo TCO
Telegoiás Celular 14,312 
Telamat Celular 8,771 
Telems Celular 7,320 
Teleron Celular 2,508 
Telacre Celular 1,229 
NBT 11,612 
TCO IP 19 
TCP and subsidiaries 1,318  1,318 
Tele Sudeste and subsidiaries 154  154 
Tele Leste and subsidiaries 618  618 
CRT 320  320 


Total 2003 48,181  2,410 


Expenses apportioned:
Telegoiás Celular (2,746)
TCP and subsidiaries (15,405) (15,405)
Tele Sudeste and subsidiaries (9,485) (9,485)
Tele Leste and subsidiaries (780) (780)
CRT (724) (724)


Total 2003 (29,140) (26,394)


33. INSURANCE (CONSOLIDATED)

The Company and its subsidiaries monitor risks inherent in their activities. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2003, the Companies had insurance to cover operating risks, civil liability, health, etc. Management considers that the amounts are sufficient to cover possible losses. The principal assets, liabilities or interests covered by insurance are as follows:

Type Insured amount


Operating risks 1,581,319 
General civil liability 6,800 
Vehicle fleet 350 

34. AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEITPS (ADRs) PROGRAM

On November 16, 1998, the Company began trading ADRs on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with the following characteristics:

 


 

 
SIGNATURE
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: March 30, 2004

 
TELE CENTRO OESTE CELLULAR HOLDING COMPANY
By:
/S/  Luis André Carpintero Blanco

 
Luis André Carpintero Blanco
Investor Relations Officer
 

 

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.