SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
August 29, 2002
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Georgia 1-8607 58-1533433
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
Room 15G03, 1155 Peachtree Street, N. E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3610
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(404) 249-2000
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this document contains forward-looking
statements regarding events and financial trends that may affect our future
operating results, financial position and cash flows. These statements are
based on our assumptions and estimates and are subject to risks and
uncertainties. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor
for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995.
There are possible developments that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those forecast or implied in the forward-looking statements.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which are current only as of the date of this filing. We disclaim
any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
While the below list of cautionary statements is not exhaustive, some factors
that could affect future operating results, financial position and cash flows
and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements are:
- a change in economic conditions in domestic or international markets
where we operate or have material investments which would affect
demand for our services;
- changes in U.S. or foreign laws or regulations, or in their
interpretations, which could result in the loss, or reduction in
value, of our licenses, concessions or markets, or in an increase in
competition, compliance costs or capital expenditures;
- continued pressure in the telecommunications industry from a
financial, competitive, and regulatory perspective;
- a decrease in the growth rate of demand for the services which we
offer;
- the intensity of competitive activity and its resulting impact on
pricing strategies and new product offerings;
- protracted delay in our entry into the interLATA long distance market;
- significant deterioration in foreign currencies relative to the U.S.
dollar in foreign countries in which we operate;
- the potential unwillingness or inability of our partners to fund their
obligations to our international joint ventures due to deteriorating
economic conditions or other factors;
- the potential unwillingness of banks or other lenders to lend to our
international joint ventures due to deteriorating economic conditions
and tightening credit standards;
- higher than anticipated start-up costs or significant up-front
investments associated with new business initiatives;
- the outcome of pending litigation;
- unanticipated higher capital spending from, or delays in, the
deployment of new technologies;
- the impact of terrorist attacks on our business; and
- the impact and the success of the wireless joint venture with SBC
Communications, known as Cingular Wireless, including marketing and
product development efforts, technological change and financial
capacity.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit No.
99-a Press Release dated August 29, 2002
Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure
BellSouth updated its financial guidance on August 29, 2002. A copy of the
press release, as attached hereto as Exhibit 99-a, is incorporated herein by
reference.
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.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
By: W. Patrick Shannon
-----------------------------------
W. Patrick Shannon
Vice President - Finance
August 30, 2002