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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

o REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
  OR
   
ý ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2004
   
  OR
   
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the transition period from                to

Commission file number 333-107620


SR TELECOM INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


(Translation of Registrant's name into English)

CANADA
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

8150 Trans-Canada Hwy
Montreal, QC H4S 1M5
Canada
514-335-1210
(Address of principal executive offices)


        Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
None   None

        Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

Common Shares
(Title of Class)

        Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None
(Title of Class)

        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.

17,610,132

        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.

ý  Yes                        o  No

        Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

o  Item 17                        ý  Item 18





TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXPLANATORY NOTES
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS   4
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE   4
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION   4
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY   12
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS   24
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES   42
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS   52
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION   53
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING   56
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION   57
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK   64
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES   65
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDENDS ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES   65
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS   65
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES   65
ITEM 16. [RESERVED]   66
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   67
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   67
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS   67

2


EXPLANATORY NOTES

        References herein to the "Corporation", "we", "us" and "our" are references to SR Telecom Inc., a Canadian corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise.

        All references herein to "dollars" and "$" refer to the lawful currency of Canada, unless otherwise expressly stated. All references herein to "US dollars" and "US$" refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America. All financial statements and financial information derived therefrom presented herein have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("Canadian GAAP"). For a discussion of the principal differences between Canadian GAAP and United States generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"), see Note 32 to the consolidated financial statements.

        Information contained in this document concerning the wireless telecommunications industry, our general expectations concerning this industry and our market positions and market shares are based on estimates we prepared using data from publicly available industry sources as well as from various research analysts' reports, market research and industry analyses, and on assumptions made, based on our knowledge of this industry, which we believe to be reasonable. We believe, however, that this data is inherently imprecise, although generally indicative of relative market positions and market shares.

        Unless otherwise indicated, all operating data presented herein is as of December 31, 2004.


EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

        The following table sets forth the exchange rates for one US dollar in effect at the end of the periods noted and the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during such periods. The exchange rates below are based on the noon buying rate as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
  End
  Average
  End
  Average
  End
  Average
  End
  Average
  End
  Average
Canadian Dollar   1.2020   1.2191   1.2923   1.3911   1.5718   1.5666   1.5956   1.5490   1.4995   1.4855

        On April 14, 2005, the exchange rate for one US dollar was 1.2419.

        The following table sets out the high and low rates for one US dollar for each month during the previous six months:

 
  High
  Low
October 2004   1.2755   1.2158
November 2004   1.2274   1.1746
December 2004   1.2467   1.1796
January 2005   1.2470   1.1948
February 2005   1.2584   1.2241
March 2005   1.2494   1.1978


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This document contains certain forward-looking statements concerning our future operations, economic performances, financial conditions and financing plans, including such things as business strategy and measures to implement strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of the wireless telecommunications industry and our business and operations and references to future success. Forward-looking statements may be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe", "intend", "may", "will", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "continue", or similar terms, variations of those terms or the negative of those terms. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, the risk factors discussed in Item 3. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this document are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on us and our subsidiaries or their businesses or operations.

3



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

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

SR Telecom Selected Consolidated Financial Data

        The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", the section entitled "Risk Factors", and the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto. The following selected consolidated financial information as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, and 2000, which was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, was prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP and is presented in Canadian dollars. The principles of Canadian GAAP used in the preparation of our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 conform in all material respects with U.S. GAAP, except as disclosed in note 32 to the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 included in this Form 20-F. As permitted by SEC rules, our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 have not been reconciled to U.S. GAAP, because such reconciliation cannot be provided without unreasonable effort and expense.

 
  Year Ended December 31,
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
 
  $
  $
  $
  $
  $
 
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:                      
Revenues   123,936   127,881   196,903   161,487   191,512  
Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges   (15,907 ) (3,716 ) (4,912 ) (61,655 ) (4,385 )
Operating (loss) earnings   (65,825 ) (41,019 ) (2,125 ) (69,855 ) 6,610  
Net loss from continuing operations   (86,134 ) (44,755 ) (20,885 ) (62,924 ) (5,922 )
Net loss   (86,134 ) (44,755 ) (20,885 ) (16,065 ) (52,781 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share from continuing operations   (5.17 ) (6.21 ) (3.82 ) (12.54 ) (1.40 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share   (5.17 ) (6.21 ) (3.82 ) (3.20 ) (12.46 )
Net loss (U.S. GAAP)   (84,786 ) (43,700 ) (11,125 )        
Basic and diluted net loss per share (U.S. GAAP)   (5.09 ) (6.06 ) (2.03 )        
 

 


 

As of December 31,

 
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
  $
  $
  $
  $
  $
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:                    
Total Assets   227,624   289,775   320,805   336,370   406,386
Long-term Debt(1)   117,370   131,437   140,300   149,439   151,629
Capital Stock   219,653   180,866   147,985   147,230   133,345
Shareholders' Equity   52,640   91,740   102,326   122,456   129,343

Shareholders' Equity (U.S. GAAP)

 

33,207

 

70,687

 

80,218

 

 

 

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Number of Shares Issued:                    
  Common shares   17,610   10,467   5,523   5,455   4,592
  Dividends per common share          

(1)
Long-term debt includes the current portion of long-term debt, capital leases, lease liability and other long-term liabilities.

4


Exchange Rate Data

        Please refer to the Section entitled "Exchange Rate Information" on page 3.

CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

        Not applicable.

REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS

        Not applicable.

RISK FACTORS

The Conditions Required to close our proposed recapitalization plan may not be met.

        We have entered into an agreement in principle with a group representing the required majority of our outstanding 8.15% Debentures due April 22, 2005, regarding a proposed recapitalization plan. Under the terms of the agreement in principle, we would exchange the outstanding $71 million in principal amount of our 8.15% Debentures, due April 22, 2005 and all accrued interest of approximately $2.9 million into 47,266,512 common shares and approximately $63.9 million new 10% Convertible Redeemable Secured Debentures, due 2010. The restricted group of Debenture holders has also agreed, subject to execution of final documentation, to provide us with a five-year $50 million secured Credit Facility of which $20 million would be available as soon as loan documentation and registrations are in place, with the balance to be available over the next three quarters, subject to certain conditions.

        The Debenture exchange and the Credit Facility are subject to numerous conditions, including the execution of definitive documentation satisfactory to the lenders under the Credit Facility, the approval by the holders of at least 662/3% of the outstanding Debentures, and regulatory approval. Debenture holders representing approximately 75% of the outstanding Debentures have indicated in writing their support for the Debenture exchange. The Credit Facility is expected to close as soon as loan documentation and registrations are in place and the Debenture exchange is expected to close on or about May 9, 2005 although there can be no assurance that such conditions will be satisfied by such date.

        Additionally, it is a condition of the recapitalization that the lenders to our Chilean subsidiary, CTR, will restructure CTR's outstanding debt and amortization schedule and provide an extended waiver of at least three years, subject to final negotiations and the receipt of credit approvals. CTR's lenders had previously waived compliance with certain financial and operational covenants of CTR until April 22, 2005. Failure to achieve these conditions would cause us to seek protection from our creditors under applicable bankruptcy or insolvency legislation.

Lenders to our Chilean Subsidiary May Elect Not to Renew Covenant Waivers That Expire in May 2005.

        Our wholly-owned subsidiary in Chile, Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural, or CTR, is party to credit facilities under which US$29.5 million of debt is outstanding at December 31, 2004. The loan documents provide the lenders with full recourse to our assets if certain financial and operational covenants are not satisfied. The lenders waived compliance with these covenants through May 1, 2005. CTR does not expect to satisfy all of these covenants for the foreseeable future. If the lenders do not extend these waivers, CTR will be in default and all amounts due under the credit facilities could be declared due and immediately payable. There is no assurance that we will obtain the necessary waivers or that the lenders will agree to the conditions of the proposed recapitalization. In such an event, CTR's debt would be accelerated and would have material and adverse consequences for our business, financial position and results of operations, and would cause us to seek protection from our creditors under applicable bankruptcy or insolvency legislation.

We are Substantially Leveraged, Which Could Impair our Ability to Gain Access to Necessary Additional Funding.

        In addition to the CTR debt, we had $71 million of public debt outstanding as of December 31, 2004.

5


        Under the terms of the proposed recapitalization, we would continue to be substantially leveraged and limited in our ability to secure new financing until after the Credit facility is repaid on or before 2010.

        Our operations are by their nature capital intensive. We will therefore require continuing access to financing to fund additional development and acquisition opportunities, the retirement of maturing debt, working capital needs, capital expenditures and other cash requirements. If we are unable to obtain such additional financing or refinance our existing debt, we may be unable to repay our existing debt or meet our capital needs. If we were unable to repay our existing debt or meet our capital needs using our cash and cashflow from operations, we could be forced to sell other assets needed for our business. A substantial portion of cash flow from operations would need to be dedicated to repayment of debt, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow to fund our working capital, capital expenditures, research and development efforts, potential acquisition opportunities and other general corporate purposes. This could reduce our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business, or leave us unable to make strategic acquisitions, introduce new products or exploit new business opportunities.

We have a Long Sales Cycle, Which Could Cause our Results of Operations and Stock Price to Fluctuate.

        Our sales cycles are long and unpredictable. As a result, our revenues may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and we may be unable to adjust our expenses accordingly. This would cause our operating results and stock price to fluctuate. OEMs and service providers typically perform numerous tests and extensively evaluate products before incorporating them into networks. Some additional factors that are likely to affect the length of our sales cycle include:

        In addition, we expect that the delays which are inherent in our sales cycle could raise additional risks of service providers deciding to cancel or change their product plans. Our business would be adversely affected if a significant customer reduces or delays orders during our sales cycle or chooses not to deploy networks incorporating our products.

We are Subject to the Risks of Doing Business in Developing Countries.

        We market and sell our telecommunications products and services to customers around the world, with a focus on developing countries. Accordingly, we are subject to all the risks of doing business with customers in such countries, including dealing with:

6


        We believe that the change of the geographic focus of our business over the past few years reduces our exposure to developing countries. Our exposure to developing countries declined to 75% in 2004 from 80% in 2003 and 2002. Although we have political risk insurance, force majeure clauses and currency strategies covering some of the events listed above, insurance proceeds and other measures would likely not cover all losses and insurance may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

We May Not be Able to Compete Effectively With Other Leading Providers of Equipment and Systems in the Wireless Communications Industry, Many of Whom Have Greater Financial Resources Than us, as a Result of Which our Revenues and Results of Operations May be Impaired.

        We face competition in the following markets:

        Enterprise Access.    In the enterprise access market, our point-to-multipoint fixed wireless solutions compete with wire-based solutions, such as fiber optic cable and leased T1 and E1 lines and wireless solutions, such as point-to-point radios. We compete against large OEMs, such as Alcatel, NEC, Ericsson, Lucent, Nortel Networks, Marconi, Intracom and Siemens as well as with smaller wireless-only companies, such as Alvarion and AirSpan.

        Residential and Small Business Access.    In the residential and small business access market, point-to-multipoint fixed wireless solutions compete with wire-based solutions, such as DSL and cable modems, and against established wireless local loop vendors, such as Alvarion, and AirSpan, as well as with numerous startup companies that are developing products for the industry.

        Mobile Infrastructure.    In the market for mobile infrastructure technologies connecting cellular base stations to the core telecommunications network, point-to-multipoint fixed wireless solutions compete with wire-based solutions such as leased T1 and E1 lines and wireless solutions such as point-to-point radios. We compete principally with large OEMs, such as Alcatel, Ericsson, Lucent, Nortel Networks, and Marconi.

        Competition is likely to persist and intensify in the future. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have significantly greater financial, sales, marketing, technical, manufacturing and other resources and more extensive distribution channels than we do. These competitors may be able to respond more rapidly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements or to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, sale and financing of their products than we will be able to. Our competitors may also attempt to influence the adoption of standards that are not compatible with our current architecture. This may require us to incur additional development and integration costs and may delay our sales efforts.

        Some of our competitors may make strategic acquisitions or establish cooperative relationships to increase their ability to gain customer market share rapidly. These competitors may enter our existing or future markets with solutions that may be less expensive, provide higher performance or additional features or be introduced earlier than our solutions. If any technology that is competing with our technology is more reliable, faster, less expensive or has other advantages over our technology, then the demand for our products and services would decrease, which would seriously harm our business.

        To be competitive, we must invest significant resources in research and development, sales and marketing and customer support. We may not have sufficient resources to make these investments or be able to make the technological advances necessary to be competitive. As a result, we may not be able to compete effectively against our competitors.

If we do Not Meet Product Introduction Deadlines, or our Products do Not Contain Key Enhancements, we May Not be Competitive and Revenues and Results of Operations May be Impaired.

        Our inability to develop new products or product features on a timely basis, or the failure of new products or product features to achieve market acceptance, could adversely affect our revenues and revenue growth. In the past, we have experienced design and manufacturing difficulties that delayed the development, introduction or marketing of new products and enhancements, which caused us to incur unexpected expenses. In addition, some of our customers have conditioned their future product purchases on the addition of new product features. Furthermore, in order to compete in additional markets, we will have to develop different versions of our existing products that operate at different frequencies and comply with diverse, new or varying governmental regulations in each market, which could also delay the introduction of new products.

7


We have a History of Net Losses and May Not Achieve or Maintain Profitability, Which Would Impair our Share Price and Liquidity.

        We have incurred a loss from operations in our last three fiscal years. As of December 31, 2004, our accumulated deficit was approximately $179.7 million. While we cannot predict whether we will have losses in 2005, failure to return to profitability in 2005 could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.

        Our ability to achieve and maintain profitability will depend on, among other things, the ability to secure new business, the ability to timely develop new products and features, the market acceptance of our products and the ability to reduce product and other costs sufficiently.

Acquisitions of Companies or Technologies May Result In Disruptions to our Business.

        As part of our business strategy, we may acquire assets and businesses principally relating or complementary to our current operations. Any acquisitions or mergers by us will be accompanied by the risks commonly encountered in acquisitions of companies. These risks include, among other things:

        We may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with any acquisitions.

        Further, your ownership interest in us will be diluted if equity securities are issued in connection with any acquisition. If acquisitions are made for cash consideration, we may be required to use a substantial portion of our available cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Acquisition financing may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all and our ability to make acquisitions will be limited by our current debt obligations.

Our Products Could Become Obsolete as a Result of Rapid Technological Change, Limiting our Ability to Generate Continuing Revenues and Achieve Profitability.

        The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid and substantial technological change. We may not be able to keep pace with technological developments or developments by other companies that could render our products or technologies non-competitive. Other companies have developed, and will continue to develop, technologies that could be the basis for competitive products. Some of these technologies and products could be more effective and less costly than our products or technologies, thereby eroding our market share.

8


We May Encounter Continued Competitive Pressures to Lower Selling Prices. If we Cannot Successfully Reduce our Product Costs, our Results of Operations and Earnings Will Suffer.

        The market for fixed wireless access telecommunications equipment is rapidly evolving and highly competitive. Increased competition may result in price reductions, shorter product life cycles, longer sales cycles and loss of market share, any of which could adversely affect our business. If we cannot reduce the cost of our products enough to keep pace with the required price reductions, then our product sales or our gross margins, and consequently our results of operations, will suffer.

        Our ability to implement cost reductions will also be dependent on factors outside of our control. For example, our cost for contract manufacturing may be largely impacted by the level and volume of our orders which will be driven by our customers' demand. Also, our contract manufacturers must correctly implement cost reductions that we design into the products. Our cost projections are based upon assumptions regarding the ability of our contract manufacturers to achieve volume-related cost reductions. Some of our design cost reductions will depend on the emergence of low-cost components which are likely to be developed by third parties. We will not control these third parties. To the extent these third parties are unable or unwilling to cooperate with us in reducing product cost, or their efforts in this regard are not timely, our product costs will exceed our internal projections.

        In addition, the price for wireless telecommunications equipment is driven by the prevailing price for other connection technologies, such as the cost of obtaining digital subscriber line service or leasing a T1 connection from the traditional telecommunications service provider in a given locale. The price of these connections has declined significantly in many countries in the recent past, and could decline significantly in the future. If this trend continues, service providers might be more likely to use these kinds of connections than to introduce new technology such as our products, which would adversely affect our revenues and earnings.

Because we Must Sell our Products in Many Countries that Have Different Regulatory Schemes, if we Cannot Develop Products that Work with Different Standards, our Opportunities for Growth will be Limited.

        We must sell our products in many different countries in order to grow. Many countries require communications equipment used in their country to comply with unique regulations, including safety regulations, radio frequency allocation schemes and standards. If we are unable to develop products that work with different standards, we will be unable to sell our products. If compliance proves to be more expensive or time consuming than we anticipate, our business would be adversely affected. Some countries have not completed their radio frequency allocation process and therefore the standards with which we will be forced to comply are unknown. Furthermore, standards and regulatory requirements are subject to change. If we fail to anticipate or comply with these new standards, our revenues and results of operations will be adversely affected.

Because Some of our Key Components Are from Sole Source Suppliers or Require Long Lead Times, our Business will be Subject to Unexpected Interruptions, which Could Cause our Operating Results to Suffer.

        Some of the key components to be used in our products are complex to manufacture and have long lead times. They are supplied by sole source vendors for which alternative sources are not currently available. In the event of a reduction or interruption of supply, or a degradation in quality, as many as six months could be required before we would begin receiving adequate supplies from alternative suppliers, if any. As a result, product shipments could be delayed and our revenues and results of operations would suffer. If we receive a smaller allocation of component parts than is necessary to manufacture products in quantities sufficient to meet customer demand, customers could choose to purchase competing products and we could lose market share.

Our Products May Contain Defects that Could Harm our Reputation, be Costly to Correct, Expose us to Litigation and Harm our Operating Results and Profits.

        We and our customers have from time to time discovered defects in our products and additional defects may be found in the future. If defects are discovered, we may not be able to correct them in a timely manner or at all. Defects and failures in our products could result in a loss of, or a delay in, market acceptance of our products. In addition, defects in our products could cause adverse publicity, damage our reputation and impair our ability to acquire new customers. In addition, we may need to make significant expenditures to eliminate defects from our products.

9


        Moreover, because our products are used in critical telecommunications networks, we may be subject to significant liability claims if our products do not work properly. The provisions in our agreements with customers that are intended to limit our exposure to liability claims may not preclude all potential claims. In addition, our insurance policies may not adequately limit our exposure with respect to such claims. We warrant to our current customers that our products will operate in accordance with product specifications. If these or our future products fail to conform to such specifications, our customers could require us to remedy the failure or could assert claims for damages. Liability claims could require us to spend significant time and money in litigation or to pay significant damages. Any such claims, whether or not successful, would be costly and time-consuming to defend and could seriously damage our reputation and business.

Our Operating Results and Liquidity May be Adversely Affected if we do Not Successfully Resolve Pending Commercial Disputes.

        In connection with a Haitian project dispute, we have filed a statement of claim for US$4.86 million against MCI International in MCI's bankruptcy. On October 15, 2004, MCI objected to the claimWe filed a notice of objection and are continuing to pursue our claim with MCI. The parties are currently entering the discovery process. Concurrently, we are in discussions with Teleco de Haiti to accelerate the collection outside of the court process. If we fail to recover a substantial amount from MCI International, our results of operations and liquidity may be adversely affected.

We May Have to Acquire Significant Inventory to Support Future Sales and for Long-Term Product Support.

        We have acquired and may continue to acquire significant inventory in order to support contractual obligations in relation to discontinued product lines and discontinued components in existing products. If sales of such products or components do not materialize, we could end up with inventory levels that are significantly in excess of our needs, which could diminish our working capital or cause significant losses.

We have Exposure to Currency Risk. Significant Fluctuations in Exchange Rates Could Reduce Revenues, Earnings, Investments and Liquidity.

        Our reporting currency is the Canadian dollar, while the majority of our sales contracts are in other currencies. Fluctuations between currencies will affect the reported values of revenues and eventual collections. While we engage in hedging activities to the extent possible to protect us from fluctuations, there can be no assurance that these practices will be adequate to eliminate potential negative effects.

        The value of our investment in our foreign subsidiaries is partially a function of the currency exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and the applicable local currency. The devaluation of a foreign subsidiary's local currency would result in a reduction in our carrying value of our investment in such foreign subsidiary. As a result, we may experience economic losses with respect to our investments in foreign subsidiaries and fluctuations in our results of operations solely as a result of currency exchange rate fluctuations. Many of the currencies of developing countries have experienced steady, and at times significant, devaluations relative to the Canadian dollar, and significant exchange rate fluctuations have occurred in the past and may again occur in the future, any of which could impair the recoverability of our long-term assets.

        In many circumstances, revenues generated by foreign subsidiaries will generally be paid to the foreign subsidiaries in the local currency. By contrast, some significant liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries, such as liabilities for the financing of telecommunications equipment, may be payable in U.S. dollars or in currencies other than the local currency. As a result, any devaluation in the local currency relative to the currencies in which such liabilities are payable could increase the Canadian dollar amounts payable and negatively impact liquidity and earnings. Moreover, we will record revenues and expenses of our foreign subsidiaries in their home currencies and translate these amounts into Canadian dollars. As a result, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates in markets where we derive significant revenues or have significant operations may adversely affect our revenues, expenses and results of operations, as well as the value of our assets and liabilities.

Our Ability to Operate Could be Hindered by the Proprietary Rights of Others and our Inability to Adequately Protect our Intellectual Property Rights.

        A number of telecommunication companies have developed technologies, filed patent applications or received patents on various technologies that may be related to our business. Some of these technologies, applications or patents may conflict with our technologies or intellectual property rights. Such conflicts could limit the scope of the patents, if any, that we may be able to obtain or result in the denial of our patent applications altogether.

10


        If patents that cover our activities are issued to other persons or companies, we could be charged with infringement. In the event that other parties' patents cover any portion of our activities, we may be forced to develop alternatives or negotiate a license for such technology. We may not be successful in either developing alternative technologies or acquiring licenses upon reasonable terms, if at all. Any such license could require the expenditure of substantial time and other resources and could harm our business and decrease our earnings. If we do not obtain such licenses, we could encounter delays in the introduction of our products or could find that the development, manufacture or sale of products requiring such licenses is prohibited.

        Despite efforts to protect proprietary rights, existing copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret laws only afford limited protection. Third parties may attempt to copy or reverse engineer aspects of our products or proprietary information. Accordingly, we may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property.

We May Incur Substantial Costs as a Result of Litigation or Other Proceedings Relating to Patent and Other Intellectual Property Rights.

        Our future success and competitive position depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain certain proprietary intellectual property rights used in our principal products. Any such success may be achieved in part by prosecuting claims against others who we believe are infringing our rights and by defending claims of intellectual property infringement brought by our competitors and others. Our involvement in intellectual property litigation could result in significant expense, adversely affecting sales of the challenged product or intellectual property and diverting the efforts of our technical and management personnel, whether or not such litigation is resolved in our favor. In addition, in our sales agreements, we have agreed to indemnify our customers for any expenses or liabilities resulting from claimed infringements of patents, trademarks or copyrights of third parties, which obligations will continue to be binding on us and could expose us to additional costs. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively because they have substantially greater resources. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any litigation could affect our ability to continue our operations. In the event of an adverse outcome in any such litigation, we may, among other things, be required to:

        Should third parties file patent applications, or be issued patents claiming technology also claimed by us in pending applications, we may be required to participate in interference proceedings with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or other proceedings outside Canada or the United States, including oppositions, to determine priority of invention or patentability, which could result in substantial cost to us even if the eventual outcome were in our favour.

Our Share Price Has Been Volatile, and is Likely to Continue to be Volatile and Could Decline Substantially.

        The price of our Common Shares has been, and is likely to continue to be, highly volatile. For example, in the last 24 months, our Common Shares traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange have closed at a high of $15.00 and at a low of $0.36. Some of the factors that could cause our stock price to fluctuate significantly in the future include:

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        In addition, stock markets in general, and the market for shares of telecommunications companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations in recent years that may be unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies. These broad market fluctuations may cause the market price of our Common Shares to decline. The market price of our Common Shares could decline below the current price and may fluctuate significantly in the future. These fluctuations may or may not be related to our performance or prospects.

        Due in part to factors such as the timing of product release dates, purchase orders and product availability, significant volume shipments of products could occur at the end of our fiscal quarters. Failure to ship products by the end of a quarter may adversely affect our operating results. In the future, our customers may delay delivery schedules or cancel their orders without notice. Due to these and other factors, quarterly revenue, expenses and results of operations could vary significantly, and period-to-period comparisons should not be relied upon as indications of future performance.

        In the past, shareholders have often instituted securities class action litigation after periods of volatility in the market price of a corporation's securities. If a shareholder files a securities class action suit, we could incur substantial legal fees and our management's attention and resources could be diverted from operating the business of the Corporation in order to respond to the litigation.


ITEM 4.    INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

        SR Telecom was incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act in 1981, and has been a public reporting company in Canada since 1986, when it completed an initial public offering of its Common Shares in Canada. Our legal name is SR Telecom Inc.

        Our registered head office and principal place of business is located at 8150 Trans-Canada Highway, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H4S 1M5 and our telephone number is (514) 335-1210. Our website is www.srtelecom.com.

        Our agent for service in the United States is CT Corporation System, located at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY    10011.

        SR Telecom began operations in 1975 as a division of Harris Canada Inc., which was then known as Farinon Electric of Canada Ltd. In 1981, the division was purchased in a management-led buyout from Farinon and became SR Telecom Inc. In 1986, SR Telecom Inc. completed an initial public offering in Canada.

        In 1987, we introduced the world's first high-capacity digital time division multiple access system, the SR500. Upgraded and enhanced versions of this product still generate a significant amount of our current revenue, especially from rural applications. Over time we have added products to our portfolio to cover the applications, features and frequencies that our global customer base is interested in, as well as new markets for fixed wireless access, such as applications for small and medium-sized enterprises in urban environments.

        In 1994, the Chilean government deregulated telecommunication services. In response to this business opportunity, in 1996, we partnered with a group of Chileans and Canadians to form Comunicación y Telefonía Rural S.A. (CTR). CTR provides local telephone service, payphone service, and Internet access to users in rural areas using the SR500. In 2004, CTR began expanding its service area to include urban centers in small cities using our angel product line

        During the 1990s, the increasing availability of new telecommunications products led many telecommunications service providers to rely on outside vendors and manufacturers to install and maintain their equipment, rather than their own in-house technical staff. In response to this, we increased the services we provided to our customers, from merely providing equipment to providing full turnkey solutions.

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        In 2001, we acquired the French assets of the Wireless Access Solutions division of Lucent Technologies for $2.9 million. The acquisition, which added the swing product line to our product portfolio, had an immediate positive impact on our revenues and significantly increased our installed base.

        In 2002, we acquired certain product-related assets from Nera Telecommunications Inc. These assets formed the basis of a product that we commercially launched as stride2400. This product delivers carrier-grade voice capabilities, and broadband Internet access using the 2.4 GHz unlicensed band. It is ideally suited for small U.S. operators that intend to deliver universal access to rural areas. However, recent U.S. regulatory impediments have made it unprofitable for us to pursue this market with this product at this time.

        In early 2003, we acquired from the receiver of Comdev Broadband Inc. (Comdev) the assets and intellectual property associated with Comdev's CDMA2000 1xEV-DO product line. The product, which we branded as shift, added standards based, non-line-of-sight (NLOS) technology that was capable of broadband Internet access in the cellular frequency band. We discontinued the development of shift in September 2003 as the additional cost of development, changing customer demands and the addition of the angel product rendered shift no longer cost-effective.

        In September 2003, we acquired Netro Corporation ("Netro"), which added angel and airstar to our product portfolio. angel, and its successor symmetry, are high-capacity systems that deliver carrier-class voice and broadband packet data services using non-line-of-sight technology. airstar is a high-capacity system that delivers high-speed, broadband data.

        Netro operated out of San Jose, California and Redmond, Washington. Shortly after the acquisition, we consolidated the software development activities in Redmond and renamed the entity "SR Telecom USA, Inc.". Substantially all of the remaining activities were repatriated to Montreal. SR Telecom USA Inc, was primarily an R&D center, developing and maintaining both the angel and airstar product lines. In July 2004, we closed the Redmond facility and consolidated all R&D activities in Montreal. A core group of technology and product experts relocated to Montreal to support the evolution and maintenance of the angel and airstar product lines, and to develop a WiMAX standard-based product using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM) technology.

        In June 2004, we finalized the restructuring of our French operations, which included closing the research and development (R&D) facilities, but maintaining a sales, project management and after-sales support facility in France for our European, Middle Eastern and African (EMEA) clients.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

        Our core business is the design, production and sales of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) products and the services related to their installation and maintenance. Our customers are located in over 110 countries worldwide, where they use our technologies to deliver voice, data, and Internet services to their subscribers. For a complete description of our core business, refer to the section entitled "Fixed Wireless Access Business" below.

        We also provide local telephone service, payphone service, and Internet access to subscribers in rural and urban areas of Chile through our majority-owned subsidiary, Comunicación y Telefonía Rural S.A. (CTR). For a description of these operations, refer to the section entitled "Telecommunications Service Provider Business — CTR".

Fixed Wireless Access Business

        We design and manufacture point-to-multipoint, fixed-wireless-access systems that our customers use to connect telephone, Internet and data users to a telephone exchange or data access point. We also provide our customers with complete turnkey services, including: project management; network planning, design and installation; technical support and training; system maintenance and upgrades.

        Typically, governments allocate particular radio frequencies for telecommunication services to either promote competition or to encourage delivery of services in underserved regions. Our products support the frequencies commonly allocated for broadband access and rural access networks, which helps our customers gain government approval for their use. For our key customers, we may also adapt to their requirements by developing specific frequencies for them.

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        Most of our sales are international, with an installed base of almost 2 million lines in over 110 countries worldwide. Our customers include incumbent local exchange carriers, competitive local exchange carriers, private operators of telecommunications systems, operators of Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and wireless Internet service providers.

        Our products and services provide a wide range of applications, such as:


SR500

        SR500 was developed by SR Telecom and introduced to the market in 1987. The system offers a single wireless platform for the distribution of voice and data services. The SR500 achieved considerable market success as a rural communications system. Today, it has almost 1 million lines in service.

        The SR500 system is used primarily by incumbent local operators to provide rural telephone networks. A significant secondary application of SR500 is with industrial organizations, such as gas pipeline companies, who use the same SR500 technology to deploy private voice and data networks. Additionally, service providers and private operators use the SR500 to deploy long-range, national data networks.

        The SR500 is deployed in a point-to-multipoint, line-of-sight configuration. The SR500 central station, repeaters and outstations provide wireless connectivity to the local telephone switch. In a typical SR500 rural application, the physical distance from the user's phone to the exchange is between ten and several hundred kilometers. Repeaters extend service to sites that are beyond the base station's line-of-site due to distance or obstructions. In most cases, the final link from the outstation to the user's telephone are made by wire, although we can provide wireless connectivity using the WL500 wireless local loop subsystem. The SR500 is based on traditional circuit-switched, time-division-multiplex technology. It is available in the 1.3 to 2.7 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 10.5 GHz frequency bands.

        The SR500 system can also be configured to serve the small and medium-sized enterprise market. Marketed as metropol, this system links business customers to a service provider's point of presence and provides integrated voice and data services. The metropol version of the SR500 offers bandwidth-on-demand in the 3.5 GHz and 10.5 GHz bands. With metropol, operators can provide businesses in urban and suburban areas with multiple voice lines, data links for LAN-to-LAN connections, and Internet access. metropol is deployed in a hub-and-spoke configuration, usually with few or no repeaters, due to the small geographical areas it covers.

SR500ip

        SR500ip is the evolution of the SR500 to an Internet-Protocol-based, wireless-access platform that is suitable for distributing service to large numbers of voice and broadband Internet subscribers. SR500ip was developed by SR Telecom and introduced to the market in 2004. The first systems became operational in the second half of 2004.

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        The SR500ip is intended primarily for incumbent local exchange carriers worldwide, who have mandates to offer both voice and broadband Internet service in rural and remote areas. SR500ip enables operators to offer residential, small business, and institutional users carrier-class voice services, payphone service, dial-up Internet access, and asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) for access to the Internet at speeds up to 2.0 Mbps.

        Like the SR500, the SR500ip is deployed in a point-to-multipoint, line-of-sight configuration that connects users to the local telephone switch or data exchange using wireless base stations, network repeater nodes and network terminal nodes. In a typical SR500ip rural application, the physical distance from the user's phone to the exchange is between ten and several hundred kilometers. Repeaters connect sites that are beyond the base station's line-of-sight. At this time, the SR500ip only supports copper loop subscriber interfaces, such that in all cases, the final link from the outstation to the user's telephone is by wire. The SR500ip airlink is a hybrid of circuit-switched and packet-switched technology. The circuit-switched portion of the airlink delivers carrier-class voice services, while the packet-switched portion is suitable for carrying large numbers of ADSL connections. The SR500ip is available in the 1.5 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 10.5 GHz frequency bands.

        The SR500ip system can also be configured to serve the small and medium-sized enterprise market. Marketed as metroflex, this system links business customers to a service provider's point of presence and provides integrated voice and data services. The metroflex version of the SR500ip offers voice services, traditional circuit-switched data, and packet-switched data services with statistical multiplexing. metroflex operates in the 3.5 GHz and 10.5 GHz bands. With metroflex, operators can provide businesses in urban and suburban areas with multiple voice lines, data links for LAN-to-LAN connections, and Internet access. The system's statistical multiplexing capability enables over-subscription of the system's bandwidth, which permits operators to improve system utilization and spectrum efficiency, and results in increased profitability. metroflex is deployed in a hub-and-spoke configuration, usually with few or no repeaters, due to the small geographical areas it covers.

swing

        swing was developed by Lucent Technologies and introduced to market in 1996. The system offers an efficient wireless platform for the distribution of voice and dial-up data services. swing achieved considerable market success as a rural communications system, with over 400,000 lines in service to date. SR500 and swing dominated the market for rural wireless telecommunications systems. Since the addition of swing to our product line, we have gained a presence in markets (such as Australia) that Lucent had previously dominated.

        swing is deployed in a point-to-multipoint configuration. The swing network access controller (NAC), repeaters and terminal stations provide wireless connectivity to the local telephone switch. In a typical swing rural application, the physical distance from the user's phone to the exchange is between ten and several hundred kilometers. Repeaters connect sites that are beyond the NAC's line-of-sight. In most cases, the final link from the outstation to the user's telephone has been by wire, although we can provide wireless connectivity through a cost-effective, DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephone) wireless local loop subsystem. The swing system is based on traditional circuit-switched, time-division-multiplex technology. swing is available in the 0.5 GHz, 1.5 GHz, 1.9 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz frequency bands.

airstar

        Launched in 1998 by Netro, airstar is installed in over forty countries worldwide, and has an impressive track record of performance and reliability. The system can simultaneously transport video, voice and data at exceptionally high rates, such that it is an alternative to optical fiber in many applications.

        airstar is used primarily by incumbent and competitive local operators to provide metropolitan data networks, such as IP LANs. Mobile operators and other carriers use airstar to connect second-generation (2G) and third-generation (3G) mobile base stations to the core mobile network. Some operators use airstar to interconnect a PBX (switch) to the public switched telecommunications network (PSTN). As well, service providers can use airstar to offer video, voice and data services (including Frame Relay, Ethernet LAN and ATM) to enterprise customers.

        airstar is deployed in a point-to-multipoint configuration using line-of-sight technology. The airstar base station and customer premises equipment (CPE) provide wireless connectivity to a nearby data node, such as an ATM switch. In a typical airstar metropolitan application, the maximum distance from the customer premises to the data node is between three and ten kilometers. An airstar network is typically deployed in a cellular configuration, using multiple adjacent base stations to achieve the capacity and citywide coverage that operators require. The system is based on ATM cell-switching technology that allows it to carry any type of traffic while offering quality of services guarantees. airstar is available in the 3.5 GHz, 10.5 GHz, 26 GHz, and 28 GHz frequency bands.

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angel

        The angel system was developed by AT&T Wireless Services. AT&T deployed over 100,000 lines of angel equipment in the United States. angel was the first OFDM, non-line-of-sight, broadband solution to be deployed anywhere in the world.

        angel is used primarily by incumbent and competitive local operators to provide broadband and telephone services to residential users in the suburbs and city outskirts. It is also used by wireless internet service providers (WISPs) to offer broadband, ADSL-class data networks, in competition with the local wireline or cable Internet providers, or in areas where no high-speed solutions exist.

        angel is deployed in a point-to-multipoint, non-line-of-sight configuration. The angel base station and customer premise equipment (CPE) provide wireless connectivity to the local telephone switch and/or data access node. In a typical angel suburban application, the maximum distance from the user's premises to the exchange or data node is between ten and thirty kilometers. The angel network is typically deployed in a cellular configuration, which uses multiple, adjacent base stations to achieve the capacity required for metropolitan and national coverage. The angel airlink is a hybrid that combines a circuit-switched portion for carrier-class voice services, and a packet-switched portion suitable for carrying large numbers of Internet connections. The air interface is based on OFDM technology, which delivers exceptional range, frequency efficiency, and non-line-of-site coverage. angel is available in 2.3 GHz, 2.4 GHz, and 3.5 GHz frequency bands.

symmetry

        symmetry is the evolution of angel to a WiMAX-ready platform. symmetry includes the fourth generation of angel's airlink technology, which increases the CPE throughput up to 2Mbps and improves grade-of-service. The symmetry wireless access platform combines the most advanced modulation (OFDM) with key WiMAX technologies (such as Antenna Diversity, Dynamic Phase Adjustment, Hybrid-ARQ, and Sub-Channelling) that are outlined in the 802.16-2004 and 802.16e standards. We launched symmetry in November 2004.

        symmetry is suitable for operators providing carrier-class voice and broadband data services in suburban and exurban areas for residential users, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), small office and home office (SOHO) users, and WISPs. With symmetry systems installed and operational, operators can later roll-out WiMAX services quickly and cost-effectively, without changing their hardware platform, operational support systems, or network management system.

        Like angel, symmetry is deployed in a point-to-multipoint, non-line-of-sight configuration. The symmetry base station and customer premise equipment (CPE) provide wireless connectivity to the local telephone switch and/or data access node. In a typical symmetry suburban application, the maximum distance from the user's premises to the exchange or data node is between ten and thirty kilometers. The symmetry network is typically deployed in a cellular configuration, which uses multiple, adjacent base stations to achieve the capacity required for metropolitan and national coverage. The symmetry airlink is a hybrid that combines a circuit-switched portion for carrier-class voice services, and a packet-switched portion suitable for carrying large numbers of Internet connections. The air interface is based on OFDM technology, which delivers exceptional range, frequency efficiency, and non-line-of-site coverage. symmetry is available in the 3.5 GHz frequency band.

Research and Development

        As of December 31, 2004, we had a full-time staff of 150 engineers and technicians dedicated to research and development. The combined experience, expertise, talent, and drive of our R&D team ensures the successful execution of our mid- and long-term development plans and the completion of mission-critical deliverables. Members of the R&D team possess strong expertise in the development of advanced wireless systems. They are equipped with the necessary resources (such as tools, laboratory facilities and test equipment) to properly develop, evolve, maintain, and test new features and product releases.

        The research and development efforts are devoted exclusively to the development of our products. Activities include developing new products, improving existing products, introducing new technologies into existing products to improve performance and reduce manufacturing costs and making design changes that will further increase the product's flexibility and the number of customer applications that our products can effectively serve.

        An important feature of our research and development activities are the field trials it conducts with key customers to examine and confirm the ability of our products to operate in new configurations and carry new types of telecommunications traffic.

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        Expenditures on research and development over the five years ended December 31, 2004 are as follows:

 
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
  (in thousands of dollars)
Gross expenditure   32,272   31,499   28,555   26,048   28,255
Government grants and investment tax credits   2,113   4,329   7,219   7,009   9,166
   
 
 
 
 
Net expense   30,159   27,170   21,336   19,039   19,089
   
 
 
 
 

        The gross amount spent in recent years on research and development is typically within the range of 10 to 15% of sales. In some years, including the last four years, it was necessary to exceed this range to complete key research and development activities to achieve and maintain our market position. We consider that these percentage figures are appropriate to maintain our technological competitiveness. Research and development expenditures are expensed in the year in which they occur.

        We emphasize product performance in our customer systems for the commercial success for each of our customers. Our R&D team members regularly participate in customer field trials for new product introductions and in the scheduled maintenance of commercial deployments. Keeping the R&D team involved with customer deployments ensures quick resolution of technical issues and generates innovative solutions for product evolution.

        In recognition that standardization is a rapidly growing trend in the Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) markets, members of the R&D team are active in key international standards bodies, including:

        Our New Product Introduction business process drives our R&D program with input not only from departments within the company but also from key customers and suppliers. The goal of this process is to focus our resources on the most promising product opportunities, and ultimately, to improve our time to market for new product ideas. The process also reconciles the competing interests of short-to-mid-term market needs, industry trends, and long-term strategic vision. This plan provides a clear roadmap for the evolution of our products.

Services

        To better serve our customers worldwide, our Center of Excellence offers our customers with a full range of services that help them select, plan, commission, operate and maintain trouble-free networks. These services include:

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        Our training programs cover network design, system installation, operations and maintenance. These courses are provided by a team of professional instructors at our headquarters, regional offices or, when appropriate, at the customer's premises.

        Our project management services offer flexible, multi-level support programs including network design, installation and network construction by experienced field technicians on location. We also provide 24-hour technical support by email, fax, and telephone as well as onsite technical assistance and troubleshooting.

Sales and Marketing

        We employ a professional sales force to sell our equipment and services directly to operators and service providers, often in conjunction with local representatives or distributors. Our sales to carriers either involve a sale of equipment to be installed by the telecommunications carrier or an in-country contractor, or a project contract pursuant to which we undertake responsibility for commissioning, installing, project management and buildout of the fixed wireless network. Our sales are made on a variety of terms, depending on the customer and the project, with common terms including payments due upon completion milestones for turnkey projects, monthly invoices as products or services are provided and payments secured by letters of credit.

        A typical sales cycle for a first-time major customer may take several years and includes activities such as:

        In some cases, a customer may choose to conduct a field or technical trial of our products before deciding to purchase. Typically, once a customer has installed our products on a full-scale committed basis, we can expect network expansions resulting in additional business. These expansions may include adding new networks, extending existing networks to reach new sites, or upgrading existing sites with additional subscriber lines or other services. Approximately two-thirds of our sales in the three-year period from 2001 to 2004 were repeat orders from existing customers. We provide project management and installation services to execute the larger, more complex projects that are contracted to us. We are able to undertake turnkey, fixed-wireless-access telecommunications projects virtually anywhere in the world, either independently or through our associated contractors and partners.

        Key targeted markets for our sales and marketing activities are certain regions within the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe and Africa, and Middle East regions. Since a substantial part of our business is repeat business, we give a high priority to maintaining good relations with our customers and providing a high level of after-sales service. To this end, regional sales, service or project offices are opened at strategically selected locations around the world to provide our customers with sales and technical support, as well as to develop new markets. Worldwide office locations include Australia, Brazil, France, Mexico, the Philippines, and Thailand.

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        Wireless revenue by geographic area based on the location of our customers is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002:

 
  Revenue
  Percent of Wireless Revenue
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
  (in $000's)
   
   
   
Europe, Middle East and Africa   50,519   51,468   80,871   48%   45%   45%
Asia   31,722   41,293   86,125   30%   37%   48%
Latin America   11,648   11,712   7,833   11%   10%   4%
Other   11,463   9,344   6,200   11%   8%   3%
   
 
 
 
 
 
    105,352   113,817   181,029   100%   100%   100%
   
 
 
 
 
 

Customers

        We sell either directly to our customers or through equipment re-sellers and integrators. Our systems have been purchased for use in over 110 countries and serve almost 2 million subscriber lines.

        We have five types of customers:

1)
Incumbent local exchange carriers.    Our products for telephony are installed primarily, but not exclusively, in areas where tele-density (the number of phone lines per hundred population) is low. Our SR500, swing, and products are ideally suited for this market. symmetry and angel are also designed to meet the needs of local exchange carriers in slightly more dense deployments, as would be found in suburban areas and larger rural towns.

2)
Competitive local exchange carriers.    This group offers competitive voice and data services in both developing and developed countries. The symmetry, angel, airstar, metroflex and metropol systems address this market, which is characterized by the need for small and medium-sized business applications; such as, high-speed, leased-line data, LAN-to-LAN connections, and high-quality voice, fax and Internet connections.

3)
Owners of private telecommunications networks.    This group of customers includes energy-generating companies (electricity and gas), pipeline operators (oil and gas), resource companies (mining and exploration), and industrial and service organizations with scattered facilities. These organizations, generally spread out over wide geographical areas, require highly reliable voice and data communications to control crucial factors of their operations. Our SR500 products are used for transmission and monitoring and control signals, otherwise known as Supervision, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).

4)
Mobile telecommunications networks.    These customers are mobile service providers. The airstar product family is used for mobile backhaul, which is connecting mobile base stations to the core telecommunications network. airstar is well suited for this application as it provides a high-capacity airlink and is more cost-effective than the traditional wireline and point-to-point wireless backhaul infrastructure typically used by mobile operators. airstar`s circuit-switched and packet-switched ATM functionality makes it an efficient and reliable solution for backhauling both second-generation (2G) and third-generation (3G) mobile networks.

5)
Wireless Internet Service Providers.    These customers provide end-users in rural, suburban and urban areas, with high-speed connection to the Internet. Our symmetry and angel product is used to deliver high-speed Internet access to users in suburban, exurban and rural areas.

        Our products require the use of certain radio frequencies that are generally licensed by governmental agencies to the carrier. The vast majority of our products are designed to use frequencies which governments have previously allocated to its customers, which minimizes the need to seek additional governmental approvals. Governments typically allocate these radio frequencies to promote competition or to support the provision of telephony services in underserved regions.

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Competition

        There are three main methods for delivering voice service, broadband data service, and mobile backhaul capabilities that compete with our wireless solutions:

        We compete for contracts in the following market segments:

        Universal Access.    In the universal access market, our point-to-multipoint, fixed-wireless solutions compete with wire-based solutions, mobile solutions, and other long-range access solutions. We compete with wire-based product vendors, such as Intracom, and with cellular vendors, such as Ericsson, Huawei and ZTE (China).

        Enterprise Access.    In the enterprise access market, our point-to-multipoint fixed wireless solutions compete with wire-based solutions, such as fiber optic cable and leased T1 and E1 lines and wireless solutions, such as point-to-point radios. We compete against large OEMs, such as Marconi, and Hughes, and with smaller wireless-only companies, such as Alvarion and AirSpan.

        Residential and Small Business Access.    In the residential and small business access market, point-to-multipoint fixed wireless solutions compete with wire-based solutions, such as DSL and cable modems. We also compete with broadband wireless access vendors, such as Alvarion, and AirSpan.

        Mobile Infrastructure.    The mobile market requires an infrastructure to connect cellular base stations to the core telecommunications network. In this market, our point-to-multipoint, fixed wireless solutions compete with wire-based solutions such as leased T1 and E1 lines and wireless solutions such as point-to-point radios. We compete with large OEMs, such as Alcatel, Ericsson, Siemens, Harris and Marconi, and with smaller wireless companies like Alvarion

        Private Networks.    In the private networks market, industrial companies require support for voice and data services as well as support for SCADA. In this market, our principal competition comes from fiber or point-to-point microwave solutions. Most of the technologies we compete with are not intended for mobile backhaul, rural telecommunications or local private networks, whereas our products are specifically designed for these market segments.

Emerging Technologies as Competition

        As new technologies emerge, we evaluate how they compete with our products. The technologies that have emerged recently are digital 3G mobile systems, Wi-Fi, and WiMAX.

        New third-generation (3G) cellular mobile systems, which offer cellular phones bundled with services like paging, caller ID and e-mail, can be adapted to provide fixed subscriber service. Competition from such technologies exists especially in situations where subscriber density is relatively high or located near an urban area or existing mobile infrastructure. Although 3G mobile systems provide better data capabilities than second-generation (2G) mobile systems do, they offer significantly lower data capabilities than newer, fixed-wireless technologies like WiMAX.

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        Wi-Fi has emerged as a high-volume, wireless technology that is primarily used for indoor, wireless Local Area Networks (LAN). However, Wi-Fi has significant shortcomings when used for outdoor, non-line-of-sight applications, such as last-mile connectivity for networks. For example, having been optimized for indoor communications, Wi-Fi radio technology does not offer the performance required to operate over longer distances — particularly when non-line-of-sight operation is important.

        WiMAX is a new standardized technology that overcomes many of the shortcomings of Wi-Fi for outdoor applications. WiMAX is well-suited for fixed wireless and we are investing heavily in this technology. As the market evolves toward standardized WiMAX products, we expect the competition to increase, which could result in reduced market share.

        We believe that we have several advantages over our competitors. We have an established, 20-year track record with companies all over the world, and our established customer base brings us repeat business. In contrast, newcomers to our markets face severe barriers to entry, including high initial research and development costs, a long product development phase and sales cycle, and the existence of an installed base of current manufacturers' products. Since the current manufacturers' products are not compatible with one another and all are based on proprietary designs, network expansion is normally done with the manufacturer whose product has been installed first.

        Another advantage that we have is the wide variety of features that our products provide, including::

        Most competitors do not provide all these services, which are often requested by customers.

        We suffer from the following competitive disadvantages:

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Regulatory Environment

        Our products may require standardization in accordance with established government regulations in the countries to which we export. The standardization process varies from country to country. In some countries the products must pass a formal set of tests and examinations that are performed by an accredited laboratory in that country. In other countries there is no standardization requirement at all. Working with these different procedures and obtaining appropriate standardization is part of the normal course of our business.

Intellectual Property

        We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality agreements and licensing arrangements, to establish and protect our proprietary rights.

        We presently have sixteen issued United States patents, with additional applications in process. Several related patents have also been granted and patent applications filed in other countries. We also have an agreement with AT&T Wireless that provides a license to numerous patents and patent applications associated with the angel platform. Although AT&T Wireless has agreed not to license these patents to our competitors for a period of five years from February 2002, the date of acquisition, we cannot assure that they will enforce their rights against potential infringers. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, existing copyright, trademark and trade secret laws afford only limited protection.

        We have also acquired from Lucent Technologies certain of its intellectual property rights in, and to, the swing products, including the object code and the source code relating exclusively to Lucent's swing business. Although SR Telecom has been granted a license to every patent that was issued to Lucent or a related company for the technology needed to manufacture and sell the swing products, we cannot ensure that Lucent Technologies would enforce its rights against potential infringers.

        Notwithstanding our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, existing copyright, trademark and trade secret laws afford only limited protection. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States or Canada. Attempts may be made to copy or reverse engineer aspects of our products or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. Accordingly, we may not be able to protect our proprietary rights against unauthorized third-party copying or use. Furthermore, policing the unauthorized use of our products is difficult. Litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others.

Telecommunications Service Provider Business — CTR

        In 1995, we identified a new business opportunity to provide local telephone service and Internet access in a large area of Chile that is predominantly rural and was without fixed phone service. The former state owned local phone company Cia. Telefonos de Chile had a monopoly on local and long distance service until 1994. Since deregulation, competition has increased significantly in the highly populated areas such as Santiago. However, the vast rural regions remained generally unserved. CTR was created to address this opportunity, and is currently managed by a team of Canadian and Chilean personnel, supervised by SR Telecom.

        For the year ended December 31, 2004, CTR contributed CDN$18.6 million in revenues, or approximately 15% of SR Telecom's consolidated revenues.

        Since 1996, CTR has been awarded 53 concessions to provide service in selected rural areas along with a concession to provide service to the city of Curico. These concessions allow for an exclusive right of coverage over a 30-year period in the 370 to 380 MHz, 1.5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz radio bands. The concessions were awarded through the Fondo de Desarrollo de las Telecommunicaciones of the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications obligate CTR to provide telephone service by means of public telephones for a minimum 10-year period. These concessions will require ongoing maintenance until the year 2010.

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        At the end of 2004, CTR operated 5,269 commercial payphones and provided private telephone services to 22,362 residential, commercial and institutional subscribers. In addition, CTR is providing other services including Internet access, prepaid cards, dedicated data services and complementary services including voice mail, toll-free and 800 numbering.

        Other than as stated above, the concessions are non-exclusive in that others are free to apply for similar concessions. However there is no assurance for any applicant that spectrum will be available. A number of other carriers, including Cia. de Telefonos de Chile, the Chilean incumbent local exchange carrier, offer telephone service in larger towns within the ten zones and currently use conventional wire and cable technology. The cellular network in Chile represents CTR's principal competition.

        The capital required by CTR for completion of its network has been provided by equity investments and corporate loans from SR Telecom of approximately US$68 million in the aggregate. Export Development Canada, a Canadian governmental agency, and the Inter-American Development Bank of Washington also provided US$50 million in term debt financing. As of December 31, 2004, a principal amount of US$29.5 million was outstanding. CTR's term loans rank pari passu and are secured by a pledge of all of the assets of CTR and a pledge of the shares in the share capital of CTR and intermediate holding companies. We have also agreed to provide CTR with the necessary funds and resources to complete the network as well as maintain our initial equity investment in CTR. The Inter-American Development Bank and Export Development Canada have been provided with full recourse against SR Telecom in certain circumstances.

        On June 30, 2001 Rural Telecommunications Chile S.A., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of CTR, acquired network assets from Gilat-To-Home Chile S.A. in exchange for 13% of CTR's total issued and outstanding common shares. In that same year, the resulting non-controlling interest was allocated losses to the extent of their equity. As a result of failing to meet certain performance requirements contained in the asset purchase agreement, Gilat-To-Home Chile S.A.'s shareholding in Rural Telecommunications Chile decreased by 8.9% to 4.1%. Fifty-six concessions of public telephone service and one data transmission concession have been transferred from Gilat-To-Home Chile to Rural Telecommunications Chile. These telephone concessions include or cover virtually all of the country's land mass and will be in force, in favor of Rural Telecommunications Chile, for 30 years. The terms of all payphone concessions run until 2009.

        In 2004, CTR successfully completed negotiations for the right to use the 2.3 GHz frequency band from Subtel. With this right, CTR has deployed the angel product in urban centers within its existing service regions to provide a high-speed Internet service offering as well as carrier class voice services, utilizing the excess capacity in its existing network infrastructure. As at December 31, 2004, 2,534 urban lines have been deployed and a further 2,820 are expected to be deployed in 2005.

        In 2004, CTR completed the renegotiation of its tariff regime with the Chilean regulator, Subtel. The regulator has approved an increase in access charges to CTR of approximately 67% effective February 26, 2004 which has been extended to the satellite network in 2005.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

        Except as described below, our business is conducted directly, or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries. In addition, through our 96% owned subsidiary CTR, we provide local telephone service and Internet access to residential, commercial and institutional customers, and operate a network of payphones in a large, predominantly rural area of Chile.

        The following chart summarizes our organizational structure and percentage ownership of each subsidiary as at December 31, 2004. This chart is a simplification and omits certain holding companies and non-material subsidiaries.

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GRAPHIC

        In addition, we have three currently wholly-owned inactive subsidiaries. The total combined assets of our subsidiaries, excluding CTR, constituted 14.9% of the consolidated assets at December 31, 2004, and the total combined revenues of such subsidiaries, excluding CTR, constituted approximately 30.6% of the consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. There are no restrictions under Canadian law or within the organizational documents of any of our subsidiaries that restrict distributions from the subsidiaries. Restrictions under our CTR financing arrangements limit distributions therefrom and restrictions under Delaware law may restrict distributions from SR Telecom USA under certain circumstances.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

        We own a modern 125,000 sq. ft. building located on 332,000 sq. ft. of land in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, that serves as our head office. The facility includes printed circuit board assembly manufacturing, research and development and offices.. In addition, we lease a 60,099 sq. ft. facility in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, used for receiving, final assembly, system testing and shipping of the products we manufacture. We sub-contract for the assembly of all of our swing product and varying elements of our other product lines.

        In 1996, we obtained ISO 9001 certification for our Montreal facilities and in 2003 received our ISO 9001:2000 certification update. We passed the surveillance audit in 2004.

        SR Telecom USA leases an approximately 100,000 square foot facility in San Jose, California, which is currently vacant. The lease for this facility expires in September 2006.

        We also have leases for buildings and land for our sales and services offices worldwide, the principal offices of which are located in France, Mexico, Thailand and Chile. We do not believe that any of these leases are material to our operations or represent material financial obligations.


ITEM 5.    OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SR Telecom's Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

        The discussion and analysis, which follows, is provided to assist readers in their assessment and understanding of the consolidated results of operations, the financial position and changes in cash flows of SR Telecom Inc. ("SR Telecom" or "the Corporation") for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. The discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements in this report, which includes this MD&A describes our expectations on March 30, 2005. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The Corporation disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements even if new information becomes available as a result of future events or for any other reason. The following management discussion and analysis of financial condition, cash flows and results of operations should be read in conjunction with SR Telecom's annual audited consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this report.

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        The Corporation has restated its second quarter interim financial statements and MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, and its third quarter interim financial statements and MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 to reflect adjustments made during those related periods. Refer to note 13 of the restated third quarter interim financial statements as at September 30, 2004 for a complete explanation of the amendments. These restatements had no bearing on the financial results of the Corporation for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.

        SR Telecom's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). There are several differences between US GAAP and Canadian GAAP, some of which can yield material differences in reported data. For the US GAAP reconciliation, see note 32 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.

Overview

        SR Telecom provides fixed wireless access solutions for voice, data and Internet access applications. SR Telecom designs, markets and sells fixed wireless products to telecommunications service providers, who in turn use the products to provide their subscribers with a full range of telecommunications services. SR Telecom also provides full turnkey services to its customers. Most of SR Telecom's sales are international, with its fixed wireless systems currently being used by telecommunications service providers in over 120 countries worldwide. These customers include large incumbent local exchange carriers as well as competitive local exchange carriers and private operators of telecommunications systems. In addition, through its majority-owned subsidiary, Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural ("CTR"), SR Telecom provides local telephone service and Internet access to residential, commercial and institutional customers, and operates a network of payphones in a large, predominantly rural area of Chile.

Critical Accounting Policies

        SR Telecom's consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application of accounting policies, which require SR Telecom's management to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are developed based on the best available information and are believed by management to be reasonable under existing circumstances. New events or additional information may result in the revision of these estimates over time. SR Telecom believes that the following accounting policies may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity in their application, and represent SR Telecom's critical accounting policies.

Going Concern Uncertainty

        The Corporation's $71.0 million debentures become due and payable on April 22, 2005. Currently the Corporation is involved in activities aimed at refinancing these debentures in whole or in part or extending their maturity date. If these negotiations are unsuccessful, the Corporation would need to look at alternative methods to re-capitalize its balance sheet. SR Telecom is also attempting to raise additional working capital to operate the business. If the Corporation cannot successfully negotiate a refinancing transaction and can find no alternative means to refinance its balance sheet, the Corporation may have no choice but to seek protection from its creditors.

        The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The going concern basis of presentation assumes that the Coporation will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. There is substantial doubt about the appropriateness of the use of the going concern assumption because of the Corporation's losses for the current and prior years, negative cash flows, significant deficiency in working capital, reduced availability of supplier credit, and the breach of a number of its long-term debt covenants and undertakings and lack of operating credit facilities. As such, the realization of assets and the discharge of liabilities in the ordinary course of business are subject to significant uncertainty.

        The consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments that would be necessary if the going concern basis was not appropriate. If the going concern basis was not appropriate for these consolidated financial statements, significant adjustments would be necessary in the carrying value of assets and liabilities, the reported revenues and expenses, and the balance sheet classifications used.

        Management's on-going plans with respect to the significant uncertainties described above are as follows:

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        Management believes that with the above plans and the support of the Corporation's current shareholders, lenders, trade creditors and its customers, it will be able to continue operating as a going concern. There can, however, be no assurance that the plans described above will result in sufficient funds being generated.

        The Corporation's continuation as a going concern is dependent upon, amongst other things, the continuing support of the Corporation's lenders (including the deferral of scheduled principal repayments), attaining a satisfactory sales level, the support of its customers, continued sales to the Corporation's customers, a return to profitable operations and the ability to generate sufficient cash from operations, financing arrangements and new capital to meet its obligations as they become due. These matters are dependent on a number of items outside of the Corporation's control and there is substantial uncertainty about the Corporation's ability to successfully conclude on the matters.

Adoption of New Accounting Policies

Asset Retirement Obligation

        Effective January 1, 2004, the Corporation adopted the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants ("CICA") Handbook Section 3110, "Asset Retirement Obligations". The new recommendation focuses on the recognition and measurement of liabilities for legal obligations associated with the retirement of property, plant and equipment when those obligations result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal operation of the assets. The adoption of this recommendation did not have an impact on the Corporation's results of operations or financial position.

Stock-Based Compensation and Other Stock-Based Payments

        Effective January 1, 2004, the Corporation adopted the transitional provisions of CICA Handbook Section 3870, "Stock-Based Compensation and Other Stock-Based Payments". Under the transitional provisions of this recommendation, compensation expense is recognized on all issued and outstanding stock options granted to employees after January 1, 2002 in accordance with the fair value method of accounting. This provision was applied retroactively, without restatement of prior periods.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

        Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred or the service has been performed, the fee is fixed and determinable, and collection of the resulting receivable is probable.

        SR Telecom recognizes revenue through two primary revenue streams: revenue from the sale of equipment and service revenue. Service revenue is comprised of site survey and engineering prior to installation, as well as installation of the equipment, training of customer personnel and repair contracts. Revenue for equipment sold separately is recognized upon delivery and when all significant contractual obligations have been satisfied and collection is probable. SR Telecom also enters into contracts involving multiple elements or "turnkey" contracts. Turnkey contracts generally include the sale of equipment as well as site survey and engineering, which involves the assessment of the locations to be installed and the requirements of the equipment to be installed, as well as installation of the equipment at the site. The service elements are not essential to the functionality of the delivered equipment. Recognition of revenue in turnkey contracts on the sale of manufactured equipment is recognized upon delivery. Recognition of revenue on the performance of site survey and engineering, and installation of the equipment is recognized when the services are performed. The establishment of the selling prices of services and equipment in these contracts is determined by reference to similar contracts whereby these elements are offered on a stand-alone basis and are incorporated in the contract details. For contracts involving multiple elements, SR Telecom allocates revenue to each element based on relative fair values. Telecommunication service revenue is recognized as the services are rendered.

        SR Telecom products and services are generally sold as part of a contract or purchase order, of which some are for periods extending beyond one year. Revenue and cost estimates on long-term contracts are revised periodically based on changes in circumstance; any losses are recognized in the period that such losses become known.

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WARRANTY OBLIGATIONS

        Accruals for warranty costs are established at the time of shipment and are based on contract terms and experience from prior claims. SR Telecom's usual warranty terms are one year, with two-year warranty periods in certain limited circumstances. SR Telecom evaluates its obligations related to product warranty on an ongoing basis. If warranty costs change substantially, SR Telecom's warranty accrual could change significantly. SR Telecom tracks historical warranty cost, including labor and replacement parts, and uses this information as the basis for the establishment of its warranty provision. With respect to the introduction of new products, warranty accruals are determined based on SR Telecom's historical experience with similar products.

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

        SR Telecom performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers and on-going project risks. Wherever practical, SR Telecom requires accounts receivable to be insured by an export credit agency or by confirmed irrevocable letters of credit. SR Telecom believes that it has sufficient allowances for doubtful accounts to address the risk associated with its outstanding accounts receivable.

PROVISION FOR EXCESS OR OBSOLETE INVENTORY

        Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value or replacement cost, with cost computed at standard, which approximates actual cost computed on a first in, first-out basis. SR Telecom maintains a reserve for estimated obsolescence based upon assumptions regarding future demand for its products and the conditions of the markets in which its products are sold. This provision to reduce inventory to net realizable value is reflected as a reduction to inventory in the consolidated balance sheets. Management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing these reserves. If actual market conditions are less favorable than SR Telecom's assumptions, additional reserves may be required.

ASSESSMENT OF IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

        Long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangibles assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used, is measured by management on an ongoing basis, by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset in the period incurred. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and would no longer be depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held-for-sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet.

FOREIGN CURRENCIES

        Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical rates. Translation gains and losses are reflected in the statement of operations. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period.

        All of SR Telecom's subsidiaries are financially and/or operationally dependent on SR Telecom and are accounted for using the temporal method. Under this method, monetary assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical rates. Revenue and expenses are translated at average rates for the period. Translation exchange gains or losses of such subsidiaries' accounts are reflected in the statement of operations.

FUTURE INCOME TAXES

        Future income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates which will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided for the amount of future income tax assets that are not considered more likely than not to be realized.

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Results of Operations

        SR Telecom operates in two business segments. The first is the Wireless Telecommunications Products Business Segment ("Wireless") and the second is the Telecommunications Service Provider Business Segment ("CTR").

For the years ended December 31, 2004 versus December 31, 2003 and 2002

        The following table outlines the breakdown of revenues by segments:

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
Wireless Telecommunication Products Business Segment   85.0%   89.0%   91.9%
Telecommunications Service Provider Business Segment   15.0%   11.0%   8.1%

        In 2004, Wireless Telecommunications Products revenue ("wireless revenue") decreased as a percentage of total revenue to 85.0% from 89.0% in 2003. This decrease results from an overall decline in wireless products revenue related to services in 2004 compared to an increase experienced in Telecommunications Service Provider revenue due to increased access tariffs approved in 2004. The decline in wireless revenue to 89.0% of total revenue in 2003 from 91.9% of total revenue in 2002 resulted from a sharper decline in wireless products revenue compared to a more modest decline in Telecommunications Service provider revenue. The Telecommunications Service Provider revenue as a percentage of total revenue increased to 15.0% in 2004 from 11.0% in 2003 and 8.1% in 2002.

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS BUSINESS SEGMENT

 
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
(in 000's)
  Q1
  Q2
  Q3
  Q4
  Total
  Q1
  Q2
  Q3
  Q4
  Total
  Q1
  Q2
  Q3
  Q4
  Total
 
Revenue   21,600   31,559   31,717   20,476   105,352   25,964   27,039   22,796   38,018   113,817   40,559   45,291   48,079   47,100   181,029  
Cost of revenue   13,882   18,348   20,831   16,783   69,844   13,987   13,573   13,471   19,971   61,002   20,350   23,735   22,862   22,369   89,316  
Gross profit   7,718   13,211   10,886   3,693   35,508   11,977   13,466   9,325   18,047   52,815   20,209   21,556   25,217   24,731   91,713  
Gross profit percentage   36%   42%   34%   18%   34%   46%   50%   41%   47%   46%   50%   48%   52%   53%   51%  
Operating (loss) income   (13,324 ) (21,283 ) (10,373 ) (20,759 ) (65,739 ) (5,122 ) (4,259 ) (13,075 ) (10,441 ) (32,897 ) 2,020   1,423   3,318   (2,250 ) 4,511  
Net loss (income)   (15,106 ) (21,414 ) (5,477 ) (35,128 ) (77,125 ) (7,869 ) (7,229 ) (14,988 ) (12,202 ) (42,288 ) 176   (2,494 ) 2,608   (4,175 ) (3,885 )

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  Percent of Revenue
 
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
Revenue   100%   100%   100%  
Cost of revenue   66%   54%   49%  
   
 
 
 
Gross profit   34%   46%   51%  
  Agents commissions   5%   3%   8%  
  Selling, general and administrative expenses   47%   45%   26%  
Research and development   29%   24%      
expenses, net           12%  
Restructuring, asset   15%   3%      
impairment and other charges           3%  
   
 
 
 
Total operating expenses   96%   75%   49%  
   
 
 
 
Operating (loss) income   (62% ) (29% ) 2%  
Interest expense, net   (5% ) (5% ) (3% )
Gain on repurchase of debentures  
%
  1%    
Gain on sale of long-term investment   3%      
Gain on settlement of claim   4%      
Loss on foreign exchange     (9% ) (1% )
Income tax (expense) recovery   (13% ) 5%    
   
 
 
 
Net loss   (73% ) (37% ) (2% )
   
 
 
 

Revenue

        Revenue by geographic area based on the location of SR Telecom's customers is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002:

 
  Revenue (in 000's)
  Percent of Wireless Revenue
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2004
  2003
  2002
Europe, Middle East and Africa   50,519   51,468   80,871   48%   45%   45%
Asia   31,722   41,293   86,125   30%   37%   48%
Latin America   11,648   11,712   7,833   11%   10%   4%
Other   11,463   9,344   6,200   11%   8%   3%
   
 
 
 
 
 
    105,352   113,817   181,029   100%   100%   100%
   
 
 
 
 
 

        Revenue in Europe, Middle East and Africa in percentage terms increased to 48% in 2004 in comparison to 45% in 2003 and 2002. In dollar terms, 2004 revenue declined slightly from that experienced in 2003. In 2003, as compared to 2002, revenue decreased in dollar terms due to a decline in shipments for large turnkey projects to the region, where the Corporation had signed two new contracts in Saudi Arabia in 2002. Sales to Asia also declined in 2004 as compared to 2003 and 2002, due to the result of large contracts with Telstra Corporation Limited, the Department of Transport and Communications of the Philippines and Rural Telephone Services of Thailand that were substantially completed in 2003. Revenue in Latin America as a percentage of wireless revenue slightly increased to 11% in 2004 as compared to 10% in 2003 and increased from 4% in 2002. This increase in dollar and percentage terms, for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 as compared to the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2002 is a result of sales of SR Telecom's newly acquired airstar product line to the region.

        For the year ended December 31, 2004, there are no customers whose revenue comprised more than 10% of wireless revenue.

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        Revenue from customers that comprised more than 10% of wireless revenue for the year ended December 31, 2003 is as follows:

 
  Revenue
(in 000's)

  Percent of
Wireless Revenue

 
  2003
  2003
Telstra Corporation Limited   15,766   14%

        Revenue from customers that comprised more than 10% of wireless revenue for the year ended December 31, 2002 is as follows:

 
  Revenue
(in 000's)

  Percent of
Wireless Revenue

 
  2002
  2002
Saudi Telecom Company   31,295   17%
Telstra Corporation Limited   32,881   18%
   
 
    64,176   35%
   
 

Revenue

        For the year ended December 31, 2004, revenue decreased to $105.4 million from the $113.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decline is primarily the result of a $7.9 million decrease in service revenue in 2004 compared to 2003. This decline resulted from the fact that there were significant service revenues resulting from a turnkey project in Asia in the prior year. Equipment revenues showed only a modest decline with $85.1 million in equipment revenue in 2004 as compared to $85.7 million in equipment revenue in 2003. For the year ended December 31, 2003, revenue decreased to $113.8 million from $181.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This resulted from a decline in both equipment revenue and service revenue. Equipment sales decreased by 41% to $85.7 million in 2003 from $146.1 million in 2002. This decrease in annual revenue is primarily due to the substantial completion of major contracts including Saudi Telecom Company, Rural Telephone Services of Thailand and Department of Transport and Communications of the Philippines during 2003. During 2004, there were delays in securing purchase orders under large frame contracts that the Corporation has in place with its' longstanding customers. The Corporation believes that these frame contracts will result in significant additional revenue in 2005, but does not expect revenue to improve substantially in the first half of 2005. The Corporation expects that revenue in the first quarter of 2005 will be less than the revenue levels experienced in the fourth quarter of 2004, due to decreased availability of supplier credit and delays in receiving purchase orders caused by the uncertainty associated with the Corporation's financial position.

Gross Profit

        Gross profit represents total revenue less the cost of revenue. Cost of revenue with respect to equipment revenue consists of manufacturing costs, material costs, labor costs, manufacturing overhead, warranty reserves and other direct product costs. Cost of revenue with respect to service revenue consists of labor costs, travel, telephone, vehicles and other costs that are directly attributable to the revenue recognized.

        Gross profit as a percentage of revenue decreased to 34% for the year ended December 31, 2004, from 46% for the year ended December 31, 2003 and from 51% for the year ended December 31, 2002. The principal drivers of the fluctuations in equipment gross profit are the level of revenue and the product and customer sales mix. Equipment gross profit declined to 33% in 2004 from 48% in 2003. Equipment gross profit also declined in dollar terms from $40.7 million in 2003 to $28.3 million in 2004. The decrease in equipment gross profit percentage was the result of increased sales of angel and airstar, which have lower margins than our traditional SR500 and swing product lines. Further, fluctuations in the timing of orders resulted in increased under-absorbed overhead costs in 2004. Services gross profit decreased to 35% for 2004 compared to 43% in 2003.

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        Equipment gross profit declined to 48% in 2003, from the 59% levels experienced in 2002. This decrease resulted from variations in sales mix including sales of lower margin products such as angel and airstar, and is also due to an increase in under-absorbed overhead costs in 2003. Services gross profit increased to 43% in 2003 from 14% in 2002 as better margins were experienced on product repairs as well as positive contributions from renegotiations of certain services on turnkey projects.

        The Corporation does not expect to see an improvement in gross profit in the first quarter of 2005 due to expected lower manufacturing volumes that will occur in this period.

Agent Commissions

        Agent commissions consist of payments to agents and representatives who act as an extension of SR Telecom's international sales and marketing organization. SR Telecom has agents and representatives in several countries globally and uses this network in many cases in lieu of having to maintain a permanent presence in countries where the level, uncertainty and timing of orders do not justify a permanent presence or where the local custom and practice requires the use of local partners.

        Agent commissions as a percentage of revenue increased to 5% of revenue or $5.5 million in 2004 from 3% or $3.3 million in 2003. This increase is a function of a change in sales mix. The jurisdiction and equipment mix changed significantly since 2003 with the addition of the airstar and angel product lines. Agent commissions as a percentage of revenue decreased to 3% or $3.3 million in the twelve-months ended December 31, 2003 from 8% or $13.9 million in the twelve-months ended December 31, 2002. The decrease in commissions as a percentage of revenue is commensurate with the decrease in revenue recognized under large turnkey contracts which traditionally have higher commissions. Commissions as a percentage of revenue are expected to remain stable in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the current quarter.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

        Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses consist primarily of compensation costs, travel and related expenses for marketing, sales, human resources, finance, executive and management and professional service fees and expenses.

        Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $49.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $52.2 million in 2003. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $52.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $47.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. SG&A decreased during 2004 due to cost reduction efforts put in place by the Corporation along with the restructuring that took place in the second and third quarters of 2004. The Corporation's restructuring plan was completed in the fourth quarter of 2004. The benefits of the restructuring were partially offset by a provision of $1.9 million related to an account receivable in the Middle East, the effect of eliminating the expected sub-lease revenue of $1.6 million on the US operating lease and a provision of $0.9 million related to an offer of settlement of a litigation.

        The increase in 2003 and in the early part of 2004 was due to the inclusion of Netro, which resulted in an approximate increase of $6.1 million in SG&A expense in the four-month period from its acquisition in September of 2003 to December of 2003. The increase during this period was partially offset by cost reductions achieved as a direct result of restructuring efforts implemented in 2003.

        In the first quarter of 2005, the Corporation expects that SG&A expenses will be lower than the levels realized in the fourth quarter of 2004 due to the cost cutting measures the Corporation implemented in January of 2005 and the non-recurring charges effected in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Research and Development Expenses

        Research and development expenses consist of compensation costs, the cost of software development tools, consultant fees and prototype expenses related to the design, development and testing of SR Telecom's products, net of government investment tax credits associated with these activities.

        Research and development expenses increased to $30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, from $27.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase is primarily due to a $4.2 million adjustment to the utilization of the federal investment tax credits (a write-down of the carrying value of the investment tax credit balance) as management has determined that there is insufficient evidence of reasonable assurance that this amount will be realized within the remaining life of the investment tax credits. The increase is offset by the realization of cost reductions from the closure of the research facility in France and the closure of the Redmond, Washington facility in the second and third quarters of 2004. The Corporation's restructuring plan was completed in the fourth quarter of 2004.

31


        Research and development expenses on a comparable basis increased to $27.2 million in 2003 from $21.3 million in 2002. The increase is due to additional research and development costs of $3.6 million incurred as a result of the acquisition of Netro and a reduction in the amount of investment tax credits being recognized that offset research and development expense. As of July 1, 2003, the Corporation has ceased the recognition of further federal investment tax credits since there is limited assurance that these credits would be realized in the near term.

        In the first quarter of 2005, the Corporation expects that research and development expenses will be lower than the levels realized in the fourth quarter of 2004 due to the completion of certain projects, coupled with the cost cutting measures the Corporation implemented in January of 2005.

Restructuring, Asset impairment and Other Charges

        For the year ended December 31, 2004, restructuring, asset impairment and other charges of $15.9 million were recorded. The restructuring charges were undertaken by the Corporation to reduce its cost structure in line with current and projected revenue levels. The costs are comprised primarily of severance and termination benefits, the write off of specific inventory and other assets, accrued lease charges and operating costs related to redundant facilities in the US as well as losses on the sale of redundant equipment. In total, 86 employees were terminated including 59 research and development employees, 6 project and service management employees, 10 sales and marketing employees, 4 operation employees and 7 administration employees.

        Management decided that it would no longer pursue the development and sale of the stride 2400 product line. As a result, the Corporation recorded the write-off of certain inventory of $1.1 million and deferred charges of $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2004.

        For the year ended December 31, 2003, restructuring, asset impairment and other charges of $3.1 million were recorded. The restructuring charges were undertaken by the Corporation to reduce its cost structure, and are comprised primarily of severance and termination benefits. In total, 42 employees were terminated including 12 research and development employees, 13 project and service management employees, and 17 sales and marketing employees. The write off of the assets of $1.4 million relates to the discontinuation of research and development on the shift product line.

        For the year ended December 31, 2002, restructuring charges of $4.9 million were accrued. These charges were also composed primarily of severance and termination benefits, as well as the elimination of inventory balances in certain specified locations and lease cancellation costs relating to the closure of a research and development site in Montreal. In total, 90 employees were terminated including 39 research and development employees, 31 project management employees, 8 sales and marketing employees, and 12 general and administrative employees.

Interest Expense

        Interest expense was $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, and $6.2 million for the same period in 2002. The decrease in interest expense in 2004 as compared to 2003 relates primarily to the repayment of bank indebtedness in 2004 and 2003, and the effect of interest income generated from investments made with the proceeds of the public offering and private placement in 2004. The decrease in interest expense in 2003 as compared to 2002 is mainly due to the forgiveness of interest payable relating to a government program. Going forward, in the first quarter of 2005, the Corporation expects interest expense to be similar to that experienced in the fourth quarter of 2004 and subsequently dependent on the results of the current refinancing activities.

Gain on Sale of Long-Term Investment

        In September of 2004, the Corporation sold a long-term investment acquired as part of the acquisition of Netro Corporation, to various investors for cash proceeds of $3.4 million (US$2.7 million). The long-term investment had been recorded at an estimated fair value of $nil at the time of acquisition.

32


Gain on Settlement of Claim

        On December 19, 2002, Solectron California Corporation filed for arbitration against Netro Corporation for disputes arising under its 1998 "Manufacturing Agreement". Solectron claimed that in 2000, it purchased materials on the basis of Netro's forecasts which were not supported by sales orders. The arbitration with Solectron resulted in the purchase of US$4.0 million of inventory by SR Telecom, where US$2.0 million was paid on August 27, 2004. The remainder will be paid in three instalments in 2005, without any interest accruing. As a result of the settlement with Solectron, the Corporation realized a gain of $4.6 million (US$3.5 million) in the third quarter of 2004. The Corporation has not met its February 2005 payment obligation. Solectron has served a judicial citation for US$1.45 million on March 11, 2005. The Corporation has thirty days to appeal and is currently exploring its options with legal counsel.

Gain on Repurchase of Debentures

        For the year ended December 31, 2003, SR Telecom realized a gain of $1.2 million on the repurchase of $4.0 million of its outstanding debentures. There were no debentures repurchased in 2004.

Foreign Exchange

        The Corporation had a foreign exchange loss of $nil for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to a foreign exchange loss of $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. In 2004, the Corporation realized losses on the fluctuation in the value of its US dollar receivables. These losses were reduced when the Corporation collected a significant portion of its US dollar receivables in the third quarter of 2004. The losses were further offset by an increase in the Corporation's outstanding US dollar payables. For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Corporation experienced foreign exchange losses of $10.0 million compared to $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This resulted from the fluctuation in the value of the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar and the Euro. The revaluation of the Corporation's US dollar denominated accounts receivable and cash balances is the main reason for the increase.

Income Taxes

        The income tax provision includes tax loss carry forward benefits and other future income tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the tax rates which will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The tax loss carry-forwards recognized relate primarily to losses incurred in Canada. In the beginning of the third quarter of 2003, the Corporation ceased to recognize additional tax loss carry-forward benefits, resulting in no tax recovery in 2004 compared to 2003 and 2002. During the fourth quarter of 2004, management determined that an increase in the valuation allowance in the amount of $13.2 million for the future income tax assets was appropriate, as a result of the continued losses and the significant uncertainties surrounding the future prospects of the Corporation.

Backlog

        Backlog at the end of 2004 stood at $9.5 million, the majority of which was delivered in the first quarter of 2005, down from $27 million at the end of 2003 and from $82 million at the end of 2002. Backlog at March 30, 2005 stood at $10.7 million. SR Telecom's backlog has decreased over the prior periods in that it previously reflected large turnkey operations that would be recognized over long-term periods. The Corporation's current backlog is now comprised of many short-term orders that turn over more quickly than in the past and only includes purchase orders received for committed deliveries. Currently, significant orders are expected to be generated under certain large frame contracts as well as increased activity in a number of SR Telecom's markets. However, the timing of these orders cannot be identified with certainty.

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE PROVIDER BUSINESS SEGMENT

        CTR is a rural telephone service provider in Chile. CTR provides local telephone services to residential, commercial and institutional customers and operates a network of payphones throughout Chile.

        CTR's management is currently focused on reducing costs and increasing revenues with the objective of maximizing operating cash flow. SR Telecom believes that increased revenue from the installation of more lines using the angel inventory and the access charge increases will also contribute to this objective.

33


 
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
(in 000's)
  Q1
  Q2
  Q3
  Q4
  Total
  Q1
  Q2
  Q3
  Q4
  Total
  Q1
  Q2
  Q3
  Q4
  Total
 
Revenue   4,607   5,039   4,660   4,278   18,584   3,637   3,567   3,247   3,613   14,064   4,905   3,736   3,531   3,702   15,874  
Operating expenses   4,866   4,760   4,646   4,398   18,670   5,515   4,927   5,753   5,991   22,186   6,179   5,498   5,515   5,318   22,510  
Operating (loss) income   (259 ) 279   14   (120 ) (86 ) (1,878 ) (1,360 ) (2,506 ) (2,378 ) (8,122 ) (1,274 ) (1,762 ) (1,984 ) (1,616 ) (6,636 )
Net (loss) income   (1,779 ) (1,966 ) 1,494   (6,758 ) (9,009 ) 1,188   2,249   (3,905 ) (1,999 ) (2,467 ) (2,784 ) (896 ) (6,305 ) (7,015 ) (17,000 )

Revenue

        CTR revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004, increased to $18.6 million from $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. In peso terms, revenue increased to 8,738 million pesos in 2004 from 6,917 million pesos in 2003. The increase is attributable to the increase in access tariffs approved by the Chilean regulator, Subtel, which took effect March 1, 2004 as well as the roll out of the new urban initiative. CTR experienced a decline in revenue to $14.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2003, from $15.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2002. Revenue had been affected by the decline in the value of the Chilean peso compared to the Canadian dollar. Net revenue in Chilean peso terms in 2003, was 6,917 million pesos compared to 6,951 million pesos in 2002. In peso terms, revenues are expected to increase in the first quarter of 2005 due to the effect of the increase in access charges and the continuing rollout of the Corporation's new urban initiative and an application of the increased tariffs to the company's satellite network.

Operating Expenses

        Operating expenses consist of compensation costs, travel and related expenses, as well as wire support and maintenance, and professional service fees and expenses. Operating expenses, net of restructuring asset impairment and other charges, decreased to $18.7 million in 2004 from $21.6 million in 2003. In Chilean pesos, operating expenses decreased to 8,132 million pesos from 9,175 million pesos in 2003. The decrease in operating expenses relates to continued operational efficiencies and cost reductions enacted in CTR. Operating expenses decreased to $21.6 million in 2003 from $22.5 million in 2002. Operating expenses actually increased to 9,175 million pesos for the twelve-months ended December 31, 2003, from 8,616 million pesos in the twelve-months ended December 31 2002. The amount decreased in Canadian dollar terms due to the decline in the value of the Chilean peso relative to the Canadian dollar. Also, operational efficiencies and cost reductions enacted in 2003 by CTR were offset by non-recurring consulting expenses. CTR will continue to manage their operating expenses while focusing on revenue growth. In peso terms, operating expenses are expected to remain at approximately the same level in the first quarter of 2005 as was experienced in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Restructuring, Asset Impairment and Other Charges

        For the year ended December 31, 2003, asset impairment charges of $0.6 million were accrued. These charges were related to the write down of certain satellite related assets to their estimated fair market value.

Interest Expense

        Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2004, has decreased to $2.7 million from $3.2 million in 2003 and from $5.9 million for the same period in 2002. The decline is due to a reduction in the amount of long-term debt outstanding as well as a general decrease in interest rates and the effect of a decline in the US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar on the US dollar interest payments. Assuming U.S. rates and exchange rates remain stable, the Corporation expects that interest expense will decrease in 2005 due to lower amounts of debt outstanding, and subsequently dependent on the results of the current refinancing activities.

Loss on Change in Ownership in Subsidiary Company

        On June 30, 2001, CTR acquired VSAT-based telecommunications assets totaling $14.6 million from Gilat-To-Home Chile in exchange for 13% of CTR's issued and outstanding common shares. The reduction in ownership of CTR resulted in a gain on dilution of $9.4 million. During 2002, SR Telecom increased its shareholding in CTR by 8.9% to 95.9%. The increase in shareholding was a function of the degree to which certain performance requirements of the acquired assets were not met. This increase in the direct and indirect ownership in CTR resulted in an estimated non-cash charge to earnings of $4.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2002, subject to final negotiations. The charge was determined using management's best estimate of the increase of the holding of CTR. The final negotiations have not yet concluded.

34


Foreign Exchange

        The foreign exchange gain of $2.3 million in 2004 and $11.1 million in 2003, compared to the foreign exchange loss of $0.5 million in 2002, is a function of the effect of fluctuations in the Canadian dollar, US dollar and Chilean peso on the assets and liabilities of CTR, in particular the US dollar denominated debt.

Income Taxes

        During the fourth quarter of 2004, management determined that an increase in the valuation allowance in the amount of $8.5 million of the future income tax assets of CTR was appropriate, as a result of the significant uncertainties surrounding the future prospects of the Corporation.

CONSOLIDATED BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE

 
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
 
  Q1
  Q2
  Q3
  Q4
  Total
  Q1
  Q2
  Q3
  Q4
  Total
  Q1
  Q2
  Q3
  Q4
  Total
 
Basic and diluted net loss per share   (1.23 ) (1.33 ) (0.23 ) (2.38 ) (5.17 ) (1.21 ) (0.90 ) (2.60 ) (1.36 ) (6.21 ) (0.48 ) (0.62 ) (0.67 ) (2.04 ) (3.82 )
 

CONSOLIDATED LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

(in $000's)
  December 31, 2004
  December 31, 2003
  December 31, 2002
Total assets   227,624   289,775   320,805
Bank indebtedness     3,000   10,000
Long-term liability   1,810   1,939  
Lease liability   8,620   12,808  
Debentures   71,000   71,000   75,000
Long-term project financing   35,585   45,232   64,760
Shareholders' equity   52,640   91,740   102,326
 

Cash and Short-Term Investments

        The consolidated cash and short-term investment position including restricted cash, decreased to $6.4 million at December 31, 2004, compared to $18.7 million at December 31, 2003. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Corporation raised $46.8 million in equity, net of share issue costs. The decrease in the outstanding cash balance resulted from the repayment of outstanding debt in the amount of $15.5 million in 2004 as well as the use of cash to fund operations in excess of that generated from sales. The Corporation is in the process of attempting to raise additional funds for working capital purposes.

        SR Telecom currently does not have sufficient cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and cash from operations going forward to satisfy its cash requirements. Accordingly, the Corporation will have to refinance or roll over all or part of its existing debt on or prior to April 22, 2005. SR Telecom intends to raise additional working capital in conjunction with its plan to refinance its existing debt. If the Corporation is unable to obtain additional working capital to fund operations, it could significantly impact its ability to continue as a going concern and the Corporation may be obliged to seek protection from its creditors. Please refer to Item 3 under Risk Factors and Item 8. Significan Changes for more detailed information concerning the negotiations currently in place with our Debenture holders.

35


Accounts Receivable

        The trade receivables decrease of $25.6 million during the year to $53.1 million at December 31, 2004 from $78.7 million at December 31, 2003, results substantially from the collection of outstanding receivables in Asia during the year as well as a decline in value of the US dollar receivables due to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar. Also, contributing to the decrease is a decline in sales volume during the year.

        In December 2001, SR Telecom filed a statement of claim in New York for US$4.86 million against MCI International and Telecommunications d'Haiti, S.A.M., or Teleco de Haiti. The claim was filed pursuant to a clause mandating three party arbitration before the International Court of Arbitration in respect of funds, which ceased flowing to SR Telecom under a Tripartite Agreement between Teleco de Haiti, MCI International and SR Telecom. The agreement provided for the financing of a contract between SR Telecom and Teleco de Haiti pursuant to which SR Telecom was to supply and install certain telecommunications equipment for Teleco de Haiti for approximately US$12.88 million.

        In July 2002, MCI International filed for bankruptcy and the United States Bankruptcy Court issued an order staying all collateral litigation against MCI International, including this arbitration. As a result, MCI International continued in the proceeding as an observer. In February 2002, Teleco de Haiti filed a counter-claim for US$1.2 million in respect of funds transferred to SR Telecom since the execution of a Termination Agreement between SR Telecom and Teleco de Haiti, alleging that such Termination Agreement ended their obligations under the Tripartite Agreement.

        On April 24, 2003, the arbitration tribunal rendered a decision, denying both the claim by SR Telecom against Teleco de Haiti and the counterclaim by Teleco de Haiti against SR Telecom. However, the arbitration tribunal also held that the Termination Agreement preserved and did not extinguish SR Telecom's right to continue to receive payments from MCI under the Tripartite Agreement. Prior to the decision, SR Telecom filed a claim for US$4.86 million against MCI International with the United States Bankruptcy Court. If MCI accepts the Tripartite Agreement then SR Telecom would have claims on both pre-petition amounts and post-petition amounts up to the full amount still due. Such post-petition and future flows of funds would be paid from the MCI/Teleco de Haiti Voice Settlement Account.

        On April 27, 2004, MCI's Bankruptcy Plan was made effective. The court approved date for filing of objections is six months from the effective date of the Plan which means that MCI had until October 2004 to object to any claims filed. On October 15, 2004, MCI objected to the claim. SR Telecom filed a notice of objection and is pursuing its claim with MCI. The parties are currently entering the discovery process. Concurrently, SR Telecom is in discussions with Teleco de Haiti to accelerate the collection outside of the court process. SR Telecom has a reasonable expectation that its claim will be upheld by the court, and therefore no provision for loss has been recorded with respect to this amount receivable. If SR Telecom cannot recover a substantial amount from MCI International, it could have a material impact on SR Telecom's results of operations.

Inventory

        The inventory balance increased by $11.5 million to $59.5 million at December 31, 2004, from $48.0 million at December 31, 2003. This increase was partially due to the inclusion of a US$4.0 million purchase of inventory on the settlement with Solectron in the latter part of 2004. Also, in anticipation of upcoming sales orders that were expected in the fourth quarter, the Corporation acquired materials to be able to deliver on these orders. However, due to delays in the receipt of orders and delays in shipments, such orders were not shipped or did not arrive at their destinations by December 31, 2004. The Corporation expects that the inventory balance will decrease as orders are received and revenues recognized on the delayed shipments. The Corporation further expects to continue to reduce inventory balances as orders are received on the large frame contracts which are still pending.

Investment Tax Credits and Future Income Tax Assets

        Investment tax credits are created from eligible research and development expenditures. Future income tax assets are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates which will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. As of July 1, 2003, the Corporation stopped recognizing future income tax assets and non-refundable federal investment tax credits in its Canadian operations as the Corporation could no longer support the addition of tax related assets on its balance sheet. During the fourth quarter of 2004, as a result of the Corporation's determination that there is insufficient evidence of reasonable assurance with respect to the utilization of the federal investment tax credits, it was determined that investment tax credits in the amount of $4.2 million may not be realized within the remaining life, resulting in a charge to research and development expenses.

36


        To use the recorded investment tax credits of $13.1 million at December 31, 2004, future taxable income from operations or tax planning strategies of approximately $42.0 million is required. Investment tax credits have an initial expiration period of 10 years. SR Telecom's existing credits have an average remaining life of 5 to 9 years.

        As a result of the continued losses and significant uncertainties surrounding the future prospects of the Corporation, management determined that a valuation allowance in the amount of $21.8 million on all the future income tax assets was appropriate.

Restricted Cash

        Both the long-term and short-term portions of restricted cash relate to U.S. dollar letters of credit that are pledged against the US operating lease, performance and bid bonds that support the Corporation's contracting activities and portion of interest on the US notes payable.

Intangible Assets

        The intangible assets included on the balance sheet relate to the angel and airstar technology obtained through the Netro acquisition in September of 2003. A value was derived to reflect the future use of this technology. The Corporation is amortizing the intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, which is 5 years for the airstar technology and 7 years for the angel technology.

Capital Expenditures

        Capital expenditures are being kept to the minimum level required to execute SR Telecom's business plan. CTR's property, plant and equipment additions were $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. These relate principally to existing network upgrades and enhancements. The Corporation is also progressing with the urban line initiative in Chile. Wireless Products additions were $3.0 million in 2004, which related to ongoing capital requirements. Wireless Products additions were $4.7 million in 2003, excluding the assets acquired in the Netro acquisition, and were related predominantly to the shift asset purchase in the first quarter of 2003. SR Telecom presently has no material commitments for capital expenditures.

Bank Indebtedness

        During the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2004, SR Telecom's operating line of credit was renewed at a reduced amount of $3.0 million. The Corporation repaid its operating line of credit in full and cancelled the facility in 2004.

Liabilities

        Trade payables and accrued liabilities decreased to $55.7 million at December 31, 2004, from $59.4 million at December 31, 2003. The amount of trade payables is higher than normal in relation to SR Telecom's current level of operations.

        Customer advances decreased to $1.9 million as at December 31, 2004, from $4.2 million at December 31, 2003. The decrease is largely attributable to reduced sales in the current year and the finalization of several existing turnkey contracts.

Long-Term Debt and Shareholders' Equity

Long-Term Liability

        As at December 31, 2004, the long-term liability was $1.8 million, which reflects the fair value of the indemnification provided to the former directors and officers of Netro Corporation as part of the purchase agreement. The change in the long-term liability is a reflection of the effects of foreign exchange.

37


Lease Liability

        The lease liability decreased to $8.6 million at December 31, 2004, from $12.8 million at December 31, 2003. The liability, composed of a long-term portion of $3.6 million and a short-term portion of $5.0 million, arose on the assumption of Netro's operating lease for its San Jose, California office, which is vacant. The lease obligation was originally recorded in the financial statements at its fair market value, determined by the present value of future lease payments, reduced by the expected sub-lease revenue. At the end of 2004, the Corporation does not expect to be able to sub-lease these premises in the near term, and as a result, increased the liability by $1.6 million by eliminating the effect of the expected sub-lease revenue. The decrease in the liability during the year relates to the monthly payments under the operating lease offset by the increase that occurred with the elimination of the sub-lease revenue.

Long-Term Debt

        The Corporation has not complied with a covenant included in both the debenture trust indenture and the notes payable agreements, which requires the maintenance of a minimum shareholder's equity of $90 million, unless a waiver is received from the debenture holders and the lenders or the breach of covenant is cured within 30 days following the receipt of a notice of the event of default from the trustees and the lenders, the debentures and the notes payable would be immediately due and payable.

        SR Telecom's debentures are unsecured and bear interest at 8.15%, payable semi-annually. The balance of the debentures is due in a bullet payment at maturity on April 22, 2005. The Corporation is considering its options for the refinancing of these debentures. If SR Telecom is unable to repay or refinance this debt when it becomes due, there will be material and adverse consequences for our financial position and results of operations. During the end of 2003, the Corporation repurchased $4.0 million of the debentures as a means to reduce the debt.

        The long-term project financing relates to outstanding notes with Export Development Canada ("EDC") and the Inter-American Development Bank ("IADB") that are obligations of CTR. As of December 31, 2004, a principal amount of US$29.5 million was outstanding. Payments of principal and interest are due in semi-annual installments until maturity in 2008. Currently, the lenders would have full recourse against SR Telecom for the complete amount of the loans, if performance, financial performance and financial position covenants were not met. While CTR and SR Telecom have not met all of these covenants, default on the covenants has been waived by the lenders until March 31, 2005. Subsequently, on March 30, 2005, CTR's lenders agreed to extend the waiver until April 22, 2005. As the waiver period does not extend for a full year subsequent to December 31, 2004, the total amount of the notes has been recorded as a current liability in the consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2004. These covenants were waived in previous years and SR Telecom believes that these covenants will continue to be waived until the balance of the amounts outstanding is either repaid or refinanced, provided that the debentures are repaid, refinanced or that the maturity date is extended. If the lenders decline to waive the defaults, all amounts due under the loans, including principal and interest and other fees, could be declared due and immediately payable. In addition, if Export Development Canada and Inter-American Development Bank accelerated the loans, a default would be triggered under SR Telecom's public debentures, which means that all amounts could be declared due and immediately payable.

        Counterparts for both long-term project financing facilities are governmental export or development financing organizations. Both tranches rank pari passu and are secured by a pledge of all of the assets of CTR and a pledge of the shares in the share capital of CTR and intermediate holding companies. SR Telecom has also agreed to provide CTR with the necessary funds and resources to complete the network as well as maintain its initial equity investment in CTR.

        The following table outlines the cash payments due with respect to SR Telecom's contractual cash obligations:

        Payments due by:

Contractual Obligations
  2005
  2006
  2007
  2008
  2009
  Thereafter
  Total
Debentures   71,000             71,000
Long-term debt   35,585             35,585
Lease liability   5,043   3,577           8,620
Capital lease obligations   95   79   78   78   25     355
Purchase commitments   14,774             14,774
Operating lease obligations   4,636   2,602   2,083   1,316   725   152   11,514
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total   131,133   6,258   2,161   1,394   750   152   141,848
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

38


        The purchase commitments as at December 31, 2004 relate primarily to open purchase orders with suppliers for components, for current and expected sales in 2005.

Shareholder's Equity

(in 000's)
  December 31, 2004
  December 31, 2003
Authorized        
  An unlimited number of common shares        
  An unlimited number of preferred shares issuable in series        
17,610,132 common shares (10,467,283 in 2003)   219,653   180,866
3,924,406 warrants (352,941 in 2003)   13,029   1,815
Contributed Surplus   519  

        On September 2, 2003, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved a one-for-ten share consolidation. All per share amounts in the MD&A have been restated to reflect the share consolidation on a retroactive basis.

        On February 18, 2004, the Corporation completed a public offering of 5,714,287 units for gross cash proceeds of $40.0 million. Concurrently with the closing of the public offering, the Corporation completed a private placement of 571,500 units for aggregate gross proceeds of $4.0 million. Each unit is comprised of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at a price of $9.00 per share until February 2006.

        On February 24, 2004, the over-allotment option related to the public offering was exercised where an additional 857,142 units were purchased for gross cash proceeds of $6.0 million. These units hold the same terms and conditions as those of the public and private offerings.

        The gross proceeds of $50.0 million were allocated between common shares and warrants based on their fair values. Accordingly, $38.8 million was allocated to the common shares and $11.2 million to the warrants. The fair value of the warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes Option pricing model, assuming a weighted-average risk-free rate of 4.3%, a dividend yield of 0%, expected volatility of 72.5% and expected life of the warrants of 2 years.

        The underwriting commissions and other expenses amounted to $3.2 million relating to the public offering and private placement. These share issue costs were charged to deficit.

        On September 4, 2003, the Corporation acquired all of the common shares of Netro, which resulted in an issuance of 4,149,893 common shares at a price of $6.75 per share, which was the fair value of the shares on the date the acquisition was announced.

        In 2003, the Corporation also closed a private placement whereby 705,882 units were issued at $8.50 per share for gross proceeds of $6.0 million. Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share in the capital of SR Telecom at a price of $10.00 per share until July 2008. The securities were subject to a four-month hold period under the applicable securities law. The private placement was offered in order to obtain funds to be used in working capital.

        The gross proceeds of $6.0 million were allocated between common shares and warrants based on their fair values. Accordingly, $4.2 million was allocated to the common shares and $1.8 million to the warrants.

39


        SR Telecom had an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, a Directors' Share Compensation Plan and an Employee Stock Option Plan that provides stock options to key employees, where the options vest over a period of four to five years. During the year ended December 31, 2004, no common shares were issued under the Directors' Share Compensation Plan. The Corporation effectively terminated its Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of January 1, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2003, stock issued under the first two plans totaled 88,710 for consideration of $0.7 million.

        As at December 31, 2004, the Corporation's outstanding number of stock options is 406,580 where 168,940 stock options are exercisable.

        Effective January 1, 2004, the Corporation adopted the transitional provisions of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants' ("CICA") section 3870, "Stock-Based Compensation and Other Stock-Based Payments", where compensation expense is now recognized on all issued and outstanding stock options issued after January 1, 2002, in accordance with the fair value method of accounting. This amendment has been applied retroactively without restatement of prior periods. This resulted in a charge to opening deficit of $0.3 million with a corresponding credit to contributed surplus at January 1, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, compensation expense of $0.2 million was included in operating expense in the statement of operations.

Contingencies

        Refer to note 24 to the accompanying annual audited consolidated financial statements for a full description of the Corporation's outstanding contingencies.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        The Corporation has currency exposures arising from significant operations and contracts in multiple jurisdictions. The Corporation also has currency exposure to freely tradable and liquid currencies of first world countries and communities. As a result, the Corporation entered into forward contracts in 2003 as a partial economic hedge against fluctuations in the US dollar with respect to its US dollar receivables. During the current year, SR Telecom sold its US $2.0 million forward contract. The change in market value of this contract from the date of purchase to expiry date in March 2004 resulted in a realized foreign exchange gain of $0.2 million recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. The Corporation had not entered into other forward contracts in 2004.

        The Corporation has provided its customers with product warranties that generally extend for one year, as part of the normal sale of products. The Corporation also indemnifies its customers against any actions from third parties related to intellectual property claims arising from use of the Corporation's products. In the Corporation's experience, claims under such indemnifications are rare, and the associated fair value of the liability is not material.

        Pursuant to the acquisition of Netro Corporation, the Corporation has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless, the former directors and officers of Netro, for a period of six years, and to obtain directors and officers insurance in this regard for a period of three years.

        Refer also to note 24 and 27 to the accompanying annual audited consolidated financial statements for a full description of the Corporation's guarantees and derivative financial instruments, respectively.

Related Party Transactions

        SR Telecom has entered into various transactions with members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and their affiliated companies as well as a shareholder company exercising significant influence. The affiliated companies and the shareholder company have provided primarily professional services to the Corporation.

        In July 2001, the Corporation issued 8,000 common shares to senior officers. These common shares were purchased through company loans amounting to $128,000 due in July 2006, bearing interest at 5% per annum.

Cash Flows

        For the year ended December 31, 2004, cash flows used in operations totaled $41.2 million as compared to $44.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This is primarily the result of lower revenues resulting in increased operating losses offset by the gain on sale of a long-term investment and a gain on the settlement of the claim with Solectron along with a decrease in non-cash working capital items, in particular the outstanding accounts receivable.

40


        For the year ended December 31, 2004, cash flows from financing activities totaled $31.3 million as compared to a use of $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The cash inflows reflect $46.8 million in net proceeds from the issue of shares and warrants, offset by $15.5 million in debt repayments. For 2003, the cash outflow reflects debt repayments offset by the proceeds on the private placement.

        For the year ended December 31, 2004, cash inflows from investing activities totaled $6.1 million as compared to $46.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The decrease in the cash inflow in 2004 resulted from the net cash acquired on acquisition of Netro Corporation in 2003 and the sale of short-term investments during the year to fund operations.

New accounting recommendations

Financial Instruments — Disclosure and Presentation

        The CICA recently issued revisions to section 3860 of the CICA Handbook, "Financial Instruments — Disclosure and Presentation". The revisions change the accounting for certain financial instruments that have liability and equity characteristics. It requires instruments that meet specific criteria to be classified as liabilities on the balance sheet. Some of these financial instruments were previously classified as equities. These revisions come into effect on January 1, 2005. The Corporation does not have any instruments with these characteristics at this time.

Financial Instruments — Recognition and Measurement

        The CICA recently issued section 3855 of the CICA Handbook, "Financial Instruments — Recognition and Measurement". The section is effective for years beginning on or after October 1, 2006. It describes the standards for recognizing and measuring financial assets, financial liabilities and non-financial derivatives. This section requires that 1) all financial assets be measured at fair value, with some exceptions like loans and investments that are classified as held-to-maturity, 2) all financial liabilities be measured at fair value when they are derivatives or classified as held for trading purposes (other financial liabilities are measured at their carrying value), and 3) all derivative financial instruments be measured at fair value, even when they are part of a hedging relationship. The Corporation will evaluate the impact of this section on consolidated financial statements on January 1, 2007.

Hedges

        The CICA recently issued section 3865 of the CICA Handbook, "Hedges". The section is effective for years beginning on or after October 1, 2006. It describes when and how hedge accounting may be applied. Hedging is an activity used by a company to change an exposure to one or more risks by creating an offset between changes in the fair value of a hedged item and a hedging item, changes in the cash flows attributable to a hedged item and a hedging item, or changes resulting from a risk exposure relating to a hedged item and a hedging item. Hedge accounting changes the normal basis for recording the gains, losses, revenues and expenses associated with a hedged item or a hedging item in a company's statement of operations. It makes sure that all offsetting gains, losses, revenues and expenses are recorded in the same period. The Corporation will evaluate the impact of this section on consolidated financial statements on January 1, 2007.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

        Accounting Guideline 15, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities": This guideline presents the views of the Accounting Standards Board on the application of consolidation principles to certain entities that are subject to control on a basis other than ownership of voting interests. The Guideline is to provide guidance for determining when an enterprise includes the assets, liabilities and results of activities of such an entity (a "variable interest entity") in its consolidated financial statements. This Guideline is to be applied for years beginning on or after November 1, 2004. The adoption of AcG 15 is not expected to have an impact on the Corporation's results from operations or financial position.

41



ITEM 6.    DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Directors

        Each director is elected by shareholders to serve until the next annual meeting or until a successor is elected or appointed.

        The following table sets out the name of each of the individuals who are directors of the Corporation as of April 9, 2005, the municipality of residence and other principal board and committee positions.

Name
  Other Positions with the Corporation
  Director Since
John C. Charles(1)
(Toronto, Ontario)
      2001
Constance L. Crosby
(Toronto, Ontario)
      1986
J.V. Raymond Cyr(2)(3)
(Montreal, Quebec)
      1996
Lionel P. Hurtubise(1)(2)
(Montreal, Quebec)
  Chairman of the Board of Directors   1999
Peter L. Jones(3)
(Toronto, Ontario)
      2004
Paul E. Labbé(1)
(Ottawa, Ontario)
      1999
Robert E. Lamoureux(3)
(Toronto, Ontario)
      2004
Nancy E. McGee(3)
(Mississauga, Ontario)
      1984
Pierre St-Arnaud
(Montreal, Quebec)
  President and Chief Executive Officer   2001
Louis A. Tanguay(1)
(Montreal, Quebec)
      2004

(1)
Member of the Corporate Governance Committee.

(2)
Member of the Compensation and Nominating Committee.

(3)
Member of the Audit Committee.

        The following are brief biographies of the members of the board of directors.

        JOHN C. CHARLES has served on the board of SR Telecom since 2001 and is a Managing Director of LeBlanc & Royle Enterprises Inc., one or our major shareholders, see "Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions". He is also a Director of Prism Equities Inc., a publicly traded Canadian medical products investment corporation, and a Director of Northern Property Real Estate Investment Trust, which is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Charles was President, CEO and a Director of LeBlanc Ltd., a Canadian based wireless infrastructure services company, which operated throughout North America and, through subsidiaries, in Australia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He is a chartered accountant and from 1995 to 1997, Mr. Charles was a Senior Vice President and a Director of Midland Walwyn Inc. (now Merrill Lynch Canada Inc.). Mr. Charles is a graduate of Queen's University.

        CONSTANCE L. CROSBY has served on the board of SR Telecom since 1986 and is Vice-President and General Counsel of Psion Teklogix Inc., a Canadian company that is a leading supplier of wireless data communications systems. Prior to joining Psion Teklogix Inc., she was a Partner of Byrne, Crosby in Toronto engaged primarily in the field of commercial law. She serves on the board of Norcom Telecommunications Inc., a cable television company, and on the boards of several private companies and charities. She graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School and is a member of the Canadian and American Bar Associations.

42


        J.V. RAYMOND CYR has served on the board of SR Telecom since 1996 and is Chair of Polyvalor Inc. A former Chairman of BCE, Bell Canada, Telesat Canada and TMI Communications, Mr. Cyr also serves on the boards of Canadian National, G.T.C. Transcontinental Ltd., ART Advanced Research and Technologies, the Old Port of Montreal Corporation Inc., IsacSoft Technologies Inc., Triton Electronik Inc. and Fonds-Groupe Investissements Technologiques. He is also a member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and a Director Emeritus of École Polytechnique de Montréal.

        LIONEL P. HURTUBISE has served on the board of SR Telecom since 1999 and is the Chairman of the Board of Ericsson Canada Inc., a corporation which he has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hurtubise has been in the forefront of telecommunications and computer science technology in Canada for many years. Prior to joining Ericsson in 1986, he served as President of International Systcoms Ltd., then a leader in the field of mobile radio telephony. He was also a principal in the formation of Westech Systems Ltd., a joint venture in which Alberta Government Telephones was a participant, in developing Canada's first cellular mobile telephone network. Mr. Hurtubise is active in private and governmental organizations dedicated to the advancement of telecommunications research and development.

        PETER L. JONES is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Diligent Capital Inc, a private equity and financial consulting company, which he founded. He is an experienced financial executive, having served in various management positions over a twenty-eight-year career in investment banking. Most recently, Mr. Jones was Vice Chairman of National Bank Financial Inc. in Toronto from 1999 to 2000 and Executive Vice President and Head of Investment Banking of First Marathon Securities Limited from 1995 to 1999. From 1989 to 1995, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Salomon Brothers Canada Inc., which he joined following a seventeen-year career at Wood Gundy Inc. in Toronto, Calgary and London, England, latterly as Global Head of Corporate Finance. Mr. Jones has a B.A.Sc. degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto and an M.B.A. degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Business.

        PAUL E. LABBÉ has served on the board of SR Telecom since 1999 and is a Corporate Director and Consultant. Mr. Labbé is the former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Citibank Canada. Prior to joining Citibank, he served for over five and a half years as President and CEO of the Export Development Corporation, following six years as President of Investment Canada. Mr. Labbé has spent most of his career in the field of international trade and finance, having started in 1966 as a Canadian Trade Commissioner in Paris, France, serving as Executive Assistant to the Minister of International Trade until 1973, when he became a founding partner of Interimco Ltd., an international trading company. Mr. Labbé studied Political Science and Economics at the University of Ottawa and obtained a law degree from McGill University. He also studied at the École nationale d'administration in Paris and attended the ISMP Program at the Harvard Business School.

        ROBERT E. LAMOUREUX was appointed to SR Telecom's Board of Directors in 2004. Currently, Mr Lamoureux is a Director of the Institute of Corporate Directors. He has served on numerous industry and professional committees and boards, including the CICA's Auditing Standards Board, IFIC's Accounting Advisory Committee and OSFI's Trust Company Advisory Committee. Mr. Lamoureux is Lead Director, of Royal Group Technologies Limited. He has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Windsor, and is a chartered accountant.

        NANCY E. MCGEE has served on the board of SR Telecom since 1984 and is a Managing Director of LeBlanc & Royle Enterprises Inc. Ms. McGee is a chartered accountant. She joined LeBlanc in 1978 and was involved in the growth of that company's various communications infrastructure businesses throughout the world. Ms. McGee also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations.

        PIERRE ST-ARNAUD was appointed President in June 2000 and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation in April 2001 and has served on the board of SR Telecom since 2001. Mr. St-Arnaud also sits on the Board of Electro Composites Inc. From 1981 to 1995 he was employed in the national and international operations of the Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) group of companies. In 1993, he became President of Power Transmission and Distribution Segment, ABB Canada. In 1996, he served Hydro Québec as Executive Vice President, Technology and Development. From 1997 to 1999 he was engaged as President and Chief Executive Officer at Geomat International Inc., a leader in the global geomatics industry.

        LOUIS A. TANGUAY joined the board of SR Telecom in 2004. Retired from Bell Canada after a career spanning over four decades and during which he held a number of executive positions, including President of Bell Canada International from 1998 - 2001, Mr. Tanguay possesses a deep understanding of the management of telecommunications operations. He currently serves as a director of several public companies including Aéroports de Montréal, Canbras Communications (Chairman), Bell Nordiq, Medysis Inc., Rona Inc., Simpler Networks, and Saputo Group Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Concordia University.

43


Executive Officers

        Executive officers are appointed annually and serve at the discretion of the board of directors.

        The following table sets out information concerning our corporate officers, including name and position with us.

Pierre St-Arnaud   President and Chief Executive Officer
David L. Adams   Senior Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Marie-France Desnoyers   Vice-President, Human Resources
Charles Immendorf   Vice-President, Research and Development
Albert Israel   Vice-President, Products and Technology
Allan Klein   Vice-President, Systems and Technology
Michael J. Morris   Senior Vice-President
Christophe Padiou   General Manager, SR Telecom SAS, France
Benoit Pinsonnault   Senior Vice-President, Operations

        The following are brief biographies of our corporate officers other than Mr. Pierre St-Arnaud whose biography appears under the heading "Directors".

        DAVID L. ADAMS, SR Telecom's Senior Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer, joined SR Telecom in March 1999. He is responsible for executive management and oversight of all financial operations for the company. Prior to joining SR Telecom, Mr. Adams had spent ten years with CAE Inc., where he was Vice President, Finance and Administration of CAE Electronics Ltd. and Treasurer of CAE Inc. Mr. Adams earned his Bachelor's degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto in 1979. He began his career at Clarkson Gordon, a Canadian affiliate of Ernst & Young, where he gained his chartered accountant designation. In 1984, he joined The Bank of Nova Scotia. As Senior Manager, he was responsible for the corporate finance and account management activities of the bank's largest corporate banking unit in Canada.

        MARIE-FRANCE DESNOYERS joined SR Telecom in December 1998, as Vice President, Human Resources. In this capacity she leads the company's effort to attract, retain and direct the career development of SR Telecom's top talent. Ms. Desnoyers has accumulated 12 years of experience in compensation & benefits, organizational development and international human resources. Prior to joining SR Telecom she worked for four years in a high technology environment as Manager, Human Resources with CAE Electronics and before that at Avon Canada. Ms. Desnoyers has a bachelor degree in Sciences from the Universite de Montreal.

        CHARLES IMMENDORF is the Vice President, Research and Development of SR Telecom. Mr. Immendorf is responsible for leading our overall research and development activities and managing the product development teams. Mr. Immendorf joined SR Telecom in September 2003 with the acquisition of Netro where he was Vice President, Software Development. Prior to joining Netro he was Director, Software Development at AT&T Wireless where he led the development team for Project Angel from 1995 to 2002. Mr. Immendorf has a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering with highest honours from Rutgers University College of Engineering.

        ALBERT ISRAEL is Vice President, Products and Technology of SR Telecom. Mr. Israel joined SR Telecom in September 1999 as Director of Research and Development and was promoted to Vice President, Engineering in December 2001. Mr. Israel is responsible product strategy and product line management. Mr. Israel has more than 15 years of management experience in the telecommunications industry. Before joining SR Telecom, Mr. Israel was Vice President of Strategy and Technology at Positron Industries Inc., a leading provider of 911 communication systems, which he joined in 1986 after completing a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering at McGill University.

        ALAN KLEIN is Vice President, Systems and Technology of SR Telecom, where he leads the effort of SR Telecom's development organization focusing on strategic research and development and emerging technologies. Under his direction, SR Telecom continues to focus significant resources on technology innovation and execution. Mr. Klein joined SR Telecom in 1987 and has held several management positions in the areas of product and technology development.

        MICHAEL J. MORRIS is Senior Vice President. He is responsible for all legal aspects of commercial contracts as well as sales in the Middle-East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Mr. Morris is a graduate of Imperial College in London, England, where he received his Bachelor's of Science (Honours) degree in Physics. Mr. Morris joined SR Telecom in 1984, as Vice President Engineering.

44


        CHRISTOPHE PADIOU is General Manager, SR Telecom SAS in France. In this role, Mr. Padiou manages all operational aspects of the EMEA regions including production support and maintenance, project management, sales support, human resources and administration. Mr. Padiou was previously Vice President, Sales EMEA at SR Telecom. He joined SR Telecom in September 2001 with the acquisition of the FWA group of Lucent Technologies. He is a graduate of engineering from Sup Telecom Paris.

        BENOIT PINSONNAULT is Senior Vice President, Operationsof SR Telecom. Mr. Pinsonnault is responsible for the development of SR Telecom's manufacturing and supply-chain strategy. Additionally, Mr. Pinsonnault oversees the day-to-day operations of the company's manufacturing organization, including all product fulfillment and logistics to meet SR Telecom's goal of total customer satisfaction. Mr. Pinsonnault joined SR Telecom in December 1992 as Director of Manufacturing Engineering. He subsequently held the positions of Director — Production, and Director — Manufacturing, and was promoted to Vice President Customer Satisfaction and Operations in September 2000.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

        For the year ended December 31, 2004, an aggregate amount of $2,301,650 was paid to the members of the board of directors of the Corporation and to the executive officers of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, including compensation for salary, bonuses and benefits. In 2004, 148,000 options were granted to executive officers of the Corporation. As of December 31, 2004, no amounts had been set aside for pension and retirement benefits for directors and executive officers.

Compensation of Named Executive Officers

        The following Summary Compensation Table summarises the compensation during the three fiscal years ended December 1, 2004, for our Chief Executive Officer and our four most highly compensated executive officers, other than the CEO, of which were serving the Corporation at the end of the financial year (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"). The determination of the most highly compensated executive officers is made on the basis of the total annual salary and annual incentive bonuses earned during the fiscal year ended December 1, 2004.

Summary Compensation Table


 
   
  Annual Compensation
  Long Term Compensation
   
Name and Principal Position
  Year
  Salary
($)

  Bonus
($)(1)

  Other Annual Compensation
($)

  Stock Options Granted
(#)

  All Other Compensation(2)
($)


Pierre St-Arnaud
President & Chief Executive Officer
  2004
2003
2002
  310,000
310,000
310,000
 

155,000
 

  50,000

10,000
  15,562
15,500
15,452

David L. Adams
Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer
  2004
2003
2002
  228,375
225,000
203,000
 

66,990
 

  28,000

4,000
  11,405
11,220
10,161

Benoit Pinsonnault
Senior Vice President Operations
  2004
2003
2002
  228,375
225,000
180,000
 

59,400
 

  28,000

5,000
  11,405
11,190
8,953

Charles Immendorf(3)
Vice President, R & D
  2004
2003
  204,914
70,742
 
 
 
  115,945

Michael J. Morris
Senior Vice President
  2004
2003
2002
  195,000
188,500
182,000
 

36,400
 

  14,000

3,500
  24,669
16,015
1,623


(1)
Bonus amounts are paid in cash in the year following the fiscal year in which they were earned.

(2)
All other compensation includes contributions to the Corporation's retirement savings plan, and, for Michael J. Morris, overseas allowances.

(3)
Mr. Immendorf joined SR Telecom Inc. further to the Netro acquisition in September 2003 and transferred to Montreal in August 2004 from the Redmond office. His annual salary is $160,000 US. He received a Transfer allowance of US$80,000.

45


NAMED EXECUTIVE NOT IN THE EMPLOY OF THE CORPORATION AT YEAR END


 
   
  Annual Compensation
  Long Term Compensation
   
Name and Principal Position
  Year
  Salary
($)

  Bonus
($)(1)

  Other Annual Compensation
($)

  Stock Options Granted
(#)

  All Other Compensation(2)
($)


Claude Giguère(1)
Senior Vice President, Sales
Terminated November 5th, 2004
  2004
2003
2002
  207,885
171,731
 

 

 
3,500
  50,013
13,302

Marc St-Onge(2)
Vice President, Product Line Management
Terminated May 7th, 2004
  2004
2003
2002
  76,923
200,000
200,000
 

40,000
 

 

3,500
  160,178
15,214
28,656


(1)
Salary shown for Mr. Giguere includes full base salary to termination date, being November 5th, 2004. All Other Compensation includes vacation payment of $7,606 USD and $6,250 USD in employer match contribution to Safe Harbour 401K for 2004, plus Salary continuance until December 31, 2004. Salary continuance will end on June 8th 2005. The salary received in 2005 will be equivalent to $111,173 CAD; this amount is not included in the amounts above. exch. Rate = 1.21966.

(2)
Salary shown for M. St-Onge includes base salary to termination date, being May 7th 2004. All Other Compensation includes a lump sum payment of $76,923 part of his termination package and salary continuance of $53,846, $25,354 in vacation pay and $4,055 of contribution to Retirement Savings Plan.

Share Compensation Arrangements

        We have put into place the Restated 1998 Key Employee Stock Option Plan (the "KESOP"), the Directors' Share Compensation Plan (the "DSCP") and the Restated 1998 Employee Share Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). These plans are all incentive based plans, designed to increase performance of employees, senior management, officers and directors, as the case may be, and further align the interests of each of these participants with shareholder interests.

KESOP

        The KESOP serves as a tool to retain talented individuals within the Corporation. As of April 6, 2005, there were options to purchase 402,880 Common Shares outstanding under the KESOP, from a total authorized reserve amount still available under this plan of 446,550, leaving 43,670 Common Shares available for further option grants.

DSCP

        Since implementation, a total of 44,925 Common Shares have been issued to directors, at the then current market price, in lieu of cash compensation. The aggregate number of shares of Common Shares reserved for issuance under this plan is 45,000 and, at present, a current reserve of 75 Common Shares is available under this plan for future issuances.

46


Management Incentive Plans

        We have put in place management incentive plans for members of our management team pursuant to which the amount of additional cash compensation, or bonuses, is determined. The plans are based on the performance of the Corporation and the individual. The individual's performance will be evaluated based on the level of achievement of pre-set objectives for the year and the Corporation's performance will be established by comparing year-end results vs. plan in terms of the "Net Earnings after Tax Results" of its core business. Individuals become eligible to receive a bonus ranging from 0% to 10% of the individual's base salary when the Corporation exceeds 80% of its budgeted performance, 0% to 30% when the Corporation exceeds 100% of its budgeted performance and 0% to 50% when the Corporation exceeds 120% of its budgeted performance. The amount any given person receives within the available range depends, in turn, on that person's achievement of individual goals.

Option Grants During 2004

        The following table provides summary information regarding stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers under our Restated 1998 Key Employee Stock Option Plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

Name and Principal Position
  Options Granted in 2004(1)
  % of Total Options Granted to Employees in 2004
  Exercise or Base Price
($/Security)

  Market Value of Securities Underlying Options on the date of grant
($/Security)

  Date of Expiration
Pierre St-Arnaud
President & Chief Executive Officer
  50,000   33.5%   7.47   7.45   April 15, 2014
David L. Adams
Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer
  28,000   18.8%   7.47   7.45   April 15, 2014
Benoit Pinsonnault
Senior Vice President Operations
  28,000   18.8%   7.47   7.45   April 15, 2014
Charles Immendorf
Vice President, R & D
  0         n/a
Michael J. Morris
Senior Vice President
  14,000   9.4%   7.47   7.45   April 15, 2014

NAMED EXECUTIVE NOT IN THE EMPLOY OF THE CORPORATION AT YEAR END

Claude Giguère(2)
Senior Vice President, Sales

 


 


 


 


 


Notes:

(1)
The options become exercisable in 20% increments, commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Options expire if not exercised within ten years of the date of grant.

(2)
Claude Giguere maintains vesting rights for a total of 700 options on options granted April 23, 2003 until May 8, 2005 as approved by the Board of Directors.

47


Aggregated Option Exercises During 2004 and Financial Year-End Option Values

        The following table provides summary information concerning the exercise of options by each of our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and the total number of options to acquire Common Shares held by each of them as of December 31, 2004. The value realized upon exercise is the difference between the market value of the underlying Common Shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price. The value of unexercised in-the-money options is calculated based on the difference between the exercise price of the option and the market value of our Common Shares at December 31, 2004. The market value of a Common Share on the Toronto Stock Exchange was $3.80 on December 31, 2004.

Name and Principal Position
  Securities Acquired on Exercise
(#)

  Aggregate Value Realized
($)

  Number of Unexercised
Options at Year End
Exercisable/Unexercisable

  Value of Unexercised in-the-Money
Options at Year End
($)
Exercisable/Unexercisable

Pierre St-Arnaud
President & Chief Executive Officer
  0     16,200/60,800   —/—
David L. Adams
Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer
  0     9,800/32,700   —/—
Benoit Pinsonnault
Senior Vice President Operations
  0     7,700/33,200   —/—
Michael J. Morris
Senior Vice President
  0     8,800/17,700    

NAMED EXECUTIVE NOT IN THE EMPLOY OF THE CORPORATION AT YEAR END

Claude Giguère(1)
Senior Vice President, Sales

 

0

 


 

700/0

 


Note:

(1)
Claude Giguere maintains vesting rights for a total of 700 options on options granted April 23, 2003 until May 8, 2005 as approved by the Board of Directors.

Termination of Employment and Employment Contracts

        The employment agreement of Mr. Pierre St-Arnaud, our Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, provides for continuance of salary for a period of up to twenty-four months, as well as full vesting of all options then held, in the event of termination of employment for any reason other than cause. Full vesting of options will also occur in the event of a change of control of the Corporation.

        The employment agreement of Mr. David Adams, Senior Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, provides for continuance of salary for a period of eighteen months, as well as full vesting of all options then held, in the event of termination of employment for any reason other than cause. Salary continuance and full vesting of options will also occur in the event of a change of control of the Corporation.

48


        The employment agreement of Mr. Benoit Pinsonnault, Senior Vice President Operations of the Corporation, provides for continuance of salary for a period of eighteen months, as well as full vesting of all options then held, in the event of termination of employment for any reason other than cause.

Retention Bonus

        Mr. Pierre St-Arnaud, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and Mr. David Adams, Senior Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation have entered into an agreement with the Board of Directors by which their personal loans, described in the Share Purchase Loan receivable and Other Receivable sections below, will be forgiven provided they remain employed by the corporation for a ten week period starting March 1st, 2005. Similarly, Mr. Benoit Pinsonnault, Senior Vice President, Operations, will be entitled to receive the equivalent of 100% of his base salary earned, with normal payroll, for the same period.

Directors' Compensation

        The board of directors has adopted a compensation policy for its directors who are not officers or employees of the Corporation. The Chairman of the Board receives an annual fee of $37,000. The Chairman of a Committee receive an annual fee of $3,000 and members of a Committee receive and annual fee of $2,000. Directors receive an annual fee of $12,000 and an attendance fee for board meetings, corporate governance committee meetings and audit committee meetings of $1,000 per director.

        The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation paid to directors in 2004.(1)

Name of Director
  Retainer
($)

  Attendance at Regularly Held Board Meetings
($)

  Attendance At Committee Meetings Held Other Than On Board Meeting Day
($)

  Attendance At Board Meetings Held Telephonically
($)

John C. Charles   13,000   9,000   0   2,500
Constance L. Crosby(3)   11,500   9,000   0   2,000
J.V. Raymond Cyr   15,250   10,000   11,500   2,500
Paul A. Dickie(2)   5,500   6,000   500   1,500
Lionel P. Hurtubise   35,500   10,000   7,500   2,500
Peter L. Jones   10,500   4,000   5,000   1,000
Paul E. Labbé   13,000   9,000   0   2,500
Robert E. Lamoureux   7,000   2,000   4,000   1,000
Nancy E. McGee   15,250   10,000   9,000   2,500
Louis A. Tanguay   10,500   6,000   1,000   1,000

Notes:

(1)
Mr. St-Arnaud attended all board meetings; however, he receives no additional compensation in his capacity as a director of the Corporation.

(2)
Mr. Dickie resigned from the Board on June 23, 2004

(3)
During the month of January of 2004 Ms. Constance L. Crosby was a partner of Byrne, Crosby, a law firm that provided legal services to the Corporation at the firm's customary rates. In connection with these services, the Corporation paid Byrne, Crosby $72,000 for legal services in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

        Under the DSCP, directors are entitled to fix in advance, at the start of each fiscal year, a percentage of their directors' compensation between 10% and 100% to be paid quarterly in Common Shares, at the market price at the time of acquisition. In the year 2004, no Common Shares were issued to directors under the Directors' Share Compensation Plan.

49


BOARD PRACTICES

Role and Responsibilities of the Board

        Our board of directors believes that sound corporate governance practices are essential to the sustained growth and performance of the Corporation and consequently maintaining shareholder value. In the past year, considerable attention has been given to publicly traded companies, their board of directors and corporate governance practices. Our board of directors is committed to ensuring and maintaining the integrity of its practices and thereby promoting investor and shareholder confidence.

Board Mandate

        The mandate of our board of directors is to supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and to act with a view to the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders.

        There were ten meetings of the board of directors in 2004, exclusive of meetings held by teleconference, and nine meetings are scheduled for 2005. Additional meetings will be held as required.

Board Composition and Unrelated Directors

        The Board is composed of a majority of unrelated directors, as that term is defined in the Corporate Governance Guidelines in the Toronto Stock Exchange Company Manual. The board of directors has engaged in an exercise to analyse each director and their relationship with the Corporation to determine whether, in their circumstances, they are related or unrelated directors.

        Further to its analysis, the board of directors concluded that seven of the ten directors currently comprising the Board are unrelated, namely: Messrs. John C. Charles, J.V. Raymond Cyr, Lionel P. Hurtubise, Peter L. Jones, Robert E. Lamoureux, Louis A. Tanguay and Ms. Nancy E. McGee. Mr. Pierre St-Arnaud is the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and is, as the Corporation's most senior officer, considered related. Ms. Constance L. Crosby and Mr. Paul E. Labbé, given their minor business dealings with the Corporation, as more particularly described in "Related Party Transactions", are also determined to be related directors. The board of directors believes that each of its members acts independently and, in every case, in what they believe to be the best interests of the shareholders of the Corporation.

Committees of the Board of Directors

        The board of directors has established three standing committees, namely the Compensation and Nominating Committee, the Audit Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee. The board of directors has delegated various functions to each of its Committees, and has designated specific mandates, on which the respective Committees are to perform an oversight responsibility and ultimately report to the board of directors. Practically speaking, the Committees assess, review, advise and make recommendations to the board of directors, where most matters receive formal and final approval.

Compensation and Nominating Committee

        The Compensation and Nominating Committee is currently composed of three directors, Messrs. J.V. Raymond Cyr (Chair), Lionel P. Hurtubise and Louis A. Tanguay. Mr. Paul A. Dickie served on the Compensation and Nominating Committee until his resignation from the board of directors on June 23, 2004. The Committee makes recommendations to the board of directors on, among other things, the compensation of directors, senior executives and all significant compensation matters. The Committee also formulates or reviews succession plans, stock incentive plans and training programs, and has responsibilities for the appointment, evaluation and remuneration of senior executives.

Audit Committee

        During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Audit Committee was composed of four directors, being Messrs. J.V. Raymond Cyr, Peter L. Jones and Robert E. Lamoureux and Ms. Nancy E. McGee (Chair). The audit committee has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed in SAS 61, as may be modified or supplemented. The audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements with management. The audit committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent Chartered Accountants required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and has discussed with the independent Chartered Accountant the independent accountant's independence. Based on this review and these discussions, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F for the last fiscal year for filing with the Commission

50


Corporate Governance Committee

        The Corporate Governance Committee is composed of three members, Messrs. John C. Charles, and Paul E. Labbé and Lionel P. Hurtubise (Chair). Summarily, the Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for developing the Corporation's approach to governance issues, ensuring the appropriateness of its corporate governance policies and practices, and responding to the Corporate Governance Guidelines of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Management Responsibility And Board Independence From Management

        The board of directors operates independently of management and periodically meets without management present. The functions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are separate, distinct and carried out by two individuals: Mr. Lionel P. Hurtubise serves as Chairman and is a non-management and unrelated director, while Mr. Pierre St-Arnaud, the most senior of all management officers, serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. In addition, the board of directors has put in place mechanisms to ensure that an individual director may, if required, obtain external advice at the expense of the Corporation.

        The Corporation's objectives are set through the board of directors' approval and the continuing review of an Annual Budget and Strategic Plan put forward by the Chief Executive Officer. Long-term commitments, senior management and organizational changes, acquisition of new businesses as well as any material action or significant contract not contemplated by the Annual Budget and Strategic Plan require the prior approval of the board of directors.

EMPLOYEES

        As at December 31, 2004, we had a total of 789 employees (987 at December 31, 2003 and 1,053 at December 31, 2002) of which 235 (233 at December 31, 2003 and 244 at December 31, 2002) were employed by our subsidiary CTR in Chile. All employees are non-unionized except for 143 CTR employees in Chile. They are predominantly technicians and are represented by one union. The collective bargaining agreement expires in March 2007. We consider relations with our employees to be good.

SHARE OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Ownership of Securities by Directors and Senior Officers

        The following table provides information about the beneficial ownership of shares of SR Telecom's common stock as of April 9, 2005 by each of our directors and senior officers:

 
  Outstanding Shares
  Right to Acquire
  Total Number
  Percent Beneficially Owned
John C. Charles   1,448,841 (1)   1,448,841   8.2%
Constance L. Crosby   7,085   400   7,485   *
J.V. Raymond Cyr   10,317   400   10,717   *
Peter Jones   39,000     39,000   *
Lionel P. Hurtubise   3,348   400   3,748   *
Paul E. Labbé   5,657   400   6,057   *
Robert Lamoureux   3,800     3,800   *
Nancy E. McGee   1,490,841 (1) 400   1,491,241   8.5%
Pierre St-Arnaud   5,750   16,200   21,950   *
Louis Tanguay   5,000     5,000   *
David L. Adams   4,000   9,800   13,800   *
Marie-France Desnoyers   749   4,700   5,449   *
Albert Israel   960   5,200   6,160   *
Allan Klein   2,573   5,250   7,823   *
Michael Morris     8,800   8,800   *
Benoit Pinsonnault   1,200   7,700   8,900   *
Christophe Padiou     700   700   *
   
 
 
 
All directors and officers as a group   1,600,280   60,350   1,660,630   9.4%
   
 
 
 

Notes:

*
Less than 1%

(1)
Includes 1,428,841 Common Shares held by LeBlanc & Royle, of which each of Mr. Charles and Ms. McGee is a shareholder and serves as a managing director. Each of Mr. Charles and Ms McGee disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

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ITEM 7.    MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Major Shareholders

        The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of April 9, 2005 based on information provided to us by the holders or disclosed in public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The voting rights of the shareholders listed below are not different from the voting rights of our other shareholders. The percentage of outstanding ordinary shares is based on 17,610,132 Common Shares outstanding as of April 9, 2005. Common Shares deemed beneficially owned by virtue of the right of any person or group to acquire such shares within 60 days of the date of this report are treated as outstanding only for the purpose of determining the percent owned by such person or group. None of these shareholders has voting rights different from other holders of Common Shares.

 
  Number of Common Shares owned directly or indirectly
  Number of Warrants owned directly or indirectly
  Number of Common Shares Beneficially Owned
  Percentage of outstanding common shares beneficially owned
Howsen Tattersal Investment Counsel   1,768,645     1,768,645   10.0%
Carso Global Telecom, S.A. de C.V.(1)   1,760,000     1,760,000   10.0%
LeBlanc & Royle Enterprises(2)   1,428,841     1,428,841   8.11%
Courage Capital Management LLC   1,162,400     1,162,400   6.6%

Notes:

(1)
Carso Global Telecom S.A. de C.V. became a shareholder through its ownership of 25% of shares of Netro common stock prior to our acquisition of that company for share exchange. Subsequent to our share exchange acquisition of Netro, Carso Global owned 1,035,000 common shares or 9.9% of the outstanding shares.

(2)
Prior to the stock issues effected during 2003 and 2004 under public and private offerings and for the acquisition of Netro, LeBlanc & Royle Enterprises Inc. was the beneficial owner of 25% of our outstanding Common Shares.

        To the extent we are aware, no person directly or indirectly, jointly or severally has the ability to exert control over the corporation.

        As at March 31, 2005 there were 352 shareholders of record. Of that number, 156 were US holders representing a total of 27.5%our common shares then outstanding.

Related Party Transactions

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Consulting and Professional Services

        John Charles and Nancy McGee are directors of SR Telecom and managing directors of LeBlanc & Royle Enterprises Inc., a shareholder of ours that beneficially holds over 8% of our Common Shares. Constance Crosby is a director of SR Telecom as well as the secretary of LeBlanc & Royle Enterprises Inc. LeBlanc & Royle occasionally performed consulting services for us. For the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, general consulting services amounted to $102,000 and $104,000, respectively. Paul Labbe, a member of our board of directors, was paid $42,000 in consultant fees by the Corporation in 2002 relating to the financing and proposed sale of CTR. Ronald Couchman, a former board member, received $40,000 in consultant fees in 2002.

52


        Constance Crosby, a member of the board of directors, was a partner in Byrne, Crosby, a law firm, and performed certain professional work for us. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, legal professional expenses amounted to $72,000, $265,000 and $145,000, respectively.

Director's Fees

        As part of compensation for services provided as members of our Board of Directors, we offer to our directors the option to receive our Common Shares in lieu of cash payments for their services. For the years ended December 31 2003 and 2002, we issued 22,729 and 12,075 common shares under the Directors' Share Compensation Plan at an aggregate value of $174,000 and $139,000 respectively.

Share Purchase Loan Receivable

        The aggregate indebtedness outstanding to us or any of our subsidiaries, relating to the purchase of our Common Shares, of all directors, executive officers and senior officers, as of December 31, 2004 is $128,000. The principal amount is due July 3, 2006, and bears interest at 5% per annum. These loans were made pursuant to Formal Loan Agreements dated July 3, 2001.

Name and Principal Position
  Involvement of Issuer
  Amount outstanding at December 31, 2003
  Security for Debt
Pierre St-Arnaud
President & Chief Executive Officer
  Loan to purchase common shares of SR Telecom   $ 70,000   Unsecured
David L. Adams
Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer
  Loan to purchase common shares of SR Telecom   $ 58,000   Unsecured

Other Receivable

        The following describes the nature of the other receivable from an executive officer as at December 31, 2004:

Name and Principal Position
  Involvement of Issuer
  Amount outstanding at December 31, 2003
  Security for Debt
Pierre St-Arnaud
President & Chief Executive Officer
  Loan associated with relocation of principal residence   $ 34,000(1)   Unsecured

Note:

(1)
The principal amount of the loan is due July 3, 2006 and bears interest at 5% per annum. This loan was made pursuant to a Formal Loan Agreement dated June 13, 2002.

        Except as disclosed in this section, none of our directors, executive and senior officers, associates or affiliates had any material interest in any transaction with us during the past three years or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or could materially affect us.


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        Our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the auditors' report signed by Deloitte and Touche LLP are presented at Item 18 of this report.

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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Solectron Arbitration

        On December 19, 2002, Solectron California Corporation filed arbitration against Netro for disputes arising under its 1998 "Manufacturing Agreement". Prior to arbitration proceedings, we settled the claim with Solectron and agreed to accept delivery of US$4,000,000 of inventory materials. Partial payment was made in 2004 and early 2005. We did not meet our February 2005 payment obligation which resulted in Solectron serving a judicial citation of US$1,450,000 on March 11, 2005. We have reached an agreement by which Solectron will take no further action until June 15, 2005 for which we have agreed to pay interest and fees as well as the overdue amount of US$550,000 on that date. The remaining US$ 900,000 is due on August 26, 2005.

Future Communications Company ("FCC") Litigation

        The dispute with FCC relates to the alleged improper draw down by Netro of a letter of credit, opened by FCC, with the Bank of Kuwait and the Middle East, and the alleged refusal by Netro to accept return of inventory provided to FCC. On February 2, 2005, the Kuwait Commercial Court passed judgement in favour of the FCC claim. We filed an appeal on March 2, 2005 and are awaiting a new court date to pursue the litigation. The results of this litigation are not determinable at this time. The amount in dispute is approximately US$1,013,000 plus interest from December 31, 1999.

Haiti

        The long-term accounts receivable includes a receivable from Teleco de Haiti. We are currently involved in proceedings to collect these funds. The results of the legal proceedings are not determinable at this time. The following discloses the details of the proceedings:

        In December 2001, we filed a statement of claim in New York for US$4.86 million against MCI International and Telecommunications d'Haiti, S.A.M., or Teleco de Haiti. The claim was filed pursuant to a clause mandating three party arbitration before the International Court of Arbitration in respect of funds which ceased flowing to us under a Tripartite Agreement between Teleco de Haiti, MCI International and ourselves. The agreement provides for the financing of a contract with Teleco de Haiti pursuant to which we were to supply and install certain telecommunications equipment for Teleco de Haiti for approximately US$12.88 million.

        In July 2002, MCI International filed for bankruptcy and the United States Bankruptcy Court issued an order staying all collateral litigation against MCI International, including this arbitration. As a result, MCI International continued in the proceedings as an observer. In February 2002, Teleco de Haiti filed a counter-claim for US$1.2 million in respect of funds transferred to us since the execution of a Termination Agreement between ourselves and Teleco de Haiti, alleging that such Termination Agreement ended their obligations under the Tripartite Agreement.

        On April 24, 2003, the arbitration tribunal rendered a decision, denying both the claim by us against Teleco de Haiti and the counterclaim by Teleco de Haiti against us. However, the arbitration tribunal also held that the Termination Agreement preserved and did not extinguish SR Telecom's right to continue to receive payments from MCI under the Tripartite Agreement. Prior to the decision, we filed a claim for US$4.86 million against MCI International with the United States Bankruptcy Court. If MCI accepts the Tripartite Agreement then we would have claims on both pre-petition amounts and post-petition amounts up to the full amount still due. Such post-petition and future flows of funds would be paid from the MCI/Teleco de Haiti Voice Settlement Account.

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        On April 27, 2004, MCI's Bankruptcy Plan was made effective and the Court approved date for filing of objections was six months from the effective date of the Plan. On October 15, 2004, MCI objected to the claim. We filed a notice of objection and is continuing to pursue its claim with MCI. The parties are currently entering the discovery process. Concurrently, we are in discussions with Teleco de Haiti to accelerate the collection outside of the court process. We haveas a reasonable expectation that its claim will be upheld by the court, and therefore no provision for loss has been recorded with respect to this amount receivable. If we cannot recover a substantial amount from MCI International, it could have a material impact on SR Telecom's results of operations.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

        Due to the maturity of our Debentures and our inability to fund their repayment from our existing cash resources as well our need for working capital to operate, on April 18, 2005, we entered into an agreement in principle with a group representing the required majority of our outstanding 8.15% Debentures due April 22, 2005, regarding a proposed recapitalization plan. On April 25, 2005, we announced that the date of maturity of the bonds was extended to June 30, 2005.

        Under the terms of the agreement in principle, we would exchange the outstanding $71 million in principal amount of our 8.15% Debentures, due April 22, 2005 and all accrued interest of approximately $2.9 million into 47,266,512 common shares and approximately $63.9 million new 10% Convertible Redeemable Secured Debentures, due 2010. Interest on the new Convertible Debentures would be payable in cash or in kind at our option. The common shares issued to the Debenture holders would represent approximately 73% of the issued and outstanding common shares. In addition, each $1,000 in principal amount of new Convertible Debentures will be convertible into 4,727 (the "Conversion Rate") common shares, representing a conversion price at closing of approximately $0.21 per common share. The Conversion Rate may be adjusted to account for interest accrued pending closing such that the aggregate equity holding represented by the common shares issued together with the new Convertible Debentures would not exceed 95.2% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Corporation on a fully diluted basis.

        The restricted group of Debenture holders has also agreed, subject to execution of final documentation, to provide us with a five-year $50 million secured Credit Facility of which $20 million would be available as soon as loan documentation and registrations are in place, with the balance to be available over the next three quarters, subject to certain conditions. Based on the current agreement in principle, the financial terms include the following: a 2% up-front facility fee (based on the full $50 million facility amount) and interest paid partly in cash at a rate equal to the greater of 6.5% and the three-month Canadian Dollar LIBOR rate plus 3.85% and partly paid in kind at a rate equal to the greater of 7.5% and three-month Canadian Dollar LIBOR plus 4.85%. In addition the facility contemplates a payout fee of 5% (based on $50 million facility amount) or 2% of distributable value at maturity.

        The Debenture exchange and the Credit Facility are subject to numerous conditions, including the execution of definitive documentation satisfactory to the lenders under the Credit Facility, the approval by the holders of at least 662/3% of the outstanding Debentures, and regulatory approval. Debenture holders representing approximately 75% of the outstanding Debentures have indicated in writing their support for the Debenture exchange. The Credit Facility is expected to close as soon as loan documentation and registrations are in place and the Debenture exchange is expected to close on or about May 9, 2005 although there can be no assurance that such conditions will be satisfied by such date.

        Additionally, it is a condition of the recapitalization that the lenders to our Chilean subsidiary, CTR, will restructure CTR's outstanding debt and amortization schedule and provide an extended waiver of at least three years, subject to final negotiations and the receipt of credit approvals. CTR's lenders have currently waived compliance with certain financial and operational covenants of CTR until May 1, 2005.

        We are free to accept an alternative transaction, which must provide for the payment of all amounts due to the Debenture holders plus expenses, unless otherwise agreed to by the Debenture holders. However, if we accept an alternative transaction after the later of two weeks from April 18, 2005 or the date on which the Credit Facility becomes binding, such acceptance would result in the payment of $1 million to the lenders providing the Credit Facility.

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ITEM 9.    THE OFFER AND LISTING

OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS

        The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our Common Shares as reported by the Toronto Stock Exchange, in Canadian dollars, for each full financial year since 2000 and as reported by the Nasdaq National Market, in US dollars, since our common shares started trading in the Nasdaq in September 2003.

 
  Toronto Stock Exchange
  Nasdaq National Market
Year
  High
  Low
  High
  Low
2000   132.00   27.00        
2001   44.00   11.00        
2002   27.50   7.00        
2003   15.00   5.50   6.80   4.50
2004   9.41   1.56   7.25   1.28

        The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our common shares as reported by the Toronto Stock Exchange, in Canadian dollars, for each financial quarter in 2003 and 2004 and as reported by the Nasdaq National Market, in US dollars for each financial quarter, since our common shares started trading in the Nasdaq in September 2003.

 
  Toronto Stock Exchange
  Nasdaq National Market
Quarter
  High
  Low
  High
  Low
Q1 2003   12.10   5.90        
Q2 2003   15.00   5.50        
Q3 2003   11.40   6.85   5.89   5.02
Q4 2003   8.80   6.00   6.80   4.50
Q1 2004   9.41   6.60   7.25   4.81
Q2 2004   7.85   3.53   6.01   2.54
Q3 2004   4.76   2.06   3.61   1.57
Q4 2004   5.05   1.56   4.37   1.28

        The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our common shares as reported by the Toronto Stock Exchange, in Canadian dollars, and as reported by the Nasdaq National Market, in US dollars, for the most recent six months.

 
  Toronto Stock Exchange
  Nasdaq National Market
Month
  High
  Low
  High
  Low
October 2004   3.10   1.75   2.45   1.46
November 2004   5.05   1.56   4.37   1.28
December 2004   4.40   3.01   3.60   2.52
January 2005   4.14   1.17   3.43   0.94
February 2005   1.32   0.87   1.07   0.71
March 2005   1.30   0.61   1.08   0.54

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        Not applicable.

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MARKETS

Common Shares

        Our Common Shares currently trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "SRX" and are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "SRXA".

Warrants

        Our common share purchase warrants, or Warrants, currently trade on the Toronto Stock exchange under the symbol "SRX.W"


ITEM 10.    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SHARE CAPITAL

        Not applicable

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

Organization and Background

        We are incorporated under and are governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act, or CBCA.

Board of Directors

        Under the CBCA, a corporation whose securities are publicly traded must have at least three directors, including two who are not officers or employees of the corporation or any of its affiliates, but the actual number of directors is governed by a corporation's articles. Our articles of incorporation, provide that the number of directors will consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of twelve. Our bylaws provide that the actual number of directors will be determined from time to time by resolution of the directors. Currently, the number of directors on our board is set at nine.

        Under the CBCA generally, 25% of the directors of the corporation and 25% of the directors present at a meeting must be Canadian residents.

Power to Determine Compensation

        Under the CBCA the directors of a corporation may fix the remuneration to be paid to the directors, officers and employees of the corporation.

Director Share Ownership Requirements

        The CBCA provides that unless the articles of a corporation otherwise provide, a director of a corporation is not required to hold shares issued by the corporation. There is no provision in our articles of incorporation imposing a requirement that a director hold any of our shares.

Description of Share Capital

Common Shares

        Our Common Shares entitle their holders to receive notice of all meetings of shareholders and to attend and vote at those meetings, except meetings at which only holders of a specified class of shares (other than the Common Shares) or a specified series of shares are entitled to vote. Each Common Share entitles its holder to one vote at a meeting of shareholders. The holders of Common Shares are entitled to dividends that our board of directors may declare, in its discretion, subject to any restriction as provided in the CBCA, on a proportionate basis. The Common Shares are entitled upon bankruptcy, winding-up, dissolution or liquidation to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation, after payment to any other class of our shares that is preferred to the Common Shares.

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Preferred Shares

        Our Preferred Shares may be issued in one or more series. The directors have the ability to issue these series, subject to the sending of articles of amendment to the "director" appointed under the CBCA for that purpose in prescribed form and the issuance of a certificate of amendment in respect of the articles of incorporation. The board of directors may fix, before such issue, the number of shares which is to comprise each series and the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to each series of Preferred Shares. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the CBCA, the holders of Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to vote for the election of directors or for any other purpose. The Preferred Shares of each series shall, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets or return of capital in the event of bankruptcy, winding-up, dissolution or liquidation of SR Telecom, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other return of capital or distribution of assets of SR Telecom among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, rank on a parity with the preferred shares of every other series. Preferred Shares will also be entitled to preference over the Common Shares and over any other class of our shares ranking junior to the preferred shares of any series.

Warrants

        We have two series of warrants, the first series of warrants entitles each holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $ 10.00 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, at anytime prior to August 27, 2008, The second series ofwarrants entitles each holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $9.00 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, at any time prior to February 18, 2006. A warrant holder does not have any right as shareholder of the Corporation including the right to vote or attend meetings of shareholders or to receive dividends or other distributions.

Amendment to Governing Documents

        Under the CBCA, an amendment to a corporation's articles generally requires shareholder approval by special resolution. A "special resolution" is a resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the votes cast by shareholders who are entitled to vote on the resolution. In addition, if an amendment to the articles of incorporation adversely affects the rights of a particular class or series of shares, that class or series is entitled to vote separately as a class, whether or not that class or series otherwise carries a right to vote.

        Under the CBCA, unless the articles or bylaws otherwise provide, the directors may, by resolution, make, amend, or repeal any bylaw that regulates the business or affairs of a corporation. Where the directors make, amend or repeal a bylaw, they are required to submit the bylaw, amendment or repeal to the shareholders at the next shareholders meeting, and the shareholders may, by an "ordinary resolution" confirm, reject or amend the bylaw, amendment or repeal. An "ordinary resolution" is a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders who voted on the resolution. If the directors of a corporation do not submit a bylaw, an amendment or a repeal to the shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders, the bylaw, amendment or repeal will cease to be effective, and no subsequent resolution of the directors to adopt, amend or repeal a bylaw having substantially the same purpose and effect is effective until it is confirmed or confirmed as amended by the shareholders.

        Under the CBCA, the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, irrespective of the number of persons present at the meeting, unless the bylaws provide otherwise. Pour bylaws provide that a quorum at any shareholder meeting will be the holders present in person or present by proxy of at least 25% of the outstanding shares entitled to be voted at the meeting.

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Annual Meeting of Shareholders

        Under the CBCA, the directors of a corporation must call an annual meeting not later than 18 months after the corporation comes in to existence and thereafter, not later than 15 months after holding the last preceding annual meeting and no later than six months after the end of the corporations' preceding financial year.

Call of Special Shareholders Meeting

        The CBCA provides that shareholder meetings may be called by the board of directors, and must be called by the board of directors when so requisitioned by holders of not less than 5% of the issued shares of the corporation that carry the right to vote at the meeting sought. A court may also order, in its discretion and in certain circumstances, the calling of a meeting upon the application of a director or shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting. Under our bylaws, the board of directors has the power to call a special meeting at any time.

Quorum Requirement for Any Meeting of the Holders of Common Stock

        In connection with the listing of our common shares on the Nasdaq National Market, we requested, based upon current business practice in Canada, and obtained, a waiver from Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4350(f) regarding the quorum requirement. Pursuant to Rule 4350(f), a listed issuer shall provide for a quorum, as specified in its by-laws, of no less than 331/3% of the outstanding shares of common stock for any meeting of the holders of common stock. Our by-laws provide for a quorum of no less than 25% of our outstanding common shares.

Requirements for Extraordinary Corporate Transactions

        Under the CBCA, extraordinary corporate actions, such as certain amalgamations, continuances, sales, leases or exchanges of all or substantially all of the property of a corporation other than in the ordinary course of business, and other extraordinary actions such as liquidations or dissolutions are required to be approved by special resolution. For such approvals, each share of the corporation carries the right to vote, whether or not the shares are designated as voting shares in the corporation's articles. In some cases the special resolution to approve an extraordinary corporate action must also be approved separately by the holders of a class or series of shares, including a class or series that does not otherwise have the right to vote.

        A corporation may also apply to a court for an order approving an arrangement which includes an amalgamation, a transfer of all or substantially all the property of a corporation to another corporation in exchange for property, money or securities of the corporation, or liquidation and dissolution where it is not insolvent and where it is not practicable for the corporation to make such fundamental change under other provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act. The court may make any interim or final order it thinks fit with respect to the proposed arrangement.

        Shareholder approval is not required for an amalgamation between a parent corporation and one or more of its wholly owned subsidiaries or between two or more wholly owned subsidiaries

MATERIAL CONTRACTS

        The following is a list of each material contract, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which we or our subsidiaries are a party, for the two years preceding the date of this document.

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EXCHANGE CONTROLS

        None

CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The following is a summary of certain Canadian federal income tax considerations relating to an investment in the Common Shares or the Warrants.

        The summary is only applicable to a holder of Common Shares or Warrants who, for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (also referred to as the "Tax Act") and the Canada-United States Tax Convention (also referred to as the "Convention"), is resident in the United States and not resident in Canada, deals at arm's length with the Corporation, holds the Common Shares or Warrants as capital property and does not use or hold and is not deemed to use or hold the Common Shares or the Warrants in carrying on business in Canada (also referred to as a "U.S. Holder").

        The summary is for general information only and does not take into account the individual circumstances of any particular investor. Therefore, investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the Common Shares or Warrants based on their specific circumstances, including any consequences of an investment in the Common Shares or Warrants arising under state, local or provincial tax laws of other jurisdictions, including the United States.

        This summary is based on the current provisions of the Convention and accompanying protocols, the Tax Act, the regulations under the Tax Act, specific proposals to amend the Tax Act or the regulations thereunder announced by the Canadian Minister of Finance prior to the date of this report and counsel's understanding of the current administrative and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (or CRA). This summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action, nor does it take into account income tax laws or considerations of any province or territory of Canada or any jurisdiction other than Canada.

        Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to financial institutions (as defined by the Tax Act) and to non-resident insurers carrying on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere.

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The Common Shares

        Assuming that the Common Shares will continue to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and quoted on Nasdaq, capital gains realized on the disposition of Common Shares by a U.S. Holder will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act unless such Common Shares constitute taxable Canadian property.

        Common shares will generally not be taxable Canadian property of a U.S. Holder unless, at any time during the five-year period immediately preceding a disposition, the U.S. Holder, persons with whom the U.S. Holder did not deal at arm's length or the U.S. Holder and persons with whom the U.S. Holder did not deal at arm's length owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation. Even if the Common Shares constitute taxable Canadian property to a particular U.S. Holder, an exemption from tax under the Tax Act may be available under the provisions of the Convention.

        Dividends, including deemed dividends and stock dividends, paid or credited to a U.S. Holder on the Common Shares are subject to Canadian withholding tax under the Tax Act. The Convention generally reduces the rate of withholding tax to 15% of the gross amount of the dividend where the beneficial owner is not a corporate entity that owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the Corporation. Moreover, under the Convention, dividends paid to certain religious, scientific, literary, educational or charitable organizations and certain pension organizations that are resident in, and generally exempt from tax in, the United States, are exempt from Canadian non-resident withholding tax. Provided that certain administrative procedures are observed by such an organization, the Corporation would not be required to withhold such tax from dividends paid or credited to such organization. The withholding tax is reduced to 5% under the Convention where the U.S. Holder is a corporation that owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the Corporation.

The Warrants

        Capital gains realized on the disposition of the Warrants by a U.S. Holder will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act unless the underlying Common Shares would be taxable Canadian property for the particular U.S. Holder. For information concerning when the Common Shares will be taxable Canadian property for a particular U.S. Holder, see the summary under the heading "The Common Shares". For the purposes of determining the number of Common Shares held by a particular person, the person will be considered to own Common Shares for which such person's Warrants may be exchanged. Even if the Warrants constitute taxable Canadian property to a particular U.S. Holder, an exemption from tax under the Tax Act may be available under the provisions of the Convention.

        Where the Warrants are exercised, the amount paid to acquire or to exercise the Warrants will be added to the adjusted cost base of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of the Warrants. For the Canadian federal income tax consequences of holding Common Shares, see the description under the heading "The Common Shares".

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The following is a discussion of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of Common Shares or Warrants held by a U.S. holder (as defined below) as capital assets within the meaning of section 1221 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

        This discussion is based on the Code, Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect on the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, which change may be retroactive and may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences described herein. This discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to any particular U.S. holder, and does not deal with persons that may be subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws (including, without limitation, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, individual retirement accounts and other tax-deferred accounts, regulated investment companies, financial institutions, broker-dealers, certain U.S. expatriates, U.S. holders whose "functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar, U.S. holders that hold Common Shares or Warrants as a position in a "straddle," "hedge," "constructive sale transaction," "conversion transaction" or other integrated transaction or persons who mark to market their securities).

        For purposes of this discussion, the term "U.S. holder" means a beneficial owner of Common Shares or Warrants that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

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        If a partnership holds Common Shares or Warrants, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.

        U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of owning and disposing of Common Shares and Warrants in light of their particular circumstances, including the tax consequences under state, local, non-U.S. and other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal and other tax laws.

Warrants

Exercise of Warrants

        Upon the exercise of Warrants a U.S. holder will not recognize gain or loss and will have a tax basis in the Common Shares issued pursuant to the exercise equal to the holder's tax basis in the exercised Warrants plus the exercise price. The holding period for Common Shares issued upon the exercise of Warrants will commence on the date of exercise.

Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Warrants

        Upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of Warrants, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in the Warrants. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Warrants have been held for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term capital gain or loss. Long-term capital gains of individuals are eligible for preferential rates of taxation, and short-term capital gains are taxed at the rates applicable to ordinary income, which, for gains recognized before January 1, 2009, may be higher than the rates applicable to dividends. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Expiration of Warrants

        Upon the expiration of Warrants, a U.S. holder will recognize a loss equal to the U.S. holder's tax basis in the Warrants. This loss will be a capital loss and generally will be long-term if the Warrants have been held for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Constructive Dividends

        The adjustment, or failure to make an adjustment, of the exercise price or conversion ratio of the Warrants may be deemed to be a payment of a taxable dividend to U.S. holders of Warrants to the extent of the Corporation's current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), regardless of whether there is a distribution of cash or property.

Common Shares

Distributions on Common Shares

        Distributions on Common Shares, whether in cash or in property, that are paid out of the Corporation's current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will generally be includible in income by a U.S. holder as a dividend when actually or constructively received. The amount of the dividend will equal the amount of cash and the fair market value of the property received. To the extent a U.S. holder receives a distribution that exceeds the Corporation's current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital that reduces the holder's adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares (to the extent of such basis) and thereafter as taxable gain from the sale or exchange of the Common Shares. Generally, the dividends received deduction applicable to corporate shareholders will not be available.

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        For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009, dividends received by an individual from a "qualified foreign corporation" are eligible for preferential rates of taxation, subject to minimum holding period and other requirements. The determination of whether a dividend qualifies for the preferential rates must be made at the time the dividend is paid.

        Dividends paid in Canadian dollars (including the amount of any Canadian taxes withheld) will be included in a U.S. holder's income in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day the dividends are actually or constructively received by the U.S. holder, regardless of whether the Canadian dollars are converted to U.S. dollars at that time. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible effect and rate of any Canadian withholding tax and the reduction of such withholding rate under the income tax treaty between the United States and Canada.

Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Shares

        Upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Shares, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term capital gain or loss. Long-term capital gains of individuals are eligible for preferential rates of taxation, and short-term capital gains are taxed at the rates applicable to ordinary income, which, for gains recognized before January 1, 2009, may be higher than the rates applicable to dividends. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Foreign Tax Credit Considerations

        For U.S. foreign tax credit limitation purposes, dividends on Common Shares generally will be treated as foreign source income, and gain or loss recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Shares and Warrants will be treated as from U.S. sources. To the extent Canadian withholding tax is payable in respect of a distribution or payment to a U.S. holder, the holder may be eligible for a foreign tax credit or deduction. Further, foreign source income has an effect on a U.S. holder's ability to absorb foreign tax credits. The rules relating to U.S. foreign tax credits are extremely complex, and U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. foreign tax credit rules to their particular situations.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations

        The Code provides special anti-deferral rules regarding certain distributions received by U.S. persons with respect to, and sales and other dispositions (including pledges) of stock of, a "passive foreign investment company" ("PFIC"). A foreign corporation will be treated as a PFIC if 75% or more of its gross income is passive income for a taxable year or if the average percentage of its assets (by value) that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income is at least 50% for a taxable year.

        The Corporation does not believe that it is currently a PFIC, and it anticipates that it will not become a PFIC in the future. A foreign corporation's status as a PFIC, however, is a factual determination that is made annually and thus may be subject to change. If we become a PFIC, U.S. holders of Common Shares and Warrants may become subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding those consequences and possible ameliorative actions.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

        The payment within the United States of dividends on Common Shares, or the proceeds from a disposition of Common Shares or Warrants, held by certain non-corporate holders may be subject to U.S. information reporting rules. Such payments may also be subject to U.S. backup withholding, unless a holder provides a taxpayer identification number and satisfies certain other conditions or otherwise establishes an exemption under the Code. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and may be credited against a holder's U.S. federal income tax liability or refunded if the amounts so withheld exceed the holder's U.S. federal income tax liability.

DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS

        Not applicable.

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STATEMENT BY EXPERTS

        Not applicable.

DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

        We are required to file reports under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and other information with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. However, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, nor are we required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information. Accordingly, there may be less information concerning us publicly available than there is for U.S. companies.

        You may review any reports, statements or other information we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services. In addition, any filings we make with the SEC are available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

        We are subject to the filing requirements prescribed by the securities legislation of all Canadian provinces or territories. You are invited to read and copy any reports, statements or other information that we file with the Canadian provincial securities commissions or other similar regulatory authorities at their respective public reference rooms. These filings are also electronically available from the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (http://www.sedar.com), which is commonly known by the acronym "SEDAR". SEDAR is the Canadian equivalent of the SEC's Electronic document Gathering and Retrieval system, which is commonly known by the acronym "EDGAR".


ITEM 11.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

        The Corporation operates internationally, giving rise to significant exposure to market risks from changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates.

Interest rate risk

        The Corporation has exposure to interest rate risk for both fixed interest rate and floating interest rate instruments. Fluctuations in interest rates will have an effect on the valuation and collection or repayment of these instruments.

Currency risk

        We have currency exposure arising from significant operations and contracts in multiple jurisdictions which is fundamentally limited to freely tradable and liquid currencies of first world countries. We actively practice reducing our net exposure through operational hedging practices and occasionally use forward exchange contracts as partial economic hedges against fluctuations in the US dollar.

Fair value of financial instruments

        The following methods and assumptions have been used to estimate the fair value of the financial instruments:

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        The fair value and carrying amount of these financial instruments as at December 31, are as follows:

 
  2004
  2003
 
  Carrying amount
  Fair value
  Carrying amount
  Fair value
 
  $

  $

  $

  $

Debentures   71,000   61,060   71,000   49,700
Notes payable   35,585   30,603   45,232   33,924


ITEM 12.    DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

        Not applicable.


PART II

ITEM 13.    DEFAULTS, DIVIDENDS ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

        As of March 31, 2005, we were in default of a specific covenant of our Trust Indenture related to the $71,000,000 Debentures due April 22, 2005 and in default of the same covenant in our CTR term debt. We are currently in the process of refinancing the debentures and of negotiating revised finance terms with the CTR lenders. The Debenture holders have waived the default until June 30, 2005 and the CTR lenders have waived the default to May 1, 2005.

        Further, we were unable to meet our interest and principal payment obligations under the Debenture for April 22, 2005, such payment was waived on April 22, 2005 by the Debenture holders to June 30, 2005 as part of the negotiations of the recapitalization of our balance sheet.

        Export Development Canada, a Canadian governmental agency and the Inter-American Development Bank of Washington have provided US$50 million in term debt financing for CTR. As of December 31, 2004, a principal amount of US$29.5 million was outstanding. Payments of principal and interest are due in semi-annual installments until maturity in 2008. Currently, the lenders would have full recourse against SR Telecom for the full amount of the loans, if performance, financial performance and financial position covenants are not met. While we have not met all of these covenants, default of the covenants has been waived by the lenders until May 1, 2005.

        The covenants under the notes fall into two main categories: the financial covenants require the achievement of specific objectives for the current ratio, debt service coverage ratio, debt to equity ratio, minimum earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization, minimum recurring revenues and receivable turnover. The performance covenants focus on timely completion of the network and timely achievement of financial independence of the project. While the foregoing is not an exhaustive list of covenants, it includes the majority of non-reporting covenant requirements.


ITEM 14.    MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS

        Not applicable

USE OF PROCEEDS

        Not applicable


ITEM 15.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

        As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 20-F, we conducted an evaluation (under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer), pursuant to Rule 13a-15 promulgated under the Exchange Act, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that as of the evaluation date, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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ITEM 16.    [RESERVED]

        Not applicable.


ITEM 16A.    AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

        The Board has determined that at least one audit committee financial expert serves on our Audit Committee. The named audit committee financial expert is Robert E. Lamoureux. Mr Lamoureux is an independent director.


ITEM 16B.    CODE OF ETHICS

        We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct that applies to all of our officers and employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and our principal accounting officer.

        The Code of Business Conduct is available free of charge by writing to the Corporate Secretary, SR Telecom Inc., 8150 Transcanada Hwy, Montreal, QC H4S 1M5, Canada


ITEM 16C.    AUDIT FEES

        Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Chartered Accountants, served as our auditors for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003. The following tables set forth the aggregate fees for professional services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP to us in 2004 and 2003.

Deloitte & Touche LLP fees
  2004
  2003
 
  $

  $

Audit fees        
  Audit services   636,500   331,100
  Services in connection with regulatory filings   129,500   486,000
Audit-related fees   36,000   42,000
Tax fees        
  Preparation of income tax returns   82,600   59,500
    Consulting services   40,600  
Other fees        
  Due diligence services in connection with the Netro acquisition     130,000
  Other services   11,300  
   
 
    936,500   1,048,600
   
 

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        We have introduced procedures for the review and pre-approval of any services performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP. The procedures require that all proposed engagements of Deloitte & Touche LLP for audit and permitted non-audit services are submitted to the audit committee for approval prior to the beginning of any such services.

        During 2004, the audit committee approved 100% of the audit, non-audit and tax fees.


ITEM 16D.    EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

        Not applicable.


ITEM 16E.    PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

        None.


PART III

ITEM 17.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

        Not applicable.


ITEM 18.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements

        Our audited comparative consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, together with the auditor's report thereon which appear at page F-1 of this annual report, are incorporated herein by reference and form an integral part hereof.


ITEM 19.    EXHIBITS

EXHIBITS

        The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Form 20-F:

Exhibit Number
  Description
1.1   Certificate and Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

1.2

 

By-Laws 2003-1, General By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

2.1

 

Trust Indenture dated April 22, 1998 between SR Telecom Inc. and Montreal Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

2.2

 

Form of Warrant issued July 18, 2003 and August 27, 2003 under a Private Placement (issued prior to the Common Share 10 for 1 consolidation on September 3, 2003.) (incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 23, 2004)

2.3

 

Warrant Indenture dated February 2004 between SR Telecom Inc. and Computershare. (incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 23, 2004)

4.1

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 27, 2003 by and among SR Telecom Inc., Netro Corporation and Norway Acquisition Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

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Exhibit Number
  Description
4.2   Amendment No.1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 5, 2003 by and among SR Telecom Inc., Netro Corporation and Norway Acquisition Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

4.3

 

Amendment No. 2 to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July 17, 2003 by and among SR Telecom Inc., Netro Corporation and Norway Acquisition Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4/A, File No. 333-107620).

4.4

 

Amendment No. 3 to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 5, 2003 by and among SR Telecom Inc., Netro Corporation and Norway Acquisition Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4/A, File No. 333-107620).

4.5

 

Common Agreement dated as of December 22, 1999 among Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A., Export Development Corporation and InterAmerican Development Bank. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

4.6

 

Loan Agreement dated as of December 22, 1999 among Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A., Export Development Corporation and InterAmerican Development Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10.1 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

4.7

 

Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of December 22, 1999 between Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A. and Export Development Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10.2 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

4.8

 

Amended and Restated Direct Agreement dated as of December 22, 1999 among Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A., Export Development Corporation and InterAmerican Development Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

4.9

 

Amended and Restated Transfer Restrictions Agreement dated as of December 22, 1999 among SR Telecom Inc., SR (BV) Holdings Limited, CTR Holdings Limited, Servicios Rurales de Telecomunicaciones S.A., Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A., Export Development Corporation and InterAmerican Development Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

4.10

 

Amended and Restated Performance Undertaking dated as of December 22, 1999 among SR Telecom Inc., Export Development Corporation and InterAmerican Development Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

4.11

 

Amended and Restated Project Funds Agreement dated as of December 22, 1999 among SR Telecom Inc., Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A., Export Development Corporation and InterAmerican Development Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

4.12

 

Sixth Amendment and Limited term Waiver Agreement dated as of February 20, 2002 among SR Telecom Inc., Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A. Export Development Canada (formerly Export Development Corporation) and InterAmerican Development Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620). (Portions omitted pursuant to a grant of confidential treatment).

4.13

 

Seventh Amendment and Limited term Waiver Agreement dated as of February 17, 2003 among SR Telecom Inc., Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A. Export Development Canada (formerly Export Development Corporation) and InterAmerican Development Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620) (Portions omitted pursuant to a grant of confidential treatment).

68


Exhibit Number
  Description
4.14   Eighth Amendment and Limited term Waiver Agreement dated as of February 13, 2004 among SR Telecom Inc., Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A. Export Development Canada (formerly Export Development Corporation) and InterAmerican Development Bank (Portions omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment). (incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 23, 2004)

4.15

 

Formal Loan Agreement, dated July 3, 2001, between SR Telecom Inc. and Pierre St-Arnaud (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

4.16

 

Formal Loan Agreement, dated June 13, 2002, between SR Telecom Inc. and Pierre St-Arnaud (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

4.17

 

Formal Loan Agreement, dated July 3, 2001, between SR Telecom Inc. and Pierre St-Arnaud (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of SR Telecom's Registration Statement on Form F-4, File No. 333-107620).

4.18

 

Lease between North San Jose Interests and Netro Corporation dated April 20, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the annual report of Netro Corporation on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2001).

4.19

 

Restated 1998 Key Employee Stock Option Plan dated February 12, 2003, in effect as of the 19th day of April 2001. (incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 23, 2004)

4.20

 

Restated Directors' Share Compensation Plan dated February 12, 2003. (incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 23, 2004)

4.21

 

Employment Agreement for Pierre St-Arnaud dated June 22, 2000. (incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 23, 2004)

4.22

 

Employment Agreement for Pierre St-Arnaud dated February 14, 2005.

4.23

 

Employment Agreement for David L. Adams dated February 14, 2005.

4.24

 

Employment Agreement for Benoit Pinsonnault dated February 18, 2005.

4.25

 

Employment Agreement for Charles Immendorf dated April 28, 2004.

4.26

 

Employment Agreement for Pierre St-Arnaud dated March 2, 2005.

4.27

 

Employment Agreement for David L. Adams dated March 2,2005.

4.28

 

Employment Agreement for Benoit Pinsonnault dated February 28, 2005.

4.29

 

Extension of Waiver Termination Date dated as of February 14, 2005 among SR Telecom Inc., Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A. Export Development Canada (formerly Export Development Corporation) and InterAmerican Development Bank.

4.30

 

Extension of Waiver Termination Date dated as of March 30, 2005 among SR Telecom Inc., Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A. Export Development Canada (formerly Export Development Corporation) and InterAmerican Development Bank.

4.31

 

Extension of Waiver Termination Date dated as of April 22, 2005 among SR Telecom Inc., Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural S.A. Export Development Canada (formerly Export Development Corporation) and InterAmerican Development Bank.

4.32

 

Principles of Restructuring dated as of April 18, 2005 among SR Telecom Inc., DDJ Capital Management, LLC, Guardian Capital LP, Greywolf Capital Management LP, Catalyst Fund General Partner I Inc, and Polar Securities Inc.

69


Exhibit Number
  Description
8   List of subsidiaries.

12.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

12.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

12.3

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

12.4

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

70



Report of Independent Registered Chartered Accountants

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
SR Telecom Inc.

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SR Telecom Inc. (the "Corporation") as at December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the related consolidated statements of operations, deficit and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). These standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Corporation as at December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004 in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

        The Corporation is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly we express no such opinion.

SIGNATURE

Montreal, Canada
March 30, 2005

Comments by Independent Registered Chartered Accountants for U.S. Readers on Canada-U.S. Reporting Differences

        The standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) require the addition of an explanatory paragraph (following the opinion paragraph) when there are changes in accounting principles that have a material effect on the comparability of the Corporation's consolidated financial statements as described in Notes 3b) and l) to the consolidated financial statements as well as when the consolidated financial statements are affected by conditions and events that cast substantial doubt on the Corporation's ability to continue as a going concern, such as those described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. Although we conducted our audits in accordance with both Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), our report to the Shareholders and Board of Directors dated March 30, 2005 is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards, which do not permit a reference to such conditions and events in the report when these are adequately disclosed in the financial statements.

SIGNATURE

Montreal, Canada
March 30, 2005

F-1



SR TELECOM INC.
Consolidated balance sheets
As at December 31
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

 
  Notes
  2004
  2003
 
 
   
  $

  $

 
Assets              
Current assets              
  Cash and cash equivalents       4,549   8,434  
  Short-term investments   5     3,231  
  Short-term restricted cash   10   1,394   2,835  
  Accounts receivable, net   6   47,500   55,395  
  Current portion of long-term accounts receivable   7     21,687  
  Income taxes receivable       911   1,889  
  Inventory   8   59,556   48,027  
  Prepaid expenses       3,504   5,253  
       
 
 
Total current assets       117,414   146,751  

Investment tax credits

 

18

 

13,150

 

18,145

 
Long-term accounts receivable, net   7   5,644   1,571  
Long-term restricted cash   10   493   4,243  
Property, plant and equipment, net   9   85,442   90,127  
Future income taxes   21     21,821  
Intangible assets, net   11   4,494   5,408  
Other assets, net   12   987   1,709  
       
 
 
Total assets       227,624   289,775  
       
 
 
Liabilities              
Current liabilities              
  Bank indebtedness   13     3,000  
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   14   55,682   59,435  
  Customer advances       1,932   4,163  
  Current portion of lease liability   16   5,043   5,591  
  Current portion of long-term debt   15   106,680   7,223  
       
 
 
Total current liabilities       169,337   79,412  

Long-term lease liability

 

16

 

3,577

 

7,217

 
Long-term liability   4   1,810   1,939  
Long-term debt   15   260   109,467  
       
 
 
Total liabilities       174,984   198,035  
       
 
 
Commitments and contingencies   24          

Shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Capital stock   17   219,653   180,866  
  Warrants   17   13,029   1,815  
  Contributed surplus       519    
  Deficit       (180,561 ) (90,941 )
       
 
 
Total shareholders' equity       52,640   91,740  
       
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity       227,624   289,775  
       
 
 

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

Approved by the Board

/s/ Lionel Hurtubise — Chairman/Director of the BOD

/s/ Pierre St-Arnaud — Director of the BOD

F-2



SR TELECOM INC.
Consolidated statements of operations
Years ended December 31
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share information)

 
  Notes
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
 
   
  $

  $

  $

 
Revenue                  
Equipment       85,079   85,655   146,118  
Services       20,273   28,162   34,911  
Telecommunications       18,584   14,064   15,874  
       
 
 
 
Total revenue       123,936   127,881   196,903  
       
 
 
 
Cost of revenue                  
Equipment       56,750   44,949   59,304  
Services       13,094   16,053   30,012  
       
 
 
 
Total cost of revenue       69,844   61,002   89,316  
       
 
 
 
Gross profit       54,092   66,879   107,587  

Agent commissions

 

 

 

5,521

 

3,304

 

13,904

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses       49,660   52,152   47,050  
Research and development expenses, net   18   30,159   27,170   21,336  
Telecommunications operating expenses       18,670   21,556   22,510  
Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges   22   15,907   3,716   4,912  
       
 
 
 
Operating loss       (65,825 ) (41,019 ) (2,125 )

Loss on change in ownership in subsidiary company

 

23

 


 


 

(3,974

)
Interest expense, net   20   (8,035 ) (8,811 ) (12,073 )
Gain on sale of long-term investment   19   3,444      
Gain on settlement of claim   24   4,583      
Gain on repurchase of debentures   15     1,199    
Gain (loss) on foreign exchange       2,254   1,031   (2,461 )
       
 
 
 
Loss from operations before income taxes       (63,579 ) (47,600 ) (20,633 )

Income tax (expense) recovery

 

21

 

(22,555

)

2,845

 

(252

)
       
 
 
 
Net loss       (86,134 ) (44,755 ) (20,885 )
       
 
 
 
Basic and diluted loss per share   17   (5.17 ) (6.21 ) (3.82 )
       
 
 
 
Basic and diluted                  
  Weighted average number of common shares outstanding       16,661,454   7,206,675   5,472,893  
       
 
 
 

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

F-3



SR TELECOM INC.
Consolidated statements of deficit
Years ended December 31
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

 
  Notes
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
 
   
  $

  $

  $

 
Deficit, beginning of year, as previously reported       (90,941 ) (45,659 ) (21,668 )

Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting policy

 

3

 

(272

)


 

(3,106

)
       
 
 
 
Deficit, beginning of year, as restated       (91,213 ) (45,659 ) (24,774 )

Net loss

 

 

 

(86,134

)

(44,755

)

(20,885

)

Share issue costs

 

17

 

(3,214

)

(527

)


 
       
 
 
 
Deficit, end of year       (180,561 ) (90,941 ) (45,659 )
       
 
 
 

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

F-4



SR TELECOM INC.
Consolidated statements of cash flows
Years ended December 31
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

 
  Notes
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
 
   
  $

  $

  $

 
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities                  
  Net loss       (86,134 ) (44,755 ) (20,885 )
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:                  
    Depreciation and amortization       12,931   13,288   14,913  
    Asset impairment   22   2,364   1,993    
    (Gain) loss on disposal of property,                  
      plant and equipment       (166 ) 58   324  
    Increase in lease liability   16   1,586      
    Loss on change in ownership in subsidiary company   23       3,974  
    Gain on sale of long-term investment   19   (3,444 )    
    Gain on settlement of claim   24   (4,583 )    
    Gain on repurchase of debentures   15     (1,199 )  
    Stock-based compensation   17   247      
    Future income taxes       21,821   (5,733 ) (265 )
    Change in operating assets and liabilities:                  
      (Increase) decrease in long-term accounts receivable       (4,073 ) 21,832   7,070  
      Decrease (increase) in non-cash working capital items   25   21,496   (18,106 ) 28,868  
      Unrealized foreign exchange       (3,236 ) (11,393 ) (694 )
       
 
 
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities       (41,191 ) (44,015 ) 33,305  
       
 
 
 
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities                  
  Repayment of bank indebtedness   13   (3,000 ) (7,000 )  
  Repayment of long-term debt and lease liability       (12,536 ) (10,429 ) (8,445 )
  Repurchase of debentures   15     (2,801 )  
  Proceeds from issue of shares and warrants, net of share issue costs   17   46,787   6,157   755  
       
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities       31,251   (14,073 ) (7,690 )
       
 
 
 
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities                  
  Decrease (increase) in restricted cash       5,191   (616 )  
  Acquisition of Netro Corporation, net of cash acquired   4     21,498    
  Purchase of short-term investments   5   (45,439 ) (3,231 ) (21,624 )
  Proceeds on sale of short-term investments   5   48,796   34,276    
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment       (6,217 ) (5,714 ) (3,590 )
  Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment       859      
  Proceeds on sale of long-term investment   19   3,444      
  Other assets       (579 )   (468 )
       
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities       6,055   46,213   (25,682 )
       
 
 
 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents       (3,885 ) (11,875 ) (67 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year       8,434   20,309   20,376  
       
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year       4,549   8,434   20,309  
       
 
 
 

See Note 25 for supplemental cash flow information.

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

F-5



SR TELECOM INC.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(all tabular amounts are in thousands of Canadian dollars)

1.
Description of business
2.
Going concern uncertainty

F-6


3.
Significant accounting policies

a)
Basis of presentation

F-7


F-8


Telecommunication network equipment   straight-line over 20 years
Building and improvements   straight-line over 20 and 10 years
Leasehold improvements   straight-line over term of lease
Machinery, equipment and fixtures   20% diminishing balance
Computer equipment and licenses   30% diminishing balance and straight-line over 5 years

F-9


F-10


F-11


F-12


F-13


4.
Acquisition of Netro Corporation

F-14


 
  $
 
Cash and cash equivalents   26,819  
Short-term investments   12,797  
Restricted cash (Note 10)   6,851  
Accounts receivable   1,611  
Prepaid expenses and deposits   2,011  
Inventory   7,409  
Property, plant and equipment   9,892  
Intangible assets (Note 11)   9,300  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 24(d))   (20,364 )
   
 
Net identifiable assets   56,326  
   
 

Purchase consideration:

 

 

 
Share consideration (Note 17)   28,012  
Lease liability   15,555  
Acquisition costs   5,321  
   
 
    48,888  
   
 

F-15


5.
Short-term investments
6.
Accounts receivable, net
 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
 
 
  $

  $

 
Trade   47,866   50,561  
Other   3,020   6,701  
Allowance for doubtful accounts   (3,386 ) (1,867 )
   
 
 
    47,500   55,395  
   
 
 
7.
Long-term accounts receivable, net
 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
 
 
  $

  $

 
Long-term receivable (i)   5,644   6,046  
Holdbacks (ii)     17,277  
Allowance for doubtful accounts     (65 )
   
 
 
    5,644   23,258  
Current portion     21,687  
   
 
 
    5,644   1,571  
   
 
 

F-16


8.
Inventory
 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
 
 
  $

  $

 
Raw materials   59,913   44,544  
Work-in-process   2,333   1,631  
Finished goods   4,742   6,815  
Reserve for obsolecence   (7,432 ) (4,963 )
   
 
 
    59,556   48,027  
   
 
 

F-17


9.
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
  December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
 
  Cost
  Accumulated depreciation/
amortization

  Net book value
  Cost
  Accumulated depreciation/
amortization

  Net book value
 
  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

Land   1,534     1,534   1,523     1,523
Telecommunications network equipment   104,016   40,142   63,874   99,407   34,590   64,817
Building, improvements and fixtures   21,870   16,301   5,569   21,444   15,410   6,034
Machinery and equipment   39,671   27,826   11,845   39,971   25,483   14,488
Computer equipment and licenses   18,537   15,917   2,620   18,294   15,029   3,265
   
 
 
 
 
 
    185,628   100,186   85,442   180,639   90,512   90,127
   
 
 
 
 
 
10.
Restricted cash
 
  December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
 
  $

  $

Guaranteed Investment Certificates pledged in support of letters of guarantee issued by a Canadian chartered bank, bearing interest at rates ranging from 1.1% to 2.0% (ranging from 1.1% to 2.3% in 2003), maturing through December 2005   727   1,143
Cash sweep accounts in Chile in trust to meet interest and principal on May 15, 2005   175  
Deposit certificates to cover long-term lease obligations, US$817,000 (US$4,592,000 in 2003), bearing interest at 0.65%, maturing through October 2006   985   5,935
   
 
    1,887   7,078
Current portion   1,394   2,835
   
 
    493   4,243
   
 

F-18


11.
Intangible assets, net
 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
 
 
  $

  $

 
Intellectual property   5,696   5,696  
Accumulated amortization   (1,202 ) (288 )
   
 
 
    4,494   5,408  
   
 
 
12.
Other assets, net

 
  December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
 
  Cost
  Accumulated amortization
  Net book value
  Cost
  Accumulated amortization
  Net book value
 
  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

Deferred charges and start-up costs   13,501   12,514   987   13,394   11,685   1,709
   
 
 
 
 
 
13.
Bank indebtedness

F-19


14.
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
  December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
 
  $

  $

Trade accounts payable   34,966   27,392
Commissions payable   6,268   9,355
Accrued payroll and related expenses   6,413   6,818
Restructuring provision (Note 22)   2,206   1,424
Accrued interest   1,449   1,492
Other   4,380   12,954
   
 
    55,682   59,435
   
 
15.
Long-term debt
 
  December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
 
  $

  $

Senior unsecured debentures issued by the Corporation, due April 22, 2005, bearing interest at 8.15% payable semi-annually, redeemable at the option of the Corporation at a price equal to the greater of i) 100% of the principal amount and ii) the Canadian yield price (as defined in the trust indenture), together in each case with accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption. (ii)   71,000   71,000
Notes payable (US$15,500,000, US$16,846,153 in 2003) issued by CTR, under a term loan facility, bearing interest at LIBOR plus 4.50% (i)   18,697   21,771
Notes payable (US$14,000,000, US$18,153,847 in 2003) issued by CTR, under a term loan facility, bearing interest at LIBOR plus 4.50% (i)   16,888   23,461
Obligations under capital leases, bearing interest at rates ranging from 8.8% to 12%, repayable at various dates to April 2009   355   458
   
 
    106,940   116,690
Current portion   106,680   7,223
   
 
    260   109,467
   
 

F-20


F-21


 
  $
2005   106,680
2006   79
2007   78
2008   78
2009   25
Thereafter  
   
    106,940
   
16.
Lease liability
17.
Capital stock and warrants
 
  December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
 
  $

  $

Issued and outstanding        
  17,610,132 common shares (10,467,283 in 2003)   219,653   180,866
  3,924,406 warrants (352,941 in 2003)   13,029   1,815
   
 

F-22


F-23


Range of exercise prices
  Options outstanding
  Weighted-
average remaining contractual life

  Weighted-
average exercise prices

  Options exercisable
  Weighted-
average exercise prices

$
   
   
  $

   
  $

6.40 to 9.80   173,400   9.0 years   7.68   13,800   8.47
16.30 to 24.50   123,550   6.7 years   18.58   62,450   18.22
35.30 to 53.00   58,930   5.3 years   47.71   49,370   47.66
56.60 to 85.30   40,500   5.0 years   64.91   33,120   64.75
89.70 to 130.80   10,200   2.1 years   108.64   10,200   108.64
   
 
 
 
 
    406,580   7.2 years   25.03   168,940   40.61
   
 
 
 
 

F-24


 
  Years ended December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
  Weighted-
average number of options

  Weighted-
average exercise prices

  Weighted-
average number of options

  Weighted-
average exercise prices

  Weighted-
average number of options

  Weighted-
average exercise prices

 
   
  $

   
  $

   
  $

Outstanding, beginning of year   306,310   32.96   328,730   33.10   270,930   47.00
Granted   149,000   7.47   10,000   6.56   103,000   15.50
Forfeited/expired   (48,730 ) 21.17   (32,420 ) 26.30   (45,200 ) 39.20
   
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding, end of year   406,580   25.03   306,310   32.96   328,730   33.10
   
 
 
 
 
 
Options exercisable, end of year   168,940   40.61   135,000   43.94   84,634   52.00
   
 
 
 
 
 

F-25


 
  December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
Dividend yield     0.0%     0.0%     0.0%
Expected volatility     72.5%     65.0%     65.0%
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate     4.1%     4.7%     4.7%
Expected life     5 years     5 years     5 years
Weighted-average fair value per option granted   $ 6.33   $ 8.56   $ 9.00
18.
Research and development expenses, net

F-26


19.
Gain on sale of long-term investment
20.
Interest expense, net
 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
 
  $

  $

  $

 
Interest on long-term debt   8,474   9,262   12,038  
Other interest   175   238   1,025  
Interest income   (614 ) (689 ) (990 )
   
 
 
 
    8,035   8,811   12,073  
   
 
 
 
21.
Income taxes
 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
 
  $

  $

  $

 
Income tax recovery at statutory rates   19,443   15,616   6,616  
Decrease due to non-taxable loss on increase in ownership in subsidiary company       (618 )
Decrease relating to non-deductible items   (830 ) (1,074 ) (50 )
Reversal of temporary differences relating to subsidiaries   (994 ) (1,922 )  
Decrease due to non-recognition of losses carried forward   (14,117 ) (10,245 ) (5,518 )
Write-off of future tax assets   (26,543 )    
Other   486   470   (682 )
   
 
 
 
Income tax (expense) recovery   (22,555 ) 2,845   (252 )
   
 
 
 

F-27


 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
 
 
  $

  $

 
Investment tax credits   (4,079 ) (5,629 )
Excess of tax value over book value of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets   13,222   30,341  
Holdbacks   (502 ) (2,593 )
Unclaimed research and development expenditures   27,597   24,209  
Losses carried forward   45,038   44,108  
Other   1,406   899  
Valuation allowance   (82,682 ) (69,514 )
   
 
 
      21,821  
   
 
 

F-28


 
  Amount
  Expiry date
 
  $

   
Canada   35,000   2010–2011
Chile   52,000   Indefinite
United States   51,000   2023–2024
 
  Amount
  Expiry date
 
  $

   
Canada   10,000   2012–2014
United States   7,000   2018
 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
 
  $

  $

  $

 
Current   (734 ) (511 ) (517 )
Future   (21,821 ) 3,356   265  
   
 
 
 
    (22,555 ) 2,845   (252 )
   
 
 
 

F-29


22.
Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges
 
  Restructuring charges
  Amounts paid/
written off

  Remaining liability at December 31, 2004
 
  $

  $

  $

Severance and termination   10,616   (9,283 ) 1,333
Lease charges and other costs   2,927   (2,054 ) 873
Inventory and asset impairment   2,364   (2,364 )
   
 
 
    15,907   (13,701 ) 2,206
   
 
 

F-30


 
  Restructuring charges
  Amounts paid/
written off

  Remaining liability at December 31, 2003
 
  $

  $

  $

Severance and termination   1,723   (299 ) 1,424
Asset write-down   1,993   (1,993 )
   
 
 
    3,716   (2,292 ) 1,424
   
 
 
 
  Restructuring charges
  Amounts paid/
written off

  Remaining liability at December 31, 2002
 
  $

  $

  $

Severance and termination   2,564   (865 ) 1,699
Lease termination costs   135     135
Inventory write-down   2,213   (2,213 )
   
 
 
    4,912   (3,078 ) 1,834
   
 
 

F-31


23.
Loss on change in ownership in subsidiary company
24.
Commitments and contingencies

a)
The Corporation leases land, buildings and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Future minimum lease payments for the forthcoming years are as follows:

 
  $
2005   4,636
2006   2,602
2007   2,083
2008   1,316
2009   725
Thereafter   152
   
Total future minimum payments   11,514
   

F-32


 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
 
 
  $

  $

 
Balance, beginning of year   750   2,216  
  Payments made during the year   (1,318 ) (1,420 )
  Warranties accrued during the year   1,383   1,011  
  Less: Reduction in provision     (1,057 )
   
 
 
Balance, end of year   815   750  
   
 
 

F-33


F-34


25.
Statements of cash flows
 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
 
  $

  $

  $

 
Decrease in accounts receivable   29,582   11,446   16,214  
Decrease (increase) in income taxes receivable   978   (244 ) 338  
(Increase) decrease in inventory   (9,825 ) (6,173 ) 3,175  
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses   1,749   (291 ) (205 )
Decrease (increase) in investment tax credits   4,995   163   (4,358 )
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities   (3,752 ) (16,636 ) 13,773  
Decrease in customer advances   (2,231 ) (6,371 ) (69 )
   
 
 
 
    21,496   (18,106 ) 28,868  
   
 
 
 
Supplementary cash flow information              
Non-cash financing and investing activities              
  Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Netro     28,012    
   
 
 
 
      28,012    
   
 
 
 
Cash paid for:              
  Interest   8,461   9,850   12,012  
  Income taxes   479   899   323  

F-35


26.
Related party transactions
 
  December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
  $

  $

  $

Revenue (i)       101
Purchases (ii)   199   367   448
Directors' fees (ii)   260   217   196
Accounts payable (ii)   19   84   20
27.
Derivative financial instruments
28.
Employee benefit plan

F-36


29.
Business segments and concentrations
 
  Wireless Telecommunications Products
  Telecommunications Service Provider
  Inter-Segment Eliminations
  Consolidated
 
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
 
  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

 
Balance sheets                                                  
Property, plant and equipment, net   19,575   23,371       82,015   85,358       (16,148 ) (18,602 )     85,442   90,127      
Intangible assets, net   4,494   5,408                       4,494   5,408      
Other assets, net   972   1,160       5,311   5,894       (5,296 ) (5,345 )     987   1,709      
Total assets   238,714   282,508       154,485   158,430       (165,575 ) (151,163 )     227,624   289,775      

Statements of operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
External revenue   105,352   113,817   181,029   18,584   14,064   15,874         123,936   127,881   196,903  
Inter-segment revenue   782   254           (782 ) (254 )        
Gross profit   35,508   52,815   91,713   18,584   14,064   15,874         54,092   66,879   107,587  
Interest expense, net   5,293   5,653   6,153   2,742   3,158   5,920         8,035   8,811   12,073  
Amortization and depreciation of property, plant and equipment   5,058   4,691   4,888   6,875   7,125   8,716   (942 ) (954 ) (953 ) 10,991   10,862   12,651  
Amortization of other assets   477   670   568   598   648   751   (49 ) 820   943   1,026   2,138   2,262  
Amortization of intangible assets   914   288                 914   288    
Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges   15,907   3,086   4,912     630           15,907   3,716   4,912  
Gain on sale of long-term investments   3,444                   3,444      
Gain on settlement of claim   4,583                   4,583      
Gain on repurchase of debentures     1,199                   1,199    
Loss on change in ownership in subsidiary             (3,974 )           (3,974 )
Income tax (expense) recovery   (14,061 ) 5,098   (252 ) (8,494 ) (2,253 )         (22,555 ) 2,845   (252 )
Net loss   (77,125 ) (42,288 ) (3,885 ) (9,009 ) (2,467 ) (17,000 )       (86,134 ) (44,755 ) (20,885 )
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and other assets   3,531   4,704   3,600   2,253   1,061   458   1,012   (51 )   6,796   5,714   4,058  

F-37


 
  % of
Revenue

  Revenue
$

Canada   6.5%   8,026
Chile   15.0%   18,622
Other   78.5%   97,288
   
 
    100.0%   123,936
   
 
 
  % of
Revenue

  Revenue
$

Canada   4.5%   5,812
Chile   11.0%   14,064
Australia   12.3%   15,766
Other   72.2%   92,239
   
 
    100.0%   127,881
   
 
 
  % of
Revenue

  Revenue
$

Canada   1.3%   2,611
Australia   16.7%   32,881
Thailand   18.4%   36,291
Saudi Arabia   23.8%   46,935
Other   39.8%   78,185
   
 
    100.0%   196,903
   
 

F-38


 
  Revenue
($)

  % of
Revenue

Telstra Corporation Limited   15,766   12.3%
   
 
 
  Revenue
($)

  % of
Revenue

Saudi Telecom Company   31,295   15.9%
Telstra Corporation Limited   32,881   16.7%
   
 
    64,176   32.6%
   
 
 
  December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
 
  $

  $

Canada   16,628   16,029
Chile   65,867   66,756
Other   2,947   7,342
   
 
    85,442   90,127
   
 

F-39


30.
Financial instruments
 
  2004
  2003
 
  Carrying amount
  Fair
value

  Carrying amount
  Fair
value

 
  $

  $

  $

  $

Debentures   71,000   61,060   71,000   49,700
Notes payable   35,585   30,603   45,232   33,924
   
 
 
 

F-40


31.
Comparative figures
32.
Reconciliation of results reported in accordance with Canadian GAAP to United States GAAP and other supplementary United States GAAP disclosures
 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
 
 
  $

  $

 
Net loss — Canadian GAAP   (86,134 ) (44,755 )
Adjustments          
  Asset impairment (i)   1,666   1,666  
  Bid costs (ii)     97  
  Deferred charges and start-up costs (ii)   722   2,041  
  Derivative instruments (iii)   (380 ) (2,425 )
  Stock-based compensation (xi)   247    
  Tax effect of above adjustments (*)   (907 ) (324 )
   
 
 
Net loss — U.S. GAAP   (84,786 ) (43,700 )
   
 
 
Basic and diluted loss per share — U.S. GAAP.   (5.09 ) (6.06 )
   
 
 
 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
 
 
  $

  $

 
Shareholders' equity — Canadian GAAP   52,640   91,740  
Adjustments          
  Asset impairment (i)   (19,060 ) (20,726 )
  Deferred charges and start-up costs (ii)   (987 ) (1,709 )
  Derivative instruments (iii)   95   475  
  Stock-based compensation (xi)   519    
  Tax effect of above adjustments (*)     907  
   
 
 
Shareholders' equity — U.S. GAAP   33,207   70,687  
   
 
 

F-41


F-42


F-43


F-44


F-45


 
  December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
 
 
  $

  $

 
Net loss — U.S. GAAP          
  As reported   (84,786 ) (43,700 )
  Fair value of stock-based compensation   (980 ) (1,044 )
   
 
 
  Pro forma   (85,766 ) (44,744 )
   
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per share — U.S. GAAP          
  As reported   (5.09 ) (6.06 )
  Pro forma   (5.15 ) (6.21 )
Weighted average fair value of options granted by the Corporation   11.81   16.24  
 
  December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
Dividend yield   0.0%   0.0%
Expected volatility   72.5%   65.0%
Risk-free interest rates   4.1%   4.7%
Expected life   5 years   5 years

F-46



SIGNATURE

        SR Telecom Inc. 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.

    SR TELECOM INC.

 

 

By:

/s/  
David L. Adams      
Name: David L. Adams
Title: Senior Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: April 29, 2005




QuickLinks

TABLE OF CONTENTS EXPLANATORY NOTES EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
PART I
PART II
PART III
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF DEFICIT
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIGNATURE