The profitability of the group's Computer Operating Services business area is not currently showing a satisfactory development. This is principally due to slower growth in business volumes and a somewhat different product mix than was assumed in the long-term plans for this business area. The current uncertain economic climate also gives reason to expect that the group's central computer operating facility will not see any material increase in transaction volumes. In addition certain customer assignments have incurred unforeseen costs over the recent past. The Board of EDB Teamco accordingly decided on 25 September 2001 to implement restructuring measures for this business area.

The restructuring measures will to all practical intent take the form of staffing reductions, re-organisation and changes to EDB Teamco's infrastructure, and will be implemented over the course of the next three months. The company expects that the results of these measures will come into effect during the first half of 2002. In addition loss provisions have been established in respect of certain specific contracts and the costs associated with phasing out old technology. The total provisions established for restructuring costs, loss provisions and unforeseen costs related to customer assignments will amount to a charge of NOK 150 million to the third quarter accounts.

In view of the significant fall in values that has affected both EDB Business Partner and the IT sector as a whole over recent months, and taking into account the further acceleration of this trend seen since 11 September 2001, it has been decided that the group's consolidated goodwill should be written down by a total of NOK 1,182 million. The goodwill items involved relate to the business areas of Consultancy Services, Computer Operating Services and Bank & Finance. This write-down will be made in the course of the third quarter of the current year.

The business areas of Telecommunications, Bank & Finance and Consultancy Services continue to perform in line with the indications given in connection with the announcement of the interim report for the first six months of the year. The Telecommunications business area reports a high level of activity in the international market, and whilst the domestic market is not currently showing growth, this business area is producing good profitability. The Bank & Finance business area is similarly enjoying a high level of activity. Consultancy Services is affected by a difficult general market situation, but does not anticipate any significant change in profit margins relative to the performance reported for the first six months of the year.

The EDB Business Partner group expects the fourth quarter of 2001 to again be in line with a normal level of profitability for the group as a whole. The company's liquidity is satisfactory, and cash flow from operational activities for the current year as a whole is expected to be slightly lower than achieved in 2000.