On April 17, 2007, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services placed its ratings, including its 'A-' long-term corporate credit rating, on Montreal, Que.-based telecommunications provider BCE Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Bell Canada (collectively, BCE), on CreditWatch with negative implications, following the announcement that it had entered into discussions with a group of leading Canadian pension funds to explore the potential privatization of the company. Specifically, the company announced that it has signed nondisclosure and standstill agreements on a nonexclusive basis with a group led by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (AAA/Stable/A-1+), Public Sector Pension Investment Board (AAA/Stable/A-1+), and New York-based private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co. At Dec.
