| (h) | Leased assets |
An arrangement, comprising a transaction or a series of transactions, is or contains a lease if the Group determines that the arrangement conveys a right to use a specific asset or assets for an agreed period of time in return for a payment or a series of payments. Such a determination is made based on an evaluation of the substance of the arrangement and is regardless of whether the arrangement takes the legal form of a lease.
| (i) | Classification of assets leased to the Group |
Assets that are held by the Group under leases which transfer to the Group substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as being held under finance leases. Leases which do not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the Group are classified as operating leases.
| (ii) | Assets acquired under finance leases |
Where the Group acquires the use of assets under finance leases, the amounts representing the fair value of the leased asset, or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments of such assets is included in property, plant and equipment and the corresponding liabilities, net of finance charges, are recorded as obligations under finance leases. Depreciation is provided for at rates, which write off the cost of the assets over the term of the relevant lease or, where it is likely the Group will obtain ownership of the asset, the useful life of the asset as set out in note 2(g). Impairment losses are accounted for in accordance with the accounting policy as set out in note 2(i). Finance charges implicit in the lease payments are charged to profit or loss over the period of the leases so as to produce an approximately constant periodic rate of charge on the remaining balance of the obligations for each accounting period. Contingent rentals are charged to profit or loss in the accounting period in which they are incurred.
| (iii) | Leased lines and network assets and operating lease charges |
Where the Group has the use of assets held under operating leases, payments made under the leases are charged to profit or loss in equal instalments over the accounting periods covered by the lease term, except where an alternative basis is more representative of the pattern of benefits to be derived from the leased asset. Lease incentives received are recognized in profit or loss as an integral part of the aggregate net lease payments made. Contingent rentals are charged to profit or loss in the accounting period in which they are incurred.
The cost of acquiring land held under an operating lease is amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease term.
| (iv) | Sale and leaseback |
A sale and leaseback transaction involves the sale of an asset and the leasing back of the same asset. The accounting treatment of a sale and leaseback transaction depends upon the type of lease involved. If a sale and leaseback transaction results in a finance lease, any excess of sales proceeds over the carrying amount shall not be immediately recognized as income by a seller-lessee. Instead, it shall be deferred and amortized over the lease term. If a sale and leaseback transaction results in an operating lease, and it is clear that the transaction is established at fair value, any profit or loss shall be recognized immediately. If the sale price is below fair value, any profit or loss shall be recognized immediately except that, if the loss is compensated for by future lease payments at below market price, it shall be deferred and amortized in proportion to the lease payments over the period for which the asset is expected to be used. If the sale price is above fair value, the excess over fair value shall be deferred and amortized over the period for which the asset is expected to be used.