Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Issuer

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

For the month of August 2013

 

Commission File Number: 001-13464

 

 

Telecom Argentina S.A.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

Alicia Moreau de Justo, No. 50, 1107

Buenos Aires, Argentina

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

 

Form 20-F

 

X

 

Form 40-F

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

 

Yes

 

 

 

No

X

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

 

Yes

 

 

 

No

X

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

 

Yes

 

 

 

No

X

 

 

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):  N/A

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Telecom Argentina S.A.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

 

1.            Telecom Argentina S.A. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of June 30, 2013

 



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

INDEX

 

Operating and financial review and prospects as of June 30, 2013

I

 

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

 

Unaudited consolidated statements of financial position

1

 

 

Unaudited consolidated income statements

2

 

 

Unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income

3

 

 

Unaudited consolidated statements of changes in equity

4

 

 

Unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows

5

 

 

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

6

 

 

Limited review report on the condensed interim consolidated financial statements

 

 

 

Corporate information

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

(In millions of Argentine pesos or as expressly indicated)

 

 

 

1.   General considerations

 

 

As required by CNV regulations, the Company has prepared its consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2013 under IFRS. Additional information is given in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

2.   Telecom Group’s activities for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 (“1H13”) and 2012 (“1H12”)

 

 

Total revenues and other income for 1H13 amounted to $12,726 (+22% vs. 1H12), operating costs — including depreciations, amortizations and gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets — amounted to $10,666 (+25% vs. 1H12), operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $3,624 — representing 29% of consolidated revenues — (+15% vs. 1H12), operating income amounted to $2,060 (+9% vs. 1H12) and net income amounted to $1,475 (+14% vs. 1H12). Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $1,454 in 1H13 (+14% vs. 1H12).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

 

 

 

1H13

 

1H12

 

$

 

%

 

Revenues

 

12,713

 

10,380

 

2,333

 

22

 

Other income

 

13

 

9

 

4

 

44

 

Operating costs without depreciation and amortization

 

(9,102)

 

(7,250)

 

(1,852)

 

26

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization

 

3,624

 

3,139

 

485

 

15

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(1,399)

 

(1,258)

 

(141)

 

11

 

Gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets

 

(165)

 

1

 

(166)

 

n/a

 

Operating income

 

2,060

 

1,882

 

178

 

9

 

Financial results, net

 

214

 

112

 

102

 

91

 

Net income before income tax expense

 

2,274

 

1,994

 

280

 

14

 

Income tax expense

 

(799)

 

(700)

 

(99)

 

14

 

Net income

 

1,475

 

1,294

 

181

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

1,454

 

1,275

 

179

 

14

 

Non-controlling interest

 

21

 

19

 

2

 

11

 

 

 

1,475

 

1,294

 

181

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Telecom Argentina (in pesos)

 

1.48

 

1.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

·                 Total revenues and other income

 

During 1H13 consolidated total revenues increased 22% (+$2,333 vs. 1H12) amounting to $12,713 mainly fueled by the Broadband, data transmission and mobile businesses, while consolidated other income increased 44% (+$4 vs. 1H12), mainly due to penalties imposed to suppliers in the Fixed Services segment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

 

 

 

1H13

 

1H12

 

$

 

%

 

Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voice – Retail

 

1,297

 

1,218

 

79

 

6

 

Voice – Wholesale

 

376

 

357

 

19

 

5

 

Internet

 

1,191

 

925

 

266

 

29

 

Data

 

441

 

338

 

103

 

30

 

Subtotal fixed services

 

3,305

 

2,838

 

467

 

16

 

Voice – Retail

 

2,345

 

2,137

 

208

 

10

 

Voice – Wholesale

 

966

 

863

 

103

 

12

 

Internet

 

872

 

569

 

303

 

53

 

Data

 

3,400

 

2,653

 

747

 

28

 

Subtotal Personal mobile services

 

7,583

 

6,222

 

1,361

 

22

 

Voice – Retail

 

177

 

159

 

18

 

11

 

Voice – Wholesale

 

65

 

38

 

27

 

71

 

Internet

 

124

 

67

 

57

 

85

 

Data

 

157

 

126

 

31

 

25

 

Subtotal Núcleo mobile services

 

523

 

390

 

133

 

34

 

Total services revenues

 

11,411

 

9,450

 

1,961

 

21

 

Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed services

 

30

 

39

 

(9)

 

(23)

 

Personal mobile services

 

1,235

 

878

 

357

 

41

 

Núcleo mobile services

 

37

 

13

 

24

 

185

 

Total equipment revenues

 

1,302

 

930

 

372

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

12,713

 

10,380

 

2,333

 

22

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 

I



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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

Services revenues amounted to $11,411 (+21% vs. 1H12) and represented 90% of consolidated revenues (similar to 1H12). Equipment revenues increased 40%, amounting to $1,302 and represented 10% of consolidated revenues (similar to 1H12).

 

Fixed services

 

During 1H13, services revenues generated by this segment amounted to $3,305, +$467 or 16% vs. 1H12, where Internet revenues have grown the most (+$266 or 29% vs. 1H12), followed by data transmission services (+$103 or 30% vs. 1H12) and voice retail services (+$79 or 6% vs. 1H12).

 

Ø   Voice

 

Voice retail revenues amounted to $1,297 in 1H13 (+6% vs. 1H12). The results of this line of business are still affected by frozen tariffs of regulated services. Revenues from regulated services reached approximately 33% of the segment revenues in 1H13 (vs. 38% in 1H12).

 

Monthly Charges and Supplementary Services increased $44 or 9% vs. 1H12, to $548, as a consequence of an increase in supplementary services (not regulated), mainly due to an increase of their prices and, to a lesser extent, to the increase in the subscriber base.

 

Revenues generated by measured services (Local Measured Service, Domestic Long Distance and International Long Distance services) amounted to $677, (+$38 or 6% vs. 1H12), mainly due to the increase in the commercialization of domestic plans and domestic long distance services. In relative terms, revenues from domestic measured service increased the most with 7% vs. 1H12.

 

Voice wholesale revenues (including fixed and mobile interconnection revenues and lease of circuits, together with the revenues generated by the subsidiary Telecom USA amounting to $30) amounted to $376 in 1H13 (+5% vs. 1H12). Interconnection fixed and mobile revenues amounted to $261. The other wholesale revenues amounted to $115 in 1H13 (+$11 or 11% vs. 1H12).

 

Ø   Internet

 

Internet revenues amounted to $1,191 (+$266 or 29% vs. 1H12) mainly due to the expansion of the Broadband service (+3% of customers vs. 1H12) and an increase in average prices resulting in an improvement in the Average Monthly Revenue per User (“ARPU”), that amounted to $119.3 pesos per month in 1H13 vs. $96.1 pesos per month in 1H12). As of June 30, 2013, Telecom Argentina reached approximately 1,634,000 ADSL customers. These connections represent approximately 40% of Telecom Argentina’s fixed lines in service (vs. 38% in 1H12).

 

Internet revenues represent 9% of consolidated revenues (similar to 1H12) and 36% of Fixed Services segment revenues (vs. 33% in 1H12).

 

Ø   Data

 

Data transmission revenues amounted to $441 (+$103 vs. 1H12), where the focus was to strengthen Telecom Argentina’s position as an integrated TICs provider (Datacenter, VPN, among others) for wholesale and government segments. The increase was mainly due to the growth of Integra and VPN IP services (private data networks services that replace the point to point services) in the retail segment, to the growth of IP traffic in the wholesale segment and to a slight increase in the Datacenter services monthly charges, especially in Housing services.

 

Personal Mobile Services

 

During 1H13, total services revenues amounted to $7,583, +$1,361 or 22% vs. 1H12, being the principal business segment in revenues terms (60% of consolidated revenues in 1H13 and 1H12). Personal reached 19.3 million subscribers in Argentina (+3% vs. 1H12) maintaining the leadership in revenues in the mobile industry. Approximately 67% of the subscriber base is prepaid subscribers and 33% is postpaid subscribers (including “Cuentas Claras” plans and Mobile Internet dongles).

 

Ø   Voice

 

Voice retail revenues amounted to $2,345 in 1H13 (+10% vs. 1H12). The increase was mainly due to the increase in the lines billed, the increase in the average price as a result of a mix of plans, which in 1H13 tended toward higher-value plans, and to an increase in the subscriber base, specially “Cuentas Claras” subscribers.

 

Voice wholesale revenues amounted to $966 in 1H13 (+12% vs. 1H12). The increase was mainly due to higher TLRD traffic and to an increase in roaming sales in the national segment.

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 

II



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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Ø            Internet

 

Internet revenues amounted to $872 (+$303 or 53% vs. 1H12). This increase is mainly explained by the increase in consumption of Personal’s subscribers, which was mainly fueled by the increase in the offer of services, plans and packs (including VAS) launched by Personal. This growth was fueled by new subscribers and the migration of existing ones to higher-value plans, partially offset by the revenues decrease generated by the decrease of Mobile Internet dongles subscribers.

 

Ø            Data

 

Mobile data services revenues amounted to $3,400 (+$747 or 28% vs. 1H12). This increase was mainly due to the constant SMS sales increase as a result of several campaigns launched by Personal and especially the growth of the offers of SMS with contents, which represented an inter-annual increase of $594. This increase was reflected both in prepaid and postpaid subscribers and is mainly due to the increase in average prices and, to a lesser extent, to the increase in the subscriber base.

 

As a consequence of the increase in the use of VAS (Internet and data), ARPU increased to $63.8 pesos per month in 1H13 (vs. $54.6 pesos per month in 1H12).

 

VAS revenues (data and Internet) amounted to $4,272 (+33% vs. 1H12) and represented 56% of the services revenues of Personal Mobile Services segment (vs. 52% in 1H12).

 

Núcleo Mobile Services

 

This segment generated services revenues equivalent to $523 during 1H13 (+$133 or 34% vs. 1H12) mainly due to the increase in the subscriber base (+6%), to the appreciation of the Guaraní respect to the argentine peso (+17% inter-annual) generating a positive effect in revenues conversion and the increase of Mobile Internet revenues (+85% vs. 1H12) related to the increase of subscribers traffic that have mobile equipment prepared for that purpose. As of June 30, 2013, Núcleo’s subscriber base reached 2.4 million customers. Prepaid and postpaid subscribers (including “Plan Control” subscribers and mobile Internet subscribers) represented 80% and 20%, respectively in 1H13.

 

VAS revenues (data and Internet) amounted to $281 (+46% vs. 1H12) and represented 54% of Núcleo Mobile Services segment services revenues (vs. 49% in 1H12).

 

Equipment

 

Revenues from equipment amounted to $1,302, +$372 or 40% vs. 1H12. This increase is mainly related to the Personal Mobile Services segment with an increase of $357 vs. 1H12. The increase was mainly due to lower handsets sold (-21% vs. 1H12) and an increase in their average prices (+75% vs. 1H12). This situation was mainly generated by a subsidy reduction policy, the increase in average prices related to higher-value handsets demand, the business strategy to attract high-value subscribers and a decrease in discounts as a result of the finalization of commercial promotions. In the Núcleo Mobile Services segment the increase was mainly due to a higher number of handsets sold as a result of higher-value handsets and the launch of targeted promotions to capture new subscribers and retaining existing ones, associated to the effect of the appreciation of the Guaraní respect to the argentine peso.

 

·                Operating costs

 

Consolidated operating costs — including depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets —amounted to $10,666 in 1H13, which represented an increase of $2,159 or +25% vs. 1H12. The increase in costs is mainly a consequence of a higher revenues, higher expenses related to competition in mobile and Internet businesses, higher direct and indirect labor costs on the cost structure of the Group in Argentina, the increase in the average rates of the turnover tax, the increase in the provisions related to regulatory matters, the increase of VAS costs and the effect of the appreciation of the Guaraní (+17% inter-annual) respect to the argentine peso, affecting the operations in Paraguay.

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 

III



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

 

 

 

1H13

 

1H12

 

$

 

%

 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

(1,873)

 

(1,492)

 

(381)

 

26

 

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

(1,006)

 

(805)

 

(201)

 

25

 

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

(1,214)

 

(1,010)

 

(204)

 

20

 

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

(1,248)

 

(940)

 

(308)

 

33

 

Commissions

 

(1,242)

 

(1,053)

 

(189)

 

18

 

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

 

218

 

153

 

65

 

42

 

Cost of equipment and handsets

 

(1,452)

 

(1,203)

 

(249)

 

21

 

Cost of equipment and handsets capitalized as SAC

 

164

 

244

 

(80)

 

(33)

 

Advertising

 

(286)

 

(314)

 

28

 

(9)

 

Cost of VAS

 

(301)

 

(122)

 

(179)

 

147

 

Provisions

 

(97)

 

(59)

 

(38)

 

64

 

Bad debt expenses

 

(165)

 

(148)

 

(17)

 

11

 

Recovery of restructuring costs

 

8

 

-

 

8

 

n/a

 

Other operating expenses

 

(608)

 

(501)

 

(107)

 

21

 

Subtotal

 

(9,102)

 

(7,250)

 

(1,852)

 

26

 

Depreciation of PP&E

 

(955)

 

(867)

 

(88)

 

10

 

Amortization of SAC and service connection costs

 

(432)

 

(380)

 

(52)

 

14

 

Amortization of other intangible assets

 

(12)

 

(11)

 

(1)

 

9

 

Gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets

 

(165)

 

1

 

(166)

 

n/a

 

Total operating costs

 

(10,666)

 

(8,507)

 

(2,159)

 

25

 

 

The costs breakdown is as follows:

 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments amounted to $1,873 (+$381 or 26% vs. 1H12). The increase was mainly due to increases in salaries agreed by Telecom Argentina with several trade unions for the unionized employees and also to non-unionized employees, together with related social security charges. With a total headcount of 16,717 by the end of 1H13, slightly lower than 1H12 between employees and eventual employees, lines in service per employee reached 373 in the Fixed Services segment (slightly higher than 1H12), subscribers per employee reached 3,680 in the Personal Mobile Services segment (+1% vs. 1H12) and subscribers per employee reached 5,422 (+5% vs. 1H12) in the Núcleo Mobile Services segment.

 

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges (including charges for TLRD, Roaming, Interconnection costs, cost of international outbound calls and lease of circuits) amounted to $1,006 (+$201 or 25% vs. 1H12) mainly due to higher traffic volume in the domestic market.

 

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies amounted to $1,214 (+$204 or 20% vs. 1H12). The increase was mainly due to higher maintenance costs of radio bases, systems and buildings in the mobile services segments as a result of an increase of system licenses maintenance and higher costs of building maintenance. There were also increases in other maintenance costs and fees for services, mainly due to higher costs recognized to suppliers in all segments.

 

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority (including turnover tax, IDC, municipal and other taxes) amounted to $1,248 (+33% vs. 1H12), influenced mainly by the increase in revenues of fixed and mobile services, higher equipment sales and higher average rates of the turnover tax in Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Chaco, Jujuy and Mendoza.

 

Commissions

 

Commissions (including Agent, distribution of prepaid cards and other commissions) amounted to $1,242 (+$189 or 18% vs. 1H12), mainly due to the increase in commercial agents’ commissions (associated to higher revenues) as a result of higher customer’s acquisition and retention, higher cards sales and prepaid recharges and the increase in collections.

 

In the other hand, agent commissions capitalized as SAC amounted to $218, +$65 or 42% vs. 1H12 and is directly related to the increase in the postpaid subscribers’ base in the Personal Mobile Services segment and the increase in the commissions prices.

 

Cost of equipment and handsets

 

Cost of equipments and handsets amounted to $1,452 (+$249 or 21% vs. 1H12) mainly due to an increase in the average unit cost of sales related to higher-value handsets (+48% vs. 1H12) and to a decrease in the handsets sold (-21% vs. 1H12) in the Personal Mobile Services segment.

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 

IV



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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

On the other hand, SAC deferred costs from handsets sold to postpaid and “Cuentas Claras” subscribers amounted to $164, -$80 or -33% vs. 1H12. The lower capitalized amount was mainly due to the significant reduction of subsidies provided to customers in the Personal Mobile Services segment (10% in 1H13 vs. 25% in 1H12).

 

Advertising

 

Advertising amounted to $286 (-$28 or -9% vs. 1H12), mainly due to a reduction in the commercial campaigns of Personal and Arnet as compared to 1H12.

 

Cost of VAS

 

Cost of VAS amounted to $301 (+$179 vs. 1H12), mainly due to the increase of VAS sales in the Personal Mobile Services segment (mainly the SMS service) as a consequence of several campaigns launched by Personal and especially a higher offer oriented towards SMS usage.

 

Provisions

 

Provisions amounted to $97, +$38 or 64% vs. 1H12. The increase was mainly due to higher regulatory and customers claims (+$30 vs. 1H12) and higher civil and commercial claims (+$17 vs. 1H12), partially offset by lower labor claims (-$9 vs. 1H12).

 

Bad debt expenses

 

Bad debt expenses amounted to $165 (+$17 vs. 1H12), representing approximately 1% of consolidated revenues in 1H13 and 1H12. The increase was mainly observed in Fixed Services segment and Personal Mobile Services segment as a consequence of higher aging of the accounts receivables.

 

Recovery of restructuring costs

 

Recovery of restructuring costs amounted to $8 in 1H13 and is related to the finalization of the Restructuring Plan initiated by the Telecom Group in the last quarter of 2012.

 

Other operating costs

 

Other operating costs amounted to $608 (+$107 vs. 1H12). The increase was mainly due to higher prices on related services, especially in transportation, freight and travel expenses, among others, in the operations in Argentina; and the increase of rent prices, as a result of new agreements and the renegotiation of some of the existing ones.

 

·                 Operating income before depreciation and amortization

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $3,624 (+$485 or 15% vs. 1H12), representing 29% of consolidated revenues in 1H13 (vs. 30% in 1H12). This growth was mainly fueled by the Personal Mobile Services segment (+$291 or 13% vs. 1H12).

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization amounted to $1,399 (+$141 or 11% vs. 1H12). The increase in PP&E depreciation amounted to $88, the increase in amortization of SAC and service connection costs amounted to $52 and the increase in amortization of other intangible assets of amounted to $1. The increase in depreciation and amortization corresponds 28% to the Fixed Services segment and 72% to the mobile services segments.

 

Gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets

 

Gain on disposal of PP&E amounted to $7, +$6 vs. 1H12, and is mainly related to the Fixed Services segment. Impairment of PP&E and related assets amounted to $172 in 1H13 and is mainly related to the discontinuation of a commercial system of Personal (amounting to $50) and to the write-down of some projects of Telecom Argentina that present uncertainty regarding their development and future associated cash flows (amounting to $122).

 

·                 Operating income

 

Operating income amounted to $2,060 in 1H13 (+$178 or +9% vs. 1H12). The margin over consolidated revenues represented 16% in 1H13 (vs. 18% in 1H12). Personal Mobile Services segment shows the higher increase (+$172 vs. 1H12).

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 

V



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

·                 Financial results, net

 

Financial results, net resulted in a net gain of $214, representing an improvement of $102 vs. 1H12. This was mainly due to higher financial interest on cash equivalents and investments (+$134 vs. 1H12) and higher interests on receivables (+$14 vs. 1H12), partially offset by a foreign currency exchange loss of $186.

 

·                  Net income

 

Telecom Argentina reached a net income of $1,475 in 1H13, +$181 or +14% when compared to 1H12. Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $1,454 in 1H13, +$179 or +14% as compared to 1H12.

 

·                 Net financial assets

 

As of June 30, 2013, Net financial assets (Cash and Cash Equivalents plus financial investments minus Financial debt) amounted to $5,094, showing an increase of $2,871 as compared to June 30, 2012 (amounting to $2,223), mainly due to an increase in the generation of cash from operating activities of the Telecom Group. The Fixed Services segment has net financial assets of $1,074, the Personal Mobile Services segment has net financial assets of $4,164 and the Núcleo Mobile Services segment has net financial debt of $144.

 

·                 Capital expenditures (CAPEX)

 

CAPEX composition for 1H13 and 1H12 is as follows:

 

 

 

In millions of $

 

 

% of participation

 

 

Variation

 

 

1H13

 

 

1H12

 

 

1H13

 

 

1H12

 

 

$

 

 

%

Fixed Servicies

 

671

 

 

549

 

 

43%

 

 

41%

 

 

122

 

 

22

Personal Mobile Services

 

765

 

 

716

 

 

49%

 

 

53%

 

 

49

 

 

7

Núcleo Mobile Services

 

118

 

 

80

 

 

8%

 

 

6%

 

 

38

 

 

48

Total CAPEX

 

1,554

 

 

1,345

 

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

 

209

 

 

16

 

PP&E CAPEX amounted to $1,137 and intangible assets CAPEX amounted to $417 in 1H13, while in 1H12 amounted to $916 and $429, respectively.

 

In relative terms, CAPEX represented 12% of consolidated revenues in 1H13 (13% in 1H12), and were intended mainly for the External wiring and network access equipment, Transmission and Switching equipment, Computer equipment and SAC.

 

PP&E and intangible assets additions (CAPEX plus materials additions) for 1H13 and 1H12 are as follows:

 

 

 

In millions of $

 

 

% of participation

 

 

Variation

 

 

1H13

 

 

1H12

 

 

1H13

 

 

1H12

 

 

$

 

 

%

Fixed Services

 

789

 

 

619

 

 

46%

 

 

44%

 

 

170

 

 

27

Personal Mobile Services

 

768

 

 

716

 

 

45%

 

 

51%

 

 

52

 

 

7

Núcleo Mobile Services

 

149

 

 

78

 

 

9%

 

 

5%

 

 

71

 

 

91

Total additions

 

1,706

 

 

1,413

 

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

 

293

 

 

21

 

Main PP&E CAPEX projects are related to the expansion of fixed broadband services in order to improve transmission and speed available to customers; deployment of 3G services to support the growth of mobile Internet together with the launch of innovative VAS services and the expansion of transmission and transport networks to meet the growing demand of services of our fixed and mobile customers.

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 

VI



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

3.            Telecom Group’s activities for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2013 (“1Q13”) and 2012 (“1Q12”)

 

 

Telecom Group’s net income amounted to $662 in 2Q13, +$76 or 13% vs. 2Q12. Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $652 in 2Q13 (+$75 or 13% vs. 1Q12).

 

Total revenues and other income increased 27% vs. 2Q12 and operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $1,825 (+$333 or 22% vs. 2Q12), representing 27% of the consolidated revenues (vs. 28% in 2Q12). Operating income amounted to $945 (+$96 or 11% vs. 2Q12). Financial results, net amounted to $79 (+$28 or 55% vs. 2Q12), while income tax amounted to $362 (+$48 or 15% vs. 2Q12).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

 

 

2Q13

 

2Q12

 

$

 

%

Revenues

 

6,649

 

5,254

 

1,395

 

27

Other income

 

4

 

5

 

(1)

 

(20)

Operating costs without depreciation and amortization

 

(4,828)

 

(3,767)

 

(1,061)

 

28

Operating income before depreciation and amortization

 

1,825

 

1,492

 

333

 

22

Depreciation and amortization

 

(708)

 

(643)

 

(65)

 

10

Gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets

 

(172)

 

-

 

(172)

 

n/a

Operating income

 

945

 

849

 

96

 

11

Financial results, net

 

79

 

51

 

28

 

55

Net income before income tax expense

 

1,024

 

900

 

124

 

14

Income tax expense

 

(362)

 

(314)

 

(48)

 

15

Net income

 

662

 

586

 

76

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

652

 

577

 

75

 

13

Non-controlling interest

 

10

 

9

 

1

 

11

 

 

662

 

586

 

76

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Telecom Argentina (in pesos)

 

0.66

 

0.59

 

 

 

 

 

During 2Q13 consolidated revenues and other income increased 27% (+$1,394 vs. 2Q12) amounting to $6,653, mainly fueled by mobile services, Broadband and data transmission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

Services

 

2Q13

 

2Q12

 

$

 

%

Voice – Retail

 

668

 

611

 

57

 

9

Voice – Wholesale

 

191

 

182

 

9

 

5

Internet

 

616

 

467

 

149

 

32

Data

 

228

 

175

 

53

 

30

Subtotal fixed services

 

1,703

 

1,435

 

268

 

19

Voice – Retail

 

1,131

 

1,060

 

71

 

7

Voice – Wholesale

 

518

 

438

 

80

 

18

Internet

 

481

 

293

 

188

 

64

Data

 

1,785

 

1,330

 

455

 

34

Subtotal Personal mobile services

 

3,915

 

3,121

 

794

 

25

Voice – Retail

 

90

 

73

 

17

 

23

Voice – Wholesale

 

43

 

20

 

23

 

115

Internet

 

62

 

41

 

21

 

51

Data

 

79

 

63

 

16

 

25

Subtotal Núcleo mobile services

 

274

 

197

 

77

 

39

Total services revenues

 

5,892

 

4,753

 

1,139

 

24

Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed services

 

16

 

21

 

(5)

 

(24)

Personal mobile services

 

717

 

473

 

244

 

52

Núcleo mobile services

 

24

 

7

 

17

 

243

Total equipment revenues

 

757

 

501

 

256

 

51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Revenues

 

6,649

 

5,254

 

1,395

 

27

 

Consolidated operating costs – including depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets–amounted to $5,708 in 2Q13, which represented an increase of $1,298 or +29% vs. 2Q12. The increase in costs is mainly a consequence of a higher revenues, higher expenses related to competition in mobile and Internet businesses, higher direct and indirect labor costs on the cost structure of the Group in Argentina, the increase in the average rates of the turnover tax, the increase in the provisions related to regulatory matters, the increase of VAS costs and the effect of the appreciation of the Guaraní respect to the argentine peso, affecting the operations in Paraguay.

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 

VII



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

 

 

2Q13

 

2Q12

 

$

 

%

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

(1,005)

 

(815)

 

(190)

 

23

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

(522)

 

(397)

 

(125)

 

31

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

(658)

 

(533)

 

(125)

 

23

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

(646)

 

(478)

 

(168)

 

35

Commissions

 

(637)

 

(528)

 

(109)

 

21

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

 

115

 

77

 

38

 

49

Cost of equipment and handsets

 

(791)

 

(660)

 

(131)

 

20

Cost of equipment and handsets capitalized as SAC

 

61

 

138

 

(77)

 

(56)

Advertising

 

(132)

 

(150)

 

18

 

(12)

Cost of VAS

 

(170)

 

(62)

 

(108)

 

174

Provisions

 

(57)

 

(19)

 

(38)

 

200

Bad debt expenses

 

(72)

 

(79)

 

7

 

(9)

Recovery of restructuring costs

 

8

 

-

 

8

 

n/a

Other operating expenses

 

(322)

 

(261)

 

(61)

 

23

Subtotal

 

(4,828)

 

(3,767)

 

(1,061)

 

28

Depreciation of PP&E

 

(488)

 

(441)

 

(47)

 

11

Amortization of SAC and service connection costs

 

(213)

 

(197)

 

(16)

 

8

Amortization of other intangible assets

 

(7)

 

(5)

 

(2)

 

40

Gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets

 

(172)

 

-

 

(172)

 

n/a

Total operating costs

 

(5,708)

 

(4,410)

 

(1,298)

 

29

 

CAPEX amounted to $813 in 2Q13 and amounted to $655 in 2Q12 (+$158 or 24%).

 

 

4.            Summary of comparative consolidated statements of financial position

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

Current assets

 

8,987

 

5,277

 

3,505

Non-current assets

 

11,089

 

10,012

 

8,959

Total assets

 

20,076

 

15,289

 

12,464

Current liabilities

 

6,801

 

5,019

 

4,300

Non-current liabilities

 

1,729

 

1,620

 

1,232

Total liabilities

 

8,530

 

6,639

 

5,532

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

11,349

 

8,503

 

6,790

Equity attributable non-controlling interest

 

197

 

147

 

142

Total Equity

 

11,546

 

8,650

 

6,932

Total liabilities and equity

 

20,076

 

15,289

 

12,464

 

 

5.            Summary of comparative consolidated income statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2Q13

 

2Q12

 

2Q11

 

1H13

 

1H12

 

1H11

Revenues and other income

 

6,653

 

5,259

 

4,457

 

12,726

 

10,389

 

8,601

Operating costs

 

(5,708)

 

(4,410)

 

(3,486)

 

(10,666)

 

(8,507)

 

(6,672)

Operating income

 

945

 

849

 

971

 

2,060

 

1,882

 

1,929

Financial results, net

 

79

 

51

 

(2)

 

214

 

112

 

17

Net income before income tax expense

 

1,024

 

900

 

969

 

2,274

 

1,994

 

1,946

Income tax expense

 

(362)

 

(314)

 

(333)

 

(799)

 

(700)

 

(670)

Net income

 

662

 

586

 

636

 

1,475

 

1,294

 

1,276

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

(34)

 

(4)

 

13

 

29

 

21

 

60

Total comprehensive income

 

628

 

582

 

649

 

1,504

 

1,315

 

1,336

Attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

631

 

574

 

635

 

1,473

 

1,289

 

1,301

Attributable to non-controlling interest

 

(3)

 

8

 

14

 

31

 

26

 

35

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 

VIII



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

6.            Statistical data (in physical units)

 

 

v           Fixed services

 

Voice and data services

 

 

 

 

1H13

 

 

1H12

 

 

1H11

 

 

1H10

 

 

1H09

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

Equipment lines

 

 

3,822,550

 

 

14,813

 

 

3,803,566

 

 

3,755

 

 

3,803,500

 

 

2,906

 

 

3,834,383

 

 

(9,426)

 

 

3,849,527

 

 

142

NGN lines

 

 

1,108,227

 

 

15,744

 

 

987,053

 

 

31,741

 

 

923,348

 

 

43,010

 

 

776,820

 

 

22,160

 

 

634,212

 

 

29,056

Installed lines (a)

 

 

4,930,777

 

 

30,557

 

 

4,790,619

 

 

35,496

 

 

4,726,848

 

 

45,916

 

 

4,611,203

 

 

12,734

 

 

4,483,739

 

 

29,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lines in service (b)

 

 

4,113,753

 

 

4,467

 

 

4,148,431

 

 

10,061

 

 

4,118,583

 

 

8,279

 

 

4,065,580

 

 

7,627

 

 

4,025,882

 

 

17,461

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers lines (c)

 

 

4,032,588

 

 

5,166

 

 

4,064,287

 

 

9,796

 

 

4,033,168

 

 

8,932

 

 

3,975,017

 

 

8,751

 

 

3,933,480

 

 

17,907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public phones installed

 

 

35,040

 

 

(834)

 

 

38,594

 

 

(564)

 

 

42,270

 

 

(1,273)

 

 

47,021

 

 

(1,662)

 

 

53,703

 

 

(2,161)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lines in service per 100 inhabitants (d)

 

 

20.4

 

 

-

 

 

20.7

 

 

-

 

 

20.7

 

 

-

 

 

20.6

 

 

-

 

 

20.6

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lines in service per employee (e)

 

 

373

 

 

2

 

 

370

 

 

-

 

 

372

 

 

(5)

 

 

368

 

 

2

 

 

360

 

 

1

 

a)            Reflects total number of lines available in Switches, considered independently of its technology (TDM or NGN).

b)            Includes customers lines, own lines, public telephones and DDE and ISDN channels.

c)            The number of customers is measured in relation to the physical occupation of network resources.

d)            Corresponding to the Northern Region of Argentina.

e)            Defined as lines in service / number of actual employees.

 

Internet

 

 

 

 

1H13

 

 

1H12

 

 

1H11

 

 

1H10

 

 

1H09

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total ADSL subscribers

 

 

1,634,000

 

 

8,000

 

 

1,594,000

 

 

28,000

 

 

1,457,000

 

 

(13,000)

 

 

1,274,000

 

 

42,000

 

 

1,110,000

 

 

50,000

 

v           Mobile services

 

Personal

 

 

 

 

1H13

 

 

1H12

 

 

1H11

 

 

1H10

 

 

1H09

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

Post-paid subscribers

 

 

2,437,000

 

 

22,000

 

 

2,296,000

 

 

70,000

 

 

1,988,000

 

 

102,000

 

 

1,660,000

 

 

47,000

 

 

1,519,000

 

 

47,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Cuentas Claras” plans

 

 

3,644,000

 

 

61,000

 

 

3,232,000

 

 

56,000

 

 

2,887,000

 

 

73,000

 

 

2,737,000

 

 

30,000

 

 

2,774,000

 

 

(48,000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid subscribers

 

 

12,905,000

 

 

142,000

 

 

12,714,000

 

 

42,000

 

 

12,125,000

 

 

284,000

 

 

10,727,000

 

 

273,000

 

 

9,236,000

 

 

404,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dongles (*)

 

 

321,000

 

 

(32,000)

 

 

481,000

 

 

8,000

 

 

392,000

 

 

51,000

 

 

210,000

 

 

36,000

 

 

57,000

 

 

12,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total subscribers

 

 

19,307,000

 

 

193,000

 

 

18,723,000

 

 

176,000

 

 

17,392,000

 

 

510,000

 

 

15,334,000

 

 

386,000

 

 

13,586,000

 

 

415,000

 

Lines per employee

 

 

3,680

 

 

-

 

 

3,651

 

 

-

 

 

3,789

 

 

-

 

 

3,907

 

 

-

 

 

3,642

 

 

-

 

Núcleo

 

 

 

 

1H13

 

 

1H12

 

 

1H11

 

 

1H10

 

 

1H09

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

Post-paid subscribers

 

 

29,000

 

 

-

 

 

29,000

 

 

(1,000)

 

 

27,000

 

 

1,000

 

 

24,000

 

 

-

 

 

23,000

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Plan control” subscribers

 

 

278,000

 

 

8,000

 

 

238,000

 

 

11,000

 

 

207,000

 

 

8,000

 

 

170,000

 

 

9,000

 

 

148,000

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid subscribers

 

 

1,906,000

 

 

18,000

 

 

1,849,000

 

 

20,000

 

 

1,664,000

 

 

60,000

 

 

1,604,000

 

 

-

 

 

1,580,000

 

 

(69,000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dongles (*)

 

 

162,000

 

 

20,000

 

 

119,000

 

 

9,000

 

 

76,000

 

 

13,000

 

 

26,000

 

 

7,000

 

 

4,000

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal mobile

 

 

2,375,000

 

 

46,000

 

 

2,235,000

 

 

39,000

 

 

1,974,000

 

 

82,000

 

 

1,824,000

 

 

16,000

 

 

1,755,000

 

 

(60,000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet subscribers - Wimax

 

 

6,000

 

 

-

 

 

7,000

 

 

-

 

 

9,000

 

 

-

 

 

11,000

 

 

-

 

 

13,000

 

 

(3,000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total subscribers

 

 

2,381,000

 

 

46,000

 

 

2,242,000

 

 

39,000

 

 

1,983,000

 

 

82,000

 

 

1,835,000

 

 

16,000

 

 

1,768,000

 

 

(63,000)

 

Lines per employee (**)

 

 

5,422

 

 

-

 

 

5,174

 

 

-

 

 

4,634

 

 

-

 

 

4,375

 

 

-

 

 

4,199

 

 

-

 

(*)   Corresponds to mobile Internet subscribers with post-paid, “Cuentas Claras”, “Plan control” and prepaid contracts.

(**)  Internet Wimax subscribers are not included.

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 

IX



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

7.            Consolidated ratios

 

 

 

 

 

1H13

 

 

1H12

 

 

1H11

Liquidity (1)

 

 

1.32

 

 

1.05

 

 

0.82

Solvency (2)

 

 

1.35

 

 

1.30

 

 

1.25

Locked-up capital (3)

 

 

0.55

 

 

0.65

 

 

0.72

 

(1)             Current assets/Current liabilities.

(2)             Total equity/Total liabilities.

(3)             Non-current assets/Total assets.

 

 

8.            Outlook

 

 

In this fiscal year the growth prospects for fixed line services are expected to continue in line with the evolution experienced in recent years as a result of the market maturity. Arnet Broadband business got well-positioned to continue to capture market opportunities.

 

The mobile business is expected to continue expanding its subscriber base, although at more moderate rates than those of recent years. Mobile Internet is expected to continue to gain further presence among our customer base, especially as a result of the leadership of Personal in the smartphone’s commercialization. Value Added Services are expected to continue to be one of the key sources of revenues growth. Personal is expected to continue to work on expanding the mobile Internet experience, considering the access restriction to additional spectrum faced by the mobile operators in the national market. Coverage expansion and speed access improvement to 3G and HSDPA+ networks, and the more complete portfolio of advanced mobile devices will be the drivers to success in its operation in the Argentine market.

 

The strategy implemented by the Company’s Management sets and our investments plans forth the basic standards that will enable the Telecom Group to reach its objectives of improving quality of service, strengthening its market position and increasing operating efficiency to meet the growing demands of the dynamic telecommunication market in which it operates. The Telecom Group’s innovation and investment plans are based on this future vision and on its commitment to its country and people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enrique Garrido

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 

X



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

ASSETS

 

Note

 

2013

 

2012

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

2

 

4,233

 

3,160

Investments

 

2

 

981

 

563

Trade receivables

 

2

 

2,466

 

2,181

Other receivables

 

2

 

534

 

449

Inventories

 

2

 

773

 

633

Total current assets

 

 

 

8,987

 

6,986

Non-Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

 

2

 

19

 

23

Deferred income tax assets

 

2

 

137

 

62

Other receivables

 

2

 

230

 

119

Investments

 

2

 

54

 

70

Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”)

 

2

 

9,161

 

9,035

Intangible assets

 

2

 

1,488

 

1,514

Total non-current assets

 

 

 

11,089

 

10,823

TOTAL ASSETS

 

 

 

20,076

 

17,809

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

2

 

4,359

 

3,659

Deferred revenues

 

2

 

402

 

362

Financial debt

 

2

 

51

 

43

Salaries and social security payables

 

2

 

574

 

635

Income tax payables

 

2

 

579

 

458

Other taxes payables

 

2

 

608

 

552

Dividends payables

 

2

 

15

 

-

Other liabilities

 

2

 

56

 

40

Provisions

 

6

 

157

 

134

Total current liabilities

 

 

 

6,801

 

5,883

Non-Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

2

 

24

 

20

Deferred revenues

 

2

 

343

 

329

Financial debt

 

2

 

122

 

101

Salaries and social security payables

 

2

 

109

 

128

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

2

 

124

 

220

Income tax payables

 

2

 

11

 

12

Other liabilities

 

2

 

54

 

51

Provisions

 

6

 

942

 

907

Total non-current liabilities

 

 

 

1,729

 

1,768

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

 

 

8,530

 

7,651

EQUITY (see Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

 

 

11,349

 

9,959

Equity attributable to Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

197

 

199

TOTAL EQUITY

 

7

 

11,546

 

10,158

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

20,076

 

17,809

 

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

 

 

 

 

Adrián Calaza

 

Enrique Garrido

Chief Financial Officer

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

1



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

(In millions of Argentine pesos, except per share data in Argentine pesos)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three-month periods
ended June 30,

 

Six-month periods
ended June 30,

 

 

Note

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

Revenues

 

2

 

6,649

 

5,254

 

12,713

 

10,380

Other income

 

2

 

4

 

5

 

13

 

9

Total revenues and other income

 

 

 

6,653

 

5,259

 

12,726

 

10,389

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

2

 

(1,005)

 

(815)

 

(1,873)

 

(1,492)

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

2

 

(522)

 

(397)

 

(1,006)

 

(805)

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

2

 

(658)

 

(533)

 

(1,214)

 

(1,010)

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

2

 

(646)

 

(478)

 

(1,248)

 

(940)

Commissions

 

2

 

(522)

 

(451)

 

(1,024)

 

(900)

Cost of equipments and handsets

 

2

 

(730)

 

(522)

 

(1,288)

 

(959)

Advertising

 

2

 

(132)

 

(150)

 

(286)

 

(314)

Cost of VAS

 

2

 

(170)

 

(62)

 

(301)

 

(122)

Provisions

 

6

 

(57)

 

(19)

 

(97)

 

(59)

Bad debt expenses

 

2

 

(72)

 

(79)

 

(165)

 

(148)

Recovery of restructuring costs

 

2

 

8

 

-

 

8

 

-

Other operating expenses

 

2

 

(322)

 

(261)

 

(608)

 

(501)

Depreciation and amortization

 

2

 

(708)

 

(643)

 

(1,399)

 

(1,258)

Gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets

 

2

 

(172)

 

-

 

(165)

 

1

Operating income

 

 

 

945

 

849

 

2,060

 

1,882

Finance income

 

2

 

260

 

134

 

465

 

264

Finance expenses

 

2

 

(181)

 

(83)

 

(251)

 

(152)

Net income before income tax expense

 

 

 

1,024

 

900

 

2,274

 

1,994

Income tax expense

 

2

 

(362)

 

(314)

 

(799)

 

(700)

Net income for the period

 

 

 

662

 

586

 

1,475

 

1,294

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

 

 

652

 

577

 

1,454

 

1,275

Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

10

 

9

 

21

 

19

 

 

 

 

662

 

586

 

1,475

 

1,294

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to Telecom Argentina– basic and diluted

 

1.d

 

0.66

 

0.59

 

1.48

 

1.30

 

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

 

 

 

 

Adrián Calaza

 

Enrique Garrido

Chief Financial Officer

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

2



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

 

 

 

Three-month periods
ended June 30,

 

Six-month periods
ended June 30,

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the period

 

662

 

586

 

1,475

 

1,294

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other components of the Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currency translation adjustments (non-taxable)

 

(34)

 

(4)

 

29

 

21

Other components of the comprehensive income, net of tax

 

(34)

 

(4)

 

29

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

628

 

582

 

1,504

 

1,315

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

631

 

574

 

1,473

 

1,289

Non-controlling interest

 

(3)

 

8

 

31

 

26

 

 

628

 

582

 

1,504

 

1,315

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Adrián Calaza

 

Enrique Garrido

Chief Financial Officer

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

3



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owners Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding shares

 

 

Treasury shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital 
nominal 
value 
(1)

 

Inflation 
adjustment

 

Capital 
nominal 
value 
(1) (2)

 

Inflation 
adjustment 
(2)

 

Treasury 
shares 
acquisition 
cost
(2)

 

Legal 
reserve

 

Special reserve
for IFRS 
implemen-
tation

 

Voluntary 
reserve for 
future 
dividends 
payments

 

Voluntary 
reserve for 
capital 
investments
(2)

 

Voluntary 
reserve for 
future 
inves
tments

 

Currency 
translation 
adjustment

 

Retained
earnings

 

Total

 

Equity 
attributable 
to non-
controlling 
interest

 

Total 
Equity

Balances as of January 1, 2012

 

984

 

2,688

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

451

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

46

 

3,852

 

8,021

 

144

 

8,165

Dividends from Núcleo (3)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(23)

 

(23)

Legal Reserve (4)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

122

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(122)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Voluntary reserve for future investments (4)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,553

 

-

 

(2,553)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Dividens (4)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(807)

 

(807)

 

-

 

(807)

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the period

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,275

 

1,275

 

19

 

1,294

Other comprehensive income

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

14

 

-

 

14

 

7

 

21

Total Comprehensive Income

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

14

 

1,275

 

1,289

 

26

 

1,315

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances as of June 30, 2012

 

 984

 

 2,688

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

573

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,553

 

60

 

1,645

 

8,503

 

147

 

8,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances as of January 1, 2013

 

984

 

2,688

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

573

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,553

 

106

 

3,055

 

9,959

 

199

 

10,158

Dividends from Núcleo (5)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(33)

 

(33)

Legal Reserve (6)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

153

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(153)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Special reserve for IFRS implementation (6)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

351

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(351)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Voluntary reserve for future dividends payments (6)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,000

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(1,000)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Voluntary reserve for capital investments (6)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,200

 

-

 

-

 

(1,200)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Voluntary reserve for future investments (6)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

351

 

-

 

(351)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Treasury Shares Acquisition (2)

 

(3)

 

(9)

 

3

 

9

 

(83)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(83)

 

-

 

(83)

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the period

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,454

 

1,454

 

21

 

1,475

Other comprehensive income

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

19

 

-

 

19

 

10

 

29

Total Comprehensive Income

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

19

 

1,454

 

1,473

 

31

 

1,504

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances as of June 30, 2013

 

981

 

2,679

 

3

 

9

 

(83)

 

726

 

351

 

1,000

 

1,200

 

2,904

 

125

 

1,454

 

11,349

 

197

 

11,546

 

(1) As of June 30, 2013, total shares (984,380,978), of $1 argentine peso of nominal value each, were issued and fully paid. As of June 30, 2013, 3,273,182 were treasury shares.

(2) Corresponds to 3,272,182 shares of $1 argentine peso of nominal value each, equivalent to 0.33% of total capital. The treasury shares acquisition costs amounted to $83. See Note 7 – Equity to the consolidated financial statements.

(3) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 16, 2012.

(4) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 27, 2012.

(5) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 22, 2013.

(6) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on May 21, 2013 (second tranch).

 

 

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

 

 

 

Adrián Calaza

 

Enrique Garrido

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

4



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

 

 

 

 

Six-month periods
ended June 30,

 

 

Note

 

2013

 

2012

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the period

 

 

 

1,475

 

1,294

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad debt expenses and other allowances

 

 

 

222

 

154

Depreciation of PP&E

 

2

 

955

 

867

Amortization of intangible assets

 

2

 

444

 

391

Consumption of materials

 

2

 

76

 

57

Gain on disposal of PP&E

 

2

 

(7)

 

(1)

Impairment of PP&E and related assets

 

2

 

172

 

-

Recovery of restructuring costs

 

6

 

(8)

 

-

Provisions

 

6

 

140

 

105

Interest and other financial losses

 

 

 

(41)

 

(33)

Income tax expense

 

2

 

799

 

700

Income tax paid

 

3

 

(842)

 

(977)

Net increase in assets

 

3

 

(851)

 

(420)

Net increase (decrease) in liabilities

 

3

 

774

 

(24)

Total cash flows provided by operating activities

 

 

 

3,308

 

2,113

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

PP&E acquisitions

 

3

 

(1,425)

 

(1,363)

Intangible assets acquisitions

 

3

 

(384)

 

(420)

Proceeds from the sale of PP&E

 

 

 

10

 

1

Investments not considered as cash and cash equivalents

 

3

 

(403)

 

-

Total cash flows used in investing activities

 

 

 

(2,202)

 

(1,782)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from financial debt

 

3

 

43

 

-

Payment of financial debt

 

3

 

(18)

 

(8)

Payment of interest

 

3

 

(8)

 

(7)

Payment of cash dividends

 

3

 

(16)

 

(820)

Treasury shares acquisition

 

3 / 7

 

(83)

 

-

Total cash flows used in financing activities

 

 

 

(82)

 

(835)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET FOREIGN EXCHANGE DIFFERENCES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

 

49

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

 

1,073

 

(462)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

 

 

 

3,160

 

2,818

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD

 

 

 

4,233

 

2,356

 

See Note 3 for additional information on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

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

 

 

Adrián Calaza

Enrique Garrido

Chief Financial Officer

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

5



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

(In millions of Argentine pesos, except as otherwise indicated)

 

INDEX

 

 

 

Page

 

Glossary of terms

7

 

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

1

Basis of preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and significant accounting policies

9

2

Breakdown of the main accounts

11

3

Supplementary cash flow information

19

4

Segment information

21

5

Related party transactions

24

6

Commitments and contingencies of the Telecom Group

26

7

Equity

27

8

Restrictions on distribution of profits

28

9

Selected consolidated quarterly information

29

10

Recent developments corresponding to the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 for the Telecom Group

29

11

Subsequent events as of June 30, 2013

31

 

 

 

6



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

 

The following explanations are not intended as technical definitions, but to assist the general reader to understand certain terms as used in these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

ADS:  Telecom Argentina’s American Depositary Share, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, each representing 5 Class B Shares.

 

CNC (Comisión Nacional de Comunicaciones):  The Argentine National Communications Commission.

 

CNV (Comisión Nacional de Valores):  The Argentine National Securities Commission.

 

Company or Telecom Argentina:  Telecom Argentina S.A.

 

CPCECABA: The Consejo Profesional de Ciencias Económicas de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.

 

D&A: Depreciation and amortization.

 

FACPCE (Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales en Ciencias Económicas):  Argentine Federation of Professional Councils of Economic Sciences.

 

IAS:  International Accounting Standards.

 

IASB:  International Accounting Standards Board.

 

IDC: Tax on deposits to and withdrawals from bank accounts.

 

IFRS:  International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

LSC (Ley de Sociedades Comerciales): Argentine Corporations Law.

 

Micro Sistemas: Micro Sistemas S.A.

 

Nortel: Nortel Inversora S.A. Telecom Argentina’s controlling company.

 

Núcleo: Núcleo S.A.

 

NYSE: New York Stock Exchange.

 

OCI:  Other Comprehensive Income.

 

Personal:  Telecom Personal S.A.

 

PP&E:  Property, plant and equipment.

 

Regulatory Bodies: Collectively, the SC and the CNC.

 

RT:  Technical resolutions issued by the FACPCE.

 

RT 26: Technical resolution No, 26 issued by the FACPCE, amended by RT29.

 

SAC:  Subscriber Acquisition Costs.

 

SC (Secretaría de Comunicaciones): The Argentine Secretary of Communications.

 

SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America.

 

Sofora: Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A. Nortel’s controlling company.

 

Springville: Springville S.A.

 

SU: The availability of Basic telephone service, or access to the public telephone network via different alternatives, at an affordable price to all persons within a country or specified area.

 

Telecom Group: Telecom Argentina and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Telecom Italia Group: Telecom Italia and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where referring to the Telecom Italia Group as Telecom Argentina’s operator in which case it means Telecom Italia and Telecom Italia International, N.V.

 

Telecom USA: Telecom Argentina USA Inc.

 

TLRD (Terminación Llamada Red Destino): Termination charges from third parties’ wireless networks.

 

VAS (Value-Added Services): Services that provide additional functionality to the basic transmission services offered by a telecommunications network such as Video streaming, Personal Video, Personal Cloud, M2M (Communication Machine to Machine), Social networks, Personal Messenger, Contents and Entertainment (content and text subscriptions, games, music ringtones, wallpaper, screensavers, etc),  MMS (Mobile Multimedia Services) and Voice Mail.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PREPARATION OF THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

a)             Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies

 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with RT 26 as adopted by the CPCECABA, and as required by the CNV.

 

For the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, the Company has elected to make use of the option provided by IAS 34, so, these consolidated financial statements do not include all the information required in an annual financial statement, and must be read jointly with the 2012 annual consolidated financial statements which can be consulted at the Company’s website (www.telecom.com.ar/inversores).

 

For the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, the Company followed the same accounting policies applied in its most recent annual consolidated financial statements with the exception of:

 

1)             The valuation of Pension benefits included in “Other non-current liabilities”

 

In connection with these pension benefits granted to Telecom Argentina’s unionized employees, the Company has applied IAS 19 revised (Employee Benefits), issued by the IASB in June 2011, which introduced modifications related to the recognition of actuarial gains and losses, the presentation of changes in assets and liabilities arising from defined benefit plans (which should be presented within OCI), as well as greater disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans. IAS 19 revised is mandatory for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013. The adoption of this standard would generate a reduction of $0.2 in Retained Earnings at the beginning of year 2013 with charge to OCI. Based on materiality grounds for the Telecom Group, the opening balance of Retained Earnings has not been changed and the provisions of the new standard have been applied in the determination of fiscal year 2013 results of operations.

 

2)             Acquisition of treasury shares

 

In connection with the Treasury Shares Acquisition Process described in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has applied the guidance set forth in IAS 32, which provides, consistently with the CNV Regulations, that any instruments of its own equity acquired by the Company must be recorded at the acquisition cost and must be deducted from Equity under the caption “Treasury shares acquisition cost”. No profit or loss resulting from holding such instruments of own Equity shall be recognized in the income statement. If the treasury shares are sold, the account “Treasury shares acquisition cost” shall be recorded within Equity under the “Treasury shares negotiation premium” caption. If such difference is negative, the resulting amount shall be recorded within Equity under the “Treasury shares negotiation discount” caption.

 

3)             Government bonds issued in foreign currency

 

Personal acquired bonds issued by the National Government during June 2013. Although such bonds are carried at amortized cost, as explained in Note 3 – Significant Accounting Policies of the most recent annual consolidated financial statements, they are denominated in US Dollars and they bear interest in such foreign currency. The internal rate of return used to apply the amortized cost method has been estimated on the basis of the US Dollar cash flows that will be generated by these securities at maturity and their fair value at acquisition. The acquisition cost in US Dollars was adjusted by applying the above mentioned rate and the resulting value was translated into Argentine pesos using the exchange rate as of the date of measurement. The currency exchange difference generated by the purchase of such Government bonds was recorded in item “Foreign currency exchange losses”.

 

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the Company’s Management to use certain critical accounting estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

These consolidated financial statements (except for cash flow information) are prepared on an accrual basis of accounting. Under this basis, the effects of transactions and other events are recognized when they occur. Therefore income and expenses are recognized at fair value on an accrual basis regardless of when they are perceived or paid. When significant, the difference between the fair value and the nominal amount of income and expenses is recognized as finance income or expense using the effective interest method over the relevant period.

 

These consolidated financial statements have also been prepared on a going concern basis, as there is a reasonable expectation that Telecom Argentina and its subsidiaries will continue its operational activities in the foreseeable future (and in any event with a time horizon of more than twelve months).

 

Publication of these consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2013 was approved by resolution of the Board of Directors’ meeting held on July 29, 2013.

 

b)            Financial statement formats

 

The financial statement formats adopted are consistent with IAS 1, In particular:

 

·                  the consolidated statements of financial position have been prepared by classifying assets and liabilities according to “current and non-current” criterion. Current assets and liabilities are those that are expected to be realized/settled within twelve months after the period-end;

·                  the consolidated income statements have been prepared by classifying operating expenses by nature of expense as this form of presentation is considered more appropriate and representative of the specific business of the Group as evaluated by the Management, and are in line with the industrial sector of telecommunications;

·                  the consolidated statements of comprehensive income include the profit or (loss) for the period as shown in the consolidated income statement and all components of other comprehensive income;

·                  the consolidated statements of changes in equity have been prepared showing separately (i) profit (loss) for the period, (ii) other comprehensive income (loss) for the period, and (iii) transactions with owners in their capacity as owners (controlling and non-controlling);

·                  the consolidated statements of cash flows have been prepared by presenting cash flows from operating activities according to the “indirect method”, as permitted by IAS 7.

 

These consolidated financial statements contain all material disclosures required under IAS 34. Some additional disclosures required by the LSC and/or by the CNV have been also included.

 

c)           Segment reporting

 

An operating segment is defined as a component of an entity that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, and whose financial information is available, held separately, and evaluated regularly by the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).

 

Operating segments are reported in a consistent manner with the internal reporting provided to the CEO, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments at the net income (loss) level and under the accounting principles effective (IFRS) at each time for reporting to the Regulatory Bodies. The accounting policies applied for segment information are the same for all operating segments.

 

Information regarding segment reporting is included in Note 4.

 

d)          Net income per share

 

The Company computes net income per common share by dividing net income for the period attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income for the period by the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares then outstanding during the period. Since the Company has no dilutive potential common stock outstanding, there are no dilutive earnings per share amounts.

 

For the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2012, the weighted average number of shares outstanding totaled 984,380,978 shares. For the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 the weighted average number of shares outstanding totaled 983,800,181 and 984,090,580 shares, respectively. The weighted average number of shares takes into account the weighted average effect of the changes caused by the Treasury Shares Acquisition Process that began in May 2013. For further information, see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTE 2 – BREAKDOWN OF THE MAIN ACCOUNTS

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

June 30,

 

December 31,

CURRENT ASSETS

2013

 

2012

a) Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

Cash

12

 

12

Banks

120

 

120

Time deposits

3,817

 

2,624

Mutual funds

190

 

404

Government bonds (*)

82

 

-

Loan to Nortel (Note 5.c)

12

 

-

 

4,233

 

3,160

 

(*) See Note 10 - Recent developments corresponding to the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 for the Telecom Group.

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

b) Investments

2013

 

2012

Investments over 90 days maturity

905

 

540

Provincial government bonds

46

 

20

Argentine companies notes

21

 

1

Loan to Nortel (Note 5.c)

9

 

2

 

981

 

563

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

c) Trade receivables

2013

 

2012

Fixed services

882

 

853

Personal mobile services

1,744

 

1,469

Núcleo mobile services

91

 

61

Subtotal

2,717

 

2,383

Allowance for doubtful accounts

(251)

 

(202)

 

2,466

 

2,181

 

Movements in the allowance for current doubtful accounts are as follows:

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

(6 months)

 

(12 months)

At the beginning of the year

(202)

 

(170)

Additions – Bad debt expenses

(165)

 

(275)

Uses

116

 

243

At the end of the period/year

(251)

 

(202)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

d) Other receivables

2013

 

2012

Prepaid expenses

243

 

206

Prepaid expenses related parties (Note 5.c)

90

 

-

Tax credits

53

 

54

Expenditure reimbursement

43

 

38

Restricted funds

19

 

13

Receivables for suppliers indemnities

-

 

61

Compensation Fund

-

 

19

Other

101

 

73

Subtotal

549

 

464

Allowance for other receivables

(15)

 

(15)

 

534

 

449

 

Movements in the allowance for other receivables are as follows:

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

(6 months)

 

(12 months)

At the beginning of the year

(15)

 

(12)

Additions

-

 

(3)

At the end of the period/year

(15)

 

(15)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

e) Inventories

2013

 

2012

Mobile handsets

821

 

626

Fixed telephones and equipment

14

 

15

Subtotal

835

 

641

Allowance for obsolescence of inventories

(62)

 

(8)

 

773

 

633

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Movements in the allowance for obsolescence of inventories are as follows:

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

(6 months)

 

(12 months)

At the beginning of the year

(8)

 

(19)

Additions

(57)

 

(14)

Uses

3

 

25

At the end of the period/year

(62)

 

(8)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

f) Trade receivables

 

 

 

Fixed services

17

 

23

Núcleo mobile services

2

 

-

 

19

 

23

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

g) Deferred income tax assets

2013

 

2012

Net deferred income tax assets in Argentina (Telecom Argentina)

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

48

 

40

Provisions

248

 

248

Termination benefits

56

 

63

Other deferred income tax assets, net

125

 

108

Deferred income tax liabilities in Argentina

 

 

 

PP&E and intangible assets

(350)

 

(405)

In Argentina

127

 

54

Net deferred income tax assets abroad (Núcleo and Springville)

 

 

 

Tax loss carryforwards

1

 

1

Allowance for doubtful accounts

3

 

2

PP&E

10

 

11

Valuation allowance

(1)

 

(1)

Deferred income tax liabilities abroad

 

 

 

Other deferred income tax liabilities

(3)

 

(5)

Abroad

10

 

8

 

137

 

62

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

h) Other receivables

2013

 

2012

Prepaid expenses related parties (Note 5 c)

126

 

-

Credit on SC Resolution No. 41/07 and IDC

85

 

85

Prepaid expenses

80

 

86

Restricted funds

24

 

22

Tax credits

17

 

17

Credit on minimum presumed income tax

4

 

4

Other

9

 

7

Subtotal

345

 

221

Allowance for regulatory matters

(85)

 

(85)

Allowance for other receivables

(17)

 

(17)

Write-down for prepaid expenses (i)

(13)

 

-

 

230

 

119

 

(i)            Included in impairment of PP&E and related assets.

 

Movements in the allowance for regulatory matters are as follows:

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

(6 months)

 

(12 months)

At the beginning of the year

(85)

 

(90)

Uses

-

 

5

At the end of the period/year

(85)

 

(85)

 

Movements in the allowance for other receivables are as follows:

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

(6 months)

 

(12 months)

At the beginning of the year

(17)

 

(17)

Additions

-

 

(1)

Uses

-

 

1

At the end of the period/year

(17)

 

(17)

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

i) Investments

 

 

 

Argentine companies notes

53

 

69

2003 Telecommunications Fund

1

 

1

 

54

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

j) PP&E

2013

 

2012

Land, buildings and installations

905

 

900

Computer equipment and software

1,149

 

1,196

Switching and transmission equipment (i)

2,260

 

2,286

Mobile network access and external wiring

2,713

 

2,531

Construction in progress

1,642

 

1,534

Other tangible assets

310

 

322

Materials

356

 

280

Subtotal

9,335

 

9,049

Valuation allowance for materials

(15)

 

(14)

Impairment of PP&E (ii)

(159)

 

-

 

9,161

 

9,035

 

(i) Includes tower and pole, transmission equipment, switching equipment, power equipment, equipment lent to customers at no cost and handsets lent to customers at no cost.

(ii) Included in impairment of PP&E and related assets.

 

Movements in PP&E (without allowance for materials or impairment of PP&E) are as follows:

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

(6 months)

 

(12 months)

At the beginning of the year

9,049

 

8,262

CAPEX

1,137

 

2,415

Materials

152

 

159

Total PP&E additions

1,289

 

2,574

Currency translation adjustments

28

 

131

Decreases

-

 

(1)

Consumption of materials

(76)

 

(125)

Depreciation of the period/year

(955)

 

(1,792)

At the end of the period/year

9,335

 

9,049

 

Movements in the valuation allowance for materials are as follows:

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

(6 months)

 

(12 months)

At the beginning of the year

(14)

 

(15)

Additions - Fees for services, maintenance, and materials

(1)

 

(5)

Uses

-

 

6

At the end of the period/year

(15)

 

(14)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

k) Intangible assets

2013

 

2012

Licenses

589

 

588

SAC

569

 

586

Rights of use

219

 

227

Service connection or habilitation costs

95

 

94

Other intangible assets

16

 

19

 

1,488

 

1,514

 

Movements in Intangible assets are as follows:

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

(6 months)

 

(12 months)

At the beginning of the year

1,514

 

1,488

CAPEX

417

 

842

Currency translation adjustments

1

 

4

Amortization of the period/year

(444)

 

(820)

At the end of the period/year

1,488

 

1,514

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

June 30,

 

December 31,

l) Trade payables

2013

 

2012

PP&E suppliers

1,160

 

1,427

Other assets and services suppliers

1,829

 

1,588

Inventory suppliers

1,194

 

584

Subtotal suppliers

4,183

 

3,599

Agent commissions

165

 

49

SU reimbursement

11

 

11

 

4,359

 

3,659

m) Deferred revenues

 

 

 

Deferred revenues on prepaid calling cards

297

 

270

Deferred revenues on connection fees

33

 

30

Deferred revenues on sale of capacity and related services

34

 

34

Deferred revenues on customer loyalty programs

34

 

26

Deferred revenues from CONATEL

3

 

2

Deferred revenues from third parties

1

 

-

 

402

 

362

n) Financial debt

 

 

 

Bank loans - Núcleo

49

 

40

Accrued interest - Núcleo

2

 

3

 

51

 

43

o) Salaries and social security payables

 

 

 

Vacation and bonuses

344

 

391

Social security payables

163

 

144

Termination benefits

66

 

60

Restructuring debt

1

 

14

Compensation Fund contributions

-

 

26

 

574

 

635

p) Income tax payables

 

 

 

Income tax payables

985

 

1,520

Payments in advance of income taxes

(409)

 

(1,065)

Law No. 26,476 Tax Regularization Regime

3

 

3

 

579

 

458

q) Other taxes payables

 

 

 

VAT, net

230

 

180

Tax on SU

90

 

88

Turnover tax

73

 

54

Tax withholdings

68

 

91

Internal taxes

61

 

55

Regulatory fees

49

 

48

Municipal taxes

21

 

17

Retention Decree No.583/10 ENARD

10

 

9

Other

6

 

10

 

608

 

552

r) Dividends payables

 

 

 

Related parties (Note 5.c)

15

 

-

 

15

 

-

s) Other liabilities

 

 

 

Legal fees

12

 

12

Guarantees received

11

 

7

Compensation for directors and members of the Supervisory Committee

16

 

8

Other

17

 

13

 

56

 

40

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

t) Trade payables

 

 

 

PP&E suppliers

24

 

20

 

24

 

20

u) Deferred revenues

 

 

 

Deferred revenues on sale of capacity and related services

209

 

217

Deferred revenues on connection fees

65

 

64

Deferred revenues on customer loyalty programs

53

 

39

Deferred revenues from CONATEL

11

 

9

Deferred revenues from third parties

5

 

-

 

343

 

329

v) Financial debt

 

 

 

Bank loans - Núcleo

122

 

101

 

122

 

101

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

w) Salaries and social security payables

2013

 

2012

Termination benefits

109

 

128

 

109

 

128

x) Deferred income tax liabilities (Telecom Personal)

 

 

 

Deferred income tax assets

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

(73)

 

(54)

Provisions

(138)

 

(120)

Inventory

(35)

 

(19)

Other

-

 

(3)

Total deferred income tax assets

(246)

 

(196)

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

 

 

PP&E and intangible assets

296

 

348

Cash dividends from foreign companies

46

 

45

Other

3

 

-

Total deferred income tax liabilities

345

 

393

Subtotal net deferred tax liabilities

99

 

197

Valuation allowance

25

 

23

Net deferred income tax liabilities

124

 

220

y) Income tax payables

 

 

 

Law No. 26,476 Tax Regularization Regime

11

 

12

 

11

 

12

z) Other liabilities

 

 

 

Pension benefits (Note 1.a)

46

 

38

Suppliers guarantees on third parties claims

7

 

12

Other

1

 

1

 

54

 

51

 

aa) Aging of assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2013

 

 

Date due

Cash and cash
equivalents

Investments

Trade receivables

Deferred income
tax
assets

Other receivables

Total due

-

-

762

-

-

Not due

 

 

 

 

 

Third quarter 2013

4,233

915

1,668

-

320

Fourth quarter 2013

-

11

17

-

86

First quarter 2014

-

55

12

-

57

Second quarter 2014

-

-

7

-

71

July 2014 thru June 2015

-

53

16

-

124

July 2015 thru June 2016

-

-

3

-

65

July 2016 and thereafter

-

-

-

-

41

Not date due established

-

1

-

137

-

Total not due

4,233

1,035

1,723

137

764

Total

4,233

1,035

2,485

137

764

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances bearing interest

4,101

1,034

790

-

-

Balances not bearing interest

132

1

1,695

137

764

Total

4,233

1,035

2,485

137

764

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average annual interest rate (%)

(a)

(b)

(c)

-

-

 

 

(a)              $289 bear 17.77%, $701 bear 0.25% and $2,522 bear 17.48%, $305 bear 0.28%, $12 bear 27.57%, $190 bear 60.82% and $82 bear 8.17%.

(b)              $34 bear 20.50%, $871 bear 18.47%, $9 bear 23.30%, $21 bear 21.04%, $53 bear 5.09%, $11 bear 8.84% and $35 bear 22.67%.

(c)              From due trade receivables, $82 bear 50% over the Banco de la Nación Argentina 30-day interest rate paid by banks, $204 bear 50% over the Banco de la Nación Argentina notes payable discount rate, $1 bear 28%, $440 bear 28.28%,  and $13 bear 36%. From not due trade receivables, $14 bear 28% and $36 bear 8.3%.

 

 

 

Date due

Trade
payables

Deferred
revenues

Financial
debt

Salaries and
social
security
payables

Income tax
payables

Other taxes
payables

Dividends
payables

Deferred
income tax
liabilities

Other
liabilities

Total due

(a)       123

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Not due

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third quarter 2013

4,227

325

10

284

2

602

-

-

24

Fourth quarter 2013

9

27

18

80

1

-

15

-

2

First quarter 2014

-

23

12

139

1

-

-

-

1

Second quarter 2014

-

27

11

71

575

6

-

-

29

July 2014 thru June 2015

24

107

46

40

3

-

-

-

9

July 2015 thru June 2016

-

46

33

27

2

-

-

-

2

July 2016 and thereafter

-

190

43

42

6

-

-

-

43

Not date due established

-

-

-

-

-

 

-

124

-

Total not due

4,260

745

173

683

590

608

15

124

110

Total

4,383

745

173

683

590

608

15

124

110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances bearing interest

49

-

173

-

21

-

-

-

4

Balances not bearing interest

4,334

745

-

683

569

608

15

124

106

Total

4,383

745

173

683

590

608

15

124

110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average annual interest rate (%)

(b)

-

10.01%

-

9%

-

-

-

6%

 

(a)              As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, $47 was cancelled.

(b)              From due trade payables, $46 bear 9% and $3 bear 6%.

 

 

15



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

ab) Foreign currency assets and liabilities

 

 

06.30.13

12.31.12

 

 

Type and amount of foreign
currency (i)

Amount in local
currency (ii)

Type and amount of foreign
currency (i)

Amount in local
currency (ii)

Net positions

U$S (iii)

(197)

(1,063)

U$S (iii)

(138)

(686)

Net assets (liabilities)

G

(166,335)

(196)

G

(118,791)

(136)

 

EURO

(19)

(127)

EURO

(10)

(63)

 

SDR

3

25

SDR

3

22

 

 

(1,361)

 

(863)

 

(i)                     U$S = United States dollar; G= Guaraníes; SDR= Special Drawing Rights.

(ii)                  As foreign currency figures and their amount in argentine pesos are in millions, the calculation of the amount of the foreign currency by its exchange rate could not be exact.

(iii)                In order to partially reduce this net liability position in foreign currency, the Telecom Group entered into a NDF contract to purchase a total amount of U$S10 and holds investments adjustable to the variation of the U$S/$ exchange rate (dollar linked) by $65 and $59 as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (See Note 10 - Recent developments corresponding to the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 for the Telecom Group).

 

ac) Information on the fair value of investments in Government bonds and argentine companies notes valued at amortized cost

 

Below are shown the investments in Government bonds and argentine companies’ notes valued at amortized cost and their respective fair value as of June 30, 2013:

 

As of June 30, 2013

 

Book value

 

Fair value (*)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government bonds

 

82

 

120

 

Provincial governments bonds in argentine pesos

 

35

 

35

 

Provincial governments bonds (dollar linked)

 

11

 

11

 

Argentine companies notes in argentine pesos

 

20

 

20

 

Argentine companies notes (dollar linked)

 

54

 

59

 

Total

 

202

 

245

 

 

(*) Selling expenses not deducted according to IFRS.

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

Three-month periods ended
June 30,

 

Six-month periods ended
June 30,

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

ad) Total revenues and other income

Profit (loss)

Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voice – Retail

668

 

611

 

1,297

 

1,218

Voice – Wholesale

191

 

182

 

376

 

357

Internet

616

 

467

 

1,191

 

925

Data

228

 

175

 

441

 

338

Subtotal Fixed Services

1,703

 

1,435

 

3,305

 

2,838

Voice – Retail

1,131

 

1,060

 

2,345

 

2,137

Voice – Wholesale

518

 

438

 

966

 

863

Internet

481

 

293

 

872

 

569

Data

1,785

 

1,330

 

3,400

 

2,653

Subtotal Personal Mobile Services

3,915

 

3,121

 

7,583

 

6,222

Voice – Retail

90

 

73

 

177

 

159

Voice – Wholesale

43

 

20

 

65

 

38

Internet

62

 

41

 

124

 

67

Data

79

 

63

 

157

 

126

Subtotal Núcleo Mobile Services

274

 

197

 

523

 

390

Total service revenues (a)

5,892

 

4,753

 

11,411

 

9,450

Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Services

16

 

21

 

30

 

39

Personal Mobile Services

717

 

473

 

1,235

 

878

Núcleo Mobile Services

24

 

7

 

37

 

13

Total equipment revenues (b)

757

 

501

 

1,302

 

930

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Services

4

 

4

 

12

 

7

Personal Mobile Services

-

 

1

 

1

 

2

Total other income (c)

4

 

5

 

13

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income (a)+(b)+(c)

6,653

 

5,259

 

12,726

 

10,389

 

 

16



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

ae) Operating costs

 

Operating expenses disclosed by nature of expense amounted to $10,666 and $8,507 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

The main components of the operating expenses are the following:

 

 

Three-month periods ended
June 30,

 

Six-month periods ended
June 30,

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

Profit (loss)

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wages and salaries

(735)

 

(599)

 

(1,377)

 

(1,090)

Social security expenses

(220)

 

(183)

 

(415)

 

(320)

Severance indemnities and termination benefits

(32)

 

(25)

 

(43)

 

(54)

Other employee benefits

(18)

 

(8)

 

(38)

 

(28)

 

(1,005)

 

(815)

 

(1,873)

 

(1,492)

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed telephony interconnection costs

(59)

 

(57)

 

(114)

 

(110)

Cost of international outbound calls

(32)

 

(34)

 

(69)

 

(71)

Lease of circuits

(56)

 

(35)

 

(98)

 

(74)

Mobile services - charges for roaming

(177)

 

(74)

 

(312)

 

(160)

Mobile services - charges for TLRD

(198)

 

(197)

 

(413)

 

(390)

 

(522)

 

(397)

 

(1,006)

 

(805)

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintenance of hardware and software

(81)

 

(74)

 

(161)

 

(143)

Technical maintenance

(117)

 

(96)

 

(229)

 

(183)

Service connection fees for fixed lines and Internet lines

(50)

 

(35)

 

(87)

 

(65)

Service connection fees capitalized as SAC

1

 

3

 

3

 

5

Service connection fees capitalized as Intangible assets

8

 

6

 

14

 

11

Other maintenance costs

(59)

 

(40)

 

(112)

 

(88)

Obsolescence of inventories

(39)

 

(6)

 

(57)

 

(6)

Call center fees

(184)

 

(184)

 

(341)

 

(335)

Other fees for services

(123)

 

(102)

 

(227)

 

(198)

Compensation for Directors and Supervisory Committee members

(14)

 

(5)

 

(17)

 

(8)

 

(658)

 

(533)

 

(1,214)

 

(1,010)

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turnover tax

(356)

 

(237)

 

(680)

 

(475)

Taxes with the Regulatory Authority

(155)

 

(120)

 

(300)

 

(238)

Tax on deposits to and withdrawals from bank accounts

(49)

 

(64)

 

(110)

 

(113)

Municipal taxes

(43)

 

(28)

 

(83)

 

(58)

Other taxes

(43)

 

(29)

 

(75)

 

(56)

 

(646)

 

(478)

 

(1,248)

 

(940)

Commissions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agent commissions

(363)

 

(320)

 

(721)

 

(631)

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

115

 

77

 

218

 

153

Distribution of prepaid cards commissions

(150)

 

(118)

 

(289)

 

(241)

Collection commissions

(101)

 

(75)

 

(193)

 

(149)

Other commissions

(23)

 

(15)

 

(39)

 

(32)

 

(522)

 

(451)

 

(1,024)

 

(900)

Cost of equipments and handsets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory balance at the beginning of the period/year

(564)

 

(564)

 

(641)

 

(555)

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

(1,069)

 

(817)

 

(1,657)

 

(1,376)

Deferred costs from SAC

61

 

138

 

164

 

244

Transfer from materials

-

 

1

 

-

 

-

Net decreases (increases) from allowance for obsolescence

3

 

(3)

 

4

 

-

Mobile handsets lent to customers at no cost - Núcleo

2

 

1

 

4

 

2

Replacements to customers

2

 

5

 

3

 

9

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory balance at period end

835

 

717

 

835

 

717

 

(730)

 

(522)

 

(1,288)

 

(959)

Advertising

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media advertising

(75)

 

(92)

 

(160)

 

(189)

Fairs and exhibitions

(20)

 

(26)

 

(56)

 

(62)

Other advertising costs

(37)

 

(32)

 

(70)

 

(63)

 

(132)

 

(150)

 

(286)

 

(314)

 

 

17



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

Three-month periods ended
June 30,

 

Six-month periods ended
June 30,

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

Profit (loss)

Cost of VAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of mobile VAS

 

(168)

 

(60)

 

(297)

 

(118)

Cost of fixed VAS

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

(4)

 

(4)

 

 

(170)

 

(62)

 

(301)

 

(122)

Recovery of restructuring costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dismissals indemnities (i)

 

8

 

-

 

8

 

-

 

 

8

 

-

 

8

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i) Corresponds to the recovery of the provision related to the Restructuring Plan finished in June 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation, freight and travel expenses

 

(114)

 

(92)

 

(207)

 

(172)

Delivery costs capitalized as SAC

 

10

 

8

 

17

 

15

Rental expense

 

(90)

 

(50)

 

(155)

 

(102)

Energy, water and others

 

(76)

 

(76)

 

(161)

 

(150)

International and satellite connectivity

 

(36)

 

(34)

 

(67)

 

(64)

Other

 

(16)

 

(17)

 

(35)

 

(28)

 

 

(322)

 

(261)

 

(608)

 

(501)

D&A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation of PP&E

 

(488)

 

(441)

 

(955)

 

(867)

Amortization of SAC and service connection costs

 

(213)

 

(197)

 

(432)

 

(380)

Amortization of other intangible assets

 

(7)

 

(5)

 

(12)

 

(11)

 

 

(708)

 

(643)

 

(1,399)

 

(1,258)

Gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on disposal of PP&E

 

-

 

-

 

7

 

1

Impairment of PP&E and related assets (ii)

 

(172)

 

-

 

(172)

 

-

 

 

(172)

 

-

 

(165)

 

1

 

(ii) Includes $50 corresponding to the impairment of a commercial system of Personal, $109 corresponding to the impairment of construction in progress and materials of Telecom Argentina and $13 corresponding to prepaid expenses related to the write-down assets of Telecom Argentina.

 

As required by the LSC, the operating expenses disclosed by function are as follows:

 

Cost of sales and services

(3,397)

 

(2,574)

 

(6,386)

 

(4,995)

General and administrative expenses

(299)

 

(228)

 

(500)

 

(380)

Selling expenses

(1,783)

 

(1,589)

 

(3,518)

 

(3,074)

Other expenses - provisions

(57)

 

(19)

 

(97)

 

(59)

Gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets

(172)

 

-

 

(165)

 

1

 

(5,708)

 

(4,410)

 

(10,666)

 

(8,507)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

af) Financial results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on cash equivalents

150

 

54

 

255

 

136

Interest on investments (argentine companies notes and Government bonds)

3

 

-

 

8

 

-

Gains on Mutual Funds

8

 

6

 

17

 

11

Interest on related parties (Note 5.d)

1

 

-

 

1

 

-

Interest on receivables

31

 

23

 

56

 

42

Foreign currency exchange gains

64

 

40

 

124

 

64

Gain on NDF

-

 

5

 

-

 

5

Other

3

 

6

 

4

 

6

Total finance income

260

 

134

 

465

 

264

Finance expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on loans

(4)

 

(4)

 

(8)

 

(7)

Interest on salaries and social security payable, other taxes payables and accounts payable

(4)

 

(1)

 

(8)

 

(3)

Interest on provisions

(32)

 

(19)

 

(43)

 

(46)

Loss on discounting of salaries and social security payable, other taxes payables and other liabilities

(2)

 

(9)

 

(5)

 

(15)

Foreign currency exchange losses (*)

(139)

 

(48)

 

(186)

 

(79)

Other

-

 

(2)

 

(1)

 

(2)

Total finance expenses

(181)

 

(83)

 

(251)

 

(152)

 

79

 

51

 

214

 

112

 

(*) Include $42 of foreign currency exchange losses generated by the purchase of Government bonds during June 2013.

 

 

18



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

ag) Income taxes

 

Income tax expense for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 consists of the following:

 

 

Profit (loss)

 

The
Company

 

Telecom
USA

 

Personal

 

Núcleo

 

Total

Current tax expense

(222)

 

(2)

 

(733)

 

(10)

 

(967)

Estimated income tax payable on cash dividends from foreign companies

-

 

-

 

(10)

 

(3)

 

(13)

Fiscal year 2012 return adjustment

-

 

-

 

(3)

 

-

 

(3)

Deferred tax benefit

73

 

-

 

111

 

2

 

186

Valuation allowance

-

 

-

 

(2)

 

-

 

2

Income tax expense as of June 30, 2013

(149)

 

(2)

 

(637)

 

(11)

 

(799)

Current tax expense

(138)

 

-

 

(584)

 

(7)

 

(729)

Estimated income tax payable on cash dividends from foreign companies

-

 

-

 

(11)

 

(3)

 

(14)

Fiscal year 2011 return adjustment

(5)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(5)

Deferred tax benefit

18

 

-

 

31

 

-

 

49

Valuation allowance

-

 

-

 

(1)

 

-

 

(1)

Income tax expense as of June 30, 2012

(125)

 

-

 

(565)

 

(10)

 

(700)

 

Income tax expense for the periods differed from the amounts computed by applying the Company’s statutory income tax rate to pre-tax income as a result of the following:

 

 

In Argentina

 

Abroad

 

Total

 

Profit (loss)

Pre-tax income on a separate return basis

3,403

 

79

 

3,482

Non taxable items – Other income from investments

(1,209)

 

-

 

(1,209)

Non taxable items – Other

2

 

(6)

 

(4)

Subtotal

2,196

 

73

 

2,269

Weighted statutory income tax rate

35%

 

(*)

 

 

Income tax expense at weighted statutory tax rate

(768)

 

(13)

 

(781)

Income tax on cash dividends from foreign companies

(10)

 

-

 

(10)

Other changes in tax assets and liabilities

(3)

 

-

 

(3)

Fiscal year 2012 return adjustment

(3)

 

-

 

(3)

Changes in valuation allowance

(2)

 

-

 

(2)

Income tax expense as of June 30, 2013

(786)

 

(13)

 

(799)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax income on a separate return basis

3,000

 

69

 

3,069

Non taxable items – Other income from investments

(1,075)

 

-

 

(1,075)

Non taxable items – Other

(7)

 

-

 

(7)

Subtotal

1,918

 

69

 

1,987

Weighted statutory income tax rate

35%

 

(*)

 

 

Income tax expense at weighted statutory tax rate

(671)

 

(10)

 

(681)

Income tax on cash dividends from foreign companies

(11)

 

-

 

(11)

Other changes in tax assets and liabilities

(2)

 

-

 

(2)

Fiscal year 2011 return adjustment

(5)

 

-

 

(5)

Changes in valuation allowance

(1)

 

-

 

(1)

Income tax expense as of June 30, 2012

(690)

 

(10)

 

(700)

 

(*) Effective income tax rate based on weighted statutory income tax rate in the different countries where the Telecom Group has operations. The statutory tax rate in Argentina was 35% for all the periods presented, in Paraguay was 10% plus an additional rate of 5% in case of payment of dividends for all the periods presented, in Uruguay the statutory tax rate was 25% for all the periods presented and in the USA the effective tax rate was 39.5%, for all the periods presented, respectively.

 

NOTE 3 – SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

·     Changes in assets/liabilities components:

 

 

 

Six-month periods ended
June 30,

 

 

2013

 

2012

Net (increase) decrease in assets

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

 

(444)

 

(205)

Other receivables

 

8

 

(52)

Other receivables related parties (Note 5.c)

 

(216)

 

-

Inventories

 

(199)

 

(163)

 

 

(851)

 

(420)

Net (decrease) increase in liabilities

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

807

 

138

Deferred revenues

 

54

 

72

Salaries and social security payables

 

(126)

 

(115)

Other taxes payables

 

49

 

(25)

Other liabilities

 

18

 

(13)

Provisions

 

(28)

 

(81)

 

 

774

 

(24)

 

 

19



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Income tax paid consists of the following:

 

 

 

Six-month periods ended
June 30,

 

 

2013

 

2013

Tax returns and payments in advance

 

(774)

 

(945)

Other payments

 

(68)

 

(32)

 

 

(842)

 

(977)

 

·     Main non-cash operating transactions:

 

VAT credit balances offset with income taxes payments

 

8

 

23

Compensation Fund contribution reclassified between:

 

 

 

 

Provisions and Other receivables and Salaries and social security payables

 

-

 

40

Provisions and Other liabilities

 

-

 

21

SAC acquisitions offset with trade receivables

 

88

 

69

 

·     Most significant investing activities:

 

PP&E acquisitions include:

 

PP&E additions (Note 2.j)

 

(1,289)

 

(984)

Plus:

 

 

 

 

Payments of trade payables originated in prior years acquisitions

 

(743)

 

(1,177)

Less:

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of PP&E through incurrence of trade payables

 

603

 

796

Mobile handsets lent to customers at no cost

 

4

 

2

 

 

(1,425)

 

(1,363)

 

Intangible assets acquisitions include:

 

Intangible assets additions (Note 2.k)

 

(417)

 

(429)

Plus:

 

 

 

 

Payments of trade payables originated in prior years acquisitions

 

(80)

 

(93)

SAC acquisitions offset with trade receivables

 

(88)

 

(69)

Less:

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of intangible assets through incurrence of trade payables

 

201

 

171

 

 

(384)

 

(420)

 

The following table presents the cash flows from purchases, sales and maturities of securities which were not considered cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows:

 

Investments over 90 days maturity

 

(396)

 

-

Loan to Nortel

 

(7)

 

-

 

 

(403)

 

-

 

·     Financing activities components:

 

The following table presents the financing activities components of the consolidated statements of cash flows:

 

Debt proceeds - Núcleo

 

43

 

-

Total financial debt proceeds

 

43

 

-

Payment of bank loans – Núcleo

 

(18)

 

(8)

Total payment of financial debt

 

(18)

 

(8)

Payment of interest on bank loans – Núcleo

 

(8)

 

(7)

Total payment of interest

 

(8)

 

(7)

Acquisition of treasury shares- Telecom Argentina

 

(83)

 

-

 

Cash dividends from Núcleo

 

The Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 22, 2013 approved the following cash dividend payment:

 

 

Date of payment

 

Dividends
attributable to
Personal

 

Dividends attributable
to non-controlling
interest

 

 

Total

May 2013

 

34

 

16

 

50

October 2013

 

34

 

17

 

51

Total (*)

 

68

 

33

 

101

(*) Correspond to 80 million of Guaraníes approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo, translated to argentine pesos at the exchange rate of the date of its approval.

 

 

20



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

The Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 16, 2012 approved the following cash dividend payment:

 

 

Date of payment

 

Dividends attributable
to Personal

 

Dividends attributable
to non-controlling
interest

 

 

Total

April 2012

 

27

 

13

 

40

September 2012

 

20

 

10

 

30

Total

 

47

 

23

 

70

 

Cash dividends

 

The Annual General Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Telecom Argentina held on April 27, 2012 approved a cash dividend distribution in the amount of $807 (equivalent to $0.82 peso per share of Telecom Argentina), which was paid starting on May 10, 2012.

 

NOTE 4 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Group conducts its business through six legal entities. Each one has been identified as an operating segment.

 

The Company has combined the operating segments into three reportable segments: “Fixed Services”, “Personal Mobile Services” and “Núcleo Mobile Services” based on the nature of products provided by the entities and taking into account the regulatory and economic framework in which each entity operates.

 

Segment financial information for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

 

 

21



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2013

 

 

q       Income statement

 

 

 

 

Fixed

 

 

Mobile Services

 

 

Elimi-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services

 

 

Personal

 

 

Núcleo

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

nations

 

 

Total

Total revenues and other income (1)

 

 

3,955

 

 

8,874

 

 

565

 

 

9,439

 

 

(668)

 

 

12,726

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

 

(1,336)

 

 

(496)

 

 

(41)

 

 

(537)

 

 

-

 

 

(1,873)

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

 

(259)

 

 

(1,144)

 

 

(93)

 

 

(1,237)

 

 

490

 

 

(1,006)

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

 

(525)

 

 

(749)

 

 

(49)

 

 

(798)

 

 

109

 

 

(1,214)

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

 

(271)

 

 

(960)

 

 

(17)

 

 

(977)

 

 

-

 

 

(1,248)

Commissions

 

 

(85)

 

 

(912)

 

 

(53)

 

 

(965)

 

 

26

 

 

(1,024)

Cost of equipments and handsets

 

 

(34)

 

 

(1,212)

 

 

(42)

 

 

(1,254)

 

 

-

 

 

(1,288)

Advertising

 

 

(60)

 

 

(193)

 

 

(33)

 

 

(226)

 

 

-

 

 

(286)

Cost of VAS

 

 

(4)

 

 

(282)

 

 

(15)

 

 

(297)

 

 

-

 

 

(301)

Provisions

 

 

(50)

 

 

(47)

 

 

-

 

 

(47)

 

 

-

 

 

(97)

Bad debt expenses

 

 

(40)

 

 

(120)

 

 

(5)

 

 

(125)

 

 

-

 

 

(165)

Recovery of restructuring costs

 

 

8

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

8

Other operating expenses

 

 

(328)

 

 

(297)

 

 

(26)

 

 

(323)

 

 

43

 

 

(608)

Operating income before D&A

 

 

971

 

 

2,462

 

 

191

 

 

2,653

 

 

-

 

 

3,624

Depreciation of PP&E

 

 

(444)

 

 

(422)

 

 

(89)

 

 

(511)

 

 

-

 

 

(955)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

(51)

 

 

(376)

 

 

(17)

 

 

(393)

 

 

-

 

 

(444)

Gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and related assets

 

 

(116)

 

 

(50)

 

 

1

 

 

(49)

 

 

-

 

 

(165)

Operating income

 

 

360

 

 

1,614

 

 

86

 

 

1,700

 

 

-

 

 

2,060

Financial results, net

 

 

72

 

 

152

 

 

(10)

 

 

142

 

 

-

 

 

214

Net income before income tax expense

 

 

432

 

 

1,766

 

 

76

 

 

1,842

 

 

-

 

 

2,274

Income tax expense, net

 

 

(151)

 

 

(637)

 

 

(11)

 

 

(648)

 

 

-

 

 

(799)

Net income

 

 

281

 

 

1,129

 

 

65

 

 

1,194

 

 

-

 

 

1,475

 

Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

 

1,454

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

 

 

21

 

1,475

 

(1)

 

Service revenues

 

 

3,305

 

 

7,583

 

 

523

 

 

8,106

 

 

-

 

 

11,411

Equipment revenues

 

 

30

 

 

1,235

 

 

37

 

 

1,272

 

 

-

 

 

1,302

Other income

 

 

12

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

13

Subtotal third party revenues

 

 

3,347

 

 

8,819

 

 

560

 

 

9,379

 

 

-

 

 

12,726

Intersegment revenues

 

 

608

 

 

55

 

 

5

 

 

60

 

 

(668)

 

 

-

Total revenues and other income

 

 

3,955

 

 

8,874

 

 

565

 

 

9,439

 

 

(668)

 

 

12,726

 

q       Statement of financial position information

 

PP&E

 

 

5,508

 

 

2,801

 

 

852

 

 

3,653

 

 

-

 

 

9,161

Intangible assets, net

 

 

372

 

 

1,084

 

 

33

 

 

1,117

 

 

(1)

 

 

1,488

Capital expenditures on PP&E (a)

 

 

620

 

 

420

 

 

97

 

 

517

 

 

-

 

 

1,137

Capital expenditures on intangible assets (b)

 

 

51

 

 

345

 

 

21

 

 

366

 

 

-

 

 

417

Total capital expenditures (a)+(b)

 

 

671

 

 

765

 

 

118

 

 

883

 

 

-

 

 

1,554

Total additions on PP&E and intangible assets

 

 

789

 

 

768

 

 

149

 

 

917

 

 

-

 

 

1,706

Net financial asset (debt)

 

 

1,074

 

 

4,164

 

 

(144)

 

 

4,020

 

 

-

 

 

5,094

 

q       Geographic information

 

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

 

 

Total non-current assets

 

 

 

Breakdown by location
of operations

 

 

Breakdown by location of
the Group´s customers

 

 

Breakdown by
location of operations

Argentina

 

 

12,136

 

 

12,041

 

 

10,177

Abroad

 

 

590

 

 

685

 

 

912

Total

 

 

12,726

 

 

12,726

 

 

11,089

 

 

22



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2012

 

 

q       Income statement

 

 

 

 

Fixed

 

 

Mobile Services

 

 

Elimi-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services

 

 

Personal

 

 

Núcleo

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

nations

 

 

Total

Total revenues and other income (1)

 

 

3,376

 

 

7,159

 

 

406

 

 

7,565

 

 

(552)

 

 

10,389

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

 

(1,085)

 

 

(376)

 

 

(31)

 

 

(407)

 

 

-

 

 

(1,492)

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

 

(256)

 

 

(893)

 

 

(64)

 

 

(957)

 

 

408

 

 

(805)

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

 

(456)

 

 

(596)

 

 

(36)

 

 

(632)

 

 

78

 

 

(1,010)

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

 

(217)

 

 

(710)

 

 

(13)

 

 

(723)

 

 

-

 

 

(940)

Commissions

 

 

(78)

 

 

(805)

 

 

(47)

 

 

(852)

 

 

30

 

 

(900)

Cost of equipments and handsets

 

 

(21)

 

 

(925)

 

 

(13)

 

 

(938)

 

 

-

 

 

(959)

Advertising

 

 

(77)

 

 

(213)

 

 

(24)

 

 

(237)

 

 

-

 

 

(314)

Cost of VAS

 

 

(4)

 

 

(107)

 

 

(11)

 

 

(118)

 

 

-

 

 

(122)

Provisions

 

 

(47)

 

 

(13)

 

 

1

 

 

(12)

 

 

-

 

 

(59)

Bad debt expenses

 

 

(31)

 

 

(113)

 

 

(4)

 

 

(117)

 

 

-

 

 

(148)

Other operating expenses

 

 

(285)

 

 

(237)

 

 

(15)

 

 

(252)

 

 

36

 

 

(501)

Operating income before D&A

 

 

819

 

 

2,171

 

 

149

 

 

2,320

 

 

-

 

 

3,139

Depreciation of PP&E

 

 

(404)

 

 

(403)

 

 

(60)

 

 

(463)

 

 

-

 

 

(867)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

(51)

 

 

(326)

 

 

(14)

 

 

(340)

 

 

-

 

 

(391)

Gain on disposal of PP&E

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1

Operating income

 

 

365

 

 

1,442

 

 

75

 

 

1,517

 

 

-

 

 

1,882

Financial results, net

 

 

(11)

 

 

129

 

 

(6)

 

 

123

 

 

-

 

 

112

Net income before income tax expense

 

 

354

 

 

1,571

 

 

69

 

 

1,640

 

 

-

 

 

1,994

Income tax expense, net

 

 

(125)

 

 

(565)

 

 

(10)

 

 

(575)

 

 

-

 

 

(700)

Net income

 

 

229

 

 

1,006

 

 

59

 

 

1,065

 

 

-

 

 

1,294

 

Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

 

1,275

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

 

 

19

 

 

 

1,294

 

(1)

 

Service revenues

 

 

2,838

 

 

6,222

 

 

390

 

 

6,612

 

 

-

 

 

9,450

Equipment revenues

 

 

39

 

 

878

 

 

13

 

 

891

 

 

-

 

 

930

Other income

 

 

7

 

 

2

 

 

-

 

 

2

 

 

-

 

 

9

Subtotal third party revenues

 

 

2,884

 

 

7,102

 

 

403

 

 

7,505

 

 

-

 

 

10,389

Intersegment revenues

 

 

492

 

 

57

 

 

3

 

 

60

 

 

(552)

 

 

-

Total revenues and other income

 

 

3,376

 

 

7,159

 

 

406

 

 

7,565

 

 

(552)

 

 

10,389

 

 

q       Statement of financial position information

 

PP&E

 

 

5,004

 

 

2,675

 

 

652

 

 

3,327

 

 

-

 

 

8,331

Intangible assets, net

 

 

373

 

 

1,130

 

 

23

 

 

1,153

 

 

-

 

 

1,526

Capital expenditures on PP&E (a)

 

 

510

 

 

338

 

 

68

 

 

406

 

 

-

 

 

916

Capital expenditures on intangible assets (b)

 

 

39

 

 

378

 

 

12

 

 

390

 

 

-

 

 

429

Total capital expenditures (a)+(b)

 

 

549

 

 

716

 

 

80

 

 

796

 

 

-

 

 

1,345

Total additions on PP&E and intangible assets

 

 

619

 

 

716

 

 

78

 

 

794

 

 

-

 

 

1,413

Net financial asset (debt)

 

 

1,286

 

 

1,058

 

 

(121)

 

 

937

 

 

-

 

 

2,223

 

 

q       Geographic information

 

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

 

 

Total non-current assets

 

 

 

Breakdown by location
of operations

 

 

Breakdown by location of
the Group´s customers

 

 

Breakdown by
location of operations

Argentina

 

 

9,966

 

 

9,837

 

 

9,321

Abroad

 

 

423

 

 

552

 

 

691

Total

 

 

10,389

 

 

10,389

 

 

10,012

 

 

23



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTE 5 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

a)           Controlling company

 

As of June 30, 2013, Nortel, domiciled at A. Moreau de Justo 50 – 11th Floor –Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, holds 54.74% of the Company’s capital stock, which allows it to control the Company pursuant to Section 33 of Law No. 19,550. Such percentage is made up of 100% of the Class “A” shares (51% of the Company’s aggregate shares) and 7.66% of the Class “B shares (3.74% of the Company’s aggregate shares).

 

As a result of the Company’s Treasury Shares Acquisition Process described in Note 7.b) – Acquisition of Treasury Shares, as of June 30, 2013, Nortel’s equity interest in Telecom Argentina amounts to 54.92% of the outstanding shares. Pursuant to Section 221 of the LSC, the rights of treasury shares shall be suspended until such shares are sold, and shall not be taken into account to determine the quorum or the majority of votes at the Shareholders’ Meetings.

 

All of the common shares of Nortel belong to Sofora. As of June 30, 2013 these shares represented 78.38% of the capital stock of Nortel.

 

b)          Related parties

 

Related parties (as described in IAS 24) are those legal entities or individuals which are related to the indirect shareholders of the Company.

 

Under IAS 24, Telefónica, S.A. (of Spain) and its controlled companies, including Telefónica de Argentina S.A. and Telefónica Móviles de Argentina S.A. are not considered related parties. As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, such situation has been confirmed by the commitments assumed before the Argentine Antitrust Commission (or the “CNDC”) to ensure the separation and independence between the Telecom Italia Group and the Telecom Group, on one hand, and Telefónica S.A. (of Spain) and its controlled companies, on the other, with respect to their activities in the Argentine telecommunications market, such as it has been corroborated by the applicable authorities.

 

c)           Balances with related parties

 

·                  Direct parent company

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2013

 

2012

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

Nortel

 

12

 

-

 

 

12

 

-

Investments

 

 

 

 

Nortel

 

9

 

2

 

 

9

 

2

 

·                  Related parties

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

Type of related party

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

Trade receivables

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

Caja de Seguros S.A. (a) (b)

 

Other related party

 

38

 

21

TIM Participacoes S.A. (a)

 

Other related party

 

7

 

-

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

 

Indirect parent company

 

1

 

1

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

 

Other related party

 

1

 

1

Telecom Italia Sparkle S.p.A. (a)

 

Other related party

 

-

 

9

 

 

 

 

47

 

32

Other receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a) (d)

 

Other related party

 

90

 

-

 

 

 

 

90

 

-

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a) (d)

 

Other related party

 

126

 

-

 

 

 

 

126

 

-

 

 

24



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

Type of related party

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

Trade payables

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

Grupo Italtel (a) 

 

Other related party

 

39

 

97

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

 

Indirect parent company

 

18

 

22

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a)

 

Other related party

 

2

 

30

Caja de Seguros S.A. (a) (b)

 

Other related party

 

26

 

23

La Caja Aseguradora de Riesgos del Trabajo ART S.A. (a) (b)

 

Other related party

 

6

 

5

Telecom Italia Sparkle S.p.A. (a)

 

Other related party

 

2

 

10

Latin American Nautilus USA Inc. (a)

 

Other related party

 

1

 

2

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

 

Other related party

 

-

 

1

TIM Participacoes S.A. (a)

 

Other related party

 

-

 

2

 

 

 

 

94

 

192

Dividends payables

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABC Telecomunicaciones S.A.

 

Other related party

 

15

 

-

 

 

 

 

15

 

-

 

d)     Transactions with related parties

 

·                  Direct parent company

 

 

 

Transaction
description

 

 

 

 

Six-month periods ended  June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

Nortel

 

interest

 

 

 

1

 

-

 

 

 

 

Total financial results

 

1

 

-

 

·                  Related parties

 

 

 

Transaction
description

 

 

Type of related party

 

Six-month periods ended
June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit (loss)

Caja de Seguros S.A. (a) (b)

 

Equipment

 

Other related party

 

106

 

26

Caja de Seguros S.A. (a) (b)

 

Voice – Retail

 

Other related party

 

29

 

38

TIM Participacoes S.A. (a)

 

Voice – Wholesale

 

Other related party

 

10

 

6

Telecom Italia Sparkle S.p.A. (a)

 

Voice – Wholesale

 

Other related party

 

7

 

8

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

 

Voice – Wholesale

 

Indirect parent company

 

2

 

1

Standard Bank (b) (c)

 

Voice – Retail

 

Other related party

 

-

 

2

Standard Bank (b) (c)

 

Data

 

Other related party

 

-

 

7

Standard Bank (b) (c)

 

Equipment

 

Other related party

 

-

 

2

 

 

Total revenues and other income

 

154

 

90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a)

 

International outbound calls and data

 

Other related party

 

(52)

 

(52)

La Caja Aseguradora de Riesgos del Trabajo ART S.A. (a) (b)

 

Salaries and social security

 

Other related party

 

(23)

 

(16)

Grupo Italtel (a)

 

Maintenance, materials and supplies

 

Other related party

 

(20)

 

(20)

Telecom Italia Sparkle S.p.A. (a)

 

International outbound calls and other

 

Other related party

 

(14)

 

(18)

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

 

Fees for services and roaming

 

Indirect parent company

 

(11)

 

(10)

Caja de Seguros S.A. (a) (b)

 

Insurance

 

Other related party

 

(9)

 

(7)

TIM Participacoes S.A. (a)

 

Roaming

 

Other related party

 

(7)

 

(8)

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

 

International outbound calls

 

Other related party

 

(4)

 

(4)

La Estrella Seguros de Retiro S.A. (a) (b)

 

Insurance

 

 

 

(4)

 

(3)

Latin American Nautilus USA Inc. (a)

 

International outbound calls

 

Other related party

 

(3)

 

(2)

 

 

Total operating costs

 

(147)

 

(140)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Bank (b) (c)

 

Interest

 

Other related party

 

-

 

3

 

 

Total financial results

 

-

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grupo Italtel (a)

 

 

 

Other related party

 

40

 

20

 

 

Total purchases of PP&E

 

40

 

20

 

(a)             Such companies relate to Telecom Italia Group.

(b)             Such companies relate to W de Argentina - Inversiones S.L.

(c)             This entity is no longer related party as from November 2012.

(d)             Corresponds to an agreement of lease-mode IP international capacity until December 2016. The Company paid approximately $267.6 on February 2013 for this agreement.

 

 

25



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

The transactions discussed above were made on terms no less favorable to the Telecom Group than would have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. The Board of Directors approved transactions representing more than 1% of the total shareholders’ equity of the Company, after being approved by the Audit Committee in compliance with Decree No. 677/01 and Law No. 26,831.

 

e) Key Managers

 

Compensation for the Key Managers, including social security contribution, amounted to $30 and $23 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and was recorded as expenses under the item line “Employee benefits expenses and severance payments”. The total expense remuneration is comprised as follows:

 

 

 

Three-month periods ended
June 30,

 

Six-month periods ended
June 30,

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

Salaries (*)

 

7

 

6

 

14

 

11

Variable compensation (*)

 

4

 

4

 

8

 

8

Social security contributions

 

3

 

3

 

5

 

5

Termination benefits

 

3

 

-

 

3

 

-

 

 

17

 

13

 

30

 

23

 

(*) Gross compensation. Social security and income tax retentions are in charge of the employee.

 

As of June 30, 2013 and 2012, an amount of $10 and $6 remained unpaid, respectively.

 

As of June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Telecom Group has recorded a $8 and $4 provisions, respectively, for the fees of the Company’s and Telecom Argentina’s Board of Directors members. The members and alternate members of the Board of Directors do not hold executive positions in the Company or Company’s subsidiaries.

 

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES OF THE TELECOM GROUP

 

a)           Purchase commitments

 

The Company has entered into various purchase orders amounting in the aggregate to approximately $4,192 as of June 30, 2013 (of which $1,280 corresponds to PP&E commitments), primarily related to the supply of switching equipment, external wiring, infrastructure agreements, inventory and other service agreements.

 

b)          Contingencies

 

The Telecom Group is a party to several civil, tax, commercial, labor and regulatory proceedings and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. In order to determine the proper level of provisions, Management of the Company, based on the opinion of its internal and external legal counsel, assesses the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes related to these matters as well as the range of probable losses that may result from the potential outcomes. A determination of the amount of provisions required, if any, is determined after an analysis of each individual case.

 

The determination of the required provisions may change in the future due to new developments or unknown facts at the time of the evaluation of the claims or changes as a matter of law or legal interpretation. Consequently, as of June 30, 2013, the Telecom Group has recorded provisions in an aggregate amount of $1,184 to cover potential losses under these claims ($85 for regulatory contingencies deducted from assets and $1,099 included under provisions) and certain amounts deposited in the Company’s bank accounts have been restricted as to their use due to some judicial proceedings. As of June 30, 2013, these restricted funds totaled $43 (included under “Other receivables” item line in the consolidated statement of financial position).

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Provisions consist of the following:

 

 

 

 

Balances

 

Additions (reversals)

 

 

 

Decreases

 

Balances

 

 

 

as of
December
31, 2012

 

 

Capital

 

 

Interest
(ii)

 

 

Reclassi-
fications

 

 

Classified
to liability

 

 

Payments

 

 

as of
June 30,
2013

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

 

 

33

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

49

 

 

-

 

 

(3)

 

 

79

Provision for labor claims

 

 

32

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

14

 

 

-

 

 

(15)

 

 

31

Restructuring (iii)

 

 

54

 

 

(iii) (8)

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(46)

 

 

-

 

 

-

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

 

 

15

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

42

 

 

-

 

 

(10)

 

 

47

Total current provisions

 

 

134

 

 

(8)

 

 

-

 

 

105

 

 

(46)

 

 

(28)

 

 

157

Non-current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

 

 

145

 

 

33

 

 

5

 

 

(49)

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

134

Provision for labor claims

 

 

255

 

 

16

 

 

10

 

 

(14)

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

267

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

 

 

432

 

 

48

 

 

24

 

 

(42)

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

462

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

75

 

 

-

 

 

4

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

79

Total non-current provisions

 

 

907

 

 

(i) 97

 

 

43

 

 

(105)

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

942

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total provisions

 

 

1,041

 

 

89

 

 

43

 

 

-

 

 

(46)

 

 

(28)

 

 

1,099

 

(i)               Included in Provisions.

(ii)             Included in Finance costs.

(iii)           The Restructuring Plan initiated during the last quarter of 2012 finished in June 2013 and $8 has been recovered and was included in “Recovery of restructuring costs”.

 

 

 

 

Balances

 

Additions (reversals)

 

 

 

Decreases

 

Balances

 

 

 

as of
December
31, 2011

 

 

Capital
(i)

 

 

Interest
(ii)

 

 

Reclassi-
fications

 

 

Classified
to liability

 

 

Payments

 

 

as of
June 30,
2012

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

 

 

16

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

4

 

 

-

 

 

(2)

 

 

18

Provision for labor claims

 

 

128

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

21

 

 

(51)

 

 

(66)

 

 

32

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

 

 

29

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

24

 

 

-

 

 

(13)

 

 

40

Total current provisions

 

 

173

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

49

 

 

(51)

 

 

(81)

 

 

90

Non-current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

 

 

117

 

 

16

 

 

6

 

 

(4)

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

135

Provision for labor claims

 

 

220

 

 

25

 

 

22

 

 

(21)

 

 

(10)

 

 

-

 

 

236

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

 

 

384

 

 

18

 

 

15

 

 

(25)

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

392

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

61

 

 

-

 

 

3

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

64

Total non-current provisions

 

 

782

 

 

59

 

 

46

 

 

(50)

 

 

(10)

 

 

-

 

 

827

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total provisions

 

 

955

 

 

59

 

 

46

 

 

(iii)  (1)

 

 

(61)

 

 

(81)

 

 

917

 

(i)               Included in Provisions.

(ii)             Included in Finance costs.

(iii)           Included in Current Other Receivables.

 

NOTE 7 – EQUITY

 

Equity includes:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2013

 

2012

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

11,349

 

9,959

Equity attributable to non-controlling interest

 

197

 

199

Total equity (*) 

11,546

 

10,158

 

(*) Additional information is given in the consolidated statements of changes in equity.

 

(a)         Capital Stock

 

Telecom Argentina’s breakdown of capital stock as of June 30, 2013 is as following:

 

 

 

Registered, subscribed and authorized for public offering

 

 

Shares

 

Outstanding shares

 

Treasury shares (*)

 

Total capital stock

 

 

Ordinary shares, $1 argentine peso of nominal value each

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class “A”

 

502,034,299

 

-       

 

502,034,299

 

 

Class “B”

 

478,702,776

 

3,273,182

 

481,975,958

 

 

Class “C”

 

370,721

 

-       

 

370,721

 

(**)

Total

 

981,107,796

 

3,273,182

 

984,380,978

 

 

 

(*) See ítem (b) Acquisition of treasury shares below.

 

(**) On July 2 and 15, 2013, 25,986 and 77,297 Class “C” shares were converted into an equal number of Class “B” shares, respectively. See Note 11 to these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Telecom Argentina’s capital stock amounts to $984.380.978, and is represented by an equal number of ordinary shares, $1 argentine peso of nominal value and entitled to one vote per share. As of June 30, 2013 all the shares are fully paid.

 

The Company’s shares are authorized by the CNV, the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange (the “BCBA”) and the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) for public trading. Only Class “B” shares are traded since Nortel owns all of the outstanding Class “A” shares and Class “C” shares are dedicated to the employee stock ownership program.

 

Each ADS represents 5 Class B shares and are traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol TEO.

 

(b)        Acquisition of Treasury Shares

 

The Company’s Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 23, 2013, which was adjourned until May 21, 2013, approved at its second session of deliberations, the creation of a “Voluntary Reserve for Capital Investments” of $1,200, granting powers to the Company’s Board of Directors to decide its total or partial use, and to approve the methodology, terms and conditions of such investments.

 

In connection with the above mentioned, on May 22, 2013, the Board of Directors has approved the following terms and conditions of the Treasury Shares Acquisition Process in Argentine pesos so as to avoid any possible damages to the Company and its shareholders derived from fluctuations and unbalances between the shares’ price and the Company’s solvency:

 

·                  Maximum amount to be invested: $1,200 million.

·                  Maximum amount of shares subject to the acquisition: the amount of Class “B” ordinary shares of the Company, $1 argentine peso of nominal value and with one vote each, that may be acquired with the maximum amount to be invested, which amount may never exceed a limit of 10% of the capital stock.

·                  Deadline for the acquisitions: until April 30, 2014.

 

Pursuant to Section 67 of Law No. 26,831, the Company must sell its treasury shares within three years of the date of acquisition. Pursuant to Section 221 of the LSC, the rights of treasury shares shall be suspended until such shares are sold, and shall not be taken into account to determine the quorum or the majority of votes at the Shareholders’ Meetings. No restrictions apply to Retained Earnings as a result of the creation of a specific reserve for such purposes named “Voluntary Reserve for Capital Investments”.

 

As of June 30, 2013 the following treasury shares were acquired:

 

 

 

 

 

Transaction date

Treasury shares acquired (a)

Total cost (in millons)

Average cost per share

May 2013

105,800

3

$26.49

June 2013

3,167,382

80

$25.29

 

 

 

 

Total

3,273,182

83

$25.33

 

(a) Every share acquired was an ordinary Class “B” share, $1 argentine peso of nominal value.

 

The accounting treatment of the above described transactions is disclosed in Note 1 a) to these consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE 8 – RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS

 

The Company is subject to certain restrictions on the distribution of profits. Under the LSC, the by-laws of the Company and rules and regulations of the CNV, a minimum of 5% of net income for the year in accordance with the statutory books, plus/less previous years adjustments and accumulated losses, if any, must be appropriated by resolution of the shareholders to a legal reserve until such reserve reaches 20% of the outstanding capital (common stock plus inflation adjustment of common stock).

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTE 9 – SELECTED CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY INFORMATION

 

Quarter

 

 

Revenues

 

 

Operating
income before
D&A

 

 

Operating
income

 

 

Financial
results, net

 

 

Net
income

 

 

Net income
attributable
to Telecom
Argentina

Fiscal year 2013:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

6,064

 

 

1,799

 

 

1,115

 

 

135

 

 

813

 

 

802

June 30,

 

 

6,649

 

 

1,825

 

 

945

 

 

79

 

 

662

 

 

652

 

 

 

12,713

 

 

3,624

 

 

2,060

 

 

214

 

 

1,475

 

 

1,454

Fiscal year 2012:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

5,126

 

 

1,647

 

 

1,033

 

 

61

 

 

708

 

 

698

June 30,

 

 

5,254

 

 

1,492

 

 

849

 

 

51

 

 

586

 

 

577

September 30,

 

 

5,645

 

 

1,587

 

 

921

 

 

47

 

 

629

 

 

616

December 31,

 

 

6,092

 

 

1,844

 

 

1,163

 

 

70

 

 

809

 

 

794

 

 

 

22,117

 

 

6,570

 

 

3,966

 

 

229

 

 

2,732

 

 

2,685

 

NOTE 10 – RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CORRESPONDING TO THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 FOR THE TELECOM GROUP

 

1.             Administrative sanctions in connection with Telecom Argentina and Personal service cuts

 

In the normal course of business, telecommunications service providers face the possibility of having incidents in their networks or other assets with different impacts on services provided. The Regulatory Framework that regulates the service provision of Telecom Argentina and Personal provides for the possibility of interruptions in the provision of the service and also contemplates exemptions of responsibility in case of unforeseen circumstances or force majeure. In particular, the List of conditions of the Mobile Telephony Service (approved by Decree No. 1,461/93) and the General Regulation of Individual Communications Service (approved by Resolution SC No. 60/96) provide for a penalty regime taking into account the period of the service interruption and releasing of any sanction for total service provision interruption for no more than 24 hours and for partial service provision interruptions for periods of less than 7 days. The Telecom Group companies seek the necessary actions to prevent such incidents, and, in case of any occurrence, ensure their resolution as soon as possible.

 

However, the CNC has recently initiated different administrative procedures against Telecom Argentina and Personal related to different network incidents, including some originated in cases of unforeseen circumstances or force majeure, imposing penalties of different amounts for the companies of the Telecom Group.

 

The more relevant administrative sanctions are as follow:

 

Date of the
incident

Company

Approximate duration of the incident

Sanctions

06/12/2012

Telecom Argentina

2½ hours

Fine of approximately $0.6 million.

 

Date of the
incident

Company

Approximate duration of the incident

Sanctions

06/12/2012

Personal

2½ hours

Fine of approximately $0.6 million and $10 of reimbursement to each customer affected, with a penalty of $4,690 for each day of delay in complying with the reimbursement.

03/08/2013

Personal

2 hours

Fine of $6 million and $30 of reimbursement to each customer affected, with a penalty of $140,700 for each day of delay in complying with the reimbursement.

04/02/2013

Personal

Service provision affected by the flooding of La Plata city.

Fine of approximately $2 million and $60 of reimbursement to each customer affected, with a penalty of $140,700 for each day of delay in complying with the reimbursement.

05/10/2013

Personal

10 hours

Fine of approximately $0.6 million and a daily fine of $ 1,407 per day of delay in complying with reporting required by the CNC with respect to the incident.

 

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Telecom Argentina and Personal have filed their defenses against such penalty procedures in the administrative stage, exposing their arguments, based on which such procedures should be released. As of the date of these financial statements, these penalty procedures are not final. However, it cannot be assured that a favorable result will be obtained at the administrative stage.

 

2.             Resolution SC No. 1/13

 

On April 8, 2013, Resolution SC No. 1/13 was published in the Official Bulletin, establishing that all mobile operators should guarantee the service provision, even in emergency situation or catastrophe, in which case the normal service provision must be restored in a maximum period of one hour. Mobile operators must, in all cases, prioritize the access to emergency services in the affected areas.

 

In addition, Resolution SC No. 1/13 requires that mobile operators present within 45 days a Contingency Plan for emergency situations, for purposes of guaranteeing the continuity of services in such circumstances.

 

As of the date of these financial statements, Personal has appealed Resolution SC N° 1/13 exposing the arguments by which the mentioned resolution should be released. However, Personal has met its commitment to present a Contingency Plan for emergency situations.

 

3.             Profit sharing bonds

 

Different legal actions were brought, mainly by former employees of the Company against the National Government and Telecom Argentina, requesting that Decree No. 395/92 – which expressly exempted the Company from issuing the profit sharing bonds provided in Law No. 23,696 – be struck down as unconstitutional and, therefore, claiming compensation for the damages they had suffered because such bonds had not been issued.

 

In those suits for which judgment has already been rendered, the trial court judges hearing the matter resolved to dismiss the actions brought and pointing that Decree No. 395/92 was valid and constitutional. However, in August 2008, the Supreme Court of Justice, when resolving a case against Telefónica, found the Decree No. 395/92 unconstitutional.

 

Since the National Supreme Court of Justice’s judgment on this matter, the Divisions of the Courts of Appeal ruled that Decree No. 395/92 was unconstitutional. As a result, in the opinion of the legal counsel of the Company, there is an increased probability that the Company has to face certain contingencies, notwithstanding the right of reimbursement that attends Telecom Argentina against the National State.

 

Said Court decision found the abovementioned Decree unconstitutional and ordered to send the proceedings back to the court of origin so that said court could decide on which was the subject compelled to pay –licensee and/or National Government- and the parameters that were to be taken into account in order to quantify the remedies requested (percent of profit sharing, expiration criteria of the statute of limitations, distribution method between the program beneficiaries, etc). It should be mentioned that there is no uniformity of opinion in the Courts in relation to each of those concepts. However, in connection with the claims brought by employees and former employees that were not part of the Share Ownership Plan (or SOP) at the time of ENTel privatization, the jurisprudence has rejected the claims.

 

As of June 30, 2013, the Company’s Management, with the advice of its legal counsel, has recorded provisions for contingencies that it estimates are sufficient to cover the risks associated with these claims, having considered the legal background as of the date of these consolidated financial statements.

 

Additionally, on June 3, 2013 Telecom Argentina has been notified of a lawsuit filed by four unions claiming the issuance of a profit sharing bond (hereinafter “the bond”) for future periods and for periods for which the statute of limitations is not expired. In order that this claim will be sustained, the plaintiffs require that Decree No. 395/92 should be declared unconstitutional.

 

The Company, based on the advice of its legal counsel, believes that there are strong arguments to defend its rights based, among other things, in the expiration of the statute of limitations of the claim for the unconstitutionality of Decree No. 395/92, the lack of active legal standing for collective claim for bond issuance -due to the existence of individual claims-, among other reasons regarding lack of active legal standing.

 

This collective lawsuit is for an unspecified amount. However, the plaintiffs presented the criteria that should be applied for the determination of the percentage of participation in the Company’s profit. On the other hand, the lawsuit requiring the issuance of a profit sharing bond represents an obligation with potential future economic impacts for Telecom Argentina.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

The Company’s Management, based on the advice of its legal counsel, believes that this lawsuit should not proceed. However we cannot assure that it will be solved in our favor.

 

4.             Financial transactions to mitigate the currency exchange risk

 

Considering the fluctuations of the US Dollar/Argentine Peso exchange rate registered during the first semester of 2013 (+10%), and due to the existence of commercial commitments denominated in US Dollars, in June 2013 Personal entered into a NDF contract to purchase a total amount of U$S10 million maturing December 2013. The purpose of such NDF is to eliminate the risks associated to the fluctuations of exchange rate in the future and to link the payment currency of Personal’s commercial commitment (item covered) to its functional currency. Based on the NDF terms, this instrument has been designated as cash flows hedge for financial accounting purposes, but the effectiveness requirements set forth in IAS 39 are not complied. As of June 30, 2013, changes in fair value of this NDF have generated a loss of approximately $65,000, which was recorded in Current liabilities (counter entry in Financial results).

 

In addition, and with the purpose of mitigating the foreign currency exchange risk, in June 2013 Personal acquired Government bonds denominated in US Dollars (Bonar VII), which bear an annual interest of 7%, also in US Dollars. Results for foreign currency exchange differences generated by the purchase of such bonds were recorded in item “Foreign currency exchange losses”.

 

5.             Impairment of PP&E and related assets

 

In June 2013, Personal assessed the recoverability of a group of assets recorded in PP&E related to an appraisal and billing system of postpaid subscribers. Taking into account the low performance of such system, and having not reached the goals expected, Personal’s Management has decided to discontinue such system and has recorded an impairment loss in the amount of $50 million, equivalent to its carrying amount. Personal is currently analyzing the recovery courses of action from the providers who have worked in this project.

 

In addition, in June 2013, Telecom Argentina has assessed the recoverability of a group of PP&E items and assets related to some projects undertaken with the public sector and the private sector. Based on the uncertainty of their performance and related future cash flows, the Company’s Management has recorded an impairment loss in the amount of $122 million. This write-down will be reassessed periodically.

 

Both impairment losses were recorded in Operating costs in item “Impairment of PP&E and related assets”.

 

NOTE 11 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS AS OF JUNE 30, 2013

 

1.             Acquisition of treasury shares

 

In connection with the Treasury Shares Acquisition Process described in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, during July 2013 and until the date of these financial statements, the Company has acquired 2,906,383 ordinary Class “B” shares, $1 argentine peso of nominal value, for an aggregate cost of approximately $72 million.

 

2.             Conversion of Class “C” shares

 

Pursuant to the authorization approved by the General Ordinary and Extraordinary and Special Class “C” Shares Meetings held on December 15, 2011 and following the request of individual holders, on July 2, 2013, 25,986 Class “C” shares were converted, in a sixth tranche, into an equal number of Class “B” shares. In addition, pursuant to the order of the National Court of First Instance in Civil and Commercial Matters No. 10, on July 15, 2013, 77,297 Class “C” shares were converted, in a seventh tranche, into an equal number of Class “B” shares. As of the date of these financial statements, conversion is pending for 267,438 Class “C” shares.

 

3.             Salary agreements

 

In July 2013 Telecom Argentina concluded the salary negotiation process with various telecommunications unions for the period July 2013 – June 2014. Pursuant to the agreement reached, the unionized employees will receive in two installments, July 2013 and January 2014, different fixed amounts per category, representing an average annual raise of 25%. The increase corresponding to the first installment will be approximately 15.5% and will affect in approximately $178 million Telecom Argentina’s operating results for the second semester of 2013.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

4.             Resolution SC N º 5/13

 

On July 2, 2013, SC Resolution No. 5/13 was published in the Official Bulletin. This Resolution approved a “Telecommunication service quality regulation”, establishing, among others, new quality parameters required for telecommunication services provided through mobile and fixed public networks, for all the operators in Argentina.

 

The implementation of this regulation is subject to the elaboration of the auditing and technical verification procedures to be developed by the CNC within 90 days from the publication of the Resolution.

 

As of the date of these financial statements, Telecom Argentina and Personal Management is analyzing the effects that this new Resolution could have on its operations and its financial situation, as well as the actions that should be taken.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adrián Calaza

 

Enrique Garrido

Chief Financial Officer

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

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Free translation from the original in Spanish for publication in Argentina

 

 

LIMITED REVIEW REPORT ON THE CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

To the Shareholders, President and Directors of

Telecom Argentina S.A.

Legal address: Alicia Moreau de Justo 50

Autonomous City of Buenos Aires

Tax code: 30-63945373-8

 

1.         We have reviewed the accompanying condensed interim consolidated financial statements of Telecom Argentina S.A. (“Telecom”), and its subsidiaries, including the consolidated statement of financial position at June 30, 2013, the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2013, the consolidated statements of changes in equity and of cash flows for the six-month period then ended, and the selected explanatory notes. The balances and other information for the year 2012 and for the interim periods are an integral part of these financial statements and, therefore, they should be considered in relation to those statements.

 

2.         The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation and presentation of these financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, adopted by the Argentine Federation of Professional Councils in Economic Sciences (FACPCE) as professional accounting standards and added by the National Securities Commission (CNV) to its regulations, as approved by the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB). Therefore, they are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements mentioned in paragraph 1., in accordance with International Accounting Standard No. 34 “Interim Financial Reporting” (IAS 34). Our responsibility is to express a conclusion based on the review that we have performed with the scope detailed in paragraph 3.

 

3.         Our review was limited to the application of the procedures established by Technical Pronouncement No. 7 of the Argentine Federation of Professional Councils in Economic Sciences for limited reviews of financial statements for interim periods which consist, mainly, of the application of analytical procedures on the amounts disclosed in the condensed interim consolidated financial statements and of inquiries of the Company staff responsible for the preparation of the information included in the condensed interim consolidated financial statements and its subsequent analysis. This review is substantially less in scope than an audit, the objective of which is to express an opinion on the financial statements under examination. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial position, consolidated statement of comprehensive income and consolidated cash flows.

 



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4.         Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed interim consolidated financial statements mentioned in paragraph 1. have not been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard No. 34.

 

5.         In accordance with current regulations, in connection with Telecom, we report that:

 

a)        the condensed interim consolidated financial statements of Telecom are transcribed into the “Inventory and Balance Sheet” book and as regards those matters that are within our competence, they are in compliance with the provisions of the Commercial Companies Law and pertinent resolutions of the National Securities Commission;

 

b)        the condensed interim separate financial statements of Telecom arises from accounting records kept in all formal respects in conformity with legal regulations;

 

c)         we have read the Operating and financial review and prospects, on which, as regards those matters that are within our competence, we have no observations to make;

 

d)        at June 30, 2013, the debt corresponding to withholdings and contributions to the Argentine Integrated Social Security System according to the Company’s  accounting records amounted to $ 74,530,526.71, none of which was due at that date.

 

 

 

Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, July 29, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

PRICE WATERHOUSE & CO. S.R.L.

 

 

 

Dr. Alejandro P. Frechou      (Partner)

 

C.P.C.E.C.A.B.A. Vº 1 Fº 17

 

Dr. Alejandro P. Frechou

 

Public Accountant (UBA)

 

C.P.C.E.C.A.B.A. V° 156  F° 85

 

 



Table of Contents

 

 

CORPORATE INFORMATION

 

 

·                  INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Price Waterhouse & Co S.R.L. (member of PricewaterhouseCoopers)

 

·                  STOCK MARKET INFORMATION (Source: Bloomberg)

 

BCBA

 

 

Market quotation ($/share)

Volume of shares

Quarter

High

Low

traded (in millions)

2Q12

18.55

14.30

13.9

3Q12

16.10

12.30

9.5

4Q12

16.10

12.40

7.3

1Q13

25.95

16.40

18.1

2Q13

31.00

22.50

12.2

 

NYSE*

 

 

Market quotation (US$/ADR*)

Volume of ADRs

Quarter

High

Low

traded (in millions)

2Q12

17.55

10.00

24.6

3Q12

12.31

9.39

12.6

4Q12

9.37

12.17

10.0

1Q13

15.92

12.13

27.0

2Q13

16.73

13.40

13.6

 

* Calculated at 1 ADR = 5 shares

 

·                  INVESTOR RELATIONS for information about Telecom Argentina S.A., please contact:

 

In Argentina

 

Telecom Argentina S.A.

 

Investor Relations Division

 

Alicia Moreau de Justo 50, 10th Floor

 

(1107) Autonomous City of Buenos Aires

 

Tel,: 54-11-4968-3628

 

Argentina

 

 

Outside Argentina

 

JP Morgan Chase

 

Latam ADR Sales & Relationship Mgmt.

 

1 Chase Manhattan Plaza Floor 21

 

New York 10005

 

USA

 

Tel.: 1-212-552-3729

 

 

·                  INTERNET http://www.telecom.com.ar/inversores/index.html

 

·                  DEPOSIT AND TRANSFER AGENT FOR ADRs

 

J.P. Morgan Depositary Receipts

 

1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, Floor 58

 

New York, NY 10005

 

(866) JPM-ADRS

 

adr@jpmorgan.comwww.adr.com

 

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

Telecom Argentina S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:   August 27, 2013

 

By:

/s/ Enrique Garrido

 

 

 

Name:  Enrique Garrido

 

 

 

Title:    Chairman