Form 6-K
Table of Contents

FORM 6-K

 


 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Report of Foreign Issuer

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of August, 2005

 

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.    Translation of a letter to the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange dated August 10, 2005, regarding the resignation of the acting director and designation of a new director.
2.    Press release dated August 10, 2005, entitled, “Telecom Argentina S.A. Announces Consolidated Six-Month Period (1H05”) and Second Quarter Results for Fiscal Year 2005 (“2Q05”).”


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Item 1

 

FREE TRANSLATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  LOGO
 

 

Buenos Aires, August 10, 2005

 

BUENOS AIRES STOCK EXCHANGE

 

Dear Sirs,

 

RE.: Resignation of Acting Director and designation of new director

 

I am writing you as Responsible for Market Relations of Telecom Argentina S.A. (“Telecom Argentina” or the “Company”) to inform you that today Mr. Alberto Yamandú Messano has presented his resignation to the Board of the Company, due to his move to another country in order to assume new responsibilities in a company of the Telecom Italia Group.

 

The Board of Directors of Telecom Argentina, in the meeting held today, accepted the resignation of Mr. Messano, and in accordance to the dispositions of Art 258, second paragraph of the Corporate Law, has requested the Surveillance Committee the designation of an acting director as replacement of Mr Messano. The members of the Surveillance Committee have designated Mr. Jorge Alberto Firpo, who will take this responsibility until the next Shareholders Meeting.

 

Mr Firpo qualifies as an “non-independent” director, in accordance to the criteria of the Comisión Nacional de Valores.

 

The relevant part of Minutes of the Board Meeting Nº 186 and the Act of the Surveillance Committee have been incorporated in the item a.8) “Actas de Directorio” of the AIF.

 

Sincerely,

 

Pedro Gastón Insussarry

Responsible for Market Relations


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Item 2

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   LOGO

 

Market Cap: P$7,1 billion

(August 10, 2005)

 

Contacts:

 

Pedro Insussarry

Pablo Caride

Telecom Argentina

(54-11) 4968-3627/3626

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A. ANNOUNCES

CONSOLIDATED SIX-MONTH PERIOD (1H05”)

AND SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005 (“2Q05”) *

 

MAJOR EVENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS

 

  During 1H05 the following results were achieved:

 

    Net Revenues increase by P$515 MM (+25% vs. 1H04) reaching P$2,585 MM mainly due to the expansion of the mobile business.

 

    Operating Profit before depreciation and amortization slightly decreased when compare to that of 1H04 (-P$11 MM or 1% vs. 1H04) as a consequence of cost increases related to the expansion of the cellular business and the pressure evidenced in the operating cost structure of the Company, in an environment where the fixed-line regulated tariffs continue to be frozen.

 

    Net Income of +P$458 MM (+ P$688 MM vs 1H04) was mainly as a consequence of positive financial results due to currency exchange differences.

 

  Shareholders Equity as June 30, 2005 amounted to P$960 MM (+ P$22 MM or +2% vs. 1H04).

 

  Net Financial Debt as of June 30, 2005 reached P$5,947 MM (- P$1,214 MM or -17% vs. 1H04).

 

    The Ratio of Net Financial Debt to Operating Profit before Depreciation and Amortization for the last 12 months decreased to 2.9 (from 3.5 as of June 30, 2004), mainly due to the appreciation of the Argentine Peso against the Euro and the Dollar, since the Company’s debt is mainly denominated in these currencies, to the effect of the debt restructuring of Telecom Personal and Nucleo that took place during the last quarter of FY04, and to the cash flow generation of the Group.

 

     As of June 30

               
     2005

   2004

     D

     D%

 

Consolidated net revenues (in MM P$)

   2.585    2.070      515      25 %

Fixed Telephony

   1.391    1.311      80      6 %

Cellular

   1.187    753      434      58 %

Directories edition

   7    6      1      17 %

Operating Profit before D&A (in MM P$)

   972    983      (11 )    -1 %

Operating Profit (in MM P$)

   223    132      91      69 %

Net income/(Loss) (in MM P$)

   458    (230 )    688      -299 %

Shareholder’s equity (in MM P$)

   960    938      22      2 %

Net financial debt (in MM P$)

   5.947    7.161      (1.214 )    -17 %

CAPEX (in MM P$)

   169    117      52      44 %

Lines in service (Fixed lines -in thousands)

   3.854    3.701      153      4 %

Cellular customers (in thousands)

   5.380    3.577      1.803      50 %

Telecom Personal

   4.813    3.101      1.712      55 %

Núcleo (Paraguay)

   567    476      91      19 %

ADSL Total lines (in thousands)

   159    94      65      69 %

Arnet subscribers (in thousands)

   252    216      36      17 %

Dial-up and others

   146    157      (11 )    -7 %

ADSL

   106    59      47      80 %

Fixed line traffic (in MM minutes, Internet Traffic not included)

   8.145    7.981      164      2 %

Incoming/Outgoing cellular traffic in Argentina (in MM minutes)

   2.502    1.659      843      51 %

Average Revenue per user (ARPU ) Fixed Telephony/voice (in P$)

   39    39      0         

Average Revenue per user (ARPU ) Cellular Telephony Arg. (in P$)

   35    34      1      3 %

* Non-financial data unaudited.

 

    1   www.telecom.com.ar


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Buenos Aires, August 10, 2005 – Telecom Argentina (BASE: TECO2, NYSE: TEO), one of Argentina’s largest telecommunications groups, announced today consolidated net income of P$458 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 (“1H05”) mainly due to positive financial results as a consequence of currency exchange differences. Comparatively, consolidated net loss for the six-month period ended June 30, 2004 (“1H04”) was P$230 million. Consolidated net income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2005 (“2Q05”) was P$179 million, Comparatively, consolidated net loss for the second quarter of fiscal year 2004 (“2Q04”) was P$354 million.

 

Earnings/loss per share and ADR for 1H05 amounted to P$0.47 and P$2.33, respectively. In comparison, (loss) per share and ADR for 1H04 were P$(0.23) and P$(1.17), respectively. Earnings per share and ADR for 2Q05 amounted to P$0.18 and P$0.91, respectively. In comparison, (loss) per share and ADR for 2Q04 were P$(0.36) and P$(1.80), respectively.

 

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization, operating profit/(loss) and net income/(loss) for 1H05 represented 38%, 9% and 18% of net sales, respectively; compared with 47%, 6% and (11%), respectively, for 1H04. Operating profit before depreciation and amortization, operating profit/(loss) and net income/(loss) for 2Q05 represented 34%, 6% and 13% of net sales, respectively; compared with 46%, 6% and (34%), respectively, for 2Q04.

 

In a context of an increase in sales due to the strong expansion of the cellular business, the Operating Profit before Depreciation and Amortization for 1H05 has slightly decreased by 1%, reaching P$972 million. This decrease was a result of higher costs in the cellular telephony business mainly generated by greater agent commissions and subsidies in the sale of handsets.

 

LOGO

 

Company Activities

 

Evolution of Consolidated Net Revenues

(1H05 vs. 1H04 comparison)

 

Consolidated net revenues for 1H05 totaled P$2,585 million, an increase of P$515 million, or 25%, compared with P$2,070 million for 1H04 mainly as a consequence of the increase in revenues generated by the cellular and Internet businesses.

 

Fixed Telephony

 

In fixed telephony operations, local measured service revenues increased by P$1 million to P$247 million during 1H05. Domestic long distance (DLD) revenues increased by P$8 million reaching P$220 million. Revenues in both services increased as a consequence of the higher traffic due to incremental demand and higher number of Lines in Service. Traffic in Domestic Long Distance service increased by 9% while local traffic increased by 1%.

 

LOGO

 

Total traffic volume (Local and DLD), measured in minutes, increased by 2%.

 

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LOGO

 

Monthly charges increased by P$20 million, or 6%, to P$331 million for 1H05, mainly due to the increase in customer lines. Customer lines as of June 30, 2005 increased by 4% to approximately 3,534,000 when compared to approximately 3,409,000 as of June 30, 2004 due to the constant demand of fixed-line services. Nevertheless, the current level of customer lines as well as the number of lines in service, is still below the level reached before the economic crisis in December 2001.

 

Revenues generated by interconnection services increased by P$20 million, or 20%, to P$118 million, mainly due to the increase in cellular traffic transported by the fixed line network.

 

Regarding international telephony activities, during 1H05 revenues reached P$110 million increasing by P$5 million or 5%, mainly due to higher incoming and outgoing traffic levels partially offset by a decrease in rates.

 

LOGO

 

Internet and Data Transmission

 

Revenues generated by the data transmission and Internet business totaled P$224 million, representing an increase of P$26 million, or 13%, mainly due to the increase in revenues generated by the Internet business as a consequence of the increase in the number of ADSL clients. Since 4Q04, the Company is experiencing a migration process of dial-up clients to ADSL services. This process has intensified and has resulted in lower dial-up traffic.

 

LOGO

 

As of June 30, 2005 total lines in service with ADSL connections amounted to 159,000, an increase of 65,000, or 69%. The number of Arnet’s ADSL subscribers reached approximately 106,000, increasing by 80% while Internet dial-up customers reached approximately 146,000, decreasing 7%. Internet dial-up minutes represented 28% of total traffic measured in minutes transported over the fixed-line network.

LOGO

 

 

    3   www.telecom.com.ar


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Cellular Telephony

 

The cellular market in Argentina has grown rapidly during the last months, with a substantial increase in the total number of subscribers and penetration.

 

In this environment, total cellular subscribers of Telecom Personal in Argentina reached approximately 4,813,000 at June 30, 2005, representing an increase of approximately 1,712,000 customers, or 55%. This increase in the client base was fueled by an impressive growth in the number of GSM subscribers that represent 37% of the total customer base.

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

The customer base as of June 30, 2005 amounted to approximately 3,324,000 prepaid subscribers, representing 69% of the total customer base, and approximately 1,489,000 post-paid subscribers, representing the remaining 31% (including clients of “Cuentas Claras” a mix prepaid/postpaid product). These percentages were 79% and 21%, respectively, as of June 30, 2004. The substantial improvement of the composition of the customer base is a consequence of the strategy of Telecom Personal to focus in the acquisition of high-end clients and to increase the participation in the postpaid services, among them the “Cuentas Claras” product, taking into account the current demand of the cellular market.

 

Revenues of Telecom Personal in Argentina increased by P$420 million, or 63%, to P$1,090 million, mainly due to the higher number of subscribers, to the increase in total traffic, to incremental value added services and to the increase in sales of handsets.

 

The average monthly revenue per customer increase to P$35 or 3% when compared with 1H04 in spite of the significant increase in the number of clients. Additionally, total cellular traffic increased by 51% when compared with 1H04.

 

Núcleo, Telecom Personal’s subsidiary that provides cellular services in Paraguay, generated P$97 million in revenues during 1H05, which are consolidated into the mobile telephony business together with the revenues of Telecom Personal. Nucleo’s 1H05 revenues represented an increase of P$14 million, or 17%.

 

As of June 30, 2005, Núcleo had approximately 567,000 customers an increase of 91,000, or 19%. Nucleo’s postpaid subscribers increased by 22% reaching 107,000 clients, representing 19% of the customer base. Prepaid customers increased by 19% reaching 460,000, equivalent to 81% of the customer base.

 

LOGO

 

 

    4   www.telecom.com.ar


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Directories

 

Publicom sales increased by P$ 1 million or 17% reaching P$ 7 million due to higher sales of advertising space and the acquisition of new customers. It is expected that the favorable evolution of the commercial campaigns will be reflected in the publication of the most important directories that are distributed during the second half of the year.

 

Evolution of Operating Costs

 

The cost of services provided, administrative expenses and selling expenses for 1H05 increased by P$424 million, or 22%, to P$2,362 million. The evolution of costs is mainly related to the increase in sales and competition in the mobile telephony business in Argentina. As an example of this, subscriber acquisition cost (including handset subsidies, agent commissions and advertising) increased by P$138 million or 157% reaching P$226 million.

 

Salaries and social security contributions increased by P$43 million, or 15%, to P$329 million primarily due to the increase in salaries granted to unionized and non-unionized employees and to the increase in headcount in the cellular telephony business. As of June 30, 2005, the headcount totaled 14,332, compared to 14,175 as of June 30, 2004. The increase in headcount is also related to the expansion of the cellular business.

 

LOGO

 

Taxes reached $179 million, an increase of $38 million when compared with 1H04 due to the impact of sales tax and higher fees paid to the regulator, the latter, in the cellular telephony activity.

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts increased to P$15 million, equivalent to 0.6% of revenues. The level of allowances registered is significantly lower than the historical levels registered by the Group. The increase of P$13 million is mainly due to a lower level of recovery of past due receivables in the fixed telephony business and a slight increase of uncollectables in the cellular telephony business after the significant expansion of the customer base.

 

Sales commissions increased by P$66 million, or 87%, to P$142 million for 1H05, as a consequence of the commissions paid for new customers and higher sales of cellular prepaid cards.

 

Costs related to advertising increased by P$18 million or 45% to P$58 million in spite of the fact that Telecom Personal and Arnet continued with their promotions and media advertising campaigns.

 

The cost of cellular handsets increased by P$159 million reaching P$234 million mainly due to the increase in handset sales. As a consequence of the strong competition and the growth in the cellular business, handset subsidies have increased by P$78 million or 325%, reaching P$ 102 million.

 

TLRD (termination charges in third parties cellular networks) and roaming cost increased by P$90 million reaching P$171 million, due to the increase in traffic among cellular operators.

 

Depreciation of fixed and intangible assets decreased by P$102 million, or 12%, to P$749 million during 1H05 as a consequence of the end of the amortization period of certain assets in the fixed telephony business.

 

Taking into account the speed of the technological evolution of the telecommunication industry, Telecom Personal, with the assistance of an external consultant, has made a review of the periods of useful lives used for the depreciation period of fixed assets. As a consequence of this evaluation, the useful lives of certain assets have been changed and have been adjusted as from January 1st, 2005. Therefore, the depreciation charge for the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 was increased by P$15 million.

 

    5   www.telecom.com.ar


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Net Financial Results

 

The gain resulting from net financial results reached P$299 million for 1H05 as compared to a loss of P$298 million in 1H04. The difference can be largely attributed to the P$586 million registered as net currency exchange differences. The higher gain was a consequence of the effect of the appreciation of the Argentine Peso against the Euro and the Dollar on the net financial debt of the Company.

 

Other Expenses

 

Other expenses (net) decreased by P$5 million, or 9%, to P$50 million for the 1H05 mainly as a consequence of lower severance charges partially compensated by higher provisions for lawsuits and other contingencies.

 

Cash flow and Net Financial Debt (Face Value)

 

Net Debt (Loans minus Cash and Banks plus Investments) decreased by P$1,214 million, or 17%, to P$5,947 million for 1H05 compared with 1H04 (P$7,161 million), mainly as a consequence of the effect on the financial debt of the Company of the appreciation of the Argentine Peso against the Euro and the Dollar, the reduction of the debt due to the successful restructuring of Telecom Personal and Nucleo’s debts and the cash flow generation of the Company, partially offset by accrued interests.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Of the total amount of P$169 million invested in fixed assets during 1H05, P$89 million, or 53%, corresponds to fixed-line telephony, data transmission and Internet, and P$80 million or 47% to the cellular business.

 

Additionally, during 1H05 the Company has invested P$86 million in materials (of which P$75 correspond to cellular telephony) that in a short period will be classified as investments in fixed assets.

 

LOGO

 

Note: Materials and supplies not included

 

Other Matters

 

Debt restructuring process of Telecom Argentina – Homologation of the APE

 

On May 26, 2005, the Judge overseeing our debt restructuring process issued a resolution approving the Acuerdo Preventivo Extrajudicial (“APE”) that was subscribed by the Company and its financial creditors. Such decision became final on June 10, 2005.

 

As ordered by the Argentine court, Telecom Argentina published notices in widely circulated national and foreign newspapers informing non-consenting creditors of the court’s decision to permit them to select among any of the options offered by Telecom Argentina in its APE, within ten (10) court days following the last publication of notices. The Argentine court had provided that non-consenting creditors that do not submit an election before the Argentine court within such timeframe would be allocated to Option A.

 

Moreover, Strandard & Poors International Ratings and Fitch Ratings have assigned an international rating of B- for the notes that will be issued as consideration of the APE.

 

Universal Service Fund

 

On May 4, 2005, the Secretariat of Communication (“SC”) issued a resolution clarifying that the contribution to the Universal Service Fund is a contribution that has to be made by the operators and should not be charge in the invoices of the clients. Additionally, it orders to the National Commission of Telecommunications (“CNC”) to notify the companies that they should cease with this practice and reimburse their customers for the fees collected under such concept.

 

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On July 8, 2005, the CNC issued a resolution implementing the resolution of the SC, instructing the companies to stop billing their customers for Universal Service with these fees and to reimburse the fees collected plus interest in a 90 days period.

 

On August 9, 2005 Telecom Personal has filed an administrative recourse, and is waiting for the resolution of this step in order to analyze further actions in this matter.

 

***********

 

Telecom is the parent company of a leading telecommunications group in Argentina, where it offers directly or through its controlled subsidiaries local and long distance fixed-line telephony, cellular, data transmission, and Internet services, among other services. Additionally, through a controlled subsidiary the Telecom Group offers cellular services in Paraguay. The Company commenced operations on November 8, 1990, upon the Argentine Government’s transfer of the telecommunications system in the northern region.

 

Nortel Inversora S.A. (“Nortel”), which acquired the majority of the Company from the Argentine government, holds 54.74% of Telecom’s common stock. Nortel is a holding company where the common stock (approximately 68% of capital stock) is owned by Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A.. Additionally, the capital stock of Nortel is comprised of preferred shares that are held by minority shareholders.

 

On June 30, 2005, Telecom had 984,380,978 shares outstanding.

 

LOGO

 


(*) Employee Stock Ownership Program

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

For more information, please contact Financial Planning & Investor Relations Department:

 

Pedro Insussarry

54-11-4968-3743

pinsussa@ta.telecom.com.ar

 

Moira Colombo

54-11-4968-3628

mcolombo@ta.telecom.com.ar

 

Gastón Urbina

54-11-4968-6236

gurbina@ta.telecom.com.ar

 

Voice Mail: 54-11-4968-3627

Fax: 54-11-4313-5842

 

For information about Telecom Group services visit:

 

www.telecom.com.ar

 

www.telecompersonal.com.ar

 

www.arnet.com.ar

 

www.highway.arnet.com.ar

 

www.paginasamarillas.com.ar

 

    7   www.telecom.com.ar


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Disclaimer

 

This document may contain statements that could constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the Company’s expectations for its future performance, revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, liquidity and capital structure; the outcome of its debt restructuring process; the impact of emergency laws enacted by the Argentine Government; and the impact of rate changes and competition on the Company’s future financial performance. Forward looking statements may be identified by words such as “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “projects”, “intends”, “should”, “seeks”, “estimates”, “future” or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect the Company’s expected results. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties concerning the outcome of the court proceedings relating to the debt restructuring, the impact of emergency laws enacted by the Argentine Government which have resulted in the repeal of Argentina’s Convertibility law, the devaluation of the peso, various changes in restrictions on the ability to exchange pesos into foreign currencies, and currency transfer policy generally, the “pesification” of tariffs charged for public services, the elimination of indexes to adjust rates charged for public services and the Executive branch announcement to renegotiate the terms of the concessions granted to public service providers, including Telecom. Due to extensive changes in laws and economic and business conditions in Argentina, it is difficult to predict the impact of these changes on the Company’s financial condition. Other factors may include, but are not limited to, the evolution of the economy in Argentina, growing inflationary pressure and evolution in consumer spending and the outcome of certain legal proceedings. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements, which speak only as the date of this document. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to forward looking statements which may be made to reflect events and circumstances after the date of this press release, including, without limitation, changes in the Company’s business or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are encouraged to consult the Company’s Annual Report and Form 20-F as well as periodic filings made on Form 6-K, which are filed with or furnished to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for further information concerning risks and uncertainties faced by Telecom.

 

*******

(Financial tables follow)

 

*******

 

Amadeo R. Vázquez

 

President

 

*******

 

    8   www.telecom.com.ar


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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

 

SIX MONTH PERIOD AND SECOND QUARTER- FISCAL YEAR 2005 .

(In millions of Argentine pesos, except statistical data )

 

 

1-    Consolidated Balance Sheet    June-30  Dic-04

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
    

Cash, equivalents and investments

   4,011     3,662     349     10 %
    

Trade receivables

   600     612     (12 )   -2 %
    

Other current assets

   200     160     40     25 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

   4,811     4,434     377     9 %
         

 

 

 

    

Fixed & Intangible assets

   7,150     7,668     (518 )   -7 %
    

Other non-current assets

   255     230     25     11 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

   7,405     7,898     (493 )   -6 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL ASSETS

   12,216     12,332     (116 )   -1 %
         

 

 

 

    

Accounts payable

   573     509     64     13 %
    

Loans

   8,800     9,434     (634 )   -7 %
    

Reserves

   58     30     28     93 %
    

Other current liabilities

   307     254     53     21 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

   9,738     10,227     (489 )   -5 %
         

 

 

 

    

Accounts payable

   4     7     (3 )   -43 %
    

Loans

   1,127     1,219     (92 )   -8 %
    

Reserves

   234     214     20     9 %
    

Other non-current liabilities

   93     109     (16 )   -15 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

   1,458     1,549     (91 )   -6 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   11,196     11,776     (580 )   -5 %
         

 

 

 

    

Minority Interest

   34     30     4     13 %
    

Temporary differences from translation

   26     24     2     8 %
    

Shareholders’ equity

   960     502     458     91 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   12,216     12,332     (116 )   -1 %
         

 

 

 

2-    Consolidated Loans    June-30  Dic-04

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
    

Corporate Bonds

   4,671     5,353     (682 )   -13 %
    

Banks

   1,148     1,177     (29 )   -2 %
    

On purchase of fixed assets and inventories

   1,387     1,475     (88 )   -6 %
    

Accrued interest

   1,381     1,259     122     10 %
    

Penalties or default interest

   213     170     43     25 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL CURRENT LOANS

   8,800     9,434     (634 )   -7 %
         

 

 

 

    

Banks

   1,158     1,260     (102 )   -8 %
    

Net Present Value

   (31 )   (41 )   10     -24 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LOANS

   1,127     1,219     (92 )   -8 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL LOANS

   9,927     10,653     (726 )   -7 %
         

 

 

 

 

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3-   

Consolidated Income Statement

Six -Month Comparison

   June-30

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
    

Net revenues

   2,585     2,070     515     25 %
    

Cost of services provided

   (1,699 )   (1,383 )   (316 )   23 %
         

 

 

 

    

GROSS PROFIT

   886     687     199     29 %
         

 

 

 

    

Administrative expenses

   (148 )   (125 )   (23 )   18 %
    

Selling expenses

   (515 )   (430 )   (85 )   20 %
         

 

 

 

    

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

   223     132     91     69 %
         

 

 

 

    

Equity income from related companies

   7     -         7     -  
    

Net financial results

   299     (298 )   597        
    

Debt Restructuring Results

   (15 )   -         (15 )   -  
    

Other incomes & expenses

   (50 )   (55 )   5     -9 %
         

 

 

 

    

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   464     (221 )   685        
         

 

 

 

    

Taxes on income

   (3 )   (8 )   5     -63 %
    

Minority interest

   (3 )   (1 )   (2 )   200 %
         

 

 

 

    

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

   458     (230 )   688        
         

 

 

 

                               
         

 

 

 

    

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   972     983     (11 )   -1 %
         

 

 

 

    

As a % of Net Revenues

   38%     47%              
         

 

           
    

Consolidated Income Statement

Three -Month Comparison

                        
        June-30

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
    

Net revenues

   1,348     1,053     295     28 %
    

Cost of services provided

   (903 )   (702 )   (201 )   29 %
         

 

 

 

    

GROSS PROFIT

   445     351     94     27 %
         

 

 

 

    

Administrative expenses

   (82 )   (70 )   (12 )   17 %
    

Selling expenses

   (282 )   (214 )   (68 )   32 %
         

 

 

 

    

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

   81     67     14     21 %
         

 

 

 

    

Net financial results

   124     (393 )   517     -132 %
    

Debt Restructuring Results

   (7 )   -         (7 )   -  
    

Other incomes & expenses

   (13 )   (24 )   11     -46 %
         

 

 

 

    

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   185     (350 )   535        
         

 

 

 

    

Taxes on income

   (4 )   (4 )   -         0 %
    

Minority interest

   (2 )   -         (2 )   -  
         

 

 

 

    

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

   179     (354 )   533     -151 %
         

 

 

 

                               
         

 

 

 

    

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   464     489     (25 )   -5 %
         

 

 

 

    

As a % of Net Revenues

   34%     46%              
         

 

           

4-

  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

Six -Month Comparison

                        
        June-30

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
    

Net income

   458     (230 )   688        
    

Depreciation and Amortization

   749     851     (102 )   -12 %
    

Increase in provisions

   16     53     (37 )   -70 %
    

(Increase)/decrease in assets

   (44 )   (63 )   19     30 %
    

(Decrease)/increase in liabilities

   122     (33 )   155        
    

Others, net

   (528 )   361     (889 )      
         

 

 

 

    

Total Funds generated by Operating Activities

   773     939     (166 )   -18 %
         

 

 

 

    

Total Funds applied to Investing Activities

   365     (61 )   426        
         

 

 

 

    

Increase in financial debt, net

   14     -         14        
    

Debt payments

   (70 )   (2 )   (68 )   3400 %
    

Interests and financial expenses

   (44 )   (7 )   (37 )   -529 %
         

 

 

 

    

Total Funds applied to Financing Activities

   (100 )   (9 )   (91 )   -1011 %
         

 

 

 

    

Increase/(decrease) of Funds

   1,038     869     169     19 %
         

 

 

 

    

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

Three -Month Comparison

                        
        June-30

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
    

Net income

   179     (354 )   533        
    

Depreciation and Amortization

   383     422     (39 )   -9 %
    

Increase in provisions

   8     52     (44 )   -85 %
    

(Increase)/decrease in assets

   (36 )   (41 )   5     12 %
    

(Decrease)/increase in liabilities

   78     13     65     500 %
    

Others, net

   (260 )   466     (726 )   -156 %
         

 

 

 

    

Total Funds generated by Operating Activities

   352     558     (206 )   -37 %
         

 

 

 

    

Total Funds applied to Investing Activities

   (204 )   20     (224 )   -1120 %
         

 

 

 

    

Increase in financial debt, net

   16     -         16        
    

Debt payments

   (70 )   (2 )   (68 )   3400 %
    

Interests and financial expenses

   (19 )   (2 )   (17 )   -850 %
         

 

 

 

    

Total Funds applied to Financing Activities

   (73 )   (4 )   (69 )   -1725 %
         

 

 

 

    

Increase/(decrease) of Funds

   75     574     (499 )   -87 %
         

 

 

 

 

10


Table of Contents
5-    Consolidated Revenues Breakdown                        
     Six -Month Comparison                        
          June -30

             
          2005

   2004

    D $

    D %

 
     Fixed Telephony    1,057    1,008     49     5 %
         
  

 

 

    

Measured service

                       
    

Local

   247    246     1     0 %
    

DLD

   220    212     8     4 %
    

Monthly charges

   331    311     20     6 %
    

Public telephones

   80    84     (4 )   -5 %
    

Interconnection

   118    98     20     20 %
    

Others

   61    57     4     7 %
         
  

 

 

     International Telephony    110    105     5     5 %
         
  

 

 

     Data transmission & Internet    224    198     26     13 %
         
  

 

 

     Cellular Telephony    1,187    753     434     58 %
         
  

 

 

     Telecom Personal    1,090    670     420     63 %
         
  

 

 

    

Monthly fee and measured service

   251    142     109     77 %
    

Pre-paid card

   249    156     93     60 %
    

Calling Party Pays

   187    174     13     7 %
    

TLRD *

   109    58     51     88 %
    

Handset sales and accesories

   127    51     76     149 %
    

Others

   167    89     78     88 %
         
  

 

 

     Núcleo    97    83     14     17 %
         
  

 

 

    

Monthly fee and measured service

   21    17     4     24 %
    

Pre-paid card

   37    28     9     32 %
    

Calling Party Pays

   16    23     (7 )   -30 %
    

TLRD *

   11    8     3     38 %
    

Handset sales and accesories

   5    -         5     -  
    

Others

   7    7     -         0 %
         
  

 

 

     Telephone Directories (Publicom)    7    6     1     17 %
         
  

 

 

     TOTAL NET REVENUES    2,585    2,070     515     25 %
         
  

 

 

     * Charges for the temination of calls of the cellular operators.                        
     Consolidated Revenues Breakdown                        
     Three -Month Comparison                        
          June -30

             
          2005

   2004

    D $

    D %

 
     Fixed Telephony    534    504     30     6 %
         
  

 

 

    

Measured service

                       
    

Local

   124    128     (4 )   -3 %
    

DLD

   111    105     6     6 %
    

Monthly charges

   166    157     9     6 %
    

Public telephones

   38    40     (2 )   -5 %
    

Interconnection

   62    48     14     29 %
    

Others

   33    26     7     27 %
         
  

 

 

     International Telephony    55    51     4     8 %
         
  

 

 

     Data transmission & Internet    115    101     14     14 %
         
  

 

 

     Cellular Telephony    637    393     244     62 %
         
  

 

 

     Telecom Personal    584    352     232     66 %
         
  

 

 

    

Monthly fee and measured service

   132    76     56     74 %
    

Pre-paid card

   137    70     67     96 %
    

Calling Party Pays

   99    114     (15 )   -13 %
    

TLRD *

   59    32     27     84 %
    

Handset sales and accesories

   80    29     51     176 %
    

Others

   77    31     46     148 %
         
  

 

 

     Núcleo    53    41     12     29 %
         
  

 

 

    

Monthly fee and measured service

   11    8     3     38 %
    

Pre-paid card

   21    14     7     50 %
    

Calling Party Pays

   9    12     (3 )   -25 %
    

TLRD *

   6    3     3     100 %
    

Handset sales and accesories

   2    (1 )   3     -300 %
    

Others

   4    5     (1 )   -20 %
         
  

 

 

     Telephone Directories (Publicom)    7    4     3     75 %
         
  

 

 

     TOTAL NET REVENUES    1,348    1,053     295     28 %
         
  

 

 

     * Charges for the temination of calls of the cellular operators.                        

 

11


Table of Contents

6-

   Consolidated Income Statement by Activities  
     Six-month period - FY 2005 (01/01/05 - 06/30/05)  
       (In million of Argentine pesos )  
         
   
 
          Activities

    Variation vs 1H04

 
          Fixed
Telephony


    Cellular
Telephony


    Publishing
Directories


    Consolidated
Activities


    D $

    D %

 
     NET REVENUES    1,391     1,187     7     2,585     515     25 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     Salaries and social security contributions    (272 )   (51 )   (6 )   (329 )   (43 )   15 %
     Taxes    (81 )   (98 )   -         (179 )   (38 )   27 %
     Materials and supplies    (96 )   (38 )   (2 )   (136 )   (39 )   40 %
     Allowance for doubtful accounts    (5 )   (11 )   1     (15 )   (13 )   650 %
     Settlement charges    (48 )   -         -         (48 )   (9 )   23 %
     Interconnection cost    (70 )   -         -         (70 )   (4 )   6 %
     Lease of lines and circuits    (14 )   (2 )   -         (16 )   1     -6 %
     Service fees    (38 )   (28 )   -         (66 )   (36 )   120 %
     Advertising    (17 )   (40 )   (1 )   (58 )   (18 )   45 %
     Sales commissions    (8 )   (134 )   -         (142 )   (66 )   87 %
     Cost of cellular handsets    -         (234 )   -         (234 )   (159 )   212 %
     Roaming and TLRD    -         (171 )   -         (171 )   (90 )   111 %
     Others    (79 )   (68 )   (2 )   (149 )   (12 )   9 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A    663     312     (3 )   972     (11 )   -1 %
    

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A Margin

   48%     26%     -43%     38%     (0 )   -21 %
     Depreciation of fixed assets    (544 )   (181 )   (1 )   (726 )   72     -9 %
     Amortization of intangible assets    (4 )   (19 )   -         (23 )   30     -57 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     OPERATING RESULTS    115     112     (4 )   223     91     69 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

    

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

   7     -         -         7     7     -  
         

 

 

 

 

 

     AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL    -         -         -         -         -         0 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest on assets    (312 )   (13 )   1     (324 )   (302 )   1373 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest on liabilities    644     (21 )   -         623     899     -326 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

    

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME

   332     (34 )   1     299     597     -200 %
     DEBT RESTRUCTURING INCOME    (15 )   -         -         (15 )   (15 )   -  
         

 

 

 

 

 

     OTHER INCOMES AND EXPENSES    (36 )   (13 )   (1 )   (50 )   5     -9 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

    

INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   403     65     (4 )   464     685     -310 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     Taxes on income    (10 )   6     1     (3 )   5     -63 %
     Minority interest    -         (3 )   -         (3 )   (2 )   200 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     NET (LOSS)/INCOME    393     68     (3 )   458     688     -299 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     Consolidated Income Statement by Activities              
     Six-month period - FY 2004 (01/01/04 - 06/30/04)  
     (In million of Argentine pesos )  
         
             
          Activities

             
          Fixed
Telephony


    Cellular
Telephony


    Publishing
Directories


    Consolidated
Activities


             
     NET REVENUES    1,311     753     6     2,070              
         

 

 

 

           
     Salaries and social security contributions    (240 )   (41 )   (5 )   (286 )            
     Taxes    (70 )   (70 )   (1 )   (141 )            
     Materials and supplies    (78 )   (17 )   (2 )   (97 )            
     Allowance for doubtful accounts    6     (7 )   (1 )   (2 )            
     Settlement charges    (39 )   -         -         (39 )            
     Interconnection cost    (66 )   -         -         (66 )            
     Lease of lines and circuits    (16 )   (1 )   -         (17 )            
     Service fees    (24 )   (5 )   (1 )   (30 )            
     Advertising    (11 )   (29 )   -         (40 )            
     Sales commissions    (9 )   (67 )   -         (76 )            
     Cost of cellular handsets    -         (75 )   -         (75 )            
     Roaming and TLRD    -         (81 )   -         (81 )            
     Others    (84 )   (53 )   -         (137 )            
         

 

 

 

           
     Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A    680     307     (4 )   983              
    

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A Margin

   52%     41%     -67%     47%              
     Depreciation of fixed assets    (643 )   (154 )   (1 )   (798 )            
     Amortization of intangible assets    (31 )   (22 )   -         (53 )            
         

 

 

 

           
     OPERATING RESULTS    6     131     (5 )   132              
         

 

 

 

           
    

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

   -         -         -         -                  
         

 

 

 

           
     AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL    -         -         -         -                  
         

 

 

 

           
     Interest on assets    (31 )   8     1     (22 )            
     Interest on liabilities    (188 )   (88 )   -         (276 )            
         

 

 

 

           
    

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME

   (219 )   (80 )   1     (298 )            
         

 

 

 

           
     DEBT RESTRUCTURING INCOME    -         -         -         -                  
         

 

 

 

           
     OTHER INCOMES AND EXPENSES    (38 )   (16 )   (1 )   (55 )            
         

 

 

 

           
    

INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   (251 )   35     (5 )   (221 )            
         

 

 

 

           
     Taxes on income    -         (9 )   1     (8 )            
     Minority interest    -         (1 )   -         (1 )            
         

 

 

 

           
     NET (LOSS)/INCOME    (251 )   25     (4 )   (230 )            
         

 

 

 

           

 

12


Table of Contents

7-

   Consolidated Income Statement by Activities        
     Three-month period - FY 2005 (03/31/05 - 06/30/05)  
       (In million of Argentine pesos)  
         
   
 
          Activities

    Variation vs 2Q04

 
          Fixed
Telephony


    Cellular
Telephony


    Publishing
Directories


    Consolidated
Activities


    D $

    D %

 
     NET REVENUES    704     637     7     1,348     295     28 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     Salaries and social security contributions    (142 )   (25 )   (3 )   (170 )   (17 )   11 %
     Taxes    (41 )   (53 )   -         (94 )   (24 )   34 %
     Materials and supplies    (48 )   (24 )   (2 )   (74 )   (25 )   51 %
     Allowance for doubtful accounts    (1 )   (6 )   1     (6 )   (3 )   100 %
     Settlement charges    (23 )   -         -         (23 )   (4 )   21 %
     Interconnection cost    (36 )   -         -         (36 )   (4 )   13 %
     Lease of lines and circuits    (7 )   (1 )   -         (8 )   1     -11 %
     Service fees    (23 )   (14 )   -         (37 )   (22 )   147 %
     Advertising    (10 )   (25 )   (1 )   (36 )   (18 )   100 %
     Sales commissions    (3 )   (84 )   -         (87 )   (49 )   129 %
     Cost of cellular handsets    -         (153 )   -         (153 )   (107 )   233 %
     Roaming and TLRD    -         (85 )   -         (85 )   (46 )   118 %
     Others    (40 )   (34 )   (1 )   (75 )   (2 )   3 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A    330     133     1     464     (25 )   -5 %
     Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A Margin    47%     21%     14%     34%     (0 )   -26 %
     Depreciation of fixed assets    (272 )   (100 )   (1 )   (373 )   22     -6 %
     Amortization of intangible assets    (2 )   (8 )   -         (10 )   17     -63 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     OPERATING RESULTS    56     25     -         81     14     21 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest on assets    (164 )   (5 )   1     (168 )   (182 )   -1300 %
     Interest on liabilities    305     (13 )   -         292     699     -172 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME    141     (18 )   1     124     517     -132 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     DEBT RESTRUCTURING INCOME    (7 )   -         -         (7 )   (7 )   -  
         

 

 

 

 

 

     OTHER INCOMES AND EXPENSES    (13 )   1     (1 )   (13 )   11     -46 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS    177     8     -         185     535     -153 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     Taxes on income    (10 )   6     -         (4 )   -         0 %
     Minority interest    -         (2 )   -         (2 )   (2 )   -  
         

 

 

 

 

 

     NET (LOSS)/INCOME    167     12     -         179     533     -151 %
         

 

 

 

 

 

     Consolidated Income Statement by Activities              
     Three-month period - FY 2004 (03/31/04 - 06/30/04)  
       (In million of Argentine pesos )  
         
             
          Activities

             
          Fixed
Telephony


    Cellular
Telephony


    Publishing
Directories


    Consolidated
Activities


             
     NET REVENUES    656     393     4     1,053              
         

 

 

 

           
     Salaries and social security contributions    (127 )   (23 )   (3 )   (153 )            
     Taxes    (34 )   (35 )   (1 )   (70 )            
     Materials and supplies    (40 )   (8 )   (1 )   (49 )            
     Allowance for doubtful accounts    3     (5 )   (1 )   (3 )            
     Settlement charges    (19 )   -         -         (19 )            
     Interconnection cost    (32 )   -         -         (32 )            
     Lease of lines and circuits    (8 )   (1 )   -         (9 )            
     Service fees    (12 )   (2 )   (1 )   (15 )            
     Advertising    (5 )   (13 )   -         (18 )            
     Sales commissions    (5 )   (33 )   -         (38 )            
     Cost of cellular handsets    -         (46 )   -         (46 )            
     TLRD and Roaming    -         (39 )   -         (39 )            
     Others    (43 )   (31 )   1     (73 )            
         

 

 

 

           
     Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A    334     157     (2 )   489              
     Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A Margin    51%     40%     -50%     46%              
     Depreciation of fixed assets    (318 )   (77 )   -         (395 )            
     Amortization of intangible assets    (16 )   (11 )   -         (27 )            
         

 

 

 

           
     OPERATING RESULTS    -         69     (2 )   67              
         

 

 

 

           
     Interest on assets    18     (5 )   1     14              
     Interest on liabilities    (343 )   (64 )   -         (407 )            
         

 

 

 

           
     FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME    (325 )   (69 )   1     (393 )            
         

 

 

 

           
     DEBT RESTRUCTURING INCOME    -         -         -         -                  
         

 

 

 

           
     OTHER INCOMES AND EXPENSES    (18 )   (5 )   (1 )   (24 )            
         

 

 

 

           
     INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS    (343 )   (5 )   (2 )   (350 )            
         

 

 

 

           
     Taxes on income    -         (4 )   -         (4 )            
     Minority interest    -         -         -         -                  
         

 

 

 

           
     NET (LOSS)/INCOME    (343 )   (9 )   (2 )   (354 )            
         

 

 

 

           

 

13


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8-

  

Ratios

           
          06/30/2005

   12/31/2004

 
    

Liquidity

   0.5    0.4  
    

Consolidated Financial Indebtedness (*)

   6.2    13.9  
    

Total Consolidated Indebtedness

   11.3    22.1  
    

Return on equity (**)

   0.9    (0.3 )

 

(*) Financial indebtedness = (Loans - Cash, equiv. & Investments) / Shareholders’Equity.
(**) Return on equity = Profit from ordinary operations / (Shareholders’ Equity - net
       income for the period).

 

9-

  

Statistical Data

                                           
            FIXED TELEPHONY
            Jun05            Jun04
    

TELECOM

     Acumul.    3m      6m            Acumul.    3m      6m
            (1)                        (1)            
    

Installed lines

     3,821,595    13,936      18,589            3,801,410    591      21,510
    

Lines in service (1)

     3,853,561    35,082      63,263            3,700,622    27,076      197,702
    

Customer lines

     3,534,019    27,874      49,625            3,409,261    29,235      172,678
    

Public telephony lines

     83,762    339      (85 )          81,411    737      3,635
    

Digitalization (%)

     100                        100            
    

Fixed lines in service per 100

                                           
    

  inhabitants (northern region)

     20.4    0      0.3            19.7    0.1      0.8

 

(1) Includes direct inward dialing numbers connected to digital trunk lines

 

14


Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Unconsolidated Information

 

SIX MONTH PERIOD AND SECOND QUARTER- FISCAL YEAR 2005 .

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

10-    Balance Sheet    June-30     Dic-04

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
    

Cash, equivalents and investments

   3,949     3,578     371     10 %
    

Trade receivables

   317     327     (10 )   -3 %
    

Other current assets

   41     59     (18 )   -31 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

   4,307     3,964     343     9 %
         

 

 

 

    

Other Trade receivables

   155     143     12     8 %
    

Fixed & Intangible assets

   4,996     5,469     (473 )   -9 %
    

Investments

   1,016     1,068     (52 )   -5 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

   6,167     6,680     (513 )   -8 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL ASSETS

   10,474     10,644     (170 )   -2 %
         

 

 

 

    

Accounts payable

   289     315     (26 )   -8 %
    

Loans

   8,764     9,418     (654 )   -7 %
    

Reserves

   27     11     16     145 %
    

Other current liabilities

   194     151     43     28 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

   9,274     9,895     (621 )   -6 %
         

 

 

 

    

Accounts payable

   4     7     (3 )   -43 %
    

Compensation and social benefits payable

   28     33     (5 )   -15 %
    

Others liabilities

   58     64     (6 )   -9 %
    

Reserves

   150     143     7     5 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

   240     247     (7 )   -3 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   9,514     10,142     (628 )   -6 %
         

 

 

 

    

Shareholders’ equity

   960     502     458     91 %
         

 

 

 

    

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   10,474     10,644     (170 )   -2 %
         

 

 

 

11-

  

Income Statement

Six -Month Comparison

                        
        30-Jun

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
    

Net revenues

   1,499     1,378     121     9 %
    

Cost of services provided

   (932 )   (949 )   17     2 %
         

 

 

 

    

GROSS PROFIT

   567     429     138     32 %
         

 

 

 

    

Administrative expenses

   (82 )   (71 )   (11 )   -15 %
    

Selling expenses

   (262 )   (284 )   22     8 %
         

 

 

 

    

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

   223     74     149     201 %
         

 

 

 

    

Equity income from related companies

   (42 )   (50 )   8     16 %
    

Net financial & holding results

   336     (218 )   554        
    

Debt Restructuring Results

   (15 )   -         (15 )      
    

Other incomes & expenses

   (34 )   (36 )   2     6 %
         

 

 

 

    

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   468     (230 )   698        
         

 

 

 

    

Taxes on income

   (10 )   -         (10 )   -  
         

 

 

 

    

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

   458     (230 )   688        
         

 

 

 

                               
         

 

 

 

    

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   771     749     22     3 %
         

 

 

 

    

As a % of Net Revenues

   51 %   54 %            
         

 

           

12-

  

Income Statement

                        
     Three -Month Comparison    30-Jun

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
    

Net revenues

   757     689     68     10 %
    

Cost of services provided

   (467 )   (476 )   9     2 %
         

 

 

 

    

GROSS PROFIT

   290     213     77     36 %
         

 

 

 

    

Administrative expenses

   (46 )   (39 )   (7 )   -18 %
    

Selling expenses

   (135 )   (140 )   5     4 %
         

 

 

 

    

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

   109     34     75     221 %
         

 

 

 

    

Equity income from related companies

   (44 )   (47 )   3     6 %
    

Net financial & holding results

   143     (324 )   467        
    

Debt Restructuring Results

   (7 )   -         (7 )      
    

Other incomes & expenses

   (12 )   (17 )   5     29 %
         

 

 

 

    

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   189     (354 )   543        
         

 

 

 

    

Taxes on income

   (10 )   -         (10 )      
         

 

 

 

    

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

   179     (354 )   533        
         

 

 

 

                               
         

 

 

 

    

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   383     369     14     4 %
         

 

 

 

    

As a % of Net Revenues

   51 %   54 %            
         

 

           

 

15


Table of Contents

TELECOM PERSONAL S.A.

Unconsolidated Information

 

SIX MONTH PERIOD AND SECOND QUARTER- FISCAL YEAR 2005 .

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

13-

   Balance Sheet                         
          June-30      Dic-04

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
     Cash, equivalents and investments    53     71     (18 )   -25 %
     Trade receivables    256     227     29     13 %
     Other current assets    152     104     48     46 %
         

 

 

 

     TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS    461     402     59     15 %
         

 

 

 

     Fixed & Intangible assets    1,876     1,891     (15 )   -1 %
     Other non-current assets    194     177     17     10 %
         

 

 

 

     TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS    2,070     2,068     2     0 %
         

 

 

 

     TOTAL ASSETS    2,531     2,470     61     2 %
         

 

 

 

     Accounts payable    295     212     83     39 %
     Loans    37     14     23     164 %
     Reserves    29     17     12     71 %
     Other current liabilities    108     97     11     11 %
         

 

 

 

     TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES    469     340     129     38 %
         

 

 

 

     Reserves    77     65     12     18 %
     Loans    1,122     1,168     (46 )   -4 %
     Other non-current liabilities    6     12     (6 )   -50 %
         

 

 

 

     TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES    1,205     1,245     (40 )   -3 %
         

 

 

 

     TOTAL LIABILITIES    1,674     1,585     89     6 %
         

 

 

 

     Temporary differences from transaltion    26     24     2     8 %
     Shareholders’ equity    831     861     (30 )   -3 %
         

 

 

 

     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY    2,531     2,470     61     2 %
         

 

 

 

14-

  

Income Statement

Six - Month Comparison

                        
        30-Jun

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
     Net revenues    1,097     675     422     63 %
     Cost of services provided    (800 )   (438 )   (362 )   -83 %
         

 

 

 

     GROSS PROFIT    297     237     60     25 %
         

 

 

 

     Administrative expenses    (52 )   (39 )   (13 )   -33 %
     Selling expenses    (240 )   (134 )   (106 )   -79 %
         

 

 

 

     OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT    5     64     (59 )   -92 %
         

 

 

 

     Equity income from related companies    7     1     6     600 %
     Financial & holding results    (35 )   (80 )   45     56 %
     Other incomes & expenses    (13 )   (16 )   3     19 %
         

 

 

 

     RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS    (36 )   (31 )   (5 )   -16 %
         

 

 

 

     Taxes on income    6     -         6     -  
         

 

 

 

     NET (LOSS)/INCOME    (30 )   (31 )   1     -3 %
         

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

     Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A    165     200     (35 )   -18 %
         

 

 

 

     As a % of Net Revenues    15 %   30 %            
         

 

           

15-

  

Income Statement

Three - Month Comparison

                        
        June-30

             
          2005

    2004

    D$

    D%

 
     Net revenues    588     354     234     66 %
     Cost of services provided    (446 )   (227 )   (219 )   -96 %
         

 

 

 

     GROSS PROFIT    142     127     15     12 %
         

 

 

 

     Administrative expenses    (31 )   (24 )   (7 )   -29 %
     Selling expenses    (140 )   (68 )   (72 )   -106 %
         

 

 

 

     OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT    (29 )   35     (64 )   -183 %
         

 

 

 

     Equity income from related companies    5     (1 )   6     600 %
     Amortization of goodwill    -         -         -         #DIV/0!  
     Financial & holding results    (22 )   (67 )   45     67 %
     Other incomes & expenses    2     (5 )   7     140 %
         

 

 

 

     RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS    (44 )   (38 )   (6 )   -16 %
         

 

 

 

     Taxes on income    8     -         8     -  
         

 

 

 

     NET (LOSS)/INCOME    (36 )   (38 )   2     -5 %
         

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

     Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A    58     103     (45 )   -44 %
         

 

 

 

     As a % of Net Revenues    10 %   29 %            
         

 

           

 

 

16


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 15, 2005        By:    /s/ Carlos Alberto Felices

              Name:    Carlos Alberto Felices
              Title:    Chief Executive Officer