Form 6-K

 

 

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 May 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

 

 

 


Telecom Argentina S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

   
    1.  

Telecom Argentina S.A. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 31, 2013


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF MARCH 31, 2013


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2013 AND 2012

INDEX

 

Operating and financial review and prospects as of March 31, 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

  


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 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 March 31, 2013 under IFRS. Additional information is given in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

2. Telecom Group’s activities for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 (“1Q13”) and 2012 (“1Q12”)

Total revenues and other income for 1Q13 amounted to $6,073 (+18% vs. 1Q12), operating costs – including depreciations, amortizations and gain on disposal of PP&E – amounted to $4,958 (+21% vs. 1Q12), operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $1,799 – representing 30% of consolidated revenues – (+9% vs. 1Q12), operating income amounted to $1,115 (+8% vs. 1Q12) and net income amounted to $813 (+15% vs. 1Q12). Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $802 in 1Q13 (+15% vs. 1Q12).

 

           Variation  
     1Q13     1Q12     $     %  

Revenues

     6,064        5,126        938        18   

Other income

     9        4        5        125   

Operating costs without depreciation and amortization

     (4,274     (3,483     (791     23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization

     1,799        1,647        152        9   

Depreciation and amortization

     (691     (615     (76     12   

Gain on disposal of PP&E

     7        1        6        600   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,115        1,033        82        8   

Financial results, net

     135        61        74        121   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

     1,250        1,094        156        14   

Income tax expense

     (437     (386     (51     13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     813        708        105        15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

        

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     802        698        104        15   

Non-controlling interest

     11        10        1        10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     813        708        105        15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     0.81        0.71       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

Total revenues and other income

During 1Q13 consolidated total revenues increased 18% (+$938 vs. 1Q12) amounting to $6,064 mainly fueled by the Broadband, data transmission and mobile businesses, while consolidated other income increased 125% (+$5 vs. 1Q12), mainly due to penalties imposed to vendors in the Fixed Services segment.

 

            Variation  
     1Q13      1Q12      $     %  

Services

          

Voice – Retail

     629         607         22        4   

Voice – Wholesale

     185         175         10        6   

Internet

     575         458         117        26   

Data

     213         163         50        31   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal fixed services

     1,602         1,403         199        14   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Voice – Retail

     1,214         1,077         137        13   

Voice – Wholesale

     448         425         23        5   

Internet

     391         276         115        42   

Data

     1,615         1,323         292        22   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal Personal mobile services

     3,668         3,101         567        18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Voice – Retail

     87         86         1        1   

Voice – Wholesale

     22         18         4        22   

Internet

     62         26         36        138   

Data

     78         63         15        24   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal Núcleo mobile services

     249         193         56        29   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total services revenues

     5,519         4,697         822        18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equipment

          

Fixed services

     14         18         (4     (22

Personal mobile services

     518         405         113        28   

Núcleo mobile services

     13         6         7        117   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equipment revenues

     545         429         116        27   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     6,064         5,126         938        18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2013
I


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

Services revenues amounted to $5,519 (+18% vs. 1Q12) and represented 91% of consolidated revenues (similar to 1Q12). Equipment revenues increased 27%, amounting to $545 and represented 9% of consolidated revenues (similar to 1Q12).

Fixed services

During 1Q13, services revenues generated by this segment amounted to $1,602, +$199 or 14% vs. 1Q12, where Internet revenues have grown the most (+$117 or 26% vs. 1Q12), followed by data transmission (+$50 or 31% vs. 1Q12) and voice retail services (+$22 or 4% vs. 1Q12).

 

 

Voice

Voice retail revenues amounted to $629 in 1Q13 (+4% vs. 1Q12). The results of this line of business are still affected by frozen tariffs of regulated services. Revenues from regulated services reached approximately 34% of the segment revenues in 1Q13 (vs. 39% in 1Q12).

Monthly Charges and Supplementary Services increased $17 or 7% vs. 1Q12, to $269, as a consequence of an increase in supplementary services (not regulated), mainly due to an increase of their prices and of the subscriber base.

Revenues generated by measured services (Local Measured Service, Domestic Long Distance and International Long Distance services) amounted to $329, (+$13 or 4% vs. 1Q12), mainly due to the increase of domestic plans and the positive effect of the flat rate packs sales. In relative terms, revenues from local measured service increased the most with 7% vs. 1Q12 and followed by DLD revenues (+5% vs. 1Q12).

Voice wholesale revenues (including fixed and mobile interconnection revenues, together with the revenues generated by the subsidiary Telecom USA amounting to $15) amounted to $185 in 1Q13 (+6% vs. 1Q12). Interconnection fixed and mobile revenues amounted to $113 (a slightly increase vs. 1Q12 as a result of an increase in the domestic traffic). The other wholesale revenues amounted to $72 in 1Q13 (+18% vs. 1Q12).

 

 

Internet

Internet revenues amounted to $575 (+$117 or 26% vs. 1Q12) mainly due to the expansion of the Broadband service (+4% of customers vs. 1Q12) and an increase in average prices resulting in an improvement in the Average Monthly Revenue per User (“ARPU”), that amounted to $114.9 pesos in 1Q13 vs. $95.6 pesos in 1Q12). As of March 31, 2013, Telecom Argentina reached approximately 1,626,000 ADSL customers. These connections represent approximately 40% of Telecom Argentina’s fixed lines in service (vs. 38% in 1Q12).

Internet revenues represent 10% of consolidated revenues (similar to 1Q12) and 36% of fixed services segment revenues (vs. 33% in 1Q12).

 

 

Data

Data transmission revenues amounted to $213 (+$50 vs. 1Q12), 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 replaces the point to point services).

Personal Mobile Services

During 1Q13, total services revenues amounted to $3,668, +567 or 18% vs. 1Q12, being the principal business segment in revenues terms (60% of consolidated revenues in 1Q13 and 1Q12). Personal reached 19.1 million subscribers in Argentina (+3% vs. 1Q12) thus improving its market position related to subscriber’s base and 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).

 

 

Voice

Voice retail revenues amounted to $1,214 in 1Q13 (+13% vs. 1Q12). The increase was mainly due to the increase in the lines billed, the increase in the average price of different plans and an increase in the subscriber base, specially “Cuentas Claras” subscribers.

Voice wholesale revenues amounted to $448 in 1Q13 (+5% vs. 1Q12). The increase was mainly due to higher traffic in SMS and GPRS roaming in the national segment and an increase in the GPRS traffic in the international segment.

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2013
II


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

Internet

Internet revenues amounted to $391 (+$115 or 42% vs. 1Q12), 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.

 

 

Data

Mobile data services revenues amounted to $1,615 (+292 or 22% vs. 1Q12). This increase was mainly due to the constant SMS sales increase as a result of several campaigns launched by Personal and the growth of the offers of SMS consumption, which represented an inter-annual increase of $252 vs. 1Q12. This increase was reflected both in prepaid or postpaid customers and is mainly due to the increase in the subscribers base.

As a consequence of the voice traffic increase and the VAS use (Internet and data), ARPU increased to $62.1 pesos in 1Q13 (vs. $54.9 pesos or +13% in 1Q12).

VAS revenues (data and Internet) amounted to $2,006 (+28% vs. 1Q12) and represented 55% of Mobile Services – Personal services revenues (vs. 52% in 1Q12).

Núcleo Mobile Services

This segment generated revenues equivalent to $249 during 1Q13 (+$56 or 29% vs. 1Q12) mainly due to the increase in the subscriber base (+6%), the appreciation of the Guaraní respect to the argentine peso (+20% inter-annual) generating an effect in revenues conversion and the increase of Mobile Internet revenues (+138% vs. 1Q12) related to the increase in the subscriber base. As of March 31, 2013, Núcleo’s subscriber base reached 2.3 million customers. Prepaid and postpaid subscribers (including “Plan Control” subscribers and mobile Internet subscribers) represented 81% and 19%, respectively in 1Q13.

VAS revenues (data and Internet) amounted to $140 (+57% vs. 1Q12) and represented 56% of Núcleo Mobile Services segment services revenues (vs. 46% in 1Q12).

Equipment

Revenues from equipment amounted to $545, +$116 or 27% vs. 1Q12. This increase is mainly related to the Personal Mobile services segment with an increase of $113 vs. 1Q12. The increase was mainly due to lower handsets sold (-25% vs. 1Q12) and an increase in their average prices (+68% vs. 1Q12). This situation was mainly due to a reduction of subsidy policy, the increase in average prices related to higher-value handsets demand and the business strategy to attract high-value subscribers. In the Núcleo Mobile Services segment the increase was mainly due to a higher number of handsets sold as a result of 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 – amounted to $4,958 in 1Q13, which represented an increase of $861 or +21% vs. 1Q12. 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 and the effect of the appreciation of the Guaraní (+20% inter-annual) respect to the argentine peso, affecting the operations in Paraguay.

 

           Variation  
     1Q13     1Q12     $     %  

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (868     (677     (191     28   

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (484     (408     (76     19   

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (556     (477     (79     17   

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (602     (462     (140     30   

Commissions

     (605     (525     (80     15   

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

     103        76        27        36   

Cost of equipment and handsets

     (661     (543     (118     22   

Cost of equipment and handsets capitalized as SAC

     103        106        (3     (3

Advertising

     (154     (164     10        (6

Cost of VAS

     (131     (60     (71     118   

Provisions

     (40     (40     —          —     

Bad debt expenses

     (93     (69     (24     35   

Other operating expenses

     (286     (240     (46     19   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization

     (4,274     (3,483     (791     23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation of PP&E

     (467     (426     (41     10   

Amortization of SAC and service connection costs

     (219     (183     (36     20   

Amortization of other intangible assets

     (5     (6     1        (17

Gain on disposal of PP&E

     7        1        6        600   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating costs

     (4,958     (4,097     (861     21   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2013
III


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

The costs breakdown is as follows:

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments amounted to $868 (+$191 or 28% vs. 1Q12). The increase was mainly due to an increase in the headcount and 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 16,752 by the end of 1Q13 (+164 vs. 1Q12 – including temporary employees), lines in service per employee reached 371 in the Fixed Services segment (slightly lower than 1Q12), subscribers per employee reached 3,642 in the Personal Mobile Services segment (-2% vs. 1Q12) and subscribers per employee reached 5.354 (+5% vs. 1Q12) 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 $484 (+$76 or 19% vs. 1Q12) mainly due to higher traffic volume.

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies amounted to $556 (+$79 or 17% vs. 1Q12), mainly due to higher maintenance costs of radio bases and systems in the mobile services segments as a result of an increase of system licenses and higher costs of technical assistance of radio bases. 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 $602 (+30% vs. 1Q12), influenced mainly by the increase in revenues of fixed and mobile services, higher equipment sales and higher turnover taxes in Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Chaco, Jujuy and Mendoza.

Commissions

Commissions (including Agent, distribution of prepaid cards and other commissions) amounted to $605 (+$80 or 15% vs. 1Q12), 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 $103, +$27 or 36% vs. 1Q12 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 $661 (+$118 or 22% vs. 1Q12) mainly due to an increase in the average unit cost of sales (+58% vs. 1Q12) and to a decrease in the handsets sold (-25% vs. 1Q12) in the Personal Mobile Services segment.

In the other hand, SAC deferred costs from handsets sold to postpaid and “Cuentas Claras” subscribers amounted to $103, -$3 or -3% vs. 1Q12.

Advertising

Advertising amounted to $154 (-$10 or -6% vs. 1Q12), mainly due to a reduction in the commercial campaigns of Personal as compared to 1Q12.

Cost of VAS

Cost of VAS amounted to $131 (+$71 vs. 1Q12), 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 a higher offer oriented towards SMS usage.

Provisions

Provisions totaled $40, both in 1Q13 and 1Q12.

Bad debt expenses

Bad debt expenses amounted to $93 (+$24 vs. 1Q12), representing approximately 1.5% and 1.3% of the consolidated revenues in 1Q13 and 1Q12, respectively. The increase is observed mainly in the Personal Mobile Services segment as a consequence of higher aging of the accounts receivables.

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2013
IV


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

Other operating costs

Other operating costs amounted to $286 (+$46 vs. 1Q12). 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 $1,799 (+$152 or 9% vs. 1Q12), representing 30% of consolidated revenues in 1Q13 vs. 32% in 1Q12. This growth was mainly fueled by the Mobile business in Argentina and Paraguay (+$117 or 10% vs. 1Q12).

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization amounted to $691 (+$76 or 12% vs. 1Q12). The increase in PP&E depreciation amounted to $41, in amortization of SAC and service connection costs $36 and a reduction in amortization of other intangible assets of $1.

Gain on disposal of PP&E

The gain amounted to $7, +$6 vs. 1Q12 and was mainly due to the sale of vehicles in the Fixed Services segment.

 

 

Operating income

Operating income amounted to $1,115 in 1Q13 (+$82 or +8% vs. 1Q12). The margin over consolidated revenues represented 18% in 1Q13 (vs. 20% in 1Q12). Personal Mobile Services segment shows the higher increase (+$60 vs. 1Q12).

 

 

Financial results, net

Financial results, net resulted in a net gain of $135, representing an improvement of $74 vs. 1Q12. This was mainly due to higher financial interest on cash equivalents and investments (+$30 vs. 1Q12) and a lower financial cost for provisions ($15 vs. 1Q12).

 

 

Net income

Telecom Argentina reached a net income of $813 in 1Q13, +$105 or +15% when compared to 1Q12. Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $802 in 1Q13, +$104 or +15% as compared to 1Q12.

 

 

Net financial assets

As of March 31, 2013, Net financial assets (Cash and Cash Equivalents plus financial investments minus Financial debt) amounted to $4,020, showing an increase of $1,038 as compared to March 31, 2012 (amounting to $2,982), mainly due to an increase in the generation of cash from operating activities of the Telecom Group that was partially offset by the cash dividends paid to Telecom Argentina’s shareholders in May 2012 (amounting to $807). The Fixed Services segment has net financial assets of $999, the Personal Mobile Services segment has net financial assets of $3,118 and the Núcleo Mobile Services segment has net financial debt of $97.

 

 

Capital expenditures (CAPEX)

CAPEX composition for 1Q13 and 1Q12 is as follows:

 

     In millions of $      % of participation     Variation  
     1Q13      1Q12      1Q13     1Q12     $     %  

Fixed Servicies

     284         298         38     43     (14     (5

Personal Mobile Services

     393         349         53     51     44        13   

Núcleo Mobile Services

     64         43         9     6     21        49   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total CAPEX

     741         690         100     100     51        7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

PP&E CAPEX amounted to $519 and intangible assets CAPEX amounted to $222 in 1Q13, while in 1Q12 amounted to $492 and $198, respectively.

In relative terms, CAPEX represented 12% of consolidated revenues in 1Q13 (13% in 1Q12), and were intended mainly for the External wiring and network access equipment, Transmission and Switching equipment, Computer equipment and SAC.

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2013
V


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

PP&E and intangible assets additions (CAPEX plus materials additions) for 1Q13 and 1Q12 are as follows:

 

     In millions of $      % of participation     Variation  
     1Q13      1Q12      1Q13     1Q12     $     %  

Fixed Services

     313         355         39     48     (42     (12

Personal Mobile Services

     396         350         50     47     46        13   

Núcleo Mobile Services

     84         38         11     5     46        121   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total additions

     793         743         100     100     50        10   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Relevant matters

 

1. Resolutions of the Annual and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Personal

Personal’s shareholders, at their meeting held on April 10, 2013, approved, among other items, the Annual Report and financial statements as of December 31, 2012 and the allocation of Retained Earnings as of December 31, 2012 as follows: (i) the constitution of a Special Reserve for implementation of IFRS by $405, (ii) the constitution of a voluntary reserve for the finance of working capital and capital expenditures in Argentina by $233 and (iii) the allocation of $1,950 to the reserve for future cash dividends. The shareholders also approved the delegation of authority in Personal’s Board of Directors to determine the amount, time, terms and conditions to allocate the reserve for future cash dividends and the reserve for the finance of working capital and capital expenditures in Argentina.

 

2. Resolutions of the Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting of Telecom Argentina

Telecom Argentina’s shareholders, at their meeting held on April 23, 2013, resolved, among other items: (a) the approval of Telecom Argentina’s Annual Report and financial statements as of December 31, 2012; (b) to adjourn the session until May 21, 2013 to consider the allocation of Telecom Argentina’s Retained Earnings as of December 31, 2012; (c) to set at eleven the number of regular and alternate directors of Telecom Argentina for a three year term, and to set at five the number of regular and alternate members of the Supervisory Committee of Telecom Argentina for a one year term, and to appoint the persons who will occupy those positions.

 

  3. Summary of comparative consolidated statements of financial position

 

     March 31,  
     2013      2012      2011  

Current assets

     7,486         5,826         4,119   

Non-current assets

     11,126         9,989         8,760   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     18,612         15,815         12,879   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     5,830         5,259         4,487   

Non-current liabilities

     1,781         1,681         1,194   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,611         6,940         5,681   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     10,801         8,736         7,070   

Equity attributable non-controlling interest

     200         139         128   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity

     11,001         8,875         7,198   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

     18,612         15,815         12,879   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  4. Summary of comparative consolidated income statements

 

     1Q13     1Q12     1Q11  

Revenues and other income

     6,073        5,130        4,149   

Operating costs

     (4,958     (4,097     (3,191
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,115        1,033        958   

Financial results, net

     135        61        19   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

     1,250        1,094        977   

Income tax expense

     (437     (386     (337
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     813        708        640   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

     63        25        47   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     876        733        687   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     842        715        666   

Attributable to non-controlling interest

     34        18        21   

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2013
VI


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

  5. Statistical data (in physical units)

 

 

Fixed services

Voice and data services

 

    1Q13     1Q12     1Q11     1Q10     1Q09  
    Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter  

Equipment lines

    3,807,737        1,551        3,799,811        2,899        3,800,594        (34,973     3,843,809        (8,350     3,849,385        1,016   

NGN lines

    1,092,483        48,115        955,312        (40,306     880,338        26,928        754,660        11,776        605,156        10,896   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Installed lines (a)

    4,900,220        49,666        4,755,123        (37,407     4,680,932        (8,045     4,598,469        3,426        4,454,541        11,912   

Lines in service (b)

    4,109,286        (18,572     4,138,370        (2,765     4,110,304        3,222        4,057,953        (2,307     4,008,421        (1,635

Customers lines (c)

    4,027,422        (17,735     4,054,491        (2,343     4,024,236        5,177        3,966,266        (1,161     3,915,573        254   

Public phones installed

    35,874        (939     39,158        (921     43,543        (1,303     48,683        (1,592     55,864        (2,511

Lines in service per 100 inhabitants (d)

    20.4        (0.2     20.7        (0.1     20.7        (0.1     20.6        (0.1     20.6        —     

Lines in service per employee (e)

    371        1        370        (3     377        (2     366        —          359        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

 

    1Q13     1Q12     1Q11     1Q10     1Q09  
    Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter  

Total ADSL subscribers

    1,626,000        (3,000     1,566,000        16,000        1,407,000        27,000        1,232,000        18,000        1,060,000        28,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile services

Personal

 

    1Q13     1Q12     1Q11     1Q10     1Q09  
    Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter  

Post-paid subscribers

    2,415,000        29,000        2,226,000        48,000        1,886,000        81,000        1,613,000        22,000        1,472,000        49,000   

“Cuentas Claras” plans

    3,583,000        106,000        3,176,000        37,000        2,814,000        18,000        2,707,000        (2,000     2,822,000        15,000   

Prepaid subscribers

    12,763,000        43,000        12,672,000        258,000        11,841,000        415,000        10,454,000        403,000        8,832,000        529,000   

Dongles (*)

    353,000        (39,000     473,000        11,000        341,000        35,000        174,000        50,000        45,000        14,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total subscribers

    19,114,000        139,000        18,547,000        354,000        16,882,000        549,000        14,948,000        473,000        13,171,000        607,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Lines per employee

    3,642        —          3,734        —          3,831        —          3,829        —          3,535        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Núcleo

 

    1Q13     1Q12     1Q11     1Q10     1Q09  
    Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter  

Post-paid subscribers

    29,000        (1,000     30,000        1,000        26,000        1,000        24,000        —          23,000        (1,000

“Plan control” subscribers

    270,000        9,000        227,000        7,000        199,000        8,000        161,000        8,000        143,000        3,000   

Prepaid subscribers

    1,888,000        16,000        1,829,000        37,000        1,604,000        —          1,604,000        (1,000     1,649,000        2,000   

Dongles (*)

    142,000        10,000        110,000        10,000        63,000        15,000        19,000        7,000        —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal mobile

    2,329,000        34,000        2,196,000        55,000        1,892,000        24,000        1,808,000        14,000        1,815,000        4,000   

Internet subscribers - Wimax

    6,000        —          7,000        (1,000     9,000        (1,000     11,000        (1,000     16,000        1,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total subscribers

    2,335,000        34,000        2,203,000        54,000        1,901,000        23,000        1,819,000        13,000        1,831,000        5,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Lines per employee (**)

    5,354        —          5,119        —          4,581        —          4,336        —          4,281        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*) Corresponds to mobile Internet subscribers with post-paid, “Cuentas Claras”, “Plan control” and prepaid contracts.
(**) Internet Wimax subscribers are not included.

 

  6. Consolidated ratios

 

     1Q13      1Q12      1Q11  

Liquidity (1)

     1.28         1.11         0.92   

Solvency (2)

     1.45         1.28         1.27   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Locked-up capital (3)

     0.60         0.63         0.68   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Current assets/Current liabilities.
(2) Total equity/Total liabilities.
(3) Non-current assets/Total assets.

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2013
VII


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

  7. 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. 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 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 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 MARCH 31, 2013
VIII


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

     Note    March 31,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 

ASSETS

        

Current Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   2      3,968         3,160   

Investments

   2      155         563   

Trade receivables

   2      2,213         2,181   

Other receivables

   2      610         449   

Inventories

   2      540         633   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

        7,486         6,986   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-Current Assets

        

Trade receivables

   2      20         23   

Deferred income tax assets

   2      67         62   

Other receivables

   2      279         119   

Investments

   2      52         70   

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

   2      9,193         9,035   

Intangible assets

   2      1,515         1,514   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

        11,126         10,823   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

        18,612         17,809   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Current Liabilities

        

Trade payables

   2      3,475         3,659   

Deferred revenues

   2      386         362   

Financial debt

   2      55         43   

Salaries and social security payables

   2      610         635   

Income tax payables

   2      602         458   

Other taxes payables

   2      512         552   

Dividends payables

   2      33         —     

Other liabilities

   2      31         40   

Provisions

   6      126         134   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

        5,830         5,883   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-Current Liabilities

        

Trade payables

   2      21         20   

Deferred revenues

   2      340         329   

Financial debt

   2      99         101   

Salaries and social security payables

   2      117         128   

Deferred income tax liabilities

   2      186         220   

Income tax payables

   2      12         12   

Other liabilities

   2      64         51   

Provisions

   6      942         907   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

        1,781         1,768   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

        7,611         7,651   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

        

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

        10,801         9,959   

Equity attributable to Non-controlling interest

        200         199   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY

   7      11,001         10,158   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

        18,612         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


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 March 31,
 
     Note      2013      2012  

Revenues

   2        6,064         5,126   

Other income

   2        9         4   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

          6,073         5,130   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

   2        (868      (677

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

   2        (484      (408

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

   2        (556      (477

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

   2        (602      (462

Commissions

   2        (502      (449

Cost of equipments and handsets

   2        (558      (437

Advertising

   2        (154      (164

Cost of VAS

   2        (131      (60

Provisions

   6        (40      (40

Bad debt expenses

   2        (93      (69

Other operating expenses

   2        (286      (240

Depreciation and amortization

   2        (691      (615

Gain on disposal of PP&E

          7         1   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

          1,115         1,033   

Finance income

   2        205         130   

Finance expenses

   2        (70      (69
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

          1,250         1,094   

Income tax expense

   2        (437      (386
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income for the period

          813         708   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Attributable to:

          

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

          802         698   

Non-controlling interest

          11         10   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 
          813         708   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to Telecom Argentina– basic and diluted

   1.d        0.81         0.71   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

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


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

     Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
     2013        2012  
       
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net income for the period

     813           708   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Other components of the Statements of Comprehensive Income

       

Currency translation adjustments (non-taxable)

     63           25   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Other components of the comprehensive income, net of tax

     63           25   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

     876           733   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Attributable to:

       

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     842           715   

Non-controlling interest

     34           18   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     876           733   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

    Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina              
    Capital
stock
(1)
    Inflation
adjustment
of capital
stock
    Total
capital
stock
    Legal
reserve
    Voluntary
reserve for
future
investments
    Currency
translation
adjustment
    Retained
earnings
    Total     Equity
attributable
to non-
controlling
interest
    Total
Equity
 

Balances as of January 1, 2012

    984        2,688        3,672        451        —          46        3,852        8,021        144        8,165   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends from Núcleo (2)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          (23     (23

Comprehensive income:

                   

Net income for the period

    —          —          —          —          —          —          698        698        10        708   

Other comprehensive income

    —          —          —          —          —          17        —          17        8        25   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income

    —          —          —          —          —          17        698        715        18        733   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of March 31, 2012

    984        2,688        3,672        451        —          63        4,550        8,736        139        8,875   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of January 1, 2013

    984        2,688        3,672        573        2,553        106        3,055        9,959        199        10,158   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends from Núcleo (3)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          (33     (33

Comprehensive income:

                   

Net income for the period

    —          —          —          —          —          —          802        802        11        813   

Other comprehensive income

    —          —          —          —          —          40        —          40        23        63   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income

    —          —          —          —          —          40        802        842        34        876   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of March 31, 2013

    984        2,688        3,672        573        2,553        146        3,857        10,801        200        11,001   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) As of March 31, 2013 and 2012, there were 984,380,978 shares issued and fully paid.
(2) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 16, 2012.
(3) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 22, 2013.

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


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

            Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
     Note      2013      2012  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

          

Net income for the period

          813         708   

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

          

Bad debt expenses and other allowances

          111         67   

Depreciation of PP&E

   2        467         426   

Amortization of intangible assets

   2        224         189   

Consumption of materials

   2        30         44   

Gain on disposal of PP&E

   2        (7      (1

Provisions

   6        51         67   

Interest and other financial losses

          (35      (8

Income tax expense

   2        437         386   

Income tax paid

   3        (339      (217

Net increase in assets

   3        (356      (76

Net decrease in liabilities

   3        (108      (255
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash flows provided by operating activities

          1,288         1,330   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

          

PP&E acquisitions

   3        (732      (845

Intangible assets acquisitions

   3        (215      (190

Proceeds from the sale of PP&E

          7         —     

Investments not considered as cash and cash equivalents

   3        426         —     
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash flows used in investing activities

          (514      (1,035
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

          

Payment of financial debt

   3        (7      (3

Payment of interest

   3        (2      (2
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash flows used in financing activities

          (9      (5
       

 

 

    

 

 

 
          
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET FOREIGN EXCHANGE DIFFERENCES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

          43         14   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

          808         304   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

          3,160         2,818   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD

          3,968         3,122   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

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


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF MARCH 31, 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

     10   

3

 

Supplementary cash flow information

     18   

4

 

Segment information

     19   

5

 

Related party transactions

     22   

6

 

Commitments and contingencies of the Telecom Group

     24   

7

 

Equity

     25   

8

 

Restrictions on distribution of profits

     25   

9

 

Selected consolidated quarterly information

     25   

10

 

Recent developments corresponding to the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013

     25   

11

 

Subsequent events as of March 31, 2013

     26   

 

 

 

6


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.

Argentine GAAP: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in force in Argentina for the Company (without considering the adoption of IFRS).

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.

DLD: Domestic long-distance.

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.

Micro Sistemas: Micro Sistemas S.A.

Nortel: Nortel Inversora S.A. Telecom’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.

RT26: 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.

 

 

 

7


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 voicemail, message signaling, caller-ID, call transferring, call waiting, call conferencing, IVR dialing, ring back tones, SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Mobile Multimedia Services), automatic call routing, access to wireless Internet and access to email via BlackBerry.

 

 

 

8


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 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, 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.

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.

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 March 31, 2013 was approved by resolution of the Board of Directors’ meeting held on April 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;

 

 

 

9


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

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 Argentine Corporations Law 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 periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the weighted average of shares outstanding totaled 984,380,978 shares.

NOTE 2 – BREAKDOWN OF THE MAIN ACCOUNTS

 

     March  31,
2013
    December  31,
2012
 
      

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION CURRENT ASSETS

    

a) Cash and cash equivalents

    

Cash

     14        12   

Banks

     197        120   

Time deposits

     3,694        2,624   

Mutual funds

     63        404   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     3,968        3,160   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

b) Investments

    

Investments over 90 days maturity

     107        540   

Argentine companies Notes

     21        1   

Loan to Nortel (Note 5.c)

     7        2   

Government bonds

     20        20   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     155        563   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

c) Trade receivables

    

Fixed services

     887        853   

Personal mobile services

     1,512        1,469   

Núcleo mobile services

     65        61   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     2,464        2,383   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (251     (202
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,213        2,181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

10


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

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

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (3 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     (202     (170

Additions – Bad debt expenses

     (93     (275

Uses

     44        243   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (251     (202
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

d) Other receivables

    

Prepaid expenses

     261        206   

Prepaid expenses related parties (Note 5.c)

     91        —     

Receivables for suppliers indemnities

     28        61   

Tax credits

     83        54   

Restricted funds

     13        13   

Compensation Fund

     10        19   

Expenditure reimbursement

     43        38   

Other

     96        73   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     625        464   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (15     (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     610        449   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (3 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     (15     (12

Additions

     —          (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (15     (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

e) Inventories

    

Mobile handsets

     543        626   

Fixed telephones and equipment

     21        15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     564        641   

Allowance for obsolescence of inventories

     (24     (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     540        633   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (3 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     (8     (19

Additions – Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (19     (14

Uses

     3        25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (24     (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

NON CURRENT ASSETS

    

f) Trade receivables

    

Fixed services

     20        23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     20        23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

g) Deferred income tax assets

    

Net deferred income tax assets in Argentina (Telecom Argentina)

    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     43        40   

Provisions

     246        248   

Termination benefits

     59        63   

Other deferred income tax assets, net

     107        108   

Deferred income tax liabilities in Argentina

    

PP&E and intangible assets

     (396     (405
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In Argentina

     59        54   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

11


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

Net deferred income tax assets abroad (Núcleo and Springville)

    

Tax loss carryforwards

     1        1   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     3        2   

PP&E

     11        11   

Valuation allowance

     (1     (1

Deferred income tax liabilities abroad

    

Other deferred income tax liabilities

     (6     (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Abroad

     8        8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     67        62   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

h) Other receivables

    

Credit on SC Resolution No. 41/07 and IDC

     85        85   

Restricted funds

     23        22   

Tax credits

     17        17   

Prepaid expenses

     90        86   

Prepaid expenses related parties (Note 5 c)

     153        —     

Credit on minimum presumed income tax

     4        4   

Other

     9        7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     381        221   

Allowance for regulatory matters

     (85     (85

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (17     (17
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     279        119   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Movements in the allowance for regulatory matters are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (3 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 doubtful accounts are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (3 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     (17     (17

Additions

     —          (1

Uses

     —          1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (17     (17
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

i) Investments

    

Argentinean companies Notes

     51        69   

2003 Telecommunications Fund

     1        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     52        70   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

j) PP&E

    

Land, buildings and installations

     899        900   

Computer equipment and software

     1,167        1,196   

Switching and transmission equipment (i)

     2,247        2,286   

Mobile network access and external wiring

     2,544        2,531   

Construction in progress

     1,734        1,534   

Other tangible assets

     311        322   

Materials

     305        280   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     9,207        9,049   

Valuation allowance for materials

     (14     (14
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     9,193        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.

 

 

 

12


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

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

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (3 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     9,049        8,262   

CAPEX

     519        2,415   

Materials

     52        159   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total PP&E additions

     571        2,574   

Currency translation adjustments

     85        131   

Decreases

     (1     (1

Consumption of materials

     (30     (125

Depreciation of the period/year

     (467     (1,792
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     9,207        9,049   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Movements in the valuation allowance for materials are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (3 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     (14     (15

Additions - Fees for services, maintenance, and materials

     —          (5

Uses

     —          6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (14     (14
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 

k) Intangible assets

     

Licenses

     588         588   

SAC

     591         586   

Service connection or habilitation costs

     93         94   

Rights of use

     223         227   

Other intangible assets

     20         19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,515         1,514   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Movements in Intangible assets are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (3 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     1,514        1,488   

CAPEX

     222        842   

Currency translation adjustments

     3        4   

Amortization of the period/year

     (224     (820
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     1,515        1,514   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

     

l) Trade payables

     

PP&E suppliers

     1,166         1,427   

Other assets and services suppliers

     1,624         1,607   

Inventory suppliers

     585         584   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal suppliers

     3,375         3,618   

Agent commissions

     89         30   

SU reimbursement

     11         11   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,475         3,659   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

m) Deferred revenues

     

Deferred revenue on prepaid calling cards

     290         270   

Deferred revenue on connection fees

     31         30   

Deferred revenue on sale of capacity and related services

     33         34   

Deferred revenue on customer loyalty programs

     30         26   

Deferred revenue from CONATEL

     2         2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     386         362   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

n) Financial debt (Núcleo)

     

Bank loans

     50         40   

Accrued interest

     5         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     55         43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

o) Salaries and social security payables

     

Vacation and bonuses

     415         391   

Social security payables

     117         144   

Termination benefits

     60         60   

Restructuring debt

     9         14   

Compensation Fund contributions

     9         26   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     610         635   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

13


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

p) Income tax payables

    

Income tax payables

     2,006        1,520   

Payments in advance of income taxes

     (1,407     (1,065

Law No. 26,476 Tax Regularization Regime

     3        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     602        458   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

q) Other taxes payables

    

VAT, net

     155        180   

Tax on SU

     90        88   

Tax withholdings

     63        91   

Internal taxes

     60        55   

Turnover tax

     56        54   

Regulatory fees

     47        48   

Municipal taxes

     18        17   

Retention Decree No.583/10 ENARD

     10        9   

Other

     13        10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     512        552   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

r) Dividends payables

    

Related parties (Note 5.c)

     33        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     33        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

s) Other liabilities

    

Legal fees

     —          12   

Guarantees received

     9        7   

Other

     22        21   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     31        40   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

t) Trade payables

    

PP&E suppliers

     21        20   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     21        20   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

u) Deferred revenues

    

Deferred revenue on sale of capacity and related services

     221        217   

Deferred revenue on connection fees

     63        64   

Deferred revenue on customer loyalty programs

     47        39   

Deferred revenue from CONATEL

     9        9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     340        329   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

v) Financial debt (Núcleo)

    

Bank loans

     99        101   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     99        101   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

w) Salaries and social security payables

    

Termination benefits

     117        128   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     117        128   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

x) Deferred income tax liabilities (Telecom Personal)

    

Deferred income tax assets

    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (68     (54

Provisions

     (130     (120

Inventory

     (21     (19

Other

     (6     (3

Allowance for deferred income tax assets

     23        23   

Deferred income tax liabilities

    

PP&E and intangible assets

     332        348   

Other

     56        45   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax liabilities

     186        220   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

y) Income tax payables

    

Law No. 26,476 Tax Regularization Regime

     12        12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     12        12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

z) Other liabilities

    

Suppliers guarantees on third parties claims

     9        12   

Pension benefits (Note 1.a)

     42        38   

Legal fees

     12        —     

Other

     1        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     64        51   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

14


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

aa) Aging of assets and liabilities at March 31, 2013

 

Date due

  Cash and
cash
equivalents
    Investments     Trade
receivables
    Deferred
income
tax
assets
    Other
receivables
    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

    —          —          898        —          —          (d) 115        —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Not due

                           

Second quarter 2013

    3,968        118        1,277        —          378        3,355        315        16        392        599        512        16        —          26   

Third quarter 2013

    —          7        22        —          89        5        24        8        72        1        —          —          —          3   

Fourth quarter 2013

    —          10        10        —          81        —          22        18        64        1        —          17        —          1   

First quarter 2014

    —          20        6        —          62        —          25        13        82        1        —          —          —          1   

April 2014 thru March 2015

    —          51        14        —          130        21        96        38        43        3        —          —          —          23   

April 2015 thru March 2016

    —          —          6        —          76        —          46        26        29        3        —          —          —          2   

April 2016 and thereafter

    —          —          —          —          73        —          198        35        45        6        —          —          —          39   

Not date due established

    —          1        —          67        —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          186        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total not due

    3,968        207        1,335        67        889        3,381        726        154        727        614        512        33        186        95   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    3,968        207        2,233        67        889        3,496        726        154        727        614        512        33        186        95   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances bearing interest

    3,757        206        923        —          —          44        —          154        —          22        —          —          —          4   

Balances not bearing interest

    211        1        1,310        67        889        3,452        726          727        592        512        33        186        91   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    3,968        207        2,233        67        889        3,496        726        154        727        614        512        33        186        95   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average annual interest rate (%)

    (a     (b     (c         17       10,28       9           6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) $63 bear 9.31%, $876 bear 8.34% and $2,818 bear 14.49%.
(b) $107 bear 17.78%, $7 bear 23.18%, $21 bear 19.10%, $51 bear 5.09%, $10 bear 8.84%, $10 bear 20.08%.
(c) $78 bear 50% over the Banco de la Nación Argentina 30-day interest rate paid by banks, $223 bear 50% over the Banco de la Nación Argentina notes payable discount rate, $14 in financing plans bear 28%, $38 bear 8.3%, $557 bear 28.28%, and $13 bear 36%.
(d) At the date of these consolidated financial statements, $72 was cancelled.

ab) Foreign currency assets and liabilities

 

     03.31.13     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

   US$      (109     (576   US$      (138     (686

Net assets (liabilities)

   G      (153,785     (194   G      (118.791     (136
   EURO      (16     (106   EURO      (10     (63
   SDR      3        24      SDR      3        22   
       

 

 

        

 

 

 
          (852          (863
  

 

   

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

(i) US$ = 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.

 

     Three month periods ended
March 31,
 
     2013      2012  
     Profit (loss)  

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

     

ac) Total revenues and other income

     

Services

     

Voice – Retail

     629         607   

Voice – Wholesale

     185         175   

Internet

     575         458   

Data

     213         163   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Fixed services

     1,602         1,403   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Voice – Retail

     1,214         1,077   

Voice – Wholesale

     448         425   

Internet

     391         276   

Data

     1,615         1,323   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Personal Mobile services

     3,668         3,101   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Voice – Retail

     87         86   

Voice – Wholesale

     22         18   

Internet

     62         26   

Data

     78         63   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Núcleo Mobile services

     249         193   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total service revenues (a)

     5,519         4,697   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equipment

     

Fixed services

     14         18   

Personal Mobile services

     518         405   

Núcleo Mobile services

     13         6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equipment revenues (b)

     545         429   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other income

     

Fixed services

     8         3   

Personal Mobile services

     1         1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other income (c)

     9         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

     6,073         5,130   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

15


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

ad) Operating costs

Operating expenses disclosed by nature of expense amounted to $4,958 and $4,097 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The main components of the operating expenses are the following:

 

     Three month periods ended
March 31,
 
     2013     2012  
     Profit (loss)  

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

    

Wages and salaries

     (642     (491

Social security expenses

     (195     (138

Severance indemnities and termination benefits

     (11     (29

Other employee benefits

     (20     (19
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (868     (677
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

    

Fixed telephony interconnection costs

     (55     (53

Cost of international outbound calls

     (37     (37

Lease of circuits

     (42     (39

Mobile services - charges for roaming

     (135     (86

Mobile services - charges for TLRD

     (215     (193
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (484     (408
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

    

Maintenance of hardware and software

     (80     (66

Technical maintenance

     (112     (84

Service connection fees for fixed lines and Internet lines

     (37     (30

Service connection fees capitalized as SAC

     2        2   

Service connection fees capitalized as Intangible assets

     6        5   

Other maintenance costs

     (71     (51

Call center fees

     (157     (147

Other fees for services

     (104     (103

Directors and Supervisory Committee’s fees

     (3     (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (556     (477
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

    

Turnover tax

     (324     (238

Taxes with the Regulatory Authority

     (150     (118

Tax on deposits to and withdrawals from bank accounts

     (61     (49

Municipal taxes

     (42     (30

Other taxes

     (25     (27
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (602     (462
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commissions

    

Agent commissions

     (358     (311

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

     103        76   

Distribution of prepaid cards commissions

     (139     (123

Collection commissions

     (92     (71

Other commissions

     (16     (20
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (502     (449
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of equipments and handsets

    

Inventory balance at the beginning of the period

     (641     (555

Plus:

    

Purchases

     (588     (559

Deferred costs from SAC

     103        106   

Transfer from materials

     —          (1

Net decreases from allowance for obsolescence

     1        3   

Mobile handsets lent to customers at no cost

     2        1   

Replacements to customers

     1        4   

Less:

    

Inventory balance at period end

     564        564   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (558     (437
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

16


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

     Three month periods ended
March 31,
 
     2013     2012  
     Profit (loss)  

Advertising

    

Media advertising

     (85     (97

Fairs and exhibitions

     (36     (36

Other advertising costs

     (33     (31
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (154     (164
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of VAS

    

Cost of mobile VAS

     (129     (58

Cost of fixed VAS

     (2     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (131     (60
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating costs

    

Transportation, freight and travel expenses

     (93     (79

Delivery costs capitalized as SAC

     7        7   

Rental expense

     (65     (52

Energy, water and others

     (85     (74

International and satellite connectivity

     (31     (30

Other

     (19     (12
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (286     (240
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

D&A

    

Depreciation of PP&E

     (467     (426

Amortization of SAC and service connection costs

     (219     (183

Amortization of other intangible assets

     (5     (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (691     (615
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As required by the Argentine Corporations Law, the operating expenses disclosed by function are as follows:

 

Cost of sales and services

            (2,989          (2,421

General and administrative expenses

     (201     (152

Selling expenses

     (1,735     (1,485

Other expenses - provisions

     (40     (40

Gain on disposal of PP&E

     7        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (4,958     (4,097
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

ae) Financial results

    

Finance income

    

Interest on cash equivalents

     105        80   

Interest on investments (Argentine companies Notes and Government bonds)

     5        —     

Interest on receivables

     25        20   

Gains on Mutual Funds

     9        5   

Interest on related parties (Note 5.d)

     —          1   

Foreign currency exchange gains

     60        24   

Other

     1        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total finance income

     205        130   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance expenses

    

Interest on loans

     (4     (3

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

     (4     (2

Interest on provisions

     (11     (27

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

     (3     (6

Foreign currency exchange losses

     (47     (31

Other

     (1     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total finance expenses

     (70     (69
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     135        61   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

17


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

af) Income taxes

Income tax expense for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 consists of the following:

 

     Profit (loss)  
     The
Company
    Personal     Núcleo     Total  

Current tax expense

     (110     (365     (7     (482

Deferred tax benefit

     5        39        1        45   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of March 31, 2013

     (105     (326     (6     (437
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current tax expense

     (70     (311     (5     (386

Deferred tax benefit (expense)

     (5     6        —          1   

Valuation allowance

     —          (1     —          (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of March 31, 2012

     (75     (306     (5     (386
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     1,833        40        1,873   

Non taxable items – Other income from investments

     (624     —          (624

Non taxable items – Other

     1        3        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     1,210        43        1,253   

Weighted statutory income tax rate

     35     ( *)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income tax expense at weighted statutory tax rate

     (423     (6     (429

Income tax on cash dividends from foreign companies

     (6     —          (6

Other changes in tax assets and liabilities

     (2     —          (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of March 31, 2013

     (431     (6     (437
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pre-tax income on a separate return basis

     1,632        35        1,667   

Non taxable items – Other income from investments

     (573     —          (573
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     1,059        35        1,094   

Weighted statutory income tax rate

     35     ( *)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income tax expense at weighted statutory tax rate

     (371     (5     (376

Income tax on cash dividends from foreign companies

     (7     —          (7

Other changes in tax assets and liabilities

     (2     —          (2

Changes in valuation allowance

     (1     —          (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of March 31, 2012

     (381     (5     (386
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*) Effective income tax rate based on weighted statutory income tax rate in the different countries where the Company 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:

    
     Three month periods ended
March 31,
 
     2013     2012  

Net (increase) decrease in assets

    

Trade receivables

     (116     (56

Other receivables

     (74     (11

Other receivables related parties (Note 5.c)

     (244     —     

Inventories

     78        (9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (356     (76
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in liabilities

    

Trade payables

     (46     (125

Deferred revenues

     31        33   

Salaries and social security payables

     (50     (25

Other taxes payables

     (37     (21

Other liabilities

     3        (45

Provisions

     (9     (72
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (108     (255
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income tax paid consists of the following:     

Payments in advance

     (310     (194

Other payments

     (29     (23
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (339     (217
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

18


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

•     Main non-cash operating transactions:

    
     Three month periods ended
March 31,
 
     2013     2012  

VAT credit balances offset with income taxes payments

     —          23   

Compensation Fund contribution reclassified between:

    

Provisions and Other receivables and Salaries and social security payables

     —          39   

Provisions and Other liabilities

     —          21   

SAC acquisitions offset with trade receivables

     7        28   

•     Most significant investing activities:

    
PP&E acquisitions include:     

PP&E additions (Note 2.j)

     (571     (545

Plus:

    

Payments of trade payables originated in prior years acquisitions

     (581     (640

Less:

    

Acquisition of PP&E through incurrence of trade payables

     418        339   

Mobile handsets lent to customers at no cost

     2        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (732     (845
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Intangible assets acquisitions include:     

Intangible assets additions (Note 2.k)

     (222     (198

Plus:

    

Payments of trade payables originated in prior years acquisitions

     (66     (80

SAC acquisitions offset with trade receivables

     (7     (28

Less:

    

Acquisition of intangible assets through incurrence of trade payables

     80        116   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (215     (190
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

             431                   —     

Loan to Nortel

     (5     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     426           —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

   

Financing activities components:

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

 

Payment of bank loans – Núcleo

               (7                  (3
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total payment of financial debt

     (7        (3
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Payment of interest on bank loans – Núcleo

     (2        (2
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total payment of interest

     (2        (2
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

19


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

Segment financial information for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013

 

•       Income statement

           
    Fixed     Mobile services              
     services       Personal       Núcleo       Subtotal       Eliminations       Total   

Total revenues and other income (1)

    1,907        4,215        265        4,480        (314     6,073   

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

    (618     (229     (21     (250     —          (868

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

    (129     (551     (45     (596     241        (484

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

    (245     (327     (24     (351     40        (556

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

    (132     (461     (9     (470     —          (602

Commissions

    (44     (445     (26     (471     13        (502

Cost of equipments and handsets

    (15     (529     (14     (543     —          (558

Advertising

    (38     (101     (15     (116     —          (154

Cost of VAS

    (2     (120     (9     (129     —          (131

Provisions

    (13     (27     —          (27     —          (40

Bad debt expenses

    (22     (69     (2     (71     —          (93

Other operating expenses

    (162     (133     (11     (144     20        (286
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income before D&A

    487        1,223        89        1,312        —          1,799   

Depreciation of PP&E

    (216     (206     (45     (251     —          (467

Amortization of intangible assets

    (24     (191     (9     (200     —          (224

Gain on disposal of PP&E

    5        —          2        2        —          7   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

    252        826        37        863        —          1,115   

Financial results, net

    49        83        3        86        —          135   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

    301        909        40        949        —          1,250   

Income tax expense, net

    (105     (326     (6     (332     —          (437
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    196        583        34        617        —          813   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

              802   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

              11   
           

 

 

 
              813   
           

 

 

 
(1)                 

Service revenues

    1,602        3,668        249        3,917        —          5,519   

Equipment revenues

    14        518        13        531        —          545   

Other income

    8        1        —          1        —          9   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal third party revenues

    1,624        4,187        262        4,449        —          6,073   

Intersegment revenues

    283        28        3        31        (314     —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

    1,907        4,215        265        4,480        (314     6,073   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

•       Statement of financial position information

           

PP&E

    5,444        2,851        898        3,749        —          9,193   

Intangible assets, net

    369        1,114        33        1,147        (1     1,515   

Capital expenditures on PP&E (a)

    263        203        53        256        —          519   

Capital expenditures on intangible assets (b)

    21        190        11        201        —          222   

Total capital expenditures (a)+ (b)

    284        393        64        457        —          741   

Total additions on PP&E and intangible assets

    313        396        84        480        —          793   

Net financial asset (debt)

    999        3,118        (97     3,021        —          4,020   
           

•       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

    5,796        5,749        10,176   

Abroad

    277        324        950   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    6,073        6,073        11,126   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

20


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2012

 

•       Income statement

           
    Fixed     Mobile services              
     services       Personal       Núcleo       Subtotal       Eliminations       Total   

Total revenues and other income (1)

    1,669        3,536        200        3,736        (275     5,130   

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

    (496     (166     (15     (181     —          (677

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

    (127     (451     (31     (482     201        (408

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

    (221     (280     (18     (298     42        (477

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

    (109     (347     (6     (353     —          (462

Commissions

    (36     (404     (24     (428     15        (449

Cost of equipments and handsets

    (10     (422     (5     (427     —          (437

Advertising

    (38     (114     (12     (126     —          (164

Cost of VAS

    (2     (52     (6     (58     —          (60

Provisions

    (28     (12     —          (12     —          (40

Bad debt expenses

    (14     (53     (2     (55     —          (69

Other operating expenses

    (136     (113     (8     (121     17        (240
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income before D&A

    452        1,122        73        1,195        —          1,647   

Depreciation of PP&E

    (200     (196     (30     (226     —          (426

Amortization of intangible assets

    (24     (158     (7     (165     —          (189

Gain on disposal of PP&E

    1        —          —          —          —          1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

    229        768        36        804        —          1,033   

Financial results, net

    (16     78        (1     77        —          61   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

    213        846        35        881        —          1,094   

Income tax expense, net

    (75     (306     (5     (311     —          (386
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    138        540        30        570        —          708   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

              698   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

              10   
           

 

 

 
              708   
           

 

 

 
(1)                 

Service revenues

    1,403        3,101        193        3,294        —          4,697   

Equipment revenues

    18        405        6        411        —          429   

Other income

    3        1        —          1        —          4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal third party revenues

    1,424        3,507        199        3,706        —          5,130   

Intersegment revenues

    245        29        1        30        (275     —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

    1,669        3,536        200        3,736        (275     5,130   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

•       Statement of financial position information

           

PP&E

    4,979        2,716        657        3,373        —          8,352   

Intangible assets, net

    377        1,096        23        1,119        —          1,496   

Capital expenditures on PP&E (a)

    281        173        38        211        —          492   

Capital expenditures on intangible assets (b)

    17        176        5        181        —          198   

Total capital expenditures (a)+ (b)

    298        349        43        392        —          690   

Total additions on PP&E and intangible assets

    355        350        38        388        —          743   

Net financial asset (debt)

    716        2,370        (104     2,266        —          2,982   
           

•       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

    4,922        4,864        9,292   

Abroad

    208        266        697   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    5,130        5,130        9,989   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

21


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

NOTE 5 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

a) Controlling company

Nortel, residing in A. Moreau de Justo 50 - 11th floor – Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, holds 54.74% stake in the Company, meaning that exercises control of the Company in the terms of Art. 33 of Law No. 19,550. As of March 31, 2013, Nortel owns all of the Class “A” shares (51% of total shares of the Company) and 7.64% of the Class “B” shares (3.74168% of total shares of the Company).

All of the common shares of Nortel belong to Sofora. As of March 31, 2013 these shares represent 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

 

                                             
     March 31,     December 31,  
     2013     2012  

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Investments

    

Nortel

     7        2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     7        2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Related parties

 

    Type of related party   March 31,     December 31,  
      2013     2012  

CURRENT ASSETS

     

Trade receivables

     

TIM Participacoes S.A. (a)

  Other related party     1        —     

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

  Other related party     2        9   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

  Indirect parent company     3        1   

Caja de Seguros S.A. (b)

  Other related party     47        21   

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

  Other related party     2        1   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      55        32   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other receivables

     

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

  Other related party     91        —     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      91        —     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

     

Other receivables

     

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

  Other related party     153        —     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      153        —     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

     

Trade payables

     

Grupo Italtel (a)

  Other related party     99        97   

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a)

  Other related party     —          30   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

  Indirect parent company     13        22   

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

  Other related party     4        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     10        2   

Caja de Seguros S.A. (b)

  Other related party     27        23   

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

  Other related party     4        5   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      158        192   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends payables

     

ABC Telecomunicaciones S.A.

  Other related party     33        —     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      33        —     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

22


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

d) Transactions with related parties

 

   

Transaction

description

 

Type of related party

  Three month periods
ended  March 31,
 
            2013     2012  
            Profit (loss)  

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

  Voice – Wholesale   Other related party     5        6   

TIM Participacoes S.A. (a)

  Voice – Wholesale   Other related party     3        4   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

  Voice – Wholesale   Indirect parent company     1        1   

Caja de Seguros S.A. (b)

  Voice – Retail   Other related party     41        20   

Caja de Seguros S.A. (b)

  Equipment   Other related party     19        12   

Standard Bank (b) (c)

  Voice – Retail   Other related party     —          1   

Standard Bank (b) (c)

  Data   Other related party     —          4   

Standard Bank (b) (c)

  Equipment   Other related party     —          1   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

        69        49   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a)

  International outbound calls and data   Other related party     (24     (25

Grupo Italtel (a)

  Maintenance, materials and supplies   Other related party     (16     (15

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

  International outbound calls and other   Other related party     (8     (7

TIM Participacoes S.A. (a)

  Roaming   Other related party     (6     (6

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

  Fees for services and roaming   Indirect parent company     (4     (4

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

  International outbound calls   Other related party     (2     (2

Latin American Nautilus USA Inc. (a)

  International outbound calls   Other related party     (2     (1

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

  Salaries and social security   Other related party     (10     (7

Caja de Seguros S.A. (b)

  Insurance   Other related party     (4     (4

La Estrella Compañía de Seguros S.A. (b)

  Insurance       (2     (1
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating costs

        (78     (72
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Standard Bank (b) (c)

  Interest   Other related party     —          1   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total financial results

        —          1   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Grupo Italtel (a)

    Other related party     27        10   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total purchases of PP&E

        27        10   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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.

The transactions discussed above were made on terms no less favorable to the Company 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 $13 and $12 for the three month periods ended March 31, 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
March 31,
 
     2013      2012  

Salaries (*)

     7         5   

Variable compensation (*)

     4         5   

Social security contributions

     2         2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     13         12   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

As of March 31, 2013 and 2012, an amount of $5 and $6 remained unpaid, respectively,

As of March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Telecom Group has recorded a $2 provision for the fees of the 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.

 

 

23


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

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 $2,970 as of March 31, 2013 (of which $811 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 March 31, 2013, the Telecom Group has recorded provisions in an aggregate amount of $1,153 to cover potential losses under these claims ($85 for regulatory contingencies deducted from assets and $1,068 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 March 31, 2013, these restricted funds totaled $36 (included under “Other receivables” item line in the consolidated statement of financial position).

Provisions consist of the following:

 

    Balances     Additions (reversals)           Decreases     Balances  
    as of
December  31,
2012
    Capital
(i)
    Interest
(ii)
    Reclassifications     Classified
to  liability
    Payments     as of
March 31,
2013
 

Current

             

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

    33        —          —          6        —          (1     38   

Provision for labor claims

    32        —          —          2        —          (4     30   

Restructuring (iii)

    54        —          —          —          (16     —          38   

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

    15        —          —          9        —          (4     20   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current provisions

    134        —          —          17        (16     (9     126   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current

             

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

    145        19        2        (6     —          —          160   

Provision for labor claims

    255        6        1        (2     —          —          260   

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

    432        15        6        (9     —          —          444   

Asset retirement obligations

    75        —          3        —          —          —          78   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current provisions

    907        40        12        (17     —          —          942   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provisions

    1,041        40        12        —          (16     (9     1,068   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(i) Included in Provisions.
(ii) $11 Included in Finance costs and $1 to currency translation adjustments.
(iii) As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, the Telecom Group has continued with the restructuring plan implementation begun in 4Q12, estimating that it would be substantially concluded during 2Q13.

 

    Balances     Additions (reversals)           Decreases     Balances  
    as of
December  31,
2011
    Capital
(i)
    Interest
(ii)
    Reclassifications     Classified
to  liability
    Payments     as of
March 31,
2012
 

Current

             

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

    16        —          —          —          —          —          16   

Provision for labor claims

    128        —          —          3        (51     (59     21   

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

    29        —          —          (2     —          (13     14   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current provisions

    173        —          —          1        (51     (72     51   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current

             

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

    117        7        3        —          —          —          127   

Provision for labor claims

    220        19        15        (3     (9     —          242   

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

    384        14        8        2        —          —          408   

Asset retirement obligations

    61        —          1        —          —          —          62   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current provisions

    782        40        27        (1     (9     —          839   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provisions

       955        40        27        —          (60     (72        890   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(i) Included in Provisions.
(ii) Included in Finance costs.

 

 

 

24


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

NOTE 7 – EQUITY

Equity includes:

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     10,801         9,959   

Equity attributable to non-controlling interest

     200         199   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity (*)

     11,001         10,158   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

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 March 31, 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.

NOTE 8 – RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS

The Company is subject to certain restrictions on the distribution of profits. Under the Argentine Corporations Law, 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).

As provided by RG No. 609/12 of the CNV, positive retained earnings generated by the adoption of IFRS since fiscal year 2012, amounting to $370, must be reassigned to a Special Reserve that can only be unaffected for its capitalization or to absorb negative retained earnings. The constitution of the Special Reserve will be considered by the Ordinary Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to be held on May 21, 2013.

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   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     6,064         1,799         1,115         135         813         802   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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 QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2013

Regulatory Recent Developments

Administrative complaints in connection with Personal’s service cuts

On March 11, 2013, the CNC notified Personal of the administrative complaint related to a network incident that took place on March 8, 2013, affecting only the 3G services in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and certain clients of a few localities in the North Region of Argentina. The incident lasted only around two and a half hours.

 

 

 

25


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

Personal filed its defenses against such penalty procedures, alleging its illegality. However, on April 5, 2013, the CNC notified Personal a Resolution which, among other issues, applies a sanction of $6, together with the obligation to pay a compensation amount of $30 pesos to each affected customer.

As of the date of these financial statements, Personal’s Management, with the advice of its legal counsels, understands that there are solid arguments to file defenses against such penalty, and is currently assessing which legal defenses should be filed against the above mentioned CNC’s Resolution. However, Personal cannot assure that it will have a favorable result in the administrative stage.

Resolutions of the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo

Núcleo’s shareholders, at their meeting held on March 22, 2013, approved, among other items, the following distribution of cash dividends:

 

Month of dividends payment

  Dividends
corresponding  to
Personal
    Dividends
corresponding  to
non-controlling
shareholders
    Total  

May, 2013

    34.0        16.5        50.5   

October, 2013

    34.0        16.5        50.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    68.0        33.0        101.0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2013

 

1. Administrative Complaints in connection with Personal’s Service Cuts

On April 4, 2013, the CNC notified Personal of an administrative complaint related to a network incident that took place on April 2, 2013, affecting the provision of services in the City of La Plata, due to the floods resulting from the devastating storm that occurred in such city.

As of the date of these financial statements, Personal’s Management is assessing its legal defenses against the above mentioned penalty procedure.

 

2. Resolution SC No. 1/13

On April 8, 2013, SC Resolution No. 1/13 was published in the Official Bulletin, establishing that all mobile operators should guarantee the service provision, even in emergencies or catastrophe situations, 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 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’s 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.

 

3. Resolutions of the Annual and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Personal

Personal’s shareholders, at their meeting held on April 10, 2013, approved, among other items, the Annual Report and financial statements as of December 31, 2012 and the allocation of Retained Earnings as of December 31, 2012 as follows: (i) the constitution of a Special Reserve for implementation of IFRS by $405, (ii) the constitution of a voluntary reserve for the finance of working capital and capital expenditures in Argentina by $233 and (iii) the allocation of $1,950 to the reserve for future cash dividends. The shareholders also approved the delegation of authority in Personal’s Board of Directors to determine the amount, time, terms and conditions to allocate the reserve for future cash dividends and the reserve for the finance of working capital and capital expenditures in Argentina.

 

 

 

26


TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

4. Resolutions of the Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting of Telecom Argentina

Telecom Argentina’s shareholders, at their meeting held on April 23, 2013, resolved, among other items: (a) the approval of Telecom Argentina’s Annual Report and financial statements as of December 31, 2012; (b) to adjourn the session until May 21, 2013 to consider the allocation of Telecom Argentina’s Retained Earnings as of December 31, 2012; (c) to set at eleven the number of regular and alternate directors of Telecom Argentina for a three year term, and to set at five the number of regular and alternate members of the Supervisory Committee of Telecom Argentina for a one year term, and to appoint the persons who will occupy those positions.

 

Adrián Calaza   Enrique Garrido
Chief Financial Officer   Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

27


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 March 31, 2013, the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and of cash flows for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, 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.


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 March 31, 2013, the debt corresponding to withholdings and contributions to the Argentine Integrated Social Security System according to the Company’s accounting records amounted to $ 52,568,687.01, none of which was due at that date.

Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, April 29, 2013

 

PRICE WATERHOUSE & CO. S.R.L.

(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


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)  

1Q12

     20.40         16.10         10.1   

2Q12

     18.55         17.45         12.8   

3Q12

     16.10         14.30         13.9   

4Q12

     16.10         12.30         9.0   

1Q13

     25.95         16.40         18.1   

NYSE*

 

     Market quotation (US$/ADR*)      Volume of ADRs  

Quarter

   High      Low      traded (in millions)  

1Q12

     21.23         17.28         16.3   

2Q12

     21.94         17.51         18.2   

3Q12

     17.55         10.00         24.6   

4Q12

     12.31         9.39         12.6   

1Q13

     15.92         12.13         27.0   

 

* 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


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:   May 17, 2013     By:  

/s/ Enrique Garrido

        Name:   Enrique Garrido
        Title:   Chairman