Form 6-K
Table of Contents

 

 

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 June 2015

Commission File Number: 001-13464

 

 

Telecom Argentina S.A.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

Alicia Moreau de Justo, No. 50, 1107

Buenos Aires, Argentina

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

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

Form 20-F  x            Form 40-F  ¨

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

Yes  ¨            No   x

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

Yes  ¨            No   x

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

Yes  ¨            No   x

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

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Telecom Argentina S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

        
1.   Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 31, 2015   


Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF MARCH 31, 2015


Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2015 AND 2014

INDEX

 

Operating and financial review and prospects as of March 31, 2015   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 condensed interim consolidated financial statements
Corporate information


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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2015

(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, 2015 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, 2015 (“1Q15”) and 2014 (“1Q14”)

Total revenues and other income for 1Q15 amounted to $8,879 (+18.8% vs. 1Q14), operating costs – including depreciations, amortizations and gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E– amounted to $7,199 (+18.0% vs. 1Q14), operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $2,634 (+24.7% vs. 1Q14) – representing 29.7% of consolidated revenues–, operating income amounted to $1,680 (+22.0% vs. 1Q14) and net income amounted to $1,041 (+14.9% vs. 1Q14). Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $1,028 in 1Q15 (+15.6% vs. 1Q14).

 

            Variation  
     1Q15      1Q14      $      %  

Revenues

     8,872         7,466         1,406         18.8   

Other income

     7         10         (3      (30.0

Operating costs without depreciation and amortization

     (6,245      (5,364      (881      16.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization

  2,634      2,112      522      24.7   

Depreciation and amortization

  (957   (739   (218   29.5   

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

  3      4      (1   (25.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

  1,680      1,377      303      22,0   

Financial results, net

  (89   (32   (57   178.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

  1,591      1,345      246      18.3   

Income tax expense

  (550   (439   (111   25.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

  1,041      906      135      14.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Attributable to:

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

  1,028      889      139      15.6   

Non-controlling interest

  13      17      (4   (23.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  1,041      906      135      14.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

  1.06      0.92   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

    Total revenues and other income

During 1Q15 consolidated total revenues increased 18.8% (+$1,406 vs. 1Q14) amounting to $8,872 mainly fueled by the mobile, Broadband and data transmission businesses.

 

            Variation  
     1Q15      1Q14      $      %  

Services

           

Retail Voice

           

Monthly Charges

     312         295         17         5.8   

Measured Services

     409         359         50         13.9   

Others

     24         28         (4      (14.3

Wholesale Voice

           

Fixed and mobile interconnection

     155         149         6         4.0   

Others

     80         76         4         5.3   

Data

     407         319         88         27.6   

Internet

     973         726         247         34.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Fixed Services

  2,360      1,952      408      20.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Retail Voice

Monthly Charges

  954      697      257      36.9   

Measured Services

  535      473      62      13.1   

Roaming

  85      95      (10   (10.5

Others

  128      80      48      60.0   

Wholesale Voice

Interconnection

  392      396      (4   (1.0

Roaming

  79      82      (3   (3.7

Mobile leases

  10      10      —        —     

Data

  1,845      1,787      58      3.2   

Internet

  1,188      644      544      84.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Mobile Services - Personal

  5,216      4,264      952      22.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2015

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

            Variation  
     1Q15      1Q14      $      %  

Retail Voice

           

Monthly Charges

     51         49         2         4.1   

Measured Services

     77         68         9         13.2   

Roaming

     3         2         1         50.0   

Others

     17         7         10         142.9   

Wholesale Voice

           

Interconnection

     20         26         (6      (23.1

Roaming

     4         —           4         n/a   

Others

     2         1         1         100.0   

Data

     80         85         (5      (5.9

Internet

     129         105         24         22.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Mobile Services – Núcleo

  383      343      40      11.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenue from services

  7,959      6,559      1,400      21.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Equipment

Fixed Services

  10      13      (3   (23.1

Mobile Services- Personal

  881      879      2      0.2   

Mobile Services – Núcleo

  22      15      7      46.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenue from equipment sales

  913      907      6      0.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenues

  8,872      7,466      1,406      18.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Services revenues amounted to $7,959 (+21.3% vs. 1Q14) and represented 89.7 % of consolidated revenues (vs. 87.9% in 1Q14). Equipment revenues increased 0.7%, amounting to $913 and represented 10.3% of consolidated revenues (vs. 12.1% in 1Q14).

Fixed Services

During 1Q15, services revenues generated by this segment amounted to $2,360 (+$408 or 20.9% vs. 1Q14), where Internet revenues have grown the most (+$247 or +34.0% vs. 1Q14), followed by data transmission services (+$88 or +27.6% vs. 1Q14) and voice retail services (+$63 or +9.2% vs. 1Q14).

 

  Voice

Voice retail revenues reached $745 in 1Q15 (+9.2% vs. 1Q14). These revenues are still affected by frozen tariffs of regulated services since 2002. Revenues from regulated services reached approximately 26% of the segment services revenues in 1Q15 (vs. 30% in 1Q14).

Monthly Charges and Supplementary Services increased $17 or +5.8% vs. 1Q14, reaching $312, as a consequence of an increase in supplementary services (not regulated), mainly due to an increase of their prices and, to a lesser extent, to the increase in the subscriber base.

Revenues generated by measured services (Local Measured Service, Domestic Long Distance and International Long Distance services) amounted to $409 (+$50 or 13.9% vs. 1Q14), mainly due to the increase in customers and plans prices (both in local and long national distance). According to this, local measured service revenues increased 20.3% vs. 1Q14 and DLD revenues increased 11.7% vs. 1Q14. The Average Monthly Revenue per User (“ARBU”) amounted to $60.5 pesos per month in 1Q15 vs. $54.6 pesos per month amounted in 1Q14, representing an increase of 10.8%. The remaining retail voice revenues amounted to $24 in 1Q15 (-14.3% vs. 1Q14). The decrease was mainly due to a decrease in consumption and customers of public telecommunication services and a decrease in rehabilitation charges.

Voice wholesale revenues (including fixed and mobile interconnection revenues and lease of circuits, together with the revenues generated by the subsidiary Telecom USA amounting to $29) amounted to $235 in 1Q15 (+4.4% vs. 1Q14). Interconnection fixed and mobile revenues amounted to $155 and the other wholesale revenues amounted to $80 in 1Q15 (+5.3% vs. 1Q14), mainly due to higher prices related to cell sites rentals due to the variation of the $/US$ exchange rate.

 

  Data

Data revenues (including the revenues generated by the subsidiary Telecom USA amounted to $1) amounted to $407 (+$88 vs. 1Q14). These revenues were generated focusing on the Company’s position as an integrated TICs provider (Datacenter, VPN, among others) for wholesale and government segments. The increase was primarily due to higher prices of these services related to the variation of the $/US$ exchange rate and to the increase in the number of customers of these services.

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2015

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

  Internet

Internet revenues amounted to $973 (+$247 or +34.0% vs. 1Q14) mainly due to the expansion of the Broadband service (+3.2% of customers vs. 1Q14) and an increase in average prices resulting in an improvement in the Average Monthly Revenue per User (“ARPU”), that amounted to $178.5 pesos per month in 1Q15 vs. $138.0 pesos per month in 1Q14 (+29.4% vs. 1Q14). As of March 31, 2015, Telecom Argentina reached approximately 1,768,000 ADSL customers. These connections represent approximately 43.4% of Telecom Argentina’s fixed lines in service (vs. 41.7% in 1Q14).

Internet revenues represent 11.0% of consolidated revenues (vs. 9.7% 1Q14) and 41.2% of Fixed Services segment revenues (vs. 37.2% in 1Q14).

Personal Mobile Services

During 1Q15, total services revenues amounted to $5,216 (+$952 or 22.3% vs. 1Q14), being the principal business segment in revenues terms (65.5 % and 65.0% of services consolidated revenues in 1Q15 and 1Q14, respectively). Personal reached 19.3 million subscribers in Argentina (-2.9% vs. 1Q14). Approximately 68% of the subscriber base is prepaid subscribers and 32% is postpaid subscribers (including “Cuentas claras” plans and Mobile Internet dongles). The churn rate per month amounted to 3.3% in 1Q15 (vs. 3.0% in 1Q14).

 

  Voice

Voice retail revenues amounted to $1,702 in 1Q15 (+26.5% vs. 1Q14). The increase was mainly due to the increase in monthly charges prices in the postpaid and “Cuentas claras” subscriber base and prepaid services, offset by the net variation of the subscriber base showing an increase in “Cuentas claras” and a decrease in postpaid and prepaid subscribers as compared to 1Q14.

Voice wholesale revenues amounted to $481 in 1Q15 (-1.4% vs. 1Q14), mainly due to the decrease in roaming revenues with other operators and interconnection services.

 

  Data

Mobile data services revenues amounted to $1,845 (+$58 or +3.2% vs. 1Q14). This increase was mainly due to the constant SMS with contents sales increase as a result of several campaigns launched by Personal, which represented an inter-annual increase of $217. This increase was reflected both in “Cuentas claras” customers and prepaid subscribers. However, the main component of VAS revenues are SMS consumption, which decreased $148 or -12.8% vs. 1Q14, and experiencing a decrease in TOU (-44.6% vs. 1Q14).

 

  Internet

Mobile Internet revenues amounted to $1,188 (+$544 or +84.5% vs. 1Q14). This increase is mainly explained by the increase in browsing services consumption of Personal’s subscribers, which was mainly fueled by the increase in the offer of services, plans and packs (including VAS) launched by Personal. This growth was fueled by new subscribers, the migration of the existing ones to higher-value plans and the increase of subscribers that acquired 3G handsets, which facilitate Internet browsing. Internet flat rate services revenues have decreased mainly due to the decrease of Mobile Internet dongles subscribers (-38% vs. 1Q14).

As a consequence of the increase in VAS use (Internet and data), ARPU increased to $86.2 pesos per month in 1Q15 (vs. $68.3 pesos per month in 1Q14), which represents an increase of 26.1%.

VAS revenues (data and Internet) amounted to $3,033 (+24.8% vs. 1Q14) and represented 58.1% of Personal Mobile Services’ services revenues (vs. 57.0% in 1Q14).

Núcleo Mobile Services

This segment generated services revenues equivalent to $383 during 1Q15 (+$40 or 11.7% vs. 1Q14) mainly due to the Internet revenues increase (+22.9% vs. 1Q14), mainly related to the increase of browsing generated by subscribers with mobile equipment prepared for that purpose. As of March 31, 2015, Núcleo’s subscriber base reached 2.5 million customers. Prepaid and postpaid subscribers (including “Plan Control” subscribers and mobile Internet subscribers) represented 81% and 19% in 1Q15, respectively.

VAS revenues (data and Internet) amounted to $209 (+10.0% vs. 1Q14) and represented 54.6% of Núcleo Mobile Services segment services revenues (vs. 55.4% in 1Q14).

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2015

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Equipment

Revenues from equipment amounted to $913, +$6 or +0.7% vs. 1Q14. This increase is mainly related to the Núcleo Mobile Services segment with an increase of $7 vs. 1Q14. In the Personal Mobile Services segment the inter-annual increase amounted to $2, due to lower handsets sold (-40% vs. 1Q14) partially offset by an increase in handset’s average sale prices (+67% vs. 1Q14), resulting in a higher operating margin of handsets (+$141 or +106.8% vs. 1Q14).

 

    Operating costs

Consolidated operating costs –including depreciations, amortizations and gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E– totaled $7,199 in 1Q15, which represents an increase of $1,100 or +18.0% vs. 1Q14. 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 Telecom Group in Argentina, the increase in fees for services related to higher supplier prices, the increase in taxes and fees with the Regulatory Matters, the increase of VAS costs, the increase in bad debt expenses, higher provisions costs and an increase of $67 in agent commissions capitalized as SAC, which together with the decrease in the cost of equipment and handsets of $135 partially mitigated the increase in operating costs.

 

                 Variation     Variation in $ by segment  
     1Q15     1Q14     $     %     Fixed
Serv.
    Personal
M. Serv.
    Núcleo
M. Serv.
 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (1,543     (1,183     (360     30.4        (289     (66     (5

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (500     (515     15        (2.9     2        4        9   

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (889     (755     (134     17.7        (50     (79     (5

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (873     (755     (118     15.6        (18     (99     (1

Commissions

     (823     (674     (149     22.1        (13     (121     (15

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

     200        133        67        50.4        7        57        3   

Cost of equipment and handsets

     (660     (806     146        (18.1     (4     164        (14

Cost of equipment and handsets capitalized as SAC

     20        31        (11     (35.5     —          (17     6   

Advertising

     (191     (164     (27     16.5        21        (47     (1

Cost of VAS

     (293     (191     (102     53.4        (2     (91     (9

Provisions

     (93     (37     (56     151.4        (12     (44     —     

Bad debt expenses

     (183     (118     (65     55.1        (23     (40     (2

Other operating expenses

     (417     (330     (87     26.4        (39     (43     (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

  (6,245   (5,364   (881   16.4      (420   (422   (39

Depreciation of PP&E

  (677   (538   (139   25.8      (49   (79   (11

Amortization of SAC and service connection charges

  (216   (195   (21   10.8      (9   (8   (4

Amortization of other intangible assets

  (64   (6   (58   966.7      —        (59   1   

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

  3      4      (1   (25.0   5      (6   —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating costs

  (7,199   (6,099   (1,100   18.0      (473   (574   (53
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The costs breakdown is as follows:

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments amounted to $1,543 (+$360 or +30.4% vs. 1Q14). The increase was mainly due to increases in salaries agreed by Telecom Argentina with several trade unions for the unionized employees and also to non-unionized employees, together with related social security charges. With a total headcount of 16,358 by the end of 1Q15, (vs. 16,523 employees in 1Q14), lines in service per employee reached 370 in the Fixed Services segment (slightly lower than 1Q14), subscribers per employee reached 3,909 in the Personal Mobile Services segment and subscribers per employee reached 6,229 (+8.1% vs. 1Q14) 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 $500 (-$15 or -2.9% vs. 1Q14). The decrease was mainly due to a lower traffic volume in roaming vs. 1Q14.

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies amounted to $889, +$134 or +17.7% vs. 1Q14. The increase was mainly due to higher maintenance costs of radio bases and buildings in the mobile services segments, as a result of the variation in the $/US$ exchange rate, an increase in technical assistance cost of radio bases, higher system licenses maintenance costs, higher costs of building maintenance, higher costs of sites location and storage costs.

There were also increases in other maintenance costs and fees for services, mainly due to higher costs recognized to suppliers in all segments.

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2015

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority (including turnover tax, fees with the Regulatory Authority, IDC, municipal and other taxes) amounted to $873 (+15.6% vs. 1Q14), influenced mainly by the increase in revenues of fixed and mobile services and by the increase of the IDC related to higher collections and payments to suppliers in 1Q15 vs. 1Q14.

Commissions

Commissions (including Agent, distribution of prepaid cards and other commissions) amounted to $623 (+$82 or +15.2% vs. 1Q14). The increase was mainly due to the increase in Agents’ commissions (associated to higher revenues) as a result of higher customer’s acquisition and retention costs recognized to them and the increase of outsourced sales commissions and collection commissions.

On the other hand, agent commissions capitalized as SAC amounted to $200, +$67 or +50.4% vs. 1Q14, and it’s directly related to the increase in the “Cuentas claras” 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 $640 (-$135 or -17.4% vs. 1Q14) mainly due to a decrease in the units of handsets sold (-39.8% vs. 1Q14), partially offset by an increase in the average unit cost of sales (+28.9% vs. 1Q14) in the Personal Mobile Services segment.

On the other hand, SAC deferred costs from handsets sold amounted to $20, -$11 or -35.5% vs. 1Q14. The lower capitalized amount was mainly due to the significant reduction of subsidies provided to customers in the Personal Mobile Services segment, especially in the “Cuentas claras” segment.

Advertising

Advertising amounted to $191 (+$27 or +16.5% vs. 1Q14), mainly due to higher commercial campaigns of Personal related to the launching of the 4G services throughout the whole country as compared to 1Q14.

Cost of VAS

Cost of VAS amounted to $293 (+$102 or +53.4% vs. 1Q14). The increase was mainly due to the increase of VAS sales in the Personal Mobile Services segment, especially the SMS with content service, which grew as a consequence of several campaigns launched by Personal.

Provisions

Provisions amounted to $93, +$56 or +151.4% vs. 1Q14. The increase was mainly due to higher labor claims (+$31 vs. 1Q14) and higher civil and commercial claims (+$29 vs. 1Q14), partially offset by lower regulatory and municipal claims (-$4 vs. 1Q14).

Bad debt expenses

Bad debt expenses amounted to $183 (+$65 or +55.1% vs. 1Q14), representing approximately 2.1% and 1.6% of the consolidated revenues in 1Q15 and 1Q14, respectively. The major increase is observed in the Personal Mobile Services segment by $40 as a consequence of higher aging of the accounts receivables and higher incidence of handsets sales directly financed by Personal to its postpaid and “Cuentas claras” subscribers. These charges have also increased in Telecom Argentina by $23 in the Government and Corporate segment affected by the collection delay from some governmental entities.

Other operating costs

Other operating costs amounted to $417 (+$87 or +26.4% vs. 1Q14). The increase was mainly due to higher prices on related services, especially in transportation, freight and travel expenses (+$19 or +15.3% vs. 1Q14), among others, in the operations in Argentina; the increase of rent prices (+$31 or +34.1% vs. 1Q14), as a result of new agreements and the renegotiation of some of the existing ones and the increase of the consumption of electricity (+$21 or +32.8% vs. 1Q14).

 

    Operating income before depreciation and amortization

Operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $2,634 (+$522 or 24.7% vs. 1Q14), representing 29.7% of consolidated revenues in 1Q15 (vs. 28.3% in 1Q14). This growth was mainly fueled by the Fixed Services segment (+$118 or +23.3% vs. 1Q14) and Personal Mobile Services segment (+$398 or +27.2% vs. 1Q14).

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2015

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization generated by equipment and handset sales (including SAC capitalization) amounted to $273 in 1Q15 vs. $132 in 1Q14 (+$141 or 106.8% vs. 1Q14), while operating income before depreciation and amortization generated by services sales amounted to $2,361 in 1Q15 vs. $1,980 in 1Q14 (+$381 or +19.2% vs. 1Q14).

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization amounted to $957 (+$218 or +29.5% vs. 1Q14). The increase in depreciation and amortization includes $139 from PP&E depreciation, $58 from amortization of intangible assets without SAC (3G/4G licenses which start their amortization in December 2014 and generated $59 in 1Q15) and $21 from amortization of SAC and service connection costs. The increase in depreciation and amortization corresponds 27% to the Fixed Services segment and 73% to the mobile services segments.

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

Gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E amounted to $3 and $4 in 1Q15 and 1Q14, respectively, and was mainly related to the Fixed Services segment.

 

    Operating income

Operating income amounted to $1,680 in 1Q15 (+$303 or 22.0% vs. 1Q14). The margin over consolidated revenues represented 18.9% in 1Q15 (vs. 18.4% in 1Q14). This growth was mainly fueled by the Personal Mobile Services segment (+$246 or +22.6% vs. 1Q14) and the Fixed Services segment (+$65 or +28.5% vs. 1Q14).

 

    Financial results, net

Financial results, net resulted in a net loss of $89, representing an increase of $57 vs. 1Q14. The increase was mainly due to higher interests on provisions (+$22 vs. 1Q14), higher interests on loans amounting to $38, lower net gains on NDF (+$45 vs. 1Q14) and lower financial interest on time deposits and other investments (-$194 vs. 1Q14), partially offset by higher interests on receivables (+$6 vs. 1Q14) and lower net foreign currency exchange losses (+$237 vs. 1Q14, the devaluation $/US$ was 6.9% in 1Q15 vs. 22.7% in 1Q14).

 

    Net income

Telecom Argentina reached a net income of $1,041 in 1Q15, +$135 or +14.9% as compared to 1Q14, representing 11.7% of the consolidated revenues in 1Q15 (vs. 12.1% in 1Q14). Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $1,028 in 1Q15, +$139 or +15.6% as compared to 1Q14.

 

    Net financial assets

As of March 31, 2015, net financial assets (Cash and Cash Equivalents plus financial investments minus Financial debt) amounted to $521, showing a decrease of $4,559 as compared to March 31, 2014 (amounting to $5,080). This variation was mainly due to a decrease in the generation of cash from operating activities of the Telecom Group, mainly by higher CAPEX –which include the acquisition of the 3G/4G licenses amounting to $3,530 in December 2014-, higher income tax payments and cash dividends paid to its shareholders’ for a total amount of $1,255 (including tax withholding on cash dividends). The Fixed Services segment has a financial asset of $260 and the Personal Mobile Services segment has a financial asset of $502, while the Núcleo Mobile Services segment has a net financial debt of $241.

 

    Capital expenditures (CAPEX)

CAPEX composition for 1Q15 and 1Q14 is as follows:

 

     In millions of $      % of participation     Variation  
     1Q15      1Q14      1Q15     1Q14     $     %  

Fixed Services

     336         396         39     37     (60     (15

Personal Mobile Services

     469         612         54     58     (143     (23

Núcleo Mobile Services

     59         54         7     5     5        9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total CAPEX

  864      1,062      100   100   (198   (19
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2015

 

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PP&E CAPEX amounted to $623 and intangible assets CAPEX amounted to $241 in 1Q15, while in 1Q14 amounted to $880 and $182, respectively. The reduction in PP&E CAPEX was influenced by the detailed planning of the deployment of 4G network and the upgrade of 3G network, as well as the evaluation of the results of the bidding process launched in 4Q14 by Personal in order to select the most suitable technical and financial offers for the development of its major mobile infrastructure deployment plan for FY15 and future years.

In relative terms, CAPEX represented 9.7% of consolidated revenues in 1Q15 (14.2% in 1Q14), and were intended mainly for the external wiring and network access equipment, to the initial deployment of the new 4G network, transmission and switching equipment, computer equipment and SAC.

PP&E and intangible assets additions (CAPEX plus materials additions) for 1Q15 and 1Q14 are as follows:

 

     In millions of $      % of participation     Variation  
     1Q15      1Q14      1Q15     1Q14     $     %  

Fixed Services

     404         511         40     43     (107     (21

Personal Mobile Services

     522         618         53     52     (96     (16

Núcleo Mobile Services

     68         58         7     5     10        17   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total additions

  994      1,187      100   100   (193   (16
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Main PP&E CAPEX projects are related to the expansion of fixed broadband services in order to improve transmission and speed offered to customers; deployment of 3G and 4G services to support the growth of mobile Internet, improvement of the quality service 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.

 

3. Summary of comparative consolidated statements of financial position

 

     March 31,  
     2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Current assets

     7,094         9,408         7,486         5,826         4,119   

Non-current assets

     19,877         14,555         11,126         9,989         8,760   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

  26,971      23,963      18,612      15,815      12,879   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

  8,405      8,814      5,830      5,259      4,487   

Non-current liabilities

  2,777      2,038      1,781      1,681      1,194   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  11,182      10,852      7,611      6,940      5,681   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

  15,446      12,806      10,801      8,736      7,070   

Equity attributable non-controlling interest

  343      305      200      139      128   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity

  15,789      13,111      11,001      8,875      7,198   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

  26,971      23,963      18,612      15,815      12,879   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

4. Summary of comparative consolidated income statements

 

     1Q15     1Q14     1Q13     1Q12     1Q11  

Revenues and other income

     8,879        7,476        6,073        5,130        4,149   

Operating costs

     (7,199     (6,099     (4,958     (4,097     (3,191
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

  1,680      1,377      1,115      1,033      958   

Financial results, net

  (89   (32   135      61      19   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

  1,591      1,345      1,250      1,094      977   

Income tax expense

  (550   (439   (437   (386   (337
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

  1,041      906      813      708      640   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

  —        206      63      25      47   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

  1,041      1,112      876      733      687   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

  1,028      1,023      842      715      666   

Attributable to non-controlling interest

  13      89      34      18      21   

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2015

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

5. Statistical data (in physical units)

 

  Fixed services

Voice and data services (in thousands, except for lines in service per inhabitants and employees)

 

     1Q15     1Q14     1Q13     1Q12     1Q11  
     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter  

Equipment lines

     3,551         13        3,528         (8     3,808         2        3,800         3        3,801         (35

NGN lines

     1,277         52        1,176         12        1,092         47        955         (41     880         27   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Installed lines (a)

  4,828      65      4,704      4      4,900      49      4,755      (38   4,681      (8

Lines in service (b)

  4,077      (16   4,108      (16   4,109      (19   4,138      (3   4,110      3   

Customers lines (c)

  4,001      (15   4,028      (16   4,027      (18   4,054      (3   4,024      5   

Public phones installed

  29      (1   33      (1   36      (1   39      (1   43      (2

Lines in service per 100 inhabitants (d)

  19      —        20      1      20      —        21      1      21      1   

Lines in service per employee (e)

  370      —        373      (2   371      1      370      (3   377      (2

 

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 (in thousands)

 

     1Q15     1Q14      1Q13     1Q12      1Q11  
     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter      Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter      Accumulated      Quarter  

Total ADSL subscribers

     1,768         (3     1,714         7         1,626         (3     1,566         16         1,407         27   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  Mobile services

Personal (in thousands, except for subscriber per employee disclosed in units)

 

     1Q15     1Q14     1Q13     1Q12      1Q11  
     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter      Accumulated      Quarter  

Post-paid subscribers (i)

     2,033         (122     2,365         (52     2,415         29        2,226         48         1,886         81   

“Cuentas claras” plans (i)

     3,938         (55     3,856         (23     3,583         106        3,176         37         2,814         18   

Prepaid subscribers (ii)

     13,217         (45     13,461         (79     12,763         43        12,672         258         11,841         415   

Dongles (iii)

     144         (31     231         (21     353         (39     473         11         341         35   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total subscribers

  19,332      (253   19,913      (175   19,114      139      18,547      354      16,882      549   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Lines per employee

  3,909      —        3,911      —        3,642      —        3,734      —        3,831      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Núcleo (in thousands, except for subscriber per employee disclosed in units)

 

     1Q15     1Q14     1Q13     1Q12     1Q11  
     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter     Accumulated      Quarter  

Post-paid subscribers (i)

     28         (1     28         (1     29         (1     30         1        26         1   

“Plan control” subscribers (i)

     332         13        304         7        270         9        227         7        199         8   

Prepaid subscribers (ii)

     2,021         22        1,929         (7     1,888         16        1,829         37        1,604         —     

Dongles (iii)

     123         (6     147         (6     142         10        110         10        63         15   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal mobile

  2,504      28      2,408      (7   2,329      34      2,196      55      1,892      24   

Internet subscribers - Wimax

  5      —        5      —        6      —        7      (1   9      (1
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total subscribers

  2,509      28      2,413      (7   2,335      34      2,203      54      1,901      23   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Lines per employee (iv)

  6,229      —        5,761      —        5,354      —        5,119      —        4,581      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(i) Lines which are paid through customer billing.
(ii) Prepaid lines which were refilled at least once in the last 13 months.
(iii) Corresponds to mobile Internet subscribers with post-paid, “Cuentas claras”, “Plan control” and prepaid contracts.
(iv) Internet Wimax subscribers are not included.

 

6. Consolidated ratios

 

     1Q15      1Q14      1Q13      1Q12      1Q11  

Liquidity (1)

     0.84         1.07         1.28         1.11         0.92   

Solvency (2)

     1.41         1.21         1.45         1.28         1.27   

Locked-up capital (3)

     0.74         0.61         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, 2015

 

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7. Outlook

In 2015, the evolution of the fixed services segment is expected to continue in line with the trend experienced over the past years and shall be influenced by the level of maturity of the market with focus on increasing the value of the customers’ base. In the Broadband business, Arnet continued capturing the growth opportunities the market offers, extending the offer of services with higher speeds and with proposals of overall integrated offers for customers (Internet, the fixed services segment and cellular mobile calls).

As regards pricing in the Fixed Services segment, the Company will continue the proceedings before the national authorities in the light of the new rules proposed by the LAD to reach the readjustment of the prices of the regulated services, and with them, of the economic-financial equation of Telecom Argentina. The growing pressures over the cost structure of the Company and its investment plans seeking to modernize its infrastructure to provide next-generation services emphasize this need.

During fiscal year 2015, Personal’s leadership strengths will consolidate by means of new added value added services especially in mobile broadband, based on the deployment of the new 4G networks which multiply tenfold the speed of mobile Internet speed in mobility. In this way, as the LTE infrastructure deploys on a national level, it is expected that our customers increase their access to content, among others, of the Personal Play platform (music, games and videos), the latter being one of the highest factors for revenue growth.

At the same time, and following with the commitment with quality, the Company expects to continue working to optimize the experience of customers who use the 3G/HSPA+ network, by means of improvements in the network infrastructure made possible as from December 2014 with the acquisition of additional spectrum. In this way, the third generation services will also expand, continuing with the technological reconversion and extension of the capacity of the network.

The infrastructure improvements and the availability of a wide portfolio of advanced devices within the offer will continue to be drivers of higher revenues based on innovative and convenient commercial proposals for those who choose Personal as mobile operator. This assumes favorable conditions for foreign trading, access to the exchange market and financing of LTE equipment, 4G handsets, hardware and software by the Telecom Group and its technological suppliers.

It is foreseen that the expansion of the subscribers’ base will develop at lower rates due to the level of maturity and the high penetration of mobile services in the market.

The strategy implemented by the Management of the Company lays out the basic necessary fundamentals for the Telecom Group to pursue its objectives of continuous improvement of the quality of its services, to strengthen its market position and to improve its operating efficiency in order to satisfy the growing needs of the dynamic telecommunications market, all in compliance with the correspondent laws and regulations. The ambitious investment plans of the Telecom Group are based on this forward-looking vision and on the commitment of the Telecom Group with our country and its people.

 

Oscar Cristianci
Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2015

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

          March 31,      December 31,  
     Note    2015      2014  

ASSETS

        

Current Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   2      1,266         825   

Investments

   2      66         53   

Trade receivables

   2      4,385         4,124   

Other receivables

   2      658         670   

Inventories

   2      719         721   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

  7,094      6,393   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-Current Assets

Trade receivables

2   82      143   

Deferred income tax assets

2   190      140   

Other receivables

2   198      200   

Investments

2   309      301   

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

2   13,806      13,809   

Intangible assets

2   5,292      5,331   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

  19,877      19,924   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

  26,971      26,317   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

Trade payables

2   4,621      6,072   

Deferred revenues

2   521      507   

Financial debt

2   540      179   

Salaries and social security payables

2   965      1,022   

Income tax payables

2   573      247   

Other taxes payables

2   866      824   

Dividends payables

2   21      —     

Other liabilities

2   39      47   

Provisions

6   259      199   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

  8,405      9,097   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-Current Liabilities

Deferred revenues

2   466      465   

Financial debt

2   579      254   

Salaries and social security payables

2   148      150   

Deferred income tax liabilities

2   337      417   

Income tax payables

2   8      9   

Other liabilities

2   84      76   

Provisions

6   1,155      1,080   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

  2,777      2,451   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

  11,182      11,548   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

  15,446      14,418   

Equity attributable to non-controlling interest

  343      351   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY

7   15,789      14,769   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

  26,971      26,317   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

Adrián Calaza Oscar Cristianci
Chief Financial Officer Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

  

 

 

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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    2015     2014  

Revenues

   2      8,872        7,466   

Other income

   2      7        10   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

  8,879      7,476   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

2   (1,543   (1,183

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

2   (500   (515

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

2   (889   (755

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

2   (873   (755

Commissions

2   (623   (541

Cost of equipments and handsets

2   (640   (775

Advertising

2   (191   (164

Cost of VAS

2   (293   (191

Provisions

6   (93   (37

Bad debt expenses

2   (183   (118

Other operating expenses

2   (417   (330

Depreciation and amortization

2   (957   (739

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

2   3      4   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

  1,680      1,377   

Finance income

2   105      799   

Finance expenses

2   (194   (831
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

  1,591      1,345   

Income tax expense

2   (550   (439
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income for the period

  1,041      906   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

  1,028      889   

Non-controlling interest

  13      17   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1,041      906   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to Telecom Argentina – basic and diluted

1.d   1.06      0.92   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

Adrián Calaza Oscar Cristianci
Chief Financial Officer Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

     Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
     2015      2014  

Net income for the period

     1,041         906   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other components of the Statements of Comprehensive Income

Will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Currency translation adjustments (non-taxable)

  —        206   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other components of the comprehensive income, net of tax

  —        206   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

  1,041      1,112   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Attributable to:

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

  1,028      1,023   

Non-controlling interest

  13      89   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  1,041      1,112   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

Adrián Calaza Oscar Cristianci
Chief Financial Officer Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

  

 

 

3


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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

  Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)          
  Owners Contribution                                      
  Outstanding shares   Treasury shares                                          
  Capital
nominal
value
(1)
  Inflation
adjustment
  Capital
nominal
value
(1) (2)
  Inflation
adjustment
(2)
  Treasury
shares
acquisition
cost
(2)
  Legal
reserve
  Special reserve
for IFRS
implementation
  Voluntary
reserve for
capital
investments
  Voluntary
reserve for
future
investments
  Deferred
results
  Retained
earnings
  Total   Equity
attributable
to non-
controlling
interest
  Total
Equity
 

Balances as of January 1, 2014

  969      2,646      15      42      (461   725      351      1,200      2,904      190      3,202      11,783      268      12,051   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends from Núcleo (3)

  —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        (52   (52

Comprehensive income:

Net income for the period

  —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        889      889      17      906   

Other comprehensive income

  —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        134      —        134      72      206   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income

  —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        134      889      1,023      89      1,112   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of March 31, 2014

  969      2,646      15      42      (461   725      351      1,200      2,904      324      4,091      12,806      305      13,111   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of January 1, 2015

  969      2,646      15      42      (461   734      351      3,191      2,904      354      3,673      14,418      351      14,769   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends from Núcleo (4)

  —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        (21   (21

Comprehensive income:

Net income for the period

  —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        1,028      1,028      13      1,041   

Other comprehensive income

  —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income

  —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        1,028      1,028      13      1,041   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of March 31, 2015

  969      2,646      15      42      (461   734      351      3,191      2,904      354      4,701      15,446      343      15,789   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, total shares (984,380,978), of $1 argentine peso of nominal value each, were issued and fully paid. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, 15,221,373 were treasury shares.
(2) Corresponds to 15,221,373 shares of $1 argentine peso of nominal value each, equivalent to 1.55% of total capital. The treasury shares acquisition costs amounted to 461. See Note 7 – Equity to the consolidated financial statements.
(3) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 28, 2014.
(4) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 26, 2015.

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

 

Adrián Calaza Oscar Cristianci
Chief Financial Officer Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

          Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
     Note    2015     2014  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

       

Net income for the period

        1,041        906   

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

       

Bad debt expenses and other allowances

        195        152   

Depreciation of PP&E

   2      677        538   

Amortization of intangible assets

   2      280        201   

Consumption of materials

   2      68        46   

Gain on disposal of PP&E

   2      (6     (4

Impairment of PP&E

   2      3        —     

Provisions

   6      146        68   

Interest and other financial losses

        28        (171

Income tax expense

   2      550        439   

Income tax paid

   3      (352     (379

Net increase in assets

   3      (393     (519

Net decrease in liabilities

   3      (1,081     (70
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash flows provided by operating activities

3   1,156      1,207   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

PP&E acquisitions

3   (1,089   (1,450

Intangible assets acquisitions

3   (264   (213

Proceeds from the sale of PP&E

  5      4   

Investments not considered as cash and cash equivalents

3   (13   (590
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash flows used in investing activities

  (1,361   (2,249
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from financial debt

3   353      —     

Payment of financial debt

3   (9   (3

Payment of interest and related costs

3   (53   (10

Payment of cash dividends and related withholding tax

3   —        (44
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

  291      (57
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

    

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET FOREIGN EXCHANGE DIFFERENCES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  5      344   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  91      (755

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

  684      5,224   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD

  775      4,469   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

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 Oscar Cristianci
Chief Financial Officer Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2015 AND 2014

(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

     21   
4   

Segment information

     23   
5   

Related party balances and transactions

     25   
6   

Commitments and contingencies of the Telecom Group

     28   
7   

Equity

     29   
8   

Restrictions on distribution of profits

     30   
9   

Selected consolidated quarterly information

     30   
10   

Recent developments corresponding to the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 for the Telecom Group

     30   
11   

Subsequent events to March 31, 2015

     32   

 

  

 

 

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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.

AMBA (Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires): the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires.

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

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line): A type of digital subscriber line technology (DSL); a data communications technology that enables faster data transmission over copper lines than a conventional voiceband modem can provide.

ARSAT (Empresa Argentina de Soluciones Satelitales S.A.): a state-owned company.

BCBA (Bolsa de Comercio de Buenos Aires): The Buenos Aires Stock Exchange.

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

CNDC (Comisión Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia): Argentine Antitrust Commission.

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

Company or Telecom Argentina: Telecom Argentina S.A.

CONATEL (Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones del Paraguay): The Regulatory Authority of Paraguay.

CPCECABA (Consejo Profesional de Ciencias Económicas de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires): The Professional Council of Economic Sciences of the City of Buenos Aires.

CPP: Calling Party Pays.

“Cuentas claras”: Under the “Cuentas claras” plans, a subscriber pays a set monthly bill and, once the contract minutes per month have been used, the subscriber can obtain additional credit by recharging the phone card through the prepaid system.

D&A: Depreciation and amortization.

DLD: Domestic long-distance.

ENARD (Ente Nacional de Alto Rendimiento Deportivo): National High Sport Performance Organization.

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 (Impuesto a los débitos y créditos bancarios): Tax on deposits to and withdrawals from bank accounts.

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

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

Micro Sistemas: Micro Sistemas S.A.

NDF: Non-Deliverable Forward.

Nortel: Nortel Inversora S.A., the parent company of the Company.

Núcleo: Núcleo S.A.

NYSE: New York Stock Exchange.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Personal: Telecom Personal S.A.

PP&E: Property, plant and equipment.

Regulatory Bodies: Collectively, the SC and the CNC.

Roaming: a function that enables mobile subscribers to use the service on networks of operators other than the one with which they signed their initial contract. The roaming service is active when a mobile device is used in a foreign country (included in the GSM network).

RT: Technical resolutions issued by the FACPCE.

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

SAC: Subscriber Acquisition Costs.

SBT (Servicio básico telefónico): Basic telephone service.

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

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

SMS: Short message systems.

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

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/Group: Telecom Argentina and its consolidated subsidiaries.

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

Telecom USA: Telecom Argentina USA Inc.

Telefónica: Telefónica de Argentina S.A.

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 SMS, Video streaming, Personal Video, Personal Cloud, M2M (Communication Machine to Machine), Social networks, Personal Messenger, Contents and Entertainment (content and text subscriptions, games, music ringtones, wallpaper, screensavers, etc), MMS (Mobile Multimedia Services) and Voice Mail, among others.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

 

  a) Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies

As required by the CNV for most of public companies, these consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with RT 26 of FACPCE (as amended by RT 29) and in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB, as adopted by the CPCECABA.

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 2014 annual consolidated financial statements which can be consulted at the Company’s website (www.telecom.com.ar/inversores).

As of March 31, 2015, entities included in the consolidation process and the respective equity interest owned by Telecom Argentina is presented as follows:

 

Subsidiaries

   Percentage of capital
stock owned and
voting rights (i)
  Indirect
control
through
   Date of acquisition    Segment that consolidates
(Note 4)

Telecom USA

   100.00%      09.12.00    Fixed Services

Micro Sistemas (ii)

     99.99%      12.31.97    Fixed Services

Personal

     99.99%      07.06.94    Personal Mobile Services

Núcleo (iii)

     67.50%   Personal    02.03.98    Núcleo Mobile Services

Personal Envíos (iii)

     67.50%   Núcleo    07.24.14    Núcleo Mobile Services

 

(i) Percentage of equity interest owned has been rounded.
(ii) Dormant entity as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
(iii) Non-controlling interest of 32.50% is owned by the Paraguayan company ABC Telecomunicaciones S.A.

For the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, the Company followed the same accounting policies applied in the most recent annual financial statements except for Government bonds acquired during 1Q15 which are valued at fair value (Note 2.b)).

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, 2015 was approved by resolution of the Board of Directors’ meeting held on May 4, 2015.

 

  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 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 Telecom Group as evaluated by the Management, and are in line with the industrial sector of telecommunications;

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

These consolidated financial statements contain all material disclosures required under IAS 34. Some additional disclosures required by the LSC and/or by the CNV have been also included, among them, complementary information required in the last paragraph of Article 1 Chapter III Title IV of the CNV General Resolution No. 622/13. Such information is disclosed in Notes 2 and 6 to these consolidated financial statements, as admitted by IFRS.

Also, some reclassifications to the 2014 comparative figures of the consolidated statements of cash flows have been included in the lines total cash flows provided by operating activities (-$45), total cash flows used in investing activities (-$114) and net foreign exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents (+$159) with the purpose of improving the information comparability.

 

  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 Telecom Group’s 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 as issued by the IASB) 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, 2015 and 2014, the weighted average number of shares outstanding totaled 969,159,605 shares, respectively.

NOTE 2 – BREAKDOWN OF THE MAIN ACCOUNTS

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

CURRENT ASSETS

   March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

a) Cash and cash equivalents

     

Cash

     16         14   

Banks

     109         370   

Banks – Specific use (*)

     441         —     

Time deposits

     77         1   

Mutual funds

     623         440   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

(*)    Includes 353 corresponding to the funds from the bank loan described in Note 10.a)

  1,266      825   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

b) Investments

Government bonds at fair value (Note 10.d)

  60      —     

Government bonds at amortized cost

  1      1   

Provincial government bonds at amortized cost

  5      24   

Argentine companies notes

  —        28   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  66      53   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

     March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

c) Trade receivables

     

Fixed Services

     1,216         1,220   

Personal Mobile Services

     3,407         3,076   

Núcleo Mobile Services

     123         120   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

  4,746      4,416   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  (361   (292
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  4,385      4,124   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

     March 31,
2015
(3 months)
     December 31,
2014
(12 months)
 

At the beginning of the year

     (292      (239

Additions – bad debt expenses

     (180      (421

Uses

     111         370   

Currency translation adjustments

     —           (2
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

  (361   (292
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

d) Other receivables

     

Prepaid expenses

     396         331   

Prepaid expenses related parties (Note 5.c)

     48         52   

Insurance company (handsets) – related party (Note 5.c)

     48         46   

Tax credits

     43         108   

Restricted funds

     23         21   

Advertisement reimbursement

     21         40   

Tax on personal property – on behalf of shareholders

     16         12   

Receivables for suppliers indemnities

     3         6   

Other

     86         77   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

  684      693   

Allowance for other receivables

  (26   (23
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  658      670   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Movements in the allowance for other receivables are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2015
(3 months)
     December 31,
2014
(12 months)
 

At the beginning of the year

     (23      (18

Additions – Bad debt expenses

     (3      (6

Uses

     —           1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

  (26   (23
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

e) Inventories

     

Mobile handsets

     776         781   

Fixed telephones and equipment

     18         13   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

  794      794   

Allowance for obsolescence of inventories

  (75   (73
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  719      721   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

     March 31,
2015
(3 months)
     December 31,
2014
(12 months)
 

At the beginning of the year

     (73      (85

Additions – Fees for services, maintenance and materials

     (5      (81

Uses

     3         94   

Currency translation adjustments

     —           (1
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

  (75   (73
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Sale and cost of equipment and handsets by business segment is as follows:

 

     Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
     2015      2014  
     Profit (loss)  

Sales of equipment and handsets – Fixed Services

     10         13   

Cost of equipment and handsets – Fixed Services

     (19      (15
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equipment loss – Fixed Services

  (9   (2
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sales of equipment and handsets – Personal Mobile Services

  881      879   

Cost of equipment and handsets – Personal Mobile Services (net of SAC capitalization)

  (593   (740
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equipment income – Personal Mobile Services

  288      139   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sales of equipment and handsets – Núcleo Mobile Services

  22      15   

Cost of equipment and handsets – Núcleo Mobile Services (net of SAC capitalization)

  (28   (20
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equipment loss – Núcleo Mobile Services

  (6   (5
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equipment and handsets sale

  913      907   

Total cost of equipment and handsets (net of SAC capitalization)

  (640   (775
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income for sale of equipment and handsets

  273      132   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

     

f) Trade receivables

     

Fixed Services

     20         22   

Personal Mobile Services

     19         88   

Núcleo Mobile Services

     43         33   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  82      143   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

g) Other receivables

Prepaid expenses

  116      101   

Prepaid expenses related parties (Note 5.c)

  27      36   

Credit on SC Resolution No. 41/07 and IDC

  84      85   

Restricted funds

  25      28   

Tax on personal property – on behalf of shareholders

  18      18   

Tax credits

  2      9   

Guarantee deposits

  9      8   

Other

  19      18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

  300      303   

Allowance for regulatory matters

  (84   (85

Allowance for doubtful accounts (tax on personal property)

  (18   (18
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  198      200   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Movements in the allowance for regulatory matters are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2015
(3 months)
     December 31,
2014
(12 months)
 

At the beginning of the year

     (85      (85

Uses

     1         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

  (84   (85
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Movements in the allowance for doubtful accounts (tax on personal property) are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2015
(3 months)
     December 31,
2014
(12 months)
 

At the beginning of the year

     (18      (17

Additions

     —           (1
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

  (18   (18
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

h) Investments

     

Government bonds at amortized cost

     264         257   

Provincial and municipal government bonds at amortized cost

     44         43   

2003 Telecommunications Fund

     1         1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  309      301   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

     March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

i) PP&E

     

Land, buildings and installations

     1,044         1,045   

Computer equipment and software

     1,431         1,558   

Switching and transmission equipment (i)

     3,516         3,585   

Mobile network access and external wiring

     4,385         4,273   

Construction in progress

     2,235         2,184   

Other tangible assets

     392         416   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal PP&E

  13,003      13,061   

Materials

  934      872   

Valuation allowance for materials

  (28   (24

Impairment of PP&E

  (103   (100
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total PP&E

  13,806      13,809   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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.

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

 

     March 31,
2015
(3 months)
     December 31,
2014
(12 months)
 

At the beginning of the year

     13,933         11,403   

CAPEX

     623         4,304   

Materials

     130         590   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total PP&E additions

  753      4,894   

Currency translation adjustments

  (3   315   

Consumption of materials

  (68   (227

Decrease

  (1   (62

Depreciation of the period/year

  (677   (2,390
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

  13,937      13,933   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Movements in the valuation allowance for materials are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2015
(3 months)
     December 31,
2014
(12 months)
 

At the beginning of the year

     (24      (21

Additions - Fees for services, maintenance, and materials

     (4      (6

Uses

     —           3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

  (28   (24
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Movements in the impairment of PP&E are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2015
(3 months)
     December 31,
2014
(12 months)
 

At the beginning of the year

     (100      (156

Additions – Impairment of PP&E

     (3      (25

Depreciation

     —           1   

Uses

     —           80   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

  (103   (100
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

j) Intangible assets

     

3G/4G licenses

     3,452         3,511   

Other licenses

     588         588   

SAC – mobile services

     846         820   

SAC – fixed services

     93         93   

Rights of use and exclusivity

     213         218   

Service connection or habilitation charges

     98         99   

Other intangible assets

     2         2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  5,292      5,331   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Movements in Intangible assets are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2015
(3 months)
     December 31,
2014
(12 months)
 

At the beginning of the year

     5,331         1,519   

CAPEX

     241         4,653   

Currency translation adjustments

     —           13   

Amortization of the period/year

     (280      (854
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

  5,292      5,331   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

     

k) Trade payables

     

For the acquisition of PP&E

     1,821         1,964   

For the acquisition of other assets and services

     1,786         1,966   

For the acquisition of inventory

     694         1,734   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal suppliers

  4,301      5,664   

NDF

  —        90   

Agent commissions

  320      318   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  4,621      6,072   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

l) Deferred revenues

On prepaid calling cards

  341      339   

On international capacity rental

  56      55   

On connection fees – Fixed Services

  40      33   

On customer loyalty programs

  80      76   

From CONATEL – Núcleo Mobile Services

  4      4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  521      507   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

m) Financial debt – Núcleo

Bank overdrafts – principal (Personal)

  488      140   

Bank overdrafts – accrued interests (Personal)

  3      1   

Bank loans – accrued interests (Personal)

  6      —     

Bank loans – principal (Núcleo)

  41      32   

Bank loans – accrued interest (Núcleo)

  2      6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  540      179   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

n) Salaries and social security payables

Annual complementary salaries, vacation and bonuses

  682      690   

Social security payables

  196      255   

Termination benefits

  87      77   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  965      1,022   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

o) Income tax payables

Income tax payables

  2,449      1,769   

Income tax retentions and payments in advance

  (1,879   (1,525

Law No. 26,476 Tax Regularization Regime

  3      3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  573      247   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

p) Other taxes payables

VAT, net

  354      316   

Tax withholdings

  121      132   

Tax on SU

  99      97   

Internal taxes

  97      86   

Turnover tax

  70      68   

Regulatory fees

  69      67   

Municipal taxes

  23      31   

Perception Decree No.583/10 ENARD

  18      15   

Tax on personal property – on behalf of shareholders

  15      12   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  866      824   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

q) Dividends payables

Related parties (Notes 5.c) and 10.e))

  21      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  21      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

r) Other liabilities

Compensation for directors and members of the Supervisory Committee

  25      28   

Guarantees received

  10      11   

Other

  4      8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  39      47   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

     March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

     

s) Deferred revenues

     

On international capacity rental

     304         307   

On connection fees – Fixed Services

     69         67   

On customer loyalty programs

     86         82   

From CONATEL– Núcleo Mobile Services

     7         9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  466      465   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

t) Financial debt - Núcleo

Bank loans – principal (Personal – Note 10.a)

  344      —     

Bank loans – principal (Núcleo)

  235      254   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  579      254   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

u) Salaries and social security payables

Termination benefits

  115      122   

Bonuses

  33      28   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  148      150   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

v) Income tax payables

Law No. 26,476 Tax Regularization Regime

  8      9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  8      9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

w) Other liabilities

Pension benefits

  76      68   

Legal fees

  5      5   

Suppliers guarantees on third parties claims

  1      2   

Other

  2      1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  84      76   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

x) Deferred income tax asset and liability

Telecom Group’s deferred income tax asset and liability consist of the following:

 

     Deferred tax assets     Deferred tax liabilities  

As of March 31, 2015

   Telecom
Argentina
    Núcleo     Telecom
USA
    Total     Personal     Total  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (66     (6     (1     (73     (110     (110

Provisions

     (330     —          —          (330     (150     (150

PP&E

     —          (20     —          (20     —          —     

Inventory

     —          —          —          —          (61     (61

Termination benefits

     (63     —          —          (63     —          —     

Deferred revenues

     (63     —          —          (63     —          —     

Pension benefits

     (27     —          —          (27     —          —     

Other deferred tax assets, net

     (66     —          —          (66     (2     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

  (615   (26   (1   (642   (323   (323
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

PP&E

  372      —        1      373      169      169   

Intangible assets

  74      —        —        74      355      355   

Cash dividends from foreign companies

  —        5      —        5      93      93   

Investments

  —        —        —        —        43      43   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

  446      5      1      452      660      660   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  (169   (21   —        (190   337      337   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Deferred tax assets     Deferred tax liabilities  

As of December 31, 2014

   Telecom
Argentina
    Núcleo     Telecom
USA
    Total     Personal     Total  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (53     (6     (1     (60     (70     (70

Provisions

     (313     —          —          (313     (122     (122

PP&E

     —          (17     —          (17     —          —     

Inventory

     —          —          —          —          (61     (61

Termination benefits

     (64     —          —          (64     —          —     

Deferred revenues

     (61     —          —          (61     —          —     

Pension benefits

     (24     —          —          (24     —          —     

Other deferred tax assets, net

     (63     —          —          (63     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

  (578   (23   (1   (602   (253   (253
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

PP&E

  382      —        1      383      189      189   

Intangible assets

  74      —        —        74      348      348   

Cash dividends from foreign companies

  —        5      —        5      87      87   

Investments

  —        —        —        —        37      37   

Other deferred tax liabilities, net

  —        —        —        —        9      9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

  456      5      1      462      670      670   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  (122   (18   —        (140   417      417   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

y) Aging of assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2015

 

Date due

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

Total due

    —          —          (c) 795        —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Not due

Second quarter 2015

  1,266      3      2,938      —        398   

Third quarter 2015

  —        61      310      —        111   

Fourth quarter 2015

  —        1      223      —        85   

First quarter 2016

  —        1      119      —        64   

April 2016 thru March 2017

  —        90      70      —        117   

April 2017 thru March 2018

  —        14      7      —        36   

April 2018 and thereafter

  —        204      5      —        36   

Not date due established

  —        1      —        190      9   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total not due

  1,266      375      3,672      190      856   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  1,266      375      4,467      190      856   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances bearing interest

  700      374      799      —        —     

Balances not bearing interest

  566      1      3,668      190      856   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  1,266      375      4,467      190      856   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average annual interest rate (%)

     (a)       (b)       (d)    —        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 623 are assets in argentine pesos bearing interests between 19.91% and 22.9% and 77 are assets in foreign currency bearing interests between 0.19% and 0.22%.
(b) 314 are assets in argentine pesos (9 bearing interests between 15% and 20.7% and 305 are dollar-linked bonds bearing interests between 1.75% and 2.4%) and 60 are assets in foreign currency bearing 7%.
(c) From due trade receivables 71 bear 50% over the Banco de la Nación Argentina 30-day interest rate paid by banks, 353 bear 50% over the Banco de la Nación Argentina notes payable discount rate, 11 bear 8.3%, 277 bear 37.5% and 26 bear 36%.
(d) From not due trade receivables 14 bear 37% and 47 are assets in foreign currency bearing 8.3%.

 

Date due

  Trade
payables
    Deferred
revenues
    Financial
debt
    Salaries and
social
security
payables
    Income tax
payables
    Deferred
income tax
liabilities
    Other taxes
payables
    Dividends
payables
    Other
liabilities
 

Total due

    (e) 403        —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Not due

Second quarter 2015

  4,218      380      503      553      566      —        866      21      29   

Third quarter 2015

  —        46      14      131      1      —        —        —        —     

Fourth quarter 2015

  —        44      5      116      1      —        —        —        —     

First quarter 2016

  —        51      18      165      5      —        —        —        10   

April 2016 thru March 2017

  —        147      76      75      3      —        —        —        18   

April 2017 thru March 2018

  —        61      503      35      3      —        —        —        4   

April 2018 and thereafter

  —        258      —        38      2      —        —        —        62   

Not date due established

  —        —        —        —        —        337      —        —        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total not due

  4,218      987      1,119      1,113      581      337      866      21      123   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  4,621      987      1,119      1,113      581      337      866      21      123   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances bearing interest

  —        —        1,119      —        15      —        —        —        —     

Balances not bearing interest

  4,621      987      —        1,113      566      337      866      21      123   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  4,621      987      1,119      1,113      581      337      866      21      123   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average annual interest rate (%)

  —        —           (f)    —        9.00   —        —        —        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(e) From due trade payables 256 corresponds to foreign suppliers. As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, 135 were cancelled.
(f) 491 are liabilities in argentine pesos bearing 23%, 350 are liabilities in foreign currency bearing three-month LIBOR plus 8.25% and 278 are liabilities in guaraníes bearing 9.3%.

z) Foreign currency assets and liabilities

The following table shows a breakdown of Telecom Group’s net assessed financial position exposure to currency risk as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

03.31.15

 

Amount of foreign currency (i)

     Exchange rate      Amount in local currency (ii)  

Assets

        

US$

     51         8.722         (iii) 455   

G

     173,416         0.002         314   

EURO

     1         9.355         14   
        

 

 

 

Total assets

  783   
        

 

 

 

Liabilities

US$

  (315)      8.822      (2,770

G

  (287,020)      0.002      (522

EURO

  (10)      9.485      (91

SDR

  —        12.170      (5
        

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  (3,388
        

 

 

 

Net liabilities

  (2,605
        

 

 

 

 

(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.
(iii) Includes 60 corresponding to Government bonds valued at fair value (equivalent to US$ 5 million).

In order to partially reduce this net liability position in foreign currency the Telecom Group, as of March 31, 2015, holds investments adjustable to the variation of the US$/$ exchange rate (dollar linked) by 305 and mutual funds whose main underlying asset are financial assets dollar linked for a total amount of 381. So, the net liability position in foreign currency amounted to 1,919 as of March 31, 2015 (equivalent to US$218 million). Additionally, the Group has entered into several NDF contracts to purchase a total amount of US$45 million (Note 10.d) and the portion of the net liability position in foreign currency not covered amounted to US$173 million as of March 31, 2015.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

12.31.14

 

Amount of foreign currency (i)

     Exchange rate      Amount in local currency (ii)  

Assets

        

US$

     67         8.451         567   

G

     141,182         0.002         256   

EURO

     1         10.265         13   
        

 

 

 

Total assets

  836   
        

 

 

 

Liabilities

US$

  (436   8.551      (3,725

G

  (276,621   0.002      (503

EURO

  (9   10.407      (97

SDR

  (1   12.240      (8
        

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  (4,333
        

 

 

 

Net liabilities

  (3,497
        

 

 

 

 

(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.

In order to partially reduce this net liability position in foreign currency the Telecom Group, as of December 31, 2014, holds investments adjustable to the variation of the US$/$ exchange rate (dollar linked) by 332 and mutual funds whose main underlying asset are financial assets dollar linked for a total amount of 359. So, the net liability position in foreign currency amounted to 1,532 as of December 31, 2014 (equivalent to US$179 million). Additionally, the Group has entered into several NDF contracts to purchase a total amount of US$149 million (Note 10.d) and the portion of the net liability position in foreign currency not covered amounted to US$30 million as of December 31, 2014.

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

Below are shown the investments in Government bonds and argentine companies’ notes valued at amortized cost and their respective fair value as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

     As of March 31, 2015      As of December 31, 2014  
Investments    Book value      Fair value
(*)
     Book value      Fair value
(*)
 

Government bonds (dollar linked)

     265         295         258         258   

Provincial government bonds in pesos

     9         9         11         11   

Provincial and municipal government bonds (dollar linked)

     40         40         56         51   

Argentine companies notes in pesos

     —           —           10         10   

Argentine companies notes (dollar linked)

     —           —           18         18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  314      344      353      348   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*) According to IFRS selling costs are not deducted.

ab) Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities

The information required by the amendment to IFRS 7 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

     As of March 31, 2015  
     Trade
receivables
     Other
receivables

(1)
     Trade
payables
     Other
liabilities
(1)
 

Current and non-current assets (liabilities) - Gross value

     5,910         193         (6,064      (80

Compensation

     (1,443      (33      1,443         33   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current and non-current assets (liabilities) – Book value

  4,467      160      (4,621   (47
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     As of December 31, 2014  
     Trade
receivables
     Other
receivables

(1)
     Trade
payables
     Other
liabilities
(1)
 

Current and non-current assets (liabilities) - Gross value

     5,524         182         (7,329      (65

Compensation

     (1,257      (10      1,257         10   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current and non-current assets (liabilities) – Book value

  4,267      172      (6,072   (55
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Only includes financial assets and financial liabilities according to IFRS 7.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

   Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
     2015      2014  
ac) Total revenues and other income    Profit (loss)  

Services

     

Voice – Retail

     745         682   

Voice – Wholesale

     235         225   

Internet

     973         726   

Data

     407         319   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Fixed Services

  2,360      1,952   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Voice – Retail

  1,702      1,345   

Voice – Wholesale

  481      488   

Internet

  1,188      644   

Data

  1,845      1,787   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Personal Mobile Services

  5,216      4,264   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Voice – Retail

  148      126   

Voice – Wholesale

  26      27   

Internet

  129      105   

Data

  80      85   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Núcleo Mobile Services

  383      343   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total service revenues (a)

  7,959      6,559   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equipment

Fixed Services

  10      13   

Personal Mobile Services

  881      879   

Núcleo Mobile Services

  22      15   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equipment revenues (b)

  913      907   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues (a) + (b)

  8,872      7,466   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other income

Fixed Services

  4      9   

Personal Mobile Services

  3      1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other income (c)

  7      10   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

  8,879      7,476   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Telecom Group’s service revenues by type of service (regardless of the segment originates) are as follows:

 

     Three-month periods ended March 31,  
     2015      %      2014      %  

Voice Retail

     2,595         33         2,154         33   

Voice Wholesale

     742         9         739         11   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Voice

  3,337      42      2,893      44   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Internet

  2,290      29      1,475      23   

Data

  2,332      29      2,191      33   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total service revenues

  7,959      100      6,559      100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

ad) Operating costs

Operating expenses disclosed by nature of expense amounted to $7,199 and $6,099 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The main components of the operating expenses are the following:

 

     Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
     2015      2014  
     Profit (loss)  

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     

Salaries

     (1,107      (829

Social security expenses

     (346      (260

Severance indemnities and termination benefits

     (63      (76

Other employee benefits

     (27      (18
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (1,543   (1,183
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

Fixed telephony interconnection costs

  (75   (65

Cost of international outbound calls

  (40   (54

Lease of circuits and use of public network

  (79   (66

Mobile services - charges for roaming

  (104   (133

Mobile services - charges for TLRD

  (202   (197
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (500   (515
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

     Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
     2015      2014  
     Profit (loss)  

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     

Maintenance of hardware and software

     (72      (103

Technical maintenance

     (189      (170

Service connection fees for fixed lines and Internet lines

     (42      (48

Service connection fees capitalized as SAC

     2         1   

Service connection fees capitalized as Intangible assets

     6         7   

Other maintenance costs

     (81      (67

Obsolescence of inventories – Personal Mobile Services

     (5      (32

Call center fees

     (304      (219

Other fees for services

     (196      (117

Compensation for Directors and Supervisory Committee members

     (8      (7
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (889   (755
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

Turnover tax

  (475   (407

Taxes with the Regulatory Authority

  (211   (170

Tax on deposits to and withdrawals from bank accounts

  (89   (80

Municipal taxes

  (60   (53

Other taxes

  (38   (45
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (873   (755
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commissions

Agent commissions

  (482   (377

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

  200      133   

Distribution of prepaid cards commissions

  (158   (142

Collection commissions

  (159   (131

Other commissions

  (24   (24
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (623   (541
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cost of equipments and handsets

Inventory balance at the beginning of the period/year

  (794   (857

Plus:

Purchases

  (670   (1,135

Deferred costs from SAC

  20      31   

Decreases from allowance for obsolescence

  3      22   

Mobile handsets lent to customers at no cost

  6      7   

Decreases not charged to material cost

  1      3   

Less:

Inventory balance at period end

  794      1,154   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (640   (775
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Advertising

Media advertising

  (110   (81

Fairs and exhibitions

  (49   (48

Other advertising costs

  (32   (35
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (191   (164
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cost of VAS

Cost of mobile VAS

  (287   (187

Cost of fixed VAS

  (6   (4
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (293   (191
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other operating costs

Transportation, freight and travel expenses

  (143   (124

Delivery costs capitalized as SAC

  14      10   

Rent of buildings and cell sites

  (122   (91

Energy, water and others

  (131   (93

International and satellite connectivity

  (35   (32
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (417   (330
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

D&A

Depreciation of PP&E

  (677   (538

Amortization of SAC and service connection charges

  (216   (195

Amortization of 3G/4G licenses

  (59   —     

Amortization of other intangible assets

  (5   (6
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (957   (739
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

Gain on disposal of PP&E

  6      4   

Impairment of PP&E

  (3   —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  3      4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

The operating expenses disclosed by function are as follows:

 

     Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
     2015      2014  
     Profit (loss)  

Operating costs

     (4,224      (3,744

Administration costs

     (388      (297

Commercialization costs

     (2,497      (2,025

Other expenses – provisions

     (93      (37

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

     3         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (7,199   (6,099
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

ae) Financial results

Finance income

Interest on time deposits

  —        157   

Gains on investments (Argentine companies notes and governments bonds)

  11      43   

Gains on Mutual Funds

  31      36   

Interest on receivables

  42      36   

Foreign currency exchange gains

  20      482   

Gain on NDF

  —        45   

Other

  1      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total finance income

  105      799   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Finance expenses

Interest on loans

  (44   (6

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

  (4   (9

Interest on provisions

  (53   (31

Present value effect of salaries and social security payable, other taxes payables and other liabilities

  (1   (1

Foreign currency exchange losses (*)

  (63   (762

Interest on pension benefits

  (7   —     

Losses on NDF (Note 10.d)

  (22   (22

Other

  —        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total finance expenses

  (194   (831
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (89   (32
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*) Includes (159) of foreign currency exchange losses generated by the acquisition of US$60 million of Government bonds in the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.

af) Income taxes

Income tax expense for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 consists of the following:

 

     Profit (loss)  
     The
Company
    Telecom
USA
    Personal     Núcleo     Total  

Current tax expense

     (150     (1     (522     (7     (680

Deferred tax benefit

     47        —          80        3        130   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of March 31, 2015

  (103   (1   (442   (4   (550
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current tax expense

  (151   (1   (456   (8   (616

Deferred tax benefit

  39      —        136      2      177   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of March 31, 2014

  (112   (1   (320   (6   (439
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     2,401        48        2,449   

Non taxable items – Income from investments

     (857     (1     (858

Non taxable items – Other

     (3     (19     (22
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

  1,541      28      1,569   

Weighted statutory income tax rate

  35      (*) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income tax expense at weighted statutory tax rate

  (539   (5   (544

Income tax on dividends from foreign companies

  (6   —        (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of March 31, 2015

  (545   (5   (550
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

     In Argentina     Abroad     Total  
     Profit (loss)  

Pre-tax income on a separate return basis

     1,994        62        2,056   

Non taxable items – Income from investments

     (711     —          (711

Non taxable items – Other

     6        (18     (12
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

  1,289      44      1,333   

Weighted statutory income tax rate

  35      (*) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income tax expense at weighted statutory tax rate

  (451   (7   (458

Income tax on dividends from foreign companies

  (8   —        (8

Other changes in tax assets and liabilities

  27      —        27   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of March 31, 2014

  (432   (7   (439
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

NOTE 3 – SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash, bank current accounts and short-term highly liquid investments (with a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition) and bank overdrafts (in the consolidated statements of financial position, bank overdrafts are included in current financial debt).

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2015      2014      2014      2013  

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,266         4,469         825         5,224   

Bank overdrafts (Note 2.m)

     (491      —           (141      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

  775      4,469      684      5,224   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Additional information on the breakdown of the net cash flow provided by operating activities is given below:

 

     Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
     2015      2014  

Collections

     

Collections from customers

     9,460         8,055   

Interests from customers

     42         38   

Interests from time deposits

     31         191   

CPP collections

     136         272   

NDF

     —           84   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

  9,669      8,640   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Payments

For the acquisition of goods and services and others

  (2,318   (2,128

For the acquisition of inventories

  (1,404   (1,189

Salaries and social security payables and severance payments

  (1,537   (1,122

NDF

  (111   (2

CPP payments

  (673   (459

Income taxes

  (352   (379

Other taxes and taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

  (2,028   (1,630

Foreign currency exchange differences related to the payments to suppliers

  (90   (524

Inventory suppliers

  (70   (237

PP&E suppliers

  (12   (216

Other suppliers

  (8   (71
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

  (8,513   (7,433
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash flow provided by operating activities

  1,156      1,207   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

    Changes in assets/liabilities components:

 

Net (increase) decrease in assets

Investments

  (8   (105

Trade receivables

  (380   (75

Other receivables

  4      (28

Inventories

  (9   (311
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (393   (519
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in liabilities

Trade payables

  (1,066   (29

Deferred revenues

  16      27   

Salaries and social security payables

  (60   (29

Other taxes payables

  39      (24

Other liabilities

  1      5   

Provisions

  (11   (20
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (1,081   (70
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Income tax paid consists of the following:

 

     Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
     2015     2014  

Tax returns and payments in advance

     (307     (337

Other payments

     (45     (42
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (352   (379
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Main non-cash operating transactions:

 

                             

SAC acquisitions offset with trade receivables

  58      64   

 

    Most significant investing activities:

PP&E acquisitions include:

 

                       

PP&E additions (Note 2.i)

  (753   (1,005

Plus:

Payments of trade payables originated in prior periods acquisitions

  (862   (1,185

Less:

Acquisition of PP&E through incurrence of trade payables

  520      733   

Mobile handsets lent to customers at no cost (i)

  6      7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (1,089   (1,450
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(i) Under certain circumstances, Personal and Núcleo lend handsets to customers at no cost pursuant to term agreements. Handsets remain the property of the companies and customers are generally obligated to return them at the end of the respective agreements.

Intangible assets acquisitions include:

 

Intangible assets additions (Note 2.j)

  (241   (182

Plus:

Payments of trade payables originated in prior periods acquisitions

  (112   (99

SAC acquisitions offset with trade receivables

  (58   (64

Less:

Acquisition of intangible assets through incurrence of trade payables

  147      132   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (264   (213
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

  1      (30

Argentine companies notes acquisition

  —        (16

Government bonds acquisition

  (60   (570

Argentine companies notes collection

  28      23   

Government bonds collection

  18      3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  (13   (590
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

    Financing activities components:

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

 

Debt proceeds – Personal (Note 10.a)

  353      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial debt proceeds

  353      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Payment of bank loans – Núcleo

  (9   (3
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total payment of financial debt

  (9   (3
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Bank overdrafts – Personal

  (31   —     

Payment of related costs on bank loans – Personal (Note 10.a)

  (12   —     

Payment of interest on bank loans – Núcleo

  (10   (10
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total payment of interest and related costs

  (53   (10
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash dividends from Telecom Argentina

During 1Q14 the Company paid $44 related to withholdings on dividends paid to its shareholders by the end of 2013 in order to comply with its tax obligations. The amounts paid finally corresponded to: (i) income tax withholdings on dividends paid to its shareholders during December 2013 in the amount of $17 and (ii) dividends paid to its shareholders in the amount of $27.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTE 4 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

As of March 31, 2014, the Telecom Group carried out its activities through five companies, each identified as an operating segment. In July 2014 it was constituted in Paraguay a new company (Personal Envíos, controlled by Núcleo) which was included in the “Núcleo Mobile Services” segment. Therefore, as from March 31, 2015, the Telecom Group carries out its activities through six companies which were consolidated by the end of the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 (Note 1.a).

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

Segment financial information for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2015

 

  ¨ Income statement

 

     Fixed     Mobile Services              
     Services     Personal     Núcleo     Subtotal     Eliminations     Total  

Total revenues and other income (1)

     2,883        6,136        407        6,543        (547     8,879   

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (1,143     (368     (32     (400     —          (1,543

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (163     (698     (38     (736     399        (500

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (378     (575     (36     (611     100        (889

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (183     (678     (12     (690     —          (873

Commissions

     (54     (536     (46     (582     13        (623

Cost of equipments and handsets

     (19     (593     (28     (621     —          (640

Advertising

     (16     (158     (17     (175     —          (191

Cost of VAS

     (6     (265     (22     (287     —          (293

Provisions

     (40     (53     —          (53     —          (93

Bad debt expenses

     (49     (129     (5     (134     —          (183

Other operating expenses

     (207     (221     (24     (245     35        (417
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income before D&A

  625      1,862      147      2,009      —        2,634   

Depreciation of PP&E

  (298   (301   (78   (379   —        (677

Amortization of intangible assets

  (42   (222   (16   (238   —        (280

Gain on disposal and impairment of PP&E

  8      (5   —        (5   —        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

  293      1,334      53      1,387      —        1,680   

Financial results, net

  5      (85   (9   (94   —        (89
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

  298      1,249      44      1,293      —        1,591   

Income tax expense, net

  (104   (442   (4   (446   —        (550
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

  194      807      40      847      —        1,041   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

  194      807      27      834      —        1,028   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

  —        —        13      13      —        13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  194      807      40      847      —        1,041   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
(1)

Service revenues

  2,360      5,216      383      5,599      —        7,959   

Equipment revenues

  10      881      22      903      —        913   

Other income

  4      3      —        3      —        7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal third party revenues

  2,374      6,100      405      6,505      —        8,879   

Intersegment revenues

  509      36      2      38      (547   —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

  2,883      6,136      407      6,543      (547   8,879   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

          ¨         Statement of financial position information

PP&E

  7,761      4,708      1,337      6,045      —        13,806   

Intangible assets, net

  389      4,840      64      4,904      (1   5,292   

Capital expenditures on PP&E (a)

  300      284      39      323      —        623   

Capital expenditures on intangible assets (b)

  36      185      20      205      —        241   

Total capital expenditures (a)+(b)

  336      469      59      528      —        864   

Total additions on PP&E and intangible assets

  404      522      68      590      —        994   

Net financial asset (debt)

  260      502      (241   261      —        521   

 

  ¨ 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

     8,444         8,368         18,384   

Abroad

     435         511         1,493   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  8,879      8,879      19,877   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2014

 

  ¨ Income statement

 

     Fixed     Mobile Services              
     Services     Personal     Núcleo     Subtotal     Eliminations     Total  

Total revenues and other income (1)

     2,336        5,171        361        5,532        (392     7,476   

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (854     (302     (27     (329     —          (1,183

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (162     (597     (46     (643     290        (515

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (322     (459     (31     (490     57        (755

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (165     (579     (11     (590     —          (755

Commissions

     (48     (473     (34     (507     14        (541

Cost of equipments and handsets

     (15     (740     (20     (760     —          (775

Advertising

     (37     (111     (16     (127     —          (164

Cost of VAS

     (4     (174     (13     (187     —          (191

Provisions

     (28     (9     —          (9     —          (37

Bad debt expenses

     (26     (89     (3     (92     —          (118

Other operating expenses

     (168     (174     (19     (193     31        (330
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income before D&A

  507      1,464      141      1,605      —        2,112   

Depreciation of PP&E

  (249   (222   (67   (289   —        (538

Amortization of intangible assets

  (33   (155   (13   (168   —        (201

Gain on disposal of PP&E

  3      1      —        1      —        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

  228      1,088      61      1,149      —        1,377   

Financial results, net

  93      (123   (2   (125   —        (32
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

  321      965      59      1,024      —        1,345   

Income tax expense, net

  (113   (320   (6   (326   —        (439
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

  208      645      53      698      —        906   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

  208      645      36      681      —        889   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

  —        —        17      17      —        17   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  208      645      53      698      —        906   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)    

Service revenues

  1,952      4,264      343      4,607      —        6,559   

Equipment revenues

  13      879      15      894      —        907   

Other income

  9      1      —        1      —        10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal third party revenues

  1,974      5,144      358      5,502      —        7,476   

Intersegment revenues

  362      27      3      30      (392   —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

  2,336      5,171      361      5,532      (392   7,476   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

          ¨         Statement of financial position information

PP&E

  6,749      3,852      1,323      5,175      —        11,924   

Intangible assets, net

  371      1,086      57      1,143      (1   1,513   

Capital expenditures on PP&E (a)

  368      469      43      512      —        880   

Capital expenditures on intangible assets (b)

  28      143      11      154      —        182   

Total capital expenditures (a)+(b)

  396      612      54      666      —        1,062   

Total additions on PP&E and intangible assets

  511      618      58      676      —        1,187   

Net financial asset (debt)

  1,571      3,745      (236   3,509      —        5,080   

 

  ¨ 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

     7,096         7,019         13,136   

Abroad

     380         457         1,419   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  7,476      7,476      14,555   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTE 5 – RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS

 

a) Controlling group

Nortel, residing in A. Moreau de Justo 50 - 11th floor –Ciudad Autónoma de 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, 2015, Nortel owns all of the Class “A” Preferred shares (51% of total shares of the Company) and 7.64% of the Class “B” Preferred shares (3.74% of total shares of the Company).

As a result of the Company’s Treasury Shares Acquisition Process described in Note 7.b) – Acquisition of Treasury Shares, as of March 31, 2015, Nortel’s equity interest in Telecom Argentina amounts to 55.60% of the outstanding shares. Pursuant to Section 221 of the LSC, the rights of treasury shares shall be suspended until such shares are sold, and shall not be taken into account to determine the quorum or the majority of votes at the Shareholders’ Meetings.

All of the common shares of Nortel belong to Sofora. As of March 31, 2015 these shares represent 78.38% of the capital stock of Nortel.

During 2011, Telecom Italia International N.V. acquired 8% of all Nortel Preferred Class “B” Shares and Telecom Argentina Class “B” shares, representing 1.58 % of Telecom Argentina’s capital stock, through Tierra Argentea S.A. (Tierra Argentea), its controlled company incorporated in Argentina.

On November 14, 2013, Telecom Italia S.p.A y Telecom Italia International N.V. (jointly, the “Sellers”) and Tierra Argentea (a company controlled by the Sellers) announced the acceptance of an offer by the Fintech Group to acquire the controlling stake held by the Telecom Italia Group in Telecom Argentina, owned by the Sellers, through its subsidiaries Sofora, Nortel and Tierra Argentea. Closing of the transfer of the Telecom Italia Group’s shares in Sofora was subject to the prior obtaining of certain regulatory authorizations therefore required.

On December 10, 2013, Tierra Argentea transferred to the Fintech Group Telecom Argentina’s Class B shares representing 1.58% of its capital stock and Nortel’s ADRs representing 8% of the total Nortel’s Preferred Class “B” Shares.

On October 25, 2014, Telecom Italia S.p.A. announced the acceptance of an offer by the Fintech Group to amend and restate the agreement announced on November 14, 2013. Within the frame of this amendment agreement: 1) on October 29, 2014 Telecom Italia International N.V. agreed the transfer of 17% of the capital stock of Sofora to the Fintech Group; 2) it was confirmed that the transfer of the 51% controlling interest in Sofora is subject to the prior regulatory approval of the SC and closing of the transaction will not occur until such approval is obtained. It is expected that the transfer of such controlling interest will take place within the next two and one-half years.

It was informed that the majority of the members of Sofora’s Board of Directors will continue to be appointed by the Telecom Italia Group until the regulatory authorizations in Argentina are obtained and the transfer of the 51% controlling interest in Sofora is completed. No material changes in Sofora and its subsidiaries’ corporate governance are expected.

It was also informed that: “if the sale of 51% of Sofora to Fintech is not completed within two and one-half years, Telecom Italia may then elect to either (i) terminate the agreement with Fintech and receive a six-month call option to purchase (or designate a Telecom Italia Group company to purchase) the 17% minority interest in Sofora previously sold to Fintech pursuant to an agreed formulation or (ii) pursue a sale of its 51% controlling interest in Sofora to a third party purchaser, subject to applicable regulatory approval and as to which Fintech has agreed to guarantee that Telecom Italia will receive an overall amount of at least US$ 630.6 million. After such third party sale is consummated, if the overall amount received in connection with such approved sale exceeds the purchase price amount guaranteed by Fintech, any excess will be allocated between the parties according to an agreed formula.

If it was not possible for Telecom Italia to sell to a third party within a period of two and one-half years, the agreement with Fintech will be terminated, Fintech will pay to Telecom Italia an amount of US$ 175 million and Telecom Italia will have an option to purchase (or designate a Telecom Italia Group company to purchase) within a period of sixth months the 17% minority interest in Sofora previously transferred to Fintech, pursuant to a formula agreed by the parties.”

As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, Sofora’s shares belong to Telecom Italia S.p.A. (32.5%), Telecom Italia International N.V. (18.5%); W de Argentina - Inversiones S.L. (32%) and Fintech Telecom LLC (17%). The economic rights of Telecom Italia Group in Telecom Argentina amounted to 14.5% as of March 31, 2015.

More information about the operation celebrated between the Telecom Italia Group and the Fintech Group is available in “Relevant Facts” section of the CNV at www.cnv.gob.ar, and in “Company filings search” section (Telecom Italia S.p.A and Telecom Argentina) of the SEC in www.sec.gov.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

b) Related parties

For the purposes of these financial statements, related parties are those individuals or legal entities which are related (in terms of IAS 24) to the Telecom Italia Group or W de Argentina - Inversiones SL, except Nortel and companies under sect. 33 of Law No. 19,550 (subsidiaries or affiliates).

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 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.

The Telecom Group has transactions in the normal course of business with certain related parties. For the periods presented, the Telecom Group has not conducted any transactions with executive officers and/or persons related to them.

 

c) Balances with related parties

 

CURRENT ASSETS   

Type of related party

   March 31,      December 31,  
          2015      2014  

Trade receivables

        

TIM Participacoes S.A. (a)

   Other related party      4         5   

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

   Other related party      4         3   

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

   Other related party      1         1   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

   Indirect parent company      —           1   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  9      10   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other receivables

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a) (c)

Other related party   48      52   

Caja de Seguros S.A. (d)

Other related party   48      46   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  96      98   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Other receivables

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a) (c)

Other related party   27      36   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  27      36   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Trade payables

Italtel Group (a)

Other related party   36      61   

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a)

Other related party   20      11   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

Indirect parent company   25      16   

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

Other related party   14      13   

Latin American Nautilus USA Inc. (a)

Other related party   2      2   

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

Other related party   1      —     

TIM Participacoes S.A. (a)

Other related party   2      —     

Caja de Seguros S.A. (d)

Other related party   66      57   

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

Other related party   8      8   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  174      168   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends payables

ABC Telecomunicaciones S.A. (Note 10.e)

Other related party   21      —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  21      —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Such companies relate to Telecom Italia Group.
(b) Such companies relate to W de Argentina - Inversiones S.L.
(c) 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.
(d) Until March 30, 2015 this company related both to Telecom Italia Group and W de Argentina - Inversiones S.L. Since March 31, 2015 it relates to Telecom Italia Group.
(e) Until March 30, 2015 this company related both to Telecom Italia Group and W de Argentina - Inversiones S.L. Since March 31, 2015 it relates to W de Argentina - Inversiones S.L.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

d) Transactions with related parties

 

     Transaction
description
   Type of related party    Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
               2015      2014  

Services rendered

             Profit (loss)  

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

   Voice – Wholesale    Other related party      5         7   

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

   Voice – Wholesale    Other related party      2         2   

TIM Participacoes S.A. (a)

   Voice – Wholesale    Other related party      2         2   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

   Voice – Wholesale    Indirect parent company      —           1   

Caja de Seguros S.A. (b)

   Voice – Retail    Other related party      59         31   

Caja de Seguros S.A. (b)

   Equipment    Other related party      55         64   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total services rendered

  123      107   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Transaction
description
   Type of related party    Three-month periods
ended March 31,
 
               2015      2014  

Services received

             Profit (loss)  

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a)

   International outbound calls and
data
   Other related party      (23      (27

Grupo Italtel (a)

   Maintenance, materials and
supplies
   Other related party      (3      (31

Telecom Italia Sparkle S.p.A. (a)

   International outbound calls and
other
   Other related party      (12      (13

TIM Participacoes S.A. (a)

   Roaming    Other related party      (6      (14

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

   Fees for services and roaming    Indirect parent company      (3      (1

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      (2

Caja de Seguros S.A. (b)

   Insurance    Other related party      (9      (6

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

   Salaries and social security    Other related party      (22      (14

La Estrella Seguros de Retiro S.A. (c)

   Insurance    Other related party      (2      (2
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total services received

  (84   (112
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Purchases of PP&E

                

Grupo Italtel (a)

      Other related party      6         46   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total purchases of PP&E

  6      46   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Such companies relate to Telecom Italia Group.
(b) Until March 30, 2015 this company related both to Telecom Italia Group and W de Argentina - Inversiones S.L. Since March 31, 2015 it relates to Telecom Italia Group.
(c) Until March 30, 2015 this company related both to Telecom Italia Group and W de Argentina - Inversiones S.L. Since March 31, 2015 it relates to W de Argentina - Inversiones S.L.

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

 

e) Key Managers

Compensation for the Key Managers, including social security contribution, amounted to $18 and $26 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 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,
 
     2015      2014  

Salaries (*)

     9         10   

Variable compensation (*)

     5         5   

Social security contributions

     4         4   

Termination benefits

     —           7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
  18      26   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, an amount of $6 and $8 remained unpaid, respectively.

As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Telecom Group has recorded a provision of $5 and $4, respectively, for the fees of its 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.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES OF THE TELECOM GROUP

 

a) Purchase commitments

The Telecom Group has entered into various purchase orders amounting in the aggregate to approximately $5,364 as of March 31, 2015 (of which $1,623 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, 2015, the Telecom Group has recorded provisions in an aggregate amount of $1,498 to cover potential losses under these claims ($84 for regulatory contingencies deducted from assets and $1,414 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, 2015, these restricted funds totaled $48 (included under “Other receivables” item line in the consolidated statement of financial position).

Provisions consist of the following:

 

    

Balances

as of

     Additions            Decreases    

Balances

as of

 
     December 31,
2014
     Capital
(i)
     Interest
(ii)
     Reclassifications     Classified
to liability
     Payments     March 31,
2015
 

Current

                  

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

     71         34         18         7        —           (2     128   

Provision for labor claims

     51         —           —           9        —           (8     52   

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

     77         —           —           3        —           (1     79   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current provisions

  199      34      18      19      —        (11   259   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

  228      10      7      (7   —        —        238   

Provision for labor claims

  288      24      16      (9   —        —        319   

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

  441      25      9      (3   —        —        472   

Asset retirement obligations

  123      —        3      —        —        —        126   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current provisions

  1,080      59      35      (19   —        —        1,155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provisions

  1,279      93      53      —        —        (11   1,414   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    

Balances

as of

     Additions (reversals)            Decreases    

Balances

as of

 
     December 31,
2013
     Capital
    Interest
(ii)
     Reclassifications     Classified
to liability
    Payments     March 31,
2014
 

Current

                

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

     133         —          —           (22     (47     (4     60   

Provision for labor claims

     44         —          —           13        —          (10     47   

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

     47         —          —           13        —          (6     54   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current provisions

  224      —        —        4      (47   (20   161   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

  139      15      9      22      —        —        185   

Provision for labor claims

  263      (7   10      (13   —        —        253   

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

  525      29      11      (13   —        —        552   

Asset retirement obligations

  106      1      1      —        —        —        108   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current provisions

  1,033      (iii) 38      31      (4   —        —        1,098   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provisions

  1,257      38      31      —        (47   (20   1,259   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(i) Included in Provisions.
(ii) Included in Finance costs, in the line Interest on provisions
(iii) 37 included in Provisions and 1 included in currency translation adjustments.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTE 7 – EQUITY

Equity includes:

 

     March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     15,446         14,418   

Equity attributable to non-controlling interest (ABC Telecomunicaciones S.A. – Note 1.a)

     343         351   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity (*)

  15,789      14,769   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

(a) Capital information

The total capital stock of Telecom Argentina amounted to $984,380,978, represented by an equal number of ordinary shares, of $1 argentine peso of nominal value and entitled to one vote per share. The capital stock is fully integrated and registered with the Public Registry of Commerce.

The Company’s shares are authorized by the CNV, the BCBA and 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, as described below.

Telecom Argentina’s breakdown of capital stock as of March 31, 2015 is as following:

 

     Registered, subscribed and authorized for public offering  
Shares    Outstanding shares      Treasury shares      Total capital stock  

Ordinary shares, $1 argentine peso of nominal value each

        

Class “A”

     502,034,299         —           502,034,299   

Class “B”

     466,858,524         15,221,373         482,079,897   

Class “C”

     266,782         —           266,782   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  969,159,605      15,221,373      984,380,978   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

(b) Acquisition of Treasury Shares

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

In connection with the above mentioned, on May 22, 2013, the Board of Directors approved a Company’s Treasury Shares Acquisition Program in the market in Argentine pesos (the “Treasury Shares Acquisition Program”) so as to avoid any possible damages to the Company and its shareholders derived from fluctuations and unbalances between the shares’ price and the Company’s solvency, for the following maximum amount and deadline:

 

    Maximum amount to be invested: $1,200.

 

    Deadline for the acquisitions: until April 30, 2014.

According to the offer made on November 7, 2013 by the Fintech Group for the acquisition of the controlling interest of the Telecom Italia Group in Telecom Argentina (see Note 5.a to these consolidated financial statements), Telecom Argentina suspended the acquisition of treasury shares and its Board of Directors considered appropriate to request the opinion of the CNV on the applicability of the new provisions contained in the rules issued by that entity (Title II, Chapter I, Art.13 and concurring) with respect to the continuation of the Treasury Shares Acquisition Program.

The CNV did not answer the Company’s request and the Telecom Argentina’s Board of Directors, at its meeting held on May 8, 2014, decided to conclude the request considering that the Treasury Shares Acquisition Program finished on April 30, 2014, which had been approved by Telecom Argentina’s Board of Directors Meeting held on May 22, 2013.

Telecom Argentina’s Board of Directors, at its meeting held on June 27, 2014, decided to request a new opinion from the CNV to confirm whether Telecom Argentina is obliged to refrain from acquiring treasury shares in the market under Section 13, Chapter I, Title II of the CNV rules (NT 2013).

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, the Company owns 15,221,373 treasury shares, representing 1.55% of its total capital. The acquisition cost of these shares in the market amounted to $461.

NOTE 8 – RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS

The Company is subject to certain restrictions on the distribution of profits. Under the LSC, the by-laws of the Company and rules and regulations of the CNV, a minimum of 5% of net income for the year in accordance with the statutory books, plus/less previous years adjustments and accumulated losses, if any, must be appropriated by resolution of the shareholders to a legal reserve until such reserve reaches 20% of the outstanding capital (common stock plus inflation adjustment of common stock). On May 21, 2014, Telecom Argentina reached the maximum amount of its Legal Reserve according to LSC and CNV provisions previously disclosed.

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 2014:

                

March 31,

     7,466         2,112         1,377         (32     906         889   

June 30,

     8,119         2,007         1,241         186        930         916   

September 30,

     8,598         2,067         1,225         76        848         839   

December 31,

     9,158         2,516         1,600         23        1,045         1,029   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  33,341      8,702      5,443      253      3,729      3,673   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fiscal year 2015:

March 31,

  8,872      2,634      1,680      (89   1,041      1,028   
  8,872      2,634      1,680      (89   1,041      1,028   

NOTE 10 – RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CORRESPONDING TO THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2015 FOR THE TELECOM GROUP

 

(a) Personal’s bank loan

On January 28, 2015, Personal entered into a loan with a foreign bank for a total amount of US$ 40.8 million (equivalent to $353 at that date). This new loan is a 27-months bullet loan with three-month interest payment at a weighted average rate of three-month LIBO plus 8.25% (a financial cost of 9.0031% in 1Q15). As of March 31, 2015, the outstanding balance amounts to $350 (a principal of $344 included in Non-current financial debt and accrued interests amounting to $6 included in Current financial debt).

The terms and conditions of the loan include covenants and events of default that are usual for this type of transaction, among those the limitation that Personal will not incur new indebtedness other than the permitted indebtedness if, as a result of the incurrence thereof, its consolidated total leverage ratio (consolidated debt to consolidated operating profit/loss before depreciation and amortization, including gain/loss on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E, as defined in the terms and conditions of the loan) is greater than 3.0 to 1.0 or its consolidated interest coverage ratio (consolidated operating profit/loss before depreciation and amortization, including gain/loss on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E and impairment of PP&E, as defined in the terms and conditions of the loan, to consolidated net interest) is lower than 3.0 to 1.0.

The funds are to be used for the acquisition of the remaining 3G and 4G licenses and the acquisition of PP&E and inventories. As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, US$35 million has been used for the payment of the acquisition of PP&E and inventories.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

(b) Profit sharing bonds

On March 16, 2015, the Attorney General’s Office issued an opinion in the “Ramollino Silvana v. Telecom Argentina S.A.,” case as a result of a complaint introduced by certain co-plaintiffs who were not part of the Share Ownership Plan (“the PPP”). The Labor Chamber of Appeals had rejected this action as it considered that such employees joined Telecom Argentina following the transfer of staff to the privatized entity and the only beneficiaries who could collect bonds were employees who participated in the PPP during the privatization.

The Attorney General’s Office ruled that the co-plaintiffs are not included among the persons who have the right to participate in profit sharing programs created under Law No. 23,696, as such law only covers those individuals who were employed by the company to be privatized at the time they joined the program. He noted that “the legislative design of these programs does not constitute harm to the plaintiffs and cannot be considered discriminatory. The difference in treatment between those who joined the ex-Entel and employees of the entity once it was privatized seems a reasonable regulation of different situations.” As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, the Supreme Court has not issued a decision in this case.

These judicial precedents confirm the exclusion of employees not included in the PPP as individuals authorized to collect the profit sharing bond thus endorsing the criteria used by the Company and its legal advisors to estimate the provisions recorded for these claims.

 

(c) Legal Procedures relating to the Definition of the Scope of Fixed and Mobile Telephone Services under Broadcasting Law No. 22,285, repealed by Law No. 26,522 of Audiovisual Communication Services

Within the context of a claim filed by Supercanal S.A., on June 16, 2014 Telecom Argentina had filed before the Courts a request to terminate the injunction, arguing among other reasons that new Law No. 26,522 of Audiovisual Communication Services repealed the former law, under which the injunction had been ordered. Alternatively, Telecom Argentina had also requested that the injunction be adjusted between the limits of the new law, thus removing from it the VAS, Internet and/or video on demand services. In December 2014, Supercanal alleged that Telecom Argentina’s request is based on unconstitutional grounds.

In March 2015, Telecom Argentina reported in the case the enactment of Law No. 27,078 “Ley Argentina Digital” and requested that it be considered at the time of the Judge’s ruling. As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, the allegations of both parties are pending before the Courts.

 

(d) Financial transactions to mitigate foreign exchange risk

Due to the existence of commitments denominated in US Dollars as of March 31, 2015 Personal entered into several NDF agreements during 1Q15 to purchase a total amount of US$45 million which will mature between February 2016 and March 2016. The purpose of these NDF is to eliminate the risks associated to the fluctuation of the future exchange rate and to align the payment currency of Personal’s commitments (item covered) to its functional currency. As the effect of the fluctuation of the exchange rate over the hedged items is recognized in the Income Statement, changes in the fair value of NDF (net gain of approximately $0.3 million) have also been recognized in the Income Statement, within Finance income and expenses - NDF. The Telecom Group recognizes the hedging instruments results, distinguishing between gains and losses of such agreements that generate assets and liabilities, as appropriate, without offsetting balances with different counterparties.

During 2015, Personal realized the remaining NDF entered during 2014 for US$149 million, recording a net loss of $22 which was recognized in the Income Statement, within Finance income and expenses – NDF. The purpose of these NDF was also to eliminate the risks associated to the fluctuation of the future exchange rate and to align the payment currency of Personal’s commercial commitments (item covered) to its functional currency.

As part of their financial risk management and reduction of exchange rate risk policies, during 1Q15 Telecom Argentina and Personal acquired Government bonds denominated in U.S. dollars (Bonar X 2017), at a cost of $60, with an annual interest rate of 7%, also in U.S. dollars. These bonds were valued at fair value and generated a loss of $0.4 million which was recognized in “Finance expenses - Other”.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

(e) Núcleo’s Dividends Distribution

The Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 26, 2015, approved the distribution of cash dividends for an amount equivalent to $64, with the following schedule of payments:

 

Dividend payment month

   Dividends
attributable to
Personal
     Dividends attributable
to non-controlling
interest
     Total dividends paid  

May 2015

     43         21         64   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total (*)

  43      (**) 21      64   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*) Corresponds to 35,000 million of Guaraníes approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo, translated to argentine pesos at the exchange rate of the date of its approval.
(**) Recorded as Dividends payables as of March 31, 2015 in the consolidated statements of financial position and included as balances with related parties (Note 5.c).

The Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting also delegate in Nucleo’s Board of Directors the possibility and opportunity of distribution of a second cash dividends for an amount of up to 35,000 million of Guaraníes (equivalent to approximately $64), subject to additional investments required by the eventual spectrum auction in the 1700 MHz Band to provide 4G services in the Republic of Paraguay, which is estimated that the CONATEL will launch in the rest of the FY15.

NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS TO MARCH 31, 2015

 

a) Resolutions of the Ordinary Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of the Company

The Company’s shareholders, at their meeting held on April 29, 2015, resolved, among other items:

(a) the approval of Telecom Argentina’s Annual Report and financial statements as of December 31, 2014;

(b) a cash dividends payment amounting to $804.4 (equivalent to $0.83 peso per outstanding share) on May 11, 2015;

(c) the constitution of a “Reserve for future cash dividends” amounting to $2,868.1; and

(d) to delegate to the Board of Directors the authority to the allocation and distribution of such reserve according to business performance, in one or more installments, of an amount up to $649.3 to be distributed to the Shareholders as cash dividends during FY15.

 

b) Resolutions of the Unanimous Ordinary and Extraordinary Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Personal

Personal’s shareholders, at their meeting held on April 15, 2015, approved, among other items, the Annual Report and financial statements as of December 31, 2014, to increase in an amount of $248 the Legal Reserve until it reaches the 20% of the outstanding capital (common stock plus inflation adjustment of common stock) and the allocation of $2,683 to the “Reserve for future cash dividends” (equivalent to the remaining Retained Earnings at December 31, 2014), delegating the authority in Personal’s Board of Directors to determine the time, terms and conditions of the allocation and distribution of such reserve.

 

c) Partial repayment of capital stock of Micro Sistemas

At December 31, 2014, Micro Sistemas was included in the provisions of section 206 of the Argentine Corporation Law, which requires a mandatory reduction of capital stock to offset accumulated losses. Accordingly, a capital repayment amounting to $0.4 million was approved to enable Micro Sistemas to partially absorb the accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2014 and comply with the requirements of section 206. This capital repayment was effective on April 24, 2015, in cash.

 

d) Constitution and startup of activities of the “Autoridad Federal de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones” (the “AFTIC”)

On April 29, 2015, Decree No. 677/2015 (“Decree No. 677/15”) provided that the AFTIC –which was created by section 77 of Law No. 27,078 (“Ley Argentina Digital” or “LAD”) - will begin its duties within 30 days from the date of publication. The AFTIC was created as a decentralized and autonomous agency in the scope of the National Executive Power.

As provided in the LAD, the AFTIC will be responsible for the regulation, control, supervision and verification concerning the ICT in general, of the telecommunications in particular, of the postal service and all those matters in its scope in accordance to the LAD and the applicable regulations and the policies set by the National Government. Decree No. 677/15 also regulates the procedure for the selection of AFTIC members and authorizes the SC to perform all necessary acts for the establishment and operation of the new body in the aforementioned period.

 

  

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Moreover, Decree No. 677/15 establishes the framework for the SC and the CNC, having a transitional regime. According to it, and until the AFTIC is constituted and starts its functions, the regulations in force at the time of the enactment of the LAD will be applied so far as they were compatible with the law, temporarily maintaining the SC and the CNC their roles as Regulatory Body and Control Body, respectively.

Once established, the AFTIC may issue the new telecommunications regulatory framework. This will be because the LAD, among other things, provided for the repeal of Decree No. 764/00 (deregulation of telecommunications services) which remains in full force in all that is not opposed to the LAD for the time required to draw up the new regulation, as foreseen by section 92 of the LAD.

 

e) Amendment of the Company’s corporate purpose

The Company’s Board of Directors, at its meeting held on April 29, 2015, decided to convene an Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting to be held on June 22, 2015 in order to, among other items, change Telecom Argentina‘s corporate purpose, by adapting it to the LAD and including the possibility to provide Audiovisual Communication Services. The approval of the new corporate purpose by the Meeting will be conditional and subject to obtaining prior approval by the Regulatory Authority of the LAD.

 

Adrián Calaza Oscar Cristianci

Chief Financial Officer

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

  

 

 

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Table of Contents

“Free translation from the original in Spanish for publication in Argentina”

LIMITED REVIEW REPORT ON CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

To the Shareholders, President and Directors of

Telecom Argentina S.A.

Legal address: Alicia Moreau de Justo 50

City of Buenos Aires

Tax Code No.: 30-63945373-8

Introduction

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed interim consolidated financial statements of Telecom Argentina S.A. and its subsidiaries (“Telecom” or the “Company”), which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as of March 31, 2015, the consolidated statements of income and of comprehensive income for the three-month period ended March 31,2015, the consolidated statements of changes in equity and of cash flows for the three- month period ended March 31, 2015 and selected explanatory notes.

The balances and other information for the fiscal year 2014 and interim periods are an integral part of the above-mentioned financial statements and therefore they should be considered in relation with those financial statements.

Management Responsibility

The Board of Directors of the Company is responsible for the preparation and presentation of the financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as approved by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), which have been adopted by the Argentine Federation of Professional Councils in Economic Sciences (FACPCE) as professional accounting standards and incorporated by the National Securities Commission (CNV) to its regulations and is therefore responsible for the preparation and presentation of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements mentioned in the first paragraph, in accordance with International Accounting Standard No. 34 “Interim Financial Information” (IAS 34).

Scope of our review

Our review was limited to the application of the procedures established under International Standards on Review Engagements ISRE 2410 “Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity” approved by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and adopted as a review standard in Argentina by Technical Pronouncement No. 33 of the FACPCE. A review of interim financial information consists of inquiries of Company personnel responsible for preparing the information included in the condensed interim consolidated financial statements and of analytical and other review procedures. This review is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with International Auditing Standards; consequently, a review does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would became aware of all significant matters that could be identified in an audit. Therefore, we do not express an opinion on the consolidated financial position, the consolidated comprehensive income and the consolidated cash flow of the Company.

Conclusion

On the basis of our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed interim consolidated financial statements mentioned in the first paragraph of this report are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard No. 34.


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Report on compliance with current regulations

In compliance with provisions currently in force, we inform, as regards Telecom, that:

 

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

 

b) The separate condensed interim financial statements are derived from accounting records kept in their formal respects in conformity with legal provisions;

 

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) As of March 31, 2015, the debt of Telecom accrued in favor of the Argentine Integrated Social Security System, as shown by the Company’s accounting records, amounted to $94,497,387.05 and was not due at that date.

City of Buenos Aires, May 4, 2015

 

PRICE WATERHOUSE & CO. S.R.L.
                    Carlos A. Pace (Partner)
C.P.C.E.C.A.B.A. Tº 1 Fº 17

Dr. Carlos A. Pace

Public Accountant (UBA)

C.P.C.E.C.A.B.A. T° 150 F° 106


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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)  

1Q14

     38.40         28.00         4.7   

2Q14

     49.00         34.50         5.4   

3Q14

     62.10         42.00         5.6   

4Q14

     62.30         43.70         4.0   

1Q15

     63.00         45.15         3.1   

NYSE*

 

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

Quarter

   High      Low      traded (in millions)  

1Q14

     19.07         14.78         12.2   

2Q14

     23.86         17.77         12.4   

3Q14

     25.09         18.65         11.6   

4Q14

     23.18         19.13         7.9   

1Q15

     26.04         18.85         8.8   

 

* 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.

4 New York Plaza, Floor 12

New York, NY 10004

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

4 New York Plaza, Floor 12

New York, NY 10004

(866) JPM-ADRS

adr@jpmorgan.comwww.adr.com


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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: June 17, 2015 By:

/s/ Oscar Carlos Cristianci

Name: Oscar Carlos Cristianci
Title: Chairman of the Board of Directors