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 November 2013

Commission File Number: 001-13464

 

 

Telecom Argentina S.A.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

Alicia Moreau de Justo, No. 50, 1107

Buenos Aires, Argentina

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

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

Form 20-F  x            Form 40-F  ¨

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

Yes  ¨            No   x

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

Yes  ¨            No   x

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

Yes  ¨            No   x

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

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Telecom Argentina S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

    

1.

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


Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2013


Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

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

INDEX

 

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

     I   

Unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

  

Unaudited consolidated statements of financial position

     1   

Unaudited consolidated income statements

     2   

Unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income

     3   

Unaudited consolidated statements of changes in equity

     4   

Unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows

     5   

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

     6   

Limited review report on the condensed interim consolidated financial statements

  

Corporate information

  


Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

(In millions of Argentine pesos or as expressly indicated)

 

1. General considerations

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

 

2. Telecom Group’s activities for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 (“9M13”) and 2012 (“9M12”)

Total revenues and other income for 9M13 amounted to $19,853 (+23.8% vs. 9M12), operating costs – including depreciations, amortizations and gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E – amounted to $16,590 (+25.3% vs. 9M12), operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $5,554 – representing 28.0% of consolidated revenues – (+17.5% vs. 9M12), operating income amounted to $3,263 (+16.4% vs. 9M12) and net income amounted to $2,361 (+22.8% vs. 9M12). Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $2,324 in 9M13 (+22.9% vs. 9M12).

 

           Variation  
     9M13     9M12     $     %  

Revenues

     19,827        16,025        3,802        23.7   

Other income

     26        16        10        62.5   

Operating costs without depreciation and amortization

     (14,299     (11,315     (2,984     26.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization

     5,554        4,726        828        17.5   

Depreciation and amortization

     (2,130     (1,927     (203     10.5   

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

     (161     4        (165     n/a   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     3,263        2,803        460        16.4   

Financial results, net

     377        159        218        137.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

     3,640        2,962        678        22.9   

Income tax expense

     (1,279     (1,039     (240     23.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     2,361        1,923        438        22.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

        

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     2,324        1,891        433        22.9   

Non-controlling interest

     37        32        5        15.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,361        1,923        438        22.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     2.37        1.92       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

    Total revenues and other income

During 9M13 consolidated total revenues increased 23.7% (+$3,802 vs. 9M12) amounting to $19,827 mainly fueled by mobile businesses, the Broadband and data transmission, while consolidated other income increased 62.5% (+$10 vs. 9M12), mainly due indemnities from suppliers in the Núcleo mobile services segment.

 

            Variation  
     9M13      9M12      $     %  

Services

          

Voice - Retail

     1,969         1,838         131        7.1   

Voice - Wholesale

     583         548         35        6.4   

Internet

     1,827         1,442         385        26.7   

Data

     686         528         158        29.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal fixed services

     5,065         4,356         709        16.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Voice - Retail

     3,548         3,249         299        9.2   

Voice - Wholesale

     1,419         1,306         113        8.7   

Internet

     1,405         890         515        57.9   

Data

     5,390         4,128         1,262        30.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal Personal mobile services

     11,762         9,573         2,189        22.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Voice - Retail

     273         242         31        12.8   

Voice - Wholesale

     87         61         26        42.6   

Internet

     193         108         85        78.7   

Data

     234         194         40        20.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal Núcleo mobile services

     787         605         182        30.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total services revenues

     17,614         14,534         3,080        21.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equipment

          

Fixed services

     49         61         (12     (19.7

Personal mobile services

     2,109         1,408         701        49.8   

Núcleo mobile services

     55         22         33        150.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equipment revenues

     2,213         1,491         722        48.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     19,827         16,025         3,802        23.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Services revenues amounted to $17,614 (+21.2% vs. 9M12) and represented 88.8% of consolidated revenues (vs. 90.7% in 9M12). Equipment revenues increased 48.4%, amounting to $2,213 and represented 11.2% of consolidated revenues (vs. 9.3% in 9M12).

Fixed services

During 9M13, services revenues generated by this segment amounted to $5,065, +$709 or 16.3% vs. 9M12, where Internet revenues have grown the most (+$385 or 26.7% vs. 9M12), followed by data transmission services (+$158 or 29.9% vs. 9M12) and voice retail services (+$131 or 7.1% vs. 9M12).

 

  Voice

Voice retail revenues amounted to $1,969 in 9M13 (+7.1% vs. 9M12). The results of this line of business are still affected by frozen tariffs of regulated services. Revenues from regulated services reached approximately 33% of the segment revenues in 9M13 (vs. 38% in 9M12).

Monthly Charges and Supplementary Services increased $65 or 8.5% vs. 9M12, to $833, 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 $1,029, (+$61 or 6.3% vs. 9M12), mainly due to the increase in the commercialization of domestic plans and domestic long distance services. In relative terms, revenues from local measured service and domestic long distance measured service increased the most with 6.5% and 7.8%, respectively, vs. 9M12.

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 $53) amounted to $583 in 9M13 (+6.4% vs. 9M12). Interconnection fixed and mobile revenues amounted to $407. The other wholesale revenues amounted to $176 in 9M13 (+$13 or 8.0% vs. 9M12).

 

  Internet

Internet revenues amounted to $1,827 (+$385 or 26.7% vs. 9M12) mainly due to the expansion of the Broadband service (+3.5% of customers vs. 9M12) and an increase in average prices resulting in an improvement in the Average Monthly Revenue per User (“ARPU”), that amounted to $121.4 pesos per month in 9M13 vs. $99.2 pesos per month in 9M12. As of September 30, 2013, Telecom Argentina reached approximately 1,669,000 ADSL customers. These connections represent approximately 40.5% of Telecom Argentina’s fixed lines in service (vs. 38.9% in 9M12).

Internet revenues represent 9.2% of consolidated revenues (similar to 9M12) and 36.1% of Fixed Services segment revenues (vs. 33.1% in 9M12).

 

  Data

Data transmission revenues amounted to $686 (+$158 vs. 9M12), where the focus was to strengthen Telecom Argentina’s position as an integrated TICs provider (Datacenter, VPN, among others) for wholesale and government segments. The increase was mainly due to the growth of Integra and VPN IP services (private data networks services that replace the point to point services) in the retail segment, to the growth of IP traffic in the wholesale segment and to the growth of Datacenter services’ monthly charges and transmission services, especially of Housing services and value added services transmission.

Personal Mobile Services

During 9M13, total services revenues amounted to $11,762, +$2,189 or 22.9% vs. 9M12, being the principal business segment in revenues terms (59.3% and 59.7% of consolidated revenues in 9M13 and 9M12, respectively). Personal reached 19.9 million subscribers in Argentina (+5.0% vs. 9M12) maintaining the leadership in revenues in the mobile industry. Approximately 68% of the subscriber base is prepaid subscribers and 32% is postpaid subscribers (including “Cuentas Claras” plans and Mobile Internet dongles).

 

  Voice

Voice retail revenues amounted to $3,548 in 9M13 (+9.2% vs. 9M12). The increase was mainly due to the increase in the lines billed, the increase in the monthly charges prices and to an increase in the subscriber base, specially “Cuentas Claras” subscribers.

Voice wholesale revenues amounted to $1,419 in 9M13 (+8.7% vs. 9M12). The increase was mainly due to higher TLRD traffic, to an increase in roaming sales in the national segment and to the increase of mobile leases, mainly due to new agreements and to the renegotiation of the existing ones.

 

 

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

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  Internet

Mobile Internet revenues amounted to $1,405 (+$515 or 57.9% vs. 9M12). This increase is mainly explained by the increase in consumption of Personal’s subscribers, which was mainly fueled by the increase in the offer of services, plans and packs (including VAS) launched by Personal. This growth was fueled by new subscribers and the migration of existing ones to higher-value plans, partially offset by the revenues decrease generated by the decrease of Mobile Internet dongles subscribers.

 

  Data

Mobile data services revenues amounted to $5,390 (+$1,262 or 30.6% vs. 9M12). This increase was mainly due to the constant SMS sales increase as a result of several campaigns launched by Personal and especially the growth of the offers of SMS with contents, which represented an inter-annual increase of $1,005. This increase was reflected both in prepaid and postpaid subscribers and is mainly due to the increase in average prices and, to a lesser extent, to the increase in the subscriber base.

As a consequence of the increase in the use of VAS (Internet and data), ARPU increased to $66.1 pesos per month in 9M13 (vs. $55.8 pesos per month in 9M12).

VAS revenues (data and Internet) amounted to $6,795 (+35.4% vs. 9M12) and represented 57.8% of the services revenues of Personal Mobile Services segment (vs. 52.4% in 9M12).

Núcleo Mobile Services

This segment generated services revenues equivalent to $787 during 9M13 (+$182 or 30.1% vs. 9M12) mainly due to the increase in the subscriber base (+6.0%), to the appreciation of the Guaraní respect to the argentine peso (+18% inter-annual) generating a positive effect in revenues conversion and the increase of Mobile Internet revenues (+78.7% vs. 9M12) related to the increase of subscribers traffic that have mobile equipment prepared for that purpose. As of September 30, 2013, Núcleo’s subscriber base reached 2.4 million customers. Prepaid and postpaid subscribers (including “Plan Control” subscribers and mobile Internet subscribers) represented 80% and 20% in 9M13, respectively.

VAS revenues (data and Internet) amounted to $427 (+41.4% vs. 9M12) and represented 54.3% of Núcleo Mobile Services segment services revenues (vs. 49.9% in 9M12).

Equipment

Revenues from equipment amounted to $2,213, +$722 or 48.4% vs. 9M12. This increase is mainly related to the Personal Mobile Services segment with an increase of $701 vs. 9M12. The increase was mainly due to an increase in the handset’s average prices (+73.1% vs. 9M12), partially offset by lower handsets sold (-14.3% vs. 9M12). This situation was mainly generated by a subsidy reduction policy, the increase in average prices related to higher-value handsets demand, the business strategy to attract high-value subscribers, a decrease in discounts as a result of the finalization of commercial promotions and lower retail revenues. In the Núcleo Mobile Services segment the increase was mainly due to a higher number of handsets sold as a result of higher-value handsets and the launch of targeted promotions to capture new subscribers and retaining existing ones, associated to the effect of the appreciation of the Guaraní respect to the argentine peso.

 

    Operating costs

Consolidated operating costs – including depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E – amounted to $16,590 in 9M13, which represented an increase of $3,352 or +25.3% vs. 9M12. The increase in costs is mainly a consequence of a higher revenues, higher expenses related to competition in mobile and Internet businesses, higher direct and indirect labor costs on the cost structure of the Group in Argentina, the increase in taxes, especially by the increase in the average rates of the turnover tax, the increase in provisions related to regulatory matters, the increase in provisions related to claims and other regulatory contingencies, the increase of VAS costs and the effect of the appreciation of the Guaraní (+18% inter-annual) respect to the argentine peso, affecting the operations in Paraguay.

 

 

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

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

           Variation  
     9M13     9M12     $     %  

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (2,996     (2,368     (628     26.5   

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (1,386     (1,214     (172     14.2   

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (1,877     (1,563     (314     20.1   

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (1,954     (1,454     (500     34.4   

Commissions

     (1,974     (1,640     (334     20.4   

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

     367        218        149        68.3   

Cost of equipment and handsets

     (2,392     (1,895     (497     26.2   

Cost of equipment and handsets capitalized as SAC

     223        374        (151     (40.4

Advertising

     (452     (475     23        (4.8

Cost of VAS

     (503     (211     (292     138.4   

Provisions

     (225     (112     (113     101.9   

Bad debt expenses

     (221     (218     (3     1.4   

Recovery of restructuring costs

     8        —          8        n/a   

Other operating expenses

     (917     (757     (160     21.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     (14,299     (11,315     (2,984     26.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation of PP&E

     (1,447     (1,325     (122     9.2   

Amortization of SAC and service connection costs

     (665     (586     (79     13.5   

Amortization of other intangible assets

     (18     (16     (2     12.5   

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

     (161     4        (165     n/a   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating costs

     (16,590     (13,238     (3,352     25.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The costs breakdown is as follows:

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments amounted to $2,996 (+$628 or 26.5% vs. 9M12). 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 16,660 by the end of 9M13, slightly lower than 9M12 between employees and eventual employees, lines in service per employee reached 373 in the Fixed Services segment (slightly higher than 9M12), subscribers per employee reached 3,839 in the Personal Mobile Services segment (+4.3% vs. 9M12) and subscribers per employee reached 5,547 (+6.4% vs. 9M12) in the Núcleo Mobile Services segment.

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges (including charges for TLRD, Roaming, Interconnection costs, cost of international outbound calls and lease of circuits) amounted to $1,386 (+$172 or 14.2% vs. 9M12) mainly due to higher traffic volume in the domestic market.

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies amounted to $1,877 +$314 or 20.1% vs. 9M12. The increase was mainly due to higher maintenance costs of radio bases, systems and buildings in the mobile services segments as a result of an increase in technical assistance cost of radio bases, higher system licenses maintenance costs and higher costs of building maintenance. There were also increases in other maintenance costs and fees for services, mainly due to higher costs recognized to suppliers in all segments.

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority (including turnover tax, IDC, municipal and other taxes) amounted to $1,954 (+34.4% vs. 9M12), influenced mainly by the increase in revenues of fixed and mobile services, higher equipment sales and higher average rates of the turnover tax in Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Chaco, Jujuy and Mendoza.

Commissions

                Commissions (including Agent, distribution of prepaid cards and other commissions) amounted to $1,974 (+$334 or 20.4% vs. 9M12), mainly due to the increase in commercial agents’ commissions (associated to higher revenues) as a result of higher customer’s acquisition and retention, higher cards sales and prepaid recharges and the increase in collections.

In the other hand, agent commissions capitalized as SAC amounted to $367, +$149 or 68.3% vs. 9M12 and is directly related to the increase in the postpaid subscribers’ base in the Personal Mobile Services segment and the increase in the commissions prices.

Cost of equipment and handsets

Cost of equipments and handsets amounted to $2,392 (+$497 or 26.2% vs. 9M12) mainly due to an increase in the average unit cost of sales related to higher-value handsets (+44.8% vs. 9M12) and to a decrease in the handsets sold (-14.3% vs. 9M12) in the Personal Mobile Services segment.

 

 

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On the other hand, SAC deferred costs from handsets sold to postpaid and “Cuentas Claras” subscribers amounted to $223, -$151 or -40.4% vs. 9M12. The lower capitalized amount was mainly due to the significant reduction of subsidies provided to customers in the Personal Mobile Services segment (7% in 9M13 vs. 24% in 9M12).

Advertising

Advertising amounted to $452 (-$23 or -4.8% vs. 9M12), mainly due to a reduction in the commercial campaigns of Personal and Arnet as compared to 9M12.

Cost of VAS

Cost of VAS amounted to $503 (+$292 vs. 9M12), mainly due to the increase of VAS sales in the Personal Mobile Services segment (mainly the SMS service) as a consequence of several campaigns launched by Personal and especially a higher offer oriented to the consumption of SMS with contents.

Provisions

Provisions amounted to $225, +$113 or 100.9% vs. 9M12. The increase was mainly due to higher regulatory and municipal claims ($82 vs. 9M12) and higher civil and commercial claims ($41 vs. 9M12), partially offset by lower labor claims (-$10 vs. 9M12).

Bad debt expenses

Bad debt expenses amounted to $221 (+$3 vs. 9M12), representing approximately 1.1% and 1.4% of consolidated revenues in 9M13 and 9M12, respectively. The increase was mainly observed in Núcleo Mobile Services segment as a consequence of higher aging of the accounts receivables.

Recovery of restructuring costs

Recovery of restructuring costs amounted to $8 in 9M13 and is related to the finalization of the Restructuring Plan initiated by the Telecom Group in the last quarter of 2012.

Other operating costs

Other operating costs amounted to $917 (+$160 or 21.1% vs. 9M12). The increase was mainly due to higher prices on related services, especially in transportation, freight and travel expenses, among others, in the operations in Argentina; and the increase of rent prices, as a result of new agreements and the renegotiation of some of the existing ones.

 

    Operating income before depreciation and amortization

Operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $5,554 in 9M13 (+$828 or 17.5% vs. 9M12), representing 28.0% of consolidated revenues in 9M13 (vs. 29.5% in 9M12). This growth was mainly fueled by the Personal Mobile Services segment (+$723 or +22.2% vs. 9M12).

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization amounted to $2,130 (+$203 or 10.5% vs. 9M12). The increase in PP&E depreciation amounted to $122, the increase in amortization of SAC and service connection costs amounted to $79 and the increase in amortization of other intangible assets of amounted to $2. The increase in depreciation and amortization corresponds 29% to the Fixed Services segment and 71% to the mobile services segments.

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

                Gain on disposal of PP&E amounted to $11, +$7 vs. 9M12, and is mainly related to the Fixed Services segment. Impairment of PP&E amounted to $172 in 9M13 and is mainly related to the discontinuation of a commercial system of Personal (amounting to $50) and to the impairment of certain PP&E items related to some projects undertaken by Telecom Argentina with the public sector and the private sector that present uncertainty regarding their development and future associated cash flows (amounting to $122).

 

    Operating income

Operating income amounted to $3,263 in 9M13 (+$460 or +16.4% vs. 9M12). The margin over consolidated revenues represented 16.5% in 9M13 (vs. 17.5% in 9M12). Personal Mobile Services segment shows the higher increase (+$571 vs. 9M12).

 

 

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

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    Financial results, net

Financial results, net resulted in a net gain of $377, representing an improvement of $218 vs. 9M12. This was mainly due to higher financial interest on time deposits (including interests on related parties) and other investments (+$255 vs. 9M12), higher gains on mutual funds (+$32 vs. 9M12) and higher interests on receivables (+$23 vs. 9M12), partially offset by a higher foreign currency exchange loss of $102.

 

    Net income

Telecom Argentina reached a net income of $2,361 in 9M13, +$438 or +22.8% when compared to 9M12. Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $2,324 in 9M13, +$433 or +22.9% as compared to 9M12.

 

    Net financial assets

As of September 30, 2013, Net financial assets (Cash and Cash Equivalents plus financial investments minus Financial debt) amounted to $5,684, showing an increase of $2,987 as compared to September 30, 2012 (amounting to $2,697), mainly due to an increase in the generation of cash from operating activities of the Telecom Group. The Fixed Services segment shows a financial asset of $1,093, the Personal Mobile Services segment shows a financial asset of $4,745 and the Núcleo Mobile Services segment shows a net financial debt of $154.

 

    Capital expenditures (CAPEX)

CAPEX composition for 9M13 and 9M12 is as follows:

 

     In millions of $      % of participation     Variation  
     9M13      9M12      9M13     9M12     $      %  

Fixed Services

     1,256         924         43     42     332         35.9   

Personal Mobile Services

     1,409         1,139         49     52     270         23.7   

Núcleo Mobile Services

     231         124         8     6     107         86.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total CAPEX

     2,896         2,187         100     100     709         32.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

PP&E CAPEX amounted to $2,249 and intangible assets CAPEX amounted to $647 in 9M13, while in 9M12 amounted to $1,545 and $642, respectively.

In relative terms, CAPEX represented 15% of consolidated revenues in 9M13 (14% in 9M12), and were intended mainly for the External wiring and network access equipment, Transmission and Switching equipment, Computer equipment and SAC.

PP&E and intangible assets additions (CAPEX plus materials additions) for 9M13 and 9M12 are as follows:

 

     In millions of $      % of participation     Variation  
     9M13      9M12      9M13     9M12     $      %  

Fixed Services

     1,440         1,035         47     45     405         39.1   

Personal Mobile Services

     1,413         1,139         46     50     274         24.1   

Núcleo Mobile Services

     236         120         7     5     116         96.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total additions

     3,089         2,294         100     100     795         34.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

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

Telecom Group’s net income amounted to $886 in 3Q13, +$257 or 40.9% vs. 3Q12. Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $870 in 3Q13 (+$254 or 41.2% vs. 3Q12).

Total revenues and other income increased 26.1% vs. 3Q12 and operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $1,930 (+$343 or 21.6% vs. 3Q12), representing 27.1% of the consolidated revenues (vs. 28.1% in 3Q12). Operating income amounted to $1,203 (+$282 or 30.6% vs. 3Q12). Financial results, net amounted to $163 (+$116 or 246.8% vs. 3Q12), while income tax amounted to $480 (+$141 or 41.6% vs. 3Q12).

 

           Variation  
     3Q13     3Q12     $     %  

Revenues

     7,114        5,645        1,469        26.0   

Other income

     13        7        6        85.7   

Operating costs without depreciation and amortization

     (5,197     (4,065     (1,132     27.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization

     1,930        1,587        343        21.6   

Depreciation and amortization

     (731     (669     (62     9.3   

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

     4        3        1        33.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,203        921        282        30.6   

Financial results, net

     163        47        116        246.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

     1,366        968        398        41.1   

Income tax expense

     (480     (339     (141     41.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     886        629        257        40.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

        

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     870        616        254        41.2   

Non-controlling interest

     16        13        3        23.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     886        629        257        40.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     0.89        0.63       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

During 3Q13 consolidated revenues and other income increased 26.1% (+$1,475 vs. 3Q12) amounting to $7,127, mainly fueled by mobile services, Broadband and data transmission.

 

            Variation  
     3Q13      3Q12      $     %  

Services

          

Voice - Retail

     672         620         52        8.4   

Voice - Wholesale

     207         191         16        8.4   

Internet

     636         517         119        23.0   

Data

     245         190         55        28.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal fixed services

     1,760         1,518         242        15.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Voice - Retail

     1,203         1,112         91        8.2   

Voice - Wholesale

     453         443         10        2.3   

Internet

     533         321         212        66.0   

Data

     1,990         1,475         515        34.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal Personal mobile services

     4,179         3,351         828        24.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Voice - Retail

     96         83         13        15.7   

Voice - Wholesale

     22         23         (1     (4.3

Internet

     69         41         28        68.3   

Data

     77         68         9        13.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal Núcleo mobile services

     264         215         49        22.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total services revenues

     6,203         5,084         1,119        22.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equipment

          

Fixed services

     19         22         (3     (13.6

Personal mobile services

     874         530         344        64.9   

Núcleo mobile services

     18         9         9        100.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equipment revenues

     911         561         350        62.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     7,114         5,645         1,469        26.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated operating costs – including depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E – amounted to $5,924 in 3Q13, which represented an increase of $1,193 or +25.2% vs. 3Q12. The increase in costs is mainly a consequence of a higher revenues, higher expenses related to competition in mobile and Internet businesses, higher direct and indirect labor costs on the cost structure of the Group in Argentina, the increase in taxes, especially by the increase in the average rates of the turnover tax, the increase in provisions related to regulatory matters, the increase in provisions related to claims and other regulatory contingencies, the increase of VAS costs and the effect of the appreciation of the Guaraní respect to the argentine peso, affecting the operations in Paraguay.

 

 

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           Variation  
     3Q13     3Q12     $     %  

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (1,123     (876     (247     28.2   

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (380     (409     29        (7.1

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (663     (553     (110     19.9   

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (706     (514     (192     37.4   

Commissions

     (732     (587     (145     24.7   

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

     149        65        84        129.2   

Cost of equipment and handsets

     (940     (692     (248     35.8   

Cost of equipment and handsets capitalized as SAC

     59        130        (71     (54.6

Advertising

     (166     (161     (5     3.1   

Cost of VAS

     (202     (89     (113     127.0   

Provisions

     (128     (53     (75     141.5   

Bad debt expenses

     (56     (70     14        (20.0

Other operating expenses

     (309     (256     (53     20.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     (5,197     (4,065     (1,132     27.8   

Depreciation of PP&E

     (492     (458     (34     7.4   

Amortization of SAC and service connection costs

     (233     (206     (27     13.1   

Amortization of other intangible assets

     (6     (5     (1     20.0   

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

     4        3        1        33.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating costs

     (5,924     (4,731     (1,193     25.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPEX amounted to $1,342 in 3Q13 and amounted to $842 in 3Q12 (+$500 or 59.4%).

 

4. Summary of comparative consolidated statements of financial position

 

     September 30,  
     2013      2012      2011  

Current assets

     10,105         5,885         4,495   

Non-current assets

     11,845         10,266         9,086   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     21,950         16,151         13,581   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     7,639         5,118         4,654   

Non-current liabilities

     2,052         1,727         1,391   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     9,691         6,845         6,045   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     12,027         9,137         7,391   

Equity attributable non-controlling interest

     232         169         145   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity

     12,259         9,306         7,536   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

     21,950         16,151         13,581   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

5. Summary of comparative consolidated income statements

 

     3Q13     3Q12     3Q11     9M13     9M12     9M11  

Revenues and other income

     7,127        5,652        4,780        19,853        16,041        13,381   

Operating costs

     (5,924     (4,731     (3,846     (16,590     (13,238     (10,518
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,203        921        934        3,263        2,803        2,863   

Financial results, net

     163        47        21        377        159        38   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

     1,366        968        955        3,640        2,962        2,901   

Income tax expense

     (480     (339     (339     (1,279     (1,039     (1,009
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     886        629        616        2,361        1,923        1,892   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

     54        27        (12     83        48        48   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     940        656        604        2,444        1,971        1,940   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     905        634        601        2,378        1,923        1,902   

Attributable to non-controlling interest

     35        22        3        66        48        38   

 

 

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

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

6. Statistical data (in physical units)

 

  Fixed services

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

 

    9M13     9M12     9M11     9M10     9M09  
    Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter  

Equipment lines

    3,575        (248     3,805        1        3,802        (2     3,835        1        3,851        1   

NGN lines

    1,139        31        1,005        18        974        51        821        44        678        44   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Installed lines (a)

    4,714        (217     4,810        19        4,776        49        4,656        45        4,529        45   

Lines in service (b)

    4,124        10        4,140        (8     4,132        13        4,087        21        4,044        18   

Customers lines (c)

    4,043        10        4,056        (8     4,047        14        3,998        23        3,950        16   

Public phones installed

    34        (1     38        (1     41        (1     46        (1     52        (2

Lines in service per 100 inhabitants (d)

    20.4        —          20.7        —          20.8        0.1        20.7        0.1        20.7        0.1   

Lines in service per employee (e)

    373        —          369        (1     372        —          370        2        361        1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

a) Reflects total number of lines available in Switches, considered independently of its technology (TDM or NGN).
b) Includes customers lines, own lines, public telephones and DDE and ISDN channels.
c) The number of customers is measured in relation to the physical occupation of network resources.
d) Corresponding to the Northern Region of Argentina.
e) Defined as lines in service / number of actual employees.

Internet (in thousands)

 

    9M13     9M12     9M11     9M10     9M09  
    Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter  

Total ADSL subscribers

    1,669        35        1,612        18        1,505        48        1,330        56        1,170        60   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  Mobile services

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

 

    9M13     9M12     9M11     9M10     9M09  
    Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter  

Post-paid subscribers

    2,450        12        2,353        57        2,093        105        1,724        64        1,556        37   

“Cuentas Claras” plans

    3,749        106        3,341        109        2,978        91        2,767        30        2,723        (51

Prepaid subscribers

    13,374        469        12,731        17        12,282        157        11,236        509        9,630        394   

Dongles (*)

    282        (39     484        3        433        41        261        51        85        28   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total subscribers

    19,855        548        18,909        186        17,786        394        15,988        654        13,994        408   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Lines per employee

    3,839        —          3,682        —          3,779        —          3,958        —          3,740        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

    9M13     9M12     9M11     9M10     9M09  
    Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter     Accumulated     Quarter  

Post-paid subscribers

    30        1        29        —          28        1        25        1        24        1   

“Plan control” subscribers

    290        12        249        11        213        6        180        10        149        1   

Prepaid subscribers

    1,925        19        1,860        11        1,739        75        1,604        —          1,591        11   

Dongles (*)

    157        (5     125        6        90        14        36        10        8        4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal mobile

    2,402        27        2,263        28        2,070        96        1,845        21        1,772        17   

Internet subscribers - Wimax

    5        (1     7        —          8        (1     10        (1     12        (1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total subscribers

    2,407        26        2,270        28        2,078        95        1,855        20        1,784        16   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Lines per employee (**)

    5,547        —          5,214        —          4,917        —          4,446        —          4,209        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

7. Consolidated ratios

 

     9M13      9M12      9M11  

Liquidity (1)

     1.32         1.15         0.97   

Solvency (2)

     1.26         1.36         1.25   

Locked-up capital (3)

     0.54         0.64         0.67   

 

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

 

8. Outlook

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

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

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

 

Enrique Garrido
Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

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

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Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

     Note    September 30,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 

ASSETS

        

Current Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   2      4,580         3,160   

Investments

   2      1,214         563   

Trade receivables

   2      2,627         2,181   

Other receivables

   2      598         449   

Inventories

   2      1,086         633   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

        10,105         6,986   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-Current Assets

        

Trade receivables

   2      16         23   

Deferred income tax assets

   2      171         62   

Other receivables

   2      225         119   

Investments

   2      105         70   

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

   2      9,845         9,035   

Intangible assets

   2      1,483         1,514   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

        11,845         10,823   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

        21,950         17,809   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Current Liabilities

        

Trade payables

   2      5,064         3,659   

Deferred revenues

   2      372         362   

Financial debt

   2      9         43   

Salaries and social security payables

   2      671         635   

Income tax payables

   2      722         458   

Other taxes payables

   2      545         552   

Dividends payables

   2      17         —     

Other liabilities

   2      55         40   

Provisions

   6      184         134   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

        7,639         5,883   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-Current Liabilities

        

Trade payables

   2      26         20   

Deferred revenues

   2      450         329   

Financial debt

   2      205         101   

Salaries and social security payables

   2      120         128   

Deferred income tax liabilities

   2      113         220   

Income tax payables

   2      11         12   

Other liabilities

   2      57         51   

Provisions

   6      1,070         907   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

        2,052         1,768   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

        9,691         7,651   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

        

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

        12,027         9,959   

Equity attributable to Non-controlling interest

        232         199   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY

   7      12,259         10,158   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

        21,950         17,809   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

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

 

          Three-month periods
ended September 30,
    Nine-month periods
ended September 30,
 
     Note    2013     2012     2013     2012  

Revenues

   2      7,114        5,645        19,827        16,025   

Other income

   2      13        7        26        16   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

        7,127        5,652        19,853        16,041   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

   2      (1,123     (876     (2,996     (2,368

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

   2      (380     (409     (1,386     (1,214

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

   2      (663     (553     (1,877     (1,563

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

   2      (706     (514     (1,954     (1,454

Commissions

   2      (583     (522     (1,607     (1,422

Cost of equipments and handsets

   2      (881     (562     (2,169     (1,521

Advertising

   2      (166     (161     (452     (475

Cost of VAS

   2      (202     (89     (503     (211

Provisions

   6      (128     (53     (225     (112

Bad debt expenses

   2      (56     (70     (221     (218

Recovery of restructuring costs

   2      —          —          8        —     

Other operating expenses

   2      (309     (256     (917     (757

Depreciation and amortization

   2      (731     (669     (2,130     (1,927

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

   2      4        3        (161     4   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

        1,203        921        3,263        2,803   

Finance income

   2      394        130        859        394   

Finance expenses

   2      (231     (83     (482     (235
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

        1,366        968        3,640        2,962   

Income tax expense

   2      (480     (339     (1,279     (1,039
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income for the period

        886        629        2,361        1,923   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

           

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

        870        616        2,324        1,891   

Non-controlling interest

        16        13        37        32   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        886        629        2,361        1,923   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to Telecom Argentina – basic and diluted

   1.d      0.89        0.63        2.37        1.92   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

     Three-month periods
ended September 30,
     Nine-month periods
ended September 30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  
           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income for the period

     886         629         2,361         1,923   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other components of the Statements of Comprehensive Income

           

Currency translation adjustments (non-taxable)

     54         27         83         48   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other components of the comprehensive income, net of tax

     54         27         83         48   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

     940         656         2,444         1,971   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Attributable to:

           

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     905         634         2,378         1,923   

Non-controlling interest

     35         22         66         48   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     940         656         2,444         1,971   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

3


Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

    Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina              
    Owners Contribution                                                        
    Outstanding
shares
    Treasury
shares
                                                             
    Capital
nominal
value
(1)
    Inflation
adjust-

ment
    Capital
nominal
value
(1) (2)
    Inflation
adjustment
(2)
    Treasury
shares
acquisition
cost
(2)
    Legal
reserve
    Special
reserve
for IFRS
implemen-

tation
    Voluntary
reserve
for future
dividends
pay-

ments
    Voluntary
reserve for
capital
investments
(2)
    Voluntary
reserve
for

future
invest-

ments
    Currency
translation
adjust-

ment
    Retained
earnings
    Total     Equity
attribu-

table to
non-
controlling
interest
    Total
Equity
 

Balances as of January 1, 2012

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

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends from Núcleo (3)

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

Legal Reserve (4)

    —          —          —          —          —          122        —          —          —          —          —          (122     —          —          —     

Voluntary reserve for future investments (4)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          2,553        —          (2,553     —          —          —     

Dividends (4)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          (807     (807     —          (807

Comprehensive income:

                             

Net income for the period

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          1,891        1,891        32        1,923   

Other comprehensive income

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          32        —          32        16        48   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          32        1,891        1,923        48        1,971   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of September 30, 2012

    984        2,688        —          —          —          573        —          —          —          2,553        78        2,261        9,137        169        9,306   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                             
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of January 1, 2013

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

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends from Núcleo (5)

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

Legal Reserve (6)

    —          —          —          —          —          153        —          —          —          —          —          (153     —          —          —     

Special reserve for IFRS implementation (6)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          351        —          —          —          —          (351     —          —          —     

Voluntary reserve for future dividends payments (6)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          1,000        —          —          —          (1,000     —          —          —     

Voluntary reserve for capital investments (6)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          1,200        —          —          (1,200     —          —          —     

Voluntary reserve for future investments (6)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          351        —          (351     —          —          —     

Treasury Shares Acquisition (2)

    (11     (29     11        29        (310     —          —          —          —          —          —          —          (310     —          (310

Comprehensive income:

                             

Net income for the period

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          2,324        2,324        37        2,361   

Other comprehensive income

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          54        —          54        29        83   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          54        2,324        2,378        66        2,444   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances as of September 30, 2013

    973        2,659        11        29        (310     726        351        1,000        1,200        2,904        160        2,324        12,027        232        12,259   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) As of September 30, 2013, total shares (984,380,978), of $1 argentine peso of nominal value each, were issued and fully paid. As of September 30, 2013, 10,784,154 were treasury shares.
(2) Corresponds to 10,784,154 shares of $1 argentine peso of nominal value each, equivalent to 1.10% of total capital. The treasury shares acquisition costs amounted to 310. See Note 7 – Equity to the consolidated financial statements.
(3) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 16, 2012.
(4) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 27, 2012.
(5) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 22, 2013.
(6) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on May 21, 2013 (second tranche).

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

 

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

 

 

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Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

               Nine-month periods
ended September 30,
 
     Note         2013     2012  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

          

Net income for the period

           2,361        1,923   

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

          

Bad debt expenses and other allowances

           306        225   

Depreciation of PP&E

   2         1,447        1,325   

Amortization of intangible assets

   2         683        602   

Consumption of materials

   2         111        94   

Gain on disposal of PP&E

   2         (11     (4

Impairment of PP&E

   2         172        —     

Recovery of restructuring costs

   6         (8     —     

Provisions

   6         294        172   

Interest and other financial losses

           (91     (65

Income tax expense

   2         1,279        1,039   

Income tax paid

   3         (1,227     (1,333

Net increase in assets

   3         (1,442     (670

Net increase (decrease) in liabilities

   3         1,214        (82
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash flows provided by operating activities

           5,088        3,226   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

          

PP&E acquisitions

   3         (2,209     (1,902

Intangible assets acquisitions

   3         (615     (546

Proceeds from the sale of PP&E

           15        5   

Investments not considered as cash and cash equivalents

   3         (685     (170
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash flows used in investing activities

           (3,494     (2,613
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

          

Proceeds from financial debt

   3         203        —     

Payment of financial debt

   3         (152     (11

Payment of interest

   3         (14     (8

Payment of cash dividends

   3         (16     (820

Treasury shares acquisition

   3 / 7         (310     —     
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash flows used in financing activities

           (289     (839
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
          
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET FOREIGN EXCHANGE DIFFERENCES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

           115        73   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

           1,420        (153

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

           3,160        2,818   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD

           4,580        2,665   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

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

 

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

 

 

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Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

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

INDEX

 

         Page  
 

Glossary of terms

     7   
 

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

  

1

 

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

     9   

2

 

Breakdown of the main accounts

     11   

3

 

Supplementary cash flow information

     20   

4

 

Segment information

     22   

5

 

Related party transactions

     24   

6

 

Commitments and contingencies of the Telecom Group

     26   

7

 

Equity

     27   

8

 

Restrictions on distribution of profits

     28   

9

 

Selected consolidated quarterly information

     29   

10

 

Recent developments corresponding to the nine-month period ended September  30, 2013 for the Telecom Group

     29   

11

 

Events subsequent to September 30, 2013

     34   

 

 

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Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

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

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

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

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

Company or Telecom Argentina: Telecom Argentina S.A.

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

D&A: Depreciation and amortization.

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

IAS: International Accounting Standards.

IASB: International Accounting Standards Board.

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

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

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

Micro Sistemas: Micro Sistemas S.A.

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

Núcleo: Núcleo S.A.

NYSE: New York Stock Exchange.

OCI: Other Comprehensive Income.

Personal: Telecom Personal S.A.

PP&E: Property, plant and equipment.

Regulatory Bodies: Collectively, the SC and the CNC.

RT: Technical resolutions issued by the FACPCE.

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

SAC: Subscriber Acquisition Costs.

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

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

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

Springville: Springville S.A.

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

Telecom Group: Telecom Argentina and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

Telecom USA: Telecom Argentina USA Inc.

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

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

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

 

  a) Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with RT 26 (which adopted IFRS as issued by the IASB) as adopted by the CPCECABA, and as required by the CNV.

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

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

 

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

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

 

  2) Acquisition of treasury shares

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

 

  3) Government bonds issued in foreign currency

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

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

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

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

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

 

  b) Financial statement formats

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

  c) Segment reporting

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

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

Information regarding segment reporting is included in Note 4.

 

  d) Net income per share

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

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, the weighted average number of shares outstanding totaled 984,380,978 shares. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 the weighted average number of shares outstanding totaled 977,392,863 and 981,858,007 shares, respectively. The weighted average number of shares takes into account the weighted average effect of the changes caused by the Treasury Shares Acquisition Process that began in May 2013. For further information, see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 – BREAKDOWN OF THE MAIN ACCOUNTS

 

     September 30,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

     

CURRENT ASSETS

     

a) Cash and cash equivalents

     

Cash

     22         12   

Banks

     419         120   

Time deposits

     3,638         2,624   

Mutual funds

     501         404   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,580         3,160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     September 30,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 

b) Investments

     

Investments over 90 days maturity

     1,123         540   

Provincial government bonds

     48         20   

Argentine companies notes

     21         1   

Loan to Nortel (Note 5.c)

     22         2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,214         563   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

c) Trade receivables

    

Fixed services

     868        853   

Personal mobile services

     1,879        1,469   

Núcleo mobile services

     111        61   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     2,858        2,383   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (231     (202
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,627        2,181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (9 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     (202     (170

Additions - Bad debt expenses

     (221     (275

Uses

     192        243   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (231     (202
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

d) Other receivables

    

Prepaid expenses

     312        218   

Prepaid expenses related parties (Note 5.c)

     83        —     

Expenditure reimbursement

     54        38   

Tax credits

     46        54   

Restricted funds

     17        13   

Non deliverable forward

     14        —     

Receivables for suppliers indemnities

     —          61   

Compensation Fund

     —          19   

Other

     95        61   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     621        464   

Allowance for other receivables

     (23     (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     598        449   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Movements in the allowance for other receivables are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (9 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     (15     (12

Additions

     (8     (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (23     (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

e) Inventories

    

Mobile handsets

     1,153        626   

Fixed telephones and equipment

     12        15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     1,165        641   

Allowance for obsolescence of inventories

     (79     (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,086        633   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (9 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     (8     (19

Additions

     (77     (14

Uses

     6        25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (79     (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     September 30,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

     

f) Trade receivables

     

Fixed services

     14         23   

Núcleo mobile services

     2         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     16         23   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

g) Deferred income tax assets

    

Net deferred income tax assets in Argentina (Telecom Argentina)

    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     44        40   

Provisions

     288        248   

Termination benefits

     61        63   

Other deferred income tax assets, net

     125        108   

Deferred income tax liabilities in Argentina

    

PP&E and intangible assets

     (358     (405
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In Argentina

     160        54   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax assets abroad (Núcleo and Springville)

    

Tax loss carryforwards

     1        1   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     4        2   

PP&E

     11        11   

Valuation allowance

     (1     (1

Deferred income tax liabilities abroad

    

Other deferred income tax liabilities

     (4     (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Abroad

     11        8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     171        62   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

h) Other receivables

    

Prepaid expenses related parties (Note 5. c)

     107        —     

Credit on SC Resolution No. 41/07 and IDC

     85        85   

Prepaid expenses

     71        86   

Restricted funds

     29        22   

Tax credits

     17        17   

Credit on minimum presumed income tax

     4        4   

Other

     14        7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     327        221   

Allowance for regulatory matters

     (85     (85

Allowance for other receivables

     (17     (17
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     225        119   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Movements in the allowance for regulatory matters are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (9 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     (85     (90

Uses

     —          5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (85     (85
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Movements in the allowance for other receivables are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (9 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     (17     (17

Additions

     —          (1

Uses

     —          1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (17     (17
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

i) Investments

    

Argentine companies notes

     68        69   

Government bonds

     25        —     

Provincial government bonds

     11        —     

2003 Telecommunications Fund

     1        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     105        70   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

j) PP&E

    

Land, buildings and installations

     921        900   

Computer equipment and software

     1,183        1,196   

Switching and transmission equipment (i)

     2,305        2,286   

Mobile network access and external wiring

     2,830        2,531   

Construction in progress

     2,089        1,534   

Other tangible assets

     327        322   

Materials

     365        280   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     10,020        9,049   

Valuation allowance for materials

     (19     (14

Impairment of PP&E

     (156     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     9,845        9,035   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

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

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (9 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     9,049        8,262   

CAPEX

     2,249        2,415   

Materials

     193        159   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total PP&E additions

     2,442        2,574   

Currency translation adjustments

     108        131   

Decreases

     (7     (1

Consumption of materials

     (111     (125

Depreciation of the period/year

     (1,461     (1,792
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     10,020        9,049   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Movements in the valuation allowance for materials are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (9 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     (14     (15

Additions - Fees for services, maintenance, and materials

     (5     (5

Uses

     —          6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (19     (14
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (9 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     —          —     

Additions (i)

     (172     —     

Uses (ii)

     16        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     (156     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (i) Included in Impairment of PP&E.
  (ii) 2 included in Gain on disposal of PP&E and 14 included in Depreciation of PP&E.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

     September 30,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 

k) Intangible assets

     

Licenses

     589         588   

SAC

     567         586   

Rights of use

     214         227   

Service connection or habilitation costs

     97         94   

Other intangible assets

     16         19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,483         1,514   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Movements in Intangible assets are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (9 months)     (12 months)  

At the beginning of the year

     1,514        1,488   

CAPEX

     647        842   

Currency translation adjustments

     5        4   

Amortization of the period/year

     (683     (820
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of the period/year

     1,483        1,514   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

l) Trade payables

    

PP&E suppliers

     1,519        1,427   

Other assets and services suppliers

     1,889        1,588   

Inventory suppliers

     1,452        584   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal suppliers

     4,860        3,599   

Agent commissions

     193        49   

SU reimbursement

     11        11   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     5,064        3,659   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

m) Deferred revenues

    

Deferred revenues on prepaid calling cards

     255        270   

Deferred revenues on connection fees

     34        30   

Deferred revenues on sale of capacity and related services

     41        34   

Deferred revenues on customer loyalty programs

     39        26   

Deferred revenues from CONATEL

     3        2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     372        362   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

n) Financial debt

    

Bank loans - Núcleo

     8        40   

Accrued interest - Núcleo

     1        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     9        43   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

o) Salaries and social security payables

    

Vacation and bonuses

     462        391   

Social security payables

     139        144   

Termination benefits

     70        60   

Restructuring debt

     —          14   

Compensation Fund contributions

     —          26   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     671        635   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

p) Income tax payables

    

Income tax payables

     1,516        1,520   

Payments in advance of income taxes

     (797     (1,065

Law No. 26,476 Tax Regularization Regime

     3        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     722        458   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

q) Other taxes payables

    

VAT, net

     153        180   

Tax on SU

     93        88   

Turnover tax

     57        54   

Tax withholdings

     79        91   

Internal taxes

     65        55   

Regulatory fees

     57        48   

Municipal taxes

     22        17   

Retention Decree No. 583/10 ENARD

     10        9   

Other

     9        10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     545        552   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

r) Dividends payables

    

Related parties (Note 5.c)

     17        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     17        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

s) Other liabilities

    

Legal fees

     12        12   

Guarantees received

     9        7   

Compensation for directors and members of the Supervisory Committee

     14        8   

Other

     20        13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     55        40   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

t) Trade payables

    

PP&E suppliers

     26        20   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     26        20   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

u) Deferred revenues

    

Deferred revenues on sale of capacity and related services

     314        217   

Deferred revenues on connection fees

     66        64   

Deferred revenues on customer loyalty programs

     60        39   

Deferred revenues from CONATEL

     10        9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     450        329   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

v) Financial debt

    

Bank loans - Núcleo

     205        101   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     205        101   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

w) Salaries and social security payables

    

Termination benefits

     116        128   

Awards

     4        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     120        128   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

x) Deferred income tax liabilities (Telecom Personal)

    

Deferred income tax assets

    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (72     (54

Provisions

     (146     (120

Inventory

     (34     (19

Other

     (6     (3

Valuation allowance

     26        23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred income tax assets

     (232     (173

Deferred income tax liabilities

    

PP&E and intangible assets

     287        348   

Cash dividends from foreign companies

     58        45   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred income tax liabilities

     345        393   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax liabilities

     113        220   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

y) Income tax payables

    

Law No. 26,476 Tax Regularization Regime

     11        12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     11        12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

z) Other liabilities

    

Pension benefits (Note 1.a)

     50        38   

Suppliers guarantees on third parties claims

     7        12   

Other

     —          1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     57        51   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

 

Date due

   Cash and cash
equivalents
    Investments     Trade receivables     Deferred income
tax

assets
     Other receivables  

Total due

     —          —          954        —           —     

Not due

           

Fourth quarter 2013

     4,580        1,137        1,617        —           376   

First quarter 2014

     —          20        28        —           81   

Second quarter 2014

     —          35        17        —           74   

Third quarter 2014

     —          22        11        —           67   

October 2014 thru September 2015

     —          104        14        —           133   

October 2015 thru September 2016

     —          —          2        —           59   

September 2016 and thereafter

     —          —          —          —           33   

Not date due established

     —          1        —          171         —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total not due

     4,580        1,319        1,689        171         823   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     4,580        1,319        2,643        171         823   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balances bearing interest

     4,139        1,318        989        —           —     

Balances not bearing interest

     441        1        1,654        171         823   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     4,580        1,319        2,643        171         823   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average annual interest rate (%)

       (a)        (b)        (c)      —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 65 bear 19.09%, 765 bear 0.29%, 65 bear 16.03%, 2,469 bear 19.23%, 338 bear 0.26% and 437 bear 12.76%.
(b) 1,123 bear 20.29%, 22 bear 25.46%, 20 bear 21.19%, 35 bear 25.53%, 10 bear 20.92%, 58 bear 5%, 12 bear 8.55%, 12 bear 4.24% and 26 bear 7%.
(c) From due trade receivables, 79 bear 50% over the Banco de la Nación Argentina 30-day interest rate paid by banks, 169 bear 50% over the Banco de la Nación Argentina notes payable discount rate, 675 bear 28.28% and 16 bear 36%. From not due trade receivables, 18 bear 28% and 32 bear 8.3%.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Date due

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

Total due

    (a) 79        —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Not due

                 

Fourth quarter 2013

    4,984        287        3        323        —          536        17        —          20   

First quarter 2014

    1        29        3        202        1        —          —          —          1   

Second quarter 2014

    —          26        1        119        720        —          —          —          21   

Third quarter 2014

    —          30        2        27        1        9        —          —          13   

October 2014 thru September 2015

    26        124        21        46        —          —          —          —          8   

October 2015 thru September 2016

    —          56        40        31        3        —          —          —          2   

September 2016 and thereafter

    —          270        144        43        3        —          —          —          47   

Not date due established

    —          —          —          —          5        —          —          113        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total not due

    5,011        822        214        791        733        545        17        113        112   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    5,090        822        214        791        733        545        17        113        112   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances bearing interest

    53        —          214        —          20        —          —          —          3   

Balances not bearing interest

    5,037        822        —          791        713        545        17        113        109   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    5,090        822        214        791        733        545        17        113        112   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average annual interest rate (%)

      (b)      —          9,30     —          9     —          —          —          6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) As of the date of these consolidated financial statements, 50 were cancelled.
(b) From due trade payables, 50 bear 9% and 3 bear 6%.

 

ab) Foreign currency assets and liabilities

 

     09.30.13     12.31.12  
     Type and amount of foreign
currency (i)
    Amount in local
currency (ii)
    Type and amount of foreign
currency (i)
    Amount in local
currency (ii)
 

Net positions

   U$S(iii)     (187     (1,093   U$S(iii)     (138     (686

Net assets (liabilities)

   G     (158,352     (204   G     (118,791     (136
   EURO     (20     (151   EURO     (10     (63
   SDR     —          —        SDR     3        22   
      

 

 

       

 

 

 
         (1,448         (863
      

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

(i) U$S = United States dollar; G= Guaraníes; SDR= Special Drawing Rights.
(ii) As foreign currency figures and their amount in argentine pesos are in millions, the calculation of the amount of the foreign currency by its exchange rate could not be exact.
(iii) In order to partially reduce this net liability position in foreign currency, the Telecom Group, as of September 30, 2013, entered into several NDF contracts to purchase a total amount of U$S99 and holds investments adjustable to the variation of the U$S/$ exchange rate (dollar linked) by 81 and 59 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (See Note 10 – Recent developments corresponding to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 for the Telecom Group).

 

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

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

 

As of September 30, 2013    Book value      Fair value (*)  

Government bonds

     25         42   

Provincial governments bonds in argentine pesos

     36         36   

Provincial governments bonds (dollar linked)

     23         23   

Argentine companies notes in argentine pesos

     31         31   

Argentine companies notes (dollar linked)

     58         69   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     173         201   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*) Selling expenses not deducted according to IFRS.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

     Three-month periods ended
September 30,
     Nine-month periods ended
September 30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  
     Profit (loss)  

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

  

ad) Total revenues and other income

  

Services

           

Voice - Retail

     672         620         1,969         1,838   

Voice - Wholesale

     207         191         583         548   

Internet

     636         517         1,827         1,442   

Data

     245         190         686         528   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Fixed Services

     1,760         1,518         5,065         4,356   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Voice - Retail

     1,203         1,112         3,548         3,249   

Voice - Wholesale

     453         443         1,419         1,306   

Internet

     533         321         1,405         890   

Data

     1,990         1,475         5,390         4,128   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Personal Mobile Services

     4,179         3,351         11,762         9,573   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Voice - Retail

     96         83         273         242   

Voice - Wholesale

     22         23         87         61   

Internet

     69         41         193         108   

Data

     77         68         234         194   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Núcleo Mobile Services

     264         215         787         605   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total service revenues (a)

     6,203         5,084         17,614         14,534   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equipment

           

Fixed Services

     19         22         49         61   

Personal Mobile Services

     874         530         2,109         1,408   

Núcleo Mobile Services

     18         9         55         22   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equipment revenues (b)

     911         561         2,213         1,491   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other income

           

Fixed Services

     6         7         18         14   

Personal Mobile Services

     1         —           2         2   

Núcleo Mobile Services

     6         —           6         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other income (c)

     13         7         26         16   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

     7,127         5,652         19,853         16,041   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

ae) Operating costs

Operating expenses disclosed by nature of expense amounted to $16,590 and $13,238 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The main components of the operating expenses are the following:

 

     Three-month periods ended
September 30,
    Nine-month periods ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     Profit (loss)  

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

        

Wages and salaries

     (796     (635     (2,173     (1,725

Social security expenses

     (246     (189     (661     (509

Severance indemnities and termination benefits

     (57     (34     (100     (88

Other employee benefits

     (24     (18     (62     (46
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (1,123     (876     (2,996     (2,368
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

        

Fixed telephony interconnection costs

     (64     (55     (178     (165

Cost of international outbound calls

     (30     (30     (99     (101

Lease of circuits and public network usage

     (52     (40     (150     (114

Mobile services - charges for roaming

     (35     (69     (347     (229

Mobile services - charges for TLRD

     (199     (215     (612     (605
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (380     (409     (1,386     (1,214
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

        

Maintenance of hardware and software

     (89     (73     (250     (216

Technical maintenance

     (114     (99     (343     (282

Service connection fees for fixed lines and Internet lines

     (50     (29     (137     (94

Service connection fees capitalized as SAC

     2        3        5        8   

Service connection fees capitalized as Intangible assets

     9        5        23        16   

Other maintenance costs

     (65     (53     (177     (141

Obsolescence of inventories

     (20     (2     (77     (8

Call center fees

     (197     (183     (538     (518

Other fees for services

     (132     (119     (359     (317

Compensation for Directors and Supervisory Committee members

     (7     (3     (24     (11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (663     (553     (1,877     (1,563
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

     Three-month periods ended
September 30,
    Nine-month periods ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     Profit (loss)  

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

        

Turnover tax

     (380     (269     (1,060     (744

Taxes with the Regulatory Authority

     (166     (133     (466     (371

Tax on deposits to and withdrawals from bank accounts

     (62     (50     (172     (163

Municipal taxes

     (46     (35     (129     (93

Other taxes

     (52     (27     (127     (83
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (706     (514     (1,954     (1,454
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commissions

        

Agent commissions

     (437     (360     (1,158     (991

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

     149        65        367        218   

Distribution of prepaid cards commissions

     (159     (130     (448     (371

Collection commissions

     (114     (82     (307     (231

Other commissions

     (22     (15     (61     (47
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (583     (522     (1,607     (1,422
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of equipments and handsets

        

Inventory balance at the beginning of the period/year

     (835     (717     (641     (555

Plus:

        

Purchases

     (1,277     (766     (2,934     (2,142

Deferred costs from SAC

     59        130        223        374   

Net decreases (increases) from allowance for obsolescence

     1        4        6        4   

Mobile handsets lent to customers at no cost

     6        2        10        4   

Replacements to customers

     —          1        2        10   

Less:

        

Inventory balance at period end

     1,165        784        1,165        784   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (881     (562     (2,169     (1,521
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Advertising

        

Media advertising

     (101     (94     (261     (283

Fairs and exhibitions

     (30     (29     (86     (91

Other advertising costs

     (35     (38     (105     (101
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (166     (161     (452     (475
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of VAS

  

Cost of mobile VAS

     (199     (87     (496     (205

Cost of fixed VAS

     (3     (2     (7     (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (202     (89     (503     (211
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Recovery of restructuring costs

        

Dismissals indemnities (i)

     —          —          8        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     —          —          8        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

        

Other operating costs

        

Transportation, freight and travel expenses

     (118     (96     (325     (268

Delivery costs capitalized as SAC

     11        11        28        26   

Rental expense

     (70     (51     (225     (153

Energy, water and others

     (78     (72     (239     (222

International and satellite connectivity

     (34     (29     (101     (93

Other

     (20     (19     (55     (47
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (309     (256     (917     (757
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

D&A

        

Depreciation of PP&E

     (492     (458     (1,447     (1,325

Amortization of SAC and service connection costs

     (233     (206     (665     (586

Amortization of other intangible assets

     (6     (5     (18     (16
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (731     (669     (2,130     (1,927
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

        

Gain on disposal of PP&E

     4        3        11        4   

Impairment of PP&E (ii)

     —          —          (172     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4        3        (161     4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(ii) Includes 50 corresponding to the impairment of a commercial system of Personal and 122 corresponding to the impairment of PP&E (PP&E, construction in progress and materials) of Telecom Argentina as of September 30, 2013.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

 

     Three-month periods ended
September 30,
    Nine -month periods
ended September 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     Profit (loss)  

Cost of sales and services

     (3,526     (2,760     (9,912     (7,755

General and administrative expenses

     (265     (219     (765     (599

Selling expenses

     (2,009     (1,702     (5,527     (4,776

Other expenses - provisions

     (128     (53     (225     (112

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

     4        3        (161     4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (5,924     (4,731     (16,590     (13,238
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

af) Financial results

  

Finance income

        

Interest on time deposits

     174        64        429        200   

Interest on other investments (argentine companies notes and bonds)

     15        —          23        —     

Gains on Mutual Funds

     29        3        46        14   

Interest on related parties (Note 5.d)

     2        —          3        —     

Interest on receivables

     34        25        90        67   

Foreign currency exchange gains

     125        41        249        105   

Gain on NDF

     14        (4     14        1   

Other

     1        1        5        7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total finance income

     394        130        859        394   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance expenses

        

Interest on loans

     (4     (2     (12     (9

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

     (5     (1     (13     (4

Interest on provisions

     (26     (14     (69     (60

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

     (2     (9     (7     (24

Foreign currency exchange losses (*)

     (194     (55     (380     (134

Losses on NDF

     —          (2     —          (2

Other

     —          —          (1     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total finance expenses

     (231     (83     (482     (235
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     163        47        377        159   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*) Include 77 of foreign currency exchange losses generated by Government bonds as of September 30, 2013.

 

ag) Income taxes

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

 

     Profit (loss)  
     The
Company
    Telecom
USA
    Personal     Núcleo     Total  

Current tax expense

     (280     (3     (1,192     (18     (1,493

Fiscal year 2012 return adjustment

     —          —          (3     —          (3

Deferred tax benefit

     96        —          123        1        220   

Valuation allowance

     —          —          (3     —          (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of September 30, 2013

     (184     (3     (1,075     (17     (1,279
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current tax expense

     (231     —          (847     (17     (1,095

Deferred tax benefit

     34        —          23        1        58   

Valuation allowance

     —          —          (2     —          (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of September 30, 2012

     (197     —          (826     (16     (1,039
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

     5,549        137        5,686   

Non taxable items - Other income from investments

     (2,047     —          (2,047

Non taxable items - Other

     13        (16     (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     3,515        121        3,636   

Weighted statutory income tax rate

     35     ( *)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income tax expense at weighted statutory tax rate

     (1,230     (20     (1,250

Income tax on cash dividends from foreign companies

     (18     —          (18

Other changes in tax assets and liabilities

     (5     —          (5

Fiscal year 2012 return adjustment

     (3     —          (3

Changes in valuation allowance

     (3     —          (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of September 30, 2013

     (1,259     (20     (1,279
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pre-tax income on a separate return basis

     4,421        115        4,536   

Non taxable items - Other income from investments

     (1,575     —          (1,575

Non taxable items - Other

     5        (4     1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     2,851        111        2,962   

Weighted statutory income tax rate

     35     ( *)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income tax expense at weighted statutory tax rate

     (998     (16     (1,014

Income tax on cash dividends from foreign companies

     (19     —          (19

Other changes in tax assets and liabilities

     (4     —          (4

Changes in valuation allowance

     (2     —          (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense as of September 30, 2012

     (1,023     (16     (1,039
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

NOTE 3 – SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

    Changes in assets/liabilities components:

 

     Nine-month periods ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  

Net (increase) decrease in assets

    

Trade receivables

     (649     (339

Other receivables

     (71     (99

Other receivables related parties (Note 5.c)

     (190     —     

Inventories

     (534     (232

Non-cash investments

     2        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (1,442     (670
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in liabilities

    

Trade payables

     1,139        (94

Deferred revenues

     125        90   

Salaries and social security payables

     (17     (31

Other taxes payables

     (12     69   

Other liabilities

     23        (20

Provisions

     (44     (96
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,214        (82
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
    

Income tax paid consists of the following:

 

Tax returns and payments in advance

     (1,124     (1,259

Other payments

     (103     (74
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (1,227     (1,333
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Main non-cash operating transactions:

 

VAT credit balances offset with income taxes payments

     8         23   

Compensation Fund contribution reclassified between:

     

Provisions and Other receivables and Salaries and social security payables

     —           39   

Provisions and Other liabilities

     —           27   

SAC acquisitions offset with trade receivables

     156         117   

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

    Most significant investing activities:

PP&E acquisitions include:

 

     Nine-month periods ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  

PP&E additions (Note 2.j)

     (2,442     (1,656

Plus:

    

Payments of trade payables originated in prior years acquisitions

     (800     (1,223

Less:

    

Acquisition of PP&E through incurrence of trade payables

     1,006        966   

Asset retirement obligations

     17        7   

Mobile handsets lent to customers at no cost

     10        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (2,209     (1,902
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intangible assets acquisitions include:

 

Intangible assets additions (Note 2.k)

     (647     (642

Plus:

    

Payments of trade payables originated in prior years acquisitions

     (85     (78

SAC acquisitions offset with trade receivables

     (156     (117

Less:

    

Acquisition of intangible assets through incurrence of trade payables

     273        291   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (615     (546
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     (583     (150

Argentine companies notes and bonds

     (83     (20

Loan to Nortel

     (19     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (685     (170
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Financing activities components:

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

 

Debt proceeds - Núcleo

     203        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total financial debt proceeds (*)

     203        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Payment of bank loans - Núcleo

     (152     (11
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total payment of financial debt (*)

     (152     (11
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Payment of interest on bank loans - Núcleo

     (14     (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total payment of interest

     (14     (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisition of treasury shares - Telecom Argentina

     (310     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*) In September 2013, 168 (equivalent to 130,000 million of Guaraníes) were taken mainly to be pre-cancel financial debt by 133 (equivalent to 103,000 million of Guaraníes).

Cash dividends from Núcleo

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

 

Date of payment

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

May 2013

     34         16         50   

October 2013

     34         17         51   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total (*)

     68         33         101   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*) Correspond to 80,000 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.

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

 

Date of payment

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

April 2012

     27         13         40   

September 2012 (*)

     20         10         30   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     47         23         70   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*) The second installment was paid on October 9, 2012.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Cash dividends

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

NOTE 4 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

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

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

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

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013

 

    Income statement

 

     Fixed
Services
    Mobile Services     Eliminations     Total  
       Personal     Núcleo     Subtotal      

Total revenues and other income (1)

     6,041        13,959        854        14,813        (1,001     19,853   

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (2,155     (780     (61     (841     —          (2,996

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (392     (1,591     (131     (1,722     728        (1,386

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (809     (1,158     (74     (1,232     164        (1,877

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (424     (1,505     (25     (1,530     —          (1,954

Commissions

     (132     (1,434     (82     (1,516     41        (1,607

Cost of equipments and handsets

     (49     (2,057     (63     (2,120     —          (2,169

Advertising

     (102     (306     (44     (350     —          (452

Cost of VAS

     (7     (472     (24     (496     —          (503

Provisions

     (159     (66     —          (66     —          (225

Bad debt expenses

     (47     (166     (8     (174     —          (221

Recovery of restructuring costs

     8        —          —          —          —          8   

Other operating expenses

     (504     (441     (40     (481     68        (917
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income before D&A

     1,269        3,983        302        4,285        —          5,554   

Depreciation of PP&E

     (667     (645     (135     (780     —          (1,447

Amortization of intangible assets

     (82     (575     (26     (601     —          (683

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

     (109     (53     1        (52     —          (161
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     411        2,710        142        2,852        —          3,263   

Financial results, net

     116        272        (11     261        —          377   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

     527        2,982        131        3,113        —          3,640   

Income tax expense, net

     (187     (1,075     (17     (1,092     —          (1,279
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     340        1,907        114        2,021        —          2,361   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

  

    2,324   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

  

    37   
            

 

 

 
               2,361   
            

 

 

 

(1)

            

Service revenues

     5,065        11,762        787        12,549        —          17,614   

Equipment revenues

     49        2,109        55        2,164        —          2,213   

Other income

     18        2        6        8        —          26   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal third party revenues

     5,132        13,873        848        14,721        —          19,853   

Intersegment revenues

     909        86        6        92        (1,001     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

     6,041        13,959        854        14,813        (1,001     19,853   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Statement of financial position information

 

PP&E

     5,851         3,032         962        3,994         —          9,845   

Intangible assets, net

     375         1,071         38        1,109         (1     1,483   

Capital expenditures on PP&E (a)

     1,171         878         200        1,078         —          2,249   

Capital expenditures on intangible assets (b)

     85         531         31        562         —          647   

Total capital expenditures (a)+(b)

     1,256         1,409         231        1,640         —          2,896   

Total additions on PP&E and intangible assets

     1,440         1,413         236        1,649         —          3,089   

Net financial asset (debt)

     1,093         4,745         (154     4,591         —          5,684   

 

    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

     18,952         18,814         10,817   

Abroad

     901         1,039         1,028   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     19,853         19,853         11,845   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012

 

    Income statement

 

     Fixed
Services
    Mobile Services     Eliminations        
       Personal     Núcleo     Subtotal       Total  

Total revenues and other income (1)

     5,212        11,075        631        11,706        (877     16,041   

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (1,731     (590     (47     (637     —          (2,368

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (381     (1,395     (94     (1,489     656        (1,214

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (697     (928     (56     (984     118        (1,563

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (327     (1,107     (20     (1,127     —          (1,454

Commissions

     (123     (1,275     (67     (1,342     43        (1,422

Cost of equipments and handsets

     (36     (1,462     (23     (1,485     —          (1,521

Advertising

     (123     (312     (40     (352     —          (475

Cost of VAS

     (6     (187     (18     (205     —          (211

Provisions

     (72     (40     —          (40     —          (112

Bad debt expenses

     (47     (166     (5     (171     —          (218

Other operating expenses

     (439     (353     (25     (378     60        (757
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income before D&A

     1,230        3,260        236        3,496        —          4,726   

Depreciation of PP&E

     (619     (613     (93     (706     —          (1,325

Amortization of intangible assets

     (72     (509     (21     (530     —          (602

Gain on disposal of PP&E

     3        1        —          1        —          4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     542        2,139        122        2,261        —          2,803   

Financial results, net

     20        146        (7     139        —          159   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

     562        2,285        115        2,400        —          2,962   

Income tax expense, net

     (197     (826     (16     (842     —          (1,039
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     365        1,459        99        1,558        —          1,923   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

  

    1,891   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

  

    32   
            

 

 

 
               1,923   
            

 

 

 

(1)

            

Service revenues

     4,356        9,573        605        10,178        —          14,534   

Equipment revenues

     61        1,408        22        1,430        —          1,491   

Other income

     14        2        —          2        —          16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal third party revenues

     4,431        10,983        627        11,610        —          16,041   

Intersegment revenues

     781        92        4        96        (877     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

     5,212        11,075        631        11,706        (877     16,041   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

•      Statement of financial position information

 

        

PP&E

     5,154        2,702        693        3,395        —          8,549   

Intangible assets, net

     375        1,131        24        1,155        (1     1,529   

Capital expenditures on PP&E (a)

     863        577        105        682        —          1,545   

Capital expenditures on intangible assets (b)

     62        562        19        581        (1     642   

Total capital expenditures (a)+(b)

     925        1,139        124        1,263        (1     2,187   

Total additions on PP&E and intangible assets

     1,036        1,139        120        1,259        (1     2,294   

Net financial asset (debt)

     1,328        1,471        (102     1,369        —          2,697   

 

    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

     15,383         15,197         9,531   

Abroad

     658         844         735   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     16,041         16,041         10,266   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTE 5 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

a) Controlling company

As of September 30, 2013, Nortel, domiciled at A. Moreau de Justo 50 – 11th Floor – Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, holds 54.74% of the Company’s capital stock, which allows it to control the Company pursuant to Section 33 of Law No. 19,550. Such percentage is made up of 100% of the Class “A” shares (51% of the Company’s aggregate shares) and 7.64% of the Class “B shares (3.74% of the Company’s aggregate shares).

As a result of the Company’s Treasury Shares Acquisition Process described in Note 7.b) – Acquisition of Treasury Shares, as of September 30, 2013, Nortel’s equity interest in Telecom Argentina amounts to 55.35% 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 September 30, 2013 these shares represented 78.38% of the capital stock of Nortel.

 

b) Related parties

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

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

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

 

c) Balances with related parties

 

  Direct parent company

 

     September 30,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 

CURRENT ASSETS

     

Investments

     

Nortel

     22         2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     22         2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  Related parties

 

   

Type of related party

  September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

CURRENT ASSETS

     

Trade receivables

     

TIM Participações S.A. (a)

  Other related party     7        —     

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

  Indirect parent company     —          1   

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

  Other related party     1        1   

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

  Other related party     —          9   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      8        11   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other receivables

     

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a) (d)

  Other related party     83        —     

Caja de Seguros S.A. (a) (b)

  Other related party     13        21   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      96        21   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

     

Other receivables

     

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a) (d)

  Other related party     107        —     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      107        —     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

   

Type of related party

  September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

     

Trade payables

     

Grupo Italtel (a)

  Other related party     81        97   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

  Indirect parent company     15        22   

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a)

  Other related party     1        30   

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

  Other related party     3        10   

Latin American Nautilus USA Inc. (a)

  Other related party     1        2   

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

  Other related party     —          1   

TIM Participações S.A. (a)

  Other related party     —          2   

Caja de Seguros S.A. (a) (b)

  Other related party     32        23   

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

  Other related party     4        5   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      137        192   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends payables

     

ABC Telecomunicaciones S.A.

  Other related party     17        —     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      17        —     
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

d) Transactions with related parties

 

  Direct parent company

 

       

Transaction

description

           Nine-month periods ended
September 30,
 
                     2013      2012  

Nortel

    Interest          3         —     
          

 

 

    

 

 

 
    Total financial results          3         —     
          

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  Related parties

 

   

Transaction

description

 

Type of related

party

  Nine-month periods
ended
September 30,
 
            2013     2012  
            Profit (loss)  

TIM Participações S.A. (a)

  Voice - Wholesale  

Other related party

    11        11   

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

  Voice - Wholesale  

Other related party

    16        21   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

  Voice - Wholesale  

Indirect parent company

    2        2   

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

  Voice - Wholesale  

Other related party

    1        —     

Caja de Seguros S.A. (a) (b)

  Voice - Retail  

Other related party

    31        59   

Caja de Seguros S.A. (a) (b)

  Equipment  

Other related party

    137        42   

Standard Bank (b) (c)

  Voice - Retail  

Other related party

    —          2   

Standard Bank (b) (c)

  Data  

Other related party

    —          11   

Standard Bank (b) (c)

  Equipment  

Other related party

    —          5   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Total revenues and other income

    198        153   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (a)

  International outbound calls and data   Other related party     (78     (76

Grupo Italtel (a)

  Maintenance, materials and supplies  

Other related party

    (16     (40

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

  International outbound calls and other  

Other related party

    (22     (28

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

  Fees for services and roaming  

Indirect parent company

    (17     (16

TIM Participações S.A. (a)

  Roaming  

Other related party

    (10     (10

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (a)

  International outbound calls  

Other related party

    (6     (6

Latin American Nautilus USA Inc. (a)

  International outbound calls  

Other related party

    (5     (3

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

  Salaries and social security  

Other related party

    (35     (25

Caja de Seguros S.A. (a) (b)

  Insurance  

Other related party

    (13     (11

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

  Insurance  

Other related party

    (6     (4
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Total operating costs

    (208     (219
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Standard Bank (b) (c)

  Interest  

Other related party

    —          5   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Total financial results

    —          5   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Grupo Italtel (a)

   

Other related party

    90        37   

Telecom Italia S.p.A. (a)

   

Indirect parent company

    —          1   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Total purchases of PP&E

    90        38   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Such companies relate to Telecom Italia Group.
(b) Such companies relate to W de Argentina – Inversiones S.L.
(c) This entity is no longer related party as from November 2012.
(d) Corresponds to an agreement of lease-mode IP international capacity until December 2016. The Company paid approximately 267.6 on February 2013 for this agreement.

 

 

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

 

e) Key Managers

Compensation for the Key Managers, including social security contribution, amounted to $45 and $38 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and was recorded as expenses under the item line “Employee benefits expenses and severance payments”. The total expense remuneration is comprised as follows:

 

     Three-month periods ended
September 30,
     Nine-month periods ended
September 30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  

Salaries (*)

     6         5         20         15   

Variable compensation (*)

     6         7         14         15   

Social security contributions

     3         3         8         8   

Termination benefits

     —           —           3         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     15         15         45         38   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, an amount of $17 and $19 remained unpaid, respectively.

As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Telecom Group has recorded a $12 and $5 provision, respectively, for the fees of the Company’s and Telecom Argentina’s Board of Directors members. The members and alternate members of the Board of Directors do not hold executive positions in the Company or Company’s subsidiaries.

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES OF THE TELECOM GROUP

 

a) Purchase commitments

The Company has entered into various purchase orders amounting in the aggregate to approximately $5,264 as of September 30, 2013 (of which $2,299 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 September 30, 2013, the Telecom Group has recorded provisions in an aggregate amount of $1,339 to cover potential losses under these claims ($85 for regulatory contingencies deducted from assets and $1,254 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 September 30, 2013, these restricted funds totaled $46 (included under “Other receivables” item line in the consolidated statement of financial position).

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Provisions consist of the following:

 

    Balances     Additions (reversals)           Decreases     Balances  
    as of
December 31,
2012
    Capital     Interest
(ii)
    Reclassifications     Classified
to liability
    Payments     as of
September 30,
2013
 

Current

             

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

    33        —          —          69        —          (4     98   

Provision for labor claims

    32        —          —          29        —          (21     40   

Restructuring

    54        (iii) (8 )      —          —          (46     —          —     

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

    15        —          —          50        —          (19     46   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current provisions

    134        (8     —          148        (46     (44     184   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current

             

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

    145        56        10        (69     —          —          142   

Provision for labor claims

    255        38        20        (29     —          —          284   

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

    432        131        33        (50     —          —          546   

Asset retirement obligations

    75        17        6        —          —          —          98   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current provisions

    907        (i) 242        69        (148     —          —          1,070   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provisions

    1,041        234        69        —          (46     (44     1,254   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(i) Included 225 in Provisions and 17 in Capex.
(ii) Included in Finance costs.
(iii) The Restructuring Plan initiated during the last quarter of 2012 finished in June 2013 and 8 has been recovered and was included in “Recovery of restructuring costs”.

 

    Balances     Additions (reversals)           Decreases     Balances  
    as of
December 31,
2011
    Capital
(i)
    Interest
(ii)
    Reclassifications     Classified
to liability
    Payments     as of
September 30,
2012
 

Current

             

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

    16        —          —          19        —          (3     32   

Provision for labor claims

    128        —          —          34        (57     (78     27   

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

    29        —          —          22        (24     (15     12   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current provisions

    173        —          —          75        (81     (96     71   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current

             

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

    117        15        11        (19     —          —          124   

Provision for labor claims

    220        48        29        (34     (10     —          253   

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

    384        49        16        (22     —          —          427   

Asset retirement obligations

    61        7        4        —          —          —          72   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current provisions

    782        (i) 119        60        (75     (10     —          876   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provisions

    955        119        60        —          (91     (96     947   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(i) Included 112 in Provisions and 7 in Capex.
(ii) Included in Finance costs.

NOTE 7 – EQUITY

Equity includes:

 

     September 30,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     12,027         9,959   

Equity attributable to non-controlling interest

     232         199   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity (*)

     12,259         10,158   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

 

  (a) Capital Stock

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

 

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

Ordinary shares, $1 argentine peso of nominal value each

        

Class “A”

     502,034,299         —           502,034,299   

Class “B”

     471,295,087         10,784,154         482,079,241   

Class “C”

     267,438         —           267,438   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     973,596,824         10,784,154         984,380,978   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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Telecom Argentina’s capital stock amounts to $984,380,978, and is represented by an equal number of ordinary shares, $1 argentine peso of nominal value and entitled to one vote per share. As of September 30, 2013 all the shares are fully paid.

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

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

 

  (b) Acquisition of Treasury Shares

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

    Price to be paid by share: between a minimum of $1 argentine peso and a maximum of $32.50 argentine pesos by share. The maximum price to be paid by share may be modified by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

    Deadline for the acquisitions: until April 30, 2014.

The Company’s Board of Directors, on its meeting held on August 29, 2013, modified the terms and conditions only regards the “price to be paid by share”, which resulted to be between a minimum of $1 argentine peso and a maximum of $40 argentine pesos per share.

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 September 30, 2013 the following treasury shares were acquired:

 

Transaction date

   Treasury shares
acquired (a)
     Total cost
(in millions)
     Average cost
per share
 

May 2013

     105,800         3       $ 26.49   

June 2013

     3,167,382         80       $ 25.29   

July 2013

     3,013,883         75       $ 24.99   

August 2013

     1,361,547         40       $ 29.24   

September 2013

     3,135,542         112       $ 35.56   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     10,784,154         310       $ 28.70   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

The accounting treatment of the above described transactions is disclosed in Note 1 a.2) to these consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 8 – RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS

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

 

 

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NOTE 9 – SELECTED CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY INFORMATION

 

Quarter

   Revenues      Operating
income before
D&A
     Operating
income
     Financial
results, net
     Net
income
     Net income
attributable
to Telecom
Argentina
 

Fiscal year 2013:

                 

March 31,

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

June 30,

     6,649         1,825         945         79         662         652   

September 30,

     7,114         1,930         1,203         163         886         870   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     19,827         5,554         3,263         377         2,361         2,324   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fiscal year 2012:

                 

March 31,

     5,126         1,647         1,033         61         708         698   

June 30,

     5,254         1,492         849         51         586         577   

September 30,

     5,645         1,587         921         47         629         616   

December 31,

     6,092         1,844         1,163         70         809         794   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     22,117         6,570         3,966         229         2,732         2,685   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

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

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

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

The more relevant administrative sanctions are as follow:

 

Date of the
incident

  

Company

  

Approximate duration of
the incident

  

Sanctions

06/12/2012    Telecom Argentina    2 12 hours    Fine of approximately $0.6 million.

Date of the
incident

  

Company

  

Approximate duration of
the incident

  

Sanctions

06/12/2012    Personal    2 12 hours    Fine of approximately $0.6 million and $10 of reimbursement to each customer affected, with a penalty of $4,690 for each day of delay in complying with the reimbursement.
03/08/2013    Personal    2 hours    Fine of $6 million and $30 of reimbursement to each customer affected, with a penalty of $140,700 for each day of delay in complying with the reimbursement.
04/02/2013    Personal    Service provision affected by the flooding of La Plata city.    Fine of approximately $2 million and $60 of reimbursement to each customer affected, with a penalty of $140,700 for each day of delay in complying with the reimbursement.
05/10/2013    Personal    10 hours    Fine of approximately $0.6 million and a daily fine of $ 1,407 per day of delay in complying with reporting required by the CNC with respect to the incident.

 

 

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

 

  2. Resolution SC No. 1/13

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

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

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

 

  3. Profit sharing bonds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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In June 2013, the Company filed its arguments and opposed an incompetence petition to the labor courts, issue that has not been resolved as of the date of these financial statements.

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

 

  4. Impairment of PP&E

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

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

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

 

  5. Resolution SC N º 5/13

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

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

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

 

  6. Salary agreements

In July 2013 Telecom Argentina concluded the salary negotiation process with various telecommunications unions for the period July 2013 – June 2014. Pursuant to the agreement reached, the unionized employees will receive in two installments, July 2013 and January 2014, different fixed amounts per category, representing an average annual raise of 25%. The increase corresponding to the first installment is approximately 15.5%, and has affected in approximately $110 million Telecom Argentina’s operating results in the third quarter of 2013. Telecom Argentina’s operating results in the fourth quarter of 2013 is estimated to be affected in approximately $71 million.

 

  7. Financial transactions to mitigate the currency exchange risk

Considering the fluctuations of the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Argentine Peso during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 (+18%), and due to the existence of commercial commitments denominated in US Dollars, in June, July and August 2013 Personal entered into several NDF contracts to purchase a total amount of U$S99 million maturing December 2013 and January 2014. The purpose of such NDF is to eliminate the risks associated to the future fluctuations of the exchange rate and to link the payment currency of Personal’s commercial commitments (item covered) to its functional currency. Based on the NDF terms, this instrument has been designated as a cash flows hedge for financial reporting purposes, but the effectiveness requirements set forth in IAS 39 are not complied. As of September 30, 2013, changes in fair value of this NDF have generated a gain of approximately $14, which was recorded in Other current receivables (counter entry in Financial results).

In addition, and with the purpose of mitigating the foreign currency exchange risk, in June and July 2013 Personal acquired Government bonds denominated in US Dollars (Bonar VII and Boden 2015), which bear an annual interest of 7%, also in US Dollars. Results for foreign currency exchange differences generated by such bonds were recorded in item “Foreign currency exchange losses”.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

  8. Regulation of Users of Mobile Communication Services

On September 9, 2013, the SC issued Resolution No.12/13, pursuant to the SC which created a citizen participation procedure to express opinions and proposals on the Project of Regulation of Users of Mobile Communication Services (attached to such Resolution as Exhibit I). As of the date of these financial statements such procedure is being carried out by means of various participation forums in various places in Argentina, allowing participants to submit written opinions before the CNC (or its delegations) through a form attached to the Resolution.

As of the date of these financial statements, Personal’s Management is analyzing the proposed project and its implications for the mobile industry.

 

  9. Amendments to the Income Tax Law

On September 23, 2013, Law No. 26,893 was published in the Official Bulletin, incorporating amendments to the Income Tax in connection with, among others, the taxation of results derived from transfers of stocks and dividend distributions. It is expected that the law’s scope will be clarified through regulations, which have not been published as of the date of these financial statements.

 

    Results derived from transfers of stocks

As from the amendment’s effective date, results derived from the transfer of shares, quotas and other equity interests, titles, bonds and other securities, are subject to Argentine income tax, regardless of the kind of beneficiary who realizes the gain.

However, results from the transfer of such securities are exempt from such income tax when the latter are listed on stock exchange markets (as in the case of Telecom Argentina’s shares) and the gains are realized by individual or undivided estates residents in Argentina.

The results realized by nonresidents from the transfer of shares, quotas and other equity interests, titles, bonds and other securities are also subject to income tax. When both the seller and the buyer are nonresidents, the person liable to pay the tax shall be the buyer of the shares, quotas, equity interests and other securities transferred.

 

    Dividend distributions

Dividends and other profits paid in cash or in kind —except for stock dividends or quota dividends—, by companies and other entities organized in Argentina referred to in Argentine Income Tax Law Sections 69 (a) (1), (2), (3), (6) and (7), and Section 69 (b), are subject to income tax at a 10% rate, except for dividends received by domestic companies and other domestic entities, which continue to be not subject to income tax (notwithstanding the applicability of the so called “Equalization Tax”). Dividends distributed to nonresidents shall be subject to a 10% withholding tax, as a unique and definitive payment. Consequently, any dividend distribution made by the Company to its shareholders shall be subject to this broadened tax, except for those beneficiaries that are domestic corporate taxpayers “sujetos empresa” (such as, for instance, distributions made from Telecom Argentina to Nortel and those from Personal to Telecom Argentina and Nortel) and regardless of, if applicable, the so called “Equalization Tax”.

 

  10. Information on changes in the stock participations in Telco S.p.A. (“Telco”)

As informed by Telecom Italia S.p.A. –hereinafter “TI”– in its latest Form 20-F, the Italian company Telco is one of its main shareholders, with a participation of the 22.39% of the voting shares of TI –company that indirectly controls Telecom Argentina S.A. –.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

On September 24, 2013, the Company’s Management has become aware that Telefónica, S.A. (de España), hereinafter “Telefónica”, informed to the market that such Spanish company and the other Telco shareholders reached an agreement with respect to the evolution of their shareholdings in Telco. On the same day, September 24, 2013, the Company issued a Relevant Fact notification pursuant to the CNV Rules, reproducing the information published by Telefónica. The pertinent portion of Telefónica’s notification says as follows:

“Telefónica and the remaining shareholders of the Italian company Telco, S.p.A. (which holds a capital stake of 22.4 % of the voting share capital of Telecom Italia S.p.A.) have reached an agreement by virtue of which:

 

    As of today, Telefónica has subscribed for and paid out a capital increase in Telco, S.p.A., through the contribution of 323,772,468 euros in cash, receiving in return non-voting shares of Telco, S.p.A. As a result of this capital increase, the interest held by Telefónica in the voting share capital of Telco, S.p.A. remains unchanged (i.e. 46.18 %, as Telefónica currently holds), although its interest in the total share capital of Telco, S.p.A. is increased to 66%. The current governance at Telco, S.p.A.’s level remains unaffected, including the obligation by Telefónica of abstaining from participating or influencing in any decisions which could affect the markets in which both Telefónica and Telecom Italia S.p.A. are present.

Telco, S.p.A. will use the proceeds received from the capital increase to reduce its banking debt.

 

    Subject to receiving any required anti-trust and telecommunications approvals (including in Brazil and Argentina), Telefónica will subscribe for and pay out a second capital increase in Telco, S.p.A., through the contribution of 117,227,532 euros in cash and receiving in return non-voting shares of Telco, S.p.A. As a result of this second capital increase, the interest of Telefónica in the voting share capital of Telco, S.p.A. will remain unchanged (i.e. 46.18 %, as Telefónica currently holds), although its interest in the total share capital will be then increased to 70%.

Telco, S.p.A. will use the proceeds received from the second capital increase to partially repay its notes.

 

    Starting from January 1, 2014, subject to receiving any required relevant antitrust and telecommunications approvals (including in Brazil and Argentina), Telefónica may convert all or a portion of the non-voting shares in Telco, S.p.A. held by Telefónica, reaching a maximum of 64.9 % of the voting share capital of Telco, S.p.A.

 

    The Italian shareholders of Telco, S.p.A. have granted to Telefonica a call option to acquire all of their shares in Telco, S.p.A., whose exercise is subject to receiving any required anti-trust and telecommunications approvals (including in Brazil and Argentina). The call option may be exercised by Telefonica starting from January 1, 2014 while the Shareholders Agreement remains in effect, except (i) between June 1,2014 and June 30, 2014 and between January 15, 2015 and February 15, 2015, and (ii) during certain periods, in case the Italian shareholders Telco, S.p.A. request the demerger of Telco, S.p.A.

The purchase price of the shares, payable in cash, will be based on the equity of Telco, S.p.A. at the end of the month prior to the closing. For this purpose, the value of the shares in Telecom Italia S.p.A. held by Telco, S.p.A. will be valued at the higher of: (i) 1.10 euros per share of TI, and (ii) the average closing trading price of the 30 days prior to the call option exercise notice.

 

    As of today, Telefónica will acquire from the remaining Telco, S.p.A.’s shareholders 23.8% of the non-convertible notes issued by Telco, S.p.A., in exchange of 39,021,411 Telefónica’s treasury shares, which represent 0.9 % of its share capital. In this respect, the remaining Telco, S.p.A.’s shareholders have committed: i) to refrain from selling the aforementioned shares during the next 15th business days, and ii) to assume some restrictions that, in case of sale, ensure an orderly sale of such shares.

 

    Telefónica has assumed a standstill obligation under which Telefónica commits not to buy shares in Telecom Italia S.p.A. except if a third party acquires a relevant stake (10% or higher) in the aforementioned company.

Madrid, September 24, 2013.”

Further information about Telco Commitment and TI-W Commitment can be consulted at www.telecom.com.ar/compromisos.

 

  11. Increase in the Regulator’s Penalty Activities

                Telecom Argentina is subject to various penalty procedures, in most cases promoted by the Regulatory Authority, for delays in the reparation and installation of service to fix-line customers. Although generally a penalty considered on an individual basis does not have a material effect on Telecom Argentina’s equity, there is a significant disproportion between the amounts of the penalty imposed by the Regulatory Authority and the revenue that the affected customer generates to Telecom Argentina.

During the first nine months of fiscal year 2013, the CNC significantly increased its penalty activities, increasing the amount of accusations and penalties, as well as the individual amount of each of the latter. In several cases the penalties imposed during this period have had twice the economic value of the penalties imposed to Telecom Argentina in previous fiscal years for the same alleged offences.

As a result of the above, and notwithstanding the defense arguments submitted by Telecom Argentina at the administrative level, losses recorded during the nine-month period ended on September 30, 2013 for contingencies of regulatory nature in Telecom Argentina have significantly increased, reaching an amount of $97 (vs. $37 in 9M12 or +162%), which is included in item “Provisions” in the Income Statement.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTE 11 – EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Acquisition of treasury shares

In connection with the Company’s Treasury Shares Acquisition Process described in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, during October 2013 and until the date of issuance of these financial statements, the Company has acquired 3,377,756 ordinary Class “B” shares, $1 argentine peso of nominal value, for an aggregate cost of approximately $113.

 

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

 

 

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

LIMITED REVIEW REPORT ON THE CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

To the Shareholders, President and Directors of

Telecom Argentina S.A.

Legal address: Alicia Moreau de Justo 50

Autonomous City of Buenos Aires

Tax code: 30-63945373-8

 

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

 

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

 

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


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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  d) at September 30, 2013, the debt corresponding to withholdings and contributions to the Argentine Integrated Social Security System according to the Company’s accounting records amounted to $63,789,671.42, none of which was due at that date.

Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, October 30, 2013

 

PRICE WATERHOUSE & CO. S.R.L.

Dr. Alejandro P. Frechou (Partner)

C.P.C.E.C.A.B.A. Vº 1 Fº 17

Dr. Alejandro P. Frechou

Public Accountant (UBA)

C.P.C.E.C.A.B.A. V° 156 F° 85


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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)  

3Q12

     16.10         12.30         9.5   

4Q12

     16.10         12.40         7.3   

1Q13

     25.95         16.40         18.1   

2Q13

     31.00         22.50         12.2   

3Q13

     37.00         22.80         14.9   

NYSE*

 

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

Quarter

   High      Low      traded (in millions)  

3Q12

     12.31         9.39         12.6   

4Q12

     12.17         9.37         10.0   

1Q13

     15.92         12.13         27.0   

2Q13

     16.73         13.40         13.6   

3Q’13

     20.11         13.93         15.1   

 

* Calculated at 1 ADR = 5 shares

 

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

 

In Argentina
Telecom Argentina S.A.
Investor Relations Division
Alicia Moreau de Justo 50, 10th Floor
(1107) Autonomous City of Buenos Aires
Tel,: 54-11-4968-3628
Argentina
Outside Argentina
JP Morgan Chase
Latam ADR Sales & Relationship Mgmt.
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza Floor 21
New York 10005
USA
Tel.: 1-212-552-3729

 

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

 

  DEPOSIT AND TRANSFER AGENT FOR ADRs

 

J.P. Morgan Depositary Receipts
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, Floor 58
New York, NY 10005
(866) JPM-ADRS
adr@jpmorgan.comwww.adr.com


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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: November 21, 2013     By:  

/s/ Enrique Garrido

      Name:   Enrique Garrido
      Title:   Chairman