6-K
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

Report of Foreign Issuer

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

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of August 2015

Commission File Number: 001-13464

 

 

Telecom Argentina S.A.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

Alicia Moreau de Justo, No. 50, 1107

Buenos Aires, Argentina

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): Yes  ¨ No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): Yes  ¨ No  x

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: Yes  ¨ No  x

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

 

 

 


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Telecom Argentina S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item

 

  1. Telecom Argentina S.A. announces consolidated six month period (‘1H15’) and second quarter (‘2Q15’) results for fiscal year 2015


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Market Cap P$42.3 billion

August 3rd, 2015

Contacts:

Pedro Insussarry

Solange Barthe Dennin

(54 11) 4968-3743/3752

Telecom Argentina S.A.

announces consolidated six month period (‘1H15’) and second

quarter (‘2Q15’) results for fiscal year 2015*

 

  Consolidated Revenues amounted to P$18,496 million (+18.7% vs. 1H14); Fixed Internet +38.1% vs. 1H14; Fixed Data +22.8% vs. 1H14; and Mobile business in Argentina +17.9% vs. 1H14.

 

  Mobile subscribers in Argentina: 19.4 million in 1H15.

 

  Mobile Value Added Services in Argentina (Internet and Data): +23.5% vs. 1H14; 60.1% of Service Revenues.

 

  Mobile ARPU in Argentina increased to P$86.4 per month in 1H15 (+23.5% vs. 1H14).

 

  ADSL ARPU increased to P$190.1 per month in 1H15 (+32.9% vs. 1H14); monthly churn reached 1.4% in 1H15.

 

  Consolidated Operating Costs -including D&A and Results on disposal of PP&E and write-down of PP&E- totaled P$15,359 million (+18.2% vs. 1H14); Employee benefits expenses +28.4% and Taxes +18.5% vs. 1H14.

 

  Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization reached P$5,135 million (+24.7% vs. 1H14), 27.8% of Consolidated Revenues.

 

  Net Income amounted to P$1,978 million (+7.7% vs. 1H14). Net Income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to P$1,956 million (+8.4% vs. 1H14).

 

  Capex amounted to P$4,690 million in 1H15 (+107.1% vs. 1H14) due to the 4G spectrum acquisition for P$2,256 million in 2Q15, 25.4% of consolidated revenues.

 

  Net Financial Position (Debt) achieved P$1,078 million, a decrease of P$4,885 million vs. 1H14, after the total 3G/4G spectrum payment of P$5,786 million and Telecom Argentina’s cash dividend distribution of P$1,202 million during fiscal year 2014 and P$804 million in fiscal year 2015.

 

     As of June, 30                
(in million P$, except where noted)    2015      2014      D $      D %  

Consolidated Revenues

     18,496         15,585         2,911         18.7

Mobile Services

     13,547         11,529         2,018         17.5

Fixed Services

     4,949         4,056         893         22.0

Operating Income before D&A

     5,135         4,119         1,016         24.7

Operating Income

     3,148         2,618         530         20.2

Net Income attributable to Telecom Argentina

     1,956         1,805         151         8.4

Shareholders’ equity attributable to Telecom Argentina

     15,537         12,538         2,999         23.9

Net Financial Position - (Debt) / Cash

     (1,078      3,807         (4,885      -128.3

CAPEX

     4,690         2,265         2,425        107.1

Fixed lines in service (in thousand lines)

     4,064         4,103         (39      -1.0

Mobile customers (in thousand)

     21,936         22,163         (227      -1.0

Personal (Argentina)

     19,418         19,776         (358      -1.8

Núcleo (Paraguay) -including Wimax customers-

     2,518         2,387         131         5.5

Broadband accesses (in thousand)

     1,786         1,726         60         3.5

Average Billing per user (ARBU) Fixed Telephony / voice (in P$)

     62.5         55.7         6.8         12.2

Average Revenue per user (ARPU) Mobile Services in Arg. (in P$)

     86.4         70.0         16.4         23.5

Average Revenue per user (ARPU) ADSL (in P$)

     190.1         143.0         47.1         32.9 %

 

* Unaudited non financial data

 

  1   www.telecom.com.ar


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Buenos Aires, August 3, 2015 - Telecom Argentina (‘Telecom’) - (NYSE: TEO; BASE: TECO2), one of Argentina’s leading telecommunications companies, announced today a Net Income of P$1,978 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2015, or +7.7% when compared to the same period last year. Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to P$1,956 million (+8.4% vs. 1H14).

 

     1H15     1H14     D $      D %  

Consolidated Revenues (MMP$)

     18,496        15,585        2,911         18.7

Net Income attributable to Telecom (MMP$)

     1,956        1,805        151         8.4

Earnings attributable to Telecom per Share (P$)

     2.0        1.9        0.1      

Earnings attributable to Telecom per ADR (P$)

     10.1        9.3        0.8      

Operating Income before D&A *

     27.8     26.4     

Operating Income *

     17.0     16.8     

Net Income*

     10.7     11.8     

 

* As a percentage of Consolidated Revenues

Note: As of 1H15 and 1H14 , the average of ordinary shares outstanding amounted to 969,159,605.

During 1H15 Consolidated Revenues increased by 18.7% to P$18,496 million (+P$2,911 million vs. 1H14), mainly fueled by the Broadband businesses, Fixed Data and Mobile Services. Moreover, Operating Income reached P$3,148 million (+P$530 million or +20.2% vs. 1H14).

Consolidated Operating Revenues

Mobile Services

 

During 1H15 clients amounted to 21.9 million as of the end of June, 2015 vs. 22.2 million as of 1H14.

 

Third parties Revenues amounted to P$13,547 million (+17.5% vs. 1H14) thanks to innovative commercial offers that stimulates value added services (‘VAS’) accompanying service usage towards higher data consumption.

 

Telecom Personal in Argentina

 

As of June 30, 2015, Personal reached 19.4 million subscribers in Argentina, where postpaid modality represented 32% of the subscriber base.

 

In 1H15, third parties Revenues reached P$12,723 million (+P$1,935 million or +17.9% vs. 1H14) while Service Revenues (excluding equipment sales) amounted to P$10,490 million (+21.0% vs. 1H14), with 60.1% corresponding to VAS revenues (vs. 58.8% in 1H14). VAS revenues amounted to P$6,302 million (+23.5% vs. 1H14). Moreover, equipment sales reached P$2,233 million (+5.6% vs. 1H14).

 

During 1H15 the Average Monthly Revenue per User (‘ARPU’) reached P$86.4 (+23.5% vs. 1H14) due to a commercial offer that promotes the development of Data and Internet services.

 

 

 

 

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Initiatives

 

During 2Q15, Personal continued with the deployment of the 4G/LTE network, adding coverage in areas where the service was already available. Therefore, clients in 18 cities of 15 provinces of the country with handsets who have this technology can enjoy the service without changing the SIM card and just having enabled a data plan.

 

Furthermore, together with the evolution of service usage towards higher data consumption, Personal boosted the commercial offer by giving the possibility to reset the daily or monthly Data Quota for additional Data Usage, once the quota is reached. Moreover, digital tools were launched such as: ‘Mi Cuenta’, available at the website and as app for mobile, with the aim of consumption control, among other features.

 

In addition, in relation to the handsets offer, Personal introduced several commercial proposals during Father’s Day campaign with the aim to stimulate handsets upgrade to Smartphones and 4G devices. These offers granted a 50% discount and financing for clients with ‘Día Full Plans’ and additional benefits for ‘Personal’s Black’ subscribers.

 

Moreover, for the corporate segment, Personal continued promoting M2M (‘Machine to Machine’) services, providing visibility and control in real time of the connected devices, besides the mobile service management, diagnostic, support and flexible billing. For this segment, additionally, Telecom and Personal launched ‘Executive’, the first convergent commercial platform for more than 5,000 companies, generating a unified position that includes: expert advisory in sales and customer service, convergent fixed and mobile offers plus Internet tailored to each company.

 

Finally, consolidating its brand position associated to music and the youth segment, Personal and LG accompanied the ‘Violetta Live 2015 International Tour’ in the shows around the country, in conjunction with related commercial offers.

 

In the communicational aspect associated to sports, for eleventh consecutive year, Personal was the official sponsor of the ‘Rally Argentina 2015’. In this way, Personal continued building a relationship with these sport fans, besides offering the best quality service in an international event thanks to the reinforcement of the network capacity through 3G and 4G mobile cells to satisfy the notable increase in mobile traffic to national and international destinations.

 

Telecom Personal in Paraguay (‘Núcleo’)

 

As of June 30, 2015, Nucleo’s subscriber base reached approximately 2.5 million clients (+5.5% vs. 1H14). Prepaid and postpaid customers represented 80% and 20%, respectively.

 

Nucleo generated revenues from third parties equivalent to P$824 million during 1H15 (+11.2% vs. 1H14). VAS revenues amounted to P$409 million (+10.2% vs. 1H14) representing 54.0% of 1H15 service revenues (vs. 52.6% in 1H14). The revenue performance of Nucleo measured in pesos was affected by the depreciation of the Guarani to peso FX rate.

 

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Fixed Services (Voice, Data & Internet)

 

During 1H15, revenues generated by fixed services amounted to P$4,949 million, +22.0% vs. 1H14; with Internet (+38.1% vs. 1H14) and Data revenues (+22.8% vs. 1H14) growing the most in the segment.

 
Voice  
Total service revenues reached P$2,012 million in 1H15 (+9.4% vs. 1H14). A portion of this line of business (mainly monthly charge and measured services), continued to be affected by frozen tariffs of regulated services enforced by the Argentine Government in 2002.  
Revenues generated by measured services totaled P$856 million, an increase of P$116 million or +15.7% vs. 1H14 mainly due to a higher penetration of flat rate packs of local and national long distance calls.  
Monthly charges and supplementary services reached P$628 million, an increase of P$36 million or +6.1% vs. 1H14 due to higher revenues in non-regulated supplementary services. The customer base remained stable at 4.1 million lines in service.  
As a result of these increases, the average monthly revenue billed to user (ARBU) reached P$62.5 in 1H15, +12.2% vs. 1H14.  
Fixed and mobile interconnection revenues amounted to P$314 million (+4.0% vs. 1H14). Meanwhile, other revenues totaled P$214 million (+4.3% vs. 1H14).  
Data and Internet  
Data revenues (services mainly offered to Corporate segment and Government) amounted to P$839 million (+P$156 million or +22.8% vs. 1H14), strengthening the position of Telecom as an integrated ICT provider. This increase was partially due to a growth in fixed accesses of innovative Data services.  

Revenues related to Internet totaled P$2,075 million (+P$572 million or +38.1% vs. 1H14), mainly due to price increases and a commercial offer with higher speeds (ultra broadband or UBB), where 10Mb was the most demanded service that represents 22% over the total customer base, in comparison to 10% in 1H14. This was possible thanks to significant investments executed recently in the access network using FTTx technology that allows taking fiber optics to the closest connection point with the customer.

 

 

 

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As of June 30, 2015, Telecom reached 1.8 million ADSL accesses (+3.5% vs. 1H14). These connections represented 43.9% of Telecom’s fixed lines in service. In addition, ADSL ARPU reached P$190.1 in 1H15, +32.9% when compared to 1H14 and the monthly churn rate achieved 1.4% in 1H15.

 

 
During 2Q15, Arnet and Personal developed a bundled offer, named as ‘Promo Histórica’ that provides important benefits with discounts of up to 50% per twelve months and financing for those clients who choose both products, and had already been clients for either one of them, fulfilling communication needs of fixed and mobile subscribers.  
In the same way, Arnet continued in 2Q15 with its integrated offer through packs of services and special benefits such as: Pack Arnet Total, Pack Arnet Familia, Pack Arnet Hablemos, Pack 6MB+ Play and Pack Arnet Spotify suitable to clients’ needs combining local and mobile calls, access to Play (video streaming) and to Spotify (music streaming).  

 

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Consolidated Operating Costs  
Consolidated Operating Costs totaled P$15,359 million in 1H15, an increase of P$2,362 million, or +18.2% vs. 1H14 (including ‘Results on disposal of PP&E and write-down of PP&E’ that resulted in a gain of P$3 million in 1H15 vs. a gain of P$10 million in 1H14). This increase is a consequence of higher depreciations and amortizations, higher labor costs and taxes associated to higher sales.  

 

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The cost breakdown is as follows:

 

 
  

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments totaled P$3,258 million (+28.4% vs. 1H14), mainly affected by increases in salaries to unionized employees due to the collective bargaining agreement set at the beginning of 3Q14 as well as increases in salaries to the non-unionized workforce and year-end bonuses, together with the social security contributions associated to such concepts. Total employees of the Telecom Group at the end of the period totaled 16,286.

 

 
   Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges (including TLRD, Roaming, Interconnection, international settlement charges and lease of circuits) amounted to P$1,001 million, -1.9% vs. 1H14. This decrease resulted from lower volume of roaming traffic and lower costs of international outbound calls.  
   Fees for services, maintenance and materials and supplies amounted to P$1,869 million (+16.9% vs. 1H14), mainly due to costs’ increases in technical maintenance as well as higher fees for services, mainly due to higher costs recognized to suppliers (mainly call center providers) in both the fixed and mobile businesses to continue improving the quality of the customer service.  
   Taxes and fees with regulatory authorities reached P$1,853 million (+18.5% vs. 1H14), impacted mainly by higher revenues, higher bank debit and credit taxes related to the higher collection flows, suppliers payments, the spectrum payment and dividends, as well as higher taxes with the Regulatory Authority.  
   Commissions (Commissions paid to agents, prepaid card commissions and others) totaled P$1,396 million (+24.9% vs. 1H14), mainly due to the increase in commissions paid to commercial channels as well as collection fees and distribution of prepaid cards commissions. Agent commissions capitalized as SAC amounted to P$513 million (+41.7% vs. 1H14). The higher commissions capitalized as SAC were due to the increase in the customer base and higher commissions.  
   Cost of handsets sold decreased to P$1,735 million (-8.3% vs. 1H14), due to a lower number of handsets sold because of the difficulty of its delivery. Deferred costs from SAC amounted to P$42 million (-26.3% vs. 1H14). The lower deferred costs were derived from the reduction in handset subsidies given to clients.  

 

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  Advertising amounted to P$370 million (+8.5% vs. 1H14), mainly due to slightly higher commercial expenses when compare to 1H14, related to marketing campaigns.
  Depreciation and Amortization reached P$1,990 million (+31.7% vs. 1H14). PP&E depreciation amounted to P$1,391 million (+25.8% vs. 1H14); Amortization of SAC and service connection costs totaled P$457 million (+16.3% vs. 1H14); Amortization of 3G/4G spectrum reached P$131 million due to the capitalization of the spectrum acquired and made available since the end of 2014 and other intangible assets reached P$11 million (vs. P$12 million in 1H14).
  Other Costs totaled P$1,890 million (+32.7% vs. 1H14). This increase was mainly due to VAS costs that totaled P$597 million (+47.0% vs. 1H14), related to the increase of sales of those services, especially in the mobile business. Bad debt expenses reached P$281 million (+20.6% vs. 1H14) representing 1.8% of consolidated costs and 1.5% of consolidated revenues.
Consolidated Financial Results
Net Financial results resulted in a loss of P$119 million, a decrease of P$273 million or - 177.3% vs. 1H14. This was mainly due to a lower cash position after the spectrum payments in 4Q14 and 2Q15, which led to a lower generation of interest on time deposits and lower gains on mutual funds and other investments, together with higher financial expenses associated to interest on loans contracted by Telecom Personal. Moreover, losses for FX results amounted to P$95 million in 1H15 (vs. a loss of P$222 million in 1H14). Meanwhile, results on NDF generated a loss of P$47 million in 1H15 (vs. a loss of P$6 million in 1H14).
Consolidated Net Financial Position
As of June 30, 2015, Net Financial Position (Cash, Cash Equivalents and financial Investments minus Loans) resulted in P$1,078 million in debt, a decrease of P$4,885 million when compared to the Net Financial Position as of June 30, 2014, after the cash dividend payments of Telecom Argentina of P$1,202 million paid in 2014 corresponded to the previous fiscal year and P$804 million paid in 2Q15 corresponded to fiscal year 2014. Also the effects of the 3G/4G frequencies payment for an amount of P$5,786 million (US$ 658 million) as well as higher payments to suppliers and taxes, were evidenced.
Capital Expenditures
During 1H15, the Company invested P$4,690 million (+107.1% vs. 1H14). Of this amount, P$908 million were allocated to Fixed Services and P$3,782 million to Mobile services, where P$2,256 million was related to the 4G spectrum payment. Capex reached 25.4% of consolidated revenues.
The main capital expenditures in the fixed business were associated to the expansion of broadband services to offer higher speeds thus improving the navigation experience in Internet.
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in million of AR$       1H14         1H15  

Net Interests

    $ 238      -   $ 87   

Gains on Mutual Funds & other Inv.

    $ 147        $ 130   

FX results

  -   $ 222      -   $ 95   

Results on NDF

  -   $ 6      -   $ 47   

Others

  -   $ 3      -   $ 20   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    $ 154      -   $ 119   
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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In the mobile business, the 3G and 4G frequencies acquired together with the executed investments allow to improve coverage and network capacity to sustain the increase in demand of Data and Internet, along with new VAS thus offering a better quality of service.  
Additionally to the 4G deployment, Personal is renewing the 2G/3G equipment with state of the art technology. Consequently, through the extension of the network capacity promotes improvements in the customer experience.  
Relevant Matters  
Dividend Payment  
The General Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Telecom Argentina approved on April, 29th, 2015 a cash dividend payment of P$804,402,472. The dividend payment started on May 11th, 2015. The amount distributed was equivalent to P$0.83 per outstanding share in circulation or P$4.15 per ADR, prior to deductions of the Personal Asset Tax and Income Tax obligations. Additionally, the General Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting approved the creation of a ‘Reserve for Future Cash Dividends’ for P$2.9 billion; and the delegation of the powers to the Board of Directors to determine the allocation, depending on the performance of the business, in one or more instances, of an amount up to P$649.3 million of the ‘Reserve for Future Cash Dividends’ and its distribution to shareholders as cash dividends, during Fiscal Year 2015.  
Amendment of the corporate purpose of Telecom Argentina  
The Ordinary and Extraordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting held on June 22nd, 2015 approved the appointment of Mr. Oscar Carlos Cristianci as to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Enrique Garrido and to complete its mandate. Additionally, the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting approved an amendment to Section 3 of the Bylaws of Telecom Argentina in order to extend the corporate purpose, adapting it to the new definition of ICT Services as part of the Argentine Digital Law and including the possibility to provide Audiovisual Communication Services (media services). The validity of the amendment was conditioned upon and subject to obtaining the prior authorization from the competent authority (AFTIC). On July 27th, 2015, the AFTIC approved such amendment.  
Spectrum Payment  
Through Resolution 25/2015 of the Secretariat of Communications (‘SC’), the frequency bands for the Advanced Mobile Communication Services (‘SCMA’) 713-723 Mhz and 768-778 Mhz for the National Area were assigned to Telecom Personal. Thereby, the allocation of Lot 8 that had been partially assigned in November 2014 through SC Resolution 83/2014 was completed. Consequently, on June 25th, 2015, Telecom Personal has proceeded to cancel the outstanding amount of US$ 247,263,421, as part of the total amount offered for Lot 8. The payment was made to the accounts of the Argentine State informed by SC’s through Notes 1630/15 and 1474/14, and in accordance with the List of Conditions of the Auction and the Clarification Note N 1.  

 

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Other Relevant Matters  
On June 24th, 2015, Telefonica S.A. submitted to the CNV (‘Comisión Nacional de Valores’) and to the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange a letter informing as a relevant matter ‘the divestment of its entire stake in Telecom Italia S.p.A.’. Consequently, the grounds that led to the presentation of the Commitments to the CNDC (‘Antitrust Commission’) and the acceptance of the obligations derived from them accepted or signed by the companies have disappeared. For that reason, on July 6th, 2015 Telecom Italia S.p.A. submitted a note to the CNDC informing that the end of the validity of the Commitments had been configured, according to that contemplated in Clause 9.2 from the Telco Commitment and Clause 3 of the TI-W Commitment. In the same sense, on July 7th, 2015, Telecom Argentina and Telecom Personal submitted a note to the CNDC adhering to the presentation made by Telecom Italia S.p.A. and required that, for the same reasons exposed by Telecom Italia on its note; declare the extinction of the validity of both Commitments.  
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Telecom is the parent company of a leading telecommunications group in Argentina, where it offers, either itself or through its controlled subsidiaries local and long distance fixed-line telephony, cellular, Data transmission and Internet services, among other services. Additionally, through a controlled subsidiary, the Telecom Group offers cellular services in Paraguay. The Company commenced operations on November 8, 1990, upon the Argentine government’s transfer of the telecommunications system in the northern region of Argentina.

 

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Nortel Inversora S.A. (“Nortel”), which acquired the majority of the Company from the Argentine government, holds 54.74% of Telecom’s issued common stock. Nortel is a holding company whose common stock (approximately 78% of capital stock) is owned by Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A. Additionally, Nortel capital stock is comprised of preferred shares that are held by minority shareholders.

 

As of June 30, 2015, Telecom continued to have 984,380,978 shares issued and 969,159,605 shares outstanding.

For more information, please contact Investor Relations:

 

Pedro Insussarry

(5411) 4968 3743

  Solange Barthe Dennin

(5411) 4968 3752

  Ruth Fuhrmann

(5411) 4968 4448

  Antonella Papaleo

(5411) 4968 6236

Voice Mail: (5411) 4968 3628

Fax: (5411) 4968 3616

E-mail: relinver@ta.telecom.com.ar

For information about Telecom Group services, visit:

www.telecom.com.ar

www.personal.com.ar

www.personal.com.py

www.arnet.com.ar

Disclaimer

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

(Financial tables follow)

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Oscar Carlos Cristianci

Chairman

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Six month Period and Second Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

1- Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

     06/30/15      12/31/14      D $     D %  

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,560         825         735        89.1

Investments

     575         53         522        —     

Trade receivables

     4,425         4,124         301        7.3

Other Receivables

     1,423         1,391         32        2.3

Total current assets

     7,983         6,393         1,590        24.9

Financial Investments

     343         300         43        14.3

Trade receivables

     133         143         (10     -7.0

Property, plant and equipment

     14,508         13,809         699        5.1

Intangible assets

     7,593         5,331         2,262        42.4

Other Receivables

     411         341         70        20.5

Total non-current assets

     22,988         19,924         3,064        15.4

Total Assets

     30,971         26,317         4,654        17.7

Trade payables

     6,013         6,072         (59     -1.0

Deferred revenues

     573         507         66        13.0

Financial debt

     2,987         179         2,808        —     

Salaries and social security payables

     979         1,022         (43     -4.2

Income tax payables

     701         247         454        183.8

Other taxes payables

     723         824         (101     -12.3

Other liabilities

     39         47         (8     -17.0

Provisions

     262         199         63        31.7

Total current liabilities

     12,277         9,097         3,180        35.0

Deferred revenues

     461         465         (4     -0.9

Financial debt

     569         254         315        124.0

Salaries and social security payables

     130         150         (20     -13.3

Deferred income tax liabilities

     355         417         (62     -14.9

Income tax payables

     7         9         (2     -22.2

Other liabilities

     92         76         16        21.1

Provisions

     1,207         1,080         127        11.8

Total non-current liabilities

     2,821         2,451         370        15.1

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     15,098         11,548         3,550        30.7

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     15,537         14,418         1,119        7.8

Non-controlling interest

     336         351         (15     -4.3

TOTAL EQUITY

     15,873         14,769         1,104        7.5

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

     30,971         26,317         4,654        17.7

 

2- Consolidated Loans

 

     06/30/15     12/31/14      D $     D%  

Bank overdraft for the acqusition of 4G spectrum - Personal

     2,256        0         2,256        —     

Bank overdraft - principal Personal

     663        140         523        —     

Bank overdraft - accrued interest Personal

     10        1         9        —     

Bank loans - accrued interest Personal

     8        0         8        —     

Banks loans - principal Nucleo

     44        32         12        37.5

Banks loans - accrued interest Nucleo

     6        6         —          0

Total Current Loans

     2,987        179         2,808        —     

Banks loans - principal Personal

     354        —           354        —     

Banks loans - principal Nucleo

     215        254         (39     -15.4

Total Non Current Loans

     569        254         315        124.0

Total Loans

     3,556        433         3,123        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, and Financial Investments

     2,478        1,178         1,300        110.4

Net Financial Position - Cash / (Debt)

     (1,078     745         (1,823     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  10   www.telecom.com.ar


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Six month Period and Second Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

3- Consolidated Income Statements

 

     06/30/15     06/30/14     D $     D %  

Revenues

     18,496        15,585        2,911        18.7

Other income

     11        30        (19     -63.3

Total Revenues & Other Income

     18,507        15,615        2,892        18.5

Consolidated Operating Costs

     (15,362     (13,007     (2,355     18.1

Results on disposal of PP&E and writedown of PP&E

     3        10        (7     -70.0

Operating income

     3,148        2,618        530        20.2

Finance results, net

     (119     154        (273     -177.3

Net income before income tax expense

     3,029        2,772        257        9.3

Income tax expense

     (1,051     (936     (115     12.3

Net income

     1,978        1,836        142        7.7

Attributable to:

        

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     1,956        1,805        151        8.4

Non-controlling interest

     22        31        (9     -29.0

Operating income before D&A

     5,135        4,119        1,016        24.7

As % of Revenues

     27.8     26.4    
Finance Income and Expenses    06/30/15     06/30/14     D $     D %  

Finance Income

        

Interest on time deposits

     7        260        (253     -97.3

Gains on other investments (notes and bonds)

     69        73        (4     -5.5

Gains on Mutual Funds

     61        74        (13     -17.6

Interest on receivables

     90        80        10        12.5

Foreign currency exchange gains

     39        534        (495     -92.7

Gain on NDF

     4        42        (38     -90.5

Total finance income

     270        1,063        (793     -74.6

Finance expenses

        

Interest on financial debt - Personal

     (71     —          (71     —     

Interest on financial debt - Nucleo

     (12     (12     —          0

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

     (12     (20     8        -40.0

Interest on provisions

     (89     (70     (19     27.1

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

     (2     (3     1        -33.3

Foreign currency exchange losses

     (134     (756     622        -82.3

Foreign currency exchange losses

     (14     —          (14     —     

Losses on NDF

     (51     (48     (3     6.3

Others

     (4     —          (4     —     

Total finance expenses

     (389     (909     520        -57.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (119     154        (273     -177.3

 

4- Consolidated Income Statements

Three Months Comparison

 

     06/30/15     06/30/14     D $     D %  

Revenues

     9,624        8,119        1,505        18.5

Other income

     4        20        (16     -80.0

Total Revenues & Other Income

     9,628        8,139        1,489        18.3

Consolidated Operating Costs

     (8,160     (6,904     (1,256     18.2

Operating income

     1,468        1,241        227        18.3

Finance results, net

     (30     186        (216     -116.1

Net income before income tax expense

     1,438        1,427        11        0.8

Income tax expense

     (501     (497     (4     0.8

Net income

     937        930        7        0.8

Attributable to:

        

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     928        916        12        1.3

Non-controlling interest

     9        14        (5     -35.7

Operating income before D&A

     2,501        2,007        494        24.6

As % of Revenues

     26.0     24.7    

 

 

  11   www.telecom.com.ar


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Six month Period and Second Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

5- Breakdown of the Income Statements

 

     06/30/15      06/30/14      D $     D %  
REVENUES FROM SERVICES      16,174         13,403         2,771        20.7
Fixed Services      4,926         4,025         901        22.4
Voice      2,012         1,839         173        9.4
Retail Voice      1,533         1,386         147        10.6

Monthly Charges

     628         592         36        6.1

Measured Services

     856         740         116        15.7

Others

     49         54         (5     -9.3

Wholesale

     479         453         26        5.7

Interconnection

     314         302         12        4.0

Others

     165         151         14        9.3

Data

     839         683         156        22.8

Internet

     2,075         1,503         572        38.1

Mobiles Sevices

     11,248         9,378         1,870        19.9

Telecom Personal

     10,490         8,673         1,817        21.0

Voice

     4,188         3,571         617        17.3

Retail Voice

     3,259         2,595         664        25.6

Monthly Charges

     1,830         1,431         399        27.9

Measured Services

     983         855         128        15.0

Roaming

     146         157         (11     -7.0

Others

     300         152         148        97.4

Wholesale

     929         976         (47     -4.8

Interconnection (CPP and TLRD)

     758         794         (36     -4.5

Roaming

     154         162         (8     -4.9

Others

     17         20         (3     -15.0

Data

     3,613         3,677         (64     -1.7

Internet

     2,689         1,425         1,264        88.7

Núcleo

     758         705         53        7.5

Voice

     349         334         15        4.5

Retail Voice

     293         277         16        5.8

Monthly Charges

     111         104         7        6.7

Measured Services

     142         155         (13     -8.4

Roaming

     5         5         0        0

Others

     35         13         22        169.2

Wholesale

     56         57         (1     -1.8

Interconnection (CPP and TLRD)

     38         55         (17     -30.9

Roaming

     15         —           15        —     

Others

     3         2         1        50.0

Data

     148         164         (16     -9.8

Internet

     261         207         54        26.1

REVENUES FROM EQUIPMENT SALES

     2,322         2,182         140        6.4

Fixed Services

     23         31         (8     -25.8

Mobiles Sevices

     2,299         2,151         148        6.9

Equipments (Personal)

     2,233         2,115         118        5.6

Equipments (Núcleo)

     66         36         30        83.3

REVENUES

     18,496         15,585         2,911        18.7

OTHER INCOME

     11         30         (19     -63.3

Fixed

     8         17         (9     -52.9

Mobile

     3         13         (10     -76.9

TOTAL REVENUES & OTHER INCOME

     18,507         15,615         2,892        18.5

 

  12   www.telecom.com.ar


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Six month Period and Second Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

6- BREAKDOWN OF THE INCOME STATEMENTS

Three Months Comparison

     06/30/15      06/30/14      D $     D %  

REVENUES FROM SERVICES

     8,215         6,844         1,371       20.0

Fixed Services

     2,566         2,073         493       23.8

Voice

     1,032         932         100       10.7

Retail Voice

     788         704         84       11.9

Monthly Charges

     316         297         19       6.4

Measured Services

     447         381         66       17.3

Others

     25         26         (1     -3.8

Wholesale

     244         228         16       7.0

Interconnection

     159         153         6       3.9

Others

     85         75         10       13.3

Data

     432         364         68       18.7

Internet

     1,102         777         325       41.8

Mobiles Sevices

     5,649         4,771         878       18.4

Telecom Personal

     5,274         4,409         865       19.6

Voice

     2,005         1,738         267       15.4

Retail Voice

     1,557        1,250        307       24.6

Monthly Charges

     876        734         142       19.3

Measured Services

     448        382         66       17.3

Roaming

     61        62         (1     -1.6

Others

     172        72         100       138.9

Wholesale

     448        488         (40     -8.2

Interconnection (CPP and TLRD)

     366         398         (32     -8.0

Roaming

     75         80         (5     -6.3

Others

     7         10         (3     -30.0

Data

     1,768         1,890         (122     -6.5

Internet

     1,501         781         720       92.2

Núcleo

     375         362         13       3.6

Voice

     175         181         (6     -3.3

Retail Voice

     145        151         (6     -4.0

Monthly Charges

     60        55        5       9.1

Measured Services

     65        87        (22     -25.3

Roaming

     2        3        (1     -33.3

Others

     18        6        12       —    

Wholesale

     30        30        —         0

Interconnection (CPP and TLRD)

     18        29        (11     -37.9

Roaming

     11        —          11       —    

Others

     1        1        —         0

Data

     68        79        (11     -13.9

Internet

     132        102        30       29.4

REVENUES FROM EQUIPMENT SALES

     1,409         1,275         134       10.5

Fixed Services

     13         18         (5     -27.8

Mobiles Sevices

     1,396         1,257         139       11.1

Equipments (Personal)

     1,352         1,236         116       9.4

Equipments (Núcleo)

     44         21         23       109.5

REVENUES

     9,624         8,119         1,505       18.5

OTHER INCOME

     4         20         (16     -80.0

Fixed

     4         8         (4     -50.0

Mobile

     0         12        (12     -100.0

TOTAL REVENUES & OTHER INCOME

     9,628         8,139         1,489       18.3

 

  13   www.telecom.com.ar


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Six month Period and Second Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

7- Consolidated Income Statements

 

     06/30/15     06/30/14     D $     D %  

Revenues

     18,496       15,585       2,911       18.7

Other income

     11       30       (19     -63.3
Total Revenues & Other Income      18,507       15,615       2,892       18.5

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (3,258     (2,537     (721     28.4

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (1,001     (1,020     19       -1.9

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (1,869     (1,599     (270     16.9

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (1,853     (1,564     (289     18.5

Commissions

     (1,396     (1,118     (278     24.9

Cost of equipments and handsets

     (1,735     (1,893     158       -8.3

Advertising

     (370     (341     (29     8.5

Cost of Value Added Services

     (597     (406     (191     47.0

Provisions

     (167     (102     (65     63.7

Bad debt expenses

     (281     (233     (48     20.6

Other operating expenses

     (845     (683     (162     23.7
Subtotal Operating costs      (13,372     (11,496     (1,876     16.3
Operating income before D&A      5,135       4,119       1,016       24.7

D&A

     (1,990     (1,511     (479     31.7

Results on disposal of PP&E and write-down of PP&E

     3       10       (7     -70.0
Operating income      3,148       2,618       530       20.2

Finance Income

     270       1,063       (793     -74.6

Finance Expenses

     (389     (909     520       -57.2
Net income before income tax expense      3,029       2,772       257       9.3

Income tax expense

     (1,051     (936     (115     12.3
Net Income      1,978       1,836       142       7.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

        

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     1,956       1,805       151       8.4

Non-controlling interest

     22       31       (9     -29.0

 

  14   www.telecom.com.ar


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Six month Period and Second Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

8- CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

Three Months Comparison

 

     06/30/15     06/30/14     D $     D %  

Revenues

     9,624       8,119       1,505       18.5

Other income

     4       20       (16     -80.0

Total Revenues & Other Income

     9,628       8,139       1,489       18.3

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (1,715     (1,354     (361     26.7

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (501     (505     4       -0.8

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (980     (844     (136     16.1

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (980     (809     (171     21.1

Commissions

     (773     (577     (196     34.0

Cost of equipments and handsets

     (1,095     (1,118     23       -2.1

Advertising

     (179     (177     (2     1.1

Cost of Value Added Services

     (304     (215     (89     41.4

Provisions

     (74     (65     (9     13.8

Bad debt expenses

     (98     (115     17       -14.8

Other operating expenses

     (428     (353     (75     21.2

Subtotal Operating costs

     (7,127     (6,132     (995     16.2

Operating income before D&A

     2,501       2,007       494       24.6

D&A

     (1,033     (772     (261     33.8

Results on disposal of PP&E and write-down of PP&E

     —         6        (6     -100.0

Operating income

     1,468       1,241       227       18.3

Finance Income

     165       264       (99     -37.5

Finance Expenses

     (195     (78     (117     150.0

Net income before income tax expense

     1,438       1,427       11       0.8

Income tax expense

     (501     (497     (4     0.8

Net Income

     937       930       7       0.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

        

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     928       916       12       1.3

Non-controlling interest

     9       14       (5     -35.7 %

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

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

 

  Telecom Argentina S.A.
Date: August 5, 2015   By:  

/s/ Oscar Carlos Cristianci

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