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 December 2016

 

Commission File Number: 001-13464

 

 

Telecom Argentina S.A.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

Alicia Moreau de Justo, No. 50, 1107

Buenos Aires, Argentina

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

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

 

Form 20-F

 

X

 

Form 40-F

 

 

 

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

 

Yes

 

 

 

No

X

 

 

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

 

Yes

 

 

 

No

X

 

 

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

 

Yes

 

 

 

No

X

 

 

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

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Telecom Argentina S.A.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

 

 

1.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2016

 



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND 2015

 

INDEX

 

Operating and financial review and prospects as of September 30, 2016

Unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

Unaudited consolidated statements of financial position

Unaudited consolidated income statements

Unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income

Unaudited consolidated statements of changes in equity

Unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

Limited review report on condensed interim consolidated financial statements

Corporate information

 



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

(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, 2016 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, 2016 (“9M16”) and 2015 (“9M15”)

 

 

Total revenues and other income for 9M16 amounted to $38,852 (+35.8% vs. 9M15), operating costs – including depreciations, amortizations and gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E– amounted to $33,329 (+38.0% vs. 9M15), operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $10,208 (+33.2% vs. 9M15) – representing 26.3% of consolidated revenues–, operating income amounted to $5,523 (+23.9% vs. 9M15) and net income amounted to $2,495 (-10.2% vs. 9M15). Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $2,471 in 9M16 (-10.4% vs. 9M15).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

 

 

9M16

 

9M15

 

$

 

%

Revenues

 

38,818

 

28,590

 

10,228

 

35.8

Other income

 

34

 

15

 

19

 

126.7

Operating costs without depreciation and amortization

 

(28,644)

 

(20,941)

 

(7,703)

 

36.8

Operating income before depreciation and amortization

 

10,208

 

7,664

 

2,544

 

33.2

Depreciation and amortization

 

(4,485)

 

(3,154)

 

(1,331)

 

42.2

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

 

(200)

 

(51)

 

(149)

 

292.2

Operating income

 

5,523

 

4,459

 

1,064

 

23.9

Financial results, net

 

(1,682)

 

(192)

 

(1,490)

 

776.0

Income before income tax expense

 

3,841

 

4,267

 

(426)

 

(10.0)

Income tax expense

 

(1,346)

 

(1,489)

 

143

 

(9.6)

Net income

 

2,495

 

2,778

 

(283)

 

(10.2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

2,471

 

2,757

 

(286)

 

(10.4)

Non-controlling interest

 

24

 

21

 

3

 

14.3

 

 

2,495

 

2,778

 

(283)

 

(10.2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

2.55

 

2.84

 

 

 

 

 

·                Total revenues and other income

 

During 9M16 consolidated total revenues increased 35.8% (+$10,228 vs. 9M15) amounting to $38,818 mainly fueled by the mobile services provided by Personal, Broadband and data transmission businesses.

 

 

 

 

Variation

 

9M16

9M15

 

$

%

Services

 

 

 

 

 

Retail Voice

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly Charges

1,736

992

 

744

75.0

Measured Services

1,524

1,315

 

209

15.9

Others

73

72

 

1

1.4

Wholesale Voice

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed and mobile interconnection

620

484

 

136

28.1

Others

375

250

 

125

50.0

Data

2,133

1,290

 

843

65.3

Internet

4,351

3,273

 

1,078

32.9

Subtotal Fixed Services

10,812

7,676

 

3,136

40.9

Retail Voice

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly Charges

3,695

2,951

 

744

25.2

Measured Services

1,545

1,443

 

102

7.1

Roaming

204

209

 

(5)

(2.4)

Others

811

506

 

305

60.3

Wholesale Voice

 

 

 

 

 

Interconnection

1,168

1,144

 

24

2.1

Roaming

212

225

 

(13)

(5.8)

Mobile leases

62

26

 

36

138.5

Data

5,103

5,376

 

(273)

(5.1)

Internet

7,497

4,283

 

3,214

75.0

Subtotal Mobile Services - Personal

20,297

16,163

 

4,134

25.6

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

I



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

 

 

 

9M16

 

9M15

 

$

 

%

 

Retail Voice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly Charges

 

229

 

174

 

55

 

31.6

 

Measured Services

 

256

 

201

 

55

 

27.4

 

Roaming

 

13

 

8

 

5

 

62.5

 

Others

 

130

 

58

 

72

 

124.1

 

Wholesale Voice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interconnection

 

86

 

57

 

29

 

50.9

 

Roaming

 

16

 

18

 

(2)

 

(11.1)

 

Others

 

9

 

5

 

4

 

80.0

 

Data

 

321

 

220

 

101

 

45.9

 

Internet

 

705

 

388

 

317

 

81.7

 

Subtotal Mobile Services – Núcleo

 

1,765

 

1,129

 

636

 

56.3

 

Revenue from services

 

32,874

 

24,968

 

7,906

 

31.7

 

Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Services

 

78

 

48

 

30

 

62.5

 

Mobile Services- Personal

 

5,649

 

3,468

 

2,181

 

62.9

 

Mobile Services – Núcleo

 

217

 

106

 

111

 

104.7

 

Revenue from equipment sales

 

5,944

 

3,622

 

2,322

 

64.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Revenues

 

38,818

 

28,590

 

10,228

 

35.8

 

 

Services revenues amounted to $32,874 (+31.7% vs. 9M15) and represented 84.7% of consolidated revenues (vs. 87.3% in 9M15). Equipment revenues increased 64.1%, amounting to $5,944 and represented 15.3% of consolidated revenues (vs. 12.7% in 9M15).

 

Fixed Services

 

During 9M16, services revenues generated by this segment amounted to $10,812 (+$3,136 or +40.9% vs. 9M15), where Internet revenues have grown the most (+$1,078 or +32.9% vs. 9M15), followed by voice retail services (+$954 or +40.1% vs. 9M15) and data transmission services (+$843 or +65.3% vs. 9M15).

 

Ø            Voice

 

Voice retail revenues reached $3,333 in 9M16 (+40.1% vs. 9M15). Revenues from regulated services reached approximately 27% of the segment services revenues in 9M16 (vs. 26% in 9M15).

 

Monthly Charges and Supplementary Services increased $744 or +75.0% vs. 9M15, reaching $1,736, as a consequence of an increase in supplementary services (not regulated), mainly due to a higher monthly charges to commercial customers since May 2016 and to the increase in the prices of non regulated supplementary services.

 

Revenues generated by measured services (Local Measured Service, Domestic Long Distance and International Long Distance services) amounted to $1,524 (+$209 or +15.9% vs. 9M15). The increase was mainly due to the increase in plans prices (both in local and long national distance). According to this, local measured service revenues increased 20.7% vs. 9M15 and DLD revenues increased 11.8% vs. 9M15. The Average Monthly Revenue per User (“ARBU”) amounted to $93.1 pesos per month in 9M16 vs. $64.8 pesos per month amounted in 9M15, representing an increase of 43.7%. The remaining retail voice revenues amounted to $73 in 9M16 (slightly higher vs.9M15).

 

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 $194) amounted to $995 in 9M16 (+35.6% vs. 9M15). Interconnection fixed and mobile revenues amounted to $620 (+28.1% vs. 9M15) and the other wholesale revenues amounted to $375 in 9M16 (+50.0% vs. 9M15), mainly due to higher prices related to cell sites rentals due to the variation of the $/US$ exchange rate.

 

Ø            Data

 

Data revenues (including the revenues generated by the subsidiary Telecom USA amounting to $6) amounted to $2,133 (+$843 vs. 9M15). These revenues were generated focusing on Telecom Argentina’s position as an integrated ICTs provider (Datacenter, VPN, among others) for wholesale and government segments. The increase was primarily due to higher prices of these services related to the variation of the $/US$ exchange rate and to the increase in the number of customers of these services (the increase amounted to $587 vs. 9M15).

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

II



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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Ø            Internet

 

Internet revenues amounted to $4,351 (+$1,078 or +32.9% vs. 9M15) mainly due to an increase in average prices resulting in an improvement in the Average Monthly Revenue per User (“ARPU”), that amounted to $260.4 pesos per month in 9M16 vs. $199.3 pesos per month in 9M15 (+30.7% vs. 9M15). As of September 30, 2016, Telecom Argentina reached approximately 1,800,000 ADSL customers (of which 1,289,000 correspond to +3Mb access vs. 958,000 in 9M15). These connections represent approximately 45.6% of Telecom Argentina’s fixed lines in service (vs. 44.5% in 9M15). The churn rate per month amounted to 1.5% in 9M16 (vs. 1.4% in 9M15).

 

Internet services revenues represent 13.2% of consolidated services revenues (vs. 13.1% in 9M15) and 40.2% of Fixed Services segment revenues (vs. 42.6% in 9M15).

 

Personal Mobile Services

 

During 9M16, total services revenues amounted to $20,297 (+$4,134 or +25.6% vs. 9M15), being the principal business segment in revenues terms (61.7% and 64.7% of services consolidated revenues in 9M16 and 9M15, respectively). Personal reached 19.9 million subscribers in Argentina (+2.4% vs. 9M15). Approximately 67% of the subscriber base is prepaid subscribers and 33% is postpaid subscribers (including “Cuentas claras” plans and Mobile Internet dongles). The churn rate per month amounted to 2.7% in 9M16 (vs. 3.1% in 9M15).

 

Ø            Voice

 

Voice retail revenues amounted to $6,255 in 9M16 (+22.4% vs. 9M15). The increase was mainly due to the increase in monthly charges prices in the postpaid and “Cuentas claras” subscriber base and prepaid services, and due to the net variation of the subscriber base showing an increase in “Cuentas claras” (+5% vs. 9M15), in postpaid (+3% vs. 9M15),and prepaid subscribers (+2% vs. 9M15).

 

Voice wholesale revenues amounted to $1,442 in 9M16 (+3.4% vs. 9M15), mainly due to the increase in interconnection traffic average prices (especially TLRD and CPP).

 

Ø            Data

 

Mobile data services revenues amounted to $5,103 (-$273 or -5.1% vs. 9M15). The decrease was due to lower revenues from the principal item of VAS revenues, SMS consumption, which decreased $704 as compared to 9M15 (-23.8%). Notwithstanding, this effect was partially offset with a constant increase of the SMS with content sales, as a result of several campaigns launched by Personal, which represented an inter-annual increase of $369 or +16.2%.

 

Ø            Internet

 

Mobile Internet revenues amounted to $7,497 (+$3,214 or +75.0% vs. 9M15). This increase is mainly explained by the increase in browsing services consumption of Personal’s subscribers, which was mainly fueled by the increase in the offer of services, plans and packs (including VAS) launched by Personal. This growth was fueled by new subscribers, the migration of the existing ones to higher-value plans and the increase of subscribers that acquired 3G and 4G handsets, which facilitate Internet browsing in all subscribers’ segments.

 

As a consequence of the increase in VAS consumption (Internet and Data), ARPU increased to $108.2 pesos per month in 9M16 (vs. $88.8 pesos per month in 9M15), which represents an increase of 21.8%.

 

VAS revenues (data and Internet) amounted to $12,600 (+30.4% vs. 9M15) and represented 62.1% of Personal Mobile Services’ services revenues (vs. 59.8% in 9M15).

 

Núcleo Mobile Services

 

This segment generated services revenues equivalent to $1,765 during 9M16 (+$636 or +56.3% vs. 9M15) mainly due to the Internet revenues increase (+81.7% vs. 9M15), mainly related to the increase of browsing generated by subscribers with mobile equipment prepared for that purpose. As of September 30, 2016, Núcleo’s subscriber base reached 2.5 million customers. Prepaid and postpaid subscribers (including “Plan Control” subscribers and mobile Internet subscribers) represented 81% and 19% in 9M16 and the effect of the appreciation of the Guaraní respect to the argentine peso reached a 46% (inter-annual).

 

VAS revenues (data and Internet) amounted to $1,026 (+68.8% vs. 9M15) and represented 58.1% of Núcleo Mobile Services segment services revenues (vs. 53.9% in 9M15).

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

III



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

The Telecom Group’s services revenues increased 31.7% fueled by a 35.6% increase of data and Internet revenues in all segments vs. 9M15, increasing its relative weight over total services revenues according to the following table:

 

 

 


Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

 

9M16 vs.
9M15
%
variation

 

 

 

2016

 

%

 

2015

 

%

 

 

 

Voice Retail

 

10,216

 

31

 

7,929

 

32

 

28.8

 

Voice Wholesale

 

2,548

 

8

 

2,209

 

9

 

15.3

 

Total Voice

 

12,764

 

39

 

10,138

 

41

 

25.9

 

Data

 

7,557

 

23

 

6,886

 

27

 

9.7

 

Internet

 

12,553

 

38

 

7,944

 

32

 

58.0

 

Total service revenues

 

32,874

 

100

 

24,968

 

100

 

31.7

 

 

Equipment

 

Revenues from equipment amounted to $5,944, +$2,322 or +64.1% vs. 9M15. This increase is mainly related to the Personal Mobile Services segment with an increase of $2,181 vs. 9M15 due to higher handsets unit sold (+14% vs. 9M15) with an increase in handset’s average sale prices (+43% vs. 9M15), resulting in a higher operating margin of handsets (+$531 or + 61.3% vs. 9M15).

 

·    Operating costs

 

Consolidated operating costs –including depreciations, amortizations and gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E– totaled $33,329 in 9M16, which represents an increase of $9,183 or +38.0% vs. 9M15. The increase in costs is mainly a consequence of a higher revenues, higher expenses related to competition in mobile and Internet businesses, higher direct and indirect labor costs on the cost structure of the Telecom Group in Argentina, the increase in fees for services related to higher supplier prices, the increase in taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority, the increase of cost of equipment and handsets and the increase in bad debt expenses, among other concepts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

Variation in $ by segment

 

 

 

9M16

 

 

9M15

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

 

Fixed
Serv.

 

 

Personal
M. Serv.

 

 

Núcleo
M. Serv.

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

 

(7,213)

 

 

(5,292)

 

 

(1,921)

 

 

36.3

 

 

(1,482)

 

 

(383)

 

 

(56)

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

 

(1,954)

 

 

(1,559)

 

 

(395)

 

 

25.3

 

 

(209)

 

 

(132)

 

 

(54)

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

 

(3,580)

 

 

(2,860)

 

 

(720)

 

 

25.2

 

 

(363)

 

 

(308)

 

 

(49)

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

 

(3,799)

 

 

(2,841)

 

 

(958)

 

 

33.7

 

 

(223)

 

 

(714)

 

 

(21)

Commissions

 

 

(3,841)

 

 

(2,976)

 

 

(865)

 

 

29.1

 

 

(47)

 

 

(737)

 

 

(81)

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

 

 

1,046

 

 

781

 

 

265

 

 

33.9

 

 

1

 

 

258

 

 

6

Cost of equipment and handsets

 

 

(4,725)

 

 

(2,857)

 

 

(1,868)

 

 

65.4

 

 

(62)

 

 

(1,681)

 

 

(125)

Cost of equipment and handsets capitalized as SAC

 

 

94

 

 

66

 

 

28

 

 

42.4

 

 

-

 

 

31

 

 

(3)

Advertising

 

 

(548)

 

 

(591)

 

 

43

 

 

(7.3)

 

 

15

 

 

51

 

 

(23)

Cost of VAS

 

 

(1,142)

 

 

(910)

 

 

(232)

 

 

25.5

 

 

(15)

 

 

(186)

 

 

(31)

Provisions

 

 

(106)

 

 

(174)

 

 

68

 

 

(39.1)

 

 

46

 

 

22

 

 

-

Bad debt expenses

 

 

(844)

 

 

(410)

 

 

(434)

 

 

105.9

 

 

(41)

 

 

(323)

 

 

(70)

Other operating expenses

 

 

(2,032)

 

 

(1,318)

 

 

(714)

 

 

54.2

 

 

(338)

 

 

(332)

 

 

(44)

Subtotal

 

 

(28,644)

 

 

(20,941)

 

 

(7,703)

 

 

36.8

 

 

(2,718)

 

 

(4,434)

 

 

(551)

Depreciation of PP&E

 

 

(3,087)

 

 

(2,165)

 

 

(922)

 

 

42.6

 

 

(255)

 

 

(472)

 

 

(195)

Amortization of SAC and service connection charges

 

 

(1,087)

 

 

(733)

 

 

(354)

 

 

48.3

 

 

(23)

 

 

(300)

 

 

(31)

Amortization of 3G/4G Licenses

 

 

(289)

 

 

(227)

 

 

(62)

 

 

27.3

 

 

-

 

 

(62)

 

 

-

Amortization of other intangible assets

 

 

(22)

 

 

(29)

 

 

7

 

 

(24.1)

 

 

(2)

 

 

(1)

 

 

10

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

 

 

(200)

 

 

(51)

 

 

(149)

 

 

292.2

 

 

(12)

 

 

(138)

 

 

1

Total operating costs

 

 

(33,329)

 

 

(24,146)

 

 

(9,183)

 

 

38.0

 

 

(3,010)

 

 

(5,407)

 

 

(766)

 

The costs breakdown is as follows:

 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments amounted to $7,213 (+$1,921 or +36.3% vs. 9M15). 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 16,241 by the end of 9M16 (vs. 16,269 in 9M15), lines in service per employee reached 357 in the Fixed Services segment (-4.3% vs. 9M15), subscribers per employee reached 4,172 in the Personal Mobile Services segment (+7.4% vs. 9M15) and subscribers per employee reached 6,240 (+0.9% vs. 9M15) 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 $1,954 (+$395 or +25.3% vs. 9M15). The increase was mainly due to higher TLRD and roaming costs.

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

IV



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies amounted to $3,580, +$720 or +25.2% vs. 9M15. The increase was mainly due to higher maintenance costs of radio bases in the mobile services segments, as a result of the variation in the $/US$ exchange rate, an increase in technical assistance cost of radio bases, higher system licenses costs, higher costs of sites location and higher storage costs. There were also increases in other maintenance costs and fees for services, mainly due to higher costs recognized to suppliers in all segments.

 

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority (including turnover tax, fees with the Regulatory Authority, IDC, municipal and other taxes) amounted to $3,799 (+33.7% vs. 9M15), influenced mainly by the increase in revenues of fixed and mobile services and by the increase of the IDC related to higher collections and payments to suppliers and dividends in 9M16 vs. 9M15.

 

Commissions

 

Commissions (including Agent, distribution of prepaid cards and other commissions) amounted to $3,841 (+$865 or +29.1% vs. 9M15). The increase was mainly due to the increase in Agents’ commissions (associated to higher revenues) as a result of higher customer’s acquisition and retention costs recognized to them and the increase of outsourced sales commissions and collection commissions.

 

On the other hand, agent commissions capitalized as SAC amounted to $1,046, +$265 or +33.9% vs.9M15, and it’s directly related to the increase in the “Cuentas claras” subscribers’ base in the Personal Mobile Services segment and the increase in the commissions prices.

 

Cost of equipment and handsets

 

Cost of equipments and handsets amounted to $4,725 (+$1,868 or +65.4% vs. 9M15) mainly due to the increase in the units of handsets sold (+14% vs. 9M15) and the increase in the average unit cost of sales (+44% vs. 9M15) in the Personal Mobile Services segment.

 

On the other hand, SAC deferred costs from handsets sold amounted to $94, +$28 or +42.4% vs. 9M15.

 

Advertising

 

Advertising amounted to $548 (-$43 vs. 9M15).

 

Cost of VAS

 

Cost of VAS amounted to $1,142 (+$232 or +25.5% vs. 9M15). The increase was mainly due to the increase of VAS sales in the Personal Mobile Services segment, especially the SMS with content service, which grew as a consequence of several campaigns launched by Personal. Cost of VAS over its related revenues increased from 36% in 9M15 to 38% in 9M16.

 

Provisions

 

Provisions amounted to $106, -$68 or -39.1% vs. 9M15. The decrease was mainly due to lower civil and commercial claims (-$64 vs. 9M15) and lower regulatory and municipal contingencies (-$6 vs. 9M15).

 

Bad debt expenses

 

Bad debt expenses amounted to $844 (+$434 or +105.9% vs. 9M15), representing approximately 2.2% and 1.4% of the consolidated revenues in 9M16 and 9M15, respectively. The major increase is observed in the Personal Mobile Services segment by $393 as a consequence of higher aging of the accounts receivables and higher incidence of handsets sales directly financed by Personal and Núcleo to its postpaid and “Cuentas claras” subscribers.

 

Other operating costs

 

Other operating costs amounted to $2,032 (+$714 or +54.2% vs. 9M15). The increase was mainly due to higher prices on related services, especially in transportation, freight and travel expenses (+$254 or +48.6% vs. 9M15), among others, in the operations in Argentina; the increase of rent prices (+$172 or +44.3% vs. 9M15), as a result of new agreements and the renegotiation of some of the existing ones and the increase of the consumption of electricity (+$209 or +83.9% vs. 9M15).

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

·    Operating income before depreciation and amortization

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $10,208 (+$2,544 or +33.2% vs. 9M15), representing 26.3% of consolidated revenues in 9M16 (vs. 26.8% in 9M15). This growth was mainly fueled by the Fixed Services segment (+$456  or +26.2% vs. 9M15) and Personal Mobile Services segment (+$1,898 or +34.5% vs. 9M15).

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization generated by equipment and handset sales (including SAC capitalization) amounted to $1,313 in 9M16 vs. $831 in 9M15 (+$482 or +58.0% vs. 9M15), while operating income before depreciation and amortization generated by services sales amounted to $8,895 in 9M16 vs. $6,833 in 9M15 (+$2,062 or +30.2% vs. 9M15).

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization amounted to $4,485 (+$1,331 or +42.2% vs. 9M15). The increase in depreciation and amortization includes $922 from PP&E depreciation, $55 from amortization of intangible assets without SAC and $354 from amortization of SAC and service connection costs. The increase in depreciation and amortization corresponds 21% to the Fixed Services segment and 79% to the mobile services segments.

 

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

 

Gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E amounted to a loss of $200 in 9M16 (vs. $51 in 9M15) and were mainly related to the Personal Mobile Services segment for the modernization of the mobile access by the development of 4G.

 

·    Operating income

 

Operating income amounted to $5,523 in 9M16 (+$1,064 or +23.9% vs. 9M15). The margin over consolidated revenues represented 14.2% in 9M16 (vs. 15.6% in 9M15). This growth was mainly fueled by the Personal Mobile Services segment (+$925 or +25.2% vs. 9M15) and the Fixed Services segment (+$164 or +24.7% vs. 9M15).

 

·    Financial results, net

 

Financial results, net resulted in a net loss of $1,682, representing an increase of $1,490 vs. 9M15. The increase was mainly due to higher net foreign currency exchange losses (+$543) and higher interests on loans (+$925) partially offset by higher interests on receivables (+$119 vs. 9M15).

 

·    Net income

 

Telecom Argentina reached a net income of $2,495 in 9M16, -$283 or -10.2% as compared to 9M15, representing 6.4% of the consolidated revenues in 9M16 (vs. 9.7% in 9M15). Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $2,471 in 9M16, -$286 or -10.4% as compared to 9M15.

 

·    Net financial debt

 

As of September 30, 2016, consolidated net financial debt (Cash and Cash Equivalents plus financial investments minus financial debt) amounted to $7,157, showing an increase of $5,571 as compared to the consolidated net financial debt as of September 30, 2015 (amounting to $1,586). This variation was mainly due to a decrease in the generation of cash from operating activities of the Telecom Group, mainly by higher CAPEX and cash dividends paid to its shareholders’. As of September 30, 2016, the Fixed Services segment has a net financial asset of $363, the Personal Mobile Services segment has a net financial debt of $6,928 and the Núcleo Mobile Services segment has a net financial debt of $592.

 

·    Capital expenditures (CAPEX)

 

CAPEX composition for 9M16 and 9M15 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

% of participation

 

Variation

 

 

 

9M16

 

 

9M15

 

9M16

 

 

9M15

 

$

 

 

%

 

Fixed Services

 

2,660

 

1,793

 

35%

 

26%

 

867

 

48

 

Personal Mobile Services

 

4,564

 

4,745

 

59%

 

70%

 

(181)

 

(4)

 

Núcleo Mobile Services

 

475

 

253

 

6%

 

4%

 

222

 

88

 

Total CAPEX

 

7,699

 

6,791

 

100%

 

100%

 

908

 

13

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

PP&E CAPEX amounted to $6,403 and intangible assets CAPEX amounted to $1,296 in 9M16, while in 9M15 amounted to $3,577 and $3,214, respectively (including the acquisition of the last Lot of 4G Licenses for an amount of $2,256).

 

In relative terms, CAPEX represented 19.8% of consolidated revenues in 9M16 (23.8% in 9M15), and were intended mainly for the external wiring and network access equipment, to the initial deployment of the new 4G network, transmission and switching equipment, computer equipment and SAC.

 

PP&E and intangible assets additions (CAPEX plus materials additions) for 9M16 and 9M15 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

% of participation

Variation

 

 

9M16

9M15

9M16

9M15

$

%

Fixed Services

 

3,269

2,096

38%

26%

1,173

56

Personal Mobile Services

 

4,845

5,503

56%

70%

(658)

(12)

Núcleo Mobile Services

 

478

302

6%

4%

176

58

Total additions

 

8,592

7,901

100%

100%

691

9

 

Main PP&E CAPEX projects are related to the expansion of fixed broadband services in order to improve transmission and speed offered to customers; deployment of 3G and 4G services to support the growth of mobile Internet, improvement of the quality service together with the launch of innovative VAS services and the expansion of transmission and transport networks to meet the growing demand of services of our fixed and mobile customers.

 

3.            Telecom Group’s activities for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2016 (“3Q16”) and 2015 (“3Q15”)

 

Telecom Group’s net income amounted to $758 in 3Q16, -$42 or -5.3% vs. 3Q15. Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to $746 in 3Q16 (-$55 or -6.9% vs. 3Q15).

 

Total revenues and other income increased 33.0% vs. 3Q15 and operating income before depreciation and amortization amounted to $3,453 (+$924 or +36.5% vs. 3Q15), representing 25.7% of the consolidated revenues (vs. 25.1% in 3Q15). Operating income amounted to $1,802 (+$491 or +37.5% vs. 3Q15). Financial results, net amounted to -$636 (+$563 loss vs. 3Q15), while income tax expenses amounted to $408 (-$30 or -6.8% vs. 3Q15).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

 

 

 

3Q16

 

3Q15

 

$

 

%

 

Revenues

 

13,412

 

10,094

 

3,318

 

32.9

 

Other income

 

14

 

4

 

10

 

250.0

 

Operating costs without depreciation and amortization

 

(9,973)

 

(7,569)

 

(2,404)

 

31.8

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization

 

3,453

 

2,529

 

924

 

36.5

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(1,591)

 

(1,164)

 

(427)

 

36.7

 

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

 

(60)

 

(54)

 

(6)

 

11.1

 

Operating income

 

1,802

 

1,311

 

491

 

37.5

 

Financial results, net

 

(636)

 

(73)

 

(563)

 

771.2

 

Income before income tax expense

 

1,166

 

1,238

 

(72)

 

(5.8)

 

Income tax expense

 

(408)

 

(438)

 

30

 

(6.8)

 

Net income

 

758

 

800

 

(42)

 

(5.3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

746

 

801

 

(55)

 

(6.9)

 

Non-controlling interest

 

12

 

(1)

 

13

 

n/a

 

 

 

758

 

800

 

(42)

 

(5.3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

0.77

 

0.83

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

VII



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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

During 3Q16 consolidated revenues increased 32.9% (+$3,318 vs. 3Q15) amounting to $13,412, mainly fueled by mobile services provided by Personal and provided by the Fixed Services segment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

 

Services

 

3Q16

 

3Q15

 

$

 

%

 

Retail Voice

 

1,241

 

846

 

395

 

46.7

 

Wholesale Voice

 

336

 

255

 

81

 

31.8

 

Data

 

731

 

451

 

280

 

62.1

 

Internet

 

1,513

 

1,198

 

315

 

26.3

 

Subtotal Fixed Services

 

3,821

 

2,750

 

1,071

 

38.9

 

Retail Voice

 

2,215

 

1,850

 

365

 

19.7

 

Wholesale Voice

 

534

 

466

 

68

 

14.6

 

Data

 

1,563

 

1,763

 

(200)

 

(11.3)

 

Internet

 

2,827

 

1,594

 

1,233

 

77.4

 

Subtotal Personal Mobile Services

 

7,139

 

5,673

 

1,466

 

25.8

 

Retail Voice

 

223

 

148

 

75

 

50.7

 

Wholesale Voice

 

39

 

24

 

15

 

62.5

 

Data

 

116

 

72

 

44

 

61.1

 

Internet

 

259

 

127

 

132

 

103.9

 

Subtotal Núcleo Mobile Services

 

637

 

371

 

266

 

71.7

 

Total services revenues

 

11,597

 

8,794

 

2,803

 

31.9

 

Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Services

 

13

 

25

 

(12)

 

(48.0)

 

Personal Mobile Services

 

1,711

 

1,235

 

476

 

38.5

 

Núcleo Mobile Services

 

91

 

40

 

51

 

127.5

 

Total equipment revenues

 

1,815

 

1,300

 

515

 

39.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

13,412

 

10,094

 

3,318

 

32.9

 

 

Consolidated operating costs –including depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E– amounted to $11,624 in 3Q16, which represented an increase of $2,837 or +32.3% vs. 3Q15. 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 in Argentina, the increase in fees for services related to higher supplier prices, the increase in taxes and fees with the Regulatory Matters, the increase in equipment and handsets costs, the increase of VAS costs and higher losses on impairment of PP&E, partially offset by lower advertising expenses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variation

 

 

 

3Q16

 

3Q15

 

$

 

%

 

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

(2,778)

 

(2,034)

 

(744)

 

36.6

 

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

(624)

 

(558)

 

(66)

 

11.8

 

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

(1,245)

 

(991)

 

(254)

 

25.6

 

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

(1,305)

 

(988)

 

(317)

 

32.1

 

Commissions

 

(1,317)

 

(1,067)

 

(250)

 

23.4

 

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

 

372

 

268

 

104

 

38.8

 

Cost of equipment and handsets

 

(1,586)

 

(1,080)

 

(506)

 

46.9

 

Cost of equipment and handsets capitalized as SAC

 

38

 

24

 

14

 

58.3

 

Advertising

 

(177)

 

(221)

 

44

 

(19.9)

 

Cost of VAS

 

(350)

 

(313)

 

(37)

 

11.8

 

Provisions

 

(25)

 

(7)

 

(18)

 

257.1

 

Bad debt expenses

 

(326)

 

(129)

 

(197)

 

152.7

 

Other operating expenses

 

(650)

 

(473)

 

(177)

 

37.4

 

Subtotal

 

(9,973)

 

(7,569)

 

(2,404)

 

31.8

 

Depreciation of PP&E

 

(1,105)

 

(774)

 

(331)

 

42.8

 

Amortization of SAC and service connection charges

 

(381)

 

(276)

 

(105)

 

38.0

 

Amortization of 3G/4G Licenses

 

(96)

 

(96)

 

-

 

-

 

Amortization of other intangible assets

 

(9)

 

(18)

 

9

 

(50.0)

 

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

 

(60)

 

(54)

 

(6)

 

11.1

 

Total operating costs

 

(11,624)

 

(8,787)

 

(2,837)

 

32.3

 

 

CAPEX amounted to $3,204 in 3Q16 and amounted to $2,101 in 3Q15 (+1,103 or +52.5% vs. 3Q15).

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

VIII



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

4.            Summary of comparative consolidated statements of financial position

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Current assets

 

12,398

 

9,666

 

8,249

 

10,105

 

5,885

 

Non-current assets

 

30,597

 

24,360

 

16,423

 

11,845

 

10,266

 

Total assets

 

42,995

 

34,026

 

24,672

 

21,950

 

16,151

 

Current liabilities

 

21,563

 

14,503

 

8,829

 

7,639

 

5,118

 

Non-current liabilities

 

3,053

 

2,887

 

2,129

 

2,052

 

1,727

 

Total liabilities

 

24,616

 

17,390

 

10,958

 

9,691

 

6,845

 

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

17,843

 

16,318

 

13,378

 

12,027

 

9,137

 

Equity attributable non-controlling interest

 

536

 

318

 

336

 

232

 

169

 

Total Equity

 

18,379

 

16,636

 

13,714

 

12,259

 

9,306

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

42,995

 

34,026

 

24,672

 

21,950

 

16,151

 

 

 

 

5.            Summary of comparative consolidated income statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3Q16

 

3Q15

 

3Q14

 

3Q13

 

3Q12

 

9M16

 

9M15

 

9M14

 

9M13

 

9M12

 

Revenues and other income

 

13,426

 

10,098

 

8,608

 

7,127

 

5,652

 

38,852

 

28,605

 

24,223

 

19,853

 

16,041

 

Operating costs

 

(11,624)

 

(8,787)

 

(7,383)

 

(5,924)

 

(4,731)

 

(33,329)

 

(24,146)

 

(20,380)

 

(16,590)

 

(13,238)

 

Operating income

 

1,802

 

1,311

 

1,225

 

1,203

 

921

 

5,523

 

4,459

 

3,843

 

3,263

 

2,803

 

Financial results, net

 

(636)

 

(73)

 

76

 

163

 

47

 

(1,682)

 

(192)

 

230

 

377

 

159

 

Income before income tax expense

 

1,166

 

1,238

 

1,301

 

1,366

 

968

 

3,841

 

4,267

 

4,073

 

3,640

 

2,962

 

Income tax expense

 

(408)

 

(438)

 

(453)

 

(480)

 

(339)

 

(1,346)

 

(1,489)

 

(1,389)

 

(1,279)

 

(1,039)

 

Net income

 

758

 

800

 

848

 

886

 

629

 

2,495

 

2,778

 

2,684

 

2,361

 

1,923

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

34

 

(37)

 

-

 

54

 

27

 

274

 

(86)

 

233

 

83

 

48

 

Total comprehensive income

 

792

 

763

 

848

 

940

 

656

 

2,769

 

2,692

 

2,917

 

2,444

 

1,971

 

Attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

769

 

781

 

840

 

905

 

634

 

2,649

 

2,704

 

2,797

 

2,378

 

1,923

 

Attributable to non-controlling interest

 

23

 

(18)

 

8

 

35

 

22

 

120

 

(12)

 

120

 

66

 

48

 

 

 

6.            Statistical data (in physical units)

 

v           Fixed services

 

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

 

 

 

 

9M16

 

 

9M15

 

 

9M14

 

 

9M13

 

 

9M12

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

Equipment lines

 

 

3,492

 

 

(58)

 

 

3,552

 

 

-

 

 

3,538

 

 

10

 

 

3,575

 

 

(248)

 

 

3,805

 

 

1

NGN lines

 

 

1,425

 

 

47

 

 

1,318

 

 

24

 

 

1,195

 

 

11

 

 

1,139

 

 

31

 

 

1,005

 

 

18

Installed lines (a)

 

 

4,917

 

 

(11)

 

 

4,870

 

 

24

 

 

4,733

 

 

21

 

 

4,714

 

 

(217)

 

 

4,810

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lines in service (b)

 

 

3,946

 

 

(28)

 

 

4,054

 

 

(10)

 

 

4,106

 

 

3

 

 

4,124

 

 

10

 

 

4,140

 

 

(8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers lines (c)

 

 

3,874

 

 

(27)

 

 

3,980

 

 

(9)

 

 

4,028

 

 

3

 

 

4,043

 

 

10

 

 

4,056

 

 

(8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public phones installed

 

 

24

 

 

(1)

 

 

27

 

 

(1)

 

 

31

 

 

-

 

 

34

 

 

(1)

 

 

38

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lines in service per 100 inhabitants (d)

 

 

18.4

 

 

-

 

 

19.2

 

 

-

 

 

20.2

 

 

-

 

 

20.4

 

 

-

 

 

 

20.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lines in service per
employee (e)

 

 

357

 

 

(1)

 

 

373

 

 

(2)

 

 

370

 

 

(1)

 

 

373

 

 

-

 

 

 

369

 

 

(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)

 

 

 

 

9M16

 

 

9M15

 

 

9M14

 

 

9M13

 

 

9M12

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total ADSL subscribers

 

 

1,800

 

 

2

 

 

1,804

 

 

18

 

 

1,750

 

 

24

 

 

1,669

 

 

35

 

 

1,612

 

 

18

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

IX



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

v           Mobile services

 

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

 

 

 

 

9M16

 

 

9M15

 

 

9M14

 

 

9M13

 

 

9M12

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

Post-paid subscribers (i)

 

 

2,132

 

 

10

 

 

2,069

 

 

6

 

 

2,210

 

 

(93)

 

 

2,450

 

 

12

 

 

2,353

 

 

57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Cuentas claras” plans (i)

 

 

4,278

 

 

(22)

 

 

4,092

 

 

82

 

 

3,915

 

 

62

 

 

3,749

 

 

106

 

 

3,341

 

 

109

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid subscribers (ii)

 

 

13,384

 

 

(38)

 

 

13,164

 

 

(49)

 

 

13,451

 

 

44

 

 

13,374

 

 

469

 

 

12,731

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dongles (iii)

 

 

107

 

 

(6)

 

 

119

 

 

(13)

 

 

191

 

 

(22)

 

 

282

 

 

(39)

 

 

484

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total subscribers

 

 

19,901

 

 

(56)

 

 

19,444

 

 

26

 

 

19,767

 

 

(9)

 

 

19,855

 

 

548

 

 

18,909

 

 

186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lines per employee

 

 

4,172

 

 

-

 

 

3,884

 

 

-

 

 

3,935

 

 

-

 

 

3,839

 

 

-

 

 

3,682

 

 

-

 

(i)                                        Lines which are paid through customer billing.

(ii)                                      Prepaid lines which were refilled at least once in the last 13 months.

(iii)                                    Corresponds to mobile Internet subscribers with post-paid, “Cuentas claras” and prepaid contracts.

 

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

 

 

 

 

9M16

 

 

9M15

 

 

9M14

 

 

9M13

 

 

9M12

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Quarter

Post-paid subscribers (i)

 

 

22

 

 

(4)

 

 

29

 

 

-

 

 

30

 

 

1

 

 

30

 

 

1

 

 

29

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Plan control” subscribers (i)

 

 

392

 

 

(6)

 

 

361

 

 

16

 

 

311

 

 

3

 

 

290

 

 

12

 

 

249

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid subscribers (ii)

 

 

2,038

 

 

(6)

 

 

2,020

 

 

(1)

 

 

1,943

 

 

39

 

 

1,925

 

 

19

 

 

1,860

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dongles (iii)

 

 

75

 

 

(12)

 

 

114

 

 

(4)

 

 

136

 

 

(5)

 

 

157

 

 

(5)

 

 

125

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal mobile

 

 

2,527

 

 

(28)

 

 

2,524

 

 

11

 

 

2,420

 

 

38

 

 

2,402

 

 

27

 

 

2,263

 

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet subscribers - Wimax

 

 

5

 

 

-

 

 

6

 

 

-

 

 

5

 

 

-

 

 

5

 

 

(1)

 

 

7

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total subscribers

 

 

2,532

 

 

(28)

 

 

2,530

 

 

11

 

 

2,425

 

 

38

 

 

2,407

 

 

26

 

 

2,270

 

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lines per employee (iv)

 

 

6,240

 

 

-

 

 

6,186

 

 

-

 

 

5,817

 

 

-

 

 

5,547

 

 

-

 

 

5,214

 

 

-

 

(i)                                        Lines which are paid through customer billing.

(ii)                                      Prepaid lines which were refilled at least once in the last 13 months.

(iii)                                    Corresponds to mobile Internet subscribers with post-paid, “Plan control” and prepaid contracts.

(iv)                                    Internet Wimax subscribers are not included.

 

 

7.            Consolidated ratios

 

 

 

 

 

9M16

 

 

9M15

 

 

9M14

 

 

9M13

 

 

9M12

Liquidity (a)

 

 

0.57

 

 

0.67

 

 

0.93

 

 

1.32

 

 

1.15

Solvency (b)

 

 

0.75

 

 

0.96

 

 

1.25

 

 

1.26

 

 

1.36

Locked-up capital (c)

 

 

0.71

 

 

0.72

 

 

0.67

 

 

0.54

 

 

0.64

 

(a)             Current assets/Current liabilities.

(b)             Total equity/Total liabilities.

(c)             Non-current assets/Total assets.

 

 

8.            Outlook

 

 

A new political, economic and regulatory environment for the telecommunications industry is being developed in 2016. Activity levels will continue depending on the country’s macroeconomic situation and, in particular, on the purchasing power and levels of consumption of our customers. We are aware that in the 9M16 readjustments in prices of many goods and services were implemented as a result of their adaptation to changes in the US dollar exchange rate, after certain exchange restrictions were eliminated and the subsidy policy of several public services was reduced. However, a deceleration of the inflation rate is expected during the fourth quarter of 2016 as a consequence of the monetary policy measures adopted by the Central Bank of Argentina. Also, the announcement made by the National Government of the voluntary declaration of possession of property creates favorable expectations to the public treasury aiming a reactivation of the economic activity for the last quarter of 2016 and during 2017.

 

We are confident that our products and services demand will remain at fair levels, especially those related to the fixed and mobile Internet usage, taking into account the innovative offerings that the Telecom Group is planning to launch in the market.

 

The fixed telephony evolution will continue in line with the trend in recent years, influenced by the maturity of the market. The steadily deploying of the “Ultra-Broadband” will continue for Broadband, with new technologies replacing copper with optical fiber in different points of the network. During 2016, the Company expects to add 4,000 kilometers of optical fiber to the existing 22,000 kilometers, expanding the network capacity throughout the country, granting more speed and security to our customers’ consumption. The Company will continue providing convergent solutions to the corporate segment with a portfolio that provides customers next-generation “Datacenter” services.

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

X



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

To maximize business, Personal will continue to focus on the quality of service, innovation and the deployment of the LTE/4G network at national level. Personal will also continue to work on optimizing the customers’ experience to offer the best “User experience”, improving the coverage and speed of the network. 3G technology will also be expanded with new frequencies and more investment, thus continuing with the technological conversion and capacity enlargement of the network. This infrastructure improvement comes together with the evolution of the “Data Centric” offering in line with the evolution of the mobile market and the new business model that requires evolution and simplification.

 

Customer service quality will continue to focus mainly on the efficiency of channels and segmentation of the service customer with a customer-centric vision. The self-management channel will also continue to be encouraged (promoting the use of social networks), in order to simplify more and more the customers’ management and control over their lines.

 

Operational excellence will remain a goal to aim a better use of the physical, human and technological resources of the Group so as to continue meeting profitability expectations of our stakeholders without neglecting the business profitability.

 

The strategy implemented by the Company’s Management, renewed with the incorporation of a new indirect controlling shareholder and its management team, will procure to lead the convergent connectivity of people, homes and companies. The Telecom Group believes that this goal will be achieved by placing customers and their experience in the core of the operation, developing an innovative offering, establishing an agile and excellent organization, strengthening the employees’ satisfaction and commitment, implementing a major investment plan and reaffirming day by day its commitment to the country and its people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mariano Ibáñez

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

XI



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

 

 

September 30,

December 31,

ASSETS

Note

2016

2015

Current Assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

2

369

870

Investments

2

780

1,430

Trade receivables

2

7,982

5,663

Other receivables

2

1,024

1,336

Inventories

2

2,243

2,193

Total current assets

 

12,398

11,492

Non-Current Assets

 

 

 

Trade receivables

2

258

481

Income tax assets

2

323

265

Other receivables

2

361

272

Investments

2

86

333

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

2

21,993

17,963

Intangible assets

2

7,576

7,659

Total non-current assets

 

30,597

26,973

TOTAL ASSETS

 

42,995

38,465

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

Trade payables

2

9,728

9,873

Deferred revenues

2

451

477

Financial debt

2

7,981

3,451

Salaries and social security payables

2

1,587

1,261

Income tax payables

2

595

439

Other taxes payables

2

916

1,153

Other liabilities

2

55

53

Provisions

6

250

207

Total current liabilities

 

21,563

16,914

Non-Current Liabilities

 

 

 

Trade payables

2

25

52

Deferred revenues

2

448

457

Financial debt

2

392

1,449

Salaries and social security payables

2

186

157

Deferred income tax liabilities

2

524

550

Income tax payables

2

7

10

Other liabilities

2

137

101

Provisions

6

1,334

1,165

Total non-current liabilities

 

3,053

3,941

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

24,616

20,855

EQUITY

 

 

 

  Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

17,843

17,194

  Equity attributable to non-controlling interest

 

536

416

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

7

18,379

17,610

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

42,995

38,465

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mariano Ibáñez

 

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

1



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

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

  Revenues

 

2

 

13,412

 

10,094

 

38,818

 

28,590

  Other income

 

2

 

14

 

4

 

34

 

15

Total revenues and other income

 

 

 

13,426

 

10,098

 

38,852

 

28,605

  Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

2

 

(2,778)

 

(2,034)

 

(7,213)

 

(5,292)

  Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

2

 

(624)

 

(558)

 

(1,954)

 

(1,559)

  Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

2

 

(1,245)

 

(991)

 

(3,580)

 

(2,860)

  Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

2

 

(1,305)

 

(988)

 

(3,799)

 

(2,841)

  Commissions

 

2

 

(945)

 

(799)

 

(2,795)

 

(2,195)

  Cost of equipments and handsets

 

2

 

(1,548)

 

(1,056)

 

(4,631)

 

(2,791)

  Advertising

 

2

 

(177)

 

(221)

 

(548)

 

(591)

  Cost of VAS

 

2

 

(350)

 

(313)

 

(1,142)

 

(910)

  Provisions

 

6

 

(25)

 

(7)

 

(106)

 

(174)

  Bad debt expenses

 

2

 

(326)

 

(129)

 

(844)

 

(410)

  Other operating expenses

 

2

 

(650)

 

(473)

 

(2,032)

 

(1,318)

  Depreciation and amortization

 

2

 

(1,591)

 

(1,164)

 

(4,485)

 

(3,154)

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

 

2

 

(60)

 

(54)

 

(200)

 

(51)

Operating income

 

 

 

1,802

 

1,311

 

5,523

 

4,459

  Finance income

 

2

 

129

 

271

 

601

 

537

  Finance expenses

 

2

 

(765)

 

(344)

 

(2,283)

 

(729)

Income before income tax expense

 

 

 

1,166

 

1,238

 

3,841

 

4,267

  Income tax expense

 

2

 

(408)

 

(438)

 

(1,346)

 

(1,489)

Net income for the period

 

 

 

758

 

800

 

2,495

 

2,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

 

 

746

 

801

 

2,471

 

2,757

  Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

12

 

(1)

 

24

 

21

 

 

 

 

758

 

800

 

2,495

 

2,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to Telecom Argentina – basic and diluted

 

1.d

 

0.77

 

0.83

 

2.55

 

2.84

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mariano Ibáñez

 

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

2



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,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the period

 

758

 

800

 

2,495

 

2,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other components of the Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Currency translation adjustments (non-taxable)

 

34

 

(40)

 

282

 

(89)

  NDF effects classified as hedges

 

-

 

4

 

-

 

4

  Tax NDF effects classified as hedges

 

-

 

(1)

 

-

 

(1)

  Subsidiaries’ NDF effects classified as hedges

 

-

 

-

 

(8)

 

-

Other components of the comprehensive income, net of tax

 

34

 

(37)

 

274

 

(86)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

792

 

763

 

2,769

 

2,692

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

769

 

781

 

2,649

 

2,704

  Non-controlling interest

 

23

 

(18)

 

120

 

(12)

 

 

792

 

763

 

2,769

 

2,692

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mariano Ibáñez

 

 

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 (Controlling Company)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owners Contribution

 

 

Reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding shares

 

 

Treasury shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital
nominal
value
(1)

 

Inflation
adjustment

 

Capital
nominal
value
(1) (2)

 

Inflation
adjustment
(2)

 

Treasury
shares
acquisition
cost
(2)

 

Legal

 

Special for
IFRS
implementation

 

Voluntary
for capital
investments
(2)

 

Voluntary for
future
investments

 

For future
cash
dividends
payments

 

Other
comprehensive
income

 

Retained
earnings

 

Total

 

Equity
attributable
to non-
controlling
interest

 

Total
Equity

Balances as of January 1, 2015

 

969

 

2,646

 

15

 

42

 

(461)

 

734

 

351

 

3,191

 

2,904

 

-

 

354

 

3,673

 

14,418

 

351

 

14,769

Dividends of Núcleo (3)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(21)

 

(21)

Dividends (4)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(804)

 

(804)

 

-

 

(804)

Reserve for future cash dividends payments (4)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,869

 

-

 

(2,869)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Net income for the period

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,757

 

2,757

 

21

 

2,778

 Other comprehensive income

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(53)

 

-

 

(53)

 

(33)

 

(86)

Total Comprehensive Income

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(53)

 

2,757

 

2,704

 

(12)

 

2,692

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances as of September 30, 2015

 

969

 

2,646

 

15

 

42

 

(461)

 

734

 

351

 

3,191

 

2,904

 

2,869

 

301

 

2,757

 

16,318

 

318

 

16,636

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances as of January 1, 2016

 

969

 

2,646

 

15

 

42

 

(461)

 

734

 

351

 

3,191

 

2,904

 

2,869

 

531

 

3,403

 

17,194

 

416

 

17,610

Reserve for future cash dividends payments (5)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

3,403

 

-

 

(3,403)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Dividends (6)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(2,000)

 

-

 

-

 

(2,000)

 

-

 

(2,000)

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Net income for the period

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,471

 

2,471

 

24

 

2,495

 Other comprehensive income

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

178

 

-

 

178

 

96

 

274

Total Comprehensive Income

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

178

 

2,471

 

2,649

 

120

 

2,769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances as of September 30, 2016

 

969

 

2,646

 

15

 

42

 

(461)

 

734

 

351

 

3,191

 

2,904

 

4,272

 

709

 

2,471

 

17,843

 

536

 

18,379

 

(1) As of September 30, 2016 and 2015, total shares (984,380,978), of $1 argentine peso of nominal value each, were issued and fully paid. As of the same dates, 15,221,373 were treasury shares.

(2) Corresponds to 15,221,373 shares of $1 argentine peso of nominal value each, equivalent to 1.55% of total capital. The treasury shares acquisition costs amounted to 461. See Note 7 – Equity to the consolidated financial statements.

(3) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Núcleo held on March 26, 2015.

(4) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of the Company held on April 29, 2015.

(5) As approved by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of the Company held on April 29, 2016.

(6) As approved by the Board of Directors’ Meeting held on April 29, 2016.

 

 

 

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

 

Mariano Ibáñez

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

 

 

 

 

Nine-month periods
ended September 30,

 

 

 

Note

 

2016

 

2015

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the period

 

 

 

2,495

 

2,778

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad debt expenses

 

2

 

844

 

410

 

Allowance for obsolescence of inventories, materials and other deducted from assets

 

 

 

54

 

31

 

Depreciation of PP&E

 

2

 

3,087

 

2,165

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

2

 

1,398

 

989

 

Consumption of materials

 

2

 

346

 

216

 

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

 

2

 

200

 

51

 

Net book value of disposals of PP&E

 

 

 

11

 

-

 

Provisions

 

6

 

106

 

174

 

Other financial losses

 

 

 

1,155

 

213

 

Income tax expense

 

2

 

1,346

 

1,489

 

Income tax paid

 

3

 

(1,280)

 

(1,202)

 

Net increase in assets

 

3

 

(2,724)

 

(2,922)

 

Net (decrease) increase in liabilities

 

3

 

(679)

 

492

 

Total cash flows provided by operating activities

 

3

 

6,359

 

4,884

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PP&E acquisitions

 

3

 

(6,808)

 

(3,192)

 

Acquisition of 4G License

 

3

 

-

 

(2,256)

 

Intangible assets acquisitions

 

3

 

(1,317)

 

(894)

 

Proceeds from the sale of PP&E

 

 

 

13

 

20

 

Investments not considered as cash and cash equivalents

 

3

 

1,139

 

(997)

 

Total cash flows used in investing activities

 

 

 

(6,973)

 

(7,319)

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from financial debt

 

3

 

4,478

 

3,468

 

Payment of financial debt

 

3

 

(1,231)

 

(25)

 

Payment of interest and related costs

 

3

 

(1,189)

 

(238)

 

Payment of cash dividends and related tax withholdings

 

3

 

(2,000)

 

(823)

 

Total cash flows provided by financing activities

 

 

 

58

 

2,382

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET FOREIGN EXCHANGE DIFFERENCES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

 

55

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

 

(501)

 

(40)

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

 

 

 

870

 

684

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD

 

 

 

369

 

644

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mariano Ibáñez

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND 2015

(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

12

3

Supplementary cash flow information

24

4

Segment information

27

5

Balances and transactions with companies under sect. 33 of Law No. 19,550 and related parties

30

6

Commitments and contingencies of the Telecom Group

33

7

Equity

34

8

Restrictions on distribution of profits

35

9

Selected consolidated quarterly information

35

10

Recent developments corresponding to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016 for the Telecom Group

35

11

Subsequent events to September 30, 2016

42

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

BCRA (Banco Central de la República Argentina): The Central Bank of Argentina.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

CPP: Calling Party Pays.

 

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

 

D&A: Depreciation and amortization.

 

DLD: Domestic long-distance.

 

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

 

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

 

Fintech: Fintech Telecom LLC, the parent company of Sofora.

 

IAS:  International Accounting Standards.

 

IASB:  International Accounting Standards Board.

 

ICT: Information and Communication Technologies.

 

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

 

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

 

LAD (Ley Argentina Digital): Argentine Digital Law No. 27,078.

 

LGS (Ley de Sociedades Comerciales): Argentine Corporations Law No. 19,550 as amended. Since the enforcement of the new Civil and Commercial Code its name was changed to “Ley General de Sociedades”.

 

Micro Sistemas: Micro Sistemas S.A.

 

NDF: Non-Deliverable Forward.

 

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

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

Núcleo: Núcleo S.A.

 

NYSE: New York Stock Exchange.

 

PEN (Poder Ejecutivo Nacional): The executive branch of the Argentine government.

 

Personal:  Telecom Personal S.A.

 

PP&E:  Property, plant and equipment.

 

Regulatory Bodies: Previously, the SC, the CNC and the AFTIC. Since the issuance of the Decree of Need and Urgency No. 267/15, the Regulatory Authority is the National Communications Agency (ENACOM).

 

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

 

RT:  Technical resolutions issued by the FACPCE.

 

RT 26: Technical resolution No. 26 issued by the FACPCE, amended by RT 29 and RT 43.

 

SAC:  Subscriber Acquisition Costs.

 

SBT (Servicio básico telefónico): Basic telephone service.

 

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

 

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

 

SECTIC (Secretaría de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones): ICT Secretary.

 

SMS: Short message systems.

 

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

 

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

 

Telecom Group/Group: Telecom Argentina and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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

 

Telecom USA: Telecom Argentina USA Inc.

 

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

 

Tuves: Tuves Paraguay S.A.

 

US GAAP: United States of America Accounting Standards.

 

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

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

 

a)   Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies

 

As required by the CNV for most of public companies, these consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with RT 26 of FACPCE (as amended by RT 29 and RT 43) and in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB, as adopted by the CPCECABA.

 

For the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, the Company has elected to make use of the option provided by IAS 34, so, these consolidated financial statements do not include all the information required in an annual financial statement, and must be read jointly with the 2015 annual consolidated financial statements which can be consulted at the Company’s website (www.telecom.com.ar/inversores).

 

As of September 30, 2016, entities included in the consolidation process and the respective equity interest owned by Telecom Argentina is presented as follows:

 

Subsidiaries

Percentage of capital
stock owned and
voting rights (i)

Indirect
control
through

Date of acquisition

 

Segment that consolidates
(Note 4)

Telecom USA

100.00%

 

09.12.00

Fixed Services

Micro Sistemas (ii)

99.99%

 

12.31.97

Fixed Services

Personal

99.99%

 

07.06.94

Personal Mobile Services

Núcleo (iii)

67.50%

Personal

02.03.98

Núcleo Mobile Services

Personal Envíos (iii)

67.50%

Núcleo

07.24.14

Núcleo Mobile Services

 

(i)            Percentage of equity interest owned has been rounded.

(ii)          Dormant entity as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

(iii)        Non-controlling interest of 32.50% is owned by the Paraguayan company ABC Telecomunicaciones S.A.

 

For the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, the Company followed the same accounting policies applied in the most recent annual consolidated financial statements.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Publication of these consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2016 was approved by resolution of the Board of Directors’ meeting held on November 8, 2016.

 

b)          Financial statement formats

 

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

 

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

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

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

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

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

 

These consolidated financial statements contain all material disclosures required under IAS 34. Some additional disclosures required by the LGS 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 Telecom Group’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).

 

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

 

Information regarding segment reporting is included in Note 4.

 

d)          Net income per share

 

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

 

For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the weighted average number of shares outstanding totaled 969,159,605 shares, respectively.

 

e)           Application of IAS 29 (Financial reporting in “hyperinflationary” economies)

 

IAS 29 establishes the conditions under which an entity shall restate its financial statements if it is located in an economic environment considered “hyperinflationary”. It is worth mentioning that if at any time an economy qualifies as “hyperinflationary” as a result of the qualitative and quantitative assessment established by paragraph 3 of IAS 29, the restatement of financial statements must be made retroactively from the date of the revaluation used as deemed cost (February 2003 for entities of Telecom Group located in Argentina) or from the acquisition date for assets acquired after that date.

 

In compliance with the provisions of IAS 29, the Company’s Management periodically verifies the evolution of official statistics as well as the general factors of the economic environment in the countries in which the Telecom Group operates.

 

Although the standard does not establish an absolute rate at which hyperinflation is deemed to arise, usually a cumulative inflation rate over three years approaching or exceeding 100% is used as reference in conjunction with other qualitative factors related to the macroeconomic environment.

 

The Company analyzes the economic environment as required by the provisions of IAS 29, based on the inflation rates published by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INDEC), following the same criteria adopted by the accounting profession in the Argentine Republic.

 

After declaring a state of statistical emergency in January 2016 and due to the reorganization of the INDEC structure, that agency was impelled to publish the Internal Wholesale Price Index for November and December 2015 and the Consumer Price Index for the period November 2015- April 2016. Under these circumstances, the INDEC suggested the alternative utilization of Price Indexes published by the Province of San Luis and the City of Buenos Aires, which are integral part of the National Statistic System until the INDEC publishes Price Indexes in compliance with international standards of quality. Finally, in May 2016 the INDEC published the Internal Wholesale Price Index (“IPIM”) retroactively from January 2016 while the Consumer Price Index (“IPC”) was published from May 2016.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Therefore, for year 2015 the Company analysis was performed according to Consumer Price Index and Internal Wholesale Price Index published by the INDEC until October 2015 and it was complemented applying November and December 2015 Price Index published by the Province of San Luis and the City of Buenos Aires, as the INDEC suggested. It is worth mentioning that this simplified procedure as provided in paragraph 17 of IAS 29 was performed due to the unavailability of official statistics at national level.

 

The tables below show the evolution of these indexes in the last three years according to official statistics (INDEC), with the exceptions explained above regarding the use of alternative indexes for November and December 2015:

 

2013

2014

2015 (*)

Consumer Price Variation

 

 

 

Annual

10.9%

23.9%

20.6%

3 years accumulated

34.7%

52.4%

65.8%

 

 

 

 

Internal Wholesale Price Variation

 

 

 

Annual

14.8%

28.3%

19.2%

3 years accumulated

46.2%

66.5%

75.4%

 

(*) Consumer Price Index and Internal Wholesale Price Index published by the INDEC until October 2015 were 11.9% and 10.6% respectively. These rates (which contain ten months accumulated), were complemented with November and December 2015 Consumer Price Index average rates for these two months published by the Province of San Luis and the City of Buenos Aires (7.8%).As of the date of these Financial Statements we have taken note that the INDEC will not publish Internal Wholesale Price Index for November and December 2015 nor they will review the inflation rates for prior periods.

 

According to the high inflation levels in Argentina registered in the last years, the Company’s Management has further assessed the characteristics set out in paragraph 3 of IAS 29, including (i) the quantitative condition provided in section (e) “the cumulative inflation rate over three years is approaching, or exceeds, 100%”, as well as (ii) the qualitative characteristics contained in paragraphs a) to d) of that paragraph. Based on the analysis made at December 31, 2015 and with the evidence available as of the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements then ended, the Company’s Management concluded that Argentina did not qualify as a “hyperinflationary” country in terms of IAS 29.

 

Under US GAAP the argentine economy was not considered highly inflationary at December 31, 2015 according with the conclusions of the “International Practices Task Force” (IPTF) dated May 2016, to which the Company has had access. An extract of the meeting, stated the following: “The SEC staff noted the IMF’s concerns on the accuracy of the inflation data. However, the SEC staff noted that they have not observed objectively verifiable data that would indicate the economy of Argentina is highly-inflationary at December 31, 2015. The staff would expect registrants to monitor the level of inflation, in combination with other pertinent factors and data points, in determining whether Argentina should be considered a highly-inflationary economy.

 

While there may be differences in the definition of a “hyperinflationary” environment between IFRS and US GAAP, the Company believes that the assessment of the macroeconomic situation of a country should be substantially similar under both accounting frameworks and, therefore, considers that the IPTF conclusion is consistent with the conclusions arrived in the analysis made by the Company’s Management.

 

Additionally, while the CNV required public companies the full implementation of IFRS-as issued by the IASB- from periods beginning on January 1st, 2012, Decree No. 664/03 continues to be in force as of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements. Through this Decree, the PEN instructed the control authorities –including the CNV- not to accept filings of restated financial statements. This legal restriction is foreseen in the current Regulations of the CNV (Title IV - Chapter III - Article 3 - paragraph 1).

 

Developments of the 9M16

 

The indexes published by the INDEC as from May 2016 (a variation for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 of 29.5 % for the IPC and 31.3% for the IPIM and a variation for the three-year period of approximately 99.8% for the IPC and approximately 108.4% for the IPIM) have shown high level of inflation that reflects among other factors the impact on internal price due to the devaluation of the argentine peso against the US dollar since December 2015, the elimination of exchange rate restrictions and the increase of the public service rates allowed by the Government after more than ten years of rate freezing.

 

All these qualitative and quantitative circumstances, require that issuers, regulatory authorities both in Argentina and abroad, and the accounting profession reach a conclusion whether the argentine economy qualifies as “hyperinflationary” under the terms of IAS 29 for the year 2016. Discussions on this matter have been recently initiated among the players involved in the assessment process and it is expected that resolutions will be reached before the issuance of the annual financial statements as of December 31, 2016.

 

Company’s Management believes that the periodic assessment of the macroeconomic environment of the countries in which it operates and the possible restatement of financial statements in accordance to IAS 29, represent an element of care and concern for investors, analysts and regulators of capital markets where Argentine companies list their equity and debt securities, related to the impact that such restatement might have on their financial position and results of operations of Argentine companies, including the Telecom Group.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

In the case that IAS 29 should be applied in Argentina during year 2016 as a result of the consensus reached by the argentine accounting profession and the regulatory authorities both in Argentina and abroad, Management of the Company has performed an aggregate estimation of its effects taking into account that the restatement for inflation should be made from February 2003 only for argentine entities of the Group and using the IPIM evolution published by the INDEC (which increased approximately 498% in the period February 2003 – September 2016, assuming an inflation rate of 7.8% for November - December 2015 period as explained above).

 

The table below shows the evolution of the consolidated shareholders’ equity estimating that IAS 29 is applied for the years 2014, 2015 and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016:

 

Consolidated statements of changes in equity restated
for inflation according with IAS 29 (*)

 

9.30.16

 

12.31.15

 

12.31.14

(in billions of argentine pesos and in constant currency as of September 30, 2016)
(figures not covered by the limited review of the independent external auditors)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity at the beginning of the year

 

34.3

 

32.8

 

32.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

(2.2)

 

(1.3)

 

(2.2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

0.5

 

2.7

 

2.8

Other Comprehensive Results

 

(0.1)

 

0.1

 

-

Comprehensive Income

 

0.4

 

2.8

 

2.8

Equity at the end of the period/year

 

32.5

 

34.3

 

32.8

Capital + Adjustment of Capital

 

21.9

 

21.9

 

21.9

Treasury shares acquisition cost

 

(0.9)

 

(0.9)

 

(0.9)

Reserves + Retained Earnings

 

11.1

 

12.8

 

11.4

Other Comprehensive Results

 

(0.1)

 

-

 

(0.1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

 

32.0

 

33.8

 

32.3

Attributable to non-controlling interest

 

0.5

 

0.5

 

0.5

 

(*) These figures represent the best estimation of the Company’s Management as of the date of these Consolidated Financial Statements. An estimation of restatement of financial statements with more detail and precision as required by IAS 29 could generate different figures. However, the Company’s Management believes that figures would be similar to those presented in the table above with the same trends of impacts. The estimation includes the effect of adjustment for inflation not taxable/ deductible under income tax law, which was recorded as a temporary difference resulting in a deferred tax liability.

 

In connection with the impact of IAS 29 in the results of the periods presented, there are no significant impacts identified regarding Operating income before depreciation and amortization to Revenues ratio. Depreciations and amortizations increase its relative weight to Revenues and the Financial results are impacted by the Result from exposure to inflation, which is positive (gain) in all periods presented due to the Net monetary liability position of the Telecom Group.

 

The Company’s Management will continue monitoring the characteristics and the evolution of the inflation rates in Argentina in order to comply properly with IAS 29 provisions, with special consideration of the pronouncements of argentine regulators – which as of the date are forbidden to accept the filing of financial statements restated for inflation according to Decree No. 664/03 and its supplementary standards. The Company’s Management will also monitor the pronouncements of foreign regulators, as well as the evaluation that the accounting profession will perform with regards to the uniform application of IAS 29 together with other issuers that apply IFRS in the Argentine Republic.

 

NOTE 2 – BREAKDOWN OF THE MAIN ACCOUNTS

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

CURRENT ASSETS

 

2016

 

2015

a) Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

  Cash

 

28

 

25

  Banks

 

216

 

231

  Time deposits

 

79

 

217

  Other short-term investments

 

46

 

397

 

 

369

 

870

b) Investments

 

 

 

 

  Government bonds at fair value

 

708

 

616

  Government bonds at fair value – US dollar linked

 

-

 

576

  Government bonds at amortized cost – US dollar linked

 

-

 

133

  Provincial and Municipal government bonds at amortized cost – US dollar linked

 

36

 

74

  Provincial and Municipal government bonds at amortized cost

 

36

 

31

 

 

780

 

1,430

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

September 30,

December 31,

c) Trade receivables

2016

2015

  Fixed Services

1,879

1,449

  Personal Mobile Services – Services sales

3,333

2,659

  Personal Mobile Services – Equipment sales

3,101

1,759

  Núcleo Mobile Services

270

182

Subtotal

8,583

6,049

  Allowance for doubtful accounts

(601)

(386)

 

7,982

5,663

 

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

 

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

2016

2015

At the beginning of the year

(386)

(292)

Additions – Bad debt expenses

(844)

(410)

Uses

631

362

Currency translation adjustments

(2)

-

At the end of the period

(601)

(340)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

d) Other receivables

 

2016

 

2015

   Prepaid expenses

 

528

 

346

   Expenses reimbursement

 

127

 

95

   Subscriber’s handsets insurance

 

75

 

3

   Unionized employees advances

 

46

 

57

   Tax credits

 

41

 

165

   Restricted funds

 

26

 

26

   Receivables for return of handsets under warranty

 

18

 

9

   Tax on personal property – on behalf of shareholders

 

6

 

15

   Guarantee deposits

 

6

 

5

   PP&E disposal receivables

 

1

 

26

   NDF

 

-

 

466

   Prepaid expenses related parties (Note 5.c)

 

-

 

36

   Other

 

174

 

112

Subtotal

 

1,048

 

1,361

   Allowance for other receivables

 

(24)

 

(25)

 

 

1,024

 

1,336

 

Movements in the allowance for other receivables are as follows:

 

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

2016

2015

At the beginning of the year

(25)

(23)

Additions

(1)

(3)

Uses

2

1

At the end of the period

(24)

(25)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

e) Inventories

 

2016

 

2015

   Mobile handsets and other

 

2,306

 

2,218

   Advances for mobile handsets acquisitions

 

-

 

47

   Fixed telephones and equipment

 

17

 

14

Subtotal

 

2,323

 

2,279

   Allowance for obsolescence of inventories

 

(80)

 

(86)

 

 

2,243

 

2,193

 

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

 

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

2016

2015

At the beginning of the year

(86)

(73)

Additions – Fees for services, maintenance and materials

(36)

(23)

Uses

42

8

Currency translation adjustments

-

1

At the end of the period

(80)

(87)

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

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

 

 

Three-month periods
ended September 30,

 

Nine-month periods
ended September 30,

 

2016

2015

 

2016

2015

 

Profit (loss)

Sales of equipment and handsets - Fixed Services

13

25

 

78

48

Cost of equipment and handsets – Fixed Services

(39)

(31)

 

(126)

(64)

Total equipment loss – Fixed Services

(26)

(6)

 

(48)

(16)

Sales of equipment and handsets – Personal Mobile Services

1,711

1,235

 

5,649

3,468

Cost of equipment and handsets – Personal Mobile Services

(1,441)

(990)

 

(4,308)

(2,627)

Deferred Costs SAC – Personal Mobile Services

30

11

 

56

25

Total equipment income – Personal Mobile Services

300

256

 

1,397

866

Sales of equipment and handsets – Núcleo Mobile Services

91

40

 

217

106

Cost of equipment and handsets – Núcleo Mobile Services

(106)

(59)

 

(291)

(166)

Deferred Costs SAC – Núcleo Mobile Services

8

13

 

38

41

Total equipment loss – Núcleo Mobile Services

(7)

(6)

 

(36)

(19)

Total equipment and handsets sale

1,815

1,300

 

5,944

3,622

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

(1,548)

(1,056)

 

(4,631)

(2,791)

Total income for sale of equipment and handsets

267

244

 

1,313

831

 

 

September 30,

December 31,

 

2016

2015

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

f) Trade receivables

 

 

  Fixed Services

17

17

  Personal Mobile Services – Equipment sales

-

300

  Núcleo Mobile Services – Equipment sales

241

164

 

258

481

g) Other receivables

 

 

  Prepaid expenses

266

166

  Credit on SC Resolution No. 41/07 and IDC

84

84

  Restricted funds

32

32

  Regulatory credits (Paraguay)

27

22

  Tax on personal property – on behalf of shareholders

18

18

  Tax credits

11

12

  Guarantee deposits

14

12

  Other

11

28

Subtotal

463

374

  Allowance for regulatory matters

(84)

(84)

  Allowance for doubtful accounts (tax on personal property)

(18)

(18)

 

361

272

 

Movements in the allowance for regulatory matters are as follows:

 

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

2016

2015

At the beginning of the year

(84)

(85)

Uses

-

1

At the end of the period

(84)

(84)

 

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

 

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

2016

2015

At the beginning of the year

(18)

(18)

Additions

-

-

At the end of the period

(18)

(18)

 

 

 

September 30,

December 31,

 

2016

2015

h) Investments

 

 

  Municipal government bonds at amortized cost – US dollar linked

59

-

  Provincial and municipal government bonds at amortized cost

8

62

  Government bonds at amortized cost – US dollar linked

-

261

  Tuves shares purchase option

18

9

  2003 Telecommunications Fund

1

1

 

86

333

 

 

14



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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

September 30,

December 31,

i) PP&E

2016

2015

  Land, buildings and facilities

1,240

1,088

  Computer equipment and software

1,849

1,885

  Switching and transmission equipment (i)

4,973

4,368

  Mobile network access and external wiring

7,922

5,643

  Construction in progress

3,576

3,015

  Other tangible assets

686

567

Subtotal PP&E

20,246

16,566

  Materials

2,210

1,652

  Valuation allowance for materials

(65)

(52)

  Impairment of PP&E

(398)

(203)

Total PP&E

21,993

17,963

 

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

 

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

 

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

2016

2015

At the beginning of the year

18,218

13,933

  CAPEX

6,403

3,577

  Materials

893

1,110

Total PP&E additions

7,296

4,687

  Currency translation adjustments

406

(124)

  Consumption of materials

(346)

(216)

  Decrease

(30)

(60)

  Depreciation of the period

(3,088)

(2,166)

At the end of the period

22,456

16,054

 

Movements in the valuation allowance for materials are as follows:

 

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

2016

2015

At the beginning of the year

(52)

(24)

Additions - Fees for services, maintenance, and materials

(17)

(5)

Uses

4

-

At the end of the period

(65)

(29)

 

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

 

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

2016

2015

At the beginning of the year

(203)

(100)

Additions – Impairment of PP&E

(196)

(72)

Additions – Fees for services

-

(8)

Depreciation of the period

1

1

Uses

-

49

At the end of the period

(398)

(130)

 

 

September 30,

December 31,

j) Intangible assets

2016

2015

  SAC – fixed services

109

116

  SAC – mobile services

1,377

1,156

  Service connection or habilitation costs

116

107

  3G/4G Licenses

5,154

5,443

  PCS License

588

588

  Rights of use and exclusivity

231

248

  Other intangible assets

1

1

 

7,576

7,659

 

 

15


 


Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Movements in Intangible assets are as follows:

 

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

2016

2015

At the beginning of the year

7,659

5,331

Acquisitions

1,296

958

4G Licenses acquisitions

-

2,256

Currency translation adjustments

19

(6)

Amortization of the period

(1,398)

(989)

At the end of the period

7,576

7,550

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

September 30,

December 31,

k) Trade payables

2016

2015

  For the acquisition of PP&E

4,667

5,022

  For the acquisition of other assets and services

3,446

2,991

  For the acquisition of inventory

1,143

1,335

Subtotal suppliers

9,256

9,348

  Agent commissions

472

525

 

9,728

9,873

l) Deferred revenues

 

 

  On prepaid calling cards – Fixed and Mobile Services

250

312

  On connection fees – Fixed Services

36

35

  On international capacity rental

59

47

  On mobile customer loyalty programs

85

78

  From CONATEL – Núcleo Mobile Services

6

5

  Other

15

-

 

451

477

m) Financial debt

 

 

  Bank overdrafts – principal (Personal)

6,236

3,062

  Bank overdrafts – principal (Telecom Argentina)

16

-

  Bank overdrafts – principal (Núcleo)

-

84

  Bank loans – principal (Personal)

598

-

  Bank loans – principal (Núcleo)

434

193

  Notes –  principal (Personal)

566

-

  Accrued interests (Personal)

124

104

  Accrued interests (Núcleo)

7

8

 

7,981

3,451

n) Salaries and social security payables

 

 

  Annual complementary salaries, vacation and bonuses

1,175

849

  Social security payables

299

324

  Termination benefits

113

88

 

1,587

1,261

o) Income tax payables

 

 

  Income tax payables 2015

-

1,721

  Income tax payables 2016

1,539

-

  Income tax retentions and payments in advance

(950)

(1,287)

  Law No. 26,476 Tax Regularization Regime

6

5

 

595

439

p) Other taxes payables

 

 

  VAT, net

290

452

  Tax withholdings

178

201

  Internal taxes

116

111

  Tax on SU

109

91

  Regulatory fees

87

74

  Turnover tax

64

143

  Municipal taxes

45

46

  Perception Decree No. 583/10 ENARD

21

20

  Tax on personal property – on behalf of shareholders

6

15

 

916

1,153

q) Other liabilities

 

 

  Compensation for directors and members of the Supervisory Committee

32

30

  Guarantees received

14

12

  Other

9

11

 

55

53

 

 

16



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

September 30,

December 31,

 

2016

2015

r) Trade payables

 

 

  For the acquisition of PP&E

25

52

 

25

52

s) Deferred revenues

 

 

  On international capacity rental – Fixed Services

263

290

  On connection fees – Fixed Services

85

79

  On mobile customer loyalty programs

100

84

  From CONATEL– Núcleo Mobile Services

-

4

 

448

457

t) Financial debt

 

 

  Notes – principal (Personal)

147

713

  Bank loans – principal (Personal)

-

509

  Bank loans – principal (Núcleo)

245

227

 

392

1,449

u) Salaries and social security payables

 

 

  Termination benefits

136

117

  Bonuses

50

40

 

186

157

v) Income tax payables

 

 

  Law No. 26,476 Tax Regularization Regime

7

10

 

7

10

w) Other liabilities

 

 

  Pension benefits

130

95

  Legal fees

4

4

  Other

3

2

 

137

101

 

x) Income tax asset and deferred income tax asset and liability

 

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

 

 

Deferred tax assets

 

Deferred tax liabilities

As of September 30, 2016

Telecom
Argentina

Telecom
USA

 

Total

 

 

Personal

 

Núcleo

 

Total

Allowance for doubtful accounts

53

2

55

 

247

13

260

Provisions

329

-

329

 

158

-

158

PP&E

-

-

-

 

-

19

19

Inventory

-

-

-

 

108

-

108

Termination benefits

77

-

77

 

-

-

-

Deferred revenues

82

-

82

 

-

-

-

Pension benefits

46

-

46

 

-

-

-

Other deferred tax assets, net

128

-

128

 

-

2

2

Total deferred tax assets

715

2

717

 

513

34

547

PP&E

(406)

-

(406)

 

(119)

-

(119)

Intangible assets

(86)

-

(86)

 

(558)

-

(558)

Cash dividends from foreign companies

-

-

-

 

(*)   (149)

(50)

(199)

Equipment sales in installments

-

-

-

 

(185)

-

(185)

Investments

-

-

-

 

(2)

-

(2)

Other deferred tax liabilities, net

-

-

-

 

(8)

-

(8)

Total deferred tax liabilities

(492)

-

(492)

 

(1,021)

(50)

(1,071)

Total deferred tax assets (liabilities), net

(**)    223

2

225

 

(**)    (508)

(***)    (16)

(524)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action for recourse tax receivable – year 2009

98

-

98

 

 

-

 

Total Income tax assets

321

2

323

 

 

 

 

 

(*)   Includes (20) recorded in Other comprehensive income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016.

(**)  Includes 10 and (65) in Telecom Argentina and Personal, respectively, corresponding to the reversal of temporary differences related to the 2015 income tax affidavits.

(***) Includes (42) corresponding to liabilities reclassifications and 8 corresponding to currency translation adjustments over opening balances.

 

 

17



Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

 

Deferred tax liabilities

As of December 31, 2015

 

Telecom
Argentina

 

Núcleo

 

Telecom
USA

 

Total

 

Personal

 

Total

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

61

 

8

 

1

 

70

 

151

 

151

Provisions

 

314

 

-

 

-

 

314

 

129

 

129

PP&E

 

-

 

14

 

-

 

14

 

-

 

-

Inventory

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

99

 

99

Termination benefits

 

65

 

-

 

-

 

65

 

-

 

-

Deferred revenues

 

73

 

-

 

-

 

73

 

-

 

-

Pension benefits

 

33

 

-

 

-

 

33

 

-

 

-

Other deferred tax assets, net

 

78

 

4

 

-

 

82

 

-

 

-

Total deferred tax assets

 

624

 

26

 

1

 

651

 

379

 

379

PP&E

 

(390)

 

-

 

(1)

 

(391)

 

(260)

 

(260)

Intangible assets

 

(86)

 

-

 

-

 

(86)

 

(478)

 

(478)

Cash dividends from foreign companies

 

-

 

(6)

 

-

 

(6)

 

(*) (113)

 

(113)

Investments

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(61)

 

(61)

Other deferred tax liabilities, net

 

-

 

(1)

 

-

 

(1)

 

(17)

 

(17)

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

(476)

 

(7)

 

(1)

 

(484)

 

(929)

 

(929)

Total deferred tax assets (liabilities), net

 

148

 

19

 

-

 

167

 

(550)

 

(550)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action for recourse tax receivable – year 2009

 

98

 

-

 

-

 

98

 

 

 

 

Total Income tax assets

 

246

 

19

 

-

 

265

 

 

 

 

 

(*) Includes (25) recorded in Other comprehensive income for the year ended on December 31, 2015 and (12) corresponding to a reclassification of deferred tax liabilities to income tax payables related to withholdings of cash dividends from foreign companies.

 

y) Aging of assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date due

Cash and cash
equivalents

Investments

Trade receivables

Income tax
assets

Other receivables

Total due

-

-

1,680

-

-

Not due

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth quarter 2016

369

52

4,339

-

657

First quarter 2017

-

3

983

-

147

Second quarter 2017

-

709

727

-

124

Third quarter 2017

-

16

253

-

96

October 2017 thru September 2018

-

31

197

-

159

October 2018 thru September 2019

-

24

21

-

91

October 2019 and thereafter

-

12

40

-

111

Not date due established

-

19

-

323

-

Total not due

369

866

6,560

323

1,385

Total

369

866

8,240

323

1,385

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances bearing interest

125

847

1,682

-

-

Balances not bearing interest

244

19

6,558

323

1,385

Total

369

866

8,240

323

1,385

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average annual interest rate (%)

(a)

(b)

(c) (d)

-

-

 

(a)       46 are assets in argentine pesos bearing interest at 28.4% and 79 are assets in foreign currency bearing interest at 0.17%.

(b)       44 are assets in argentine pesos bearing interests between 13.1% and 25.6% (24.1% average rate), 708 are assets in foreign currency bearing interest at 7% and 95 are US dollar linked bonds bearing interests between 0.40% and 1.95% (1.56% average rate).

(c)       From due trade receivables 91 bear 50% over the Banco de la Nación Argentina 30-day interest rate paid by banks, 716 bear 50% over the Banco de la Nación Argentina notes payable discount rate, 793 bear 48% and 26 bear 36%.

(d)       From not due trade receivables 25 bear 41%, 29 bear 8.3% and 2 bear 34.2%.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date due

Trade
payables

Deferred
revenues

Financial
debt

Salaries and
social security
payables

Income tax
payables

Deferred
income tax
liabilities

Other taxes
payables

Other liabilities

Total due

666

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Not due

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth quarter 2016

7,693

307

6,009

732

2

-

910

19

First quarter 2017

588

50

629

626

1

-

-

1

Second quarter 2017

672

47

1,258

210

115

-

6

33

Third quarter 2017

109

47

85

19

477

-

-

2

October 2017 thru September 2018

18

151

177

109

5

-

-

22

October 2018 thru September 2019

-

44

215

37

2

-

-

7

October 2019 and thereafter

7

253

-

40

-

-

-

108

Not date due established

-

-

-

-

-

524

-

-

Total not due

9,087

899

8,373

1,773

602

524

916

192

Total

9,753

899

8,373

1,773

602

524

916

192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances bearing interest

72

-

8,325

-

9

-

-

-

Balances not bearing interest

9,681

899

48

1,773

593

524

916

192

Total

9,753

899

8,373

1,773

602

524

916

192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average annual interest rate (%)

6%

-

(e)

-

9%

-

-

-

 

(e)              7,025 are liabilities in argentine pesos bearing interests between 26.8% and 27.5%, 614 are liabilities in foreign currency bearing three-month LIBOR plus 8.75% and 686 are liabilities in guaraníes bearing interests between 9.30% and 13%.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

z) Foreign currency assets and liabilities

 

The following table shows a breakdown of Telecom Group’s net liability financial position exposure to currency risk as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

09.30.16

Amount of foreign currency (i)

Exchange rate

Amount in local currency (ii)

Assets

 

 

 

US$

99

15.210

(iii)  1,493

G

282,215

0.003

770

EURO

6

17.063

106

 

Total assets

 

2,369

Liabilities

 

 

 

US$

(439)

15.310

(6,727)

G

(389,491)

0.003

(1,062)

EURO

(11)

17.213

(192)

 

Total liabilities

 

(7,981)

 

Net liabilities

 

(5,612)

 

(i)                      US$ = United States dollar; G= Guaraníes.

(ii)                    As foreign currency figures and their amount in argentine pesos are in millions, the calculation of the amount of the foreign currency by its exchange rate could not be exact.

(iii)                  Includes 708 corresponding to Government bonds valued at fair value (equivalent to US$ 45 million).

 

In order to partially reduce this net liability position in foreign currency the Telecom Group, as of September 30, 2016, holds investments adjustable to the variation of the US$/$ exchange rate (dollar linked) by $95. So, the net liability position in foreign currency amounted to $5,517 as of September 30, 2016 (equivalent to approximately US$ 360 million).

 

12.31.15

Amount of foreign currency (i)

Exchange rate

Amount in local currency (ii)

Assets

 

 

 

US$

102

12.940

(iii)  1,340

G

234,194

0.002

520

EURO

4

14.068

54

 

Total assets

 

1,914

Liabilities

 

 

 

US$

(538)

13.040

(7,015)

G

(348,051)

0.002

(771)

EURO

(14)

14.210

(191)

 

Total liabilities

 

(7,977)

 

Net liabilities

 

(6,063)

 

(i)                      US$ = United States dollar; G= Guaraníes.

(ii)                    As foreign currency figures and their amount in argentine pesos are in millions, the calculation of the amount of the foreign currency by its exchange rate could not be exact.

(iii)                  Includes 616 corresponding to Government bonds valued at fair value (equivalent to US$ 46 million).

 

In order to partially reduce this net liability position in foreign currency, the Telecom Group, as of December 31, 2015, hold investments adjustable to the variation of the US dollar/$ exchange rate (US dollar linked) by $1,105 and other short-term investments whose main underlying asset are financial assets dollar linked for a total amount of $314. According to this, the Telecom Group’s net liability position in foreign currency amounts to $4,644 as of December 31, 2015, equivalent to approximately US$ 357 million. Additionally, the Group entered into several NDF contracts as of December 31, 2015 amounting to US$ 165 million, so, the portion of the net liability position in foreign currency not covered by these instruments amounted to US$ 192 million as of December 31, 2015.

 

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

 

Below are shown the investments in Government bonds and argentine companies’ notes valued at amortized cost and their respective fair value as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2016

 

 

As of December 31, 2015

 

Investments

 

Book value

 

Fair value (*)

 

 

Book value

 

Fair value (*)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government bonds (US dollar linked)

 

-

 

-

 

 

394

 

365

 

Provincial government bonds in pesos

 

44

 

44

 

 

32

 

32

 

Provincial and municipal government bonds (US dollar linked)

 

95

 

90

 

 

135

 

118

 

Total

 

139

 

134

 

 

561

 

515

 

 

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

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

ab) Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities

 

The information required by the amendment to IFRS 7 as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows:

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2016

 

 

Trade
receivables

 

Other
receivables

(1)

 

Trade
payables

 

Other
liabilities
(1)

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

 

10,236

 

464

 

(11,749)

 

(78)

Offsetting

 

(1,996)

 

(16)

 

1,996

 

16

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

 

8,240

 

448

 

(9,753)

 

(62)

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2015

 

 

Trade
receivables

 

Other
receivables
(1)

 

Trade
payables

 

Other
liabilities
(1)

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

 

7,832

 

822

 

(11,613)

 

(71)

Offsetting

 

(1,688)

 

(12)

 

1,688

 

12

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

 

6,144

 

810

 

(9,925)

 

(59)

 

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

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

 

Three-month periods ended
September 30,

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

ac) Total revenues and other income

 

Profit (loss)

Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voice – Retail

 

1,241

 

846

 

3,333

 

2,379

Voice – Wholesale

 

336

 

255

 

995

 

734

Data

 

731

 

451

 

2,133

 

1,290

Internet

 

1,513

 

1,198

 

4,351

 

3,273

Subtotal Fixed Services

 

3,821

 

2,750

 

10,812

 

7,676

Voice – Retail

 

2,215

 

1,850

 

6,255

 

5,109

Voice – Wholesale

 

534

 

466

 

1,442

 

1,395

Data

 

1,563

 

1,763

 

5,103

 

5,376

Internet

 

2,827

 

1,594

 

7,497

 

4,283

Subtotal Personal Mobile Services

 

7,139

 

5,673

 

20,297

 

16,163

Voice – Retail

 

223

 

148

 

628

 

441

Voice – Wholesale

 

39

 

24

 

111

 

80

Data

 

116

 

72

 

321

 

220

Internet

 

259

 

127

 

705

 

388

Subtotal Núcleo Mobile Services

 

637

 

371

 

1,765

 

1,129

Total service revenues (a)

 

11,597

 

8,794

 

32,874

 

24,968

Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Services

 

13

 

25

 

78

 

48

Personal Mobile Services

 

1,711

 

1,235

 

5,649

 

3,468

Núcleo Mobile Services

 

91

 

40

 

217

 

106

Total equipment revenues (b)

 

1,815

 

1,300

 

5,944

 

3,622

Total revenues (a) + (b)

 

13,412

 

10,094

 

38,818

 

28,590

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Services

 

11

 

4

 

25

 

12

Personal Mobile Services

 

3

 

-

 

9

 

3

Total other income (c)

 

14

 

4

 

34

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

13,426

 

10,098

 

38,852

 

28,605

 

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

 

 

 

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

 

2016

 

%

 

2015

 

%

Voice Retail

 

10,216

 

31

 

7,929

 

32

Voice Wholesale

 

2,548

 

8

 

2,209

 

9

Total Voice

 

12,764

 

39

 

10,138

 

41

Data

 

7,557

 

23

 

6,886

 

27

Internet

 

12,553

 

38

 

7,944

 

32

Total service revenues

 

32,874

 

100

 

24,968

 

100

 

 

20



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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Telecom Group’s services revenues by customer segment and billing mechanism are as follows:

 

 

 

Three-month periods
ended September 30,

 

Nine-month periods
ended September 30,

Services

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

Retail

 

Profit (loss)

Monthly Charges

 

3,037

 

2,147

 

8,512

 

5,929

Voice

 

859

 

492

 

2,207

 

1,358

Internet

 

1,377

 

1,118

 

3,975

 

3,061

Bundles (Voice and Internet)

 

308

 

231

 

894

 

642

Data

 

493

 

306

 

1,436

 

868

Measured services

 

164

 

168

 

472

 

480

Connection and reconnection fees

 

32

 

24

 

95

 

74

Pre-cancellation contract fees

 

9

 

5

 

26

 

16

Others

 

6

 

5

 

15

 

16

Wholesale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly Charges

 

355

 

207

 

995

 

603

Cell sites and links rental

 

124

 

65

 

312

 

190

Data

 

231

 

142

 

683

 

413

Fixed and mobile interconnection

 

191

 

170

 

620

 

484

Others

 

27

 

24

 

77

 

74

Total Fixed services

 

3,821

 

2,750

 

10,812

 

7,676

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly Charges

 

3,718

 

2,925

 

10,755

 

8,045

Voice

 

135

 

260

 

419

 

703

Internet

 

53

 

53

 

163

 

154

Bundles (Voice and Internet)

 

3,507

 

2,587

 

10,101

 

7,103

Others

 

23

 

25

 

72

 

85

Measured services

 

2,538

 

2,075

 

7,288

 

6,216

Postpaid

 

263

 

258

 

849

 

758

Prepaid and Cuentas Claras

 

2,275

 

1,817

 

6,439

 

5,458

Reconnection fees

 

72

 

53

 

204

 

156

Pre-cancellation contract fees

 

75

 

42

 

181

 

97

Damage management services

 

96

 

76

 

277

 

197

Others

 

106

 

35

 

150

 

56

Wholesale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interconnection

 

443

 

386

 

1,168

 

1,144

Roaming

 

68

 

71

 

212

 

225

Others

 

23

 

10

 

62

 

27

Total Personal mobile services

 

7,139

 

5,673

 

20,297

 

16,163

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly Charges

 

245

 

147

 

689

 

440

Internet

 

26

 

32

 

76

 

73

Bundles (Voice and Internet)

 

219

 

115

 

613

 

367

Measured services

 

278

 

165

 

807

 

536

Postpaid

 

20

 

16

 

32

 

25

Prepaid and Plan Control

 

258

 

149

 

775

 

511

Reconnection fees

 

4

 

3

 

12

 

8

Pre-cancellation contract fees

 

19

 

6

 

45

 

13

Others

 

9

 

3

 

51

 

24

Wholesale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interconnection

 

30

 

19

 

86

 

57

Roaming

 

3

 

1

 

16

 

18

Others

 

49

 

27

 

59

 

33

Total Núcleo mobile services

 

637

 

371

 

1,765

 

1,129

Total services revenues

 

11,597

 

8,794

 

32,874

 

24,968

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

ad) Operating costs

 

Operating expenses disclosed by nature of expense amounted to $33,329 and $24,146 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

The main components of the operating expenses are the following:

 

 

 

Three-month periods ended
September 30,

 

Nine-month periods
ended September 30,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

Profit (loss)

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries

 

(1,976)

 

(1,429)

 

(5,145)

 

(3,760)

Social security expenses

 

(566)

 

(463)

 

(1,605)

 

(1,207)

Severance indemnities and termination benefits

 

(183)

 

(105)

 

(339)

 

(240)

Other employee benefits

 

(53)

 

(37)

 

(124)

 

(85)

 

 

(2,778)

 

(2,034)

 

(7,213)

 

(5,292)

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed telephony interconnection costs

 

(90)

 

(85)

 

(329)

 

(236)

Cost of international outbound calls

 

(82)

 

(39)

 

(205)

 

(121)

Lease of circuits and use of public network

 

(120)

 

(88)

 

(353)

 

(249)

Mobile services - charges for roaming

 

(96)

 

(96)

 

(354)

 

(288)

Mobile services - charges for TLRD

 

(236)

 

(250)

 

(713)

 

(665)

 

 

(624)

 

(558)

 

(1,954)

 

(1,559)

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintenance of hardware and software

 

(138)

 

(80)

 

(376)

 

(234)

Technical maintenance

 

(311)

 

(210)

 

(964)

 

(598)

Service connection fees for fixed lines and Internet lines

 

(73)

 

(63)

 

(189)

 

(164)

Service connection fees capitalized as SAC

 

3

 

3

 

10

 

9

Service connection fees capitalized as Intangible assets

 

12

 

12

 

31

 

26

Other maintenance costs

 

(126)

 

(117)

 

(367)

 

(312)

Obsolescence of inventories – Personal Mobile Services

 

(15)

 

(17)

 

(36)

 

(23)

Call center fees

 

(370)

 

(322)

 

(1,034)

 

(972)

Other fees for services

 

(214)

 

(186)

 

(618)

 

(565)

Compensation for Directors and Supervisory Committee members

 

(13)

 

(11)

 

(37)

 

(27)

 

 

(1,245)

 

(991)

 

(3,580)

 

(2,860)

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turnover tax

 

(702)

 

(522)

 

(2,054)

 

(1,512)

Taxes with the Regulatory Authority

 

(289)

 

(228)

 

(836)

 

(651)

Tax on deposits to and withdrawals from bank accounts

 

(142)

 

(106)

 

(401)

 

(293)

Municipal taxes

 

(98)

 

(68)

 

(288)

 

(202)

Other taxes

 

(74)

 

(64)

 

(220)

 

(183)

 

 

(1,305)

 

(988)

 

(3,799)

 

(2,841)

Commissions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agent commissions

 

(780)

 

(626)

 

(2,263)

 

(1,777)

Agent commissions capitalized as SAC

 

372

 

268

 

1,046

 

781

Distribution of prepaid cards commissions

 

(200)

 

(152)

 

(558)

 

(464)

Collection commissions

 

(308)

 

(264)

 

(944)

 

(661)

Other commissions

 

(29)

 

(25)

 

(76)

 

(74)

 

 

(945)

 

(799)

 

(2,795)

 

(2,195)

Cost of equipments and handsets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory balance at the beginning of the period/year

 

(2,552)

 

(805)

 

(2,279)

 

(794)

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Purchases

 

(1,390)

 

(2,606)

 

(4,863)

 

(4,413)

  Deferred costs from SAC

 

38

 

24

 

94

 

66

  Decreases from allowance for obsolescence

 

17

 

4

 

42

 

8

  Mobile handsets lent to customers at no cost

 

15

 

9

 

42

 

24

  Decreases not charged to material cost

 

1

 

2

 

10

 

2

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory balance at period end

 

2,323

 

2,316

 

2,323

 

2,316

 

 

(1,548)

 

(1,056)

 

(4,631)

 

(2,791)

Advertising

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media advertising

 

(112)

 

(153)

 

(333)

 

(380)

Fairs and exhibitions

 

(33)

 

(30)

 

(105)

 

(108)

Other advertising costs

 

(32)

 

(38)

 

(110)

 

(103)

 

 

(177)

 

(221)

 

(548)

 

(591)

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

Three-month periods ended
September 30,

 

Nine-month periods
ended September 30,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

Cost of VAS

 

Profit (loss)

Cost of mobile VAS

 

(336)

 

(303)

 

(1,101)

 

(884)

Cost of fixed VAS

 

(14)

 

(10)

 

(41)

 

(26)

 

 

(350)

 

(313)

 

(1,142)

 

(910)

Other operating costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation, freight and travel expenses

 

(231)

 

(206)

 

(777)

 

(523)

Delivery costs capitalized as SAC

 

17

 

23

 

115

 

56

Rent of buildings and cell sites

 

(185)

 

(137)

 

(560)

 

(388)

Energy, water and others

 

(202)

 

(82)

 

(649)

 

(318)

International and satellite connectivity

 

(49)

 

(71)

 

(161)

 

(145)

 

 

(650)

 

(473)

 

(2,032)

 

(1,318)

D&A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation of PP&E

 

(1,105)

 

(774)

 

(3,087)

 

(2,165)

Amortization of SAC and service connection charges

 

(381)

 

(276)

 

(1,087)

 

(733)

Amortization of 3G/4G licenses

 

(96)

 

(96)

 

(289)

 

(227)

Amortization of other intangible assets

 

(9)

 

(18)

 

(22)

 

(29)

 

 

(1,591)

 

(1,164)

 

(4,485)

 

(3,154)

Gain (loss) on disposal of PP&E and impairment of PP&E

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) on disposal of PP&E

 

1

 

8

 

(4)

 

21

Impairment of PP&E – access PP&E swap

 

(61)

 

(62)

 

(196)

 

(72)

 

 

(60)

 

(54)

 

(200)

 

(51)

 

The operating expenses disclosed by function are as follows:

 

Operating costs

 

(7,024)

 

(5,219)

 

(20,467)

 

(14,335)

Administration costs

 

(777)

 

(484)

 

(1,907)

 

(1,333)

Commercialization costs

 

(3,738)

 

(3,023)

 

(10,649)

 

(8,253)

Other expenses – provisions

 

(25)

 

(7)

 

(106)

 

(174)

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

 

(60)

 

(54)

 

(200)

 

(51)

 

 

(11,624)

 

(8,787)

 

(33,329)

 

(24,146)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ae) Financial results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on time deposits

 

-

 

12

 

-

 

19

Gains on investments (Argentine companies notes and governments bonds)

 

18

 

131

 

224

 

200

Gains on Other short-term investments

 

4

 

39

 

30

 

100

Interest on receivables

 

101

 

43

 

252

 

133

Tuves share purchase option

 

18

 

-

 

7

 

-

Foreign currency exchange gains

 

(12)

 

46

 

88

 

85

Total finance income

 

129

 

271

 

601

 

537

Finance expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on loans –  Personal

 

(450)

 

(186)

 

(1,038)

 

(257)

Interest on loans – Telecom Argentina

 

(32)

 

-

 

(116)

 

-

Interest on loans –  Núcleo

 

(17)

 

(6)

 

(46)

 

(18)

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

 

(11)

 

(7)

 

(25)

 

(19)

Interest on provisions

 

(49)

 

(24)

 

(166)

 

(113)

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

 

(15)

 

(1)

 

(17)

 

(3)

Foreign currency exchange losses (*)

 

(177)

 

(109)

 

(836)

 

(290)

Pension benefits financial cost

 

(9)

 

(7)

 

(28)

 

(21)

Other

 

(5)

 

(4)

 

(11)

 

(8)

Total finance expenses

 

(765)

 

(344)

 

(2,283)

 

(729)

 

 

(636)

 

(73)

 

(1,682)

 

(192)

 

(*) Includes 4 and (11) of net foreign currency exchange gains (losses) generated by the NDF in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Includes (21) and 36 of net foreign currency exchange gains (losses) generated by the NDF in the three-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

af) Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 consists of the following:

 

 

Profit (loss)

 

The
Company

Telecom
USA

Personal

Núcleo

Total

Current tax expense

(300)

(8)

(1,209)

(22)

(1,539)

Deferred tax benefit (expense)

65

2

127

(1)

193

Income tax expense as of September 30, 2016

(235)

(6)

(1,082)

(23)

(1,346)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current tax expense

(305)

(3)

(1,219)

(9)

(1,536)

Deferred tax benefit

29

-

18

-

47

Income tax expense as of September 30, 2015

(276)

(3)

(1,201)

(9)

(1,489)

 

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

5,801

114

5,915

Non taxable items – Income from investments

(2,072)

9

(2,063)

Non taxable items – Other

6

46

52

Subtotal

3,735

169

3,904

Weighted statutory income tax rate

35%

(*)

 

Income tax expense at weighted statutory tax rate

(1,307)

(29)

(1,336)

Income tax on dividends from foreign companies – Núcleo

(12)

-

(12)

Other changes in tax assets and liabilities

2

-

2

Income tax expense as of September 30, 2016

(1,317)

(29)

(1,346)

 

 

In Argentina

Abroad

Total

 

Profit (loss)

Pre-tax income on a separate return basis

6,463

83

6,546

Non taxable items – Income from investments

(2,279)

4

(2,275)

Non taxable items – Other

6

(22)

(16)

Subtotal

4,190

65

4,255

Weighted statutory income tax rate

35%

(*)

 

Income tax expense at weighted statutory tax rate

(1,467)

(12)

(1,479)

Income tax on dividends from foreign companies – Núcleo

(10)

-

(10)

Income tax expense as of September 30, 2015

(1,477)

(12)

(1,489)

 

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

 

NOTE 3 – SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprise cash, bank current accounts and short-term highly liquid investments (with a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition) and bank overdrafts, which integrate the Telecom Group’s cash management and whose balances fluctuate according to the Group’s needs (as happened as of December 31, 2014). Bank overdrafts are disclosed in the statement of financial position as financial debts. During 9M16 bank overdrafts have been part of the permanent short-term financing structure of Personal, so, net funds requests under that method (with maturities less than three months) are included in financing activities.

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2015

 

2014

Cash and cash equivalents

 

369

 

644

 

870

 

825

Bank overdrafts

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(141)

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

369

 

644

 

870

 

684

 

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

 

 

 

Nine-month periods
ended September 30,

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

Collections

 

 

 

 

 

Collections from customers

 

40,195

 

30,554

 

Interests from customers

 

252

 

133

 

Interests from time deposits

 

30

 

118

 

Mobile operators collections

 

376

 

375

 

Subtotal

 

40,853

 

31,180

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

Nine-month periods
ended September 30,

 

Payments

 

2016

 

2015

 

For the acquisition of goods and services and others

 

(12,506)

 

(9,191)

 

For the acquisition of inventories

 

(4,757)

 

(4,439)

 

Salaries and social security payables and severance payments

 

(6,751)

 

(5,013)

 

CPP payments

 

(270)

 

(308)

 

Income taxes (includes tax returns and payments in advance)

 

(1,280)

 

(1,202)

 

Other taxes and taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

 

(7,859)

 

(5,833)

 

Foreign currency exchange differences related to the payments to suppliers

 

(1,071)

 

(310)

 

Inventory suppliers

 

(269)

 

(125)

 

PP&E suppliers

 

(1,189)

 

(57)

 

Other suppliers

 

(107)

 

(17)

 

NDF liquidation

 

494

 

(111)

 

Subtotal

 

(34,494)

 

(26,296)

 

Net cash flow provided by operating activities

 

6,359

 

4,884

 

 

·                   Changes in assets/liabilities components:

 

Net decrease (increase) in assets

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables for services sales

 

(1,723)

 

(1,082)

 

Trade receivables for equipment sales

 

(1,119)

 

-

 

Other receivables

 

219

 

(278)

 

Inventories

 

(101)

 

(1,562)

 

 

 

(2,724)

 

(2,922)

 

Net increase (decrease) in liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

(707)

 

395

 

Deferred revenues

 

(48)

 

33

 

Salaries and social security payables

 

353

 

201

 

Other taxes payables

 

(227)

 

(52)

 

Other liabilities

 

42

 

27

 

Provisions

 

(92)

 

(112)

 

 

 

(679)

 

492

 

 

Income tax paid consists of the following:

 

Tax returns and payments in advance

 

(1,003)

 

(1,057)

 

Other payments

 

(277)

 

(145)

 

 

 

(1,280)

 

(1,202)

 

 

a)            Main non-cash operating transactions:

 

SAC acquisitions offset with trade receivables

 

229

 

160

 

PP&E disposal receivables offset with trade receivables

 

25

 

-

 

VAT offset with income tax payments

 

54

 

50

 

 

b)           Most significant investing activities:

 

PP&E acquisitions include:

 

PP&E additions (Note 2.i)

 

(7,296)

 

(4,687)

 

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

Payments of trade payables originated in prior periods acquisitions

 

(1,426)

 

(1,269)

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of PP&E through incurrence of trade payables

 

1,826

 

2,740

 

Mobile handsets lent to customers at no cost (i)

 

42

 

24

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

46

 

-

 

 

 

(6,808)

 

(3,192)

 

 

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

 

4G Licenses acquisitions include:

 

Acquisition of 4G Licenses (Notes 2.j)

 

-

 

(2,256)

 

 

 

-

 

(2,256)

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

Intangible assets acquisitions include:

 

 

 

Nine-month periods
ended September 30,

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

Intangible assets additions (Note 2.j)

 

(1,296)

 

(958)

 

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

Payments of trade payables originated in prior periods acquisitions

 

(199)

 

(119)

 

SAC acquisitions offset with trade receivables

 

(229)

 

(160)

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of intangible assets through incurrence of trade payables

 

407

 

343

 

 

 

(1,317)

 

(894)

 

 

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:

 

Government bonds acquisition

 

-

 

(1,051)

 

Argentine companies notes collection

 

-

 

28

 

Government bonds sale (*)

 

1,051

 

-

 

Government bonds collection

 

88

 

26

 

 

 

1,139

 

(997)

 

 

(*) Correspond to the sale of BONAD 2016/2017/2018 bonds hold as of December 31, 2015, that generated a gain of 81 included in “Gain on investments” line item in Finance Income.

 

c)             Financing activities components:

 

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

 

Bank overdrafts – Personal

 

3,774

 

3,122

 

Bank overdrafts – Telecom Argentina

 

16

 

-

 

Bank overdrafts – Núcleo

 

343

 

-

 

Bank loans – Personal

 

-

 

346

 

Bank loans – Núcleo

 

345

 

-

 

Total financial debt proceeds

 

4,478

 

3,468

 

Bank overdrafts – Personal

 

(600)

 

-

 

Bank overdrafts – Núcleo

 

(438)

 

-

 

Bank loans – Núcleo

 

(193)

 

(25)

 

Total payment of financial debt

 

(1,231)

 

(25)

 

Bank overdrafts – Personal

 

(813)

 

(189)

 

Bank overdrafts – Telecom Argentina

 

(116)

 

-

 

Interests from Notes - Personal

 

(158)

 

-

 

Interests and related costs on bank loans – Personal

 

(56)

 

(27)

 

Interests on bank loans – Núcleo

 

(46)

 

(22)

 

Total payment of interest and related costs

 

(1,189)

 

(238)

 

 

According to Note 11.d), Personal has accepted funds from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for an amount of US$ 400 million that will allow to reschedule the deadlines and modify the cost of the Group’s financial debt.

 

Cash dividends from Telecom Argentina

 

Fiscal year 2016

 

The Company’s Board of Directors’ Meeting held on April 29, 2016, resolved to allocate $2,000 of the “Reserve for future cash dividends payments” to a cash dividend distribution in two installments: $700 that was available to shareholders as from May 13, 2016 and $1,300 that was available to shareholders since August 26, 2016.

 

Fiscal year 2015

 

The Company’s Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 29, 2015, approved the payment of cash dividends of $804 (equivalent to $0.83 pesos per outstanding share), which was made available to shareholders since May 11, 2015. The amount paid includes: (i) income tax withholdings on dividends paid to shareholders in the amount of $14 and (ii) recovery of tax on personal property – on behalf of shareholders withholdings in the amount of $12.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

Cash dividends from Núcleo

 

Fiscal year 2015

 

Núcleo’s Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on March 26, 2015, approved the distribution of cash dividends for an amount equivalent to $63 (that corresponds to 35,000 million of Guaraníes translated to argentine pesos at the exchange rate of the approval day), with the following schedule of payments:

 

Month of dividends
payment


 

Dividends
corresponding to
Personal

 

Dividends
corresponding to non-
controlling
shareholders

 

Total

May 2015

 

42

 

21

 

63

Total (*)

 

42

 

21

 

63

 

(*) As of the payment date, the amounts were 41 and 20, respectively.

 

Likewise, Núcleo’s Board of Directors, at their meeting held on December 17, 2015, approved the distribution of cash dividends for an amount of $80 (that corresponds to 35,000 million of Guaraníes translated to argentine pesos at the exchange rate of the approval day). The corresponding tax withholdings were paid in January 2016 (of which $1 corresponded to ABC Telecomunicaciones, the minority shareholder).

 

d)            Additional information required by IAS 7

 

In January 2016, IAS 7 was amended through the incorporation of paragraphs 44A to 44E. This amendment included additional information requirements that allow financial statements’ users to assess changes in liabilities generated by financing activities. Although these disclosures are mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017, the Telecom Group’s Management has adopted the early application option set forth in IAS 7. Reconciliation between the opening and closing balances of liabilities generated by financing activities is disclosed below.

 

 

 

Balances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange 

 

Balances

 

 

 

as of

 

Transfers

 

Cash

 

Accrued

 

differences

 

as of  

 

 

 

December 

 

 

 

Flows

 

interests

 

and

 

September

 

 

 

31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

currency

 

31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

adjustments

 

 

 

Bank overdrafts – Personal

 

3,062

 

-

 

3,174

 

-

 

-

 

6,236

 

Bank overdrafts – Telecom Argentina

 

-

 

-

 

16

 

-

 

-

 

16

 

Bank overdrafts – Núcleo

 

84

 

-

 

(95)

 

-

 

11

 

-

 

Bank loans – principal (Personal)

 

-

 

509

 

-

 

-

 

89

 

598

 

Bank loans – principal (Núcleo)

 

193

 

372

 

(193)

 

-

 

62

 

434

 

Notes – principal (Personal)

 

-

 

566

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

566

 

Accrued interests

 

112

 

-

 

(1,189

)

1,200

 

8

 

131

 

Total current financial debt (Note 2.m)

 

3,451

 

1,447

 

1,713

 

1,200

 

170

 

7,981

 

Notes – principal (Personal)

 

713

 

(566)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

147

 

Bank loans – principal (Personal)

 

509

 

(509)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

Bank loans – principal (Núcleo)

 

227

 

(372)

 

345

 

-

 

45

 

245

 

Total non-current financial debt (Note 2.t)

 

1,449

 

(1,447)

 

345

 

-

 

45

 

392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total financial debt

 

4,900

 

-

 

(a) 2,058

 

1,200

 

215

 

8,373

 

 

(a)   Correspond to $4,478 of debt proceeds, $1,231 of principal payments and $1,189 of interest payments.

 

NOTE 4 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

As of September 30, 2015 and 2016, the Telecom Group carried out its activities through six companies, which were consolidated by the end of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (Note 1.a).

 

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

 

Segment financial information for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016

 

q         Income statement

 

Fixed

Mobile Services

 

 

 

Services

Personal

Núcleo
(*)

Subtotal

Eliminations

Total

Total revenues and other income (1)

12,337

26,067

1,987

28,054

(1,539)

38,852

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

(5,335)

(1,727)

(151)

(1,878)

-

(7,213)

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

(712)

(2,033)

(168)

(2,201)

959

(1,954)

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

(1,657)

(2,141)

(159)

(2,300)

377

(3,580)

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

(824)

(2,914)

(61)

(2,975)

-

(3,799)

Commissions

(241)

(2,375)

(217)

(2,592)

38

(2,795)

Cost of equipments and handsets

(126)

(4,252)

(253)

(4,505)

-

(4,631)

Advertising

(61)

(406)

(81)

(487)

-

(548)

Cost of VAS

(41)

(1,009)

(92)

(1,101)

-

(1,142)

Provisions

(39)

(67)

-

(67)

-

(106)

Bad debt expenses

(98)

(662)

(84)

(746)

-

(844)

Other operating expenses

(1,008)

(1,076)

(113)

(1,189)

165

(2,032)

Operating income before D&A

2,195

7,405

608

8,013

-

10,208

Depreciation of PP&E

(1,220)

(1,442)

(425)

(1,867)

-

(3,087)

Amortization of intangible assets

(159)

(1,160)

(79)

(1,239)

-

(1,398)

Gain on disposal and impairment of PP&E

13

(214)

1

(213)

-

(200)

Operating income

829

4,589

105

4,694

-

5,523

Financial results, net

(142)

(1,531)

(9)

(1,540)

-

(1,682)

Income before income tax expense

687

3,058

96

3,154

-

3,841

Income tax expense

(241)

(1,082)

(23)

(1,105)

-

(1,346)

Net income

446

1,976

73

2,049

-

2,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

446

1,976

49

2,025

-

2,471

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

-

-

24

24

-

24

 

446

1,976

73

2,049

-

2,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(*) Includes non-material operations of Personal Envíos (Revenues 16, Operating income before D&A (7), Operating income (9) and Net loss (9)).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service revenues

10,812

20,297

1,765

22,062

-

32,874

Equipment revenues

78

5,649

217

5,866

-

5,944

Other income

25

9

-

9

-

34

Subtotal third party revenues

10,915

25,955

1,982

27,937

-

38,852

Intersegment revenues

1,422

112

5

117

(1,539)

-

Total revenues and other income

12,337

26,067

1,987

28,054

(1,539)

38,852

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

q         Statement of financial position information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PP&E

10,860

8,951

2,182

11,133

-

21,993

Intangible assets, net

426

7,066

85

7,151

(1)

7,576

Capital expenditures on PP&E (a)

2,518

3,469

416

3,885

-

6,403

Capital expenditures on other intangible assets (b)

142

1,095

59

1,154

-

1,296

Total capital expenditures (a)+(b)

2,660

4,564

475

5,039

-

7,699

Total additions on PP&E and intangible assets

3,269

4,845

478

5,323

-

8,592

Net financial asset (debt)

363

(6,928)

(592)

(7,520)

-

(7,157)

 

q         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

 

 

36,670

 

 

36,321

 

 

28,012

Abroad

 

 

2,182

 

 

2,531

 

 

2,585

Total

 

 

38,852

 

 

38,852

 

 

30,597

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015

 

q         Income statement

 

 

Fixed

Mobile Services

 

 

 

Services

Personal

Núcleo
(*)

Subtotal

Eliminations

Total

Total revenues and other income (1)

9,162

19,743

1,244

20,987

(1,544)

28,605

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

(3,853)

(1,344)

(95)

(1,439)

-

(5,292)

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

(508)

(2,025)

(113)

(2,138)

1,087

(1,559)

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

(1,290)

(1,776)

(109)

(1,885)

315

(2,860)

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

(601)

(2,200)

(40)

(2,240)

-

(2,841)

Commissions

(195)

(1,895)

(142)

(2,037)

37

(2,195)

Cost of equipments and handsets

(64)

(2,602)

(125)

(2,727)

-

(2,791)

Advertising

(76)

(457)

(58)

(515)

-

(591)

Cost of VAS

(26)

(823)

(61)

(884)

-

(910)

Provisions

(85)

(89)

-

(89)

-

(174)

Bad debt expenses

(57)

(339)

(14)

(353)

-

(410)

Other operating expenses

(668)

(686)

(69)

(755)

105

(1,318)

Operating income before D&A

1,739

5,507

418

5,925

-

7,664

Depreciation of PP&E

(965)

(970)

(230)

(1,200)

-

(2,165)

Amortization of intangible assets

(134)

(797)

(58)

(855)

-

(989)

Gain on disposal and impairment of PP&E

25

(76)

-

(76)

-

(51)

Operating income

665

3,664

130

3,794

-

4,459

Financial results, net

132

(267)

(57)

(324)

-

(192)

Income before income tax expense

797

3,397

73

3,470

-

4,267

Income tax expense

(279)

(1,201)

(9)

(1,210)

-

(1,489)

Net income

518

2,196

64

2,260

-

2,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(*) Includes non-material operations of Personal Envíos, which started operating on January 1st, 2015 (Revenues 6, Operating income before D&A (2), Operating income (3) and Net loss (3)).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

518

2,196

43

2,239

-

2,757

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

-

-

21

21

-

21

 

518

2,196

64

2,260

-

2,778

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service revenues

7,676

16,163

1,129

17,292

-

24,968

Equipment revenues

48

3,468

106

3,574

-

3,622

Other income

12

3

-

3

-

15

Subtotal third party revenues

7,736

19,634

1,235

20,869

-

28,605

Intersegment revenues

1,426

109

9

118

(1,544)

-

Total revenues and other income

9,162

19,743

1,244

20,987

(1,544)

28,605

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

q         Statement of financial position information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PP&E

8,544

6,107

1,244

7,351

-

15,895

Intangible assets, net

399

7,083

69

7,152

(1)

7,550

Capital expenditures on PP&E (a)

1,655

1,742

180

1,922

-

3,577

Capital expenditures on intangible assets – 4G License (b)

-

2,256

-

2,256

-

2,256

Capital expenditures on other intangible assets (b)

138

747

73

820

-

958

Total capital expenditures (a)+(b)

1,793

4,745

253

4,998

-

6,791

Total additions on PP&E and intangible assets

2,096

5,503

302

5,805

-

7,901

Net financial asset (debt)

464

(1,853)

(197)

(2,050)

-

(1,586)

 

q         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

 

 

27,261

 

 

27,041

 

 

22,916

Abroad

 

 

1,344

 

 

1,564

 

 

1,444

Total

 

 

28,605

 

 

28,605

 

 

24,360

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

NOTE 5 –BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH COMPANIES UNDER SECT. 33 OF LAW No. 19,550 AND RELATED PARTIES

 

a)           Controlling group

 

Nortel, residing in A. Moreau de Justo 50 - 11th floor –Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, holds 54.74% stake in the Company, meaning that exercises control of the Company in the terms of sect. 33 of Law No. 19,550. As of September 30, 2015, Nortel owns all of the Class “A” Preferred shares (51% of total shares of the Company) and 7.64% of the Class “B” Preferred shares (3.74% of total shares of the Company).

 

As a result of the Company’s Treasury Shares Acquisition Process described in Note 7.b) – Acquisition of Treasury Shares, as of September 30, 2016, Nortel’s equity interest in Telecom Argentina amounts to 55.60% of the outstanding shares. Pursuant to Section 221 of the LGS, 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 shares of common stock of Nortel belong to Sofora. As of September 30, 2016 these shares represent 78.38% of Nortel’s capital stock.

 

Sofora’s capital stock consists of shares of common stock, with a par value of $1 argentine peso each and one vote per share. As of September 30, 2016, Sofora’s shares are held by Fintech Telecom LLC (68%) and W de Argentina Inversiones S.A. (32%). Additionally, Fintech holds 18,086,059 Class B shares of Telecom Argentina, which represent 1.837% of Telecom Argentina’s total capital stock.

 

Fintech Telecom LLC, a Delaware (United States) limited liability company, is a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Fintech Advisory Inc. and its primary purpose is to hold, directly and indirectly, the securities of Telecom Argentina. Fintech Advisory Inc., a Delaware (United States) company, is directly controlled by Mr. David Martínez (a member of Telecom Argentina’s Board of Directors). Fintech Advisory Inc. is an investor and investment manager in equity and debt securities of sovereign and private entities primarily in emerging markets.

 

In connection with the Shareholders’ Agreement entered into by the Telecom Italia Group and W de Argentina Inversiones S.A., as last amended on October 24, 2014 (“the New Shareholders’ Agreement”), Fintech Telecom LLC adhered as a party to the New Shareholders’ Agreement by means of execution of a Deed of Adherence, following its acquisition of 17% of Sofora’s capital stock. On March 8, 2016, as a result of its acquisition of 51% of Sofora’s shares, Fintech acquired all the rights and obligations of the Telecom Italia Group under the New Shareholders´ Agreement.

 

b)          Related parties

 

For the purposes of these consolidated financial statements, related parties are those individuals or legal entities which are related (in terms of IAS 24) to the Telecom Italia Group, Fintech Telecom LLC or W de Argentina - Inversiones S.A., except Nortel and companies under sect. 33 of the LGS, as explained below.

 

In connection with the change of control explained in Note 10.a), on March 8, 2016, Fintech Telecom LLC acquired 51% of Sofora’s shares from the Telecom Italia Group. As a result, Fintech Telecom LLC acquired the indirect control of the Telecom Group, increasing its holding in Sofora to 68% of Sofora’s shares and voting rights. Therefore, the transactions disclosed in d) below corresponding to the Telecom Italia Group are those performed until March 8, 2016, as from which date the Telecom Italia Group has ceased to be a related party of the Telecom Group. Please note that no operations with related parties of Fintech Telecom LLC conducted as from March 8, 2016 have been identified.

 

For the periods presented, the Telecom Group has not conducted any transactions with Key Managers and/or persons related to them, as described above.

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

c)           Balances with related parties

 

CURRENT ASSETS

Type of related party

September 30,

December 31,

 

 

2016

2015

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

Banco Atlas S.A. (a)

Other related party

3

2

 

 

3

2

Trade receivables

 

 

 

Editorial Azeta S.A. (a)

Other related party

1

-

TIM Participações S.A. (b)

Other related party

-

13

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (b)

Other related party

-

1

Telecom Italia S.p.A.

Indirect parent company until March 8, 2016

 

-

 

3

Experta ART S.A. (d) (e)

Other related party

2

1

 

 

3

18

Other receivables

 

 

 

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (b)

Other related party

-

36

Caja de Seguros S.A. (c)

Other related party

-

3

 

 

-

39

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

 

 

Grupo Italtel (b) 

Other related party

-

160

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (b)

Other related party

-

53

Telecom Italia S.p.A.

Indirect parent company until March 8, 2016

 

-

 

28

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

Other related party

-

27

Latin American Nautilus USA Inc. (b)

Other related party

-

3

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (b)

Other related party

-

2

TIM Participações S.A. (b)

Other related party

-

2

Universal Music Argentina S.A. (b)

Other related party

-

10

Caja de Seguros S.A. (c)

Other related party

-

46

Experta ART S.A. (d) (e)

Other related party

12

12

Haras El Capricho S.A. (f)

Other related party

-

1

Telteco S.A. (g)

Other related party

-

5

 

 

12

349

Financial debt – Notes (Current and Non-Current)

 

 

 

La Estrella Sociedad Anónima de Seguros de Retiro S.A. (d)

Other related party

100

-

Experta ART S.A. (d) (e)

Other related party

40

-

Experiencia ART S.A. (f)

Other related party

60

-

 

 

200

-

 

d)     Transactions with related parties

 

 

Transaction
description

Type of related party

Nine-month periods ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2016

2015

Revenues and Other income

 

 

Profit (loss)

Banco Atlas S.A. (a)

Voice – Retail

Other related party

-

1

Editorial Azeta S.A. (a)

Voice – Retail

Other related party

2

2

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

Voice – Wholesale

Other related party

4

16

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (b)

Voice – Wholesale

Other related party

2

8

TIM Participações S.A. (b)

Voice – Wholesale

Other related party

2

5

Telecom Italia S.p.A.

Voice – Wholesale

Indirect parent company until March 8, 2016

2

3

Caja de Seguros S.A. (c)

Voice – Retail

Other related party

58

183

Caja de Seguros S.A. (c)

Equipment

Other related party

43

197

Experta ART S.A. (d) (e)

Voice – Retail

Other related party

3

-

Total revenues and other income

116

415

 

(a)             Such companies relate to ABC Telecommunications Group of Paraguay (Non-controlling shareholders’ of Núcleo).

(b)             Such companies related to Telecom Italia Group until March 8, 2016.

(c)             Until March 30, 2015 this company related both to Telecom Italia Group and W de Argentina - Inversiones S.A. Since March 31, 2015 and until March 8, 2016 it related to Telecom Italia Group.

(d)             Until March 30, 2015 this company related both to Telecom Italia Group and W de Argentina - Inversiones S.A. Since March 31, 2015 it relates to W de Argentina - Inversiones S.A.

(e)             Until September 9, 2015 this company was La Caja Aseguradora de Riesgos del Trabajo ART S.A.

(f)               Such companies relate to W de Argentina – Inversiones S.A.

(g)             Such company relate to a Board of Directors member appointed by W de Argentina – Inversiones S.A.

 

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

 

Transaction
description

Type of related party

Nine-month periods
ended September 30,

 

 

 

2016

2015

Operating costs

 

 

Profit (loss)

Editorial Azeta S.A. (a)

Advertising

Other related party

(3)

(2)

Latin American Nautilus Ltd. (b)

International outbound calls and data

Other related party

(19)

(58)

Grupo Italtel (b)

Maintenance, materials and supplies

Other related party

(10)

(58)

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

International outbound calls and other

Other related party

(7)

(43)

TIM Participações S.A. (b)

Roaming

Other related party

(17)

(10)

Telecom Italia S.p.A.

Fees for services and roaming

Indirect parent company until March 8, 2016

(3)

(13)

Latin American Nautilus Argentina S.A. (b)

International outbound calls

Other related party

(2)

(5)

Latin American Nautilus USA Inc. (b)

International outbound calls

Other related party

(1)

(4)

Universal Music Argentina S.A. (b)

VAS costs

Other related party

(4)

-

Caja de Seguros S.A. (c)

Insurance

Other related party

(9)

(22)

Experta ART S.A. (d) (e)

Salaries and social security

Other related party

(94)

(71)

La Estrella Sociedad Anónima de Seguros de Retiro (d)

Insurance

Other related party

-

(5)

Telteco S.A. (g)

Fees for services

Other related party

(13)

-

Total operating costs

(182)

(291)

Finance costs

 

 

 

Experiencia ART S.A. (f)

Notes  interests

Other related party

(12)

-

Experta ART S.A. (d) (e)

Notes  interests

Other related party

(8)

-

La Estrella Sociedad Anónima de Seguros de Retiro (d)

Notes  interests

Other related party

(19)

-

Total finance costs

(39)

-

Purchases of PP&E

 

 

 

Grupo Italtel (b)

 

Other related party

18

38

Telteco S.A. (g)

 

Other related party

8

-

Total purchases of PP&E

26

38

 

(a)             Such companies relate to ABC Telecommunications Group of Paraguay (Non-controlling shareholders’ of Núcleo).

(b)             Such companies related to Telecom Italia Group until March 8, 2016.

(c)             Until March 30, 2015 this company related both to Telecom Italia Group and W de Argentina - Inversiones S.A. Since March 31, 2015 and until March 8, 2016 it related to Telecom Italia Group.

(d)             Until March 30, 2015 this company related both to Telecom Italia Group and W de Argentina - Inversiones S.A. Since March 31, 2015 it relates to W de Argentina - Inversiones S.A.

(e)             Until September 9, 2015 this company was La Caja Aseguradora de Riesgos del Trabajo ART S.A.

(f)               Such companies relate to W de Argentina – Inversiones S.A.

(g)             Such company relate to a Board of Directors member appointed by W de Argentina – Inversiones S.A.

 

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

 

e) Key Managers

 

Compensation for the Key Managers, including social security contribution, amounted to $141 and $63 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, 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,

 

2016

2015

 

2016

2015

Salaries (*)

13

7

 

36

26

Variable compensation (*)

11

6

 

24

15

Social security contributions

6

4

 

18

12

Hiring bonuses

-

-

 

5

-

Termination benefits

24

-

 

58

10

 

54

17

 

141

63

 

(*) Gross compensation. Social security contributions and income tax retentions that are deducted from the gross compensation are in charge of the employee.

 

As of September 30, 2016, $30 remained unpaid.

 

As of September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Telecom Group has recorded a provision of $21 and $16, respectively, for the fees of its Board of Directors’ members. The members and alternate members of the Board of Directors do not hold executive positions in the Company or Company’s subsidiaries.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES OF THE TELECOM GROUP

 

a)           Purchase commitments

 

The Telecom Group has entered into various purchase orders amounting in the aggregate to approximately $7,336 as of September 30, 2016 (of which $3,160 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, 2016, the Telecom Group has recorded provisions in an aggregate amount of $1,668 ($84 for regulatory contingencies deducted from assets and $1,584 included under provisions) to cover potential losses under these claims 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, 2016, these restricted funds totaled $58 (included under “Other receivables” item line in the consolidated statement of financial position).

 

Provisions consist of the following:

 

 

Balances

Additions

 

Decreases

Balances

 

as of
December
31, 2015

Capital
(i)

Interest

(ii)

Reclassifications

Classified

to liability

Payments

as of
September
30, 2016

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

112

-

-

10

(14)

(16)

92

Provision for labor claims

51

-

-

78

-

(48)

81

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

44

-

-

59

-

(26)

77

Total current provisions

207

-

-

147

(14)

(90)

250

Non-current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

240

3

34

(10)

-

-

267

Provision for labor claims

329

75

60

(78)

-

-

386

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

407

28

27

(59)

-

-

403

Asset retirement obligations

189

46

45

-

-

(2)

278

Total non-current provisions

1,165

152

166

(147)

-

(2)

1,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total provisions

1,372

(i)  152

166

-

(14)

(92)

1,584

 

 

Balances

Additions

 

Decreases

Balances

 

as of
December
31, 2014

Capital
(iii)

Interest
(ii)

Reclassifications

Classified
to liability

Payments

as of
September
30, 2015

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

71

34

19

53

(25)

(49)

103

Provision for labor claims

51

-

-

42

-

(50)

43

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

77

-

-

(12)

-

(13)

52

Total current provisions

199

34

19

83

(25)

(112)

198

Non-current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for civil and commercial proceedings

228

33

26

(53)

-

-

234

Provision for labor claims

288

73

51

(42)

-

-

370

Provision for regulatory, tax and other matters claims

441

34

8

(12)

-

-

471

Asset retirement obligations

123

-

9

-

-

-

132

Total non-current provisions

1,080

140

94

(107)

-

-

1,207

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total provisions

1,279

174

113

(iv) (24)

(25)

(112)

1,405

 

(i)               106 included in Provisions and 46 included in CAPEX.

(ii)             Included in Finance costs, in the line Interest on provisions.

(iii)           Included in Provisions.

(iv)          Reclassified to Other receivables.

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

NOTE 7 – EQUITY

 

Equity includes:

 

 

September 30,

December 31,

 

 

2016

2015

 

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

17,843

17,194

 

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

536

416

 

Total equity (*)

18,379

17,610

 

 

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

 

(a) Capital information

 

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

 

The Company’s shares are authorized by the CNV, the BCBA and the NYSE for public trading. Only Class “B” shares are traded since Nortel owns all of the outstanding Class “A” shares; and Class “C” shares are dedicated to the employee stock ownership program, as described below.

 

Telecom Argentina’s breakdown of capital stock as of September 30, 2016 is as following:

 

 

Registered, subscribed and authorized for public offering

 

Shares

Outstanding shares

Treasury shares

Total capital stock

Ordinary shares, $1 argentine peso of nominal value each

 

 

 

          Class “A”

502,034,299

-

502,034,299

          Class “B”

466,883,425

15,221,373

482,104,798

          Class “C”

241,881

-

241,881

Total

969,159,605

15,221,373

984,380,978

 

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

 

(b) Acquisition of Treasury Shares

 

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

 

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

 

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

·                  Deadline for the acquisitions: until April 30, 2014.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

 

 

 

Pursuant to Section 67 of Law No. 26,831, the Company must sell its treasury shares within three years of the date of acquisition. Pursuant to Section 221 of the LGS, 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”, which, as of September 30, 2016 amounted to $3,191. On April 29, 2016, the Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting approved an additional 3-year extension for the disposal due date of treasury shares provided by Section 67 of Law No. 26,831.

 

As of September 30, 2016, the Company owns 15,221,373 treasury shares, representing 1.55% of its total capital. The acquisition cost of these shares in the market amounted to $461.

 

NOTE 8 – RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS

 

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

 

NOTE 9 – SELECTED CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY INFORMATION

 

Quarter

Revenues

Operating
income before
D&A

Operating
income

Financial
results, net

Net
income

Net income
attributable
to Telecom
Argentina

Fiscal year 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

8,872

2,634

1,680

(89)

1,041

1,028

June 30,

9,624

2,501

1,468

(30)

937

928

September 30,

10,094

2,529

1,311

(73)

800

801

Total 9M15

28,590

7,664

4,459

(192)

2,778

2,757

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

11,906

3,202

1,770

(910)

657

646

 

40,496

10,866

6,229

(1,102)

3,435

3,403

Fiscal year 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

12,455

3,394

1,997

(557)

935

925

June 30,

12,951

3,361

1,724

(489)

802

800

September 30,

13,412

3,453

1,802

(636)

758

746

Total 9M16

38,818

10,208

5,523

(1,682)

2,495

2,471

 

NOTE 10 – RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CORRESPONDING TO THE NINE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 FOR THE TELECOM GROUP

 

a)        Change of indirect parent company of the Telecom Group

 

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

 

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

 

On October 25, 2014, Telecom Italia S.p.A. announced its acceptance of an offer by Fintech Telecom LLC to amend and restate the agreement announced on November 14, 2013. Within the frame of this amendment agreement: 1) on October 29, 2014 Telecom Italia International N.V. transferred 17% of Sofora’s capital stock to Fintech Telecom LLC; 2) it was confirmed that the transfer of the 51% controlling interest in Sofora was subject to the prior approval of the telecommunications regulatory authority (previously the SC, then the AFTIC and currently the ENACOM).

 

On October 16, 2015, AFTIC’s Resolution No. 491/2015 was published in the Official Gazette, denying authorization for the transfer of Telecom Italia’s controlling equity interest in Sofora to Fintech. Such Resolution was challenged in several opportunities by Fintech, the Sellers, W de Argentina Inversiones S.A., Telecom Argentina and Personal.

 

 

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On February 17, 2016 Telecom Argentina was notified of ENACOM Resolution No. 64/16 pursuant to which ENACOM partially revoked AFTIC Resolution No. 491/15 and decided to continue analyzing the transfer of Telecom Italia Group’s shares in Sofora.

 

On February 24, 2016, Telecom Argentina was notified of Fintech Telecom LLC’s intention to launch a Mandatory Tender Offer (the “OPA”) resulting from a change of control event for all Class B common shares of Telecom Argentina listed on the Buenos Aires Securities Market, or Mercado de Valores de Buenos Aires S.A. The OPA’s background and purpose, price, timing and terms of acceptance, and details of the facts that condition its performance, are described in an OPA notice published in the newspaper “El Cronista Comercial” on February 24, 2016, in page No. 5. On July 22, 2016 Fintech informed the Company the modifications to certain terms of the OPA announced previously by Fintech, including the offering price. The offered price has been amended from $46 argentine pesos per share to US$ 3.925 per share (from which US$ 0.050 (five cents) should be deducted per share as cash dividends paid on May 13, 2016, together with any other cash dividend to be paid by Telecom Argentina from the date of the OPA’s announcement to the date of the OPA´s payment.

 

On September 6, 2016, the CNV’s Board of Directors approved the formal terms of the OPA. Subsequently, on September 14, 15 and 16 of 2016, Fintech published in “El Cronista Comercial” newspaper the notice provided on the CNV Rules (modified by complementary notices published in the same newspaper on October 5, 6 and 7-the first-, and on October 26, 27 and 28- the second-) setting the opening and closing dates of the OPA and the amendments to the “OPA Notice” published on February 24, 2016. The end of the OPA and its additional deadline took place on November 4, 2016 for Argentina.

 

On November 7, 2016, Fintech informed the Company that, having ended the OPA’s offers reception period in Argentina, a total of 12,337,723 Class “B” shares acceptances were received, representing 1.253% of Telecom Argentina’s total capital.

 

Simultaneously, Fintech had launched an OPA in the United States of America, which offers reception period is expected to expire on November 23, 2016. This OPA does not affect in any way the OPA launched by Fintech in Argentina.

 

On March 7, 2016, ENACOM Resolution No. 277/16 authorized Fintech’s acquisition of 51% of Sofora’s shares of common stock, and on March 8, 2016, the transfer of Telecom Italia Group’s 51% stake in Sofora to Fintech was closed.

 

On March 8, 2016, the new members of the Board of Directors of Telecom Argentina and Personal appointed by Fintech replaced the members of such Boards of Directors appointed by the Telecom Italia Group. The Personal’s Unanimous General Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on March 29, 2016 and the Telecom Argentina’s General Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 8, 2016 approved, among other items, the performance of duties of the directors and alternate directors and the members of the Supervisory Committee appointed by the Sellers in such companies and appointed new directors and alternate directors and members of the Supervisory Committee to cover the vacancy generated by those appointed by the Sellers. This new directors and alternate directors and members of the Supervisory Committee would hold their positions until the next Shareholders’ Meetings that would consider the financial statements as of December 31, 2015.

 

On March 8, 2016 the change of Sofora’s controlling shareholder became effective and, accordingly, the Telecom Italia Group ceased being the Company’s indirect controlling shareholder (position assumed by Fintech). Based on such facts, on April 15, 2016 Telecom Argentina and Personal notified the CNCD that the “Telco and TI-W Commitments have become moot and have completely lost its cause and purpose”.

 

Additional information regarding the transaction between the Telecom Italia Group and Fintech as well as the OPA promoted by Fintech is available in the “Relevant Facts” section of the CNV at www.cnv.gob.ar, and in the “Company filings” section (Telecom Italia S.p.A and Telecom Argentina) of the SEC at www.sec.gov.

 

b)      The Company and Personal’s filings to the Regulatory Authority due to price changes in accordance with the LAD

 

·             Change of price in fixed services

 

On February 1, 2016, the Company informed the ENACOM, that effective May 15, 2016, the new rate of SBT for residential segment will be $50 argentine pesos (plus VAT) and that the “Retired” customer’s category will have a discount of 50% on the mentioned new rate.

 

However, on March 11, 2016, the Company informed the ENACOM that the new rate of SBT for the residential segment will be $38 argentine pesos (plus VAT) since May 1st, 2016, in response to a collaboration request made by the Regulatory Authority taking into consideration the special circumstances of the current macroeconomic environment in Argentina.

 

 

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As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, Telecom Argentina has communicated the new rate to its affected customers.

 

·             Change of CPP price in mobile services

 

On June 14, 2016, Personal informed ENACOM that, as from August 15, 2016, the TLRD price, in CPP mode for calls from fixed origin to mobile destination, without distinguishing time band, will be $0.90 argentine pesos plus VAT per minute, with a discount during the first 120 days, during which the price will be $0.66 argentine pesos plus VAT per minute.

 

Personal –through fixed operators– informed the changes of the mentioned prices to its affected subscribers.

 

On August 18, 2016, ENACOM ordered Personal to refrain from modifying the amounts established by SC Resolution No. 48/03. Personal submitted its response on August 26, 2016, maintaining the right to increase the price informed. Personal’s Management and its legal counsel consider that they have strong legal and factual arguments to maintain the price increase. As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, ENACOM has not rejected the disclaimer presented by Personal.

 

c)       Commission for the reform, update and unification of the LAD and the Law of Audiovisual Communication Services

 

Section 28 of Decree of Need and Urgency (“Decreto de Necesidad y Urgencia” or hereinafter the “DNU”) No. 267/15 created, within the Ministry of Communications, the Commission for the Preparation of the Reform, Update and Unification Draft Law of Laws No. 26,522 and 27,078 (“the Commission”). The Commission will be responsible for the study of both laws reforms under the principles established therein.

 

On April 15, 2016, the Ministry of Communications through Resolution No. 9/16 provided that the Commission shall be composed by 6 members and 1 Secretary, who will perform their duties “ad honorem”. The Resolution also appointed its members. The Commission should submit a pre-draft of reform, updating and adaptation of a unified system of the Regulatory Framework Law for the Telecommunications and Audiovisual Communication Services in Argentina, within the 180 days from the date of its constitution. This term could be extended at the Commission’s request.

 

On April 8, 2016, the Congress voted in favor of the validity of the DNU No. 267/15.

 

Through Resolution No. 1,098-E/16 published on October 31, 2016, the Ministry of Communications extended for 180 calendar days the term for the preparation of the Reform, Update and Unification project for Laws No. 26,522 and 27,078.

 

d)      Resolution No. 38/16 Mobile Virtual Operators Regulation

 

Resolution No. 38/16, issued by the Ministry of Communications on May 5, 2016, approved the new Regulation of Virtual Mobile Operators (“VMO”) and repealed SC Resolution No. 68/14, which had approved the Regulation of Virtual Mobile Operators previously stated by the ex SC.

 

The mentioned Resolution provides that Network Mobile Operators (“NMO”), which have spectrum and infrastructure (among them, Personal), shall file, within 120 days since the Resolution issuance, a Reference Offer (“the RO”) for those interested in providing VMO services. The RO shall be annually published in the NMO and the Regulatory Authority institutional web sites, and shall provide the economic and technical conditions (that will be freely established between the parties, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory), clearly stating the price and conditions of the services to be provided.

 

This new Regulation applies for Mobile Communications Service (SCM), which includes Mobile Telephone Service (STM), Cellular Mobile Radiocommunications Service (SRMC), Personal Communications Service (PCS) and Mobile Advanced Communications Service (SCMA). The Resolution also provides the procedures for the Services Contracts subscription between the NMO and the VMO, which will state the terms and conditions for the NMO to provide the VMO telecommunications network access and, if needed, telecommunications network interconnection.

 

On September 1, 2016, Personal filed a presentation before the Ministry of Communications explaining the reasons for finding essential the suspension of the term for submission of the OR provided in Section 2 Resolution No. 38/16 of the Ministry of Communications, until the 700MHz frequencies that compose Lot 8 (awarded and paid by Personal) were in full conditions of use and the spectrum of Lot 1 of the Frequency Public Auction developed by SC Resolution No. 38/14 was allocated and “on-air”. Through the mentioned presentation it was also requested: a) the removal of Section 10 of Annex I of the above-mentioned rule (which does not allow agreements with VMO on an exclusive basis); b) that ENACOM attaches interference measurements carried out in the 700MHz Band awarded to Personal; and c) that ENACOM informs whether it has definitively resolved all the claims made by the users of such band. As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, the resolution of the mentioned presentation is pending.

 

 

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e)       New SU regulation

 

ENACOM Resolution No. 2,642/16 approved the new SU Regulation, which was published on May 31, 2016.

 

The new Regulation still requires a contribution of 1% of the aggregate accrued income from the provision of ICT services, net of applicable taxes and duties, including the possibility of granting exemptions, in which case those persons obliged to pay shall comply with the obligations set forth by the Regulatory Authority.

 

As of the date hereof, issuance by the Regulatory Authority of the regulations relating to the information regime to be followed in order to show compliance with the SU obligations is still pending. The Company and Personal have continued complying with the submittal of their monthly statements to the ENACOM, with all the formalities in effect before issuance of Resolution No. 2,642/16.

 

As of the date of issuance of these financial statements, the Company and Personal’s Managements are analyzing the legal and constitutional impact of Resolution No. 2,642/16.

 

Through ENACOM Resolution 6,981 -E/16 issued on October 19, 2016, the Regime Information for FFSU Deposit Investment Contributions and the FFSU Investment Contributions settlement forms and interest reports were approved and will be in force since January 1, 2017.

 

Through ENACOM Resolution 7,243 -E/16 issued on October 24, 2016, the licensees of ICT services were summoned, for the term of 30 calendar days, to present the projects within the Connectivity Program approved by ENACOM Resolution No. 3,597/16 aimed to promote the universalization of Broadband Internet service in areas without coverage and/or the strengthening of quality service in areas with unsatisfied needs.

 

f)          Decree No. 798/16: Federal Plan for the Development of Competitiveness and Quality Conditions of the Mobile Communications Services

 

Decree No. 798 published in the Official Gazette on June 22, 2016 – issued within the scope of the Ministry of Communications– approved the Federal Plan for the development of competitiveness and quality conditions of the SCM, which strategic axis is to favor greater market efficiency, with quality services, at fair and reasonable prices.

 

The above referred plan provides that within 90 days the Ministry of Communications shall, i) begin to adequate the set of rules approved by SC Resolution No. 157/97 (CPP rules) to the LAD provisions; ii) update the General Clients Regulation of SCM following up on the process initiated by SC Resolution No. 12/2013, including the introduction of mechanisms that allow clients to access information about the service quality and obtain discounts and/or compensations for their services in case of breach of the required quality levels; iii) initiate the process of adequating the Regulation about Administration, Management and Control of the Radioelectric Spectrum to the LAD provisions, for the purpose of increasing competition in all services; iv) update the Federal Awarding Table of Radioelectric Spectrum Bands, so as to increase the availability of frequencies for the provision of mobile communication services, for which purpose the Ministry of Communications shall initiate the procedures set forth in Section 30 of the LAD; v) incorporate to the General Regulation of the Universal Service approved by ENACOM Resolution No. 2,642/16 a priority to consider eligible for programs with SU funding projects to be developed in Municipalities that have adopted the regulation proposed by the Code of Good Practices for the Deployment of Mobile Communications Network prepared by the Argentine Federation of Municipalities and Operators of Mobile Communications, and sponsored by the former Secretary of Communications of the former Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services, of August 20, 2009, or contemplate regulations of similar characteristics that do not disrupt by fact or by law, the deployment of said network; vi) design a Federal Contingency Plan for catastrophic events; vii) update the Federal Interconnection Regulations, the Regulation of Licenses for Telecommunication Services and the Rules of Number Portability approved by SC Resolution No. 98/10.

 

This Decree also provides that the Ministry of Communications, through the ENACOM, shall within 60 days prepare measurement protocols to allow exteriorization of the quality perception of SCM users, taking into account UIT parameters, and review and update quality rules for the ICT service networks in applicable areas.

 

 

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In addition, the ENACOM shall perform measurements of non ionising radiations in order to control that they are within levels not harmful to human health, and the Agency of State-owned Assets Management (“AABE”) shall, as the Entity governing the public policy on state-owned real estate, perform procedures and administrative acts, and enter into applicable contracts, to grant the use –against payment– of terraces, roofs, towers, sites and/or any installation, plant or sector of state owned assets that may be suitable for the installation of structures that may carry antennas, equipment and other installations relating to the telecommunication services, information and communications technology, and/or audiovisual communication. The AABE shall facilitate the list of state owned assets with a potential capability for such installations, to the licensees of such services and to independent companies of passive infrastructure sharing.

 

Among other aspects, the Decree provides that, as a way to encourage the fast deployment of networks and infrastructure sharing, the use of state-owned real estate on which radio bases are installed within three months of the Decree’s date of publication in the City of Buenos Aires, and within six months in the rest of the country, shall be free during the first year. In those same cases, the lease shall be free during the first three years when the infrastructure is shared between two Mobile Services Licensees, and during the first four years, when it is shared between more than two Licensees. The same benefit shall be granted to independent companies of passive infrastructure sharing when the above referred conditions are met.

 

As of the date of issuance of these financial statements, issuance of the rules regulating the above mentioned provisions is still pending.

 

g)      Disengagement of Spectrum

 

Pursuant to SC Resolution No. 25/15 of June 11, 2015, Personal acquired the Frequency Bands SCMA 713-723 Mhz and 768-778 Mhz, which made up Lot 8 and were pending of award by the SC.

 

On June 25, 2015 Personal paid the offered amounts corresponding to the awarded Frequency Bands (which were equivalent to US$ 247.3 millions) pursuant to the provisions of the Bidding Terms and Conditions and its complementary clarifying documents, as a result of which the whole amount of the sum offered for Lot 8 was paid. In addition, in its bid documents, Personal stated that such Lot formed a unique and comprehensive block for purposes of complying with the obligations undertaken in connection with the deployment of the SCMA, also expressing that the Federal Government has the obligation to cause the awarded bands to be free from occupants and interferences.

 

Pursuant to SC Resolution No. 18/14, it was decided that the frequency bands from 698 to 806MHz had to be disengaged before a deadline of two years, following which, the irradiating systems involved in the migration had to stop their emissions.

 

Pursuant to ENACOM Resolution No. 6,396/16, published in the Official Gazette on July 22, 2016, it was decided that the licensees covered by the migration provided by SC Resolution No. 18/14 that are currently providing services within the frequency range from 698 MHz to 806 MHz, may elect to: (i) continue to provide their respective services temporarily, in other frequencies corresponding to the bands awarded to the broadcasting service, particularly band 512-698 MHz, subject to technical feasibility verified in each case, and for the period set forth in Section 2 of Resolution No. 6,396/16; or (ii) request the awarding of a band width equivalent to the one currently authorized to them, in the destination band from 12.2 to 12.7 GHz.

 

As of the date of issuance of these financial statements, the deadline provided by SC Resolution No. 18/2014 for the disengagement of the band from 698 to 806 MHz expired on July 18, 2016. However, such frequency band continues to be occupied.

 

On the other hand, execution by the Regulatory Authority of the “Agreement for Authorization of Frequency Bands Use” corresponding to the bands awarded to Personal as a result of the public bid called pursuant to the provisions of SC Resolution No. 38/14 is still pending.

 

Personal has submitted a filing before the ENACOM, requesting a clarification on what deadline applies to the operators involved in the migration to comply with the provisions of ENACOM Resolution No. 6,396/16. In addition Personal has requested to review all documentation relating to the migration of services that are operating in the bands that were awarded to it pursuant to SC Resolution No. 25/15.

 

 

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

 

The Group offers a wide range of telecommunications services in the market, including, among others, those referred to as VAS, which provide additional functionality to the basic services of voice transmission through a telecommunications network. Recent developments about these procedures are described below:

 

ü              Supercanal Case

 

Within the context of a claim filed by Supercanal S.A. in 2003, an injunction was ordered against the fixed and mobile telephone companies, by which the Court ordered them to abstain from “providing supplementary broadcasting services or issuing any kind of broadcasting contents and programming”, as well as “making any advertisement relating to future services to be provided, or the provision of television services as VAS or any other kind of technical method through the fixed or mobile telephone and Internet services that they provide”.

 

On May 10, 2016, the judge decided that the claim is moot, ordered the lifting of the injunction and the closing of the claim.

 

ü              Claim by the Argentine Association of Cable Television

 

Within the context of a claim filed by the Argentine Association of Cable Television in 2006, an injunction was ordered against the fixed and mobile telephone companies, by which the Court ordered them to abstain from “transmitting, repeating and/or providing directly or indirectly broadcasting services or their supplementary services”, based on the former Broadcasting Law No. 22,285. Subsequently, such injunction was extended to the commercialization of the Superpack service (joint offer of satellite television services provided by DirecTV and telephone and Internet services provided by Telecom Argentina, where each entity invoiced the services provided by it directly to the final customer).

 

On June 18, 2015 a lower Court decided to postpone the declaration that the claim was moot and to limit the term of the injunction for six months. The decision was appealed by the Company and other defendants. On October 8, 2015 the Court of Appeals decided the revocation of the judge’s decision that the claim is moot and ruled that the injunction has ceased to apply. Against this decision, the plaintiff has filed an extraordinary resource. On March 17, 2016, the Court of Appeals rejected the resource. The plaintiff filed a complaint with the Supreme Court on March 29, 2016, which it was dismissed by the Supreme Court on August 4, 2016 and ended the claim.

 

i)          Lawsuit against Personal on changes in services prices

 

In June 2012 the consumer trade union “Proconsumer” filed a lawsuit against Personal claiming that the company did not provide the clients with enough information regarding the new prices for the services provided by Personal between May 2008 and May 2011. It demands the reimbursement of the increase in the price billed to customers for a period of two months.

 

According to the provisions of the Supreme Court on May 27, 2016, the demand will continue its proceedings in the commercial courts.

 

j)          Claims for “Project AFA Plus”

 

In June 2016 the Company initiated a compulsory pre-judicial mediation procedure. The first audience, held on July 12, 2016, was attended by both parties. A second audience was held on August 3, 2016 and a new one was held on August 23, 2016, which resulted in no agreement between the parties.

 

k)       Law No. 27,181 Statement of public interest in the protection of the Argentine government’s equity interest that are part of the FGS investment portfolio (Sustainability Guarantee Fund)

 

As mentioned in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2015, on October 6, 2015 Law No. 27,181 was published in the Official Gazette, which:

 

(i) declared of public interest the protection of the Argentine government’s equity interest in the investment portfolio of the Sustainability Guarantee Fund of the Argentine Pension Integrated System (FGS) and its equity interests or share holdings in companies in which the Argentine government is a minority partner or where the Ministry of Economy and Public Finances holds shares or equity interest. Transfer of those interests is forbidden without prior authorization of two-thirds (2/3) of the National Congress.

 

(ii) created the “Agencia Nacional de Participaciones Estatales en Empresas” (Argentine National Agency for Government Equity Interests in Companies) (ANPEE).

 

 

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On July 22, 2016, Law No. 27,260 of “Historic Reparation for Retired Persons and Pensioners”, abolishing Law No. 27,181 in its Section 35, was published in the Official Gazette. In addition, Section 30 of Law No. 27,260 provides that the transfer of shares of public corporations authorized by the CNV that are part of the FGS is banned without a previous and express authorization of the Federal Congress if, as a result of such transfer, the FGS’s holding of the above referred securities becomes less than 7% of the aggregate assets of the FGS. The following exceptions apply: “1. Tender offers addressed to all holders of such assets at a fair price authorized by the CNV, pursuant to the terms of Chapters II, III and IV of Title III of Law No. 26,831. 2. Swaps of shares for other shares of the same or another corporation as a result of a merger, split or other corporate reorganization.”

 

l)          Decree No. 894/16: exercise of corporate, political and economic rights by the ANSES

 

Decree No. 1,278/12 provided that the Secretary of Economic Politics and Development Planning of the Ministry of Economy and Public Finances was in charge of the execution of the policies and acts relating to the exercise of the corporate rights attached to the equity participations in corporations where the Federal State is a minority shareholder, and for such purpose approved a set of Rules applicable to representatives and directors appointed by the shares or equity participations held by the Federal State.

 

On July 28, 2016, Decree No. 894/16 was published, modifying Decree No. 1,278/12 and providing that in those corporations which shares are part of the FGS’ portfolio, the corporate, political and economic rights corresponding to such shares shall not be exercised by the Secretary of Economic Politics and Development Planning, but shall instead be exercised by the Federal Management of Social Security (“ANSES”).

 

In addition, Decree No. 894/16 provides that the Directors appointed by the ANSES shall have the functions, duties and powers set forth in the LGS, the Capital Market Law No. 26,831 and their complementary regulations, all other rules applicable to the corporation in which they act as directors, and their bylaws and internal regulations, and that they shall be exposed to all the liabilities applicable under such rules, not being subject to the provisions of Decree No. 1,278/12 and 196/15 (the latter in connection with its delimitation of responsibility).

 

m)  Repeal of Income tax on dividend payments

 

Law No. 26,893 and Decree No. 2,334/13 stated that dividends and profits, in cash or in any kind -except in shares or share participation - distributed by companies and other entities established in the country made available as from September 23, 2013, were subject to a withholding tax of 10%, excluding dividends received by corporations and other local entities, that continued not computable for the purposes of the tax.

 

Law No. 27,260 repealed the above mentioned provision, as a result of which, as from July 23, 2016 all dividends and profits, in cash or in any kind, made by companies and other entities established in the country (such as Telecom Argentina), regardless their beneficiary, are not subject to the aforementioned withholding.

 

n)      Salary agreements

 

In August 2016, Telecom Argentina and Personal have concluded the salary negotiation process with various telecommunications unions for the period July 2016 – June 2017. Pursuant to the agreements reached, the unionized employees will receive in installments different fixed amounts per category, representing an annual raise of 37%.

 

3Q16 salary increases affected the Telecom Group’s operating results in approximately $404. For 4Q16 an additional cost of approximately $281 is expected (figures not covered by the limited review of the independent external auditors).

 

o)      Regulation Draft for Mobile Communication Service Subscribers

 

SECTIC Resolution 6-E/16 issued on September 16, 2016 declared the opening of the Procedure provided by the General Regulation for the Standards Participatory Preparation in relation to the “Regulation for Mobile Communication Service Subscribers” published in the Official Bulletin and on the ENACOM website. This Procedure invites citizens to express their opinions and proposals regarding the Regulation draft. The deadline for opinions and proposals submission expired on November 1, 2016. Personal submitted its comments to the Regulation draft.

 

p)      Amendment Draft to the “Number Portability Regulation”

 

Through SECTIC Resolution 7-E/16 issued on September 16, 2016, the ICT Secretary declared the opening of the Consultation Document procedure provided by the General Regulation of Public Hearings and Communications Consultation Documents, in relation to the “Number Portability Regulation” Amendment Project. The presentation of opinions and proposals deadline expired on October 17, 2016. Personal presented its opinion to the amendments proposed in the published Project.

 

 

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q)      “Consultation on Interconnection and ICT Services Network Access” Document

 

Through SECTIC Resolution 9-E/16: published on September 22, 2016, the ICT Secretary declared the opening of the procedure provided by the General Regulation of Public Hearings and Communications Consultation Documents in relation to the document “Consultation on Interconnection and ICT Services Networks Access”. On October 20, 2016, the Company submitted to the ICT Secretary its opinions and proposals for the published consultation.

 

NOTE 11 –SUBSEQUENT EVENTS TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

 

a)       Tuves’ shares purchase option

 

On October 4, 2016, Núcleo’s Board of Directors authorized the execution of the shares purchase option that TU VES S.A. (Chile) granted to Núcleo in order to acquire the controlling interest in Tuves.

 

On October 6, 2016 Tuves’ shareholders accepted Núcleo’s proposal for executing the shares purchase option (70% Tuves’ total capital), which is subject to the CONATEL’s previous approval.

 

As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, the CONATEL has not concluded on this matter.

 

b)      Mobile Services Parcial Interruption

 

On October 5, 2016, while upgrading some Personal’s network equipment, an equipment failure caused difficulties in establishing voice communications in some random areas for approximately five hours. The rest of the mobile services, such as data, were not affected. Clients could continue communicating by data instant messaging and other applications without inconveniences. The failure affected approximately one million mobile subscribers across the country.

 

Due to this partial interruption, during October 2016, Personal subsidized to its prepaid subscribers a full day of calls to other Personal’s subscribers and also subsidized to postpaid subscribers a full day of their monthly charges.

 

c)       Notes’ Global Issuance Program

 

Personal’s Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on December 2, 2010 had approved the creation of a Note’s Global Issuance Program for a maximum circulation amount up to US$ 500 million or its equivalent in other currencies for a five year period. On October 13, 2011, the CNV had authorized the mentioned Program through Resolution No. 16,670.

 

Personal’s Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on May 26, 2016 authorized to extend the due date and expand the Program’s maximum circulation amount up to US$ 1,000 million or its equivalent in other currencies.

 

On October 20, 2016, the CNV authorized the extension and expansion of the mentioned Program through Resolution No. 18,277.

 

On November 3, 2016 the CNV authorized the issuance of two series of Notes (Series III in argentine pesos and Series IV in US dollars) for a maximum amount up to $1,500 million each. Additional information on this subscription announcement can be consulted in the “Relevant Facts” section on the CNV website (www.cnv.gob.ar) and in the “Investors” section on Personal’s website (www.personal.com.ar).

 

d)      Loan with the IFC

 

On July 5, 2016, Personal accepted an offer from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the assessment and transfer of funds for purposes of financing investment needs, work capital and debt refinancing for an amount of up to US$ 400 million.

 

On October 6, 2016 Personal and the IFC signed the loan agreement for an amount of US$ 400 million and for a six year period, payable in 8 equal half-yearly installments since the 30th month, with a 6 month LIBO rate + 400bp. This loan will be used to deploy the 4G network and refinance short-term financial liabilities. The loan terms include standard commitments for this type of financial transactions.

 

On October 26, 2016 Personal received the loan proceeds for an amount of US$ 392.5 million (net of expenses of US$ 7.5 million).

 

 

 

 

Mariano Ibáñez

 

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 CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

To the Shareholders, President and Directors of

Telecom Argentina S.A.

Legal address: Alicia Moreau de Justo 50

City of Buenos Aires

Tax Code No.:  30-63945373-8

 

Introduction

 

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed interim consolidated financial statements of Telecom Argentina S.A. and its subsidiaries (“Telecom” or the “Company”), which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as of September 30, 2016, the consolidated statements of income and of comprehensive income for the three and nine- month periods ended September 30,2016, the consolidated statements of changes in equity and of cash flows for the three and nine- month periods ended September 30, 2016 and selected explanatory notes.

 

The balances and other information for the fiscal year 2015 and interim periods are an integral part of the above-mentioned financial statements and therefore they should be considered in relation with those financial statements.

 

Management Responsibility

 

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

 

Scope of our review

 

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

 

Conclusion

 

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

 



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Report on compliance with current regulations

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

d)        As of September 30, 2016, the debt of Telecom accrued in favor of the Argentine Integrated Social Security System, as shown by the Company’s accounting records, amounted to $137,409,097.63 and was not due at that date.

 

 

City of Buenos Aires, November 8, 2016

 

 

 

PRICE WATERHOUSE & CO. S.R.L.

 

 

 

Dr. Marcelo D. Pfaff (Partner)

 

C.P.C.E.C.A.B.A. Tº 1 Fº 17

 

Dr. Marcelo D. Pfaff

 

Public Accountant (UBA)

 

C.P.C.E.C.A.B.A. T° 156 F° 84

 

 



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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)

3Q15

49.50

38.50

3.8

4Q15

56.95

39.25

4.8

1Q16

58.75

38.50

4.4

2Q16

57.00

48.50

3.2

3Q16

58.00

53.00

4.7

 

NYSE*

 

 

Market quotation (US$/ADS*)

Volume of ADSs

Quarter

High

Low

traded (in millions)

3Q15

18.69

13.85

8.8

4Q15

19.99

13.90

12.6

1Q16

19.10

14.44

6.8

2Q16

19.52

16.75

5.3

3Q16

19.50

17.64

6.5

 

* Calculated at 1 ADS = 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 ADS Sales & Relationship Mgmt.

 

4 New York Plaza, Floor 12
New York, NY 10004
USA

 

Tel.: 1-212-552-3729

 

 

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

 

·             DEPOSIT AND TRANSFER AGENT FOR ADSs

 

J.P. Morgan Depositary Receipts

 

4 New York Plaza, Floor 12

 

New York, NY 10004

 

(866) JPM-ADSs

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:

December 5, 2016

By:

  /s/ Mariano Ibáñez

 

 

 

  Name:

Mariano Ibáñez

 

 

 

  Title:

Chairman of the Board of Directors