Form 6-K
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Issuer

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

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of May, 2010

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.

 

Press release dated May 5, 2009 entitled “Telecom Argentina S.A. announces consolidated first quarter results for fiscal year 2010 (‘1Q10’)”


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  
   Market Cap: P$14.9 billion
   May 5, 2010

Contacts:

  

Pedro Insussarry

  

Solange Barthe Dennin

  

(54-11) 4968-3743/3752

  

Telecom Argentina S.A. announces

consolidated first quarter results for fiscal year 2010

(´1Q10´)*

 

 

Consolidated Net Revenues amounted to P$3,249 million (+15% vs. 1Q09); Internet +34% vs. 1Q09; Mobile business in Argentina +17% vs. 1Q09.

 

Mobile subscribers: 16.8 million (+12% vs. 1Q09); Broadband subscribers: 1.2 million (+16% vs. 1Q09); Fixed lines in service: 4.4 million (+1% vs. 1Q09).

 

Operating Profit Before Depreciation and Amortization (“OPBDA”) reached P$1,064 million (+16% vs. 1Q09), 33% of Net Revenues. Growth was mainly fueled by broadband and mobile services in Argentina.

 

Operating Profit amounted to P$763 million (+16% vs. 1Q09), 23% of Net Revenues.

 

Net Income reached P$411 million (+17% vs. 1Q09).

 

Investments (excluding materials) totaled P$343 million.

 

Net Financial Position active: P$860 million, an increase of P$1,422 million vs. 1Q09 due to the strong cash flow generation.

 

A cash dividend distribution was approved in the amount of P$1,053 million to be paid in two installments: May 5, 2010, for the amount of P$689 million and December 20, 2010, for the balance of P$364 million.

 

   As of March, 31        
(in million P$, except where noted)      2010         2009           D $        D % 

Consolidated Net Revenues

   3,249    2,829    420    15%

            Voice, Data & Internet

   1,082    979    103    11%

            Mobile

   2,167    1,850    317    17%

Operating Profit before D&A

   1,064    917    147    16%

Operating Profit

   763    659    104    16%

Net Income

   411    351    60    17%

Shareholder’s equity

   5,841    4,375    1,466    34%

Net Financial Position - (cash) / Debt

   (860)    562    (1,422)    -253%

CAPEX (excluding materials)

   343    234    109    47%

Fixed lines in service (in thousand lines)

   4,364    4,306    59    1%

Mobile customers (in thousand)

   16,767    15,002    1,765    12%

            Personal (Argentina)

   14,948    13,171    1,777    13%

            Núcleo (Paraguay)

   1,819    1,831    (12)    -1%

Broadband customers (in thousand)

   1,241    1,068    172    16%

Fixed line traffic (in MM minutes, Internet & Public Telephony not incl.)

   3,667    3,677    (10)    0%

Incoming/Outgoing mobile voice traffic in Arg.(in MM minutes)

   4,381    3,782    599    16%

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

   41    40    1    4%

Average Revenue per user (ARPU) Cellular Telephony Arg. (in P$)

   41    40    1    3%

*Unaudited non financial data

Note: figures as of March, 31, 2009 were adjusted to include the effect of the reestimation of useful lifes of fixed assets done in the first semester of 2009 with retroactive effect to 01/01/2009.

 

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Buenos Aires, May 5, 2010—Telecom Argentina (NYSE: TEO; BASE: TECO2), one of Argentina’s leading telecommunications groups, announced today Net Income of P$411 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010, or +17% when compared to the same period last year.

 

     1Q10     1Q09       $          %

Net Revenues (MMP$)

   3,249    2,829    420     15%  

Net Income (MMP$)

   411    351    60     17%  

Earnings per Share (P$)

   0.42    0.36    0.06    

Earnings per ADR (P$)

   2.09    1.78    0.30    

OPBDA *

   33%    32%      

Operating Profit *

   23%    23%      

Net Income*

   13%    12%      

 

*As a percentage of Net Revenues

           

During 1Q10, Consolidated Net Revenues increased by 15% (+P$420 million vs. 1Q09) to P$3,249 million, mainly fueled by the Mobile and Broadband businesses. Moreover, Operating Profit increased by 16% (+P$104 million vs. 1Q09) to P$763 million.

Consolidated Operating Revenues

 

Fixed Telephony (Voice, Data Transmission & Internet)

During 1Q10, revenues generated by these services amounted to P$1,082 million, +11% vs. 1Q09; in relative terms, Internet revenues were the most dynamic (+34% vs. 1Q09).

 

Voice

Total Revenues for this service reached P$692 million in 1Q10 (+1% vs. 1Q09). The results of this line of business are still affected by frozen tariffs of regulated services.

 

Monthly Charges and Supplementary Services increased by P$9 million, or 4% vs. 1Q09, to P$216 million, as a consequence of a higher number of lines in service (+1%), which reached more than 4.4 million and a 16% of increase in supplementary services.

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Revenues generated by traffic (Local Measured Service, Domestic Long Distance and International Telephony) totaled P$316 million, an increase of 3% vs. 1Q09. In relative terms, revenues from local traffic increased the most with 9% vs. 1Q09 due to the incorporation of flat rate packs for calls while local long distance traffic revenues increased +3% vs. 1Q09. Otherwise, revenues from international traffic slightly decreased 7% vs. 1Q09, influenced by a lower demand in Wholesale clients.

 

Interconnection revenues amounted to P$99 million (-9% vs. 1Q09), mainly due to the incorporation of new interconnection points between mobile operators that impacted negatively these revenues. Finally, other revenues reached P$61 million, similar levels as those obtained in 1Q09.

  

 

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Among the innovative services launched by Telecom Argentina, it is notable SMS on the fixed line network that reached 1 million messages per month. Additionally, other mobile operators were incorporated to the interoperability agreement, where a higher increase in revenues for this year is also expected.

 

  

Data Transmission and Internet

  

Data transmission revenues amounted to P$74 million (+23% vs. 1Q09), where the focus was to strengthen Telecom’s position as an integrated ICT provider for wholesale and government segments. During the quarter, Telecom continued enhancing virtualization solutions such as Virtual Hosting and Virtual Desktop.

 

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Some of the advantages of virtualization solutions are the efficiencies in technology resources, the reduction in electricity consumption of approximately 70%, the safety of information and an increase in the availability of the service.

 

  

Revenues related to Internet reached P$316 million (+P$81 million or 34% vs. 1Q09), mainly due to the substantial expansion of the broadband services.

 

  

As of March 31, 2010, Telecom reached 1.2 million ADSL customers (+16% vs. 1Q09). These connections represent approximately 28% of Telecom’s fixed lines in service. In addition, ADSL ARPU reached P$73 in 1Q10, +18% when compared to 1Q09.

 

  

Data Transmission and Internet both have significantly increased their contribution to net consolidated revenues, reaching 12% of participation and representing 36% of fixed telephony segment revenues.

 

  

Net adds increased around 35% of the ADSL Arnet Biz service (an integrated solution of services for enterprise segments) when compared to 1Q09. In 1Q10, ArnetBIZ Plus (an offer that includes additional VAS) revenues increased by 80% vs. 1Q09.

 

  

In the Enterprise segment, Data services increased by 120% vs.1Q09. During 1Q10, Hosting Virtual for Enterprises and Wholesale were launched.

 

  

Mobile Services

  

Clients have significantly increased in the quarter, reaching 16.8 million as of the end of March 2010, representing an increase of 0.5 million since December, 31, 2009 and 1.8 million since March 31, 2009.

 

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The activities developed to stimulate the usage of the VAS and to retain high valuable segments, allowed Personal to increase consolidated net revenues to P$2,167 million (+17% vs. 1Q09), improving its profitability.

 

  

Telecom Personal in Argentina

  

As of the end of March 2010, Personal almost reached 15 million subscribers in Argentina (+13% or 1.8 million vs. 1Q09), which allowed the Company to enhance its market position. It is worth noting that 473 thousand subscribers were incorporated during 1Q10. Approximately 30% of the overall subscriber

  

 

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base is postpaid (including “Cuentas claras” plans and 3G modems) and 70% is prepaid.

 

Net Revenues reached P$2,061 million (+P$304 million or 17% vs. 1Q09), supported by the increase in overall voice traffic minutes (+16% vs. 1Q09) and in VAS revenues (+28% vs. 1Q09).

 

Service revenues (excluding handset sales) reached P$1,875 million (+18% vs. 1Q09) with 34% corresponding to VAS revenues. Also noteworthy is SMS traffic performance, which climbed from a monthly average of 2,047 million messages in 1Q09 to 4,258 million in 1Q10 (+108% vs. 1Q09), maintaining service quality levels. Average Monthly Revenue per User (ARPU) increased to approximately P$41 during 1Q10.

 

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Initiatives

  

 

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During the first quarter of 2010, Personal enhanced its leadership in smartphones, launching Personal Black, the first commercial platform that offers services to premium clients. It is a strategy to capture and gain loyalty of high-value clients from a concept that includes intelligent smartphones at competitive prices, combined with flat rate for Internet fee, customized attention, and special benefits.

 

  

Meanwhile, Personal launched an integrated campaign to promote the access to social networks. During three months, clients could activate Pack 2.0 free of charge that allows the access to Facebook, MSN, Yahoo Movil!, Fotolog, My Space and Hotmail through Personal’s portal. Since the launch, more than 60,000 clients have activated the Pack 2.0. In this campaign, the first mobile on Android’s platform with an excellent social functionality was launched, simplifying the usage of mobile networks.

 

  

Another notable event was the official sponsorship of Rally Dakar Argentina-Chile 2010, where for the first time; an Argentine company was an official sponsor for this international competition.

 

  

Telecom Personal in Paraguay

  

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By the end of March 2010, Nucleo’s subscriber base maintained nearly 1.8 million clients (including Internet clients). Prepaid and Postpaid customers represented 88% and 12%, respectively.

 

  

Personal’s controlled subsidiary in Paraguay generated revenues equivalent to P$106 million during 1Q10 (+14% vs. 1Q09).

 

  

Consolidated Operating Costs

 

  

The Cost of Services Provided, Administrative Expenses and Selling Expenses totaled P$2,486 million in 1Q10, an increase of P$316 million, or +15%, vs. 1Q09. The increase in costs is a consequence of a higher volume of revenues, inflationary effects on the cost structure, and greater expenses related to competition in mobile and internet businesses.

  

 

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The cost breakdown is as follows:

 

  

- Salaries and Social Security Contributions totaled P$404 million (+27% vs. 1Q09), affected by increases in salaries. Regarding personnel, the decrease in headcount in fixed segment (-77 employees vs. 1Q09) was partially compensated by the incorporation of 171 employees in the same period in the mobile business. The total headcount remained stable achieving efficiencies in lines in service per employee.

 

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- Taxes reached P$273 million (+18% vs. 1Q09), influenced mainly by a higher volume of revenues but also impacted by higher rates in turnover taxes and rates and fees pay to the regulatory entity.

 

  

- Network access costs (includes TLRD, Roaming, Interconnection, international settlement charges and lease of circuits) amounted to P$351 million (-1% vs. 1Q09). This cost reduction was due to savings from stimulating on-net traffic between clients and more investment in the network that allows a reduction in the expense of national roaming.

 

  

- Agents, prepaid card commissions and other commissions were P$275 million (+15% vs. 1Q09), mainly due to the increase in commissions paid to commercial agents associated to higher revenues because of major acquisition and retention costs, higher cards sales, and prepaid recharges.

 

  

- Advertising amounted to P$79 million (+1% vs. 1Q09) oriented towards supporting the commercial activity in mobile services and Internet, and to strengthening the brand position of the Telecom Group.

 

  

- Cost of handsets sold totaled P$298 million (+13% vs. 1Q09) due to a change in the handsets mix sold, increasing high-end handsets sales and the average costs of them. There was also a higher upgrade of handsets to boost VAS usage and the increase in Internal Tax, better known as the Technological Tax.

 

  

- Fees for services amounted to $134 million (+26% vs. 1Q09) as a consequence principally due to higher costs from the Call Centers and more service requirements.

 

  

- Depreciation of Fixed and Intangible Assets reached P$301 million (+17% vs. 1Q09). Fixed-line telephony totaled P$168 million (+6% vs. 1Q09) and mobile services totaled P$133 million (+34% vs. 1Q09) due to higher investment in fixed assets.

 

  

- Others Costs totaled P$371 million (+16% vs. 1Q09). This increase was mainly due to general increases in services such as freight, transportation, maintenance, and in materials. The decrease in bad debt expenses by 26% vs. 1Q09 is notable.

  

 

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Consolidated Financial and Holding Results

 

Financial and Holding Results resulted in a loss of P$57 million, a decrease of P$37 million vs. 1Q09. This was mainly due to lower losses for FX results by P$59 million in 1Q10 (vs. P$93 million in 1Q09); a gain in net financial interest of P$14 million in 1Q10 (vs. -P$14 million in 1Q09), partially compensated by higher results on holding on inventories by -P$8 million in 1Q10 (vs. P$12 million in 1Q09).

 

Consolidated Net Financial Position

 

As of March 31, 2010, Net Financial Position (Loans minus Cash, Cash Equivalents and current Investments) totaled P$860 million in financial assets, an increase of P$1,422 million vs. 1Q09 due to the strong cash flow generation.

 

During 1Q10, Personal purchased a nominal amount of US$ 5.85 million Series 3 Notes due 2010. These operations were made through open market purchases and with liquid funds from the Company. The Notes acquired were cancelled according to the terms and conditions of the Indenture.

 

Consolidated Capital Expenditures

 

During 1Q10, the Company invested P$343 million (excluding materials). This amount was allocated to Voice, Data and Internet businesses (P$110 million) and mobile services (P$233 million). In relative terms, capex reached 11% of revenues.

 

Main capex projects are related to the expansion of broadband services to improve transmission and speed to the clients; deployment of 3G services to maintain the growth of mobile broadband together with the launch of innovative VAS and the expansion of transmission networks and transport to meet the growing demand of our fixed and mobile clients.

 

Recent Relevant Matters

 

On April, 20, 2010, the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Telecom Personal approved, a cash dividend payment of P$575 million to its Shareholders (mainly, Telecom Argentina) that should be available on May, 5, 2010.

 

Meanwhile, the Annual General Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 28, 2010 approved a cash dividend distribution in the amount of P$1,053 million to be paid in two installments on the following dates and amounts: May 5, 2010, for the amount of P$689 million and December 20, 2010, for the balance of P$364 million.

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 Financial and Holding Results

 (In million P$)

        1Q09        1Q10  

 Net Interests

  -$ 14   $ 14 

 FX results

  -$ 93   -$ 59 

 Others

  $13   -$ 12 

 Total

  -$ 94   -$ 57 

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Telecom is the parent company of a leading telecommunications group in Argentina, where it offers directly or through its controlled subsidiaries local and long distance fixed-line telephony, cellular, data transmission and Internet services, among other services. Additionally, through a controlled subsidiary, the Telecom Group offers cellular services in Paraguay. The Company commenced operations on November 8, 1990, upon the Argentine government’s transfer of the telecommunications system in the northern region of Argentina.

 

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Nortel Inversora S.A. (“Nortel”), which acquired the majority of the Company from the Argentine government, holds 54.74% of Telecom’s common stock. Nortel is a holding company where the common stock (approximately 68% of capital stock) is owned by Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A. Additionally, Nortel capital stock is comprised of preferred shares that are held by minority shareholders.

 

As of March 31, 2010, Telecom had 984,380,978 shares outstanding.

 

(*) Employee Stock Ownership Program

 

For more information, please contact the Investor Relations Department:

 

Pedro Insussarry

(5411) 4968 3743

 

    

Solange Barthe Dennin

(5411) 4968 3752

 

    

Evangelina Sánchez

(5411) 4968 3718

 

    

Ruth Fuhrmann

(5411) 4968 4448

 

  

Horacio Nicolás del Campo

(5411) 4968 6236

 

Voice Mail: (5411) 4968 3628

Fax: (5411) 4968 3616

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

For information about Telecom Group services, visit:

www.telecom.com.ar

www.personal.com.ar

www.personal.com.py

www.arnet.com.ar

Disclaimer

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

(Financial tables follow)

*******

Gerardo Werthein

Vice-Chairman in the exercise of Presidency

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

First Quarter - Fiscal Year 2010

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

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Consolidated Balance Sheet

             
        

03/31/2010

 

  

12/31/2009

 

    

D  $   

 

  

D  % 

 

 

Cash, equivalents and investments

   1,730     1,289       441     34% 
 

Trade receivables

   1,047     1,163       (116)    -10% 
 

Other current assets

   471     491       (20)    -4% 
 

Total Current Assets

   3,248     2,943       305     10% 
 

Fixed & Intangible assets

   7,663     7,612       51     1% 
 

Other non-current assets

   81     78          4% 
 

Total Non Current Assets

   7,744     7,690       54     1% 
 

Total Assets

   10,992     10,633       359     3% 
 

Accounts payable

   1,932     2,212       (280)    -13% 
 

Loans

   828     763       65     9% 
 

Taxes payable

   975     769       206     27% 
 

Reserves

   69     73       (4)    -5% 
 

Other current liabilities

   327     352       (25)    -7% 
 

Total Current Liabilities

   4,131     4,169       (38)    -1% 
 

Accounts payable

   22     24       (2)    -8% 
 

Loans

   43     58       (15)    -26% 
 

Taxes payable

   185     212       (27)    -13% 
 

Reserves

   414     374       40     11% 
 

Other non-current liabilities

   263     268       (5)    -2% 
 

Total Non Current Liabilities

   927     936       (9)    -1% 
 

Total Liabilities

   5,058     5,105       (47)    -1% 
 

Minority Interest

   93     92          1% 
 

Shareholders' equity

   5,841     5,436       405     7% 
 

Total Liabilities, Minority Interest and Equity

   10,992     10,633       359     3% 
                       

2-

 

 

Consolidated Loans

 

             
    

03/31/2010

 

  

12/31/2009

 

    

D  $   

 

  

D  % 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

   676     685       (9)    -1% 
 

Banks and other financial institutions

   93     72       21     29% 
 

Accrued interest

   21          18    
 

Derivatives

   38          35    
 

Total Current Loans

   828     763       65     9% 
 

Banks and other financial institutions

   43     58       (15)    -26% 
 

Total Non Current Loans

   43     58       (15)    -26% 
 

Total Loans

   871     821       50     6% 
                       
 

Derivatives valuation effect for notes (Other Current Credits)

   -              (1)    -100% 
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   1,731     1,289       442     34% 
 

 

NET FINANCIAL POSITION (Cash)

   (860)    (469)      (391)    83% 
                       

 

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3-

 

Consolidated Income Statement

               
 

Three Months Comparison

               
      

03/31/2010

 

  

03/31/2009

 

    

D  $  

 

  

D  % 

 

 

Net revenues

     3,249     2,829       420     15% 
 

Cost of services

     (1,618)    (1,421)      (197)    14% 
 

Gross Profit

     1,631     1,408       223     16% 
 

Administrative expenses

     (121)    (92)      (29)    32% 
 

Selling expenses

     (747)    (657)      (90)    14% 
 

Operating Profit

     763     659       104     16% 
 

Financial and holding results

     (57)    (94)      37     -39% 
 

Other expenses, net

     (51)    -           (51)   
 

Results from ordinary operations

     655     565       90     16% 
 

Taxes on income

     (242)    (213)      (29)    14% 
 

Minority interest

     (2)    (1)      (1)    100% 
 

Net Income

     411     351       60     17% 
                         
 

Operating Profit before D & A

     1,064     917       147     16% 
 

 

As a % of Net Revenues

     33%     32%         
 

Financial and Holding results

Financial results generated by assets

               
      

03/31/2010

 

  

03/31/2009

 

    

D  $  

 

  

D  % 

 

 

    Interest on short term investments

     37     25       12     48% 
 

    Foreign currency exchange results

     12     49       (37)    -76% 
 

    Holding results generated by inventories

     (8)    12       (20)    -167% 
 

    Other financial results

             (1)    -25% 
 

Total Financial results generated by assets

     44     90       (46)    -51% 
 

Financial results generated by liabilities

               
 

    Interest

     (23)    (39)      16     -41% 
 

    Foreign currency exchange results

     (71)    (142)      71     -50% 
 

    Others

     (7)    (3)      (4)    133% 
 

Total Financial results generated by liabilities

     (101)    (184)      83     -45% 
 

Total Financial and holding results

     (57)    (94)      37     -39% 
                         

Note: figures as of March, 31, 2009 were adjusted to include the effect of the reestimation of useful lives of fixed assets done in the first semester of 2009 with retroactive effect to 01/01/2009.

 

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4-

 

Consolidated Revenues Breakdown

                   
 

Three Months Comparison

                   
       03/31/2010          03/31/2009          D $            D
 

Fixed Telephony

     622        609        13       2% 
 

    Measured service Local

     122        112        10       9% 
 

    Measured service DLD

     124        120             3% 
 

    Monthly charges

     216        207             4% 
 

    Public telephones

     17        19        (2)      -11% 
 

    Interconnection

     99        109        (10)      -9% 
 

    Others

     44        42             5% 
 

International Telephony

     70        75        (5)      -7% 
 

Data transmission & Internet

     390        295        95       32% 
 

    Data

     74        60        14       23% 
 

    Internet

     316        235        81       34% 
 

        Measured service

     17        13             31% 
 

        Monthly charges

     298        221        77       35% 
 

        Modems

     1        1        -          0% 
 

MobileTelephony

     2,167        1,850        317       17% 
 

Telecom Personal

     2,061        1,757        304       17% 
 

        Monthly fee and measured service

     446        399        47       12% 
 

        Pre-paid

     331        259        72       28% 
 

        Calling Party Pays

     144        136             6% 
 

        TLRD *

     181        193        (12)      -6% 
 

        VAS

     646        504        142       28% 
 

        Handset sales

     186        164        22       13% 
 

        Others (Includes Roaming)

     127        102        25       25% 
 

Núcleo

     106        93        13       14% 
 

        Monthly fee and measured service

     17        11             55% 
 

        Pre-paid

     32        27             19% 
 

        Calling Party Pays

     2        3        (1)      -33% 
 

        TLRD *

     10        7             43% 
 

        VAS

     34        32             6% 
 

        Internet

     4        5        (1)      -20% 
 

        Handset sales

     1        2        (1)      -50% 
 

        Others (Includes Roaming)

     6        6        -          0% 
 

Total net revenues

     3,249        2,829        420       15% 
                             
 

* Charges for the temination of calls of the cellular operators.

                   

Note: figures as of March, 31, 2009 were adjusted to include the effect of the reestimation of useful lives of fixed assets done in the first semester of 2009 with retroactive effect to 01/01/2009.

 

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5-

     Consolidated Income Statement by segments                             
     First Quarter - Fiscal Year 2010                             
       (In million of Argentine pesos)                             
                   Segments                   Variation vs 1Q09         
                  Voice, Data     
and Internet     
     Mobile     
Telephony     
     Consolidated               D $        D  %  
     Net Revenues       1,082       2,167       3,249          420       15% 
     Salaries and social security contributions       (306)      (98)      (404)         (87)      27% 
     Taxes       (67)      (206)      (273)         (42)      18% 
     Materials and supplies       (105)      (51)      (156)         (20)      15% 
     Bad debt expenses       (7)      (22)      (29)         10       -26% 
     Interconnection cost       (47)      -           (47)         (4)      9% 
     Settlement charges       (39)      -           (39)              -17% 
     Lease of lines and circuits       (22)      (14)      (36)         (2)      6% 
     Service fees       (54)      (80)      (134)         (28)      26% 
     Advertising       (17)      (62)      (79)         (1)      1% 
     Agent, Prepaid card commissions and other commissions       (28)      (247)      (275)         (35)      15% 
     Cost of voice, data and cellular handsets       (10)      (288)      (298)         (35)      13% 
     Roaming and TLRD       -           (229)      (229)              -1% 
     Others       (87)      (99)      (186)         (40)      27% 
     Total Costs before D&A       (789)      (1,396)      (2,185)         (273)      14% 
     Operating Profit before D&A       293       771       1,064          147       16% 
     Depreciation of fixed assets       (164)      (133)      (297)         (44)      17% 
     Amortization of intangible assets       (4)      -           (4)              -20% 
     Operating Profit       125       638       763          104       16% 
     Financial and Holding Income       13       (70)      (57)         37       -39% 
     Other expenses, net       (34)      (17)      (51)         (51)     
     Income from ordinary operations       104       551       655          90       16% 
     Taxes on income       (101)      (141)      (242)         (29)      14% 
     Minority interest       -           (2)      (2)         (1)      100% 
     Net Income / (Loss)              408       411          60       17% 

6-

     Consolidated Income Statement by segments                             
     First Quarter - Fiscal Year 2009                             
       (In million of Argentine pesos)                             
                   Segments                   
                   Voice, Data     
and Internet     
     Mobile     
Telephony     
     Consolidated                       
     Net Revenues       979       1,850       2,829              
     Salaries and social security contributions       (246)      (71)      (317)             
     Taxes       (62)      (169)      (231)             
     Materials and supplies       (94)      (42)      (136)             
     Bad debt expenses       (13)      (26)      (39)             
     Interconnection cost       (43)      -           (43)             
     Settlement charges       (47)      -           (47)             
     Lease of lines and circuits       (20)      (14)      (34)             
     Service fees       (47)      (59)      (106)             
     Advertising       (28)      (50)      (78)             
     Agent, Prepaid card commissions and other commissions       (21)      (219)      (240)             
     Cost of voice, data and cellular handsets       (9)      (254)      (263)             
     Roaming and TLRD       -           (232)      (232)             
     Others       (71)      (75)      (146)             
     Total Costs before D&A       (701)      (1,211)      (1,912)             
     Operating Profit before D&A       278       639       917              
     Depreciation of fixed assets       (155)      (98)      (253)             
     Amortization of intangible assets       (4)      (1)      (5)             
     Operating Profit       119       540       659              
     Financial and Holding Income       (50)      (44)      (94)             
     Other expenses, net       20       (20)      -                  
     Income from ordinary operations       89       476       565              
     Taxes on income       (102)      (111)      (213)             
     Minority interest       -           (1)      (1)             
     Net Income / (Loss)         (13)      364       351              

Note: figures as of March, 31, 2009 were adjusted to include the effect of the reestimation of useful lives of fixed assets done in the first semester of 2009 with retroactive effect to 01/01/2009.

This exposition of the financial statements is not coincident with the individual financial statements for each company due to the eliminations of intercompany operations.

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Unconsolidated Information

First Quarter - Fiscal Year 2010

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

7-

  Balance Sheet                  
         03/31/2010      12/31/2009      D  $          D  %     
  Cash, equivalents and investments    785       578       207       36% 
  Trade receivables    662       724       (62)       -9% 
  Other current assets    81       85       (4)       -5% 
  Total Current Assets    1,528       1,387       141       10% 
  Other Trade receivables    46       46       -           0% 
  Fixed & Intangible assets    4,298       4,346       (48)       -1% 
  Investments    2,154       1,915       239       12% 
  Other non-current assets                   33% 
  Total Non current Assets    6,502       6,310       192       3% 
  Total Assets    8,030       7,697       333       4% 
  Accounts payable    771       931       (160)       -17% 
  Compensation and social benefits payable    217       244       (27)       -11% 
  Taxes Payable    381       263       118       45% 
  Other liabilities    42       39            8% 
  Reserves    57       57       -           0% 
  Total Current Liabilities    1,468       1,534       (66)       -4% 
  Accounts payable    22       24       (2)       -8% 
  Compensation and social benefits payable    78       81       (3)       -4% 
  Taxes Payable    180       202       (22)       -11% 
  Other liabilities    150       153       (3)       -2% 
  Reserves    291       267       24       9% 
  Total Non Current Liabilities    721       727       (6)       -1% 
  Total Liabilities    2,189       2,261       (72)       -3% 
  Shareholders' equity    5,841       5,436       405       7% 
  Total Liabilities and Equity    8,030       7,697       333       4% 
                           

8-

  Income Statement                  
  Three Months Comparison                  
     03/31/2010      03/31/2009      D  $           D  %   
  Net revenues    1,251       1,142       109       10% 
  Cost of services    (648)      (581)      (67)      12% 
  Gross Profit    603       561       42       7% 
  Administrative expenses    (74)      (63)      (11)      17% 
  Selling expenses    (242)      (220)      (22)      10% 
  Operating Profit    287       278            3% 
  Equity income from related companies    244       204       40       20% 
  Financial & holding results    14       (50)      64       -128% 
  Other incomes & expenses net    (33)      20       (53)     
  Results from ordinary operations    512       452       60       13% 
  Taxes on income    (101)      (101)      -           0% 
  Net Income    411       351       60       17% 
                           
  Operating Profit before D&A    454       436       18       4% 
  As a % of Net Revenues    36%       38%           
  Financial and Holding results                  
  Financial results generated by assets    03/31/2010      03/31/2009      D  $           D  %   
      Interest on short term investments    19       10            90% 
      Foreign currency exchange results         25       (18)      -72% 
      Other financial results    -                (1)      -100% 
  Total Financial results generated by assets    26       36       (10)      -28% 
  Financial results generated by liabilities                  
      Interest    (2)      (20)      18       -90% 
      Foreign currency exchange results    (8)      (66)      58       -88% 
      Other financial results    (2)      -           (2)     
  Total Financial results generated by liabilities    (12)      (86)      74       -86% 
  Total Financial and holding results    14       (50)      64       -128% 
                           

Note: figures as of March, 31, 2009 were adjusted to include the effect of the reestimation of useful lives of fixed assets done in the first semester of 2009 with retroactive effect to 01/01/2009.

 

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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:   May 7, 2010

 

By:

 

  /s/ Franco Bertone

     

Name:

 

    Franco Bertone

     

Title:

 

    Chief Executive Officer