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 November 2015

Commission File Number: 001-13464

 

 

Telecom Argentina S.A.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

Alicia Moreau de Justo, No. 50, 1107

Buenos Aires, Argentina

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

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

Form 20-F  x             Form 40-F  ¨

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

Yes  ¨            No   x

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

Yes  ¨            No   x

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

Yes  ¨            No   x

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

 

 

 


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Telecom Argentina S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

        

1.

  Press Release dated November  2, 2015 titled “Telecom Argentina S.A. announces consolidated nine month period (‘9M15’) and third quarter (‘3Q15’) results for fiscal year 2015”   


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Market Cap P$52,2 billion

November 2nd, 2015

Contacts:

Pedro Insussarry

Solange Barthe Dennin

(54 11) 4968-3743/3752

Telecom Argentina S.A.

announces consolidated nine month period (‘9M15’) and third quarter (‘3Q15’) results for fiscal year 2015*

 

  Consolidated Revenues amounted to P$28,590 million (+18.2% vs. 9M14); ; Fixed Internet +39.6% vs. 9M14; Fixed Data +21.4% vs. 9M14; and Mobile business in Argentina +21.8% vs. 9M14. Service Revenues increased to P$24,968 million (+21.4% vs. 9M14).

 

  Mobile subscribers in Argentina: 19.4 million in 9M15. Mobile Value Added Services in Argentina (Internet and Data): +20.9% vs. 9M14; 59.8% of Service Revenues.

 

  Mobile ARPU in Argentina reached P$88.8 per month in 9M15 (+23.8% vs. 9M14).

 

  ADSL ARPU increased to P$199.3 per month in 9M15 (+34.6% vs. 9M14); monthly churn reached 1.4% in 9M15.

 

  Consolidated Operating costs -including D&A and Results on disposal of PP&E and write-down of PP&E- totaled P$24,146 million (+18.5% vs. 9M14).

 

  Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization increased to P$7,664 million (+23.9% vs. 9M14), equivalent to 26.8% of Consolidated Revenues.

 

  Net Income amounted to P$2,778 million (+3.5% vs. 9M14). Net Income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to P$2,757 million (+4.3% vs. 9M14).

 

  Capex increased to P$6,791 million in 9M15 (+77.8% vs. 9M14), 23.8% of Consolidated Revenues.

 

  Net Cash Position (Debt): P$1,586 million, a decrease of P$5,112 million vs. 9M14, after the total 3G/4G spectrum payment of P$5,786 million and Telecom Argentina´s cash dividend distribution of P$804 million during fiscal year 2015.

 

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

Consolidated Revenues

     28,590         24,183         4,407         18.2

Mobile Services

     20,866         17,941         2,925         16.3

Fixed Services

     7,724         6,242         1,482         23.7

Operating Income before D&A

     7,664         6,186         1,478         23.9

Operating Income

     4,459         3,843         616         16.0

Net Income attributable to Telecom Argentina

     2,757         2,644         113         4.3

Shareholders’ equity attributable to Telecom Argentina

     16,318         13,378         2,940         22.0

Net Financial Position - (Debt) / Cash

     (1,586      3,526         (5,112      -145.0

CAPEX

     6,791         3,819         2,972         77.8

Fixed lines in service (in thousand lines)

     4,054         4,106         (52      -1.3

Mobile customers (in thousand)

     21,974         22,192         (219      -1.0

Personal (Argentina)

     19,444         19,767         (323      -1.6

Núcleo (Paraguay) -including Wimax customers -

     2,530         2,425         104         4.3

Broadband accesses (in thousand)

     1,804         1,750         53         3.0

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

     64.8         56.5         8.4         14.8

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

     88.8         71.7         17.1         23.8

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

     199.3         148.1         51.2         34.6

 

* Unaudited non financial data


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Buenos Aires, November 2, 2015 - Telecom Argentina (‘Telecom’) - (NYSE: TEO; BASE: TECO2), one of Argentina’s leading telecommunications companies, announced today a Net Income of P$2,778 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, or +3.5% when compared to the same period last year. Net income attributable to Telecom Argentina amounted to P$2,757 million (+4.3% vs. 9M14).

 

     9M15     9M14     D $      D%  

Consolidated Revenues (MMP$)

     28,590        24,183        4,407         18.2

Net Income attributable to Telecom (MMP$)

     2,757        2,644        113         4.3

Earnings attributable to Telecom per Share (P$)

     2.8        2.7        0.1      

Earnings attributable to Telecom per ADR (P$)

     14.2        13.6        0.6      

Operating Income before D&A *

     26.8     25.6     

Operating Income *

     15.6     15.9     

Net Income*

     9.7     11.1     

 

* As a percentage of Consolidated Revenues

Note: As of 9M15 and 9M14, the average of ordinary shares outstanding amounted to 969,159,605.

During 9M15, Consolidated Revenues increased by 18.2% to P$28,590 million (+P$4,407 million vs. 9M14), mainly fueled by the Fixed Data, Broadband businesses and Mobile Services. Moreover, Operating Income reached P$4,459 million (+P$616 million or +16.0% vs. 9M14).

Consolidated Operating Revenues

Mobile Services

 

During 9M15 clients amounted to 22.0 million as of the end of September 30, 2015 vs. 22.2 million as of September 30, 2014.

 

Third parties Revenues amounted to P$20,866 million (+16.3% vs. 9M14) thanks to usage stimulation of value added services (‘VAS’) and to innovative commercial offers suitable to the needs of clients.

 

Telecom Personal in Argentina

 

As of September 30, 2015, Personal reached 19.4 million subscribers in Argentina vs. 19.8 million in 9M14, where postpaid clients represented 32% of the subscriber base.

 

In 9M15, third parties Revenues reached P$19,631 million (+P$2,844 million or +16.9% vs. 9M14) while Service Revenues (excluding equipment sales) amounted to P$16,163 million (+21.8% vs. 9M14), with 59.8% corresponding to VAS revenues (vs. 60.2% in 9M14). VAS revenues amounted to P$9,659 million (+20.9% vs. 9M14). Moreover, equipment sales decreased by 1.3% vs. 9M14, reaching P$3,468 million.

 

During 9M15 the Average Monthly Revenue per User (‘ARPU’) reached P$88.8 (+23.8% vs. 9M14) due to the increase in VAS consumption. Moreover, SMS traffic decreased due to clients’ preference for 3G/4G data services and plans and packs with VAS content offered by Personal.

  

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During 3Q15, Personal launched its new brand concept ‘Hagamos que todo suceda’ (‘Let’s make everything happen’), that accompanies the evolution of the use that people make of mobile communications, and introduces the mobile service as a platform of shared connections that places Personal as a facilitator, together with the customer, to make things happen in their lives communicating and interacting with others. This is a more inclusive, inspiring and proactive concept that reflects the current values associated with the use of technology.

 

 

During this period, Personal continued to expand its network and infrastructure deployment of 4G technology reaching 188 locations in 18 provinces of Argentina and achieving more than 1 million customers that were registered in the new network. In addition, 60% of this customer base showed an active use of 4G technology, multiplying by 3.6 times consumption data vs. 2G/3G customers, and with a monthly average consumption of 1.8GB.

 

 

Alongside the transformation of its 4G networks, Personal also launched an evolution of its offer plans; in order to provide a better service experience that allows higher speeds and capacity. Following these trends, Personal simplified its offering: passing the prevalence from a “voice-centric” model to a “data centric” one. Personal’s new commercial proposal, “Total Connection”, aims to enable customers to choose their plan for the data quota included as a main differential, according to the volume needed for connection. In addition, the offer includes unlimited calls to other Personal users and unlimited SMS to all destinations as well as domestic calls at a local rate for all segments. Finally, structural benefits of this proposal are completed with extra credit or minutes for calls to other companies. The Personal Black segment additionally offers differentiated services, free Spotify for one year and calls to America at a local price.

 

 

Additionally, over the 3Q15 Personal presented its alliance with the strategic partner Intel Security, with objectives in innovation, safety and technology development of its new product Security Kit. This product is a multidevice tool that allows Personal customer’s to safeguard all their content (photos, videos, files and information) and to protect their devices (i.e., smartphones, tablets, PCs and Mac) with the highest security and reliability.

 

 

Finally, as part of the actions that intend to position the brand in association with sports, Personal continued to support the Argentina Rugby Union and Los Pumas in the 50th anniversary year of its representation in the elite of world rugby. Moreover, Personal accompanied their participation in the Personal Rugby Championship (the most important tournament in the southern hemisphere rugby) and also during the Rugby World Cup celebrated in London.

 

 

Telecom Personal in Paraguay (‘Núcleo’)

 

As of September 30, 2015, Nucleo’s subscriber base reached 2.5 million clients (+4.3% vs. 9M14). Prepaid and postpaid customers represented 80% and 20%, respectively.

 

 
Nucleo gepnerated revenues from third parties equivalent to P$1,235 million during 9M15 (+7.0% vs. 9M14). VAS revenues amounted to P$608 million (+6.9% vs. 9M14) representing 53.9% of 9M15 service revenues (vs. 51.8% in 9M14). Moreover, the level of mobile ARPU reached Gs.25.9 thousand in 9M15 (equivalent to P$41.4).  


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Fixed Services (Voice, Data & Internet)

 

During 9M15 revenues generated by fixed services amounted to P$7,724 million, +23.7% vs. 9M14; with Data revenues (+21.4% vs. 9M14) and Internet (+39.6% vs. 9M14) growing the most in the segment.

 

Voice

 

Total revenues for this service reached P$3,113 million in 9M15 (+11.6% vs. 9M14). A portion of this line of business (mainly monthly fees and measured services), continues to with tariffs that hasn’t been modified since 2002.

 

Revenues generated by measured services totaled P$1,315 million, an increase of P$184 million or +16.3% vs. 9M14, mainly due to the higher penetration of flat rate packs of local and national long distance calls.

 

Monthly charges and supplementary services reached P$992 million, an increase of P$97 million or +10.8% vs. 9M14 due to higher revenues in non-regulated supplementary services, mainly due to prices increases and the adjustment of certain montly fees of the voice segment. The customer base remained stable at 4.1 million lines in service.

 

As a result of these increases, the average monthly revenue billed to user (ARBU) reached P$64.8 in 9M15, +14.8% vs. 9M14.

 

Fixed and mobile interconnection revenues reached P$484 million (+6.8% vs. 9M14). Meanwhile, other revenues totaled P$322 million (+3.5% vs. 9M14).

 

Data and Internet

 

Data revenues amounted to P$1,290 million (+P$227 million or +21.4% vs. 9M14), strengthening the position of Telecom as an integrated ICT provider. This increase was mainly due to FX rate variations that affected those contracts that are adjusted by the $/U$S exchange rate and by the increase of the client base of the Innovative services offered.

 

Revenues related to Internet totaled P$3,273 million (+P$928 million or +39.6% vs. 9M14), mainly due to price increases and a commercial offer with higher speeds (ultra broadband or UBB), where 10Mb was the most demanded service that represents 25% over the total customer base, in comparison to 13% in 9M14. This was made available thanks to the significant investments executed recently in the access network using FTTx technology that allows to take fiber optic connections to the closest point with the customer.

 

As of September 30, 2015, Telecom reached 1.8 million ADSL accesses (+3.0% vs. 9M14). These connections represented 44.5% of Telecom’s fixed lines in service. In addition, ADSL ARPU reached P$199.3 in 9M15, +34.6% when compared to 9M14 while the monthly churn rate remained relatively stable in 1.4% in 9M15 (vs. 1.3% in 9M14).

 

During 3Q15, Telecom continued to drive a strategy based on bundling, that combines high speed Internet navigation, through Arnet, with local calls to fixed and mobile numbers. Furthermore, Arnet strengthened the ultra broadband offer, providing up to 30 Mb speed for those clients located in areas with technical availability.

  

 

 

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Consolidated Operating Costs

 

Consolidated Operating Costs totaled P$24,146 million in 9M15, an increase of P$3,766 million, or +18.5% vs. 9M14 (including ‘Results on disposal of PP&E and write-down of PP&E’ that resulted in a loss of P$51 million in 9M15). This increase is a consequence of higher labor costs, depreciations and amortizations and taxes associated with higher sales.   
The cost breakdown is as follows:   

•    Employee benefit expenses and severance payments totaled P$5,292 million (+32.2% vs. 9M14), mainly affected by increases in salaries to unionized employees due to the new collective bargaining agreement set at the beginning of 3Q15 as well as increases in salaries to the non-unionized workforce, together with the social security contributions associated to such concepts. Total headcount at the end of the period totaled 16,269 employees.

  

•    Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges (including TLRD, Roaming, Interconnection, international settlement charges and lease of circuits) amounted to P$1,559 million, +1.5% vs. 9M14. This increase resulted from higher costs related to TLRD, partially offset by lower volume of roaming traffic vs. 9M14.

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•    Fees for services, maintenance and materials and supplies amounted to P$2,860 million (+15.2% vs. 9M14), mainly due to increases in costs of technical maintenance of radio bases and real estate, costs of site identification and costs of storage. Moreover, higher fees for services, mainly due to higher costs recognized to suppliers in both fixed and mobile business, also explain the increase.

  

•    Taxes and fees with regulatory authorities reached P$2,841 million (+18.4% vs. 9M14), impacted mainly by higher revenues, and higher bank debit and credit taxes related to collection flows and vendor payments during 9M15 vs 9M14.

  

•    Commissions (Commissions paid to agents, prepaid card commissions and others) totaled P$2,195 million (+22.8% vs. 9M14), mainly due to the increase in commissions paid to commercial channels, associated to higher sales and fees recognized for client acquisition and retention, as well as collection fees and sales outsourcing. Agent commissions capitalized as SAC amounted to P$781 million (+23.2% vs. 9M14).

  

•    Cost of handsets sold totaled P$2,791 million (-10.5% vs. 9M14), due to a lower number of handsets sold as a consequence of the difficulty of its delivery. Deferred costs from SAC amounted to P$66 million (-20.5% vs. 9M14). The lower deferred costs were derived from the reduction in handset subsidies given to clients.

  

•    Advertising amounted to P$591 million (+15.4% vs. 9M14), mainly due to slightly higher commercial expenses and campaigns in comparison to 9M14 (among those the launch of ‘Hagamos que Todo Suceda’ campaign and the new commercial plans).

  


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•    Depreciation and Amortization reached P$3,154 million (+34.0% vs. 9M14). PP&E depreciation amounted to P$2,165 million (+24.4% vs. 9M14); Amortization of SAC and service connection costs totaled P$596 million (23.0% vs. 9M14); Amortization of 3G/4G spectrum reached P$227 million, and other intangible assets reached P$29 million, (+61.1% vs. 9M14).

 

•    Other Costs totaled P$2,812 million (+27.8% vs. 9M14). This increase was mainly due to VAS costs that totaled P$910 million (+34.0% vs. 9M14), related to the increase of sales of those services, especially in the mobile business. Bad debt expenses reached P$410 million (+25.4% vs. 9M14) representing 1.7% of consolidated costs and 1.4% of consolidated revenues. Meanwhile, charges related to lawsuits and other contingencies amounted to P$910 million in 9M15 (+70.6% vs. 9M14), associated with adjustments in provision charges that arise from regulatory matters.

 

Consolidated Financial Results

 

Net Financial Income registered a loss of P$192 million over 9M15, a decrease of P$422 million or -183.5% vs. 9M14. This was mainly due to a change over the net financial position that turned into debt during the present fiscal year. In turn, this led to a lower generation of interest on financial placements, together with higher financial expenses associated to interest on loans contracted. Interest expense paid for loans increased P$255 million vs. 9M14, and interest gains over financial placements, mutual funds and other investments decreased by P$179 million vs. 9M14, driven by the reduction of financial assets. These lower financial incomes were partially offset by higher interest gains on trade receivables (P$14 million vs. 9M14), and lower losses from NDFs (P$9 million vs. 9M14) and FX results (P$11 million vs. 9M14).

 

Consolidated Net Financial Position

 

As of September 30, 2015, Net Financial Position (Cash, Cash Equivalents and financial Investments minus Loans) totaled P$1,586 million in debt, a decrease of P$5,112 million when compared to the Net Financial Position as of September 30, 2014, after the effects of the 3G/4G frequencies payment for an amount of P$5,786 million and the cash dividend of Telecom Argentina paid during the 9M15 period for an amount of P$804 million.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

During 9M15, the Company invested P$6,791 million (+77.8% vs. 9M14). Of this amount, P$1,793 million were allocated to Fixed Services and P$4,998 million to Mobile services. In relative terms, Capex reached 23.8% of consolidated revenues vs. 15.8% in 9M14.

 

The main investment projects of the Group are associated, in the fixed segment, with the expansion of broadband services to offer higher speeds thus improving Internet browsing experience.

 

In the mobile business, the 3G and 4G frequencies acquired together with the executed investments allow to improve coverage and network capacity, in order to sustain the increase in demand of Data and Internet, along with new VAS thus offering a better quality of service.

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Transmission and transport networks also have been expanded to meet the growing demand for services from fixed and mobile customers.

 

Other Relevant Matters

 

Resolution issued by AFTIC on the request for authorization by Fintech Group to acquire the controlling stake in Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A.

 

On October 25, 2014 the Company informed the CNV (Comisión Nacional de Valores) that Telecom Italia SpA (“Telecom Italia”), an indirect parent company of Telecom Argentina SA (“Telecom Argentina”) and parent of the Company, had accepted an offer from Fintech Group (“Fintech”) to amend and restate the original agreement signed on November 13, 2013, regarding the acquisition of the entire interest in Telecom Argentina, that Telecom Italia and its subsidiary Telecom Italia International NV had at that time through Sofora Telecomunicaciones SA (“Sofora”) and Nortel Inversora S.A.

 

The Company also informed that the sale of the 51% controlling interest in Sofora was conditional upon obtaining regulatory approval by the Argentine Secretary of Communications and would not occur until after such approval is obtained. In the interim, a 17% minority interest in Sofora was sold to Fintech, as informed to CNV through a relevant fact filed on October 29, 2014.

 

On October 15, 2015, it was published on the website of AFTIC a statement in which the Directors Board of AFTIC resolved to refuse authorization for the transfer to Fintech of the controlling interest that Telecom Italia owns in Sofora. This statement was published on the Official Bulletin of October 16, 2015 under AFTIC Resolution No. 491/2015.

 

Spectrum Auction in Paraguay

 

On October 14, 2015, CONATEL launched the definitive Bidding Terms and Conditions for spectrum auction for the provision of cellular mobile telephone services, internet access and data transmission in the frequency band 1700/2100 MHz (4G - LTE) in the Republic of Paraguay. The tender document was submitted to public consultation for two weeks, during which mobile operators sent their comments on the document.

 

The tender will be made on a “high bid auction” and will distribute 60 MHz of 1700/2100 MHz spectrum that will allow mobile broadband services using 4G technology. Applicants must submit their proposals based on the documents required in the bidding terms and conditions. Receipt of tenders is scheduled for December 3, 2015.

 

Of the total 60 MHz to be auctioned, 30 MHz will be in the 1700 MHz band and 30 MHz in the 2100 MHz band, so there will be six sub-bands. Each sub-band is made up of two blocks of 5 MHz each (one of each band).

 

Núcleo is evaluating its possible participation in the auction.

 

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

 

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

 

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

For more information, please contact Investor Relations:

 

Pedro Insussarry   Solange Barthe Dennin   Luis F. Rial Ubago   Ruth Fuhrmann   Antonella Papaleo
(5411) 4968 3743   (5411) 4968 3752   (5411) 4968 3718   (5411) 4968 4448   (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)

*******

Oscar Carlos Cristianci

Chairman


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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Nine month Period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

1- Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

     09/30/15      12/31/14      D $     D %  
Cash and cash equivalents      644         825         (181     -21.9
Investments      1,175         53         1,122        —     
Trade receivables      4,772         4,124         648        15.7
Other Receivables      3,075         1,391         1,684        121.1
Total current assets      9,666         6,393         3,273        51.2
Financial Investments      368         300         68        22.7
Trade receivables      150         143         7        4.9
Property, plant and equipment      15,895         13,809         2,086        15.1
Intangible assets      7,550         5,331         2,219        41.6
Other Receivables      397         341         56        16.4

Total non-current assets

     24,360         19,924         4,436        22.3

Total Assets

     34,026         26,317         7,709        29.3
Trade payables      7,881         6,072         1,809        29.8
Deferred revenues      553         507         46        9.1
Financial debt      3,221         179         3,042        —     
Salaries and social security payables      1,243         1,022         221        21.6
Income tax payables      640         247         393        159.1
Other taxes payables      721         824         (103     -12.5
Other liabilities      46         47         (1     -2.1
Provisions      198         199         (1     -0.5
Total current liabilities      14,503         9,097         5,406        59.4

Trade payables

     37         0         37        —     

Deferred revenues

     445         465         (20     -4.3

Financial debt

     552         254         298        117.3

Salaries and social security payables

     154         150         4        2.7

Deferred income tax liabilities

     384         417         (33     -7.9

Income tax payables

     7         9         (2     -22.2

Other liabilities

     101         76         25        32.9

Provisions

     1,207         1,080         127        11.8

Total non-current liabilities

     2,887         2,451         436        17.8

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     17,390         11,548         5,842        50.6

Equity attributable to Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     16,318         14,418         1,900        13.2

Non-controlling interest

     318         351         (33     -9.4

TOTAL EQUITY

     16,636         14,769         1,867        12.6

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

     34,026         26,317         7,709        29.3

 

2- Consolidated Loans

 

     09/30/15     12/31/14      D $     D %  

Bank overdraft - principal Personal

     3,122        140         2,982        —     

Bank overdraft - accrued interest Personal

     39        1         38        —     

Bank loans - accrued interest Personal

     7        0         7        —     

Banks loans - principal Nucleo

     51        32         19        59.4

Banks loans - accrued interest Nucleo

     2        6         (4     -67

Total Current Loans

     3,221        179         3,042        —     

Banks loans - principal Personal

     368        —           368        —     

Banks loans - principal Nucleo

     184        254         (70     -27.6

Total Non Current Loans

     552        254         298        117.3

Total Loans

     3,773        433         3,340        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, and Financial Investments

     2,187        1,178         1,009        85.7

Net Financial Position- Cash / (Debt)

     (1,586     745         (2,331     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Nine month Period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

3- Consolidated Income Statements

 

     09/30/15     09/30/14     D $     D %  
Revenues      28,590        24,183        4,407        18.2
Other income      15        40        (25     -62.5
Total Revenues & Other Income      28,605        24,223        4,382        18.1

Consolidated Operating Costs

     (24,095     (20,391     (3,704     18.2

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

     (51     11        (62     —     

Operating income

     4,459        3,843        616        16.0

Finance results, net

     (192     230        (422     -183.5

Net income before income tax expense

     4,267        4,073        194        4.8

Income tax expense

     (1,489     (1,389     (100     7.2

Net income

     2,778        2,684        94        3.5
Attributable to:         

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     2,757        2,644        113        4.3

Non-controlling interest

     21        40        (19     -47.5
Operating income before D&A      7,664        6,186        1,478        23.9
As % of Revenues      26.8     25.6    
     09/30/15     09/30/14     D $     D %  

Finance Income and Expenses

        
Finance Income         

Interest on time deposits

     19        274        (255     -93.1

Gains on other investments (notes and bonds)

     200        111        89        80.2

Gains on Mutual Funds

     100        113        (13     -11.5

Interest on receivables

     133        119        14        11.8

Foreign currency exchange gains

     85        647        (562     -86.9

Gain on NDF

     36        42        (6     -14.3

Others

     —          3        (3     —     

Total finance income

     573        1,309        (736     -56.2

Finance expenses

        

Interest on financial debt - Personal

     (257     —          (257     —     

Interest on financial debt - Nucleo

     (18     (20     2        -10.0

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

     (19     (31     12        -38.7

Interest on provisions

     (113     (111     (2     1.8

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

     (3     (3     0        0.0

Foreign currency exchange losses

     (279     (852     573        -67.3

Foreign currency exchange losses

     (21     —          (21     —     

Losses on NDF

     (47     (62     15        -24.2

Others

     (8     —          (8     —     

Total finance expenses

     (765     (1,079     314        -29.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

4- Consolidated Income Statements
     Three Months Comparison

 

     09/30/15     09/30/14     D $     D %  

Revenues

     10,094        8,598        1,496        17.4

Other income

     4        10        (6     -60.0

Total Revenues & Other Income

     10,098        8,608        1,490        17.3

Consolidated Operating Costs

     (8,733     (7,384     (1,349     18.3

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

     (54     1        (55     —     

Operating income

     1,311        1,225        86        7.0

Finance results, net

     (73     76        (149     -196.1

Net income before income tax expense

     1,238        1,301        (63     -4.8

Income tax expense

     (438     (453     15        -3.3

Net income

     800        848        (48     -5.7
Attributable to:         

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     801        839        (38     -4.5

Non-controlling interest

     (1     9        (10     -111.1

Operating income before D&A

     2,529        2,067        462        22.4

As % of Revenues

     25.1     24.0    


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Nine month Period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

5- Breakdown of the Income Statements

 

     09/30/15      09/30/14      D $     D %  
REVENUES FROM SERVICES      24,968         20,568         4,400        21.4
Fixed Services      7,676         6,198         1,478        23.8

Voice

     3,113         2,790         323        11.6

Retail Voice

     2,379         2,109         270        12.8

Monthly Charges

     992         895         97        10.8

Measured Services

     1,315         1,131         184        16.3

Others

     72         83         (11     -13.3

Wholesale

     734         681         53        7.8

Interconnection

     484         453         31        6.8

Others

     250         228         22        9.6

Data

     1,290         1,063         227        21.4

Internet

     3,273         2,345         928        39.6

Mobiles Sevices

     17,292         14,370         2,922        20.3

Telecom Personal

     16,163         13,272         2,891        21.8

Voice

     6,504         5,286         1,218        23.0

Retail Voice

     5,109         3,830         1,279        33.4

Monthly Charges

     2,951         2,172         779        35.9

Measured Services

     1,443         1,220         223        18.3

Roaming

     209         215         (6     -2.8

Others

     506         223         283        126.9

Wholesale

     1,395         1,456         (61     -4.2

Interconnection (CPP and TLRD)

     1,144         1,196         (52     -4.3

Roaming

     225         229         (4     -1.7

Others

     26         31         (5     -16.1

Data

     5,376         5,692         (316     -5.6

Internet

     4,283         2,294         1,989        86.7

Núcleo

     1,129         1,098         31        2.8

Voice

     521         529         (8     -1.5

Retail Voice

     441         431         10        2.3

Monthly Charges

     174         161         13        8.1

Measured Services

     201         237         (36     -15.2

Roaming

     8         7         1        14.3

Others

     58         26         32        —     

Wholesale

     80         98         (18     -18.4

Interconnection (CPP and TLRD)

     57         91         (34     -37.4

Roaming

     18         3         15        —     

Others

     5         4         1        —     

Data

     220         248         (28     -11.3

Internet

     388         321         67        20.9

REVENUES FROM EQUIPMENT SALES

     3,622         3,615         7        0.2

Fixed Services

     48         44         4        9.1

Mobiles Sevices

     3,574         3,571         3        0.1

Equipments (Personal)

     3,468         3,515         (47     -1.3

Equipments (Núcleo)

     106         56         50        89.3

REVENUES

     28,590         24,183         4,407        18.2

OTHER INCOME

     15         40         (25     -62.5

Fixed

     12         24         (12     -50.0

Mobile

     3         16         (13     -81.3

TOTAL REVENUES & OTHER INCOME

     28,605         24,223         4,382        18.1

Note: Reclassifications have been made in the breakdown of 9M14 Nucleo mobile service revenues as changes were implemented in the allocation criteria of revenues between voice, data, and Internet items of postpaid plans.


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Nine month Period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

6- BREAKDOWN OF THE INCOME STATEMENTS

Three Months Comparison

 

     09/30/15      09/30/14      D $     D %  
REVENUES FROM SERVICES      8,794         7,165         1,629        22.7
Fixed Services      2,750         2,173         577        26.6
Voice      1,101         951         150        15.8
Retail Voice      846         723         123        17.0

Monthly Charges

     364         303         61        20.1

Measured Services

     459         391         68        17.4

Others

     23         29         (6     -20.7

Wholesale

     255         228         27        11.8

Interconnection

     170         151         19        12.6

Others

     85         77         8        10.4

Data

     451         380         71        18.7

Internet

     1,198         842         356        42.3

Mobiles Sevices

     6,044         4,992         1,052        21.1

Telecom Personal

     5,673         4,599         1,074        23.4

Voice

     2,316         1,715         601        35.0

Retail Voice

     1,850         1,235         615        49.8

Monthly Charges

     1,121         741         380        51.3

Measured Services

     460         365         95        26.0

Roaming

     63         58         5        8.6

Others

     206         71         135        190.1

Wholesale

     466         480         (14     -2.9

Interconnection (CPP and TLRD)

     386         402         (16     -4.0

Roaming

     71         67         4        6.0

Others

     9         11         (2     -18.2

Data

     1,763         2,015         (252     -12.5

Internet

     1,594         869         725        83.4

Núcleo

     371         393         (22     -5.6

Voice

     172         195         (23     -11.8

Retail Voice

     148         154         (6     -3.9

Monthly Charges

     63         57         6        10.5

Measured Services

     59         82         (23     -28.0

Roaming

     3         2         1        50.0

Others

     23         13         10        —     

Wholesale

     24         41         (17     -41.5

Interconnection (CPP and TLRD)

     19         36         (17     -47.2

Roaming

     3         3         —          —     

Others

     2         2         —          —     

Data

     72         84         (12     -14.3

Internet

     127         114         13        11.4

REVENUES FROM EQUIPMENT SALES

     1,300         1,433         (133     -9.3

Fixed Services

     25         13         12        92.3

Mobiles Sevices

     1,275         1,420         (145     -10.2

Equipments (Personal)

     1,235         1,400         (165     -11.8

Equipments (Núcleo)

     40         20         20        100.0

REVENUES

     10,094         8,598         1,496        17.4

OTHER INCOME

     4         10         (6     -60.0

Fixed

     4         7         (3     -42.9

Mobile

     0         3         (3     -100.0

TOTAL REVENUES & OTHER INCOME

     10,098         8,608         1,490        17.3

Note: Reclassifications have been made in the breakdown of 3Q14 Nucleo mobile service revenues as changes were implemented in the allocation criteria of revenues between voice, data, and Internet items of postpaid plans.


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Nine month Period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

7- Consolidated Income Statements

 

     09/30/15     09/30/14     D $     D %  

Revenues

     28,590        24,183        4,407        18.2

Other income

     15        40        (25     -62.5
Total Revenues & Other Income      28,605        24,223        4,382        18.1

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (5,292     (4,002     (1,290     32.2

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (1,559     (1,536     (23     1.5

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (2,860     (2,482     (378     15.2

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (2,841     (2,399     (442     18.4

Commissions

     (2,195     (1,787     (408     22.8

Cost of equipments and handsets

     (2,791     (3,119     328        -10.5

Advertising

     (591     (512     (79     15.4

Cost of Value Added Services

     (910     (679     (231     34.0

Provisions

     (174     (102     (72     70.6

Bad debt expenses

     (410     (327     (83     25.4

Other operating expenses

     (1,318     (1,092     (226     20.7
Subtotal Operating costs      (20,941     (18,037     (2,904     16.1
Operating income before D&A      7,664        6,186        1,478        23.9

D&A

     (3,154     (2,354     (800     34.0

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

     (51     11        (62     —     
Operating income      4,459        3,843        616        16.0

Finance Income

     573        1,309        (736     -56.2

Finance Expenses

     (765     (1,079     314        -29.1
Net income before income tax expense      4,267        4,073        194        4.8

Income tax expense

     (1,489     (1,389     (100     7.2
Net Income      2,778        2,684        94        3.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Attributable to:         

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     2,757        2,644        113        4.3

Non-controlling interest

     21        40        (19     -47.5


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

Nine month Period and Third Quarter - Fiscal Year 2015

(In million of Argentine pesos)

 

8- CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
  Three Months Comparison

 

     09/30/15     09/30/14     D $     D %  

Revenues

     10,094        8,598        1,496        17.4

Other income

     4        10        (6     -60.0
Total Revenues & Other Income      10,098        8,608        1,490        17.3

Employee benefit expenses and severance payments

     (2,034     (1,465     (569     38.8

Interconnection costs and other telecommunication charges

     (558     (516     (42     8.1

Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies

     (991     (883     (108     12.2

Taxes and fees with the Regulatory Authority

     (988     (835     (153     18.3

Commissions

     (799     (669     (130     19.4

Cost of equipments and handsets

     (1,056     (1,226     170        -13.9

Advertising

     (221     (171     (50     29.2

Cost of Value Added Services

     (313     (273     (40     14.7

Provisions

     (7     —          (7     —     

Bad debt expenses

     (129     (94     (35     37.2

Other operating expenses

     (473     (409     (64     15.6
Subtotal Operating costs      (7,569     (6,541     (1,028     15.7
Operating income before D&A      2,529        2,067        462        22.4

D&A

     (1,164     (843     (321     38.1

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

     (54     1        (55     —     
Operating income      1,311        1,225        86        7.0

Finance Income

     303        246        57        23.2

Finance Expenses

     (376     (170     (206     121.2
Net income before income tax expense      1,238        1,301        (63     -4.8

Income tax expense

     (438     (453     15        -3.3
Net Income      800        848        (48     -5.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Attributable to:         

Telecom Argentina (Controlling Company)

     801        839        (38     -4.5

Non-controlling interest

     (1     9        (10     -111.1


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

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

 

    Telecom Argentina S.A.
Date: November 3, 2015     By:    /s/ Oscar Carlos Cristianci
    Name:   Oscar Carlos Cristianci
    Title:   Chairman of the Board of Directors