Form 6-K

FORM 6-K

 


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


Report of Foreign Issuer

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

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of August, 2007

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

 



Telecom Argentina S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item     
1.    Press release, dated August 9, 2007, entitled “Telecom Argentina S.A. Announces Consolidated Six-Month Period (“1H07”) and Second Quarter Results for Fiscal Year 2007 (“2Q07”)”


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Market Cap: P$12.9 billion

(August 9, 2007)

Contacts:

Pedro Insussarry

Pablo Caride

Telecom Argentina

(54-11) 4968-3743/3602

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A. ANNOUNCES CONSOLIDATED SIX-MONTH PERIOD

(“1H07”) and SECOND QUARTER RESULTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

(“2Q07”)*

 

   

The Telecom Argentina Group maintained an important expansion of its business in the six-month period ended June, 30, 2007. Consolidated revenues grew 26% vs. 1H06, totaling P$4,202 million. Revenues generated by the Cellular and Internet & Data Transmission increased 40% and 18%, respectively.

 

   

In terms of subscribers, the Cellular customer base reached 11.3 million (+47%), broadband subscribers totaled 602,000 (+100%), while fixed lines in service increased 4% to 4.1 million.

 

   

Operating Profit before Depreciation and Amortization (“OPBDA”) reached P$1,414 million (+26% vs. 1H06), equivalent to 34% of net revenues. Operating Profit increased by 73%, totaling P$727 million.

 

   

Net Income totaled P$387 million, considering the results for discontinued operations (P$ 102 million) generated by the sale of Publicom.

 

   

Net financial Debt (before NPV effect) declined to P$ 2,785 million (-P$1.224 million vs. 1H06), primarily as a result of the cash flow generated by operations. The ratio of Net Financial Debt to OPBDA declined from 1.8x as of June 2006, to 1.0x.

 

     As of June-30    LOGO     LOGO %  
     2007    2006     

Consolidated Net Revenues (in MM P$)

   4,202    3,348    854     26 %

Voice, data & Internet

   1,589    1,485    104     7 %

Cellular

   2,613    1,863    750     40 %

Operating Profit before D&A (in MM P $)

   1,414    1,121    293     26 %

Operating Profit (in MM P$)

   727    421    306     73 %

Net Income (in MM P$)

   387    99    288     291 %

Shareholder’s equity (in MM P$)

   2,511    1,971    540     27 %

Net Financial Debt—Before NPV effect (in MM P$)

   2,785    4,009    (1,224 )   -31 %

Net Financial Debt—Book value (in MM P $)

   2,671    3,795    (1,124 )   -30 %

CAPEX (in MM P$)

   553    465    88     19 %

Lines in service (Fixed lines -in thousands)

   4,138    3,997    141     4 %

Cellular customers (in thousands)

   11,286    7,665    3,621     47 %

Personal (Argentina)

   9,881    6,874    3,007     44 %

Núcleo (Paraguay)

   1,405    791    614     78 %

ADSL customers (in thousands)

   602    300    301     100 %

Fixed line traffic (in MM minutes, Internet Traffic not included)

   8,203    8,154    48     1 %

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

   4,589    3,412    1,177     34 %

Average Revenue per user (ARPU ) Fixed Telephony/voice (in P$)

   38    39    (0 )   0 %

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

   37    37    0     1 %

* Non-financial data unaudited

 

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Buenos Aires, August 9, 2007 – Telecom Argentina (BASE: TECO2, NYSE: TEO), one of Argentina’s leading telecommunications groups, announced today a Net Income of P$387 million for the six- month period ended June 30, 2007.

 

     1H 07     1H 06    

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Net Revenues (MMP $)

   4,202     3,348     854    26 %

Net Income (MMP$)

   387     99     288   

Earnings per Share ($)

   0.39     0.10     0.29   

Earnings per ADR ($)

   1.97     0.50     1.46   

OPBDA *

   34 %   33 %     

Operating Profit *

   17 %   13 %     

Net Income *

   9 %   3 %     

* As a percentage of Revenues

During 1H07, Consolidated Net Revenues increased 26% (+P$854 million vs. 1H06) to P$4,202 million, mainly fueled by the cellular and broadband businesses.

Moreover, OPBDA increased by 26% (+P$293 million) to P$1,414 million, equal to 34% of Consolidated Net Revenues.

Company Activities

Net Revenues

The evolution in Consolidated Net Revenues by reportable segment was as follows:

Voice, Data Transmission & Internet

Revenues generated by these services amounted to P$1,589 million, +7% vs. 1H06.

Voice

Total Revenues for this segment reached P$1,258 million (+4%).

Monthly Charges and Supplementary Services increased by P$12 million or 3%, to P$366 million. Lines in service increased 4%, similar to the results reported in recent quarters.

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Revenues generated by traffic (Local Measured Service, Domestic Long Distance and International Telephony) totaled P$598 million, with increases of 1%, 4% and 8%, respectively.

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Interconnection revenues amounted to P$174 million (+19%), due to the expansion of both fixed-line and wireless traffic.

Other

Other revenues reached P$120 million.

Internet and Data Transmission

The increase in broadband continues to have an outstanding performance. Internet continues to be the main driver of growth, with revenues of P$250 million (+22% vs. 1H06).

 

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Moreover, Telecom’s ADSL subscribers reached 602,000 (+300,000 or +100% vs. 1H06). Therefore, lines with ADSL connection accounted for approximately 14% of Telecom’s lines in service.

This development confirms Telecom’s fixed-line customer’s preference for the Company’s broadband services. This growth is the result of the strategy of the Company to make available to its clients of all the country products that combine the best quality of navigation at accessible prices, according with different segments. In this sense, to products already available (from 640 K to 5 MG), the Company added an option of broadband connection with no fixed monthly fee during the last quarter.

Revenues generated by Data transmission amounted to P$81 million, (+8% or P$6 million vs. 1H06). The Company continues to work actively in the corporative segment, in particular with clients of the public sector making available the best technology to accompany government initiatives in matters related to security, emergencies and management.

Cellular Telephony

The Cellular Telephony business generated revenues of P$2,613 million in 1H07.

Telecom Personal in Argentina

As of June 30, 2007, Personal’s subscribers reached 9.9 million (+3.0 million or +44% vs. 1H06). Approximately 68% of the overall subscriber base was prepaid and 32% was postpaid. Subscribers with GSM technology represented 92% of the total subscriber base at the semester.

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Total voice traffic increased by 34% vs. 1H06 while outgoing SMS traffic increased from an average of 460 million messages per month to an average of 784 million (+70%). Moreover, the average monthly Revenue per User (“ARPU”) reached P$ 37, stable when compared to 1H06.

Revenues totaled P$2,436 million (+P$720 million or +42% vs. 1H06). Service revenues increased by 46%, while handset sales grew 17% in the period.

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During 1H07, Personal continued to work on further consolidating in leadership in Argentine market, in terms of technology and innovation. It is important to highlight the launch of Third Generation services by Personal, such video-call, mobile broadband and numerous exclusive multimedia content features, Personal interactive web portal, photoblog, gaming, MP3 Full Track Download, Personal Mobile Video, etc. Therefore, Personal becomes the first 3G operator in Argentina and the first cellular provider in

 

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Latin America to offer 3G connections both for notebooks and voice , plus videocall and multimedia through 3G handsets.

Núcleo

Personal’s controlled subsidiary that operates in Paraguay, generated revenues equivalent to P$177 million (+20% vs. 1H06).

By the end of the quarter, the subscriber base reached approximately 1.4 million, +78% vs. 1H06. Prepaid and Postpaid customers represented 89% and 11%, respectively, while GSM subscribers represented 82% of the overall subscriber base.

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Consolidated Operating Costs

The Cost of Services Provided, Administrative Expenses and Selling Expenses totaled P$3,475 million in 1H07, which represents an increase of P$548 million or +19% vs. 1H06 with the following breakdown:

 

 

Salaries and Social Security Contributions: P$463 million (+17%), affected by wage adjustments and headcount increases related to the expansion of the business.

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Taxes: P$321 million (+36%), mainly generated by direct taxes on sales.

 

 

Agents and Prepaid Card Commissions: $340 million, (+42%), related to the expansion in terms of subscribers and traffic.

 

 

Advertising: P$128 million (+47%), related to brand positioning campaigns and the launch of new services.

 

 

Cost of cellular handsets: increased to P$404 million (+4%) as a consequence increase in handset sales related to the subscriber growth and handset upgrades.

 

 

TLRD and Roaming by P$347 million (+42%) due to increased traffic among cellular operators.

 

 

Depreciation of Fixed and Intangible Assets: P$687 million (-2% vs. 1H06). Telecom Argentina totaled P$418 millones and Telecom Personal $268 millones ( -13% y +22%) respectively.

Consolidated Financial and Holding Results

Financial and Holding Results resulted in a loss of P$218 million, as compared to the P$297 million loss registered in 1H06. The difference is mainly due to lower net interest expenses by P$72 million ( mainly due to the reduction in net financial debt) and also lower net foreign currency exchange losses by P$33 million.

Net Financial Debt

As of June 30, 2007, Net Debt (Loans before the effect of NPV valuation, minus Cash, Banks, Current Investments and Other credits derived from derivative Investments)

 

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amounted to P$2,785 million, a reduction of P$1.224 million as compared to June 2006. Interest accrued on financial debt totaled P$157 million.

During April and May Telecom Argentina performed prepayments on its outstanding Series A & B Notes equivalent to the remaining 25% of the mandatory amortization scheduled for October 15, 2009 and 74% of the mandatory amortization scheduled for April 15, 2010. The prepayments totaled approximately the equivalent of US$ 140 million.

In addition, Telecom Personal canceled bank loans and notes for approximately the equivalent of US$ 60 million in the second quarter.

Consolidated Capital Expenditures

A total amount of P$553 million invested in fixed and intangibles assets was allocated to the cellular business (P$253 million) and the Voice, Data and Internet business (P$300 million).

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The Telecom Group continues to implement its Capex plan including the expansion of its ADSL services (accesses and transmission), reconverting its network in order to fully develop a new generation of services, enhancing its cellular network (capacity, coverage and 3G services), and integrating platforms.

Recent Developments

During 2Q07, Telecom registered a result for discontinued operations of P$ 102 million related to the sale of Publicom SA, the company engaged in the directories business.

During July, Telecom reached an agreement with the different unions representing workers under Collective Bargaining Agreements. The agreement includes a wage increase of approximately 16% and a half-hour reduction in the work day, applicable starting September, 2007. The agreement covers the period from April 2007 through and including July 2008.

***********

 

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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 June 30, 2007, Telecom had 984,380,978 shares outstanding.

 

(*) Employee Stock Ownership Program

For more information, please contact the Financial Planning & Investor Relations Department:

 

Pedro Insussarry

54-11-4968-3743

 

Mariano Martire

54-11-4968-3718

 

Gastón Urbina

54-11-4968-6236

 

Astrid Burger

54-11-4968-4448

Voice Mail: 54-11-4968-3628

Fax: 54-11-4313-5842

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

For information about Telecom Group services, visit:

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)

*******

Carlos Felices

Chairman

*******

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

SIX MONTH PERIOD AND SECOND QUARTER—FISCAL YEAR 2007

(In millions of Argentine pesos, except statistical data)

1- Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

               LOGO $     LOGO %  
    

Jun-30

2007

  

Dec-31

2006

    

Cash, equivalents and investments

   808    661    147     22 %

Trade receivables

   795    743    52     7 %

Other current assets

   415    363    52     14 %
                      

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

   2,018    1,767    251     14 %
                      

Fixed & Intangible assets

   6,332    6,520    (188 )   -3 %

Other non-current assets

   411    433    (22 )   -5 %
                      

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

   6,743    6,953    (210 )   -3 %
                      

TOTAL ASSETS

   8,761    8,720    41     0 %
                      

Accounts payable

   1,440    1,481    (41 )   -3 %

Loans

   1,301    1,395    (94 )   -7 %

Reserves

   73    85    (12 )   -14 %

Other current liabilities

   401    412    (11 )   -3 %
                      

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

   3,215    3,373    (158 )   -5 %
                      

Loans

   2,295    2,703    (408 )   -15 %

Reserves

   252    234    18     8 %

Other non-current liabilities

   434    209    225     108 %
                      

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

   2,981    3,146    (165 )   -5 %
                      

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   6,196    6,519    (323 )   -5 %
                      

Minority Interest

   54    72    (18 )   -25 %

Shareholders’ equity

   2,511    2,129    382     18 %
                      

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   8,761    8,720    41     0 %
                      

2- Consolidated Loans

 

    

Jun-30

2007

   

Dec-31

2006

    LOGO $     LOGO %  

Corporate Bonds

   1,034     1,014     20     2 %

Banks and others

   220     334     (114 )   -34 %

Accrued interest

   36     42     (6 )   -14 %

Derivaties

   11     5     6     120 %
                        

TOTAL CURRENT LOANS

   1,301     1,395     (94 )   -7 %
                        

Corporate Bonds

   2,392     2,798     (406 )   -15 %

Banks and others

   10     51     (41 )   -80 %

Net Present Value

   (114 )   (146 )   32     -22 %
                        

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LOANS

   2,295     2,703     (408 )   -15 %
                        

TOTAL LOANS

   3,596     4,098     (502 )   -12 %
                        

Derivatives valuation effect (Other Credits)

   117     85     32     38 %

Cash, equivalents and investments

   808     661     147     22 %
                        

Net Financial Debt (without NPV effect)

   2,785     3,498     (713 )   -20 %
                        
     Jun-30     LOGO $     LOGO %  
     2007     2006      

Financial and Holding results

        

Financial results generated by assets

        

Interest on short term investments

   45     35     10     29 %

Foreign currency exchange gains

   7     8     (1 )   -13 %

Other financial results

   (23 )   3     -26    
                        

Total Financial results generated by assets

   29     46     (17 )   -37 %
                        

Financial results generated by liabilities

        

Interest on debt

   (157 )   (187 )   30     -16 %

Others

   (26 )   (58 )   32     -55 %

Foreign currency exchange losses

   (64 )   (98 )   34     -35 %
                        

Total Financial results generated by liabilities

   (247 )   (343 )   96     -28 %
                        

Total Financial and Holding results

   (218 )   (297 )   79     -27 %
                        

 

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3- Consolidated Income Statement Six-Month Comparison

 

     Jun-30     LOGO $     LOGO %  
     2007     2006      

Net revenues

   4,202     3,348     854     26 %

Cost of services provided

   (2,324 )   (2,029 )   (295 )   15 %
                        

GROSS PROFIT

   1,878     1,319     559     42 %
                        

Administrative expenses

   (162 )   (128 )   (34 )   27 %

Selling expenses

   (989 )   (770 )   (219 )   28 %
                        

OPERATING PROFIT

   727     421     306     73 %
                        

Equity income from related companies

   —       6     (6 )   -100 %

Financial and holding results

   (218 )   (297 )   79     -27 %

Other expenses, net

   (58 )   (86 )   28     -33 %

Debt Restructuring Results

   —       —       —       —    
                        

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   451     44     407     925 %
                        

Taxes on income

   (158 )   65     (223 )   -343 %

Minority interest

   (8 )   (10 )   2     -20 %
                        

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   285     99     186    
                        

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   102     —       102     —    
                        

NET INCOME

   387     99     288    
                        

Operating (Loss)/ Profit before D & A

   1,414     1,121     293     26 %
                        

As a % of Net Revenues

   34 %   33 %    
                

4- Consolidated Income Statement Three-Months Comparison

 

     Jun-30     LOGO$     LOGO %  
     2007     2006      

Net revenues

   2,147     1,737     410     24 %

Cost of services provided

   (1,187 )   (1,043 )   (144 )   14 %
                        

GROSS PROFIT

   960     694     266     38 %
                        

Administrative expenses

   (85 )   (65 )   (20 )   31 %

Selling expenses

   (506 )   (405 )   (101 )   25 %
                        

OPERATING PROFIT

   369     224     145     65 %
                        

Equity income from related companies

   —       —       —       —    

Financial and holding results

   (86 )   (114 )   28     -25 %

Other expenses, net

   (26 )   (44 )   18     -41 %

Debt Restructuring Results

   —       —       —       —    
                        

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   257     66     191     289 %
                        

Taxes on income

   (106 )   34     (140 )   -412 %

Minority interest

   (3 )   (5 )   2     -40 %
                        

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   148     95     53    
                        

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   104     1     103    
                        

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

   252     96     156     163 %
                        

Operating (Loss)/ Profit before D & A

   726     575     151     26 %
                        

As a % of Net Revenues

   34 %   33 %    
                

 

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5- Consolidated Revenues Breakdown Six-Month Comparison

 

     Jun-30    LOGO $     LOGO %  
     2007    2006     

Fixed Telephony

   1,130    1,087    43     4 %
                      

Measured service

          

Local

   227    224    3     1 %

DLD

   243    233    10     4 %

Monthly charges

   366    354    12     3 %

Public telephones

   61    69    (8 )   -12 %

Interconnection

   174    146    28     19 %

Others

   59    61    (2 )   -3 %
                      

International Telephony

   128    118    10     8 %
                      

Data transmission & Internet

   331    280    51     18 %
                      

Cellular Telephony

   2,613    1,863    750     40 %
                      

Telecom Personal

   2,436    1,716    720     42 %
                      

Monthly fee and measured service

   567    404    163     40 %

Pre-paid card

   849    516    333     65 %

Calling Party Pays

   265    230    35     15 %

TLRD *

   267    188    79     42 %

Handset sales

   267    228    39     17 %

Others

   221    150    71     47 %
                      

Núcleo

   177    147    30     20 %
                      

Monthly fee and measured service

   30    29    1     3 %

Pre-paid card

   95    70    25     36 %

Calling Party Pays

   19    18    1     6 %

TLRD *

   22    18    4     22 %

Handset sales

   3    4    (1 )   -25 %

Others

   8    8    —       0 %
                      

TOTAL NET REVENUES

   4,202    3,348    854     26 %
                      

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

6- Consolidated Revenues Breakdown Three-Months Comparison

 

     Jun-30    LOGO $     LOGO %  
     2007    2006     

Fixed Telephony

   576    550    26     5 %
                      

Measured service

          

Local

   117    105    12     11 %

DLD

   122    126    (4 )   -3 %

Monthly charges

   184    178    6     3 %

Public telephones

   30    33    (3 )   -9 %

Interconnection

   90    77    13     17 %

Others

   33    31    2     6 %
                      

International Telephony

   63    58    5     9 %
                      

Data transmission & Internet

   167    145    22     15 %
                      

Cellular Telephony

   1,341    984    357     36 %
                      

Telecom Personal

   1,256    905    351     39 %
                      

Monthly fee and measured service

   302    211    91     43 %

Pre-paid card

   431    286    145     51 %

Calling Party Pays

   137    116    21     18 %

TLRD *

   140    98    42     43 %

Handset sales

   143    129    14     11 %

Others

   103    65    38     58 %
                      

Núcleo

   85    79    6     8 %
                      

Monthly fee and measured service

   15    16    (1 )   -6 %

Pre-paid card

   46    38    8     21 %

Calling Party Pays

   9    8    1     13 %

TLRD *

   10    11    (1 )   -9 %

Handset sales

   1    3    (2 )   -67 %

Others

   4    3    1     33 %
                      

TOTAL NET REVENUES

   2,147    1,737    410     24 %
                      

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

 

  9   www.telecom.com.ar


LOGO

 

7- Consolidated Income Statement by segments Six Month Period - Fiscal Year 2007 (In million of Argentine pesos)

 

     Segments     Variation vs 6M
06
 
    

Voice, Data

and Internet

   

Cellular

Telephony

    Consolidated     LOGO $     LOGO %  

NET REVENUES

   1,589     2,613     4,202     854     26 %
                              

Salaries and social security contributions

   (364 )   (99 )   (463 )   (67 )   17 %

Taxes

   (96 )   (225 )   (321 )   (85 )   36 %

Materials and supplies

   (144 )   (54 )   (198 )   (45 )   29 %

Doubtful accounts

   (9 )   (29 )   (38 )   (1 )   3 %

Interconnection cost

   (76 )   —       (76 )   1     -1 %

Settlement charges

   (61 )   —       (61 )   (8 )   15 %

Lease of lines and circuits

   (26 )   (26 )   (52 )   (25 )   93 %

Service fees

   (60 )   (67 )   (127 )   (27 )   27 %

Advertising

   (35 )   (93 )   (128 )   (41 )   47 %

Agent and Prepaid card commissions

   (12 )   (328 )   (340 )   (101 )   42 %

Cost of cellular handsets

   —       (404 )   (404 )   (14 )   4 %

Roaming and TLRD

   —       (347 )   (347 )   (102 )   42 %

Others

   (102 )   (131 )   (233 )   (46 )   25 %
                              

Operating Profit before D & A

   604     810     1,414     293     26 %

Operating Profit before D & A Margin

   38 %   31 %   34 %   —       0 %

Depreciation of fixed assets

   (413 )   (252 )   (665 )   10     -1 %

Amortization of intangible assets

   (6 )   (16 )   (22 )   3     -12 %
                              

OPERATING RESULTS

   185     542     727     306     73 %
                              

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

   —       —       —       (6 )   0 %
                              

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME

   (124 )   (94 )   (218 )   79     -27 %
                              

OTHER EXPENSES, NET

   (45 )   (13 )   (58 )   28     -33 %
                              

INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   16     435     451     407     0 %
                              

Taxes on income

   (63 )   (95 )   (158 )   (223 )   0 %
                              

Minority interest

   —       (8 )   (8 )   (107 )   0 %

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   (47 )   332     285     285     0 %
                              

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   102     —       102     3     0 %

NET INCOME

   55     332     387     387     —    
                              

Consolidated Income Statement by segments Six Month Period - Fiscal Year 2006 (In million of Argentine pesos)

 

     Segments              
    

Voice, Data

and Internet

   

Cellular

Telephony

    Consolidated              

NET REVENUES

   1,485     1,863     3,348      
                      

Salaries and social security contributions

   (324 )   (72 )   (396 )    

Taxes

   (83 )   (153 )   (236 )    

Materials and supplies

   (120 )   (33 )   (153 )    

Doubtful accounts

   (9 )   (28 )   (37 )    

Interconnection cost

   (77 )   —       (77 )    

Settlement charges

   (53 )   —       (53 )    

Lease of lines and circuits

   (15 )   (12 )   (27 )    

Service fees

   (42 )   (58 )   (100 )    

Advertising

   (18 )   (69 )   (87 )    

Agent and Prepaid card commissions

   (9 )   (230 )   (239 )    

Cost of cellular handsets

   —       (390 )   (390 )    

Roaming and TLRD

   —       (245 )   (245 )    

Others

   (89 )   (98 )   (187 )    
                      

Operating Profit before D & A

   646     475     1,121      

Operating Profit before D & A Margin

   44 %   25 %   33 %    

Depreciation of fixed assets

   (474 )   (201 )   (675 )    

Amortization of intangible assets

   (6 )   (19 )   (25 )    
                      

OPERATING RESULTS

   166     255     421      
                      

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

   —       6     6      
                      

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME

   (225 )   (72 )   (297 )    
                      

OTHER EXPENSES, NET

   (52 )   (34 )   (86 )    
                      

INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   (111 )   155     44      
                      

Taxes on income

   58     7     65      
                      

Minority interest

   —       (10 )   (10 )    

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   (53 )   152     99      
                      

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   —       —       —        
                      

NET INCOME

   (53 )   152     99      
                      

 

  10   www.telecom.com.ar


LOGO

 

8- Consolidated Income Statement by segments Three month period - FY 2007 (In million of Arentine pesos)

 

     Segments     Variation vs 2Q
06
 
    

Voice, Data

and Internet

   

Cellular

Telephony

    Consolidated     LOGO $     LOGO %  

NET REVENUES

   806     1,341     2,147     854     49 %
                              

Salaries and social security contributions

   (197 )   (52 )   (249 )   (67 )   32 %

Taxes

   (48 )   (112 )   (160 )   (85 )   70 %

Materials and supplies

   (73 )   (25 )   (98 )   (45 )   54 %

Doubtful accounts

   (4 )   (15 )   (19 )   (1 )   5 %

Interconnection cost

   (45 )   —       (45 )   1     -3 %

Settlement charges

   (24 )   —       (24 )   (8 )   31 %

Lease of lines and circuits

   (17 )   (14 )   (31 )   (25 )   192 %

Service fees

   (34 )   (35 )   (69 )   (27 )   52 %

Advertising

   (24 )   (43 )   (67 )   (41 )   80 %

Agent and Prepaid card commissions

   (6 )   (157 )   (163 )   (101 )   82 %

Cost of cellular handsets

   —       (207 )   (207 )   (14 )   7 %

Roaming and TLRD

   —       (171 )   (171 )   (102 )   88 %

Others

   (50 )   (68 )   (118 )   (46 )   46 %
                              

Operating Profit before D & A

   284     442     726     293     51 %

Operating Profit before D & A Margin

   35 %   33 %   34 %    

Depreciation of fixed assets

   (206 )   (141 )   (347 )   10     -3 %

Amortization of intangible assets

   (3 )   (7 )   (10 )   3     -21 %
                              

OPERATING RESULTS

   75     294     369     306     137 %
                              

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

   —       —       —       (6 )   0 %
                              

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME

   (36 )   (50 )   (86 )   79     -69 %
                              

OTHER EXPENSES, NET

   (21 )   (5 )   (27 )   28     -64 %
                              

INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   18     239     257     407     -925 %
                              

Taxes on income

   (40 )   (66 )   (106 )   (223 )   -338 %
                  

Minority interest

   —       (3 )   (3 )   (107 )   -315 %
                      

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   (22 )   170     148     285    
                              

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   104     —       104     3    

NET INCOME

   82     170     252     387     —    
                              

Consolidated Income Statement by Activities Three month period - FY 2006 (In million of Argentine pesos )

 

     Segments              
    

Voice, Data

and Internet

   

Cellular

Telephony

    Consolidated              

NET REVENUES

   753     984     1,737      
                      

Salaries and social security contributions

   (168 )   (39 )   (207 )    

Taxes

   (41 )   (80 )   (121 )    

Materials and supplies

   (65 )   (18 )   (83 )    

Doubtful accounts

   (4 )   (15 )   (19 )    

Interconnection cost

   (40 )   —       (40 )    

Settlement charges

   (26 )   —       (26 )    

Lease of lines and circuits

   (7 )   (6 )   (13 )    

Service fees

   (22 )   (30 )   (52 )    

Advertising

   (10 )   (41 )   (51 )    

Agent and Prepaid card commissions

   (5 )   (118 )   (123 )    

Cost of cellular handsets

   —       (211 )   (211 )    

Roaming and TLRD

   —       (116 )   (116 )    

Others

   (46 )   (54 )   (100 )    
                      

Operating Profit before D & A

   319     256     575      

Operating Profit before D & A Margin

   42 %   26 %   33 %    

Depreciation of fixed assets

   (234 )   (103 )   (337 )    

Amortization of intangible assets

   (4 )   (10 )   (14 )    
                      

OPERATING RESULTS

   81     143     224      
                      

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

   —       —       —        
                      

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME

   (84 )   (30 )   (114 )    
                      

OTHER EXPENSES, NET

   (27 )   (17 )   (44 )    
                      

INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   (30 )   96     66      
                      

Taxes on income

   38     (4 )   34      

Minority interest

   —       (5 )   (5 )    

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   8     87     95      

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   1     —       1      
                      

NET INCOME

   9     87     96      
                      

 

  11   www.telecom.com.ar


LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Unconsolidated Information

SIX MONTH PERIOD AND SECOND QUARTER—FISCAL YEAR 2007

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

9- Balance Sheet

 

    

Jun-30

2007

  

Dec-31

2006

   LOGO $     LOGO %  

Cash, equivalents and investments

   691    484    207     43 %

Trade receivables

   460    379    81     21 %

Other current assets

   79    56    23     41 %
                      

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

   1,230    919    311     34 %
                      

Other Trade receivables

   317    284    33     12 %

Fixed & Intangible assets

   4,029    4,191    (162 )   -4 %

Investments

   955    872    83     10 %

Other non-current assets

   10    10    —       0 %
                      

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

   5,311    5,357    (46 )   -1 %
                      

TOTAL ASSETS

   6,541    6,276    265     4 %
                      

Accounts payable

   594    543    51     9 %

Loans

   1,036    1,015    21     2 %

Reserves

   66    78    (12 )   -15 %

Other current liabilities

   206    190    16     8 %
                      

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

   1,902    1,826    76     4 %
                      

Loans

   1,525    1,879    (354 )   -19 %

Compensation and social benefits payable

   36    32    4     13 %

Others liabilities

   99    161    (62 )   -39 %

Reserves

   468    249    219     88 %
                      

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

   2,128    2,321    (193 )   -8 %
                      

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   4,030    4,147    (117 )   -3 %
                      

Shareholders’ equity

   2,511    2,129    382     18 %
                      

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   6,541    6,276    265     4 %
                      

10- Income Statement Six-Month Comparison

 

     30-Jun     LOGO $     LOGO %  
     2007     2006      

Net revenues

   1,810     1,641     169     10 %

Cost of services provided

   (976 )   (955 )   (21 )   -2 %
                        

GROSS PROFIT

   834     686     148     22 %
                        

Administrative expenses

   (97 )   (79 )   (18 )   -23 %

Selling expenses

   (332 )   (290 )   (42 )   -14 %
                        

OPERATING PROFIT

   405     317     88     28 %
                        

Equity income from related companies

   113     (6 )   119     0 %

Financial & holding results

   (124 )   (225 )   101     45 %

Other incomes & expenses net

   (44 )   (43 )   (1 )   -2 %
                        

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   350     43     307     0 %
                        

Taxes on income

   (63 )   58     (121 )   -209 %
                        

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   287     101     186     0 %
                        

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   100     (2 )   —       0 %
                        

NET INCOME

   387     99     186     0 %
                        

Operating (Loss)/ Profit before D & A

   823     797     26     3 %
                        

As a % of Net Revenues

   45 %   49 %    
                

11- Income Statement Three-Months Comparison

 

          30-Jun     LOGO $     LOGO %  
          2007     2006      

Net revenues

      920     832     88     0  

Cost of services provided

      (499 )   (486 )   (13 )   -3 %
                           

GROSS PROFIT

      421     346     75     22 %
                           

Administrative expenses

      (54 )   (39 )   (15 )   -38 %

Selling expenses

      (177 )   (150 )   (27 )   -18 %
                           

OPERATING PROFIT

      190     157     33     21 %
                           

Equity income from related companies

      58     7     51     0 %

Financial & holding results

      (36 )   (84 )   48     57 %

Other incomes & expenses net

      (25 )   (22 )   (3 )   -14 %
                           

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

      187     58     129     222 %
                           

Taxes on income

      (40 )   38     (78 )   -205 %
                           

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

      147     96     51     53 %
                           

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

      105     —       —       0 %
                           

NET INCOME

      252     96     51     53 %
                           

Operating (Loss)/ Profit before D & A

      398     395     3     1 %
                           

As a % of Net Revenues

      43 %   47 %    
                   

 

  12   www.telecom.com.ar


SIGNATURES

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

 

  Telecom Argentina S.A.

Date: August 13, 2007

  By:  

/s/ Carlos Alberto Felices

  Name:   Carlos Alberto Felices
  Title:   Chairman of the Board of Directors