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 March, 2008

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 March 7, 2007 regarding Telecom Argentina S.A.’s consolidated annual and fourth quarter results for fiscal year 2007


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    LOGO

Market Cap: P$14.4 billion

March 7, 2008

Contacts:

Pedro Insussarry

Solange Barthe Dennin

Telecom Argentina

(54-11) 4968-3743/3752

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A. ANNOUNCES CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL (“FY07”) AND FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 (“4Q07”)*

 

   

During 2007, the Telecom Argentina Group continued with an important expansion of its business. Consolidated Net Revenues grew 23% vs. the previous year (“FY06”), amounting to P$9,074 million. Major revenue increase came from the Cellular business with an expansion of 34% and from Internet businesses with a growth of 23%, both with respect to FY06.

 

   

The cellular customer base reached 12.3 million (+28%), Broadband subscribers totaled 783,000 (+71%), while fixed lines in service increased by 3% to 4.2 million.

 

   

Operating Profit before Depreciation and Amortization (“OPBDA”) reached P$3,052 million (+34% vs. FY06), equivalent to 34% of Net Revenues, mainly fueled by cellular telephony growth. On the contrary, fixed telephony profitability continues weakening due to frozen tariffs and the inflation effect on the general cost structure.

 

   

Net Income reached P$884 million (2.6x more than FY06). This result includes P$102 million from the sale of the subsidiary Publicom, occurred during the first months of FY07.

 

   

The Telecom Group continued developing its strong investment plan, allocating P$1,441 million during FY07 (+18% vs. FY06), where P$799 million were allocated to fixed telephony (+35% vs. FY06).

 

   

Net Financial Debt (before NPV effect) declined to P$2,055 million (-P$1,443 million vs. December 2006), primarily as a result of the cash flow generated by operations. The Net Financial Debt to OPBDA ratio declined from 1.5x as of the end of FY06, to 0.7x as of the end of FY06.

 

   

On February 19, 2008 Fitch Ratings upgraded the long-term debt rating of Telecom Argentina and Telecom Personal to B+ on the International Scale and to AA- on the Local Scale.

 

    

 

As of December-31

     LOGO      LOGO%  
     2007    2006     

Consolidated Net Revenues (in MM P$)

   9.074    7.372    1.702     23 %

Voice, Data & Internet

   3.302    3.053    249     8 %

Cellular

   5.772    4.319    1.453     34 %

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

   3.052    2.285    767     34 %

Operating Profit (in MM P$)

   1.636    894    742     83 %

Net Income (in MM P$)

   884    244    640     262 %

Shareholder’s equity (in MM P$)

   3.030    2.129    901     42 %

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

   2.055    3.498    (1.443 )   -41 %

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

   1.993    3.352    (1.359 )   -41 %

CAPEX (in MM P$)

   1.441    1.225    216     18 %

Lines in service (Fixed lines -in thousands)

   4.208    4.095    113     3 %

Cellular customers (in thousands)

   12.292    9.589    2.703     28 %

Personal (Argentina)

   10.666    8.425    2.241     27 %

Núcleo (Paraguay)

   1.626    1.164    462     40 %

ADSL customers (in thousands)

   783    457    326     71 %

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

   16.877    16.914    (37 )   0 %

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

   9.946    7.610    2.336     31 %

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

   39    39    —       0 %

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

   39    39    —       0 %

 

* Non-financial data unaudited

 

  1   www.telecom.com.ar


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Buenos Aires, March 7, 2008 – Telecom Argentina (BASE: TECO2, NYSE: TEO), one of Argentina’s leading telecommunications groups, announced today Net Income of P$884 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

     FY07     FY06       LOGO     LOGO%  

Net Revenues (MMP$)

   9.074     7.372     1.702    23 %

Net Income (MMP$)

   884     244     640   

Earnings per Share ($)

   0,90     0,25     0,65   

Earnings per ADR ($)

   4,49     1,24     3,25   

OPBDA *

   34 %   31 %     

Operating Profit *

   18 %   12 %     

Net Income *

   10 %   3 %     

 

*

As a percentage of Net Revenues

During FY07, Consolidated Net Revenues increased 23% (+P$1,702 million vs. FY06) to P$9,074 million, mainly fueled by the cellular and Broadband businesses.

Moreover, OPBDA increased by 34% (+P$767 million) to P$3,052 million (34% of Consolidated Net Revenues). This level of operating profits before depreciation and amortization is consequence of the substantial improvement in revenues, together with a better efficiency in costs.

Company Activities

Consolidated 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$3,302 million, +8% vs. FY06.

Voice

Total Revenues for this service reached P$2,601 million (+5% vs. FY06), despite there was no increase in regulated tariffs during the period.

Monthly Charges and Supplementary Services increased by P$30 million or 4%, to P$746 million, as a consequence of higher number of lines in service (+3%), reaching 4.2 million of lines.

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Revenues generated by traffic (Local Measured Service, Domestic Long Distance and International Telephony) totaled P$1,230 million, with an increase of 4% vs. FY06.

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Interconnection revenues amounted to P$373 million (+17%), mainly fueled by traffic originating in cellular lines but transported by and terminated in fixed-line network.

Public Telephony & Other

Other revenues reached P$252 million, barely exceeding P$250 million in FY06. This amount was affected by an increase in billing & collecting commission and handset sales but partially compensated by a decrease in Public Telephony revenues.

Internet and Data Transmission

Total revenues coming from Internet services reached P$528 million (+23% vs. FY06), due to the increase in the Broadband business, driven by commercial promotions, innovation of service portfolio and better network coverage.

 

  2   www.telecom.com.ar


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Moreover, Telecom’s Broadband subscribers reached 783,000 as of December 2007(+71% vs. Dec-06). Therefore, lines with this type of connections represent approximately 19% of Telecom’s fixed-lines in service.

Telecom confirms its market oriented approach, based on delivering higher velocity solutions, allowing its customers to access increasingly complex multimedia content as well as new value-added services. Since October, Telecom Argentina has improved its Broadband portfolio by automatically upgrading its Arnet 640 K customers to Arnet 1 Mb product. In addition, Telecom launched the Arnet 20 Mb product, the fastest connection available in the Argentine market.

Revenues generated by Data transmission amounted to P$173 million, (+11% vs. FY06). The Company continues actively working with the corporate market, as well as with the Government sector, providing know-how and experience in telecommunication skills, supplying tailor-made and converging systems that integrate voice & data services –for both fixed and cellular services- together with multimedia solutions, all with the latest generation technology, leading the development of VPN-IP (Virtual Private Net on Internet Protocol) and MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching) networks.

In connection with the Government sector, Telecom assists on e-government enterprises, such as solution for administrative management, 911, emergency services and cameras for security and medical treatment. Furthermore, regarding ICT, the Company has endorsed the development of data networks. Therefore, Telecom Datacenter experienced an important growth, assuring high availability of Broadband connectivity, outsourcing and contingency solutions to its clients.

Cellular Telephony

The Cellular Telephony business achieved consolidated growth and increased its participation in the Group´s total revenues (64% vs. 59% in FY06). During FY07 this business generated revenues of P$5,772 million (+34% vs. FY06). Total subscribers reached 12.3 million.

Telecom Personal in Argentina

As of December 31, 2007, Personal’s subscribers reached 10.7 million in Argentina (+2.2 million or +27% vs. FY06). Approximately 66% of the overall subscriber base was prepaid and 34% was postpaid.

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Total voice traffic increased by 31% vs. FY06 while outgoing SMS traffic confirming its higher usage increased from an average of 741 million messages in 4Q06 to an average of 1,016 million (+37%) in 4Q07. Because of this enhancement in traffic and the use of value added services, the Average Monthly Revenue per User (“ARPU”) increased by P$42 in 4Q07, compared to P$40 in 4Q06, positioning the Company as one of the highest ARPUs in the market. Consequently, ARPU determined on an annual basis remained stable at P$39 in FY07 compared to FY06.

Revenues totaled P$5,339 million (+P$1,375 million or +35% vs. FY06). Service revenues increased by P$1,328 million or 39% vs. FY06, while handset sales grew by 9% in the period.

 

  3   www.telecom.com.ar


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Reconfirming its strong focus on technological innovation, Personal continued the expansion of its Third Generation Network (3G/3.5G). In anticipation to the summer season, during 4Q07, the Company introduced the latest services for 3G in main Argentine tourist cities and also in Uruguay, adding them to those existing coverage available in Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Rosario.

In terms of products and services, further agreements to introduce exclusive mobile content to the Multimedia Portal WAP were executed. The development of innovative value-added services was also such enhanced, with Full Track Download (Full MP3) and instant messages, together with MSN.

In addition, Personal continued with the expansion of its commercial network by opening new customer offices. As of December 2007, Personal counted with 45 commercial offices, gaining commercial capillarity and confirming its institutional presence throughout Argentina. Accordingly, customer satisfaction was enhanced, mainly by improving waiting time and increasing dedicated attention.

Núcleo

Personal’s controlled subsidiary that operates in Paraguay, generated revenues equivalent to P$433 million (+22% vs. FY06).

By the end of the year 2007, the subscriber base reached approximately 1.6 million, +40% vs. FY06. Prepaid and Postpaid customers represented 90% and 10%, respectively.

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Consolidated Operating Costs

The Cost of Services Provided, Administrative Expenses and Selling Expenses totaled P$7,438 million in FY07, which represents an increase of P$960 million or +15% vs. FY06. Notwithstanding, as a percentage of Net Revenues, this evolution represents a decrease of 600 basis points (88% in FY06 vs. 82% in FY07) which means an improvement in efficiency and better use of costs.

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The breakdown of costs is as follow:

- Salaries and Social Security Contributions: P$960 million (+16%), affected by raising salaries and an increase of cellular business personnel (+283 in FY07 vs. FY06).

- Taxes: P$660 million (+22%), in line with the general evolution of revenue volume.

- Agents and Prepaid Card Commissions: $704 million (+28%), due to the expansion of subscribers and the volume of the prepaid cards sold.

- Advertising: P$306 million (+36%) to support commercial activity in cellular telephony and internet.

- Cost of Voice, Data & Cellular handsets: decreased to P$893 million (-11%) as a consequence of fewer handset sales, taking into account the level of market penetration reached and due to a lower number of handsets upgrade from TDMA to GSM.

 

  4   www.telecom.com.ar


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- TLRD and Roaming: P$760 million (+31%) due to increased traffic among cellular operators.

- Depreciation of Fixed and Intangible Assets: P$1,416 million, stable when compared to FY06. Fixed-line telephony totaled P$828 million and Cellular telephony $588 million.

Consolidated Financial and Holding Results

Financial and Holding Results resulted in a loss of P$441 million, as compared to the P$484 million loss registered in FY06. Although net interest decreased by P$145 million such reduction was compensated by the effect of foreign currency exchange (-P$42 million) and holding losses on handsets inventories (P$54 million).

Net Financial Debt

As of December 31, 2007, Net Financial Debt (Loans before the effect of NPV valuation, minus Cash, Cash Equivalents and Other credits from derivative Investments) amounted to P$2,055 million, a reduction of P$1,443 million as compared to December 2006. This decrease is due to the generation of operating cash flow and the result of Publicom sale that permitted debt cancellation for P$1,290 million (P$889 million in Telecom Argentina and P$401 million in Telecom Personal).

Consolidated Capital Expenditures

A total amount of P$1,441 million (including material by P$139 million) was invested in fixed and intangibles assets. Such amount was allocated between the Voice, Data and Internet businesses (P$799 million) and the cellular business (P$642 million).

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Main Capex projects the Voice, Data and Internet Businesses related to the expansion of Broadband services and the upgrade of the network for services of a new generation (NGN), while in the cellular business, improvement of the network (capacity, coverage and 3G), and the launch of new and innovative value-added services, were areas of focus.

Commercial Initiatives

Within the technological upgrade initiated by Telecom in the fixed-line business, three outstanding announcements were made:

In connection with SMEs target, Telecom renewed its portfolio of services, with integrated solutions that combine fixed and mobile telephony, data transmission and internet, thus strengthening its position as integrated provider of telecommunication solutions.

Regarding the mass market, the Company launched for the first time in the country, the SMS (Short Message Service) for fixed lines, as a first step of several innovations that Telecom will offer its residential clients, and which will change home communications.

In addition, in December 2007 Telecom Argentina launched video-call product, becoming then the first operator in South America to provide a service that integrates voice and video for mass market.

Recent Relevant Matters

The Board of Directors of Telecom Personal has submitted for consideration of its Shareholder´s Meeting a cash distribution of dividends for an amount of P$220 million.

On February 19, 2008 Fitch Ratings upgraded the long-term debt rating of Telecom Argentina and Telecom Personal to B+ from B on the International Scale and to AA- from A on the Local Scale.

***********

 

  5   www.telecom.com.ar


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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.

 

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 December 31, 2007, Telecom had 984,380,978 shares outstanding.

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(*) Employee Stock Ownership Program

For more information, please contact the Investor Relations Department:

 

Pedro Insussarry

54-11-4968-3743

 

Solange Barthe Dennin

54-11-4968-3752

 

Evangelina Sánchez

54-11-4968-3718

  

Ruth Fuhrmann

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.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.

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(Financial tables follow)

*******

Carlos Felices

Chairman

*******

 

  6   www.telecom.com.ar


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TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Consolidated information

ANNUAL PERIOD AND FOURTH QUARTER - FISCAL YEAR 2007

(In millions of Argentine pesos, except statistical data )

 

1-

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

        
         Dec-31
2007
    Dec-31
2006
    LOGO $     LOGO %  
 

Cash, equivalents and investments

   992     661     331     50 %
 

Trade receivables

   898     743     155     21 %
 

Other current assets

   494     363     131     36 %
                          
 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

   2.384     1.767     617     35 %
                          
 

Fixed & Intangible assets

   6.498     6.520     (22 )   0 %
 

Other non-current assets

   289     433     (144 )   -33 %
                          
 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

   6.787     6.953     (166 )   -2 %
                          
 

TOTAL ASSETS

   9.171     8.720     451     5 %
                          
 

Accounts payable

   1.640     1.481     159     11 %
 

Loans

   1.474     1.395     79     6 %
 

Reserves

   49     85     (36 )   -42 %
 

Other current liabilities

   480     412     68     17 %
                          
 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

   3.643     3.373     270     8 %
                          
 

Loans

   1.724     2.703     (979 )   -36 %
 

Reserves

   243     234     9     4 %
 

Other non-current liabilities

   452     209     243     116 %
                          
 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

   2.419     3.146     (727 )   -23 %
                          
 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   6.062     6.519     (457 )   -7 %
                          
 

Minority Interest

   79     72     7     10 %
 

Shareholders’ equity

   3.030     2.129     901     42 %
                          
 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   9.171     8.720     451     5 %
                          

2-

 

Consolidated Loans

        
         Dec-31
2007
    Dec-31
2006
    LOGO $     LOGO %  
 

Corporate Bonds

   1.372     1.014     358     35 %
 

Banks and others

   69     334     (265 )   -79 %
 

Accrued interest

   30     42     (12 )   -29 %
 

Derivatives

   3     5     (2 )   -40 %
                          
 

TOTAL CURRENT LOANS

   1.474     1.395     79     6 %
                          
 

Corporate Bonds

   1.781     2.798     (1.017 )   -36 %
 

Banks and others

   5     51     (46 )   -90 %
 

Net Present Value

   (62 )   (146 )   84     -58 %
                          
 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LOANS

   1.724     2.703     (979 )   -36 %
                          
 

TOTAL LOANS

   3.198     4.098     (900 )   -22 %
                          
 

Derivatives valuation effect (Other Credits)

   212     85     127     149 %
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   993     661     332     50 %
                          
 

NET FINANCIAL DEBT (without NPV effect)

   2.055     3.498     (1.443 )   -41 %
                          
 

Financial and Holding results

        
  Financial results generated by assets         
     Dec-31

2007

 

 

  Dec-31

2006

 

 

  LOGO $     LOGO %  
 

Interest on short term investments

   95     77     18     23 %
 

Foreign currency exchange gains

   26     6     20     333 %
 

Holding results generated by inventories

   (59 )   (5 )   (54 )   1080 %
 

Other financial results

   —       8     (8 )   -100 %
                          
 

Total Financial results generated by assets

   62     86     (24 )   -28 %
                          
 

Financial results generated by liabilities

        
 

Interest on debt

   (355 )   (482 )   127     -26 %
 

Others

   4     2     2     100 %
 

Foreign currency exchange losses

   (152 )   (90 )   (62 )   69 %
                          
 

Total Financial results generated by liabilities

   (503 )   (570 )   67     -12 %
                          
 

TOTAL FINANCIAL AND HOLDING RESULTS

   (441 )   (484 )   43     -9 %
                          

 

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Consolidated Income Statement

        
  

Annual Comparison

        
          Dec-31
2007
    Dec-31
2006
    LOGO $     LOGO %  
  

Net revenues

   9.074     7.372     1.702     23 %
  

Cost of services provided

   (4.963 )   (4.484 )   (479 )   11 %
                           
  

GROSS PROFIT

   4.111     2.888     1.223     42 %
                           
  

Administrative expenses

   (342 )   (267 )   (75 )   28 %
  

Selling expenses

   (2.133 )   (1.727 )   (406 )   24 %
                           
  

OPERATING PROFIT

   1.636     894     742     83 %
                           
  

Equity income from related companies

   —       5     (5 )   -100 %
  

Financial and holding results

   (441 )   (484 )   43     -9 %
  

Other expenses, net

   (98 )   (184 )   86     -47 %
                           
  

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   1.097     231     866     375 %
                           
  

Taxes on income

   (292 )   22     (314 )   -1427 %
               
  

Minority interest

   (23 )   (22 )   (1 )   5 %
                           
  

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   782     231     551     239 %
                           
  

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   102     13     89     685 %
                           
  

NET INCOME

   884     244     640     262 %
                           
  

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE D & A

   3.052     2.285     767     34 %
                           
  

As a % of Net Revenues

   34 %   31 %    
                   

4-

  

Consolidated Income Statement

        
  

Three-Months Comparison

        
          Dec-31
2007
    Dec-31
2006
    LOGO $     LOGO %  
  

Net revenues

   2.559     2.130     429     20 %
  

Cost of services provided

   (1.404 )   (1.315 )   (89 )   7 %
                           
  

GROSS PROFIT

   1.155     815     340     42 %
                           
  

Administrative expenses

   (99 )   (63 )   (36 )   57 %
  

Selling expenses

   (621 )   (533 )   (88 )   17 %
                           
  

OPERATING PROFIT

   435     219     216     99 %
                           
  

Equity income from related companies

   —       (1 )   1     -100 %
  

Financial and holding results

   (118 )   (71 )   (47 )   66 %
  

Other expenses, net

   (22 )   (57 )   35     -61 %
                           
  

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   295     90     205     228 %
                           
  

Taxes on income

   (17 )   (15 )   (2 )   13 %
  

Minority interest

   (8 )   (7 )   (1 )   14 %
                           
  

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   270     68     202     297 %
                           
  

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   —       12     (12 )   -100 %
                           
  

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

   270     80     190     238 %
                           
  

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE D & A

   800     555     245     44 %
                           
  

As a % of Net Revenues

   31 %   26 %    
                   

 

  8   www.telecom.com.ar


LOGO

 

5-

  

Consolidated Revenues Breakdown

         
  

Annual Comparison

         
          Dec-31
2007
   Dec-31
2006
    LOGO $     LOGO %  
  

Fixed Telephony

   2.331    2.225     106     5 %
                          
  

Measured service

         
  

Local

   462    456     6     1 %
  

DLD

   498    485     13     3 %
  

Monthly charges

   746    716     30     4 %
  

Public telephones

   117    131     (14 )   -11 %
  

Interconnection

   373    318     55     17 %
  

Others

   135    119     16     13 %
                          
  

International Telephony

   270    242     28     12 %
                          
  

Data transmission & Internet

   701    586     115     20 %
                          
  

Data

   173    156     17     11 %
  

Internet

   528    430     98     23 %
  

Measured service

   60    82     (22 )   -27 %
  

Monthly charges

   464    346     118     34 %
  

Modems

   4    2     2     100 %
                          
  

Cellular Telephony

   5.772    4.319     1.453     34 %
                          
  

Telecom Personal

   5.339    3.964     1.375     35 %
                          
  

Monthly fee and measured service

   1.181    842     339     40 %
  

Pre-paid card

   807    562     245     44 %
  

Calling Party Pays

   558    484     74     15 %
  

TLRD *

   592    416     176     42 %
  

VAS

   1.264    815     449     55 %
  

Handset sales

   583    536     47     9 %
  

Others

   354    309     45     15 %
                          
  

Núcleo

   433    355     78     22 %
                          
  

Monthly fee and measured service

   63    64     (1 )   -2 %
  

Pre-paid card

   238    180     58     32 %
  

Calling Party Pays

   41    41     —       0 %
  

TLRD *

   53    43     10     23 %
  

VAS

   5    1     4     400 %
  

Handset sales

   7    8     (1 )   -13 %
  

Others

   26    18     8     44 %
                          
  

TOTAL NET REVENUES

   9.074    7.372     1.702     23 %
                          
  

 

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

         

6-

  

Consolidated Revenues Breakdown

         
  

Three-Months Comparison

         
          Dec-31
2007
   Dec-31
2006
    LOGO $     LOGO %  
  

Fixed Telephony

   615    577     38     7 %
                          
  

Measured service

         
  

Local

   116    119     (3 )   -3 %
  

DLD

   133    125     8     6 %
  

Monthly charges

   191    183     8     4 %
  

Public telephones

   28    31     (3 )   -10 %
  

Interconnection

   100    90     10     11 %
  

Others

   47    29     18     62 %
                          
  

International Telephony

   76    69     7     10 %
                          
  

Data transmission & Internet

   191    158     33     21 %
                          
  

Data

   47    43     4     9 %
  

Internet

   144    115     29     25 %
                          
  

Cellular Telephony

   1.677    1.326     351     26 %
                          
  

Telecom Personal

   1.540    1.216     324     27 %
                          
  

Monthly fee and measured service

   334    209     125     60 %
  

Pre-paid card

   227    (310 )   537     -173 %
  

Calling Party Pays

   151    129     22     17 %
  

TLRD *

   166    118     48     41 %
  

VAS

   391    711     (320 )   -45 %
  

Handset sales

   182    167     15     9 %
  

Others

   89    192     (103 )   -54 %
                          
  

Núcleo

   137    110     27     25 %
                          
  

Monthly fee and measured service

   14    18     (4 )   -22 %
  

Pre-paid card

   77    60     17     28 %
  

Calling Party Pays

   11    12     (1 )   -8 %
  

TLRD *

   15    13     2     15 %
  

VAS

   2    (3 )   5     -167 %
  

Handset sales

   3    3     —       0 %
  

Others

   15    7     8     114 %
                          
  

TOTAL NET REVENUES

   2.559    2.130     429     20 %
                          
  

 

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

         

 

  9   www.telecom.com.ar


LOGO

 

7-

  

Consolidated Income Statement by segments

          
  

Fiscal Year 2007

          
  

(In million of Argentine pesos)

          
          Segments     Variation vs
FY06
 
          Voice, Data
and Internet
    Cellular
Telephony
    Consolidated     LOGO $     LOGO %  
  

NET REVENUES

   3.302     5.772     9.074     1.702     23 %
                                 
  

Salaries and social security contributions

   (744 )   (216 )   (960 )   (131 )   16 %
  

Taxes

   (196 )   (464 )   (660 )   (121 )   22 %
  

Materials and supplies

   (307 )   (140 )   (447 )   (130 )   41 %
  

Doubtful accounts

   (12 )   (59 )   (71 )   (8 )   13 %
  

Interconnection cost

   (151 )   —       (151 )   8     -5 %
  

Settlement charges

   (138 )   —       (138 )   (27 )   24 %
  

Lease of lines and circuits

   (58 )   (43 )   (101 )   (45 )   80 %
  

Service fees

   (140 )   (160 )   (300 )   (41 )   16 %
  

Advertising

   (89 )   (217 )   (306 )   (81 )   36 %
  

Agent and Prepaid card commissions

   (29 )   (675 )   (704 )   (156 )   28 %
  

Cost of voice, data and cellular handsets

   (18 )   (875 )   (893 )   106     -11 %
  

Roaming and TLRD

   —       (760 )   (760 )   (178 )   31 %
  

Others

   (234 )   (297 )   (531 )   (131 )   33 %
                                 
  

Operating Profit before D & A

   1.186     1.866     3.052     767     34 %
  

Depreciation of fixed assets

   (815 )   (562 )   (1.377 )   (35 )   3 %
  

Amortization of intangible assets

   (13 )   (26 )   (39 )   10     -20 %
                                 
  

OPERATING RESULTS

   358     1.278     1.636     742     83 %
                                 
  

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

   —       —       —       (5 )   -100 %
                                 
  

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME

   (262 )   (179 )   (441 )   43     -9 %
                                 
  

OTHER EXPENSES, NET

   (61 )   (37 )   (98 )   86     -47 %
                                 
  

INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   35     1.062     1.097     866     375 %
                                 
  

Taxes on income

   (60 )   (232 )   (292 )   (314 )   -1427 %
  

Minority interest

   —       (23 )   (23 )   (1 )   5 %
                                 
  

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   (25 )   807     782     551     239 %
                                 
  

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   102     —       102     89     685 %
                                 
  

NET INCOME

   77     807     884     640     3  
                                 

 

  

Consolidated Income Statement by segments

      
  

Fiscal Year 2006

      
  

(In million of Argentine pesos)

      
          Segments  
          Voice, Data
and Internet
    Cellular
Telephony
    Consolidated  
  

NET REVENUES

   3.053     4.319     7.372  
                     
  

Salaries and social security contributions

   (663 )   (166 )   (829 )
  

Taxes

   (175 )   (364 )   (539 )
  

Materials and supplies

   (227 )   (90 )   (317 )
  

Doubtful accounts

   (16 )   (47 )   (63 )
  

Interconnection cost

   (159 )   —       (159 )
  

Settlement charges

   (111 )   —       (111 )
  

Lease of lines and circuits

   (30 )   (26 )   (56 )
  

Service fees

   (107 )   (152 )   (259 )
  

Advertising

   (70 )   (155 )   (225 )
  

Agent and Prepaid card commissions

   (21 )   (527 )   (548 )
  

Cost of voice, data and cellular handsets

   (26 )   (973 )   (999 )
  

Roaming and TLRD

   —       (582 )   (582 )
  

Others

   (186 )   (214 )   (400 )
                     
  

Operating Profit before D & A

   1.262     1.023     2.285  
  

Depreciation of fixed assets

   (924 )   (418 )   (1.342 )
  

Amortization of intangible assets

   (11 )   (38 )   (49 )
                     
  

OPERATING RESULTS

   327     567     894  
                     
  

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

   (1 )   6     5  
                     
  

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME

   (375 )   (109 )   (484 )
                     
  

Other expenses, Net

   (137 )   (47 )   (184 )
                     
  

INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   (186 )   417     231  
                     
  

Taxes on income

   33     (11 )   22  
                     
  

Minority interest

   —       (22 )   (22 )
  

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   (153 )   384     231  
                     
  

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   13     —       13  
                     
  

NET INCOME

   (140 )   384     244  
                     

 

  10   www.telecom.com.ar


LOGO

 

8-

  

Consolidated Income Statement by segments

          
  

Fourth month period - FY 2007

          
  

(In million of Argentine pesos)

    
      Segments     Variation vs4Q06   
          Voice, Data
and Internet
    Cellular
Telephony
    Consolidated     LOGO $     LOGO %  
  

NET REVENUES

   882     1.677     2.559     429     20 %
                                 
  

Salaries and social security contributions

   (187 )   (61 )   (248 )   (23 )   10 %
  

Taxes

   (53 )   (140 )   (193 )   (33 )   21 %
  

Materials and supplies

   (84 )   (46 )   (130 )   (26 )   25 %
  

Doubtful accounts

   —       (12 )   (12 )   —       0 %
  

Interconnection cost

   (38 )   —       (38 )   44     -54 %
  

Settlement charges

   (37 )   —       (37 )   (45 )   -563 %
  

Lease of lines and circuits

   (18 )   (17 )   (35 )   (19 )   119 %
  

Service fees

   (43 )   (47 )   (90 )   (12 )   15 %
  

Advertising

   (38 )   (69 )   (107 )   (28 )   35 %
  

Agent and Prepaid card commissions

   (10 )   (186 )   (196 )   (13 )   7 %
  

Cost of cellular handsets

   (18 )   (278 )   (296 )   22     -7 %
  

Roaming and TLRD

   —       (216 )   (216 )   (13 )   6 %
  

Others

   (70 )   (91 )   (161 )   (38 )   31 %
                                 
  

Operating Profit before D & A

   286     514     800     245     44 %
  

Depreciation of fixed assets

   (199 )   (159 )   (358 )   (34 )   10 %
  

Amortization of intangible assets

   (3 )   (4 )   (7 )   5     -42 %
                                 
  

OPERATING RESULTS

   84     351     435     216     99 %
                                 
  

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

   —       —       —       1     0 %
                                 
  

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME

   (90 )   (28 )   (118 )   (47 )   66 %
                                 
  

Other expenses, net

   (1 )   (21 )   (22 )   162     -88 %
                                 
  

INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   (7 )   302     295     205     -111 %
                                 
  

Taxes on income

   43     (60 )   (17 )   (2 )   -2 %
  

Minority interest

   —       (8 )   (8 )   (1 )   7 %
                                 
  

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   36     234     270     202     -2886 %
                                 
  

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   —       —       —       (12 )   -15 %
  

NET INCOME

   36     234     270     190    
                                 

 

 

Consolidated Income Statement by Activities

Fourth month period - FY 2006

(In million of Argentine pesos)

  
     Segments  
         Voice, Data
and Internet
    Cellular
Telephony
    Consolidated  
 

NET REVENUES

   804     1.326     2.130  
                    
 

Salaries and social security contributions

   (175 )   (50 )   (225 )
 

Taxes

   (47 )   (113 )   (160 )
 

Materials and supplies

   (75 )   (29 )   (104 )
 

Doubtful accounts

   (4 )   (8 )   (12 )
 

Interconnection cost

   (82 )   —       (82 )
 

Settlement charges

   8     —       8  
 

Lease of lines and circuits

   (8 )   (8 )   (16 )
 

Service fees

   (31 )   (47 )   (78 )
 

Advertising

   (33 )   (46 )   (79 )
 

Agent and Prepaid card commissions

   (5 )   (178 )   (183 )
 

Cost of cellular handsets

   —       (318 )   (318 )
 

Roaming and TLRD

   —       (203 )   (203 )
 

Others

   (55 )   (68 )   (123 )
                    
 

Operating Profit before D & A

   297     258     555  
 

Depreciation of fixed assets

   (215 )   (109 )   (324 )
 

Amortization of intangible assets

   (3 )   (9 )   (12 )
                    
 

OPERATING RESULTS

   79     140     219  
                    
 

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

   (1 )   —       (1 )
                    
 

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING INCOME

   (58 )   (13 )   (71 )
                    
 

Other expenses, Net

   (137 )   (47 )   (184 )
                    
 

INCOME FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   (37 )   127     90  
                    
 

Taxes on income

   (11 )   (4 )   (15 )
 

Minority interest

   —       (7 )   (7 )
 

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   (48 )   116     68  
 

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   12     —       12  
                    
 

NET INCOME

   (36 )   116     80  
                    

 

  11   www.telecom.com.ar


LOGO

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A.

Unconsolidated Information

ANNUAL PERIOD AND FOURTH QUARTER - FISCAL YEAR 2007

(In millions of Argentine pesos)

 

9-

  

Balance Sheet

        
          Dec-31
2007
    Dec-31
2006
    LOGO $     LOGO %  
  

Cash, equivalents and investments

   755     484     271     56 %
  

Trade receivables

   438     379     59     16 %
  

Other current assets

   283     56     227     405 %
                           
  

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

   1.476     919     557     61 %
                           
  

Other Trade receivables

   258     284     (26 )   -9 %
  

Fixed & Intangible assets

   4.073     4.191     (118 )   -3 %
  

Investments

   1.192     847     345     41 %
  

Other non-current assets

   5     10     (5 )   -50 %
  

Assets from discontinued operations

   —       25 #   (25 )   -100 %
                           
  

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

   5.528     5.357     171     3 %
                           
  

TOTAL ASSETS

   7.004     6.276     728     12 %
                           
  

Accounts payable

   761     543     218     40 %
  

Loans

   1.360     1.015     345     34 %
  

Reserves

   39     78     (39 )   -50 %
  

Other current liabilities

   226     190     36     19 %
                           
  

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

   2.386     1.826     560     31 %
                           
  

Loans

   967     1.879     (912 )   -49 %
  

Compensation and social benefits payable

   43     32     11     34 %
  

Taxes Payable

   283     161 #   122     76 %
  

Others liabilities

   99     85     14     16 %
  

Reserves

   196     164     32     20 %
                           
  

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

   1.588     2.321     (733 )   -32 %
                           
  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   3.974     4.147     (173 )   -4 %
                           
  

Shareholders’ equity

   3.030     2.129     901     42 %
                           
  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   7.004     6.276     728     12 %
                           

10-

  

Income Statement

        
  

Annual Comparison

        
          Dec-31
2007
    Dec-31
2006
    LOGO $     LOGO %  
  

Net revenues

   3.772     3.404     368     11 %
  

Cost of services provided

   (2.029 )   (1.943 )   (86 )   -4 %
                           
  

GROSS PROFIT

   1.743     1.461     282     19 %
                           
  

Administrative expenses

   (197 )   (162 )   (35 )   -22 %
  

Selling expenses

   (720 )   (635 )   (85 )   -13 %
                           
  

OPERATING PROFIT

   826     664     162     24 %
                           
  

Equity income from related companies

   328     34     294     865 %
  

Financial & holding results

   (260 )   (376 )   116     31 %
  

Other incomes & expenses net

   (51 )   (120 )   69     58 %
                           
  

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   843     202     641     317 %
                           
  

Taxes on income

   (59 )   33     (92 )   -279 %
                           
  

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   784     235     549     234 %
                           
  

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   100     9     91     1011 %
                       
  

NET INCOME

   884     244     640     262 %
                           
  

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D & A

   1.653     1.598     55     3 %
                           
  

As a % of Net Revenues

   44 %   47 %    
                   
  

Financial and Holding results

        
  

Financial results generated by assets

        
      Dec-31

2007

 

 

  Dec-31

2006

 

 

  LOGO $     LOGO %  
  

Interest on short term investments

   75     57     18     32 %
  

Foreign currency exchange gains

   21     9     12     133 %
  

Other financial results

   —       11     -11     0 %
                           
  

Total Financial results generated by assets

   96     77     19     25 %
                           
  

Financial results generated by liabilities

   —       —       —       —    
  

Interest on debt

   (240 )   (352 )   112     -31.8 %
  

Others

   (116 )   (101 )   (15 )   14,9 %
                           
  

TOTAL FINANCIAL RESULTS GENERATE BY LIABILITIES

   (356 )   (453 )   97     -21.4 %
                           
  

TOTAL FINANCIAL AND HOLDING RESULTS

   (260 )   (376 )   116     -30.9 %
                           

11-

  

Income Statement

        
  

Three-Months Comparison

        
          Dec-31
2007
    Dec-31
2006
    LOGO $     LOGO %  
  

Net revenues

   1.016     909     107     12 %
  

Cost of services provided

   (532 )   (504 )   (28 )   -6 %
                           
  

GROSS PROFIT

   484     405     79     20 %
                           
  

Administrative expenses

   (53 )   (40 )   (13 )   -33 %
  

Selling expenses

   (214 )   (186 )   (28 )   -15 %
                           
  

OPERATING PROFIT

   217     179     38     21 %
                           
  

Equity income from related companies

   93     11     82     745 %
  

Financial & holding results

   (90 )   (58 )   (32 )   -55 %
  

Other incomes & expenses net

   6     (52 )   58     112 %
                           
  

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   226     80     146     183 %
                           
  

Taxes on income

   44     (11 )   55     500 %
  

NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   270     69     201     291 %
                           
  

RESULTS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

   —       11     (11 )   -100 %
                           
  

NET INCOME

   270     80     190     238 %
                           
  

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D & A

   419     397     22     6 %
                           
  

As a % of Net Revenues

   41 %   44 %    
                   

 

  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: March 10, 2008   By:  

/s/ Carlos Alberto Felices

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