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 11, 2004

 

Commission File Number: 001-13464

 


 

Telecom Argentina STET-France Telecom 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 STET-France Telecom S.A.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

    
1.    Telecom Argentina S.A. Announces Consolidated Annual (“FY03”) and Fourth Quarter Results for Fiscal Year 2003 (“4Q03”)*


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Market Cap: P$6.0 billion

(March 9, 2004)

 

Contacts:

       

Pedro Insussarry

     

Marlene Wechselblatt

Pablo Caride

     

Golin/Harris International

Telecom Argentina

     

(212) 697-9191

(54-11) 4968-3627/3626

       

 

TELECOM ARGENTINA S.A. ANNOUNCES

CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL (“FY03”) AND

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003 (“4Q03”) *

 

MAJOR EVENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS

 

The devaluation of the Argentine Peso against the US Dollar and the Euro was the main cause for the net loss of P$428 MM registered in 4Q03. This confirms the vulnerability of the Company’s earnings results to the fluctuation of the foreign exchange rate.

 

During FY03 the following results were registered:

 

  Ø Net Revenues amounted to P$3,753MM (-P$259 MM or -6% vs. FY02)

 

  Ø Operating Profit amounted to P$107 MM (+P$311 MM vs. FY02) maintaining the trend evidenced in the previous quarter. It must be noted that the Fixed Telephony business is still generating operating losses.

 

  Ø Net Profit of P$351 MM (+P$4,737 MM vs FY02) was mainly due the Debt Restructuring Results originated by the Cash Tender Offer for the financial debt (P$376 MM), both occurred in the first half of FY03.

 

In spite of the Net Profit registered during FY03, the Company still maintains an accumulated Net Loss which amounted to P$3,137 MM.

 

Shareholders Equity amounted to P$1,168 MM.

 

Net Financial Debt as of December 31, 2003 reached P$7,578 MM.

 

  Ø The Financial Indebtedness Ratio (Net Financial Debt / Shareholders equity) increased to 6.49 (from 4.73 as of September 30, 2003).

 

On January 9, 2004 the Company announced its comprehensive debt restructuring proposal, that will be implemented through an “Acuerdo Preventivo Extrajudicial”, or an out-of-court restructuring agreement governed by Argentine law (“APE”). The launch of the APE is subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities.

 

The operations of the Company are still being influenced by the pesification and freeze of regulated tariffs.

 

     As of December 31

             
     2003

   2002

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Net revenues (in MM P$)

   3.753    4.012     (259 )   -6 %

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

   1.984    1.887     97     5 %

Operating Profit/(Loss) (in MM P$)

   107    (204 )   311     -152 %

Net income / (loss) (in MM P$)

   351    (4.386 )   4.737     -108 %

Shareholder’s equity (in MM P$)

   1.168    817     351     43 %

Net financial debt (in MM P$)

   7.578    9.817     (2.239 )   -23 %

Lines in service

   3.656.000    3.590.000     66.000     2 %

Cellular customers (Argentina & Paraguay)

   3.130.000    2.710.000     420.000     15 %

Arnet subscribers ( in thousands )

                       

Dial-up

   155    147     8     5 %

ADSL

   45    30     15     50 %

Fixed traffic (in MM minutes)

   23.678    22.570     1.108     5 %

Incoming/Outgoing cellular traffic (in MM minutes)

   2.529    2.063     466     23 %

Fixed ARPU (non-adjusted P$)

   39    36     3     8 %

Cellular ARPU (non-adjusted P$)

   32    25     7     28 %

CAPEX (in MM P$)

   182    238     (56 )   -24 %

 

* Non-financial data unaudited.

 

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Buenos Aires, March 9, 2004 — Telecom Argentina STET-France Telecom S.A. (corporate denomination has been modified to “Telecom Argentina S.A. by resolution of the Shareholders Meeting held on February 18, 2004.; the inscription of such change is currently in process) (BASE: TECO2, NYSE: TEO), one of Argentina’s largest telecommunications companies, announced today a consolidated net gain of P$351 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 (“FY03”). Comparatively, consolidated net loss for fiscal year 2002 (“FY02”), was P$4,386 million. A consolidated net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003 (“4Q03”) of P$428 million was reported mainly due to the impact of the depreciation of the peso against the Euro and the US Dollar. Comparatively, consolidated net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2002 (“4Q02”) was P$249 million.

 

Earnings per share and ADR for FY03 amounted to P$0.36 and P$1.78, respectively. Loss per share and ADR for FY02, were P$(4.46) and P$(22.28), respectively. Loss per share and ADR for 4Q03 amounted to P$(0.43) and P$(2.17), respectively. In comparison, earnings/(loss) per share and ADR for 4Q02 were P$(0.25) and P$(1.26), respectively.

 

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization, operating profit/(loss) and net income/(loss) for FY03 represented, 53%, 3% and 9% of net sales, respectively; compared with 47%, (5%) and (109%), respectively, for FY02. Operating profit before depreciation and amortization, operating profit/(loss) and net income/(loss) for 4Q03 represented 52%, 8% and (41%) of net sales, respectively compared with 54%, (7%) and (29%), respectively, for 4Q02.

 

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As indicated in Note 3 of the Financial Statements, such statements have been prepared in accordance to the legal accounting rules established by the Comisión Nacional de Valores (“CNV”), that recognizes the inflationary effect up to February 28, 2003, the date on which the CNV has required the Companies under its supervision to discontinue the inflation adjustment method. Accordingly, the figures as of December 31, 2002 have been adjusted using the adjustment factor of 1.0074 that corresponds to the Wholesale Price Index for the period December 2002 to February 2003.

 

Moreover, in Point 9 of the financial tables included herein, the Company is including additional information in order to provide a better understanding of the business, including figures that have not been adjusted by inflation and which were used as the base for the information presented in constant pesos. Comments related to variations in revenues and costs for the different activities correspond to figures “non-adjusted by inflation” or “current pesos”, and are related to the mentioned tables.

 

Company Activities

 

Consolidated Net Revenues

 

Consolidated net revenues for FY03 totaled P$3,753 million, a decrease of P$259 million, or 6%, compared with P$4,012 million for FY02. Revenues for the period, without the adjustment for inflation, would have reached P$3,752 million, an increase of P$524 million, or 16%, compared to FY02 (P$3,228 million). The increase can be largely attributed to the recovery in demand, particularly in the cellular business in Argentina.

 

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Measured service, the main component of revenues in the basic telephony business, decreased by P$102 million, or 10%, to P$917 million during FY03 compared to FY02 (P$1,019 million). Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$101 million, or 12%. Revenues from local telephony increased due to higher traffic while revenues from domestic long distance increased also as a consequence of higher traffic and higher average rates due to the reduction in promotional discounts given to customers.

 

Total traffic volume (Local and DLD), measured in minutes, increased by 3% for FY03 when compared to the same period of FY02.

 

Monthly charges decreased by P$160 million, or 21%, to P$602 million for FY03 when compared to FY02. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$19 million, or 3%, mainly due to the increase in revenues from Supplementary Services. Lines in service as of December 31, 2003 increased to approximately 3,656,000, due to a slight recovery in demand, compared to approximately 3,590,000 as of December 31, 2002. This level of lines in service is still inferior to that registered in December 2001. Moreover, monthly charges remained stable after the “pesification” and freeze enforced by the Government in January 6, 2002.

 

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Revenues from installation fees paid by new customers increased by P$7 million, or 35%, to P$27 million for FY03 when compared to FY02. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$10 million, or 59%, largely due to a higher number of lines connected.

 

Public telephony revenues decreased by P$25 million, or 13%, to P$168 million for FY03 when compared to FY02. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$16 million, or 11%, as a consequence of the higher traffic generated by public telephony telecommunication centers ( “Telecentros” ).

 

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Revenues generated by interconnection services during FY03 decreased by P$8 million, or 5%, to P$164 million. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$28 million, or 21%, mainly due to the application of the Reference Stabilization Index (“Coeficiente de Estabilización de Referencia” or “CER”) to the prices of these services.

 

Regarding the international telephony business, during FY03, revenues decreased by P$47 million,

 

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or 18%, to P$213 million when compared to FY02. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$2 million, or 1%, mainly due to lower discounts on ILD tariffs. Moreover, outgoing international long distance traffic, measured in minutes, decreased by 15%, when compared to FY02.

 

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Revenues generated by the data transmission business totaled P$331 million during FY03, representing a decrease of P$37 million, or 10%, when compared to the same period of FY02. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$32 million, or 11%, as a consequence of higher revenues generated by the ground networks and lease of data circuits. Additionally, internet dial-up measured services increased as a consequence of the higher number of Internet subscribers that use local numbers with 4004 or similar numbering to access Telecom’s network. As of December 31, 2003 Internet minutes represented 32% of total traffic measured in minutes transported over the fixed-line network.

 

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Internet revenues from the Arnet unit increased by P$4 million, or 7%, to P$61 million during FY03. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$15 million, or 33%, mainly due to the higher number of subscribers in ADSL high-speed access, as the Company increased the coverage of the service. As of December 31, 2003, the number of Arnet’s ADSL subscribers reached approximately 44,600, while Internet dial-up customers reached approximately 155,200 increasing by 8,000 and 15,000 respectively compared with December 31, 2002.

 

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The revenues generated by the cellular business during FY03 increased by P$128 million, or 12%, to P$1,163 million when compared to FY02. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$300 million, or 35%.

 

Non-adjusted revenues of Telecom Personal in Argentina would have increased by P$316 million, or 46%, to P$1,003 million compared to FY02 mainly due to the higher number of subscribers, higher sales of pre-paid cards, higher Calling Party Pays revenues (CPP), the increase in revenues originated by charges for the termination of calls coming from other cellular operators, and the increase in national and international roaming charges.

 

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Furthermore, the average revenue per user increased by 28% (to P$32 per customer, denominated in current pesos). Total cellular subscribers of Telecom Personal in Argentina reached approximately 2,603,000 at December 31, 2003, representing an increase of approximately 413,000 customers, or 19%, compared to December 31, 2002.

 

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It must be noted that in 4Q03 the level of competition in the celular market has increased significantly after the launch of GSM services of other operators in the market. Accordingly, Telecom Personal has increased the coverage and capacity of its GSM network and has launched marketing campaigns aimed to reposition its brand and strengthen its market leadership.

 

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The customer base as of December 31, 2003 amounted to approximately 2,120,000 prepaid subscribers, representing 81% of the total customer base, and approximately 483,000 post-paid subscribers, representing the remaining 19% of the total customer base.

 

Núcleo, Telecom Personal’s subsidiary that provides cellular and PCS services in Paraguay, generated P$160 million in revenues during FY03, which are consolidated into the revenues of Telecom Personal. This represented a decrease of P$17 million, or 10%, as compared to FY02. Non-adjusted figures would have shown a similar decrease of P$16 million, or 9%. The decrease can be mainly attributed to the appreciation of the peso against the guaraní as these revenues are denominated in Paraguayan currency.

 

As of December 31, 2003, Núcleo had approximately 527,000 cellular and PCS customers, an increase of approximately 8,300 customers, or 1.6%, when compared to December 31, 2002.

 

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In the telephone directories’ publishing business, revenues from the affiliated company Publicom increased by P$11 million, or 48%, to P$34 million during FY03 when compared to FY02. Non-adjusted figures would have shown a similar increase in revenues coming from advertisements published in directories of the Buenos Aires region that were distributed during the 4Q03.

 

Operating Costs

 

The cost of services provided, administrative expenses and selling expenses for FY03 decreased by P$570 million, or 14%, to P$3,646 million when compared to the same period of FY02, mainly as a result of the inflation adjustment of figures as of December 31, 2002 and to cost reduction plans implemented by the Company. In the case of not applying the inflationary adjustment to the operating costs before depreciation and amortization, such costs would have decreased for FY03 to P$1,766 million or by P$92 million, or 6%.

 

Salaries and social security contributions decreased by P$81 million, or 14%, to P$506 million during FY03. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$45 million, or 10%, primarily due to the increase in social security contributions since March 1, 2003 and the extraordinary bonuses and salary increase for unionized and non-unionized employees. Additionally, an increase in the headcount was registered mainly as a consequence of the incorporation in September of 1,393 employees previously employed by third parties. Such employees were allocated to customer service areas within the Company. As of December 31, 2003, the headcount totaled 13,944 compared to 13,515 as of December 31, 2002.

 

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Expenses related to taxes decreased by P$20 million, or 7%, to P$256 million for FY03. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase in taxes of P$41 million, or 19%, mainly due to the increase in the rate of the turnover tax on the cellular revenues and the increase in sales in the fixed telephony and the cellular businesses.

 

Materials and supplies charges decreased by P$24 million, or 13%, to P$164 million for FY03. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$19 million, or 13%, mainly due to higher expenses associated with the installation of new lines and maintenance of the network in the fixed business.

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts decreased by P$178 million, or 94%, to P$11 million for FY03. Non-adjusted figures would have shown a decrease of P$116 million, or 91%. The decrease evidenced in the fixed lines business (P$84 million) and in the cellular business (P$10 million) was related to the improvement in the levels of collection and the recovery of past due accounts.

 

Commissions paid to vendors and card sales increased by P$50 million, or 109%, to P$96 million for FY03. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$55 million, or 134%, as a consequence of commissions paid for new cellular customers and sales of prepaid cards.

 

Interconnection costs decreased by P$5 million, or 4%, to P$136 million for the period of FY03. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$24 million, or 21%, mainly as a result of higher charges paid for local and long distance access, circuit rentals and termination charges for traffic related to 4004 services in the Internet business and the application of the Reference Stabilization Index (“Coeficiente de Estabilización de Referencia” or “CER”) to the prices of these services.

 

Service fees decreased by P$20 million, or 17%, to P$96 million for FY03. Non-adjusted figures would have shown no changes compared to FY02.

 

Management services fees arising mainly from special missions decreased by P$21 million, or 91%, to P$2 million for FY03. Non-adjusted

 

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figures would have shown a decrease of P$11 million, or 85%, as the Company and the Operators agreed to suspend certain provisions of both parties of the management contract, starting April 1, 2002. As a consequence, the accrual and the payment of the management fee (except for the services related to the special missions requested by the Company) have been suspended from such day and until the termination of the Management Contract provided in point 7.2. of such contract (October 2004). Only the special services requested by Telecom have been paid.

 

Costs related to advertising increased by P$16 million, or 57%, to P$44 million for FY03. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$22 million, or 100%. This is mainly due to higher media advertising expenses for the Internet and cellular businesses.

 

Cost of cellular handsets increased by P$10 million, or 83%, to P$22 million. Non-adjusted figures would have shown an increase of P$12 million, or 120%, mainly due to the higher number of cellular handsets sold.

 

Other expenses decreased by P$33 million, or 11%, for FY03, to P$322 million. Non-adjusted figures would have shown a decrease of P$17 million, or 6%.

 

Depreciation of fixed assets decreased by P$212 million, or 11%, to P$1,768 million during FY03 as a consequence of the end of the amortization period of some assets and lower depreciation of capitalized foreign currency exchange differences originated by financial debt.

 

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Finally, amortization of intangible assets decreased by P$2 million, or 2%, to P$109 million for FY03, mainly due to lower charges related to exclusivity rights and information systems development in the cellular business.

 

Financial and Holding Results

 

The gains resulting from financial and holding results reached P$48 million for FY03 as compared to the loss of P$5,302 million FY02. This improvement can be largely attributed to the $P673 million gain arising from currency exchange differences derived from the appreciation of the Peso during FY03, which affected the Company’s net foreign currency monetary position. Additionally, as a consequence of the lower exchange rate, the interest on foreign currency liabilities decreased by $256 million when compared with the same period of FY02.

 

Other Expenses

 

Other expenses (net) decreased P$8 million, or 5%, to P$168 million for the FY03 compared to FY02 mainly as a result of lower charges related to lawsuits.

 

Cash Tender Offer—Debt Restructuring Results

 

As a result of the Cash Tender Offer that took place in June 2003, P$376 million had been registered as Debt Restructuring Results.

 

Cash flow and Net Financial Debt

 

Net Financial Debt (Loans – Cash and banks plus Investments) decreased by P$2,239 million, or 23%, to P$7,578 million for FY03 compared with FY02 (P$9,817 million), as a consequence of the lower exchange rate of the peso against the US Dollar, the results of the Cash Tender Offer and the cash generation from operations, partially compensated by the effect of the higher exchange rate of the Peso against the Euro.

 

Investment Plan

 

Telecom has made investments in fixed assets of P$20,979 million, since the start of operations on

 

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November 8, 1990, of which P$182 million corresponds to FY03. Likewise, a P$ 4 million investment were made as Intangible Assets. As of December 31, 2003, the net book value of fixed assets and intangible assets totaled P$8,846 million.

 

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Of the total amount invested during the FY03, P$81 million, or 45%, corresponds to basic telephony, data transmission and Internet (public telephony 5%, transmission 16% and outside plant 30%, switching 17% and others 11%) and P$101 million or 55% to cellular telephony.

 

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Other Matters

 

Nortel Inversora

 

On December 10, 2003 the Secretariat of Communications issued Resolution N° 111 pursuant to which it authorized:

 

1. the shareholders of the Company’s holding company Nortel Inversora S.A. (“Nortel”) to make a capital contribution with all of their ordinary Class A and B shares of Nortel to Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A. (“Sofora”);

 

2. France Cables et Radio y Atlas Belgium Services S.A. to transfer its ownership interest in 48% of the total share capital of Sofora to W de Argentina – Inversiones S.L.;

 

3. Telecom Italia Group to be the exclusive operator of Telecom Argentina STET-France Telecom S.A, and

 

4. Telecom Argentina STET-France Telecom S.A to change its name to Telecom Argentina S.A.

 

The authorization of the Commission for the Defense of Competition (Comisión Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia) was granted on December 15 through resolution N° 109.

 

Consequently, the France Telecom Group has transferred 96% of its share participation in Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A., current controlling shareholder of Nortel Inversora S.A. to the W de Argentina- Inversiones S.L. and as a result, the France Telecom Group has ceased to be an operator of the Company

 

Debt Restructuring

 

On January 9, 2004 announced its proposal for a comprehensive restructuring of all of its outstanding unsecured financial debt. Telecom proposes to implement its proposal pursuant to an Acuerdo Preventivo Extrajudicial, or an out-of-court restructuring agreement governed by Argentine law (the “APE”).

 

Under the proposal, Telecom proposes to restructure all of its outstanding unsecured financial debt by issuing new unsecured notes with new terms and/or by paying cash consideration in accordance with the different options included in the proposal.

 

The Company’s outstanding financial debt holders will be offered three consideration options.

 

In connection with the APE, Telecom will make a partial cash interest payment to each holder for the

 

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period from January 1, 2004 through the issuance date of the new notes.

 

Once the APE receives court approval, the Company will execute the APE through the issuance of the new notes in accordance with the terms approved by the court.

 

Further details on the proposal have been informed through press releases that can be found on Telecom Argentina’s web site.

 

A registration statement relating to the notes being issued to U.S. holders of the Company’s outstanding unsecured financial debt has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These notes may not be sold nor may offers be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.

 

Name Change

 

On February 18, 2004, Telecom announced that pursuant to an Ordinary and Extraordinary meeting of its shareholders held on such date, the shareholders of the Company approved a resolution to amend the by-laws of the Company to reflect the name change to Telecom Argentina S.A.

 

Upon the approval of the resolution by the Company’s shareholders, the corporate name change became effective, notwithstanding the registration of the name change with the Commercial Registry.

 

Argentine Companies Law

 

The negative unappropriated retained earnings have consumed the legal reserve and the 50% of the adjusted Capital stock. This situation is contemplated in article 206 of the Argentine Company Law that mandates the obligatory reduction of Capital in such cases. However, The Executive Power has suspended the application of the above-mentioned article until December 10, 2004 through Decree N° 1,293/03. The Board of Directors has taken note of the situation and will take the necessary measures if required.

 

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Telecom is the parent company of a leading telecommunications group in Argentina, where it offers by itself or through its controlled subsidiaries local and long distance basic telephony, cellular, PCS, data transmission, and Internet services, among other services. Additionally, through a controlled subsidiary the Telecom Group offers cellular and PCS 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.

 

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. (recent developments are described in “Other Matters”). Additionally, the capital stock of Nortel is comprised of preferred shares that are held by minority shareholders.

 

On December 31, 2003, Telecom had 984,380,978 shares outstanding.

 

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For more information, please contact Financial Planning & Investor Relations Department:   For information about Telecom Group services visit:

Pedro Insussarry

  www.telecom.com.ar

54-11-4968-3743

   

pinsussa@ta.telecom.com.ar

  www.telecompersonal.com.ar

Moira Colombo

  www.telecominternet.com.ar

54-11-4968-3628

   

mcolombo@ta.telecom.com.ar

  www.arnet.com.ar

Gastón Urbina

  e-company.telecom.com.ar

54-11-4968-3627

   

gurbina@ta.telecom.com.ar

  epymes.com.ar

Mensajes: 54-11-4968-3627

  www.tstore.com.ar

Fax: 54-11-4313-5842

   
    www.highway.arnet.com.ar
     
    www.paginasamarillas.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 impact of recent 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, uncertainties concerning the impact of recent emergency laws enacted by the Argentine Government which have resulted in the repeal of Argentina’s Convertibility law, the devaluation of the peso, restrictions on the ability to exchange pesos into foreign currencies, the adoption of a restrictive currency transfer policy, 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 and rapid 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 current and on-going recession in Argentina, growing inflationary pressure and reduction 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 and 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.

 

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*******

 

(Financial tables follow)

 

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Amadeo R. Vázquez

President

 

*******

 

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TELECOM ARGENTINA STET-FRANCE TELECOM S.A.

 

TWELVE MONTH PERIOD AND FOUR QUARTER—FISCAL YEAR 2003.

(In millions of Argentine constant pesos as of February 28, 2003, except statistical data and table 9)

 

1- Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

     12/31/03

   12/31/02 (1)

   $

    %

 

Cash, equivalents and investments

   2,467    1,415    1,052     74 %

Trade receivables

   581    609    (28 )   -5 %

Other current assets

   167    79    88     111 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

   3,215    2,103    1,112     53 %
    
  
  

 

Trade receivables

   —      1    (1 )   -100 %

Fixed assets

   8,001    9,689    (1,688 )   -17 %

Other non-current assets

   1,085    1,148    (63 )   -5 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

   9,086    10,838    (1,752 )   -16 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   12,301    12,941    (640 )   -5 %
    
  
  

 

Accounts payable

   451    394    57     14 %

Loans

   9,996    11,135    (1,139 )   -10 %

Other current liabilities

   268    213    55     26 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

   10,715    11,742    (1,027 )   -9 %
    
  
  

 

Accounts payable

   —      —      —       —    

Loans

   86    145    (59 )   -41 %

Other non-current liabilities

   279    200    79     40 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

   365    345    20     6 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   11,080    12,087    (1,007 )   -8 %
    
  
  

 

Minority Interest

   32    9    23     256 %

Temporary differences from translation

   21    28    (7 )   -25 %

Shareholders’ equity

   1,168    817    351     43 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   12,301    12,941    (640 )   -5 %
    
  
  

 

 

2- Consolidated Loans

 

     12/31/03

   12/31/02 (1)

   $

    %

 

Corporate Bonds

   4,912    5,407    (495 )   -9 %

Banks

   1,638    2,097    (459 )   -22 %

On purchase of fixed assets and inventories

   2,595    3,033    (438 )   -14 %

Accrued interest

   747    564    183     32 %

Penalties or default interest

   104    34    70     206 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL CURRENT LOANS

   9,996    11,135    (1,139 )   -10 %
    
  
  

 

Banks

   86    142    (56 )   -39 %

Accrued interest

   —      3    (3 )   -100 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LOANS

   86    145    (59 )   -41 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL LOANS

   10,082    11,280    (1,198 )   -11 %
    
  
  

 

 

 

(1) As a consequence of the application of the new accounting rules, the comparative information for intermediate periods of the Annual Financial Statements should be the one corresponding to the last completed fiscal year. The comparative information of the Income Statement, Evolution of Shareholder’s Equity, and Cash Flow Statement should be the one corresponding to the equivalent of the previous fiscal year.

 

13


3- Consolidated Income Statement

Twelve -Month Comparison

 

     As of December 31

              
     2003

    2002

    $

     %

 

Net revenues

   3,753     4,012     (259 )    -6 %

Cost of services provided

   (2,640 )   (2,893 )   253      -9 %
    

 

 

  

GROSS PROFIT

   1,113     1,119     (6 )    -1 %
    

 

 

  

Administrative expenses

   (222 )   (281 )   59      -21 %

Selling expenses

   (784 )   (1,042 )   258      -25 %
    

 

 

  

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

   107     (204 )   311      -152 %
    

 

 

  

Equity income from related companies

   2     (23 )   25      -109 %

Amortization of goodwill

   —       (10 )   10      -100 %

Financial & holding results

   48     (5,302 )   5,350      -101 %

Debt Restructuring Results

   376     —       376      —    

Other incomes & expenses

   (168 )   (176 )   8      -5 %
    

 

 

  

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   365     (5,715 )   6,080      -106 %
    

 

 

  

Taxes on income

   7     1,304     (1,297 )    -99 %

Minority interest

   (21 )   25     (46 )    -184 %
    

 

 

  

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

   351     (4,386 )   4,737      -108 %
    

 

 

  

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   1,984     1,887     97      5 %
    

 

 

  

As a % of Net Revenues

   53 %   47 %             
    

 

            

 

Consolidated Income Statement

Three-Month Comparison

 

     As of December 31

              
     2003

    2002

    $

     %

 

Net revenues

   1,042     861     181      21 %

Cost of services provided

   (711 )   (682 )   (29 )    4 %
    

 

 

  

GROSS PROFIT

   331     179     152      85 %
    

 

 

  

Administrative expenses

   (40 )   (51 )   11      -22 %

Selling expenses

   (208 )   (189 )   (19 )    10 %
    

 

 

  

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

   83     (61 )   144      -236 %
    

 

 

  

Equity income from related companies

   —       (5 )   5      -100 %

Amortization of goodwill

   —       —       —        —    

Financial & holding results

   (481 )   560     (1,041 )    -186 %

Debt Restructuring Results

   1     —       1      —    

Other incomes & expenses

   (30 )   (61 )   31      -51 %
    

 

 

  

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   (427 )   433     (860 )    -199 %
    

 

 

  

Taxes on income

   7     (686 )   693      -101 %

Minority interest

   (8 )   4     (12 )    -300 %
    

 

 

  

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

   (428 )   (249 )   (179 )    72 %
    

 

 

  

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   537     468     69      15 %
    

 

 

  

As a % of Net Revenues

   52 %   54 %             
    

 

            

 

14


4- Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

 

Twelve -Month Comparison

 

     As of
December 31


             
     2003

    2002

    $

    %

 

Net income

   351     (4,386 )   4,737     -108 %

Depreciation and Amortization

   1,877     2,091     (214 )   -10 %

Increase in provisions

               —       —    

(Increase)/decrease in assets

   (366 )   998     (1,364 )   -137 %

(Decrease)/increase in liabilities

   336     (697 )   1,033     -148 %

Others, net

   (183 )   3,661     (3,844 )   -105 %
    

 

 

 

Total Funds generated by Operating Activities

   2,015     1,667     348     21 %
    

 

 

 

Total Funds applied to Investing Activities

   (345 )   (312 )   (33 )   11 %
    

 

 

 

Interests and financial expenses

   (335 )   (446 )   111     -25 %

Increase in financial debt, net

   (433 )   (24 )   (409 )   1704 %
    

 

 

 

Total Funds applied to Financing Activities

   (768 )   (470 )   (298 )   63 %
    

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) of Funds

   902     885     17     2 %
    

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

Three-Month Comparison

 

     As of
December 31


             
     2003

    2002

    $

    %

 

Net income

   (428 )   (249 )   (179 )   72 %

Depreciation and Amortization

   454     529     (75 )   -14 %

Increase in provisions

   (114 )   (260 )   146     -56 %

(Increase)/decrease in assets

   (59 )   (109 )   50     -46 %

(Decrease)/increase in liabilities

   86     140     (54 )   -39 %

Others, net

   698     351     347     99 %
    

 

 

 

Total Funds generated by Operating Activities

   637     402     235     58 %
    

 

 

 

Total Funds applied to Investing Activities

   (60 )   6     (66 )   -1100 %
    

 

 

 

Interests and financial expenses

   (3 )   (7 )   4     -57 %

Increase in financial debt, net

   (4 )   17     (21 )   -124 %
    

 

 

 

Total Funds applied to Financing Activities

   (7 )   10     (17 )   -170 %
    

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) of Funds

   570     418     152     36 %
    

 

 

 

 

15


5- Consolidated Revenues Breakdown

Twelve -Month Comparison

 

     As of December 31

                 
     2003

     2002

     $

       %

 

Fixed Telephony

   1,951      2,269      (318 )      -14 %
    
    
    

    

Measured service

                             

Local

   490      557      (67 )      -12 %

DLD

   427      462      (35 )      -8 %

Monthly charges

   602      762      (160 )      -21 %

Installation fees

   27      20      7        35 %

Public telephones

   168      193      (25 )      -13 %

Interconnection

   164      172      (8 )      -5 %

Lease of lines and circuits

   32      42      (10 )      -24 %

Others

   41      61      (20 )      -33 %
    
    
    

    

International Telephony

   213      260      (47 )      -18 %
    
    
    

    

Data transmission

   331      368      (37 )      -10 %
    
    
    

    

Data transmission Services

   113      102      11        11 %

Monthly charges & Internet Traffic

   130      133      (3 )      -2 %

Others

   88      133      (45 )      -34 %
    
    
    

    

Internet

   61      57      4        7 %
    
    
    

    

Internet monthly fee

   61      57      4        7 %
    
    
    

    

Cellular Telephony

   1,163      1,035      128        12 %
    
    
    

    

Telecom Personal

   1,003      858      145        17 %
    
    
    

    

Monthly fee and measured service

   251      300      (49 )      -16 %

Pre-paid card

   246      148      98        66 %

Calling Party Pays

   375      283      92        33 %

Others

   131      127      4        3 %
    
    
    

    

Núcleo

   160      177      (17 )      -10 %
    
    
    

    

Monthly fee and measured service

   37      50      (13 )      -26 %

Pre-paid card

   39      28      11        39 %

Calling Party Pays

   69      83      (14 )      -17 %

Others

   15      16      (1 )      -6 %
    
    
    

    

Telephone Directories (Publicom)

   34      23      11        48 %
    
    
    

    

TOTAL NET REVENUES

   3,753      4,012      (259 )      -6 %
    
    
    

    

 

Consolidated Revenues Breakdown

Three-Month Comparison

 

     As of December 31

                   
     2003

       2002

       $

       %

 

Fixed Telephony

   508        466        42        9 %
    

    

    

    

Measured service

                                 

Local

   132        110        22        20 %

DLD

   112        104        8        8 %

Monthly charges

   154        152        2        1 %

Installation fees

   7        4        3        75 %

Public telephones

   42        42        —          0 %

Interconnection—fixed

   45        31        14        45 %

Lease of lines and circuits—fixed

   8        8        —          0 %

Others

   8        15        (7 )      -47 %
    

    

    

    

International Telephony

   57        49        8        16 %
    

    

    

    

Data transmission

   84        96        (12 )      -13 %
    

    

    

    

Terrestrial Networks

   (32 )      (45 )      13        -29 %

Monthly charges & Internet Traffic

   35        28        7        25 %

Others

   81        113        (32 )      -28 %
    

    

    

    

Internet

   17        13        4        0  
    

    

    

    

Internet monthly fee

   17        13        4        31 %
    

    

    

    

Cellular Telephony

   346        220        126        57 %
    

    

    

    

Telecom Personal

   297        195        102        52 %
    

    

    

    

Monthly fee and measured service

   66        63        3        5 %

Pre-paid card

   69        41        28        68 %

Calling Party Pays

   114        62        52        84 %

Others

   48        29        19        66 %
    

    

    

    

Núcleo

   49        25        24        96 %
    

    

    

    

Monthly fee and measured service

   11        6        5        83 %

Pre-paid card

   13        4        9        225 %

Calling Party Pays

   21        13        8        62 %

Others

   4        2        2        100 %
    

    

    

    

Telephone Directories (Publicom)

   30        17        13        76 %
    

    

    

    

TOTAL NET REVENUES

   1,042        861        181        21 %
    

    

    

    

 

16


6- Consolidated Income Statement by Activities

Twelve-month period—FY 2003 (01/01/03—12/31/03)

 

    In million of Argentine constant pesos as of February 28, 2003

       
    Activities

    Variation *

 
   

Fixed Tel.

Data & Internet


   

Cellular

Telephony


   

Publishing

Directories


   

Consolidated

Activities


       
          LOGO
       LOGO
 

NET REVENUES

  2,556     1,163     34     3,753     (259 )      -6 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

Salaries and social security contributions

  (424 )   (74 )   (8 )   (506 )   81        -14 %

Agent commissions and card sales

  (21 )   (75 )   —       (96 )   (50 )      107 %

Taxes

  (150 )   (106 )   —       (256 )   20        -7 %

Materials and supplies

  (117 )   (33 )   (14 )   (164 )   24        -13 %

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  3     (10 )   (4 )   (11 )   178        -94 %

Interconnection cost

  (136 )   —       —       (136 )   5        -4 %

Settlement charges

  (76 )   —       —       (76 )   27        -26 %

Lease of lines and circuits

  (29 )   (9 )   —       (38 )   3        -7 %

Service fees

  (81 )   (13 )   (2 )   (96 )   20        -17 %

Management fees

  (2 )   —       —       (2 )   21        -91 %

Advertising

  (23 )   (20 )   (1 )   (44 )   (16 )      57 %

Cost of cellular handsets

  —       (22 )   —       (22 )   (10 )      83 %

Others

  (136 )   (184 )   (2 )   (322 )   53        -14 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

  1,364     617     3     1,984     97        5 %

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A Margin

  53 %   53 %   9 %   53 %               

Depreciation of fixed assets

  (1,436 )   (327 )   (5 )   (1,768 )   212        -11 %

Amortization of intangible assets

  (63 )   (46 )   —       (109 )   2        -2 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

OPERATING RESULTS

  (135 )   244     (2 )   107     311        -152 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

  —       —       2     2     25        -109 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL

  —       —       —       —       10        -100 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

Interest on assets

  72     (33 )   10     49     1,601        -103 %

Interest on liabilities

  (204 )   201     2     (1 )   3,749        -100 %

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING RESULTS

  (132 )   168     12     48     5,350        -101 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

DEBT RESTRUCTURING RESULTS

  280     90     6     376     376        —    
   

 

 

 

 

    

OTHER INCOMES AND EXPENSES

  (121 )   (37 )   (10 )   (168 )   8        -5 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

  (108 )   465     8     365     6,080        -106 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

Taxes on income

  —       11     (4 )   7     (1,297 )      -99 %

Minority interest

  —       (21 )   —       (21 )   (46 )      -184 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

  (108 )   455     4     351     4,737        -108 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

*  Twelve month period FY 2003 vs. Twelve month period FY 2002

    

Consolidated Income Statement by Activities

 

Twelve-month period FY 2002 (01/01/02—12/31/02)

 

    In million of Argentine constant pesos as of February 28, 2003

                
    Activities

                
    Fixed Tel.
Data & Internet


    Cellular
Telephone


    Publishing
Directories


    Consolidated
Activities


                

NET REVENUES

  2,954     1,035     23     4,012                 
   

 

 

 

              

Salaries and social security contributions

  (472 )   (92 )   (23 )   (587 )               

Agent commissions and card sales

  (25 )   (21 )   —       (46 )               

Taxes

  (176 )   (98 )   (2 )   (276 )               

Materials and supplies

  (144 )   (33 )   (11 )   (188 )               

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  (129 )   (54 )   (6 )   (189 )               

Interconnection cost

  (141 )   —       —       (141 )               

Settlement charges

  (103 )   —       —       (103 )               

Lease of lines and circuits

  (24 )   (17 )   —       (41 )               

Service fees

  (100 )   (13 )   (3 )   (116 )               

Management fees

  (23 )   —       —       (23 )               

Advertising

  (14 )   (14 )   —       (28 )               

Cost of cellular handsets

  —       (12 )   —       (12 )               

Others

  (214 )   (158 )   (3 )   (375 )               
   

 

 

 

              

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

  1,389     523     (25 )   1,887                 

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A Margin

  47 %   51 %   -109 %   47 %               

Depreciation of fixed assets

  (1,558 )   (416 )   (6 )   (1,980 )               

Amortization of intangible assets

  (66 )   (45 )   —       (111 )               
   

 

 

 

              

OPERATING RESULTS

  (235 )   62     (31 )   (204 )               
   

 

 

 

              

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

  (15 )   —       (8 )   (23 )               

AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL

  (10 )   —       —       (10 )               
   

 

 

 

              

Interest on assets

  (1,015 )   (487 )   (50 )   (1,552 )               

Interest on liabilities

  (3,260 )   (513 )   23     (3,750 )               

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING RESULTS

  (4,275 )   (1,000 )   (27 )   (5,302 )               
   

 

 

 

              

DEBT RESTRUCTURING RESULTS

  —       —       —       —                   
   

 

 

 

              

OTHER INCOMES AND EXPENSES

  (101 )   (58 )   (17 )   (176 )               
   

 

 

 

              

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

  (4,636 )   (996 )   (83 )   (5,715 )               
   

 

 

 

              

Taxes on income

  1,104     186     14     1,304                 

Minority interest

  —       25     —       25                 

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

  (3,532 )   (785 )   (69 )   (4,386 )               
   

 

 

 

              

 

17


Consolidated Income Statement by Activities

Four Quarter FY 2003 (10/01/03—12/31/03)

 

    In million of Argentine constant pesos as of February 28, 2003

       
    Activities

    Variation *

 
    Fixed Tel
Data & Internet


    Cellular
Telephony


    Publishing
Directories


    Consolidated
Activities


    LOGO
       LOGO
 

NET REVENUES

  666     346     30     1,042     181        21 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

Salaries and social security contributions

  (120 )   (20 )   (3 )   (143 )   (27 )      23 %

Agent commissions and card sales

  (4 )   (24 )   —       (28 )   (34 )      -595 %

Taxes

  (38 )   (29 )   —       (67 )   (4 )      6 %

Materials and supplies

  (34 )   (10 )   (12 )   (56 )   (8 )      17 %

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  7     1     —       8     —          0 %

Interconnection cost

  (36 )   —       —       (36 )   (7 )      24 %

Settlement charges

  (19 )   —       —       (19 )   (19 )      —    

Lease of lines and circuits

  (7 )   5     —       (2 )   6        -75 %

Service fees

  (16 )   (4 )   (1 )   (21 )   6        -22 %

Management fees

  —       —       —       —       1        -100 %

Advertising

  (14 )   (13 )   (1 )   (28 )   (24 )      600 %

Cost of cellular handsets

  —       (17 )   —       (17 )   (17 )      0 %

Others

  (35 )   (60 )   (1 )   (96 )   (6 )      7 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

  350     175     12     537     69        15 %

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A Margin

  53 %   51 %   —       52 %               

Depreciation of fixed assets

  (342 )   (82 )   (2 )   (426 )   75        -15 %

Amortization of intangible assets

  (16 )   (12 )   —       (28 )   —          0 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

OPERATING RESULTS

  (8 )   81     10     83     144        -235 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

  —       —       —       —       5        -100 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL

  —       —       —       —       —          0 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

Interest on assets

  91     (3 )   —       88     62        238 %

Interest on liabilities

  (546 )   (23 )   —       (569 )   (1,103 )      -207 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING RESULTS

  (455 )   (26 )   —       (481 )   (1,041 )      -186 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

DEBT RESTRUCTURING RESULTS

  —       —       1     1     1        —    
   

 

 

 

 

    

OTHER INCOMES AND EXPENSES

  (33 )   3     —       (30 )   31        -51 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

  (496 )   58     11     (427 )   (860 )      -199 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

Taxes on income

  —       11     (4 )   7     693        -101 %

Minority interest

  —       (8 )   —       (8 )   (12 )      —    
   

 

 

 

 

    

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

  (496 )   61     7     (428 )   (179 )      72 %
   

 

 

 

 

    

* Second quarter FY 2003 vs. Second Quarter FY 2002

 

Consolidated Income Statement by Activities

Four Quarter FY 2002 (10/01/02—12/31/02)

 

 

    In million of Argentine constant pesos as of February 28, 2003

                
    Activities

                
   

Fixed Tel.

Data & Internet


    Cellular
Telephony


    Publishing
Directories


   

Consolidated

Activities


                

NET REVENUES

  624     220     17     861                 
   

 

 

 

              

Salaries and social security contributions

  (90 )   (18 )   (8 )   (116 )               

Agent commissions and card sales

  (6 )   12     —       6                 

Taxes

  (41 )   (21 )   (1 )   (63 )               

Materials and supplies

  (31 )   (7 )   (10 )   (48 )               

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  —       8     —       8                 

Interconnection cost

  (29 )   —       —       (29 )               

Settlement charges

  (21 )   —       —                         

Lease of lines and circuits

  (5 )   (3 )   —       (8 )               

Service fees

  (24 )   (2 )   (1 )   (27 )               

Management fees

  (1 )   —       —       (1 )               

Advertising

  (1 )   (3 )   —       (4 )               

Cost of cellular handsets

  —       —       —       —                   

Others

  (39 )   (50 )   (1 )   (90 )               
   

 

 

 

              

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

  336     136     (4 )   468                 

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A Margin

  54 %   62 %   -24 %   54 %               

Depreciation of fixed assets

  (396 )   (103 )   (2 )   (501 )               

Amortization of intangible assets

  (17 )   (11 )   —       (28 )               
   

 

 

 

              

OPERATING RESULTS

  (77 )   22     (6 )   (61 )               
   

 

 

 

              

EQUITY INCOME FROM RELATED COMPANIES

  (5 )   —       —       (5 )               
   

 

 

 

              

AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL

  —       —       —       —                   
   

 

 

 

              

Interest on assets

  (8 )   32     2     26                 

Interest on liabilities

  315     218     1     534                 

FINANCIAL AND HOLDING RESULTS

  307     250     3     560                 
   

 

 

 

              

DEBT RESTRUCTURING RESULTS

  —       —       —       —                   
   

 

 

 

              

OTHER INCOMES AND EXPENSES

  (42 )   (15 )   (4 )   (61 )               
   

 

 

 

              

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

  183     257     (7 )   433                 
   

 

 

 

              

Taxes on income

  (473 )   (213 )   —       (686 )               

Minority interest

  —       4     —       4                 
   

 

 

 

              

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

  (290 )   48     (7 )   (249 )               
   

 

 

 

              

 

18


7- Ratios

 

     12/31/2003

   12/31/2002

 

Liquidity

   0.3    0.18  

Consolidated Financial Indebtedness(*)

   6.3    11.9  

Total Consolidated Indebtedness

   9.2    14.6  

Return on equity (**)

   0.4    (1.1 )

 

(*) Financial indebtedness = (Loans – Cash, equiv. & Investments) / Shareholders’ Equity.
(**) Return on equity = Profit from ordinary operations / (Shareholders’ Equity – net income for the period).

 

8- Statistical Data

 

     FIXED TELEPHONY

 
     December 31, 2003

    December 30, 2002

 

TELECOM


   Cumulat. (1)

   12-month period

    Quarter (1)

    Cumulat. (1)

   12-month period

    Quarter

 

Installed lines

   3,800,085    (2,379 )   (519 )   3,802,464    2,406     64  

Lines in service (2)

   3,655,859    65,575     33,110     3,590,284    (301,516 )   (19,846 )

Customer lines

   3,361,341    67,389     33,827     3,293,952    (289,670 )   (16,390 )

Public telephony lines

   80,127    315     681     79,812    (2,364 )   315  

Digitalization (%)

   100                     100        

Fixed lines in service per 100 inhabitants (northern region)

   19.6    0.2     0.2     19.4    (2 )   (0.2 )

Fixed lines in service per employee

   320    (3 )   (22 )   323    (37 )   (3 )

Investment in fixed assets (3)

   20,979    182     122     20,797    238     20  

 

(1) Cumulative since the start of activities.
(2) Includes direct inward dialing numbers connected to digital trunk lines
(3) Includes deferred exchange differences registered during the present quarter of P$1,144 million.

 

19


 

9- Detail of principal consolidated Financial Statements captions (Non-adjusted figures plus inflation effect)

 

Consolidated
Revenues
Breakdown


  Twelve-Month Comparison

    Three month comparison

 
    As of December 31

   
   
    As of December 31

   
   
 
    2003

    2002

    LOGO
    LOGO
    2003

    2002

    LOGO
    LOGO
 
    Historical
Figures


    Inflation
Adjustment


    Adjusted
Figures


   

Historical

Figures


    Inflation
Adjustment


    Adjusted
Figures


   

Historical

Figures


    Historical
Figures


    Historical
Figures


    Inflation
Adjustment


    Adjusted
Figures


    Historical
Figures


    Inflation
Adjustment


    Adjusted
Figures


    Historical
Figures


    Historical
Figures


 

Fixed Telephony

  1,950     1     1,951     1,786     483     2,269     164     9 %   508     —       508     468     (2 )   466     40     9 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Measured service

                                                                                               

Local

  489     1     490     445     112     557     44     10 %   131     1.0     132     117     (7 )   110     14     12 %

DLD

  427     —       427     370     92     462     57     15 %   113     (1.0 )   112     105     (1 )   104     8     8 %

Monthly charges

  602     —       602     583     179     762     19     3 %   154     —       154     145     7     152     9     6 %

Installation fees

  27     —       27     17     3     20     10     59 %   7     —       7     5     (1 )   4     2     40 %

Public telephones

  168     —       168     152     41     193     16     11 %   42     —       42     42     —       42     —       0 %

Interconnection

  164     —       164     136     36     172     28     21 %   45     —       45     31     —       31     14     45 %

Lease of lines and circuits

  32     —       32     33     9     42     (1 )   -3 %   8     —       8     10     (2 )   8     (2 )   -18 %

Others

  41     —       41     50     11     61     (9 )   -18 %   8     —       8     13     2     15     (5 )   -38 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Telephony

  213     —       213     211     49     260     2     1 %   57     —       57     55     (6 )   49     2     4 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data transmission

  331     —       331     299     69     368     32     11 %   84     —       84     86     10     96     (2 )   -2 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data trans-mission Services

  113     —       113     84     18     102     29     35 %   (32 )   —       (32 )   (35 )   (10 )   (46 )   3     -10 %

Internet Traffic

  130     —       130     107     26     133     23     21 %   35     —       35     28     (0 )   28     7     25 %

Others

  88     —       88     108     25     133     (20 )   -19 %   81     —       81     93     20     113     (12 )   -13 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet

  61     —       61     46     11     57     15     33 %   17     —       17     14     (1 )   13     3     21 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly fee

  61     —       61     46     11     57     15     33 %   17     —       17     14     (1 )   13     3     21 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cellular Telephony

  1,163     —       1,163     863     172     1,035     300     35 %   346     —       346     219     1     220     127     58 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecom Personal

  1,003     —       1,003     687     171     858     316     46 %   297     —       297     195     —       195     102     52 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly fee and measured service

  251     —       251     236     64     300     15     6 %   66     —       66     62     1     63     4     6 %

Pre-paid card

  246     —       246     124     24     148     122     98 %   69     —       69     41     —       41     28     68 %

Calling Party Pays

  375     —       375     225     58     283     150     67 %   114     —       114     62     —       62     52     84 %

Others

  131     —       131     102     25     127     29     28 %   48     —       48     30     (1 )   29     18     60 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Núcleo

  160     —       160     176     1     177     (16 )   -9 %   49     —       49     24     1     25     25     104 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly fee and measured service

  37     —       37     50     —       50     (13 )   -26 %   11     —       11     6     —       6     5     83 %

Pre-paid card

  39     —       39     28     —       28     11     39 %   13     —       13     4     —       4     9     225 %

Calling Party Pays

  69     —       69     82     1     83     (13 )   -16 %   21     —       21     12     1     13     9     75 %

Others

  15     —       15     16     —       16     (1 )   -6 %   4     —       4     2     —       2     2     100 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone Directories (Publicom)

  34     —       34     23     —       23     11     48 %   30     —       30     18     (1 )   17     12     67 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET REVENUES

  3,752     1     3,753     3,228     784     4,012     524     16 %   1,042     —       1,042     859     1     860     183     21 %

Consolidated
Statement of
Cash Flow


  Twelve-Month Comparison

    Three month comparison

 
    As of December 31

   
   
    As of December 31

   
   
 
    2003

    2002

    LOGO
    LOGO
    2003

    2002

    LOGO
    LOGO
 
    Historical
Figures


    Inflation
Adjustment


    Adjusted
Figures


    Historical
Figures


    Inflation
Adjustment


    Adjusted
Figures


    Historical
Figures


    Historical
Figures


    Historical
Figures


    Inflation
Adjustment


    Adjusted
Figures


    Historical
Figures


    Inflation
Adjustment


    Adjusted
Figures


    Historical
Figures


    Historical
Figures


 

Collected Interests

  75     —       75     48     7     55     27     56 %   29     —       29     34     —       34     (5 )   -15 %

Historical foreign currency exchange differences by cash and cash equivalents

  (13 )   —       (13 )   200     (198 )   2     (213 )   -107 %   146     —       146     (40 )   (356 )   (396 )   186     -465 %

Other results and a decrease or increase in assets and liabilities

  1,963     (10 )   1,953     1,365     245     1,610     598     44 %   1,066     (10 )   1,056     788     295     1,083     278     35 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Funds generated by Operating Activities

  2,025     (10 )   2,015     1,613     54     1,667     412     26 %   1,241     (10 )   1,231     782     (61 )   721     459     59 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed asset and intangible asset acquisition

  (168 )   —       (168 )   (294 )   (120 )   (414 )   126     -43 %   (100 )   —       (100 )   (109 )   (6 )   (115 )   9     -8 %

Investments not considered as cash or cash equivalents

  (177 )   —       (177 )   113     (11 )   102     (290 )   -257 %   (218 )   —       (218 )   95     6     101     (313 )   -329 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Funds applied to Investing Activities

  (345 )   —       (345 )   (181 )   (131 )   (312 )   (164 )   91 %   (318 )   —       (318 )   (14 )   —       (14 )   (304 )   2171 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) in financial debt, net

  (433 )   —       (433 )   (22 )   (2 )   (24 )   (411 )   1868 %   (7 )   —       (7 )   12     7     19     (19 )   -158 %

Interests and financial expenses

  (335 )   —       (335 )   (301 )   (145 )   (446 )   (34 )   11 %   (7 )   —       (7 )   (13 )   (2 )   (15 )   6     -46 %

Total Funds applied to Financing Activities

  (768 )   —       (768 )   (323 )   (147 )   (470 )   (445 )   138 %   (14 )   —       (14 )   (1 )   5     4     (13 )   1300 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) of Funds

  912     (10 )   902     1,109     (224 )   885     (197 )   -18 %   909     (10 )   899     767     (56 )   711     142     19 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20


Consolidated net revenues, operating costs and EBITDA by activities

Twelve-month period—FY 2003 (01/01/03—12/31/03)

 

     Activities

                Variation
historical
Figures


 
    

Fixed Tel.

Data & Internet


   

Cellular

Telephony


   

Publishing

Directories


   

Consolidated

Activities


   

Inflation

Adjustment


   

Adjusted

Figures


    LOGO
    LOGO
 

NET REVENUES

   2,555     1,163     34     3,752     1     3,753     524     16 %
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and social security contributions

   (424 )   (74 )   (8 )   (506 )   —       (506 )   (45 )   10 %

Agent commissions and card sales

   (21 )   (75 )   —       (96 )   —       (96 )   (55 )   134 %

Taxes

   (150 )   (106 )   —       (256 )   —       (256 )   (35 )   16 %

Materials and supplies

   (115 )   (33 )   (14 )   (162 )   (2 )   (164 )   (19 )   13 %

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   3     (10 )   (4 )   (11 )   —       (11 )   116     -91 %

Interconnection cost

   (136 )   —       —       (136 )   —       (136 )   (24 )   21 %

Settlement charges

   (76 )   —       —       (76 )   —       (76 )   7     -8 %

Lease of lines and circuits

   (29 )   (9 )   —       (38 )   —       (38 )   3     -7 %

Service fees

   (81 )   (13 )   (2 )   (96 )   —       (96 )   —       0 %

Management fees

   (2 )   —       —       (2 )   —       (2 )   11     -85 %

Advertising

   (23 )   (20 )   (1 )   (44 )   —       (44 )   (22 )   100 %

Cost of cellular handsets

   —       (22 )   —       (22 )   —       (22 )   (12 )   120 %

Others

   (135 )   (184 )   (2 )   (321 )   (1 )   (322 )   (17 )   6 %
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING COSTS

   (1,189 )   (546 )   (31 )   (1,766 )   (3 )   (1,769 )   (92 )   5 %
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   1,366     617     3     1,986     (2 )   1,984     432     28 %
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a % of Net Revenues

   53 %   53 %   9 %   53 %         53 %            

Twelve-month period FY 2002 (01/01/02—12/31/02)

 

     Activities

 

                       
     Fixed Tel.
Data & Internet

 
 

  Cellular
Telephony

 
 

  Publishing
Directories

 
 

  Consolidated
Activities

 
 

  Inflation
Adjustment

 
 

  Adjusted
Figures

 
 

           

NET REVENUES

   2,342     863     23     3,228     784     4,012              
    

 

 

 

 

 

           

Salaries and social security contributions

   (371 )   (74 )   (16 )   (461 )   (126 )   (587 )            

Agent commissions and card sales

   (21 )   (20 )   —       (41 )   (5 )   (46 )            

Taxes

   (140 )   (80 )   (1 )   (221 )   (55 )   (276 )            

Materials and supplies

   (106 )   (27 )   (10 )   (143 )   (45 )   (188 )            

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   (81 )   (42 )   (4 )   (127 )   (62 )   (189 )            

Interconnection cost

   (112 )   —       —       (112 )   (29 )   (141 )            

Settlement charges

   (83 )   —       —       (83 )   (20 )   (103 )            

Lease of lines and circuits

   (24 )   (17 )   —       (41 )   —       (41 )            

Service fees

   (80 )   (13 )   (3 )   (96 )   (20 )   (116 )            

Management fees

   (13 )   —       —       (13 )   (10 )   (23 )            

Advertising

   (10 )   (12 )   —       (22 )   (6 )   (28 )            

Cost of cellular handsets

   —       (10 )   —       (10 )   (2 )   (12 )            

Others

   (174 )   (127 )   (3 )   (304 )   (71 )   (375 )            
    

 

 

 

 

 

           

OPERATING COSTS

   (1,215 )   (422 )   (37 )   (1,674 )   (451 )   (2,125 )            
    

 

 

 

 

 

           

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   1,127     441     (14 )   1,554     333     1,887              
    

 

 

 

 

 

           

As a % of Net Revenues

   48 %   51 %   -61 %   48 %         47 %            

 

21


Four Quarter FY 2003 (10/01/03—12/31/03)

 

     Activities

                Variation
historical
Figures


 
    

Fixed Tel.

Data & Internet


   

Cellular

Telephony


   

Publishing

Directories


   

Consolidated

Activities


   

Inflation

Adjustment


   

Adjusted

Figures


    LOGO
    LOGO
 

NET REVENUES

   666     346     30     1,042     —       1,042     182     21 %
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and social security contributions

   (120 )   (20 )   (3 )   (143 )   —       (143 )   (33 )   30 %

Agent commissions and card sales

   (4 )   (24 )   —       (28 )   —       (28 )   (31 )   -1033 %

Taxes

   (38 )   (29 )   —       (67 )   —       (67 )   (6 )   10 %

Materials and supplies

   (34 )   (10 )   (12 )   (56 )   —       (56 )   (15 )   37 %

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   7     1     —       8     —       8     2     33 %

Interconnection cost

   (36 )   —       —       (36 )   —       (36 )   (7 )   24 %

Settlement charges

   (19 )   —       —       (19 )   —       (19 )   3     -14 %

Lease of lines and circuits

   (7 )   5     —       (2 )   —       (2 )   6     -75 %

Service fees

   (16 )   (4 )   (1 )   (21 )   —       (21 )   6     -22 %

Management fees

   —       —       —       —       —       —       —       0 %

Advertising

   (14 )   (13 )   (1 )   (28 )   —       (28 )   (23 )   460 %

Cost of cellular handsets

   —       (17 )   —       (17 )   —       (17 )   (16 )   1600 %

Others

   (34 )   (61 )   (1 )   (96 )   —       (96 )   (11 )   13 %
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING COSTS

   (315 )   (172 )   (18 )   (505 )   —       (505 )   (125 )   33 %
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   351     174     12     537     —       537     57     12 %
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a % of Net Revenues

   53 %   50 %   -,-     52 %         52 %            

Four Quarter FY 2002 (10/01/02—12/31/02)

 

     Activities

 

                       
     Fixed Tel.
Data & Internet

 
 

  Cellular
Telephony

 
 

  Publishing
Directories

 
 

  Consolidated
Activities

 
 

  Inflation
Adjustment

 
 

  Adjusted
Figures

 
 

           

NET REVENUES

   623     219     18     860     1     861              
    

 

 

 

 

 

           

Salaries and social security contributions

   (87 )   (17 )   (6 )   (110 )   (6 )   (116 )            

Agent commissions and card sales

   (5 )   8     —       3     3     6              

Taxes

   (39 )   (21 )   (1 )   (61 )   (2 )   (63 )            

Materials and supplies

   (28 )   (6 )   (7 )   (41 )   (7 )   (48 )            

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   —       6     —       6     2     8              

Interconnection cost

   (29 )   —       —       (29 )   —       (29 )            

Settlement charges

   (22 )   —       —       (22 )   1     (21 )            

Lease of lines and circuits

   (5 )   (3 )   —       (8 )   —       (8 )            

Service fees

   (22 )   (4 )   (1 )   (27 )   —       (27 )            

Management fees

   —       —       —       —       (1 )   (1 )            

Advertising

   (2 )   (3 )   —       (5 )   1     (4 )            

Cost of cellular handsets

   —       (1 )   —       (1 )   1     —                

Others

   (44 )   (38 )   (3 )   (85 )   (5 )   (90 )            
    

 

 

 

 

 

           

OPERATING COSTS

   (283 )   (79 )   (18 )   (380 )   (13 )   (393 )            
    

 

 

 

 

 

           

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   340     140     —       480     (12 )   468              
    

 

 

 

 

 

           

As a % of Net Revenues

   55 %   64 %   0 %   56 %         54 %            

 

22


TELECOM PERSONAL S.A.

 

TWELVE MONTH PERIOD AND FOUR QUARTER—FISCAL YEAR 2003 .

(In millions of Argentine constant pesos as of February 28, 2003)

 

10- Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

     12/31/03

   12/31/02(1)

   LOGO
    LOGO
 

Cash, equivalents and investments

   515    259    256     99 %

Trade receivables

   247    215    32     15 %

Other current assets

   45    44    1     2 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

   807    518    289     56 %
    
  
  

 

Trade receivables

   77    48    29     60 %

Fixed assets

   1,414    1,644    (230 )   -14 %

Other non-current assets

   731    767    (36 )   -5 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

   2,222    2,459    (237 )   -10 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   3,029    2,977    52     2 %
    
  
  

 

Accounts payable

   239    142    97     68 %

Loans

   1,869    2,286    (417 )   -18 %

Other current liabilities

   53    41    12     29 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

   2,161    2,469    (308 )   -12 %
    
  
  

 

Accounts payable

   —      —      —       —    

Loans

   86    145    (59 )   -41 %

Other non-current liabilities

   69    31    38     123 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

   155    176    (21 )   -12 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   2,316    2,645    (329 )   -12 %
    
  
  

 

Minority Interest

   32    9    23     256 %

Temporary differences from translation

   21    18    3     17 %

Shareholders’ equity

   660    305    355     116 %
    
  
  

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   3,029    2,977    52     2 %
    
  
  

 

 

(1) As a consequence of the application of the new accounting rules, the comparative information for intermediate periods of the Annual Financial Statements should be the one corresponding to the last completed fiscal year. The comparative information of the Income Statement, Evolution of Shareholder’s Equity, and Cash Flow Statement should be the one corresponding to the equivalent of the previous fiscal year.

 

23


11- Consolidated Income Statement

Twelve-Month Comparison

 

     As of December 31

             
     2,003

    2,002

    LOGO
    LOGO
 

Net revenues

   1,170     1,042     128     12 %

Cost of services provided

   (720 )   (631 )   (89 )   14 %
    

 

 

 

GROSS PROFIT

   450     411     39     9 %
    

 

 

 

Administrative expenses

   (82 )   (121 )   39     -32 %

Selling expenses

   (217 )   (316 )   99     -31 %
    

 

 

 

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

   151     (26 )   177     -681 %
    

 

 

 

Equity income from related companies

   —       —       —       —    

Amortization of goodwill

   —       —       —       —    

Financial & holding results

   161     (1,039 )   1,200     -115 %

Debt Restructuring Results

   90     —       90     —    

Other incomes & expenses

   (37 )   (59 )   22     -37 %
    

 

 

 

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   365     (1,124 )   1,489     -132 %
    

 

 

 

Taxes on income

   11     186     (175 )   -94 %

Minority interest

   (21 )   25     (46 )   -184 %
    

 

 

 

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

   355     (913 )   1,268     -139 %
    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   496     406     90     22 %
    

 

 

 

As a % of Net Revenues

   42 %   39 %            
    

 

           

Consolidated Income Statement

                        

Three-Month Comparison

                        
     As of December 31

             
     2,003

    2,002

    LOGO
    LOGO
 

Net revenues

   349     222     127     57 %

Cost of services provided

   (228 )   (155 )   (73 )   47 %
    

 

 

 

GROSS PROFIT

   121     67     54     81 %
    

 

 

 

Administrative expenses

   (3 )   (23 )   20     -87 %

Selling expenses

   (61 )   (41 )   (20 )   49 %
    

 

 

 

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

   57     3     54     1800 %
    

 

 

 

Equity income from related companies

   —       —       —       —    

Amortization of goodwill

   —       —       —       —    

Financial & holding results

   (27 )   212     (239 )   -113 %

Debt Restructuring Results

   —       —       —       —    

Other incomes & expenses

   3     (17 )   20     -118 %
    

 

 

 

RESULTS FROM ORDINARY OPERATIONS

   33     198     (165 )   -83 %
    

 

 

 

Taxes on income

   11     (256 )   267     -104 %

Minority interest

   (8 )   4     (12 )   -300 %
    

 

 

 

NET (LOSS)/INCOME

   36     (54 )   90     -167 %
    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating (Loss)/Profit before D&A

   144     108     36     33 %
    

 

 

 

As a % of Net Revenues

   41 %   49 %            
    

 

           

 

23


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 STET-France Telecom S.A.

Date:

 

March 11, 2004

      By:  

/s/    Alberto Yamandú Messano        


                Name:   Alberto Yamandú Messano
                Title:   Director