Telecom Argentina S.A. announces consolidated results for the nine month period ("9M22") and third quarter of fiscal year 2022 ("3Q22") **

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Nov. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Note: For the figures included in their FFSS, the Company has accounted for the effects of inflation adjustment adopted by Resolution 777/18 of the Comisión Nacional de Valores ("CNV"), which establishes that the restatement will be applied to the annual financial statements, for intermediate and special periods ended as of December 31, 2018 inclusive. Accordingly, the reported figures corresponding to 9M22 include the effects of the adoption of inflationary accounting in accordance with IAS 29. Finally, comments related to variations of results of 9M22 and vs. 9M21 mentioned in this press release correspond to "figures restated by inflation" or "constant".

• Previous' year figures included for comparative purposes (September 2021) contain the effect of the year over year inflation as of September 2022, which was 83.0%.
• Consolidated Revenues amounted to P$470,960 million in 9M22 (-12.2% in constant currency vs. 9M21), in a context of inflationary acceleration. Service Revenues totaled P$440,369 million (-11.6% in constant currency vs. 9M21).
• Mobile clients in Argentina reached 20 million in 9M22 (+0.5 million vs. 9M21), cable TV subscribers totaled approximately 3.5 million (-61 thousand vs. 9M21), while broadband accesses amounted to 4.2 million (-30 thousand vs. 9M21).
• Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization amounted to P$135,138 million in 9M22 (-22.6% vs. 9M21), while our operating margin before D&A was 28.7%.
• Due to economic and market conditions, a goodwill impairment of P$207.940 million was recorded as depreciation, amortization and impairment of fixed assets (refer to the "Impairment of goodwill" section of this press release), mainly including the goodwill generated as a result of the merger between Cablevisión and Telecom (which was effective as of January 1, 2018). The aforementioned impairment does not affect assets other than goodwill and has no impact over the Company's operations or its cash generation capacity.
• The Company registered a Net Loss of P$163,498 million in 9M22 (vs. an income of P$1,876 million in 9M21). This loss was mainly due to the abovementioned impairment, and was partially offset by positive net financial results of P$75,126 million.
• Investments (including rights of use assets) reached P$85,664 million in 9M22, equivalent to 18.2% of our Consolidated Revenues.
• Net Financial Debt amounted to P$360,531 million in 9M22 (-11.8% in constant currency vs. 9M21).

**Unaudited non financial data

*(in constant measuring unit – includes $10.779 million corresponding to additions of rights of use assets as of September 30, 2022)
**(Figures may not add up due to rounding)
*** (does not include IP telephony lines, which as of September 30, 2022 amounted to approximately 1,020 thousand)

Telecom Argentina S.A. ('Telecom Argentina') - (NYSE: TEO; BYMA: TECO2), announced today a net loss of P$163,498 million for the period ended September 30, 2022 (-P$165,374 million vs. 9M21). The net income attributable to the controlling company was P$164,873 million (-P165,528 million vs. 9M21).

Comparative figures for the previous fiscal year have been restated so that the resulting information is presented in terms of the current measurement unit as of September 30, 2022.

The following table shows the evolution of the consumer price index (National CPI - according to INDEC's official statistics) for the last two fiscal years and as of September 30, 2021 and 2022, , which were used to restate the figures in constant currency:

During the 9M22, Consolidated Revenues amounted to P$264,577 million, from which Service Revenues totaled P$247,527 million.

Consolidated Operating Revenues

Mobile Services

As of September 30, 2022, total mobile subscribers in Argentina and Paraguay amounted to 22.3 million. In 9M22, total mobile services revenues represented P$187,113 million (-P$13,590 million or -6.8% vs. 9M21).

Mobile Services in Argentina

As of September 30, 2022, total mobile subscribers amounted to approximately 20.0 million (+0.5 million vs. 9M21). Postpaid clients represented 43% of our subscriber base.

In 9M22, mobile service revenues in Argentina amounted to P$171,114 million (-4.6% vs 9M21). Mobile internet revenues accounted for 88% of mobile service revenues. The average monthly revenue per user ("ARPU" – restated in constant currency as of September 30, 2022) amounted to P$936.5 during 9M22 (-9.9% vs. 9M21). The effect generated by the restatement in terms of the September 30, 2022 current measurement unit (included in the ARPU) amounted to P$194.8 and P$537.4, for 9M22 and 9M21, respectively.  Mobile churn was 2.5% (vs. 1.6% in 9M21).

Personal in Paraguay ('Núcleo') 

As of September 30, 2022, Núcleo's subscriber base reached 2.3 million clients. Prepaid and postpaid customers represented 80% and 20%, respectively.

Núcleo´s mobile service revenues during 9M22, amounted to P$15,999 million (-24.9% vs. 9M21), mainly due to a decrease in ARPU measured in constant pesos, which was partially offset by the appreciation of the Guaraní against the Argentine peso.

Cable TV Services

Cable TV service revenues were P$85,700 million in 9M22 (-P$19,420 million or -18.5% vs. 9M21). Cable TV subscribers totaled approximately 3.5 million (-61 thousand vs. 9M21). The monthly Cable TV ARPU (restated in constant currency as of September 30, 2022) reached P$2,620.9 during 9M22 (vs P$3,201.6 in 9M21). The effect generated by the restatement in terms of the measuring unit as of September 30, 2022 included in ARPU amounts to P$567.4 and P$1,663.9, for the 9M22 and 9M21, respectively. The average monthly churn during 9M22 and 9M21 was 1.3% and 1.1%, respectively.

Flow continued to strengthen its content offer by incorporating new products in music, national and international films, and gaming. During the 9M22, Flow's subscribers reached 1.3 million (+200 thousand or +18.3% vs. 9M21)

Additionally, we continued to deploy the ISDB-T technology for analogic Flow subscribers in new cities, reaching more than 1.5 million subscribers in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and the province of Buenos Aires. We have also presented a new Flow Flex service, which consists of a flexible paid TV proposal that allows customers to contract Flow's services for a fixed period of time, with packages of 3, 7, 15 and 30 days.

Fixed Telephony and Data Services

Revenues generated by fixed telephony and data services reached P$58,534 million in 9M22 (-P$16,658 million or -22.2% vs. 9M21).

The monthly fixed voice ARPU (restated in constant currency as of September 30, 2022) reached P$1,206.6 (vs. P$1,296.2 in 9M21). The effect generated by the restatement in terms of the measuring unit as of September 30, 2022, included in the ARPU amounted to P$271.0 and P$676.3 for the 9M22 and 9M21, respectively.

We continue to offer valuable proposals with the objective of supporting companies in their digital transformation, including cybersecurity as a key element in this transformation process. In this regard, the Company included Oracle Cloud solutions in its offer, which includes application servers, databases and more.

Internet Services

Internet services revenues totaled P$105,070 million during 9M22 (-P$8,850 million or -7.5% vs. 9M21). As of September 30, 2022, total broadband accesses reached approximately 4.2 million (-30 thousand vs. 9M21).

Additionally, broadband ARPU (restated in constant currency as of September 30, 2022) amounted to P$2,642.0 per month in 9M22 (vs. P$2,892.8 in 9M21). The effect generated by the restatement in terms of the measuring unit as of September 30, 2022, included in the ARPU amounted to approximately P$563.9 and P$1,499.8, for the 9M22 and 9M21, respectively.

The average monthly churn rate for the 9M22 was 1.5% (unchanged when compared to 9M21). As of 9M22, 79% of our total customer base had a broadband service of 50Mb or higher (this percentage was 68% as of 9M21).

The Company continued to enhance the home connectivity experience of its customers, increasing the deployment of Fiber Optic to the Home (FTTH) in different locations throughout the country. These connections reach up to 300 megabytes, with low latency, multi-device connection and including the option of contracting Flow as an additional service, among other advantages.

Revenues from equipment sales

Equipment revenues amounted to P$30,591 million (-P$7,498 million or -19.7% vs. 9M21). Said decrease was mainly due to a lower volume of handsets sold (-18%), which have increased their average price.

Consolidated Operating Costs

Consolidated Operating Costs (including D&A and impairment of fixed assets) totaled P$705,628 million in 9M22 (+P$171,550 million or -32.1% vs. 9M21). Excluding D&A and impairment of fixed assets, operating costs experienced a reduction of 7.1%.

The cost breakdown was as follows:

• Employees benefits and severance payments: P$115,470 million (+4.5% vs. 9M21). Total employees amounted to 22,234 as of 9M22.
• Interconnection and transmission costs (including roaming, international settlement charges and lease of circuits) were P$14,574 million (-25.4% vs. 9M21). This saving was mainly due to a new business dynamic that optimizes our links and sites which has offset the increase in prices of services that are denominated in US dollars.
• Fees for services, maintenance, materials and supplies: P$56,503 million (-7.7% vs. 9M21). This decrease is mainly explained by a decrease in maintenance and material costs of $5,731 million vs. 9M21.
• Taxes and fees paid to regulatory authorities: P$36,272 million (-12.3% vs. 9M21). This decrease was mainly due to lower sales during 9M22 vs 9M21. These costs represent 7.7% of total revenues as of 9M22 and 9M21.
• Commissions and advertising (commissions paid to agents, collection fees and other commissions): P$27,731 million (-8.3% vs. 9M21). Said decrease was mainly explained by lower agent commission charges and collection fees, partially offset by a slight increase in advertisement costs related to campaigns related to Personal Pay (the Company's electronic wallet) and cybersecurity services.
• Cost of handsets sold: P$21,745 million (-19.5% vs. 9M21). These costs decreased mainly due to a lower volume of handsets sold (-18% vs. 9M21), notwithstanding the increase in purchase prices.
• Programming and content costs: P$29,530 million (-19.4% vs. 9M21). Said reduction was mainly explained by commercial efficiencies, which were partially offset by price increases in almost all of our broadcasting signals.
• Other Costs totaled P$33,967 million (-3.3% vs. 9M21), of which bad debt expenses reached P$11,781 million (+20.0% vs. 9M21).
• Our bad debt ratio was 2.5% as of September 30, 2022 (vs. 1.8% in 9M21). The increase was mainly due to the deteriorating economic situation in Argentina, which has a direct impact on our bad debt ratios. The bad debt ratio of the 9M21 was impacted by post-pandemic collection improvements.
• Other operating costs (including charges for lawsuits and other contingencies, energy and other public services, insurance, rents and internet capacity) totaled P$22,186 million (-12.4% vs. 9M21). All components of this item have experienced a reduction in real.
• Depreciation, amortization and impairment of fixed assets amounted to P$369,806 million (+114.5% vs. 9M21). Due to the complex macroeconomic context in Argentina, the Company has reviewed the recoverable value estimate of the goodwill allocated to the Argentine cash-generating unit (CGU). From said analysis, it was concluded that the book value of the CGU exceeds its recoverable value. Consequently, an impairment of goodwill was recognized for P$207,940 million (refer to section "Recovery of goodwill" in Relevant financial events of the period).
  
  This charge also includes the impact of the amortization of assets incorporated after September 30, 2021, partially offset by the effect of the assets that were completely amortized after such date.

Net Financial Results

Net Financial Results (including Financial Expenses on Debt and Other Financial Results) were P$75,126 million in 9M22 (vs. P$55,989 million in 9M21), mainly due to:

Income Tax

Our income tax includes the following effects:

i)  the tax to be paid according to applicable local tax legislation,

ii)  the effect of applying the deferred tax method on temporary differences generated when comparing our asset and liability valuation according to tax and financial accounting criteria which includes the effect of the income tax inflation adjustment, and

iii)  the effects mentioned in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2022.

Income tax loss amounted to P$4,298 million in 9M22 (vs. a loss of P$56,666 million in 9M21). The tax paid according to item (i) above amounted to P$34,934 million in 9M22 (vs. P$23,263 million in 9M21) and the income tax effect related to the application of the deferred tax method described in item (ii) above is a gain of P$30,636 million in 9M22 (vs. a loss of P$33,403 million in 9M21).

Consolidated Net Financial Debt

As of September 30, 2022, our net financial debt (cash, cash equivalents plus financial investments and financial NDF* & interest rate swaps minus loans) amounted to P$360,531 million, decreasing P$48,387 million (-11.8%) when compared to the consolidated net financial debt as of September 30, 2021 adjusted by inflation.

* Contemplates rate swaps and NDF (non-delivery forwards) agreements.

Investments in PP&E, intangible assets and rights of use assets

During the 9M22, the Company invested (including rights of use assets) P$85,664 million (-29.6% vs. 9M21). Said investments represented 18.2% of consolidated revenues in 9M22.

The investments were focused on

• Projects related to improving internet transmission and access speed.
• Deployment and modernization of our 4G mobile access sites, supporting the growth in the coverage of our mobile network.
• Extension of our transmission and transport networks in order to unify the different access technologies and to consolidate the deployment of last-mile networks with FTTH architecture.
• New customer contact systems

Relevant financial events of the period

Impairment of goodwill

The most significant goodwill held by the Company was generated as a result of the merger between Telecom Argentina and Cablevisión (the effective date of this transaction was January 1, 2018).

The aforementioned merger was a business combination made through an exchange of equity interests. In order to determine the goodwill obtained in the merger between Telecom and Cablevisión, the consideration paid was determined based on the fair value of the shares of Telecom on the last business day before the effective date of the transaction (January 1, 2018).  The NYSE market price of the ADR of Telecom on said date was US$ 36.63 per ADR (as of September 30, 2022, the price of the ADR of Telecom was US$ 4.01).

The impairment of this goodwill is identified by comparing the recoverable value of the business in Argentina, which includes goodwill balance, to its book value.  Recoverable value is determined using the higher value between its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. Fair value less cost of disposal is calculated taking into account the Company's market capitalization value according to the average trading price of the stock in the local stock exchange (BYMA), and value in use is estimated using a discounted cash flow model.

Due to the deterioration of market conditions in Argentina and globally, the recoverable value of Argentinian business fell short vs. the book value by approximately P$208 billion pesos. This impairment is mainly due to the minor increase of Telecom's share price in pesos, which has underperformed inflation, while fixed assets increase their book values based on the inflation rate in accordance with the requirements under IAS 29. Consequently, an impairment for the aforementioned amount was registered as of September 30, 2022 in "D&A and impairment of fixed assets".

The aforementioned impairment does not affect assets other than goodwill, and has no impact over the Company's operations or its cash generation capacity.

For further information, refer to Note 26 of the Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2022.

Class 12 local notes - Reopening

Issuance Date: March 9, 2022.

Amount Issued: US$75 million to be paid in Argentine pesos at the applicable exchange rate. As the notes were issued at a premium to par value, the Company received proceeds for US$86.25 million.

Maturity Date: March 9, 2027.

Amortization: Bullet.

Interest Rate and payments: 1.00% p.a, quarterly interest payments.

ENACOM Resolution No. 798/2022 – On-demand spectrum allocation

Through ENACOM Resolution No. 798/2022, published in the Official Gazette of May 19, 2022, an on-demand process of spectrum allocation for the provision of the Advanced Mobile Communications Service was launched, involving blocks of the 2500-2570 MHz and 2620-2690 MHz frequencies.

On May 31, 2022, the Company submitted a presentation requesting the allocation of spectrum blocks in this process. Through ENACOM Resolution No.1729/2022 published in the Official Gazette on August 31, 2022, Telecom Argentina was awarded the spectrum blocks in the requested locations and ENACOM accepted the Company's proposal to return certain of its spectrum blocks.

Sale of "Costanera" building

On March 21, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement for the sale of the "Costanera" building, located in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina, for a total of US$6 million. This transaction is subject to ENACOM's authorization, since the real estate is affected by the provision of ICT Services.

As of September 30, 2022, the Company has received an advance payment for US$ 2 million.

Relevant events after September 30, 2022

Preliminary Injunction

On October 5, 2022, we informed of the decision rendered by the Federal Administrative Litigation Matters Court No. 8 in the proceedings "Telecom Argentina S.A. a/EN-Enacom and other re. preliminary injunction (Autonomous)" (Docket No. 12,881/2020) whereby the Court decided to further extend for a period of 6 (six) months the preliminary injunction previously granted to us according to section 5 of Law No. 26,854

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

As of September 30, 2022, Telecom Argentina owns 2,153,688,011 issued and outstanding shares.

For more information, please contact Investor Relations:

For information about Telecom Argentina's services, visit:

www.telecom.com.ar
www.personal.com.ar
www.personal.com.py

Disclaimer
This document may contain statements that could constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to (i) the Company's expectations for its future performance, revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, liquidity and capital structure; (ii) the continued synergies expected from the merger between the Company and Cablevisión S.A. (or the Merger); (iii) the implementation of the Company's business strategy; (iv) the changing dynamics and growth in the telecommunications and cable markets in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and the United States; (v) the Company's outlook for new and enhanced technologies; (vi) the effects of operating in a competitive environment; (vii) the industry conditions; (viii) the outcome of certain legal proceedings; and (ix) regulatory and legal developments. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "will," "may" and "should" or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. In addition, certain forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others: (i) the Company's ability to successfully implement our business strategy and to achieve synergies resulting from the Merger; (ii) the Company's ability to introduce new products and services that enable business growth; (iii) uncertainties relating to political and economic conditions in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and the United States, including the policies of the new government in Argentina; (iv) the impact of political developments, including the policies of the new government in Argentina, on the demand for securities of Argentine companies; (v) inflation, the devaluation of the peso, the Guaraní and the Uruguayan peso and exchange rate risks in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay; (vi) restrictions on the ability to exchange Argentine or Uruguayan pesos or Paraguayan guaraníes into foreign currencies and transfer funds abroad; (vii) the impact of currency and exchange measures or restrictions on our ability to access the international markets and our ability to repay our dollar-denominated indebtedness; (viii) the creditworthiness of our actual or potential customers; (ix) the nationalization, expropriation and/or increased government intervention in companies; (x) technological changes; (xi) the impact of legal or regulatory matters, changes in the interpretation of current or future regulations or reform and changes in the legal or regulatory environment in which the Company operates, including regulatory developments such as sanctions regimes in other jurisdictions (e.g., the United States) which impact on the Company's suppliers; (xii) the effects of increased competition; (xiii) reliance on content produced by third parties; (xiv) increasing cost of the Company's supplies; (xv) inability to finance on reasonable terms capital expenditures required to remain competitive; (xvi) fluctuations, whether seasonal or in response to adverse macro-economic developments, in the demand for advertising; (xvii) the Company's ability to compete and develop our business in the future; (xviii) the impact of increased national or international restrictions on the transfer or use of telecommunications technology; and (xix) the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 on the global economy and specifically on the economies of the countries in which we operate, as well as on our operations and financial performance. Many of these factors are macroeconomic and regulatory in nature and therefore beyond the control of the Company's management. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended, planned or projected. The Company does not intend and does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this document. These forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from our future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are encouraged to consult the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F and the periodic filings made on Form 6-K, which are periodically filed with or furnished to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the presentations periodically filed before the Argentine Securities and Exchange Commission (Comisión Nacional de Valores) and the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange (Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos), for further information concerning risks and uncertainties faced by the Company.

SOURCE Telecom Argentina S.A.