Telekom Austria Group: Strong International Growth Counteracts Challenging Domestic Market
May 16 2007 - 1:56AM
PR Newswire (US)
VIENNA, May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Telekom Austria AG (VSE:
TKA; NYSE: TKA) today announced its results for the first quarter
2007 ending March 31, 2007. Beginning with 1Q 07 the Telekom
Austria Group reports three segments. Fixed Net comprises primarily
the former Wireline segment, whereas Mobile Communication
encompasses the former Wireless segment. In addition, the Telekom
Austria Group also reports a third segment Corporate consisting of
all non-operative functions related to the governance of the
Telekom Austria Group. Prior years have been adjusted for
comparison. During 1Q 07 revenues remained almost stable at EUR
1,145.8 million compared to 1Q 06, with higher revenues in the
Mobile Communication segment almost offsetting lower revenues in
the Fixed Net segment. Revenues in the Fixed Net segment declined
by 4.5% to EUR 510.8 million in 1Q 07 due to lower revenues from
Switched Voice, which were partly offset by higher revenues in Data
& IT solutions and Internet Access & Media. Mobile
Communication revenues rose by 0.9% to EUR 694.1 million in the
reporting quarter compared to 1Q 06 as a result of rising monthly
rental, traffic and other revenues. Operating income before
depreciation, amortization and impairment charges (adjusted EBITDA)
declined by 5.8% to EUR 474.9 million in 1Q 07 impacted by lower
revenues in the Fixed Net segment, higher marketing expenses in the
Mobile Communication segment and start-up costs for the operations
in the Republic of Serbia. Operating income decreased by 4.9% to
EUR 210.7 million during the reporting period. The decline in
operating income of the Mobile Communication segment due to higher
depreciation and amortization charges for investments in the mobile
networks was accompanied by stable operating income of the Fixed
Net segment due to lower depreciation and amortization charges. Net
income was lower by 4.4% at EUR 147.2 million in the reporting
quarter due to the lower operating income. Earnings per share
remained stable at EUR 0.32 as a result of previous share buybacks.
Cash flow from operations per share increased by 22.0% to EUR 0.81
per share also as a result of previous share buybacks. Capital
expenditures for tangible and intangible assets increased from EUR
121.8 million in 1Q 06 to EUR 167.3 million in 1Q 07 as a result of
the rollout of HSDPA and HSUPA in Austria, infrastructure
investments of EUR 7.5 million in the Republic of Serbia and
license costs of EUR 10 million in the Republic of Macedonia. Net
debt decreased by 5.2% to EUR 3,003.6 million as of end of March
2007 in comparison to end of December 2006 primarily due to strong
free cash flow generation. The net debt to equity ratio (net
gearing) was 103.0% compared to 112.2% at the end of December 2006.
For more detailed information about the financial results for the
first quarter 2007 please refer to the corresponding interim report
on Telekom Austria's website at
http://www.telekom.at/interim_reports Contacts: Elisabeth Mattes
Group Spokeswoman Phone: +43-664-331-2730 E-Mail: Peter Zydek Head
of Investor Relations Phone: +43-(0)59059-1-19000 E-Mail:
DATASOURCE: Telekom Austria AG CONTACT: Contacts: Elisabeth Mattes,
Group Spokeswoman, Phone: +43-664-331-2730, E-Mail: ; Peter Zydek,
Head of Investor Relations, Phone: +43-(0)59059-1-19000, E-Mail:
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