Form 6-K
Table of Contents

 

 

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

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

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of March 2010

Commission File Number: 1-16269

 

 

AMÉRICA MÓVIL, S.A.B. DE C.V.

(Exact Name of the Registrant as Specified in the Charter)

 

 

America Mobile

(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)

Lago Alberto 366,

Colonia Anahuac

11320 México, D.F., México

(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.

(Check One) 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):  ¨

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):  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(Check One) Yes  ¨            No  x

(If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b). 82-            .)

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

   3

Presentation of Financial Statements

   4

Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data

   5

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   7

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

   8

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   27

Recent Developments

   28
Exhibits:   

Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   Exhibit 11.1
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements under Mexican Financial Reporting Standards as of December  31, 2009 and 2008 and for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007    Exhibit 99.1

 

 

We have prepared this report to provide our investors with disclosure and financial information regarding recent developments in our business and results of operation for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The information in this report supplements information contained in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 001-16269), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2009 (our “2008 Form 20-F”).

 

 

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements. We may from time to time make forward-looking statements in our periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC,” on Forms 20-F and 6-K, in our annual report to shareholders, in offering circulars and prospectuses, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by our officers, directors or employees to analysts, institutional investors, representatives of the media and others. Examples of such forward-looking statements include:

 

   

projections of operating revenues, net income (loss), net income (loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items or ratios;

 

   

statements of our plans, objectives or goals, including those relating to acquisitions, competition, regulation and rates;

 

   

statements about our future economic performance or that of Mexico or other countries in which we operate;

 

   

competitive developments in the telecommunications sector in each of the markets where we currently operate;

 

   

other factors or trends affecting the telecommunications industry generally and our financial condition in particular; and

 

   

statements of assumptions underlying the foregoing statements.

We use words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “target,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “forecast,” “guideline,” “should” and other similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, but they are not the only way we identify such statements.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors, some of which are discussed under “Risk Factors” in our 2008 Form 20-F include economic and political conditions and government policies in Mexico, Brazil or elsewhere, inflation rates, exchange rates, regulatory developments, technological improvements, customer demand and competition. We caution you that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and that other risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update such statements in light of new information or future developments.

You should evaluate any statements made by us in light of these important factors.

 

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PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Mexican Financial Reporting Standards (Normas de Información Financiera Mexicanas, or “Mexican FRS”) and are presented in Mexican pesos. They have been audited in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in Mexico. The financial statements of our non-Mexican subsidiaries have been adjusted to conform to Mexican FRS and translated to Mexican pesos. See Note 2(a)(ii) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Under Mexican FRS, our financial statements for periods ending prior to January 1, 2008 recognized the effects of inflation on financial information. Inflation accounting under Mexican FRS had extensive effects on the presentation of our financial statements through 2007. See “Inflation Accounting” under “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in this report and Note 2(f) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Beginning with the year ended December 31, 2012, Mexican issuers with securities listed on a Mexican securities exchange will be required to prepare financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (or “IFRS”) as adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (or “IASB”). Issuers may voluntarily report using IFRS before the change in the reporting standards becomes mandatory. We plan to begin reporting financial statements in IFRS for 2012 at the latest.

On December 13, 2006, our shareholders approved the merger of América Telecom, S.A.B. de C.V., or “Amtel,” our then controlling shareholder, and its subsidiary Corporativo Empresarial de Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V., or “Corporativo,” with us. As a result of the merger, we assumed assets and liabilities based on Amtel’s unaudited financial statements as of October 31, 2006. In accordance with Mexican FRS, the merger with Amtel has been accounted for on a historical basis similar to a pooling of interest basis and we have adjusted our financial information and selected financial information presented in this report to include the consolidated assets, liabilities and results of operations of Amtel for periods presented up to December 31, 2006.

References herein to “U.S.$” are to U.S. dollars. References herein to “Mexican pesos,” “P.” or “Ps.” are to Mexican pesos.

This report contains translations of various Mexican peso amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for your convenience. You should not construe these translations as representations by us that the nominal Mexican peso or constant Mexican peso amounts actually represent the U.S. dollar amounts or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, we have translated U.S. dollar amounts from constant Mexican pesos at the exchange rate of Ps. 13.0587 to U.S.$1.00, which was the rate reported by Banco de México for December 31, 2009, as published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (Diario Oficial de la Federación, or “Official Gazette”).

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

The selected financial and operating information set forth below has been derived in part from our audited consolidated financial statements, which have been reported on by Mancera S.C., a Member Practice of Ernst & Young Global, independent auditors. The selected financial and operating information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

     As of and for the year ended December 31,(1)
     2005(9)    2006(9)    2007(9)(10)    2008(9)    2009(9)    2009
     (2009 and 2008 in millions of Mexican pesos, previous years in millions
of constant Mexican pesos as of December 31, 2007)(2)
   (millions of U.S.
dollars)(2)

Income Statement Data:

                 

Mexican FRS

              

Operating revenues

   Ps. 196,638    Ps. 243,005    Ps. 311,580    Ps. 345,655    Ps. 394,711    U.S.$ 30,225

Operating costs and expenses

     159,928      181,971      226,386      250,109      290,502      22,246

Depreciation and amortization

     22,955      27,884      40,406      41,767      53,082      4,065

Operating income

     36,710      61,034      85,194      95,546      104,209      7,980

Comprehensive financing (income) cost

     2,790      28      387      13,865      2,982      228

Net income

     33,053      44,422      58,587      59,486      76,913      5,890

Earnings per share:

              

Basic(3)

     0.92      1.25      1.67      1.74      2.35      0.18

Diluted(3)

     0.92      1.25      1.67      1.74      2.35      0.18

Dividends declared per share(4)

     0.37      0.10      1.20      0.26      0.80      0.06

Dividends paid per share(5)

     0.37      0.12      1.20      0.26      0.80      0.06

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (millions)(6):

              

Basic

     35,766      35,459      35,149      34,220      32,738   

Diluted

     35,766      35,459      35,149      34,220      32,738   

(footnotes on following page)

 

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      As of and for the year ended December 31,(1)
     2005(9)     2006(9)     2007(9) (10)     2008(9)     2009(9)     2009
    

(2009 and 2008 in millions of Mexican pesos, previous years in millions

of constant Mexican pesos as of December 31, 2007)(2)

    (millions of
U.S. dollars)(2)

Balance Sheet Data:

    

Mexican FRS

            

Property, plant and equipment, net

   Ps. 120,734      Ps. 143,090      Ps. 167,084      Ps. 209,897      Ps. 227,049      U.S.$ 17,387

Total assets

     249,171        328,325        349,121        435,455        453,008        34,690

Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt

     22,176        26,214        19,953        26,731        9,168        702

Long-term debt

     68,346        89,038        84,799        116,755        101,741        7,791

Total stockholders’ equity(7)

     77,909        113,747        126,858        144,925        177,906        13,624

Capital stock

     36,565        36,555        36,552        36,532        36,524        2,797

Number of outstanding shares (millions)(6)(8)

            

AA Shares

     10,915        10,859        11,712        11,712        11,712     

A Shares

     761        571        547        480        451     

L Shares

     23,967        23,872        22,638        21,058        20,121     

Subscriber Data:

            

Number of subscribers (in thousands)

     93,329        124,776        157,287        186,568        204,761     

Subscriber growth

     52.70     33.70     23.20     18.60     9.8  

 

(1) In accordance with Mexican FRS, the merger with Amtel has been accounted for on a historical basis similar to a pooling of interest basis and we have adjusted our financial information and selected financial information presented in this report to include the consolidated assets, liabilities and results of operations of Amtel for periods presented up to December 31, 2006.
(2) Except per share data.
(3) We have not included earnings or dividends on a per ADS basis. Each AMX L ADS represents 20 AMX L Shares and each AMX A ADS represents 20 AMX A Shares.
(4) Nominal amounts. Figures provided represent the annual dividend declared at the general shareholders’ meeting and for 2005 and 2007 include special dividends of Ps. 0.30 per share and Ps. 1.0 per share, respectively.
(5) Nominal amounts (except for 2009). For more information on dividends paid per share translated into U.S. dollars, see “Financial Information—Dividends” under Item 8 of our 2008 Form 20-F. Amount in U.S. dollars translated at the exchange rate on each of the respective payment dates.
(6) All L Share figures have been adjusted retroactively to reflect a reduction in AMX L Shares as a result of our merger with Amtel. The increase in AMX AA Shares between 2006 and 2007 was due to the exchange of shares of Amtel for our shares in connection with our merger with Amtel. Subject to certain restrictions, the shareholders of Amtel were free to elect to receive AMX L Shares or AMX AA Shares.
(7) Includes non-controlling interest.
(8) As of year-end.
(9) Note 2z.3 to our audited consolidated financial statements describes new accounting pronouncements under Mexican FRS that came into force in 2009. The pronouncements that became effective on January 1, 2009, were fully implemented in the financial statements included in this report. These new accounting pronouncements were applied on a prospective basis. As a result, the financial statements of prior years, which are presented for comparative purposes, have not been modified and may not be comparable to our financial statements for 2009.
(10) Beginning in 2007, we capitalize interest under Mexican FRS.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each year in the five-year period ended December 31, 2009, in accordance with Mexican FRS.

 

     Year ended December 31,
     2005    2006    2007    2008    2009

Mexican FRS(1)

   4.6    7.2    9.0    7.6    9.9

 

(1) Earnings, for this purpose, consist of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, plus fixed charges and depreciation of capitalized interest and minus interest capitalized during the period. Through December 31, 2006, for Mexican FRS purposes, employee profit-sharing is considered an income tax and earnings are calculated before the provision for employee profit-sharing. Fixed charges, for this purpose, consist of interest expense plus interest capitalized during the period. Fixed charges do not take into account gain or loss from monetary position or exchange gain or loss attributable to our indebtedness.

 

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OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Under Mexican FRS, our financial statements for periods ending prior to January 1, 2008 recognized the effects of inflation on financial information. Inflation accounting under Mexican FRS had extensive effects on the presentation of our financial statements through 2007. See “Inflation Accounting” below and Note 2(f) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

The following discussion analyzes certain operating data, such as average revenues per subscriber (also referred to as “ARPU”), average minutes of use per subscriber (also referred to as average “MOUs” per subscriber) and churn rate, that are not included in our financial statements. We calculate ARPU for a given period by dividing service revenues for such period by the average number of subscribers for such period. The figure includes both prepaid and postpaid customers. We calculate churn rate as the total number of customer deactivations for a period divided by total subscribers at the beginning of such period.

We provide this operating data because it is regularly reviewed by management and because management believes it is useful in evaluating our performance from period to period. We believe that presenting information about ARPU and MOUs is useful in assessing the usage and acceptance of our products and services, and that presenting churn rate is useful in assessing our ability to retain subscribers. This additional operating information may not be comparable with similarly titled measures and disclosures by other companies.

We count our wireless subscribers by the number of lines activated. We continue to count postpaid subscribers for the length of their contracts. We disconnect, or “churn,” our postpaid subscribers at the moment they voluntarily discontinue their service or following a prescribed period of time after they become delinquent. We disconnect our prepaid subscribers after a period of four months after they discontinue using our service, so long as they have not activated a calling card or received traffic. We calculate our subscriber market share by comparing our own subscriber figures with the total market subscriber figures periodically reported by the regulatory authorities in the markets in which we operate. We understand that these regulatory authorities compile total market subscriber figures based on subscriber figures provided to them by market participants, and we do not independently verify these figures.

Inflation Accounting

Through the end of 2007, Mexican FRS required us to recognize effects of inflation in our financial statements. They also required us to present financial statements from prior periods in constant pesos as of the end of the most recent period presented. We present financial information for 2008 and 2009 in nominal pesos and financial information for 2007 and prior years in constant pesos as of December 2007.

Cessation of Inflation Accounting under Mexican FRS

Mexican FRS changed beginning on January 1, 2008, and the inflation accounting methods summarized below no longer apply, except where the economic environment qualifies as “inflationary” for purposes of Mexican FRS. The environment is inflationary if the cumulative inflation rate equals or exceeds an aggregate of 26% over three years (equivalent to an average of 8% in each year). Based on current forecasts, we do not expect the Mexican economic environment to qualify as inflationary in 2010, but that could change depending on actual economic performance.

Changes in Mexican FRS

Note 2z.3 to our audited consolidated financial statements discusses new accounting pronouncements under Mexican FRS that came into force in 2009 and that will come into force in 2010. The pronouncements that became effective on January 1, 2009 were fully implemented in the financial statements included in this report. In 2010, other pronouncements might affect certain aspects of our financial statements. The 2009 accounting pronouncements were applied on a prospective basis and prior years’ financial statements have not been adjusted. As a result, our financial statements for 2009 may not be comparable to our financial statements for prior years.

 

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Transition to IFRS

Beginning with the year ended December 31, 2012, Mexican issuers with securities listed on a Mexican securities exchange will be required to prepare financial information in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. Issuers may voluntarily report using IFRS before the change in the reporting standards becomes mandatory. We plan to begin presenting financial statements in accordance with IFRS for 2012 at the latest.

Overview

Trends in Operating Results

We have experienced significant growth in our operating revenues (14.2% in 2009, 10.9% in 2008 and 28.2% in 2007) and operating income (9.1% in 2009, 12.2% in 2008 and 39.6% in 2007) in recent years. Besides acquisitions, the principal factors affecting our operating revenues and operating income relate to growth in subscribers and traffic. Traffic can grow as a result of increased usage by existing customers or as a result of subscriber growth or both. In recent years, we have experienced a significant increase in the usage of value-added services, such as data services.

We have generally experienced both increased usage and subscriber growth in recent periods. Due principally to competitive pressures, we generally have not increased prices in recent periods. In many of our markets, we have introduced promotions and discount packages that tend to result in higher MOUs and lower ARPU. In addition, interconnection rates have been reduced in many of our markets. During 2009, for example, interconnection rates in Mexico, Colombia and Chile declined by 10%, 50% and 40%, respectively, as compared to 2008 levels. We expect the trend of declining prices to slow in 2010, but we also expect pressure on ARPU as a result of the economic crisis. Traffic increases may not continue to fully offset further price or rate declines, which may adversely affect our revenues and operating income.

At December 31, 2009, we had approximately 201.0 million wireless subscribers, as compared to 182.7 million at December 31, 2008, a 10.0% increase. During 2008, we experienced a 29.3 million or 19.1% increase in wireless subscribers. During 2007, we experienced a 28.6 million or 23.0% increase in wireless subscribers. Subscriber growth during 2009, 2008 and 2007 was substantially attributable to organic growth rather than acquisitions of new companies. We experienced wireless subscriber growth in every segment, with the largest amounts attributable to Brazil (5.7 million net new subscribers, or 31.07% of total net new subscribers), the United States (3.2 million net new subscribers, or 17.73% of total net new subscribers), Mexico (2.8 million net new subscribers, or 15.32% of total net new subscribers) and the Southern Cone (2.2 million net new subscribers, or 12.1% of total net new subscribers). The rate of organic growth in subscribers was adversely affected by the recent economic crisis. However, the South American economies recovered faster than we expected. This recovery resulted in faster subscriber growth in these markets and allowed us to meet our target for subscriber growth in 2009.

We believe that many of the markets we serve provide opportunities for continued growth; and as subscribers and traffic increase, we generally expect to report higher revenue and operating income (before depreciation and amortization) as a result of economies of scale. These effects can be partly or wholly offset, however, by the effects of competition on prices and subscriber acquisition costs. Our operating margins, particularly in certain geographic segments, have tended to decline during periods of accelerated subscriber growth because of the costs of acquiring new subscribers, which include subsidies for equipment purchases and activation commissions. As our subscriber base grows and new subscribers represent a lower fraction of our subscriber base, our operating margins have generally improved, although we cannot give assurances that this improvement will continue.

We have launched and are actively promoting 3G and value-added services in all of our markets. The introduction of 3G services in our markets contributed to an increase of 31.1%, 24.1% and 19.8% in data revenues in

 

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2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Data revenues accounted for 18.1% of service revenues in 2009, as compared to 13.5% in 2008 and 12.4% in 2007. We expect that data revenues as a percentage of our service revenues will continue to increase as 3G services are more widely adopted.

Market and competitive conditions differ considerably in the markets in which we operate, and these conditions are sometimes subject to rapid change.

Effects of Recent Acquisitions

During the last two years, we made significant acquisitions. The consolidation of these companies affects the comparability of our recent results. We accounted for all of these acquisitions using the purchase method, and the results of each acquired company were consolidated in our financial statements as from the month following the consummation of its acquisition. Our audited consolidated financial statements reflect the consolidation of these companies as follows:

 

   

Telecomunicaciones de Puerto Rico, Inc. (from April 2007);

 

   

Oceanic Digital Jamaica Limited (from December 2007); and

 

   

Estesa Holding Corp. (from September 2008).

There were no significant acquisitions in 2009.

Geographic Segments

We have operations in 18 countries, which are grouped for financial reporting purposes in nine geographic segments. Segment information is presented in Note 19 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this report. Mexico is our largest single geographic market, accounting for 36.0% of our total operating revenues in 2009 and 29.4% of our total wireless subscribers at December 31, 2009. The percentage of our total operating revenues represented by Mexico decreased in 2009, as a result of acquisitions outside Mexico and faster organic revenue growth outside Mexico. We expect that our non-Mexican operations will continue to grow faster than Mexico, though exchange rate variations may affect the comparison in any given year.

Brazil is our second most important market in terms of revenues and subscribers, accounting for 20.9% of our total operating revenues in 2009 and 22.1% of our total wireless subscribers at December 31, 2009. We have made significant investments in Brazil in recent periods, through acquisitions and expansions of our networks, and the importance of our Brazilian operations has increased significantly with respect to our overall results.

Our Colombian and Panamanian operations have experienced accelerated subscriber growth in recent years; and, as a result, Colombia has become our third largest market in terms of revenues (9.4% in 2009) and subscribers (13.8% in 2009).

 

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The table below sets forth the percentage of our revenues and total wireless subscribers represented by each of our operating segments for the periods indicated.

 

     2007     2008     2009  
     %
Revenues
    %
Subscribers(1)
    %
Revenues
    %
Subscribers(1)
    %
Revenues
    %
Subscribers(1)
 

Mexico

   40.8      32.6      39.1      30.9      36.0      29.4   

Brazil

   18.7      19.7      20.4      21.2      20.9      22.1   

Southern Cone(2)

   8.7      11.3      8.8      10.7      9.4      10.9   

Colombia and Panama

   9.5      14.6      9.5      15.0      9.4      13.8   

Andean Region(3)

   5.2      8.1      5.8      8.5      6.6      8.8   

Central America(4)

   5.4      5.3      4.6      5.0      4.6      4.8   

United States

   5.0      6.2      4.8      6.1      5.8      7.2   

Dominican Republic

   3.5      1.7      3.3      2.1      3.6      2.4   

Caribbean(5)

   3.2      0/5      3.7      0.5      3.7      0.6   
   100   100   100   100   100   100

 

(1) As of December 31.
(2) Includes our operations in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
(3) Includes our operations in Ecuador and Peru.
(4) Includes our operations in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
(5) Includes our operations in Puerto Rico and Jamaica.

Our subsidiaries report significantly different operating margins. In 2009, Mexico reported operating margins higher than our consolidated operating margin, while the other segments reported lower operating margins.

Factors that drive financial performance differ for our operations in different countries, depending on subscriber acquisition costs, competitive situation, regulatory environment (including fees and revenue-based payments related to our concessions), economic factors, interconnection rates, capital expenditures requirements, debt profile and many other factors. Accordingly, our results of operations in each period reflect a combination of different effects in the different countries.

In recent years, we have experienced faster growth in our postpaid subscriber base than in our prepaid subscriber base, due in part to the quality of coverage and service and the technological platforms that allow us to offer more variety in data services. In 2009, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean reported postpaid subscriber gains that significantly exceeded those reported in 2008.

Effects of Economic Conditions and Exchange Rates

Our results of operations are affected by economic conditions in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and the other countries in which we operate. The current recessionary environment in every country in which we operate may also impact our results of operations. In periods of slow economic growth, demand for telecommunications services tends to be adversely affected.

Effects of Exchange Rates

Our results of operations are affected by changes in currency exchange rates. As discussed above, currency variations between the Mexican peso and the currencies of our non-Mexican subsidiaries, especially the Brazilian real, may affect our results of operations as reported in Mexican pesos.

Changes in the value of the various operating currencies of our subsidiaries against the U.S. dollar also result in exchange losses or gains on our net U.S. dollar-denominated indebtedness and accounts payable. Appreciation of these currencies against the U.S. dollar generally results in foreign exchange gains, while depreciation of these currencies against the U.S. dollar generally results in foreign exchange losses. We recorded foreign exchange gains of Ps. 4,557 million in 2009. We recorded foreign exchange losses of Ps. 13,686 million in 2008 and foreign exchange gains of Ps. 2,463 million in 2007. Changes in exchange rates also affect the fair value of derivative instruments that we use to manage our currency risk exposures. We recognized Ps. 732 million in fair value gains on derivatives in 2009.

 

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Proposed Offers for Telmex Internacional and Carso Global Telecom

On January 13, 2010, we announced that we intend to conduct two separate but concurrent offers (the “Proposed Offers”) to acquire outstanding shares of Telmex Internacional, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Telmex Internacional”) and Carso Global Telecom, S.A.B. de C.V. (“CGT”). Telmex Internacional provides a wide range of telecommunications services in Brazil, Colombia and other countries in Latin America. CGT is a holding company with controlling interests in Telmex Internacional and Teléfonos de México, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Telmex”), a leading Mexican telecommunications provider. If the Proposed Offers are completed, we will acquire controlling interests in CGT, Telmex Internacional (directly and indirectly through CGT) and Telmex (indirectly through CGT). The principal purpose of the Proposed Offers is to pursue synergies between our business and that of Telmex Internacional.

The commencement of the Proposed Offers requires regulatory approvals that we have not yet received, and the completion of the Proposed Offers will also be subject to receiving regulatory approvals and to other conditions. It is possible that if not all such approvals or conditions are obtained or met we will not complete the Proposed Offers. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to when we will launch the Proposed Offers or as to whether or when they will be completed.

Effects of Regulation

We operate in a regulated industry. Although currently we are free to set end prices to our wireless customers, our results of operations and financial condition have been, and will continue to be, affected by regulatory actions and changes. In recent periods, for example, regulators have imposed or promoted decreases to interconnection rates, and we expect further decreases in interconnection rates in Mexico, Chile and Colombia. Lower interconnection revenues have often been offset by increased traffic resulting from lower effective prices to customers, but this may change.

In addition, some jurisdictions may impose specific regulations on wireless carriers that are deemed dominant. Although we are not currently subject to any regulations or restrictions as a result of our market position, we are one of the subjects in ongoing general market investigations in Mexico to ascertain whether one or more cellular operators have substantial market power in one or more sectors of the telecommunications industry. In November 2008, Mexican Federal Competition Commission (Comisión Federal de Competencia, or “Cofeco”) issued a preliminary report (dictamen preliminar) finding that Telcel has substantial market power. The preliminary report was confirmed by the publication on February 10, 2010 of the relevant findings of a resolution relating to the existence of substantial market power in the nationwide market for voice services. In February 2010, Telcel filed an administrative proceeding (recurso administrativo de reconsideración) before Cofeco. When this administrative proceeding was rejected by Cofeco for analysis, Telcel filed an appeal (amparo indirecto) before an administrative judge against the rejection of the proceeding and against the issuance, subscription and publication of the February 10, 2010 resolution. Under the Antitrust Law (Ley Federal de Competencia Económica) and the Telecommunications Law (Ley Federal de Telecomunicaciones), if Cofeco makes a final finding of substantial market power concerning an operator, the Mexican Federal Communications Commission (Comisión Federal de Telecomunicaciones, or “Cofetel”) can impose on that operator specific regulations with respect to tariffs, quality of service and information. We cannot predict what regulatory steps Cofetel may take in response to determinations by Cofeco.

In September 2009, the Colombian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (Comisión de Regulación de Telecomunicaciones de Colombia, or “CRT”) issued a series of resolutions stating that our Colombian subsidiary, Comcel, has a dominant position in Colombia’s market for outgoing mobile services. Under Colombian law, a market participant is considered to have a dominant position in a specified market if the regulators determine that it has the capacity to control the conditions in that market. The CRT made its determination based on Comcel’s traffic, revenues and subscriber base. The resolutions also included regulations requiring Comcel to charge rates (excluding access fees) for mobile-to-mobile calls outside the Comcel network (“off net”) that are not higher than the fees charged for mobile-to-mobile calls within the Comcel network (“on net”) plus access fees. The regulations were first implemented in December 4, 2009. These regulations will limit our flexibility in offering pricing plans to our customers, but we cannot predict the effects on our financial performance.

Composition of Operating Revenues

Most of our operating revenues (88.5% in 2009) is comprised of service revenues. Of our service revenues, the largest portion (34.0% in 2009) is from airtime charges for outgoing calls. We also derive a significant portion of our revenues from interconnection charges billed to other service providers for calls completed on our network. The primary driver of usage charges (airtime and interconnection charges) is traffic, which, in turn, is driven by the number of customers and by their average usage. Postpaid customers generally have an allotment of airtime each month for which they are not required to pay usage charges. Service revenues also include (1) monthly subscription charges paid by postpaid customers, (2) long-distance charges and (3) charges for value-added and other services, such as roaming, call forwarding, call waiting, call blocking and short text messaging.

 

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Revenues from sales of prepaid services are deferred and recognized as airtime is used or when it expires, and are included under usage charges. Monthly basic rent under post-paid is billed in arrears based on the plan and package rates approved and correspond to services rendered, except in Mexico and Colombia, where basic monthly rent is billed one month in advance. Revenues are recognized at the time services are provided. Billed revenues for the service not yet rendered are recognized as deferred revenues.

We also have sales revenues from selling handsets and other equipment. Most of our new subscribers purchase a handset, and although we also sell new handsets to existing customers, changes in sales revenues are driven primarily by the number of new customers. The pricing of handsets is not geared primarily to making a profit from handset sales, because it also takes into account the service revenues that are expected to result when the handset is used.

Seasonality of our Business

Our business has been subject to a certain degree of seasonality, characterized by a higher number of new clients during the fourth quarter of each year. We believe seasonality is mainly driven by the Christmas shopping season.

Consolidated Results of Operations

Operating Revenues

Operating revenues increased by 14.2% in 2009. The Ps. 49,056 million total increase was attributable to increases in service revenues (Ps. 50,988 million), partially offset by a decrease in equipment revenues (Ps. 1,932 million). We experienced subscriber growth in all of our markets for wireless services.

Service revenues increased by 17.1% in 2009. The total increase of Ps. 50,988 million in service revenues is principally due to increased traffic and subscriber growth (Ps. 23,792 million, or 8.0% of the increase) reflecting a significant increase in the usage of value added services and to exchange rate variations (Ps. 27,196 million, or 9.1% of the increase) primarily attributable to the appreciation of the Brazilian real and the Colombian peso against the Mexican peso.

Equipment revenues decreased by 4.1% in 2009, from Ps. 47,505 million to Ps. 45,573 million. This decrease primarily reflects a decrease in the average selling price of handsets. Equipment revenues as a percentage of total revenues decreased from 13.7% in 2008 to 11.5% in 2009.

In 2008, our operating revenues increased by Ps. 34,075 million, or 10.9%, compared to 2007. The total increase of Ps. 31,813 million in service revenues reflects principally increased traffic and subscriber growth (Ps. 28,122 million), as our wireless subscriber base increased by 19.1%. The balance of the increase in service revenues reflects increases due to exchange rate variation (Ps. 7,021 million) and to the effect of consolidating Puerto Rico for the full year (Ps. 3,039 million), offset in part by the effect of inflation accounting on 2007 revenues (Ps. 6,370 million). This was partly offset by lower ARPU attributable principally to promotions and discount packages, lower interconnection rates in some markets and a growing proportion of prepaid subscribers, who generate less revenue per line than postpaid subscribers.

Equipment revenues accounted for Ps. 2,261 million, or 6.6%, of the Ps. 34,075 million increase in operating revenues in 2008. This primarily reflects subscriber growth. Equipment revenues as a percentage of total revenues decreased from 14.5% in 2007 to 13.7% in 2008.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of sales and services—Cost of sales and services represented 41.8% of operating revenues in 2009, 42.2% of operating revenues in 2008 and 42.5% of operating revenues in 2007. In absolute terms, cost of sales and services increased by 13.0% in 2009 and 10.3% in 2008, due principally to increases in interconnection rates, infrastructure rental costs, network maintenance costs and radio base station rental costs.

 

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Cost of sales was Ps. 76,187 million in 2009 and Ps. 75,117 million in 2008 and primarily represents the cost of handsets sold to subscribers. Costs of handsets increased by 1.4% in 2009 and by 7.3% in 2008 and exceeded our revenues from the sale of handsets by 40.0% during 2009 and 36.7% during 2008, since we subsidize the cost of handsets for new subscribers.

Cost of services increased by 25.3% in 2009 to Ps. 17,945 million. This increase in cost of services was greater than the growth in service revenues, which increased by 17.1% in 2009. Cost of services increased faster than service revenues primarily due to increases in revenue-based concession payments in Mexico, the fee for renewal of our concession in Ecuador, infrastructure costs, employee salary increases and infrastructure maintenance costs. Cost of services increased by 13.6% in 2008 compared to 2007, while service revenues increased by 11.9% during the same period.

Commercial, administrative and general—Commercial, administrative and general expenses represented 18.3% of operating revenues in 2009, 18.0% of operating revenues in 2008 and 17.2% of operating revenues in 2007. On an absolute basis, commercial administrative and general expenses increased by 16.1% in 2009 and 16.3% in 2008. The increase in commercial, administrative and general expenses in 2009 principally reflects higher advertising expenses, higher commissions paid to our distributors, establishment of new customer service centers and an increase in our uncollectible accounts.

Telcel, like other Mexican companies, is required by law to pay to its employees, in addition to their agreed compensation and benefits, profit sharing in an aggregate amount equal to 10% of Telcel’s taxable income. Conecel, our Ecuadorian subsidiary, and Claro Peru, our Peruvian subsidiary, are also required to pay employee profit sharing at a rate of 15% of Conecel’s and 10% of Claro Peru’s taxable income. We recognize these amounts under commercial, administrative and general expenses.

Depreciation and amortization — Depreciation and amortization increased by 27.1% in 2009 and 3.4% in 2008. As a percentage of revenues, depreciation and amortization increased from 12.1% in 2008 to 13.4% in 2009. The increases in depreciation and amortization in 2009 and 2008 reflect the substantial investments made in our networks and a charge of Ps. 4,462 million in 2009 and of Ps. 1,996 million in 2008, in each case due to the shortening of the useful life of certain GSM assets in Brazil in 2009.

Operating Income

Operating income increased by 9.1% in 2009 and 12.2% in 2008. Operating income in 2009 reflects a charge of Ps. 4,462 million due to the shortening of the useful life of certain plants and equipment in Brazil. Absent this additional depreciation charge in Brazil, our operating income during 2009 would have increased to 11.4% in 2009.

All of our segments reported operating income in 2009. Operating margin (operating income as a percentage of operating revenues) was 26.4% in 2009, 27.6% in 2008 and 27.3% in 2007. The decrease in our operating margin in 2009 is due principally to the increased depreciation costs in Brazil and an increase in indirect taxes, including taxes on our concessions, local taxes and employee profit sharing. Improvement in our operating margin in 2008 reflected principally the increase in service revenues.

Comprehensive Financing Cost

Under Mexican FRS, comprehensive financing cost reflects interest income, interest expense, foreign exchange gain or loss and other financing costs. Through 2007, comprehensive financing cost also included gain or loss attributable to the effects of inflation on monetary assets and liabilities.

We had comprehensive financing cost of Ps. 2,982 million in 2009, as compared to comprehensive financing cost of Ps. 13,865 million in 2008 and Ps. 387 million in 2007. The decrease in comprehensive financing cost in 2009 reflects principally (a) a 12.5% decrease

 

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in net interest expense due to a decrease in net debt, (b) foreign exchange gains of Ps. 4,557 million due principally to the appreciation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar and (c) a decrease in net other financing costs, primarily due to fair value losses of our financial derivative instruments, commissions and stock exchange registration and listing costs.

The increase in financing cost in 2008 reflects principally (a) foreign exchange losses of Ps. 13,686 million due principally to the depreciation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar, (b) net other financing income of Ps. 6,358 million, primarily due to fair value gains on currency derivatives and (c) no monetary gains or losses in 2008, due to the cessation of inflation accounting under Mexican FRS, as compared to a monetary gain of Ps. 5,038 million in 2007.

For 2009, 2008 and 2007, changes in the components of financing cost were as follows:

 

   

Net interest expense decreased by 12.5% in 2009 and increased by 38.0% in 2008. The decrease in 2009 was primarily attributable to a decrease in our consolidated net debt. The increase in 2008 was primarily attributable to increased net debt resulting from increased capital expenditures.

 

   

We had a net foreign exchange gains of Ps. 4,557 million in 2009, compared to a loss of Ps. 13,686 million in 2008 and a gain of Ps. 2,463 million in 2007. The foreign exchange gain in 2009 was primarily attributable to the 3.5% appreciation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar. The foreign exchange loss in 2008 was primarily attributable to the depreciation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar and was partly offset by gains on currency derivatives described below. The foreign exchange gain in 2007 was primarily attributable to appreciation of the Mexican peso against the US. dollar and of the Brazilian real and the Colombian peso against the Mexican peso and the U.S. dollar.

 

   

In 2009 and 2008, following the cessation of inflation accounting under Mexican FRS, we did not record monetary gains or losses. In 2007, we reported a Ps. 5,038 million net monetary gain, as compared to Ps. 3,848 million in 2006. The increase in 2007 was primarily related to higher inflation in many of our markets, as well as an increase in our average net indebtedness. See “—Inflation Accounting” above.

 

   

We reported a net other financing loss of Ps. 1,820 million in 2009, compared to a gain of Ps. 6,358 million in 2008 and a loss of Ps. 3,153 million in 2007. Net other financing costs include fair value gains and losses of financial instruments, commissions, fair value gains and losses on the sale of investments. In 2009, our net other financing losses were principally attributable to fair value losses of our financial instruments and commissions. In 2008, our net financing income was principally attributable to a net fair value gain on our currency derivatives of Ps. 7,497 million. In 2007, our net financing costs were principally attributable to the write-off of our investment in U.S. Commercial Corp. and fair value gain on our derivative instruments.

 

   

We capitalized financing cost of Ps. 1,627 million in 2009, Ps. 7,054 million in 2008 and Ps. 1,158 million in 2007, in each case related to construction of our plant, property and equipment.

Income Tax

Our effective rates of provisions for corporate income tax as a percentage of pretax income were 22.4%, 25% and 27.7% for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Our effective rate in 2009 and 2008 includes the partial reversal of the valuation allowance corresponding to tax losses in Brazil. The statutory rate of Mexican corporate income tax was 28% in 2009, 2008 and 2007.

In 2008, Mexico introduced a new flat rate business tax (“Impuesto Empresarial a Tasa Única”, or “IETU”). IETU is calculated by reference to the income derived from the transfer of goods, the lease of assets and the rendering of services. The rate for 2008 and 2009 was 16.5% and 17%, respectively. Hereafter, the rate will be 17.5%.

 

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Other Expense, Net

In 2009, we recorded net other expense of Ps. 2,166 million in 2009, compared to net other expense of Ps. 2,327 million in 2008 and Ps. 3,713 million in 2007. The expense in 2009 reflects principally other net financing costs and other non-operating costs. The expense in 2008 reflects principally an impairment of goodwill in Honduras and the accrual for interest and penalties for certain tax contingencies in Brazil. The expense in 2007 reflects principally our decision to discontinue the use of certain time division multiple access (or “TDMA”) equipment in Colombia and Ecuador.

Equity in Results of Affiliates

Our proportionate share of the results of equity-method affiliates resulted in income of Ps. 196 million in 2009, Ps. 109 million in 2008 and Ps. 58 million in 2007. The income in 2009, 2008 and 2007 reflect principally our share of the income reported by Grupo Telvista, S.A. de C.V., a Mexican sociedad anónima de capital variable.

Net Income

We had majority net income of Ps. 76,913 million in 2009, Ps. 59,486 million in 2008 and Ps. 58,588 million in 2007. The increase in net income in 2009 reflects principally the Ps. 8,663 million increase in operating income and a significant reduction (Ps. 10,884 million) in our comprehensive financing cost. The increase in net income in 2008 principally reflects our increase in operating income, which was substantially offset by an increase in our exchange losses. The increase in net income in 2007 principally reflects our increased operating income, which was partially offset by an increase in our income tax expense.

Results of Operations by Geographic Segment

We discuss below the operating results of our subsidiaries that provide telecommunication services in our principal markets. All amounts discussed below are presented in accordance with Mexican FRS. Note 2(a)(ii) to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this report describes how we translate the financial statements of our non-Mexican subsidiaries. Exchange rate changes between the Mexican peso and those currencies affect our reported results in Mexican pesos and the comparability of reported results between periods.

The following table sets forth the exchange rate used to translate the results of our significant non-Mexican operations, as expressed in Mexican pesos per foreign currency unit, and the change from the rate used in the prior year.

 

     Mexican pesos per foreign currency unit  
      2007    % Change     2008    % Change     2009    % Change  

Guatemalan quetzal

   1.4239    (0.6 )%    1.7398    22.2   1.5631    (10.2 )% 

U.S. dollar(1)

   10.8662    (0.1   13.5383    24.6      13.0587    (3.5

Brazilian real

   6.1345    20.5      5.7930    (5.6   7.4998    29.5   

Colombian peso

   0.0054    10.2      0.006    11.1      0.0064    6.7   

Argentine peso

   3.4506    (2.9   3.9207    13.6      3.4365    (12.3

Dominican peso

   0.316    (1.9   0.382    20.8      0.3604    (5.6

 

(1) The U.S. dollar is the sole monetary instrument and unit of account and the main currency for transaction purposes in Ecuador and Puerto Rico.

Note 19 to our audited consolidated financial statements includes certain financial information of our operations by country. Except as discussed below, the following discussion is based on the segment data included in that note.

 

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The following table sets forth the number of subscribers and the rate of subscriber growth by geographic segment during the last three years.

 

     Number of subscribers (in thousands) as of December 31,(1)  
     2007    %
Change
    2008    %
Change
    2009    %
Change
 

Wireless

               

Mexico

   50,011    15.8   56,371    12.7      59,167    5.0   

Brazil

   30,228    26.6      38,731    28.1      44,401    14.6   

Southern Cone(2)

   17,290    30.5      19,591    13.3      21,833    11.4   

Colombia and Panama(3)

   22,335    14.4      27,390    22.6      27,797    1.5   

Andean Region(4)

   12,391    37.3      15,482    25.0      17,760    14.7   

Central America(5)

   8,157    38.8      9,158    12.3      9,535    4.1   

Dominican Republic

   2,682    25.3      3,877    44.6      4,826    24.5   

Caribbean(6)

   814    —        932    14.5      1,226    31.5   

United States

   9,514    20.5      11,192    17.6      14,427    28.9   
                                 

Total wireless

   153,422    23.0      182,724    19.1      200,972    10.0   
                                 

Fixed

               

Central America(7)

   2,197    4.8      2,242    2.0      2,259    0.8   

Dominican Republic

   748    1.9      772    3.1      765    (0.9

Caribbean(6)

   921    —        832    (9.5   765    (8.0

Total Fixed

   3,866    36.5      3,846    (0.5   3,789    (1.5
                                 

Total Lines

   157,287    23.3      186,570    18.6      204,761    9.7   
                                 

 

 

(1) Includes total subscribers of all consolidated subsidiaries in which we hold an economic interest.
(2) Includes Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
(3) We began operations in Panama in March 2009.
(4) Includes Ecuador and Peru.
(5) Includes El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
(6) Includes Puerto Rico and Jamaica.
(7) Includes El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

The table below sets forth the operating revenues and operating income represented by each of our operating segments for the periods indicated.

 

     (2009 and 2008 in millions of Mexican pesos,
previous year in millions of constant Mexican pesos as of December 31, 2007)
     2007    2008    2009
     Operating
Revenues
   Operating
Income
   Operating
Revenues
   Operating
Income
   Operating
Revenues
   Operating
Income

Mexico(1)

   Ps. 126,923    Ps. 59,075    Ps. 135,068    Ps. 63,064    Ps. 142,135    Ps. 68,599

Brazil

     58,305      608      70,484      1,584      82,300      1,368

Southern Cone(2)

     27,237      2,691      30,541      5,702      37,135      7,578

Colombia and Panama(3)

     29,614      7,616      32,622      10,955      37,031      11,853

Andean Region(4)

     16,210      3,725      20,218      5,284      26,087      7,668

Central America(5)

     16,918      4,698      16,051      3,029      18,137      1,936

United States

     15,604      1,503      16,546      943      22,857      956

Dominican Republic

     10,990      3,946      11,241      3,373      14,250      3,891

Caribbean(6)

     9,779      1,332      12,883      1,612      14,780      361

 

(1) Includes our operations in Mexico and our corporate operations and assets.
(2) Includes our operations in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
(3) Includes our operations in Ecuador and Peru.
(4) We began our operations in Panama in March 2009.
(5) Includes our operations in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
(6) Includes our operations in Puerto Rico and Jamaica.

Mexico

Operating revenues in Mexico increased by 5.2% in 2009 and 6.4% in 2008, benefiting from subscriber growth and increases in traffic. Service revenues increased by 9.3% in 2009 and 6.3% in 2008, reflecting growth in

 

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revenues from value-added, airtime and long distance services, partially offset by a decrease in interconnection revenues due to lower interconnection fees that were not compensated by volume. Equipment revenues in Mexico decreased by 6.5% in 2009 and increase by 7.4% in 2008, principally due to a reduction in the average sales price of handsets. The number of subscribers in Mexico increased by 5.0% in 2009 and 12.7% in 2008.

Average MOUs per subscriber increased by 11.3% in 2009 and 21.7% in 2008. ARPU decreased by 1.2% in 2009 and 7.5% in 2008. During both years, we lowered the price of some of our services through new commercial plans and promotions, which contributed to the increase in subscribers and MOUs but had a negative impact on ARPU. In addition, in 2008 and 2009, our ARPU was negatively affected by lower interconnection rates and an increase in the share of our total traffic represented by data services, such as SMS messaging and other 3G services, which on average generate lower revenues per minute of use than voice services. Reductions in interconnection tariffs also resulted in lower interconnection revenues. The churn rate for our Mexican operations was 3.2% in 2009, 3.3% in 2008 and 3.4% in 2007.

Operating income increased by 10.6% in 2009 and 4.6% in 2008. Our operating margin was 48.2% in 2009 and 45.8% in 2008. The increase in our operating margin in 2009 is due principally to an increase in our operating revenues and the implementation of strict controls in our operating costs and expenses, which remained unchanged as a percentage of our operating revenues. In 2008, operating margin decreased, reflecting an increase in cost and expenses principally due to equipment subsidies, uncollectible accounts and employee profit sharing, which was greater than the increase in operating revenues in that year. Finally, depreciation and amortization expenses of our Mexican operations as a percentage of its operating revenues remained unchanged increased slightly from 6.2% in 2008 to 6.5% in 2009.

For Mexico, the financial information set forth in Note 19 to our audited financial statements includes revenues and costs from group corporate activities, such as licensing fees and group overhead expenses. The discussion above refers to our operating results in Mexico and excludes the results of our group corporate activities.

Brazil

Operating revenues in Brazil increased by 16.8% in 2009 and 20.9% in 2008. The increase in 2009 was primarily attributable to the appreciation of the Brazilian real against the Mexican peso as well as an increase in traffic and subscriber growth. The number of our subscribers in Brazil increased by 5.7 million subscribers in 2009 to approximately 44.4 million subscribers as of December 31, 2009. The increase in operating revenues in 2008 was primarily attributable to increased traffic and subscriber growth and data revenue. The 6% appreciation of the Brazilian real against the Mexican peso in 2008 also contributed to the increase in operating revenues in 2008, as 6.9% of the 20.9% was due to currency effects. The number of subscribers increased by 8.5 million subscribers in 2008 to approximately 38.7 million subscribers.

Average MOUs per subscriber decreased by 9.4% in 2009 and increased by 20.7% in 2008. ARPU decreased by 0.3% in 2009 and 3.1% in 2008. Calculated in nominal Brazilian reais, ARPU decreased by 8.0% in 2009 and 7.4 in 2008. The decrease in average MOUs and ARPU during 2009 reflects a significant increase in the use of data services as compared to voice (airtime and long distance) services. The increase in average MOUs during 2008 as well as the decrease in ARPU during 2008 reflects the impact on traffic of our lowering of prices through new commercial plans and promotions for our 3G services. Our churn rate was 2.8% in 2009 and 2.7% in 2008.

Operating income decreased by 13.7% in 2009 and increased by 161.0% in 2008. Operating income in 2009 and 2008 reflects primarily the effect of higher depreciation expense resulting from the shortening of the useful lives of certain GSM and TDMA assets in 2009 and 2007 as compared to 2008. In 2009, the depreciation expense resulting from the shortening of the useful lives of certain GSM assets was Ps. 4,462 million. The depreciation expense in 2008 relating to GSM and TDMA assets was Ps. 1,996 million. Operating margin (1.7% in 2009 and 2.2% in 2008) continues to be affected by a high level of depreciation and amortization expenses relative to revenues due to the significant costs incurred to deploy networks. Absent these depreciation expenses, the operating margin would have been 5.1% in 2008 and 7.1% in 2009. Depreciation and amortization expenses represented 22.5% of our operating revenues in 2009 and 21.4% in 2008.

 

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Southern Cone—Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay

Our operating revenues in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay increased by 21.6% in 2009 and 12.1% in 2008. The increase in 2008 and 2009 was attributable primarily to subscriber growth. The number of subscribers increased by 2.2 million subscribers in 2009 to approximately 21.8 million subscribers at year-end. Since 2007, our postpaid subscriber base has grown at a faster rate than our prepaid subscriber base. The currency effects between the Argentine peso and the Mexican peso did not have a significant effect on our operating revenues in 2009 and 2008.

Average MOUs per subscriber increased by 9.2% in 2009 and 2.3% in 2008. ARPU increased by 8.5% in 2009 and decreased by 4.8% in 2008. Expressed in nominal local currencies, ARPU increased in 2009 by 5.9% in Argentina, 52% in Paraguay and 4% in Uruguay and decreased by 15% in Chile. In 2008, ARPU increased by 3.0% in Argentina and 11.7% in Paraguay and decreased by 10.0% in Uruguay and 7.3% in Chile. The increase in MOUs in 2009 principally reflected reflects an increase in our airtime traffic and a significant increase in traffic and revenues from data and value-added services. The increase in MOUs in 2008 principally reflected a decrease in prices due to promotions and airtime subsidies including free calls to friends and family. We also experienced increase in our churn rate, from 2.0% in 2008 to 2.6% in 2009.

Operating income increased by 32.9% in 2009 and 112.0% in 2008. This increase in 2009 reflected an increase in operating revenues and a reduction in our subscriber acquisition costs and other operating costs and expenses. The increase in 2008 reflected principally both a significant increase in our operating revenues and a reduction in the commissions payable to our distributors.

Colombia and Panama

Operating revenues increased by 13.5% in 2009 and 10.2% in 2008. The increase in operating revenues in 2009 was attributable to the appreciation of the Colombian peso against the Mexican peso and subscriber growth. The increase in operating revenues in 2008 was attributable principally to subscriber growth, increased traffic, the appreciation of the Colombian peso against the Mexican peso and increased revenue from long distance charges. The Colombian peso appreciated 11.9% against the Mexican peso in 2008, and currency appreciation accounted for approximately 6.5% of the increase in revenues during 2008. Also, we began providing long distance services in Colombia in 2008. These factors more than offset a decrease in interconnection tariffs of 50% in Colombia beginning in December 2007. In 2009, the number of subscribers in Colombia and Panama increased by 1.5% to approximately 27.8 million as of December 31, 2009. In 2008, the number of subscribers in Colombia increased by 22.6%.

Average MOUs per subscriber increased by 10.2% in 2009 and 28.7% in 2008. ARPU increased by 8.8% in 2009 and decreased by 4.8% in 2008. Calculated in nominal Colombian pesos, ARPU decreased by 3.3% in 2009 and 8.4% in 2008. The increase on average MOUs per subscriber in 2009 reflected primarily an increase in traffic resulting from the net increase in subscriber growth. The increase on average MOUs per subscriber in 2008 reflected primarily the reduction in prices for our voice and data services. The decrease in ARPU in local currency during 2009 reflected the lower interconnection fees which were not compensated by the increase in volume. The decrease in ARPU during 2008 reflected principally the lowering of our prices for voice and data services through promotions and lower rates. A substantial majority of our subscriber growth in 2009 and 2008 was attributable to an increase in prepaid customers, which generate on average less minutes of use and revenues than postpaid customers. Our churn rate increased from 2.4% in 2008 to 3.5% in 2009.

Our operating income increased by 8.2% in 2009 and 43.8% in 2008. Operating income in 2009 reflects the implementation of stricter controls in our operating costs and expenses, particularly with respect to handset subsidies. Operating income in 2008 reflects a reduction in subscriber acquisition costs and the effect in 2007 of higher depreciation expense resulting from the useful lives of certain GSM assets. Our operating margin was 32.0% in 2009 and 33.6% in 2008.

We began operating in Panama in March 2009. The commencement of operations in Panama did not have a significant impact in the operating margin and results of operations of this segment.

 

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Andean Region—Ecuador and Peru

Operating revenues in Ecuador and Peru increased by 29.0% in 2009 and 24.7% in 2008. The increase in operating revenues in 2009 reflected principally the appreciation of the local currencies against the Mexican peso and subscriber growth. Currency effects contributed to 71.7% of the growth in operating revenues in 2009. The increase in operating revenues in 2008 was attributable principally to subscriber growth and increased traffic. In 2009, the number of subscribers increased by 14.7% to approximately 17.7 million at year-end 2009. In 2008, the number of subscribers increased by 24.9%.

Average MOUs per subscriber increased by 16.4% in 2009 and 27.3% in 2008. ARPU increased by approximately 13.0% in 2009 and decreased by approximately 3.0% in 2008. The increase in ARPU during 2009 reflected the appreciation of local currencies against the Mexican peso. The decline in ARPU during 2008 reflected principally subscriber growth and a reduction in our rates per minute. Our churn rate decreased from 2.4% in 2008 to 2.2% in 2009.

Operating income increased by 45.1% in 2009 and 41.8% in 2008. Our operating margin was 29.4% in 2009 and 26.1% in 2008. The increase in operating margin during 2009 resulted from a reduction in subscriber acquisition costs. The increase in operating margin during 2008 resulted from an increase in revenues, partially offset by a Ps. 136 million income-based payment related to our concession in Ecuador.

Central America—El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

Operating revenues in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua increased by 13.0% in 2009 and decreased by 5.1% in 2008. The increase in 2009 reflected principally the 15.6% appreciation of the local currencies (mainly the dollar) against the Mexican peso, which compensated for a 2.6% decrease in operating revenues in local currencies. The decrease in 2008 reflected principally a decrease in nearly all sources of operating revenue as a result of a decrease in our share of the market. In 2009, the number of wireless subscribers in Central America increased by 4.1% to 9.5 million at year-end 2009. The number of fixed line subscribers increased by 0.8%, to approximately 2.3 million at year-end. In 2009, wireless services accounted for approximately 51.9% of our operating revenues, and fixed-line and other services for approximately 48.1%, as compared to 52.5% and 47.5%, respectively, in 2008.

Average MOUs decreased by 6.9% in 2009 and 13.4% in 2008. ARPU increased by 5.1% in 2009 and decreased by 23.4% in 2008. The increase in ARPU in 2009 reflects principally the appreciation of the local currencies, in particular the U.S. dollar, against the Mexican peso. Calculated in local currencies, ARPU decreased primarily as a result of increased competition for wireless customers in the region.

Operating income decreased by 36.1% in 2009 and 35.5% in 2008. Operating margin was 10.7% in 2009 and 18.9% in 2008. The decrease in operating income and margin in 2009 reflected principally increased network maintenance costs and radio base station rental costs. The decrease in operating income and margin in 2008 reflected principally increased network maintenance costs and acquisition costs related to triple-play.

United States

Operating revenues in the United States increased by 38.1% in 2009 and 6.0% in 2008. The increase in operating revenues in 2009 reflected principally new commercial plans and promotional packages that contributed to the increase in subscriber growth. The increase in operating revenues in 2008 was attributable principally to subscriber growth and increased traffic. In 2009, the number of TracFone subscribers increased by 28.9% to approximately 14.4 million as of December 31, 2009; and in 2008, the number of TracFone subscribers increased by 17.6% to approximately 11.2 million as of December 31, 2008.

Average MOUs per subscriber increased by 6.1% in 2009 and 5.6% in 2008. ARPU increased by 11.7% in 2009 and decreased by 9.0% in 2008. The increase in ARPU in 2009 reflects our new commercial plans and promotional packages. The decline in ARPU in 2008 was primarily attributable to the increasing portion of

 

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TracFone’s traffic that is comprised of digital traffic, which results in lower revenues per minute than analog traffic. The churn rate increased from 3.8% in 2008 to 4.0% in 2009.

Operating income increased by 1.4% in 2009 and decreased by 37.3% in 2008. TracFone’s operating margin decreased from 5.7% in 2008 to 4.2% in 2009. The increase in operating income in 2009 reflected currency effects due to the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Mexican peso and subscriber growth. The decrease in operating margin in 2009 reflects higher subscriber acquisition costs due mainly to equipment subsidies and publicity expenses.

Dominican Republic

Operating revenues in the Dominican Republic increased by 26.8% in 2009 and 2.3% in 2008. The increase in 2009 reflects the appreciation of the Dominican peso against the Mexican peso and subscriber growth. The increase in 2008 reflected principally subscriber growth in the wireless market and improved service promotions. In 2009, the number of wireless subscribers in the Dominican Republic increased by 24.5%, and in 2008, the number of wireless subscribers increased by 44.6%. In 2009, the number of fixed line subscribers decreased by 0.9%, and the number of fixed line subscribers increased by 3.1% in 2008. In 2009, wireless services accounted for approximately 49.2% of our operating revenues as compared to approximately 43.8% in 2008. Fixed-line and other services accounted for approximately 50.8% as compared to 56.2% in 2008.

Average MOUs decreased by 15.3% in 2009 and 6.7% in 2008. ARPU increased by 0.8% in 2009 and decreased by 15.5% in 2008. The decrease in average MOUs and the increase in ARPU in 2009 reflect currency effects. Calculated in Dominican pesos, ARPU decreased by 12.7% in 2009. The declines in 2008 primarily reflected promotions and airtime subsidies and a growing proportion of prepaid subscribers, who generate less revenue per line than postpaid subscribers.

Operating income increased by 15.4% in 2009 and decreased by 14.5% in 2008. Operating margin was 27.3% in 2009 and 30.0% in 2008. The increase in operating income and the decrease in operating margin in 2009 reflected principally indirect taxes on network maintenance and operation costs. The decrease in operating income and margin in 2008 reflected principally the growing proportion of our prepaid subscribers, which resulted in increased subscriber acquisition costs, equipment subsidies and customer service expenses.

Caribbean—Puerto Rico and Jamaica

Operating revenues in the Caribbean increased by 14.7% in 2009 and 31.7% in 2008. The increase in 2009 and 2008 reflected principally the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Mexican peso and organic growth. In 2009, the number of wireless subscribers in Puerto Rico and Jamaica increased by 37.6%, and in 2008, the number of wireless subscribers increased by 14.5%. In 2009, the number of fixed line subscribers decreased by 8.0%, and the number of fixed line subscribers decreased by 9.5% in 2008. In 2009, wireless services accounted for approximately 36.4% of our operating revenues as compared to approximately 33.6% in 2008. Fixed-line and other services accounted for approximately 63.3% of operating revenues in 2009, as compared to 66.4% in 2008.

Average MOUs increased by 4.9% in 2009 and decreased by 8.4% in 2008. ARPU decreased by 1.0% in 2009 and 10.7% in 2008. Calculated in local currencies, ARPU decreased in 2009 and in 2008. These declines in ARPU primarily reflected the reduction in prices of voice services, principally in Puerto Rico.

Operating income decreased by 77.6% in 2009 and increased by 21.0% in 2008. Operating margin was 2.4% in 2009 and 12.5% in 2008. The decrease in operating income and operating margin in 2009 reflected principally an increase in indirect taxes including two real property taxes that became effective in Puerto Rico in 2009.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Principal Uses of Cash

We generate substantial resources from our operations. On a consolidated basis, operating activities provided Ps. 152,809 million in 2009 and Ps. 87,464 million in 2008. Our cash and cash equivalents amounted to Ps. 27,446 million at December 31, 2009, compared to Ps. 22,092 million as of December 31, 2008. We believe that our working capital is sufficient for our present requirements. We use the cash that we generate from our operations primarily for the following purposes:

 

   

We must make substantial capital expenditures to continue expanding and improving our networks in each country in which we operate. In 2009 and 2008, we invested approximately Ps. 45,395 million and Ps. 57,134 million, respectively, in plant, property and equipment. As of December 31, 2009, we had not disbursed Ps. 24,621 million of our investments in 2008, which will be disbursed in 2010. We have budgeted capital expenditures for 2010 to be approximately U.S.$ 3,500 billion (Ps. 45,815 million). See “Capital Expenditures” below.

 

   

During 2008 we spent approximately Ps. 13,737 million to acquire or renew licenses, principally Ps. 8,830 million to acquire additional spectrum in Brazil, Ps. 3,001 million to renew our concession in Ecuador and Ps. 896 million to acquire a license in Panama. We did not spend any funds in the acquisition or renewal of licenses in 2009. The amount we spend on acquisitions and licenses varies significantly from year to year, depending on acquisition opportunities, concession renewal schedules and needs for more spectrum.

 

   

We must pay interest on our indebtedness and repay principal when due. As of December 31, 2009, we had Ps. 9,168 million of principal due in 2010.

 

   

If we have resources after meeting our obligations and capital expenditure requirements, we may pay dividends, or repurchase our own shares from time to time. We paid Ps. 25,462 million in dividends in 2009 and Ps. 8,816 million in dividends in 2008, and our shareholders have approved the payment of a Ps. 0.32 dividend per share in 2010. Dividends for 2009 included an extraordinary dividend of Ps. 0.50 per share paid on December 2009. We also spent (including commissions and value-added taxes) Ps. 24,658 million repurchasing our own shares in the open market in 2009 and Ps. 41,633 million in 2008. Our shareholders have authorized additional repurchases, and whether we do so will depend on considerations including market price and our other capital requirements. We have made additional repurchases in 2010.

Under many of our concessions and licenses, we are required to make annual royalty payments in order to continue using such concessions and licenses. These payments are typically calculated as a percentage of gross revenues generated under such concessions and licenses. In the case of the 1900 megahertz spectrum (Band F) concessions in Mexico, however, we are required to pay Ps. 255 million (subject to adjustment for inflation) annually for 20 years in respect of the 10 megahertz acquired during 2005.

We could have opportunities in the future to invest in other telecommunications companies outside Mexico, primarily in Latin America and the Caribbean, because we believe the telecommunications sector in Latin America will continue to undergo consolidation. For example, we may pursue further market consolidation opportunities in Brazil and Argentina depending on their terms and conditions. We can give no assurance as to the extent, timing or cost of such investments. We may also pursue opportunities in other areas in the world. Some of the assets that we acquire may require significant funding for capital expenditures. See the discussion included earlier in this report under “Overview – Effects of Recent Acquisitions” for more information about these transactions.

Borrowings

In addition to funds generated from operations, we have used borrowings to fund acquisitions and capital expenditures and refinance debt. We have relied on a combination of equipment financings, borrowings from international banks and borrowings in the Mexican and international capital markets. Beginning in the second half of 2008, with the difficult circumstances in the credit markets, we arranged several equipment financing facilities to

 

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further improve our liquidity position. As of the date of this report, we have an aggregate of U.S.$1,297 million in committed undrawn equipment financing facilities from three different sources.

As of December 31, 2009, our total consolidated indebtedness was Ps. 110,909 million, compared to Ps. 143,486 million as of December 31, 2008. Our net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) at December 31, 2009 decreased by 31.2% as compared to December 31, 2008. This decrease reflects, among other things, our increased capacity for generating cash flow.

Without taking into account the effects of derivative instruments that we use to manage our interest rate and currency risk liabilities, approximately 76.2% of our indebtedness at December 31, 2009 was denominated in currencies other than Mexican pesos (approximately 51.4% in U.S. dollars and 24.8% in other currencies, principally in Colombian and Chilean pesos and euros), and approximately 24.5% of our consolidated debt obligations bore interest at floating rates. Of our total debt at December 31, 2009, Ps. 6,355 million (or 5.7%) was classified as short-term based on the original terms.

Our ability to access the international debt capital markets on the terms described below has been helped by the credit rating given to our debt. As of the date of this report, our dollar-denominated senior notes are rated A2 by Moody’s Investors Service, BBB+ (positive watch) by Standard and Poor’s Rating Group and A- by Fitch Ratings. Adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may, however, cause our ratings to be downgraded. The weighted average cost of all our third-party debt at December 31, 2009 (excluding commissions and reimbursement of certain lenders for Mexican taxes withheld) was approximately 5.8%.

Our major categories of indebtedness at December 31, 2009 are as follows:

 

 

U.S. dollar-denominated senior notes. At December 31, 2009, we had approximately U.S.$3.9 billion (Ps. 51,608 million) outstanding under series of U.S. dollar-denominated senior notes issued in the international capital markets between 2004 and 2009:

 

   

U.S.$795 million (Ps. 10,381 million) senior notes due 2014, bearing interest at a fixed rate of 5.500%;

 

   

U.S.$473 million (Ps. 6,181 million) senior notes due 2015, bearing interest at a fixed rate of 5.750%;

 

   

U.S.$583 million (Ps. 7,615 million) senior notes due 2017, bearing interest at a fixed rate of 5.625%;

 

   

U.S.$750 million (Ps. 9,794 million) senior notes due 2019, bearing interest a fixed rate of 5.000%;

 

   

U.S.$981 million (Ps. 12,815 million) senior notes due 2035, bearing interest at a fixed rate of 6.375%; and

 

   

U.S.$369 million (Ps. 4,822 million) senior notes due 2037, bearing interest at a fixed rate of 6.125%.

 

 

Mexican-peso denominated senior notes. At December 31, 2009, we had approximately Ps. 12,872 million outstanding under two series of peso-denominated senior notes sold in the international and Mexican capital markets: on October 5, 2005, we issued Ps. 5,000 million in principal amount of 9.0% senior notes due January 2016 and on December 18, 2006 we issued Ps. 8,000 million in principal amount of 8.46% senior notes due 2036. These notes are denominated in Mexican pesos, but all amounts in respect of the notes are payable in U.S. dollars, unless a holder of notes elects to receive payment in Mexican pesos in accordance with certain specified procedures.

 

 

Mexican peso-denominated domestic senior notes (certificados bursátiles). At December 31, 2009, we had Ps. 13,491 million in domestic senior notes that were sold in the Mexican capital markets. These domestic senior notes were issued by us between 2002 and 2009, and have varying maturities, ranging from 2010 through 2018. Some bear interest at fixed rates, and others at variable rates based on CETES (a rate based on the cost of Mexican treasuries) or TIIE (a Mexican interbank rate). Recent issuances of domestic senior notes include:

 

   

On April 11, 2007, we issued Ps. 500 million in 5-year floating domestic senior notes. The notes bear interest at a discount of 6 basis points below TIIE, and mature on April 5, 2012;

 

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On November 1, 2007, we issued Ps. 2,500 million in 3-year floating domestic senior notes. The notes bear interest at a discount of 10 basis points below TIIE, and mature on October 28, 2010;

 

   

On November 1, 2007, we issued Ps. 2,000 million in 10-year fixed rate domestic senior notes. The notes bear interest at a rate of 8.39% per annum, and mature on October 19, 2017;

 

   

On March 7, 2008, we issued Ps. 2,500 million in 10-year fixed rate domestic senior notes. The notes bear interest at a rate of 8.11% per annum, and mature on February 22, 2018;

 

   

On September 12, 2008, we issued Ps. 3,000 million in 5-year floating domestic senior notes. The notes bear interest at a spread of 55 basis points over CETES, and mature on September 6, 2013; and

 

   

On September 12, 2008, we issued Ps. 2,100 million in 5-year UDI denominated equivalent fixed rate domestic senior notes. The notes bear interest at a rate of 4.10% per annum and mature on September 6, 2013.

 

 

Bank loans. At December 31, 2009, we had approximately Ps. 9,226 million outstanding under a number of bank facilities bearing interest principally at fixed and variable rates based on LIBOR. We are also party to a U.S.$2 billion revolving syndicated facility that matures in April 2011. At December 31, 2009, the entire U.S.$2 billion was available for borrowing. Loans under the facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a spread. The syndicated facility limits our ability to incur secured debt, to effect a merger as a result of which the surviving entity would not be América Móvil or Telcel, to sell substantially all of our assets or to sell control of Telcel. The facility does not allow us to impose any restrictions on the ability of Telcel to pay dividends or make distributions to us. In addition, the bank facilities require us to maintain a consolidated ratio of debt to EBITDA not greater than 4.0 to 1.0 and a consolidated ratio of EBITDA to interest expense not less than 2.5 to 1.0.

 

 

Equipment financing facilities with support from export development agencies. We have a number of equipment financing facilities, under which export development agencies provide support for financing to purchase exports from their respective countries. These facilities are medium- to long-term, with periodic amortization and interest at a spread over LIBOR/EURIBOR. They are extended to us or to operating subsidiaries, with the guarantee of Telcel. The aggregate amount outstanding under equipment financing facilities at December 31, 2009 was U.S.$928 million (Ps. 12,124 million).

 

 

Sale and leasebacks. Our subsidiaries in Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua and Honduras have entered into sale and leaseback transactions with respect to a portion of its telephone plant. At December 31, 2009, lease payment obligations under these contracts amounted to U.S.$87 million (Ps. 1,133 million). Payments are due on a monthly and three-month basis through 2012 and bear interest at fixed or variable rates plus a spread.

 

 

Colombian peso-denominated notes. In 2004, Comcel issued Colombian peso-denominated notes that were sold in the Colombian capital markets in three different series. These notes bear interest at a variable rate based on the Colombian consumer price index rate (IPC) plus a spread, and mature in 2010 and 2013. These notes are guaranteed by América Móvil. In 2006, Comcel issued Colombian peso-denominated notes that were sold in the Colombian capital markets. These notes bear interest at a 7.59% fixed rate, and mature in 2016. These notes are not guaranteed by América Móvil. At December 31, 2009, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under these notes was Ps. 5,749 million.

All of the public securities issued by América Móvil in international and Mexican capital markets and amounts due under our syndicated loan facility and export credit facilities are guaranteed by Telcel.

 

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At December 31, 2009, Telcel had, on an unconsolidated basis, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of approximately Ps. 93,908 million (U.S.$7,204 million), excluding debt owed to us or our other subsidiaries. This amount represents outstanding obligations of Telcel under guarantees of parent company and subsidiary indebtedness. In addition, at December 31, 2009, our operating subsidiaries other than Telcel had indebtedness of Ps. 17,001 million (U.S.$1,302 million).

Capital Expenditures

The following table sets forth our consolidated capital expenditures (in nominal amounts) for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. The table below includes capital expenditures in property, plant and equipment. We have also dedicated resources to acquire new companies and licenses and increase our interest in some of our subsidiaries, which in 2008 and 2007 amounted to Ps. 13,737 million and Ps. 26,045 million, respectively. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Requirements” above.

 

     Year ended December 31,(1)
     2007    2008(2)    2009
     (millions of nominal Mexican pesos)

Transmission and switching equipment

   Ps. 32,100    Ps. 50,278    Ps. 41,018

Other

     2,522      6,856      4,377
                    

Total capital expenditures

   Ps. 34,622    Ps. 57,134    Ps. 45,395
                    

 

(1) Figures reflect amounts accrued for each period.
(2) As of December 31, 2009, we had not disbursed Ps. 24,621 million of our capital investments in 2008, which will be disbursed in 2010.

Our capital expenditures during 2009 related primarily to expanding the capacity of our GSM networks and expanding our third generation UMTS/HSDPA network coverage throughout our principal markets in Latin America. We have budgeted capital expenditures of approximately U.S.$3.5 billion for the year ending December 31, 2010, but this budgeted amount could change as we re-evaluate our expenditure needs during the year or as a result of any acquisitions. We expect that our capital expenditures during 2010 will primarily relate to the expansion and upgrading of our cellular infrastructure for consolidated networks and third generation technology. We expect to spend approximately 15.0% of our budgeted capital expenditures in Mexico and the United States, 59.0% in South America, 13.0% in Central America and 13.0% in the Caribbean.

We expect to finance our capital expenditures for 2010 with funds generated from operations and, depending on market conditions and our other capital requirements, new debt financings.

Risk Management

We regularly assess our interest rate and currency exchange exposures in order to determine how to manage the risk associated with these exposures. In Mexico, we have indebtedness denominated in currencies, principally the U.S. dollar, other than the currency of the operating environment. We use derivative financial instruments to adjust the resulting exchange rate exposures. We do not use derivatives to hedge the exchange rate exposures that arise from having operations in different countries. We also use derivative financial instruments from time to time to adjust our exposure to variable interest rates or to reduce our costs of financing. Our practices vary from time to time depending on our judgment of the level of risk, expectations as to exchange or interest rate movements and the costs of using derivative financial instruments. We may stop using derivative financial instruments or modify our practices at any time. As of December 31, 2009, after taking into account derivative transactions, approximately 30.5% of our total debt was denominated in U.S. dollars and approximately 28.5% was subject to floating rates.

As of December 31, 2009, we had the following derivatives positions, with an aggregate fair value of Ps. 8,361 million:

 

   

U.S. dollar-Mexican peso cross currency swaps with a notional amount of U.S.$147 million with respect to our total U.S. dollar-denominated debt. Under these swaps, we have replaced our obligation to make payment in U.S. dollars with an obligation to make payment in Mexican pesos;

 

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U.S. dollar-Mexican peso forwards for a total notional amount of U.S.$1,965 million to hedge our exposure to our U.S. dollar denominated debt;

 

   

Euro-Mexican peso cross currency swap with a notional amount of EUR€ 82 million with respect to our total Euro-denominated debt. Under this swap we replaced our obligation to make payment in Euros with an obligation to make payment in Mexican pesos;

 

   

Euro-U.S. dollar cross currency swaps with a notional amount of EUR€ 143 million with respect to our total Euro-denominated debt. Under this swap we replaced our obligation to make payment in Euros with an obligation to make payment in U.S. dollars; and

 

   

A Japanese Yen-U.S. dollar denominated cross-currency swap with a notional amount of Yen¥13,000 million with respect to our total Japanese-Yen denominated debt. Under this swap, we replaced our obligation to make payment in Japanese Yen with an obligation to make payment in U.S. dollars.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2009, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements that require disclosure under applicable SEC regulations.

 

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QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Exchange Rate And Interest Rate Risks

We are exposed to market risk principally from changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. Interest rate risk exists principally with respect to our net financial liabilities bearing interest at floating rates. Interest rate risk also exists with respect to the fair value of fixed-rate financial assets and liabilities. Exchange rate risk exists with respect to our financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than Mexican pesos, principally on our U.S. dollar denominated debt. We are also subject to exchange rate risks with respect to our investments outside Mexico.

At December 31, 2009, we had approximately Ps. 20,805 million (as compared to Ps. 13,942 million as of December 31, 2008) in financial assets denominated in currencies other than Mexican pesos, principally consisting of cash, short-term investments and investments in financial instruments, and approximately Ps. 84,546 million (as compared to Ps. 105,675 million as of December 31, 2008) in financial liabilities denominated in currencies other than Mexican pesos, consisting of debt. Approximately 67.4% of our non-peso indebtedness as of December 31, 2009 was denominated in U.S. dollars. As of December 31, 2009, we had Ps. 27,155 million of debt that bore interest at floating rates.

We regularly assess our interest rate and currency exchange exposures and determine whether to adjust our position. We may use derivative financial instruments as an economic hedge to adjust our exposures. Our derivatives use practices vary from time to time depending on our judgment of the level of risk, expectations as to interest or exchange rate movements and the costs of using derivative instruments. See “Operating And Financial Review And Prospects—Risk Management” in this report. We have also used derivative financial instruments from to time to seek to reduce our costs of financing. We may stop using derivative instruments or modify our practices at any time.

Sensitivity Analysis Disclosures

The potential increase in net debt and corresponding foreign exchange loss, taking account our derivatives transactions, that would have resulted as a December 31, 2009 from a hypothetical, instantaneous 10% depreciation of all of our operating currencies against the U.S. dollar, would have been approximately Ps. 4,061 million. Such depreciation would have also resulted in additional interest expense of approximately Ps. 287 million per annum, reflecting the increased costs of servicing foreign currency indebtedness.

A hypothetical, immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rates applicable to our floating rate financial liabilities at December 31, 2009 would have resulted in additional interest expense of approximately Ps. 272 million per year, assuming no change in the principal amount of such indebtedness.

The above sensitivity analyses are based on the assumption of unfavorable movements in exchange or interest rates applicable to each homogeneous category of financial assets and liabilities. A homogeneous category is defined according to the currency in which financial assets and liabilities are denominated and assumes the same exchange rate or interest rate movement with each homogeneous category. As a result, exchange rate risk and interest rate risk sensitivity analysis may overstate the impact of exchange rate or interest rate fluctuations for such financial instruments, as consistently unfavorable movements of all exchange rates or interest rates are unlikely.

 

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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Regulatory Matters

In November 2008, Cofeco issued a preliminary report (dictamen preliminar) finding that Telcel has substantial market power in the national mobile telephone services relevant market. The preliminary report was confirmed by the publication on February 10, 2010 of the relevant findings of a resolution relating to the existence of substantial market power. In February 2010, Telcel filed an administrative proceeding (recurso administrativo de reconsideración) before Cofeco. When this administrative proceeding was rejected by Cofeco for analysis, Telcel filed an appeal (amparo indirecto) before an administrative judge against the rejection of the proceeding and against the issuance, subscription and publication of the February 10, 2010 resolution. Under the Antitrust Law (Ley Federal de Competencia Económica) and the Telecommunications Law (Ley Federal de Telecomunicaciones), if Cofeco makes a final finding of substantial market power concerning an operator, Cofetel can impose on that operator specific regulations with respect to tariffs, quality of service and information. We cannot predict what regulatory steps Cofetel may take in response to determinations by Cofeco.

In September 2009, the CRT issued a series of resolutions stating that our Colombian subsidiary, Comcel, has a dominant position in Colombia’s market for outgoing mobile services. Under Colombian law, a market participant is considered to have a dominant position in a specified market if the regulators determine that it has the capacity to control the conditions in that market. The CRT made its determination based on Comcel’s traffic, revenues and subscriber base. The resolutions also included regulations requiring Comcel to charge rates (excluding access fees) for mobile-to-mobile calls outside the Comcel network (“off net”) that are no higher than the fees charged for mobile-to-mobile calls within the Comcel network (“on net”) plus access fees. The regulations were first implemented in December 4, 2009. These regulations will limit our flexibility in offering pricing plans to our customers, but we cannot predict the effects on our financial performance.

See Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a description of our material legal proceedings.

Tax on Telecommunications Services

Effective January 1, 2010, the Mexican government imposed a new tax of 3% on certain telecommunication services we provide. Customers of those telecommunication services are responsible for the payment of this new tax. Telcel has filed legal proceedings against this new tax. We cannot predict the medium- to long-term effects of this new tax on our financial performance.

América Móvil Shareholders’ Meetings

At a general ordinary shareholders’ meeting held in Mexico City on March 17, 2010, the shareholders of América Móvil voted to approve the making of the Proposed Offers. On that same date, at a general extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, the shareholders also approved an amendment to the bylaws (estatutos sociales) of América Móvil to include a foreign exclusion clause restricting the ownership América Móvil Series A shares (“AMX A Shares”) to holders that qualify as Mexican investors under Mexican law and certain transitory provisions relating to the AMX A Shares. This amendment does not affect the ability of holders of currently outstanding AMX A Shares to continue to hold such shares or to transfer them to other non-Mexican investors.

 

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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.

 

 

AMÉRICA MÓVIL, S.A.B. DE C.V.

  By:  

/s/ Carlos García Moreno Elizondo

  Name: Carlos García Moreno Elizondo
Date: March 22, 2010   Title: Chief Financial Officer


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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits

 

Documents filed as exhibits to this report:
11.1    Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
99.1    Audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and for Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.