Telecom Argentina posted total revenues for 2004 of ARS4.49 billion (USD1.53 billion), up from ARS3.74 billion in 2003. Telecom’s fixed line turnover rose 6% to ARS2.72 billion but the company attribute the bulk of the sales jump to increasing demand for mobile services offered via its subsidiary Personal, which posted revenues of ARS1.57 billion (up 56%). Despite the healthy sales figures, the group registered a net loss for the year of ARS666 million (USD226 million) compared to a profit of ARS351 million the previous year, due in part to the ARS428 million invested in 2004 (37% in fixed line services, 63% mobile).
Telecom’s mainlines in service increased by 120,000 to stand at 3.48 million, whilst its number of ADSL lines rose 79% to 124,700. ISP division Arnet ended the year with 81,200 ADSL users, up 80% in twelve months; dial-up subscribers were down 2% at 152,000. Personal finished 2004 with 3.83 million cellular subscribers, up 1.23 million in the year, claiming 26% post-paid clients, compared to 19% at the end of 2003.