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Kcell JSC

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FY2015 Annual Report · Kcell JSC
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Kcell JSCYear-end Report January-December 2015 
 
Contents 

1     Highlights  
2     CEO comments 
3     Conference call 
4     Review of the fourth quarter 2015 
6     Review of full year 2015  
8     Key milestones 2015 
11   Legal proceedings 
14   Consolidated statements 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Kcell JSC 
Year-end Report January-December 2015

Q4 

Almaty, 29 January 2016 - Kcell Joint Stock 
Company (“Kcell” or the "Company") (LSE, KASE: 
KCEL), the leading provider of mobile 
telecommunications services in Kazakhstan by 
market share in terms of revenue and subscribers, 
announces its results for the financial year ended   
31 December 2015. 

  Net income decreased by 45.0 percent to  

KZT 6,966 million (12,667). 

  Free cash flow amounted to KZT 5,821 million 

(11,656). 

  During the quarter, the customer base 
decreased by 423 thousand to 10,357 
thousand (10,780). 

Fourth quarter  

  Net sales decreased by 14.4 percent to  
KZT 39,604 million (46,273). Service 
revenue down 14.4 percent to KZT  
37,841 million (44,186). 

  EBITDA, excluding non-recurring items, 
declined by 30.2 percent to KZT 17,062 
million (24,436) with EBITDA margin of  
43.1 percent (52.8). In December 2015,  
a KZT 3,965 million one-off adjustment  
was related to a write-down of obsolete  
fixed assets and inventories. 

  Operating income, excluding non-recurring 
items, decreased by 37.4 percent to KZT 
10,909 million (17,434). 

  Net financial items increased to KZT 2,860 

million (-307).  

Full year  

  Net sales decreased by 10.2 percent to KZT 
168,424 million (187,581). Service revenue 
down 13.8 percent to KZT 157,288 million 
(182,398). 

  EBITDA, excluding non-recurring items, 

decreased by 22.3 percent to KZT 81,787 
million (105,268). The EBITDA margin 
decreased to 48.6 percent (56.1).  

  Operating income, excluding non-recurring 

items, was down 28.6 percent to KZT 57,213 
million (80,079). 

  Net financial items increased to KZT 7,811 

million (-1,052).  

  Net income declined by 20.0 percent to  

KZT 46,632 million (58,271). 

  Free cash flow was down to KZT 32,400 

million (63,744). 

  During the reporting year, the customer base 
decreased to 10,357 thousand (11,192). 

Financial highlights 

KZT in millions, except key ratios,  
per share data and changes 

Oct-Dec 
2015 

Oct-Dec 
2014 

Chg 
(%) 

Jan-Dec 
2015 

Jan-Dec 
2014 

Chg 
(%) 

Revenue 

 39,604  

 46,273  

-14.4 

168,424   187,581  

-10.2 

of which service revenue 

 37,841  

 44,186  

-14.4 

157,288 

182,398 

-13.8 

EBITDA excl. non-recurring items 

 17,062  

 24,436  

-30.2 

81,787   105,268  

-22.3 

Margin (%) 

Operating income 

43.1 

52.8 

48.6 

56.1 

 6,624  

 16,397  

-59.6 

52,601 

75,197 

-30.0 

Operating income excl. non-recurring items 

 10,909  

 17,434  

-37.4 

57,213 

80,079 

-28.6 

Net income attributable to owners of the parent 
company 

 6,966  

 12,667  

-45.0 

46,632 

58,271 

-20.0 

Earnings per share (KZT) 

 34.8  

 63.3  

-45.0 

233.2 

291.4 

-20.0 

CAPEX-to-sales (%) 

Free cash flow 

19.4 

26.1 

11.0 

11.2 

 5,821  

 11,656  

-50.1 

32,400 

63,744 

-49.2 

In this report, comparative figures are provided in parentheses following the operational and financial results and refer to the same item in the fourth quarter 
or the full year 2014, unless otherwise stated.  

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

01 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Q4 

Comments  
by Arti Ots, CEO 

“We experienced a tough operating environment in 
2015, with the devaluation of the tenge, oil price 
weakness and a Kazakh telecoms market 
characterised by intensive competition. Since the 
start of the current year, the operating environment 
has continued to deteriorate, with few signs of any 
improvement in the near term. In the face of this, we 
have maintained our leading market position with 
the introduction of innovative products and tariffs 
and strong customer retention initiatives. 

Net income was impacted negatively by a one-off 
write down of obsolete assets in December 2015 
and impacted positively by forex gains. At the same 
time, the negative trend in our EBITDA margin was 
partially offset by our rigorous program of cost 
reductions. 

Following the introduction of strategic amendments 
in November to our innovative “Hello Kazakhstan” 
tariff we have seen an increase in ARPU in the 
fourth quarter of the year, but this resulted in a 
slowdown in customer uptake. However, the 
introduction in October of a tiered cap has allowed 
us to manage the volume of off-net minutes 
available to customers and has slowed the increase 
in interconnect expenses in the fourth quarter of  
the year. 

In the fourth quarter we successfully launched 
internal mobile number portability (MNP) between 
the Kcell and Activ brands, enabling us to retain 
high value customers. We also delivered a further 
increase in B2B revenue across 2015, on the back 
of our business solutions offering, and we expect to 
see continued growth in this area in the years 
ahead.  

At the beginning of 2016, we announced that we 
have been allocated access to new frequencies that 
facilitate the provision of LTE services. Access to 
these frequencies is a key strategic development for 
Kcell and will involve total payments of KZT 26 
billion over the course of 2016. Throughout the 
current year, we will focus on further enhancing the 
quality of our network and rolling out LTE services 
alongside innovative products and tariffs to boost 
the number of subscribers to our bundled offerings.  

Kcell’s majority shareholder TeliaSonera 
announced in September 2015 that it will reduce its 
presence in Eurasia and ultimately exit the entire 
region. Having gained significant benefits from our 
partnership with TeliaSonera since our IPO three 
years ago, Kcell enters 2016 with strong corporate 
governance and a clearly defined customer centric 
strategy designed to maintain our market leading 
position.” 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

02 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Q4 

Conference call 
Kcell will host an analyst conference call on 29 January 2016 at 10:00 UK time / 16:00 Almaty / 13:00 
Moscow. The conference will be held in English, audio webcast will be available at 
http://www.audio-webcast.com/cgi-bin/visitors.ssp?fn=visitor&id=3275 

Dial in details are as follows:  
UK Toll Free:  
Standard International Dial-in: 
Russia Toll Free: 
Russia Local Call number: 
USA Toll Free: 
USA Dial-In: 

0800 279 4841  
+44 20 3427 1909  
8 800 500 9312 
+7 495 705 9451 
1 877 280 2342 
+1646 254 3365  

Conference ID 

3164490 

A presentation will be available on the Company website shortly before the conference call  
on www.investors.kcell.kz./en 

A replay will be available at: : http://kcell290116-live.audio-webcast.com 

Enquiries:  
Kcell 
Investor Relations 
Irina Shol 

Media 
Natalya Eskova 

International Media 
Instinctif Partners  
Kay Larsen / Galyna Kulachek /  
Adrian Duffield 

Tel: +7 727 2582755 ext. 1002 
Investor_relations@kcell.kz 

Tel: +7 727 2582755 
Pressa@kcell.kz 

Tel: +44 207 457 2020 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

03 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Review of the fourth quarter 2015 
Net sales 

Q4 

Net sales decreased by 14.4 percent to KZT 39,604 million (46,273). Service revenue fell by 14.4 percent  
to KZT 37,841 million (44,186). 

Revenue from voice services fell by 23.3 percent to KZT 25,172 million (32,808). Data revenue increased by 
28.2 percent to KZT 9,774 million (7,625). Revenue from value-added services decreased by 29.6 percent  
to KZT 2,887 million (4,101). Other revenue increased to KZT 1,771 million (1,739). 

KZT in millions,  
except percentages 

Voice services 

Data services 

Value added services 

Other revenues 

Total revenues 

Oct-Dec 

Oct-Dec 

2015  % of total 

2014  % of total 

25,172 

63.5 

32,808 

9,774 

2,887 

1,771 

24.7 

7,625 

7.3 

4.5 

4,101 

1,739 

70.9 

16.5 

8.8 

3.8 

39,604 

100.0 

46,273 

100.0 

Voice service  
Revenue from voice services decreased by 23.3 percent to KZT 25,172 million (32,808). Voice traffic 
decreased by 0.9 percent to 6,099 million minutes (6,154), ARMU fell to KZT 2.7 (3.8). 

Interconnect revenue declined by 11.2 percent to KZT 6,518 million (7,343) mainly as a result of a decrease 
in the interconnect rate.  

Data service  
Data revenue increased by 28.2 percent to KZT 9,774 million (7,625). Data traffic grew by 117.7 percent to 
21,693,765 GB (9,962,893). Growth in data traffic was partially offset by offering packages with lower tariffs 
per MB, which led to a decrease in average revenue per MB (ARMB) to KZT 0.4 (0.7). 

Value-added service   
Revenue from value-added services decreased by 29.6 percent to KZT 2,887 million (4,101), largely as a 
result of declining SMS revenue.  

Other revenue  
Other revenue remained stable at KZT 1,771 million (1,739).  

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

04 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Expenses 
Cost of sales    
Cost of sales was up 1.5 percent to KZT 22,943 
million (22,611). Interconnect cost increased to  
KZT 8,442 million (6,111). This increase was offset 
by a decline in other expense reflecting 
implemented cost reduction initiatives. 

Selling and marketing expenses    
Selling and marketing expenses decreased by  
20.4 percent to KZT 2,050 million (2,575), mainly  
as a result of lower commissions. 

General and administrative expenses   
General and administrative expenses increased by 
22.0 percent to KZT 3,435 million (2,815), primarily 
due to an increase in mobile tax rate. 

Q4 

Earnings, financial position  
and cash flow 
EBITDA, excluding non-recurring items, decreased 
by 30.2 percent to KZT 17,062 million (24,436) with 
EBITDA margin of 43.1 percent (52.8). Based on 
the results of value assessment of assets under 
construction and inventory, the Company made a 
write-down of KZT 3,965 million. The write-down 
has no cash impact and reported as a non-recurring 
item. 

Net financial items increased to KZT 2,860 million   
(-307), mainly due to forex gain. 

Income tax expense declined by 26.4 percent to KZT 
2,518 million (3,423).  

Net income attributable to owners of the parent 
company was down 45.0 percent to KZT 6,966 
million (12,667), while earnings per share 
decreased to KZT 34.8 (63.3). 

CAPEX was down to KZT 7,669 million (12,072) 
and the CAPEX-to-sales ratio decreased to 19.4 
percent (26.1). 

Free cash flow decreased to KZT 5,821 million 
(11,656). 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

05 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Review of full year 2015 
Net sales 

Q4 

Net sales decreased 10.2 percent to KZT 168,424 million (187,581). Service revenue down 13.8 percent  
to KZT 157,288 million (182,398). 

Revenue from voice services decreased by 20.6 percent to KZT 105,345 million (132,697). Data revenue 
increased by 18.6 percent to KZT 39,278 million (33,131). Revenue from value-added services fell by 23.6 
percent to KZT 12,650 million (16,567). Other revenue rose to KZT 11,152 million (5,186). 

KZT in millions, except percentages 

Voice services 

Data services 

Value added services 

Other revenues 

Total revenues 

Jan-Dec 

Jan-Dec 

2015  % of total 

2014  % of total 

105,345 

62.5 

132,697 

39,278 

23.4 

33,131 

12,650 

11,152 

7.5 

6.6 

16,567 

5,186 

70.7 

17.7 

8.8 

2.8 

168,424 

100.0 

187,581 

100.0 

Voice services 
Revenue from voice services decreased by 20.6 percent to KZT 105,345 million (132,697). Voice traffic 
remained stable at 23,540 million minutes (23,538), while ARMU decreased to KZT 3.2 (4.2). 

Interconnect revenue decreased by 13.3 percent to KZT 23,277 million (26,852). The decrease was mainly 
due to a reduced interconnect rate. 

Data services 
Data revenue increased by 18.6 percent to KZT 39,278 million (33,131). Data traffic grew by 88.8 percent to 
59,607,325 GB (31,576,580). Growth in data traffic was partially offset by packages with lower tariffs per MB, 
which resulted in a decrease in average revenue per MB (ARMB) to KZT 0.7 (1.0). 

Value-added services 
Revenue from value-added services decreased by 23.6 percent to KZT 12,650 million (16,567), reflecting  
a decline in SMS revenue.  

Other revenue 
Other revenue increased to KZT 11,152 million (5,186), reflecting higher sales of handsets. 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

06 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Q4 

Expenses 
Cost of sales 
Cost of sales grew by 6.8 percent to KZT 89,932 
million (84,221), primarily due to an increase in cost 
of goods sold attributable to the cost of handsets 
and interconnect expenses. 

Earnings, financial position  
and cash flow 
EBITDA, excluding non-recurring items, decreased 
by 22.3 percent to KZT 81,787 million (105,268). 
The EBITDA margin decreased to 48.6 percent 
(56.1). 

Selling and marketing expenses 
Selling and marketing expenses decreased by  
20.2 percent to KZT 9,221 million (11,549), mainly 
as a result of lower commissions. 

General and administrative expenses 
General and administrative expenses increased  
by 16.1 percent to KZT 12,381 million (10,666), 
primarily due to an increase in mobile tax rate. 

Net financial items increased to KZT 7,811 million   
(-1,052), mainly due to forex gain. 

Income tax expense was down 13.2 percent to KZT 
13,780 million (15,874).  

Net income attributable to owners of the parent 
company decreased by 20.0 percent to KZT 46,632 
million (58,271), while earnings per share 
decreased to KZT 233.2 (291.4). 

CAPEX was down to KZT 18,531 million (21,009) 
and the CAPEX-to-sales ratio decreased to 11.0 
percent (11.2). 

Free cash flow decreased to KZT 32,400 million 
(63,744). 

Net debt/equity ratio was 23.1 percent (6.0).  

Net debt/EBITDA rate was 0.24 (0.05). 

The equity/assets ratio was 48.5 percent (58.3).  

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

07 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Key milestones 2015 

January 

  Kcell’s Board of Directors approved the 

Relationship Agreement and Services 
Agreement between Kcell and TeliaSonera 
AB (TS). These agreements are designed 
to regulate the provision of certain 
corporate services by TS to Kcell, so  
that Kcell will benefit from TS’s strategic 
guidance whilst maintaining corporate 
independence. Kcell and TS confirmed  
that agreements and transactions with any 
member of the TS Group shall be 
undertaken on arm’s length terms and  
on a normal commercial basis. 
  Mr. Trond Moe was appointed the 
Company’s Finance Director. 

February 

  Kcell informed about progress in its internal 

investigation. The investigation has 
concluded that Kcell has formal grounds to 
file a report with the General Prosecutor’s 
office of the Republic of Kazakhstan 
requesting it to commence an investigation 
into the activities of a number of former 
employees who allegedly failed to follow  
the Company’s internal policies and 
procedures. The Board has filed the matter 
to the relevant criminal authorities. The 
employees allegedly responsible for these 
failures are no longer employed by the 
Company. There remains no indication that 
any of the matters under investigation will 
have any material effect on the Company's 
balance sheet or on the results of its 
operations. 

Q4 

Kcell Stores in other major cities of 
Kazakhstan. 

April 

  On 17 April 2015, the AGM approved 

paying an annual dividend (“Annual 
Dividend”) of 70 percent of the Company’s 
net income for the twelve months ending  
31 December 2014 (“the Period”). 
Additionally, the AGM approved the 
payment of a special dividend (“Special 
Dividend”, together with the Annual 
Dividend - “the Dividends”), representing  
30 percent of the Company’s net income  
for the Period. 

In total, the Dividends amounted to KZT 
58,260 million, or KZT 291.30 per share, 
representing 100 percent of the Company’s 
net income for the full year of 2014.The 
record date of Shareholders entitled to 
receive the dividends was 20 April 2015. 
The Annual Dividend was paid on 29 April 
2015 and Special Dividend was paid on 8 
October 2015. 

  Kcell completed the drawdown of a KZT 22 
billion tranche of the approved credit line 
with Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan JSC. This 
tranche was obtained under the bank loan 
agreement signed between Kcell and Halyk 
Bank of Kazakhstan JSC for KZT 30 billion 
for working capital financing. 

May 

  The EGM approved an increase in the 

number of Board members. Mr. Douglas 
Lubbe, a representative of the shareholder 
Fintur Holdings B.V, was elected as  
a member to Kcell’s Board of Directors. 

  Kcell opened its branded Store in Astana. 
The opening of Kcell Store in Astana  
was another step towards a large-scale 
expansion of the Company in Kazakhstan’s 
mobile retail market. 

March 

June 

  Kcell opened its third branded store  
in Almaty. The first results of the 
implementation of a new business model 
proved that such a retail format is effective 
and synergistic idea of the store and 
customer club – well perceived by 
Kazakhstani people.  

  Kcell announced the opening of its first 
Kcell branded Store in Almaty. The 
Company changed its retail business model 
and is setting a new trend in the telecoms 
market by combining a shop and club to 
deliver a superior customer experience. 
The new store concept provides customers 
with an opportunity to seek advice on 
different gadgets and various mobile 
applications from Kcell’s store consultants, 
as well as the ability to test all smartphone 
features prior to making a purchase. The 
Company plans to open  

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

08 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

September 

  Berndt Kenneth Karlberg, informed the 
Kcell Board of Directors of the early 
termination of his powers with effect from 
31 August 2015.  

  The Company’s majority shareholder 

TeliaSonera, which holds 61.9 percent  
of shares in Kcell, initiated a process  
to reduce its presence in Eurasia and over 
time exit the entire region. 

  Kcell opened its fourth branded store in 

Aktobe.  

  On 11 September 2015, its Board of 
Directors approved an extension and 
increase of the line of credit opened by 
Altyn Bank JSC, a subsidiary of Halyk Bank 
JSC, within the framework agreement 
signed on 24 September 2013. The line  
of credit to Kcell was increased from KZT 
2.2 billion to KZT 3.0 billion for the working 
capital financing. The KZT 2.2 billion line  
of credit was also extended for a term of  
12 months. On 23 September 2015, Kcell 
JSC received an additional tranche of KZT 
800 million under the above line of credit. 
  A standby letter of credit for USD 10 million, 

within the framework of the General 
Agreement between Kcell JSC and  
Citibank Kazakhstan JSC, was issued on 
23 September 2015. This instrument has  
been issued in favor of Apple Distribution 
International (Ireland) to allow Kcell to 
extend the term of payment for goods 
purchased from Apple Distribution 
International, and will have a positive 
impact on Kcell’s working capital. 
  The Board of Directors resolved on  
22 September 2015, to enter into  
a KZT 17 billion credit line agreement  
with Kazkommertsbank JSC to finance  
the Company’s working capital. On 25 
September 2015, Kcell JSC received KZT 
17 billion under the terms of this credit line. 

Q4 

  On 28 September 2015, the Company 

repaid a KZT 14.5 billion syndicated loan 
under agreements with Citibank 
Kazakhstan JSC and Subsidiary Bank  
RBS Kazakhstan JSC.  

October 

  The Board approved terms for the purchase 

of the 100 percent  participatory interest in 
KazNet Media LLP by Kcell JSC and KT-
Telecom LLP (100 percent subsidiary of 
Kcell) where TeliaSonera was the seller. 
KazNet Media LLP holds 100 percent of 
participatory interest in Aksoran LLP and 
100 percent of participatory interest in 
Instaphone LLP – companies holding 
frequencies possibly eligible for 4G. This 
agreement replaced the Buy and Sell MoU 
entered into between TeliaSonera and Kcell 
on 26 August 2012, as disclosed in the 
Prospectus, as to the part related to KazNet 
Media. The part of the said Buy and Sell 
MoU, which related to Rodnik (and 
Kaztranscom) remained unchanged. The 
Board members nominated by TeliaSonera 
did not participate in the decision. 

Price of transaction: 

  1st tranche - nominal price of USD 5 million 
plus cash and accounts receivable minus 
debt and accounts payable on completion 
date. 

  2nd tranche – fair market value of 

frequencies determined by independent 
appraisers at the time Kcell gets permission 
to use the frequencies for 4G/LTE 
services in the manner agreed in the Sale 
and Purchase Agreement. The formula for 
calculating fair value: fair value per MHz 
multiplied by the spectrum times the 
population of the relevant region.   

  The total amount of the transaction will not 

exceed USD 70 million. 

November 

  Erik Hallberg, a Non-Executive Director, 
stepped down as a Director of the 
Company. 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

09 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Q4 

Significant events after the end of the reporting period 
January 2016 

  Kcell announced that it had been informed by Kazakhstan’s Ministry for Investments and 

Development (“the Ministry”) that the Ministry will allocate radio frequencies that will enable  
the rollout of LTE services to all existing mobile operators in the Kazakh market. 

The Ministry will allocate to Kcell access to 10+10 MHz radio frequency within the 700/800 MHz 
band on payment of a one-off fee of KZT 22 billion, to be made in two tranches of KZT 10 billion  
by 1 March 2016, and KZT 12 billion by 1 December 2016. 

The Ministry will also allocate to Kcell access to 10+10 MHz radio frequency within the  
1700/1800 MHz band, on payment of a one-off fee of KZT 4 billion by 1 February 2016. 

In addition, the Ministry will permit all existing mobile operators to use the radio frequencies 
allocated to them in the GSM, DCS-1800 (GSM-1800) UMTS/WCDMA (3G) standards for the 
provision of LTE (4G) and LTE Advanced services subject to obtaining the respective radiofrequency 
permits in the prescribed manner. 

The Ministry will issue these radio frequency permits to mobile operators in the Kazakh market on 
condition that they guarantee mobile coverage in communities with 500-plus inhabitants and along 
the highways and railways of national and regional importance by 31 December 2020. 

  Kcell announced the results of its Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (“EGM”) held  

on 6 January 2016. 

The EGM approved the election of Mr. Peter Lav, representative of the shareholder Sonera Holding 
B.V., as the member of the Board of Directors of Kcell JSC in place of retired Mr. Kenneth Berndt 
Karlberg; and the election of Mr. Emil Nilsson, representative of shareholder Fintur Holdings B.V.,  
as the member of the Board of Directors of Kcell JSC in place of retired Mr. Erik Hallberg. 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

10 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Q4 

Legal proceedings  
The “Daytime Unlimited” and failure to disconnect calls on Kcell network 
During 2013, an investigation was initiated by the Agency for Competition Protection of the Republic of 
Kazakhstan (the “ACP”), in relation to the “Daytime Unlimited” service under the Activ brand and non-
interruption of services when a customer’s balance reaches zero under the Kcell brand. 

The ACP ordered that the Company should comply with the following on or before 21 April 2014: 

 

 

 

to stop collection of subscription fees under the tariff plan “Daytime Unlimited” in case of insufficiency 
of funds on a subscriber’s account;  
to ensure interruption of connection (voice or Internet access) when a subscriber’s balance reaches 
zero;  
to ensure a refund to subscribers, any fees received as a result of failure to interrupt the connection 
when a subscriber’s balance reaches zero.  

The Company complied with point 1; however, due to technical limitations of the billing system, the Company 
is currently unable to implement point 2. However, the Company is in the process of introducing a new billing 
system that will enable the interruption of the connection. 

The Company has challenged the ACP findings and decision through courts system in Kazakhstan, 
culminating in an appeal to the Supreme Court. On 30 June 2015, the Supreme Court of the Republic of 
Kazakhstan dismissed the Company’s supervisory appeal. On 15 June 2015, ACP filed a claim with court 
seeking for enforcement of the order. On 9 July 2015, the court issued a resolution on satisfying ACP claim 
to enforce the order, and as a result the Company must now enforce points 2 and 3 in the above ACP order.  

In December 2014, the Company accrued a provision in the amount of KZT 1.6 billion covering the refund to 
subscribers for the period from January 2012 to September 2013.  

In compliance with the Order, on 22 July 2015, the Company started refunding its Kcell brand subscribers for 
the period from January 2012 to September 2013. 

In accordance with an agreement reached with the ACP, the Company has started refunding its subscribers 
for the subsequent period. 

Since the Kcell brand subscribers are being refunded for the services rendered, the Company's tax liabilities 
will be reduced. 

As of December 2015, Kcell has returned KZT 2,171 million to its customers. Subsequently, the Company 
will be refunding its prepaid subscribers for non-interrupted calls and Internet connections until the transition 
(migration) to a new convergent billing system is completed. 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

11 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Q4 

The January – December 2015 financial statements have been audited by the external auditors, their report 
will be available on the Kcell website starting from 25 February 2016. 

The information was submitted for publication at 09:00 ALMT on 29 January 2016.   

Financial information 

Interim Report January–March 2016 
Interim Report January–June 2016 
Interim Report January–September 2016 

20 April 2016 
20 July 2016 
21 October 2016 

Questions regarding the reports: 
JSC Kcell 
Investor Relations 
Timiryazev str. 2g 
050013 Almaty 
Tel. +7 727 2582755 ext.1002 
Investor_relations@kcell.kz 

www.investors.kcell.kz 

Definitions 

EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization. Equals operating income before 
depreciation, amortization and impairment losses and before income from associated companies. 

CAPEX: Capital expenditures and advances paid for property, plant and equipment as well as software and 
licenses including investments in tangible and intangible non-current assets, but excluding goodwill and fair 
value adjustments recognized in acquisitions, and excluding the recording of assets retirement obligations. 

ARMB: Average revenue per MB. 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

13 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Q4 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

KZT in millions, except per share data, number of 
shares and changes 

Oct-Dec 
2015 

Oct-Dec 
2014 

Chg 
(%) 

Jan-Dec 
2015 

Jan-Dec 
2014 

Chg 
(%) 

Revenues 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

39,604 

46,273 

-14.4 

168,424 

187,581 

-10.2 

-22,943 

-22,611 

1.5 

-89,932 

-84,221 

6.8 

16,661 

23,662 

-29.6 

78,492 

103,360 

-24.1 

Selling and marketing expenses 

-2,050 

-2,575 

-20.4 

-9,221 

-11,549 

-20.2 

General and administrative expenses 

-3,435 

-2,815 

22.0 

-12,381 

-10,666 

16.1 

Other operating income and expenses, net 

-4,552 

-1,875 

-4,289 

-5,948 

Operating income 

6,624 

16,397 

-59.6 

52,601 

75,197 

-30.0 

Finance costs and other financial items, net 

2,860 

-307 

7,811 

-1,052 

Income after financial items 

9,484 

16,090 

-41.1 

60,412 

74,145 

-18.5 

Income taxes 

Net income 

-2,518 

-3,423 

-26.4 

-13,780 

-15,874 

-13.2 

6,966 

12,667 

-45.0 

46,632 

58,271 

-20.0 

Total comprehensive income attributable to 
owners of the parent company 

6,966 

12,667 

-45.0 

46,632 

58,271 

-20.0 

Earnings per share (KZT), basic and diluted 

34.8 

63.3 

-45.0 

233.2 

291.4 

-20.0 

Number of shares (thousands) 

  Outstanding at period-end 

200,000 

200,000 

200,000 

200,000 

  Weighted average, basic and diluted 

200,000 

200,000 

200,000 

200,000 

EBITDA 

12,777 

23,399 

-45.4 

77,175 

100,387 

-23.1 

EBITDA excl. non-recurring items 

17,062 

24,436 

-30.2 

81,787 

105,268 

-22.3 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses 

-6,153 

-7,001 

-12.1 

-24,574 

-25,189 

-2.4 

Operating income excl. non-recurring items 

10,909 

17,434 

-37.4 

57,213 

80,079 

-28.6 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

14 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Q4 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

KZT in millions 

Assets 

Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Other non-current assets 

Financial aid 

Long-term receivables 

Total non-current assets 

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total current assets 

Total assets 

Equity and liabilities 

Share capital 

Retained earnings 

Total equity attributable to owners of the parent 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Other long-term liabilities 

Total non-current liabilities 

Short-term borrowings 

Trade payables, and other current liabilities 

Total current liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

31 Dec 
2015 

31 Dec 
2014 

16,956 

12,494 

94,502 

108,955 

145 

300 

397 

145 

- 

- 

 112,301  

121,594 

2,802 

2,336 

19,336 

14,543 

 31,589  

19,520 

 53,726  

36,399 

166,027 

157,993 

33,800 

33,800 

46,646 

58,274 

80,446 

92,074 

5,037 

4,442 

1,286 

1,376 

6,323 

5,818 

50,201 

25,020 

29,057 

35,081 

79,258 

60,101 

166,027 

157,993 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

15 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Q4 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

KZT in millions 

Oct-Dec 
2015 

Oct-Dec 
2014 

Jan-Dec 
2015 

Jan-Dec 
2014 

Cash flow before change in working capital 

13,330 

20,196 

65,572 

88,768 

Change in working capital 

Cash flow from operating activities 

Cash CAPEX 

Free cash flow 

-3,502 

-2,255 

-9,858 

-5,209 

9,828 

17,941 

55,714 

83,559 

-4,007 

-6,285 

-23,314 

-19,815 

5,821 

11,656 

32,400 

63,744 

Total cash flow from investing activities 

-4,007 

-6,285 

-23,314 

-19,815 

Cash flow before financing activities 

Cash flow from financing activities 

Cash flow for the period 

5,821 

11,656 

32,400 

63,744 

-17,778 

-11,028 

-33,260 

-63,140 

-11,957 

628 

-860 

604 

Cash and cash equivalents, opening balance 

38,958 

18,892 

19,520 

18,916 

Cash flow for the period 

Exchange rate difference 

-11,957 

628 

-860 

604 

4,588 

- 

12,929 

- 

Cash and cash equivalents, closing balance 

31,589 

19,520 

31,589 

19,520 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

KZT in millions 

Opening balance 

Dividends 

Total comprehensive income 

Jan-Dec 2015 

Jan-Dec 2014 

Share 
capital 

Retained 
earnings 

Total  
equity 

Share 
capital 

Retained 
earnings 

Total  
equity 

33,800 

58,274 

92,074 

33,800 

63,393 

97,193 

- 

- 

-58,260 

-58,260 

46,632 

46,632 

- 

- 

-63,390 

-63,390 

58,271 

58,271 

Closing balance 

33,800 

46,646 

80,446 

33,800 

58,274 

92,074 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

16 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Q4 

Basis of preparation 
As in the annual accounts for 2014, Kcell’s consolidated financial statements as of and of 2015, have been 
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). The accounting policies 
adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial year. All amounts in this report are presented  
in KZT millions, unless otherwise stated. Rounding differences may occur. 

Non-recurring items

KZT in millions 

Within EBITDA 

Oct-Dec 
2015 

Oct-Dec 
2014 

Jan-Dec 
2015 

Jan-Dec 
2014 

Restructuring charges, synergy implementation costs, etc. 

4,285 

1,037 

4,612 

4,881 

Total 

Investments 

KZT in millions 

CAPEX 

  Intangible assets 

  Property, plant and equipment 

Total 

4,285 

1,037 

4,612 

4,881 

Oct-Dec 
2015 

Oct-Dec 
2014 

Jan-Dec 
2015 

Jan-Dec 
2014 

2,742 

709 

7,329 

1,832 

4,927 

11,363 

11,202 

19,177 

7,669 

12,072 

18,531 

21,009 

Related party transactions 
For the year ended 31 December 2015, Kcell purchased services for KZT 5,244 million and sold services  
for a value of KZT 1,679 million. Related parties in these transactions were mainly TeliaSonera and its group 
entities, Turkcell and Fintur Holding B.V. 

Net debt 

KZT in millions 

Long-term and short-term borrowings 

Less short-term investments, cash and bank 

Net debt 

31 Dec 
2015 

31 Dec 
2014 

50,201 

25,020 

-31,589 

-19,520 

18,612 

5,500 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

17 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Financial key ratios 

Return on equity (%, rolling 12 months) 

Return on capital employed (%, rolling 12 months) 

Equity/assets ratio (%) 

Net debt/equity ratio (%) 

Net debt/EBITDA rate (multiple, rolling 12 months) 

Owners’ equity per share (KZT) 

Q4 

31 Dec 
2015 

31 Dec 
2014 

54.1 

69.6 

48.5 

23.1 

0.24 

63.3 

75.7 

58.3 

6.0 

0.05 

402.2 

460.4 

Operational data 

Subscribers, period-end (thousands) 

10,357 

11,192 

-7.5 

10,357 

11,192 

Oct-Dec 
2015 

Oct-Dec 
2014 

Chg 
(%) 

Jan-Dec 
2015 

Jan-Dec 
2014 

  Of which prepaid 

MOU (min/month) 

ARPU (KZT) 

Churn rate (%) 

9,075 

9,711 

-6.5 

9,075 

9,711 

229 

201 

13.9 

212 

189 

1,188 

1,300 

-8.6 

1,206 

1,322 

51.7 

59.1 

45.1 

50.0 

Chg 
(%) 

-7.5 

-6.5 

12.2 

-8.7 

Employees, period-end 

1,830 

1,736 

5.4 

1,830 

1,736 

5.4 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

18 I 19 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Report 
January – December 2015 

Q4 

Forward-looking statements
This report contains statements concerning, among other things, Kcell’s financial condition and results of 
operations that are forward-looking in nature. Such statements are not historical facts but, rather, represent 
Kcell’s future expectations. Kcell believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements 
are based on reasonable assumptions; however, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and 
uncertainties, and a number of important factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially 
from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Such important factors include, but may not be 
limited to: Kcell’s market position; growth in the telecommunications industry; and the effects of competition 
and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting the business of Kcell and the 
telecommunications industry in general. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were 
made, and, other than as required by applicable law, Kcell undertakes no obligation to update any of them  
in light of new information or future events. 

Corporate Reg. No. 1201-1910-06-АО, 
Registered office: Almaty, Kazakhstan 

19 I 19