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Millicom International Cellular

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Ticker tigo
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Sector Communication Services
Industry Telecommunications Services
Employees 10,000+
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FY2012 Annual Report · Millicom International Cellular
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Demand 
more.

Millicom International Cellular S.A. 
Annual Report 2012

Overview

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Contents

Overview
01  Introduction to Millicom
02  Group highlights
04  Demand more
05  Our vision
06  How we are organized
11  Our chosen markets
12  Chairman’s statement
14  Chief Executive Officer’s statement
16  Our strategy
17  Our business model

Review of operations
18  Operating review – Central America
22  Operating review – South America
26  Operating review – Africa
30  Financial review
36  Corporate responsibility
39  Risk management

Corporate governance
51  Corporate governance
53  Board of Directors 
56  Board of Directors – Board Committees
57  Executive Committee
60  Director’s Report

Financial statements
63  Independent Auditors’ report
64  Consolidated income statements
65  Consolidated statements of comprehensive income
65  Consolidated statements of financial position
67  Consolidated statements of cash flows
68  Consolidated statements of changes in equity
70  Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Other information
118  Contact details

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther information01

Introduction to Millicom

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Millicom is a leading

telecoms operator
dedicated to emerging markets

Millicom offers digital lifestyle products and services in Central America, South America and Africa, mainly 
under our Tigo brand, derived from the Spanish word ‘contigo’ meaning ‘with you’. We help tens of millions 
of people stay connected on the go through their mobile devices and from home through cable. 

Millicom’s origins can be traced back to the early days of the cellular industry. In 1979, 
Industriförvaltnings AB Kinnevik acquired a small mobile telephone company in Sweden, that later 
became Comviq GSM, and subsequently Tele2. Also in 1979, a company called ‘Millicom Incorporated’ 
was formed to pursue cellular telephone opportunities in America. In 1990, the two companies 
contributed their respective international cellular interests to form Millicom International Cellular 
(Millicom). 

Thereafter, Millicom continued to seek cellular licenses in markets where rapid economic development 
and limited telephony infrastructure created significant demand for mobile services. Its strategy of 
being a cost efficient provider, focused on prepaid services using mass market distribution methods 
enabled it to obtain high growth while delivering attractive operating profitability. 

As mobile penetration and competition in emerging markets increased, Millicom continuously innovated, 
developing Value-Added Services to extend its consumer offering beyond basic communication services. 
In 2008, it acquired the leading provider of broadband and cable TV services in Central America (‘Amnet’) 
and in 2012 extended its home offering to Paraguay with the acquisition of Cablevision Paraguay. Today, 
Millicom offers products and services from mobile voice to pay TV, fixed and mobile internet access, mobile 
health and mobile financial services in 16 emerging markets across Latin America and Africa. In 2012, 
together with proven experts in the online world, the Group invested to develop a franchise in e-commerce 
and other online products and services in Latin America and Africa. 

In 2013 the Group will accelerate to realize its vision of transforming into a leading telecommunication 
and media company, dedicated to emerging markets in Latin America and Africa, with the ambition to 
offer our customers the very best digital lifestyle. Digital lifestyle means we provide our customers with 
the entertainment and communication products they need, irrespective of where or how they chose to 
access them, as well as access to e-commerce.

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview02

Group highlights

Financial and Operational highlights 2012

Revenue US$m
US$4,814m

Revenue growth %
+6.3% growth
US$bn

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

4,814

4,530

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

3,920

3,373

3,151

+15.5%

+6.3%

+16.2%

+29.7%

+7.1%

0 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

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EBITDA US$m
US$2,065m

42.9% EBITDA margin

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2,065

2,087

1,841

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

1,545

1,366

42.9%

46.1%

47.0%

45.8%

43.4%

Capex US$m
US$1,120m

23.3% Capex to revenues ratio

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

1,120

848

731

737

1,277

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

23.3%

18.7%

18.6%

21.9%

40.5%

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03

Group highlights continued

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Financial and Operational highlights 2012 continued

Local currency revenue growth of 8.0% to $4,814 million  
(8.7% excluding regulatory impact) 

EBITDA of $2,065 million and EBITDA margin of 42.9%  
(43.2% excluding Online)

Capex of $1,120 million  
(23.3% of revenue, 19.1% excluding spectrum and licenses)

Operating Free Cash Flow of $1,127 million  
(23.4% of revenue) excluding spectrum and licenses

Mobile Data penetration reached over 17%  
in Latin America and over 13% for the Group

Mobile Financial Services active subscribers’ exceeded 4 million  
in the last quarter of the year

First investment in Online  
through partnership with Rocket Internet

$4,814m

(2011: $4,350m)

$2,065m

(2011: $2,087m)

$1,120m

(2011: $848m)

$1,127m

(2011: $1,218m)

17%

4m

€85m

Share price performance

200

150

150

100

50

0

2009

2010

2011

2012

MSCI Emerging Markets

Millicom

MSCI Europe Telecom Services

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview04

Demand more

Our ethos is to continually

‘Demand more’.

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Millicom sets the pace when it comes to 
providing digital lifestyle services to many 
of the world’s emerging markets.

It is a pace driven by our vision to see opportunities that others 
do not; a determination to get there first, and an appreciation 
that only constant innovation and consolidation will keep you 
on top.

It is fuelled by an ethos of ‘Demand more’. The markets we are 
creating are themselves demanding more of us and we 
must respond.

We demand more to ensure we delight our customers at every 
turn. We demand more to create a culture within Millicom which 
is truly energizing. We demand more to create greater and 
greater shareholder value. We demand more to strengthen our 
position as digital lifestyle leaders.

Demanding more maintains our relentless pace. It helps us to 
constantly challenge the norm, turn heads and confound 
expectations. It helps us reach for the stars.

It keeps us grounded. It makes us Millicom.

PrintHeadingMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview05

Our vision

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Telecommunications and media 
are changing and so is Millicom. 
We are transforming Tigo from a 
telecommunications operator to a 
digital lifestyle brand by becoming 
an integral part of our customers’ 
everyday lives.

We will continue to see opportunities where others do 
not and realize potential through determination and 
continuous innovation. We are and will remain an 
entrepreneurial company with an agile culture focusing 
on our customers’ needs.

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview06

How we are organized

Our organization is focused on
four core areas

of innovation and growth

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Mobile
Millicom offers mobile services 
in 13 markets in Central 
America, South America and 
Africa under the Tigo brand.

Cable
Millicom is one of the leading 
fixed broadband and pay TV 
service providers in its Latin 
American markets.

Read more

Read more

Mobile Financial 
Services
By the end of 2012 Millicom 
offered Mobile Financial Services 
(MFS) in most of its mobile 
markets in Latin America and 
Africa, where the vast majority 
of the populations have no other 
access to banking services.

Read more

Commerce and  
Services
In 2012, Millicom invested in two 
subsidiaries of Rocket Internet 
(a German private company 
specializing in online services) – 
Latin America Internet Holdings 
(LIH) and Africa Internet 
Holdings (AIH). 
Read more

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How we are organized continued

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Back  
To our four 
core areas

Mobile

What we provide

Millicom offers mobile services in 13 markets 
in Central America, South America and Africa 
under the Tigo brand. These services consist 
of traditional voice and SMS products and 
increasingly of mobile data and other value 
added services (VAS). At December 31, 2012 
we owned 3G licenses in all our markets, except 
Chad, and our mobile customer base was over 
47 million across our three regions. Tigo is a 
leading provider of mobile services in 90% of 
our markets, either number one or number two 
in market share based on subscriber numbers.

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How we are organized continued

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Back  
To our four 
core areas

Cable

What we provide

Millicom is one of the leading fixed broadband 
and pay TV service providers in its Latin 
American markets. We offer different bundles 
of services to our customers, combining fixed 
internet and voice with cable TV. After entering 
the cable business in 2008, we have grown our 
business both organically and through bolt-on 
acquisitions, notably in Guatemala. In 2012, 
we acquired Cablevision in Paraguay, the 
leading pay TV and fixed broadband operator 
in Asunción. We are able to extract significant 
synergies in our combined mobile and cable 
businesses, for example by cross-selling 
and bundling services and leveraging our 
strong brand.

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview09

How we are organized continued

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Back  
To our four 
core areas

Mobile Financial Services

What we provide

By the end of 2012 Millicom offered Mobile 
Financial Services (MFS) in most of its mobile 
markets in Latin America and Africa, where the 
vast majority of the populations have no other 
access to banking services. Millicom offers 
domestic money transfers, international 
remittance and bill payment services with the 
view to significant expansion to other financial 
services in the future. The focus is increasing 
MFS penetration, which reached 8% of our 
entire customer base by the end of 2012, with 
some markets significantly ahead; Tanzania 
at 37% and Paraguay at 24%.

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview10

How we are organized continued

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Back  
To our four 
core areas

Commerce and Services

What we provide

In 2012, Millicom invested in two subsidiaries 
of Rocket Internet (a German private company 
specializing in online services) – Latin America 
Internet Holdings (LIH) and Africa Internet 
Holdings (AIH). Through reserved capital 
increases, at the end of 2012 Millicom owned 
20% of each of these subsidiaries. They 
respectively operate e-commerce and other 
online services in a number of countries. 
Millicom will also start providing its own 
commerce services in the Classified, mHealth 
and mLearning sectors in the coming years. 
We see a huge opportunity to offer online 
services in the underserved and rapidly 
developing emerging markets. Millicom 
confirmed in March 2013 its intention to 
exercise its first call option to increase its stake 
in LIH and AIH to 35% for Euro 85 million.

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview11

Our chosen markets

Millicom provides

voice, data, cable TV

and value-added services 
to 47 million customers in our chosen markets

of Latin America and Africa

Millicom operates its mobile businesses in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in Central America; in 
Bolivia, Colombia and Paraguay in South America; in Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, 
Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal and Tanzania in Africa. In addition Millicom operates cable businesses in El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua in Central America and in Paraguay in South America, and 
online/e-commerce businesses in Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt and Colombia. 

At December 31, 2012, the 13 countries where we had mobile operations had a combined population of 
approximately 273 million. We had over 47 million total mobile customers at December 31, 2012.

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Central America

South America

Population  
under license

Customers

Revenue $m1

EBITDA $2

Cell sites ’000

Outlets ’000

Employees

28m
(2011: 28m)

15.6m
(2011: 14.6m)

1,901m
(2011: 1,842m)

959m
(2011: 958m)

6.6
(2011: 5.6)

132
(2011: 133)

3,680

Population  
under license

Customers

Revenue $m1

EBITDA $2

Cell sites ’000

Outlets ’000

Employees

1 Online global revenue $13m in 2012.
2 Online global result $-9m in 2012.

Africa

Population  
under license

Customers

Revenue $m1

EBITDA $2

Cell sites ’000

Outlets ’000

Employees

62m
(2011: 61m)

12.7m
(2011: 11.2m)

1,926m
(2011: 1,706m)

757m
(2011: 726m)

5.9
(2011: 5.1)

184
(2011: 177)

3,900

183m
(2011: 176m)

18.9m
(2011: 17.3m)

974m
(2011: 981m)

359m
(2011: 404m)

4.4
(2011: 4.3)

331
(2011: 371)

2,190

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview12

Chairman’s statement

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Millicom demonstrated 
its unmatched

ability to innovate

and seek new opportunities

Millicom continued in 2012 to demonstrate its unmatched ability to innovate 
and seek new opportunities as the more traditional sections of its business 
continued to mature. The year was that of change and preparation for 
future growth, both within the successful mobile business of Tigo but also 
by venturing into new areas that represent significant growth opportunities 
for Millicom.

In tough economic and competitive conditions Millicom was able to meet its performance targets 
and to continue growing its revenues at an industry leading rate of 8% in 2012. Encouragingly, 
Millicom generated close to 35% of its revenues from Value Added Services, which demonstrates its 
ability to diversify revenue and to reduce reliance on mobile voice services. In 2013, it is important 
that Millicom completes the necessary investments in infrastructure and skills, and also captures 
opportunities to seek growth through selected and targeted acquisitions and investments, as we saw 
in 2012 with the acquisition of Cablevision in Paraguay and the investments in Rocket Internet in 
Latin America and Africa.

2012 was a year of change also in the senior management of the company. In July, the Board 
accepted the resignation of Mikael Grahne after four years as President and Chief Executive Officer 
and eleven years in the company. Mikael successfully led Millicom through a period of significant 
transition and delivered consistently high growth and profitability levels, enabling Millicom to 
simultaneously reinvest and increase shareholder returns. The success and establishment of Tigo 
as a leading emerging markets telecommunications service provider is in many ways thanks to 
his leadership.

Allen Sangines-Krause
Non-Executive Chairman

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview13

Chairman’s statement continued

At the same time, the Board welcomed the appointment of Hans-Holger Albrecht as the new 
President and CEO of Millicom. Hans-Holger’s existing knowledge of Millicom, wide experience in the 
media industry and his proven international management expertise make him the perfect choice to 
take Millicom to the next level, building on successes to date and capitalizing on new opportunities. 
Millicom also extended its Executive Management team with a significant breadth of experience 
in the new growth areas of the digital lifestyle for Millicom: cable, media and online commerce 
and services. 

In 2012, we also welcomed two new members to the Board of Directors. Mr. Dionisio Romero Paoletti, 
Chairman and President of the Romero Group, a leading Peruvian business group, joined the Board 
in May. He brings strategic guidance from his regional Latin American experience and expertise in 
a wide range of industries including the financial services industry in which Millicom is increasingly 
active. Mr. Anders Kronborg, the Chief Operating Officer of Investment AB Kinnevik joined the Board 
in December 2012, bringing to the Board his in-depth experience in the online industry. Both new 
members of the Board will offer vital support for Millicom in an important phase of transition. 

In a year of investment for future growth, Millicom continued in 2012 to reward its shareholders, with 
$731 million returned to them through a combination of a $2.40 per share ordinary dividend, and a 
$3.00 per share exceptional dividend, combined with share repurchase. The Board will propose to the 
Annual General Meeting on May 28, 2013, the payment of an ordinary dividend of $2.64 per share.

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Millicom completed deregistration from NASDAQ in the United States on October 12, 2012. In 2012 
Millicom successfully transitioned its internal control environment from the Securities and Exchange 
Commission SOX requirements while maintaining the prior high level of control. The Board also 
welcomed the strengthened approach to compliance and corporate responsibility which commenced 
in 2012.

On behalf of the Board, I would like thank our shareholders for their continuous support and all 
Millicom employees for their hard work, innovation and creativity in a challenging environment. 
We look forward to an exciting year of new opportunities.

Allen Sangines-Krause
Non-Executive Chairman

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview14

Chief Executive Officer’s statement

Demand more 

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It has been an exciting time to step into the position of President and CEO of 
Millicom – a company I know well and have admired greatly over the years. 
I am honored to have been given the role.

Millicom is in a telecommunications and media sector that is changing fast. We have had a very 
successful mobile voice-based business on which we will now build and diversify for the future. 
The world is evolving and so are our customers’ needs. Just like them, Millicom has always been 
known for demanding more. I believe it is this pace, drive and customer focus that will keep us on a 
growth track as we provide a constantly expanding range of digital lifestyle services to millions more 
people in the world’s emerging markets.

Change is always something that goes together with uncertainty, and nobody knows exactly how the 
road ahead will look. However it is a willingness to change and adapt that has made Millicom what it 
is today, and will make the Millicom of the future.

This is why we have chosen our new logo, which was designed by our founder, Jan Stenbeck. 
It symbolizes our DNA: We reach for the stars, but are grounded on earth.

Looking back, 2012 has been a year of investment and preparation for future growth. We stepped up 
our investment in infrastructure and in commercial activities, notably in branding and subsidies, to 
ensure we deliver the best quality services to our customers. We also invested strongly in our people 
to ensure we have the requisite skills to meet the needs of a diversifying business.

To confirm the need for such investment, we experienced a decline in our voice revenue for the first 
time ever at the end of 2012. Our confidence in the future stems from the rapid and steady growth 
of data usage, our cable and internet services as well as strong potential in value added services, 
such as mobile financial services. Millicom remains in strong shape financially. This gives us the solid 
foundation we need to transform and the flexibility to exploit growth opportunities in various markets.

While preparing for a transformation, it is important to remember the strengths that have made 
Millicom so successful. We have been reviewing what we stand for and how our brand can help us go 
further, faster. 2012 also demonstrated that Millicom continues to innovate by identifying and scaling 
up new opportunities. The vision to see opportunities where others do not and the determination to 
get there first are to me very much the cornerstones of Millicom’s unique culture. We have distilled 
this spirit in two defining words – “Demand more”- and introduced the new logo to help us keep focus 
and direction in a challenging year to come.

Hans-Holger Albrecht
President and Chief Executive Officer

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Chief Executive Officer’s statement continued

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The untapped potential in our markets presents a tremendous opportunity for Millicom. We are very 
mindful of the fact that the services we sell also offer opportunities and support for economic and 
social development in our markets. We are an important and influential player in these countries and 
take this responsibility very seriously. It means “demanding more” – with respect for our customers’ 
needs and aspirations as a priority. It also means acting with integrity, conviction and professionalism 
and staying true to our commitments under the United Nations Global Compact and its four pillars.

By continuing to demand more from ourselves we will satisfy our customers’ demands for digital 
products and services. That, in turn, will enable us to maintain our position as digital lifestyle leaders 
within our markets and ensure our continuing success. 

This is an exciting time for our industry and for Millicom. A period that I believe will take our company 
to new levels of success. We had no choice to stand still. And we decided to move on, faster, smarter 
and with higher goals than before.

I want to thank all our employees for their great work, our shareholders for their support, and our 
customers for believing in better.

Hans-Holger Albrecht
President and Chief Executive Officer

“Our pace, drive and 

customer focus 
will keep us on a growth path”

Q: Can you share with us your impressions of Millicom after your first few months 

as CEO?

A: This is not an ordinary multinational. There has always been and still is a strong entrepreneurial and 
adventurous spirit in Millicom, coupled with deep knowledge and understanding of the needs of the 
markets in which we operate. As a result, we have a real opportunity to change lives and transform 
societies. 

However, I have also found a company in the middle an important transformation. One which 
needs to be steered with a steady hand and clear focus: moving from pre-paid to post-paid, from 
voice to data, to increased focus on value added services and online. It is a very exciting time to 
join Millicom and the more I know about the company, the more confident I am we have what it 
takes to succeed.

Q: What do you see are the focus areas for 2013?

A: Our priorities will be to implement a new strategy to secure high market share and further 

monetize mobile data, grow our cable and TV businesses by exploiting untapped potential, 
expand our MFS business from its initial success, and explore further e-commerce and online 
opportunities in our partnership with Rocket Internet. With this, I believe we will maintain the 
momentum of the company.

Q: What are the key challenges for 2013?

A: There are certain things we cannot control, which can and will continue to pose challenges in the 

coming year. The most important of these are the strong price competition we have in many of our 
markets, regulatory pressures and overall economic conditions that affect purchasing power in our 
markets. In most of these areas, I believe we will see more positive developments than in 2012.

Then of course, within the company, we need to drive change and ensure we motivate and 
excite our colleagues to get behind the new strategy and focus on the opportunities ahead.

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview16

Our strategy

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Our main

pillars of evolution

will be mobile, cable, 

MFS and online

We will realize our vision of the digital lifestyle provider through a continuous 
and natural evolution of our core business: 

Our new services will be a natural extension of our current offering. By 
providing fixed and mobile, communication and entertainment, mobile 
financial services and e-commerce we will become a one stop shop serving 
all our customer’s needs. Our main pillars of evolution will be mobile, cable, 
MFS and commerce and services:

1. Mobile: From Volume to Value
Mobile is our core business and will remain a key growth driver. We will achieve sustained revenue 
growth by building a sophisticated, value-oriented mobile access business. Through analytical 
capabilities we will effectively segment and target our customer base.

We face a unique opportunity in mobile data, which is already a large revenue source and is expected 
to continue growing rapidly. We will do this through targeted offers and upselling. However, we will go 
further: as a digital lifestyle provider, we will deliver unique content.

2. Cable: Building a significant business
The second pillar of our growth is cable: Cable markets in the countries where we are present are 
underserved but growing fast. Alongside our mobile business, cable enables us to present a unique 
product proposition: We will provide our customers with a complete service, becoming a one stop 
point for all their communication needs. We will exploit synergies between mobile and fixed line 
products with uniquely favorable economics.

We think creatively to provide the digital lifestyle to our customers. As part of this, we will explore new 
areas such as content and digital media. 

3. Mobile financial services: Creating a blockbuster
We are creating a blockbuster: Mobile financial services could be a “platform that transforms entire 
economies” (The World Bank). We have proof already: MFS has been adopted quickly in several of our 
markets. Building on consumer reach from our mobile business, we focus on driving rapid adoption in 
all our markets. Continuous innovation and relentless consumer focus will place MFS at the heart of 
our customers’ lives and increasingly replace cash payments. We are changing the financial services 
landscape providing services that are cheaper, safer and more convenient than previous alternatives. 

4. Commerce & Services: Investing in growth
We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to move into unexploited markets in Latin America and 
Africa. Our investment in Rocket Internet subsidiaries LIH and AIH provide substantial opportunities 
in these markets. We will continue to expand our involvement in e-commerce and online businesses, 
either through Rocket or our own digital businesses. We are actively working to realize synergy 
potential between our e-commerce, mobile and MFS businesses.

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview17

Our business model

We make

ideas happen

Millicom’s business model will build on its core strengths, agility and 
entrepreneurialism. We make ideas happen. We will combine our core 
strengths with a focus on execution and the demands of our customers, 
continuously striving for excellence. As such we will be ideally positioned 
to realize the countless opportunities in our markets. Demanding more 
of ourselves will be at the heart of everything we do. 

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1. Be entrepreneurial: 
We see opportunities where others do 
not and follow them with relentless 
determination and innovation. This is 
how we have worked in the past and 
how we will continue in future. Agility is 
part of our DNA. We empower our local 
staff and will continue to drive our 
business from below.

3. Be customer focused:
At Millicom the customer is center stage. If 
demands change we adapt as our recent 
reorganization shows: The new structure of 
mobile, cable, MFS and online businesses 
allows us to have a holistic view of our 
customers’ needs. We bundle, upsell and 
innovate to become an integral part of our 
customers’ lives.

2. Be better:
Our business is about execution and 
we are striving to be the best. We have 
a great team and unique market 
knowledge putting us ahead of the 
competition. We want to get even 
better. We will optimize our operations, 
maximize efficiency and relentlessly 
focus on value creation. We will 
continue to attract outstanding talent 
to stay ahead in an increasingly 
complex market landscape and deliver 
a great service to our customers and 
growing value to investors.

4. Be daring:
We push boundaries and will evolve into a 
digital lifestyle provider. We use proven 
business models to capture enormous 
growth opportunities in underserved and 
fast growing markets. Our investment in 
Rocket Internet’s Latin American and African 
ventures are testimony to this. We venture 
into new services. We do not just follow, but 
evolve and develop new services to fit our 
markets. We are the first MNO to make MFS 
a big success in Latin America by adapting to 
local conditions. We will keep thinking 
outside the ordinary and make the most of 
the opportunities presented to us. Millicom is 
and will remain a growth company.

PrintMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverview18

Operating review — Central America

Cable business continued
to  perform well
in 2012

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Central America
Our mobile and cable operations in Central America are located in El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. Our licenses covered 
approximately 28 million people at year-end 2012.

Our cable operation has a large network, which together with our existing 
mobile network, gives Millicom great opportunities for future growth. At the 
end of 2012, our Central American cable operation had 862,000 Revenue 
Generating Units (‘RGUs’).

Regional statistics per country as at December 31, 2012

Population 

GDP per capita

Mobile penetration

Market position1

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

14m
$5,100

6m
$7,500
116% 95%
1 of 3
1 of 5

8m
$4,400
80%
1 of 3

1 Market position represents the situation at December 31, 2012 and is based on number of subscribers.

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Operating review — Central America continued

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Macro-economic and regulatory environment
The economies of our Central American markets are affected by the economic climate in the United 
States (U.S.) which drives foreign remittances, as well as soft commodity prices. For example, nearly 
half of Honduran economic activity is directly tied to the U.S., with exports to the U.S. accounting for 
30% of GDP and remittances another 20%. Overall GDP growth in Central America picked up slightly 
in 2012 compared to 2011. In our markets, GDP growth was highest in Costa Rica at 4.8% and lowest 
in El Salvador at 1.5%. 

In Central America in particular, our customers benefit from remittances from expatriate workers in 
the U.S. For example, in El Salvador, remittances accounted for 16% of GDP in 2012, and are received 
by about a third of all households. While month to month volatility remains, 2012 saw a healthy 
trend in the flow of remittances from the U.S. to our markets. Remittances were up compared with 
2011 by 7.2% in El Salvador, 9% in Guatemala and 5.5% in Honduras. 

In Honduras, 2012 and 2013 are election years, leading to a cautious investment climate. In 2012 
the Honduran Lempira moved from a fixed to floating exchange rate against the U.S. dollar, which 
affected our reported results. Similar devaluation against the U.S. dollar took place in Nicaragua in 
2012. In other markets in Central America local currencies have remained stable.

Changes in regulations and taxes affected our performance in 2012 in the region. Regulatory 
changes related mostly to lowering of interconnection charges. Rates were lowered in El Salvador 
from $0.07 to $0.061 in September. This trend is likely to continue in 2013. We are already expecting 
interconnection rates to drop in Honduras by the end of Q1 2013 by a further 34%, and a steady 
decrease to continue in El Salvador. In 2013 we expect regulatory demands in user registration in 
Guatemala, and number portability in El Salvador, which will require specific marketing efforts to 
reduce churn.

Competitive environment
We held on to the number one position in all three of our mobile markets in Central America in 2012. 
Our overall market share stayed stable in the region. At the end of 2012 our market share was 40.9% 
in El Salvador, 54.1% Guatemala and 69.8% in Honduras. Increases in Honduras were the result of 
targeted advertising campaigns which enabled us to capitalize on opportunities created by the 
merger of our two competitors in 2011. 

Competition and price pressure on voice was intense throughout the year, specifically in this region. 
Following the failed merger of two of our competitors we experienced aggressive pricing in prepaid 
services in El Salvador. We expect this to continue in 2013. Competition also introduced high subsidies 
in the region.

Categories
ARPU stabilization and growth remained a key focus for Millicom in 2012. Mobile ARPU in local 
currency declined by 4% year-on-year in Central America. Our data services have been very 
successful in South America and our focus is to replicate this success with our customers in 
Central America. 

Communication
The Communication category has experienced a slowdown, decreasing 1.2% year-on-year. 
The slowdown primarily reflected the increasing maturity of our mobile voice business, now that 
penetration rates are high, averaging over 95% across our three mobile markets. Mobile penetration 
rates have even surpassed 100% in El Salvador. The category represented 62% of our 2012 revenue 
in Central America and 61% in Q4 2012 (from 64% in Q4 2011).

SMS growth has been growing at a healthy 10.8%; a positive development as SMS is often a 
customer’s first experience of Value Added Services. 

We have increased our focus on bundled offers to defend our revenue base in this key category. 
For example, we now sell what we call ‘Paquetigos’ which combine SMS and voice minutes and are 
tailor-made to our different customer segments. 

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Operating review — Central America continued

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In addition to actively promoting bundled offers, we are increasingly offering hybrid plans combining 
pre- and post-paid elements to meet customer demand. Post-paid customers represented 6.6% of 
our customer base in Central America at the end of 2012, down from 7.1% at the end of 2011. 

Information and entertainment
In 2012, the Information category was the biggest single contributor to overall growth, especially 
in Central America, contributing to more than half the total U.S. dollar growth in Q4 2012. Data 
penetration in Central America exceeded 15% at the end of 2012, from 13% at the end of 2011. 
By the end of the year, we had close to 2.34 million data users in Central America. These numbers 
demonstrate that our strategy to migrate customers from voice to data is delivering results.

Data penetration in Central America exceeded 15% at 
the end of 2012

We accelerated subsidies in our markets throughout 2012 to meet unmet demand for internet access. 
Return on subsidies is rapid; around six months. The growing availability of attractively priced and 
quality smartphones should facilitate acceleration of mobile internet uptake. Recently we are offering 
smartphones for less than $60. We believe this could prove a key enabler of mobile data growth, 
especially as it would allow us to promote mobile data on a prepaid basis, a model more suited than 
postpaid to the needs of the vast majority of our customers in Central America. 

Our cable business continued to perform very well in 2012. We believe that residential broadband 
represents a significant growth opportunity. We increasingly combined broadband, TV, fixed line and 
mobile services under a single brand and were able to offer bundled ‘triple play’ and ‘quadruple play’ 
services to our customers. At the end of 2012, our cable network passed approximately 1.7 million 
homes, up 10.1% from 2011. RGUs per customer increased year-on-year by 2.3% to 1.37 units. 

At the end of 2012, our cable network passed 
approximately 1.7 million homes, up 10.1% from 2011

We launched unlimited music offers in partnership with Deezer across our entire Latin American 
footprint, including Central America. The new services have been well received by customers. Our 
SMS browsing solution ‘Dot Go’, making web access affordable to even those customers who cannot 
afford a smartphone, has also proven popular. 

Solutions and Mobile Financial Services
Our most popular services in the Solutions category continue to be our Zero Balance Products (ZBP) 
such as: Tigo Lends You, Lend Me a Call and Lend Me an SMS, peer-to-peer balance lending and 
SMS Gift & Collect. We promoted and introduced services of this important product family for our 
customers across our Central American markets in 2012. 

Tigo Care solutions offering various mobile health, assistance and insurance services has become 
a differentiator for us in our Central American markets including El Salvador. We also brought to 
market solutions for enterprises and public service providers. In response to feedback from our 
customers, we increased billing transparency resulting in discontinuation of some products. While 
this had a short-term negative effect on revenue, we are confident that the increase in consumer 
trust will bring positive effects going forward. 

By the end of 2012 we had launched Mobile Financial Services in all of our Central American 
mobile markets. El Salvador is the most advanced of our markets in Central America. While we 
may experience different rates of uptake of mobile financial services in our markets, we remain 
convinced that the product will ultimately be adopted on a broad scale in all our markets. 

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Operating review — Central America continued

By the end of the year, and in partnership with Western Union we offered our El Salvadoran and 
Guatemalan customers international money transfer service. Through this service, our customers 
can receive money from abroad directly into their mobile money wallets and convert into cash at 
Tigo points of sale. The service is expected to be launched in Honduras in 2013.

Brand and distribution
At the end of 2012, there were 132,000 Tigo points of sale across our Central American markets, or 
one for approximately every 210 people covered by our mobile licenses. Importantly in 2012, we 
increased the number and geographical spread of our own shops, and transformed these into full 
‘experience centers’ where customers can come to trial new services. 

We constantly reevaluate our distribution structure, to better analyze the performance of our agents 
and dealers but also to better incentivize them to improve performance and revenue. In 2012, we 
adjusted commission structures in El Salvador and Honduras, and put emphasis on training our sales 
force in sales techniques and our expanding product offering.

In July 2012, we rebranded Amnet Costa Rica to Tigo Costa Rica. 

In promoting the brand in an increasingly competitive environment, in 2012 we have sought a 
balance between high visibility above-the-line campaigns and utilizing targeted below-the-line 
promotions e.g. social networks and customer segmentation.

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Network
We continued to expand the coverage and capacity of our networks in Central America with 
emphasis on improving the 3G user experience in urban areas and on sustaining higher data speeds 
at peak times. Our Fair User Policy, whereby customers who reach data plan limits are redirected to a 
website to purchase additional capacity, is helping to ensure we manage our network capacity and 
grow usage in line with revenue. Millicom has been one of the few operators able to monetize data 
with little need to sell unlimited data plans.

We increased our single Radio Access Network (RAN) implementations, combining 2G and 3G 
technologies in single base stations, significantly reducing energy consumption. Site sharing with 
competitors, focus on maintenance, site outsourcing and introduction of different hybrid power 
systems has also brought both Capex and Opex savings across the markets. With the expansion 
of capacity, we improved KPIs such as: call success rates and dropped calls, improving the customer 
experience. 

Outlook 
In 2013 we expect strong demand for internet connectivity, in both fixed broadband and mobile, 
to continue in our Latin American markets. We see good potential for us to reach a similar level of 
mobile data penetration in Central America as in South America and will continue to incentivize our 
customers to use different data services and migrate to smartphones. ARPU stabilization and growth 
in RGU per customer in Central America remains a key focus. Ensuring resilience in mobile voice is a 
clear objective while at the same time we expect the competitive environment to stay challenging 
and regulatory pressure to continue to negatively impact our growth.

A great opportunity exists to increase penetration and customer numbers in our cable businesses in 
2013 as competition is fragmented and TV services still remain non-existent or analogue. There are 
also significant untapped opportunities in fixed internet in the region where penetration, other than 
Costa Rica, is at 10% or lower.

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Operating review — South America

Data penetration

exceeded 20%

at the end of 2012

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South America
Our mobile operations in South America are located in Bolivia, Colombia 
and Paraguay. Our mobile licenses in South America covered 62 million 
people at the end of 2012. In Q4 2012 we acquired, and now offer cable 
services in Paraguay. 

Regional statistics per country as at December 31, 2012

Population 

GDP per capita

Mobile penetration

Market position2

Bolivia

Colombia

Paraguay

10m
$4,800
72%
2 of 3

7m

45m
$10,200 $6,200
106% 100%
1 of 4
3 of 3

2 Market position represents the situation at December 31, 2012 and is based on number of subscribers.

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Operating review — South America continued

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Macro-economic and regulatory environment
The economies of our Latin American markets are affected by the economic climate in Brazil, 
Argentina and the U.S., as well as commodity prices. Overall GDP growth in South America was 
slower than in 2011, due to slower than expected growth in Brazil and Argentina. Of our markets, 
GDP growth was highest in Bolivia at 5% and lowest in Paraguay at -1.8%. Bolivia benefited from 
high metal prices.

In Colombia the peso experienced a strong revaluation in 2012, resulting from an increase in Foreign 
Direct Investment and commodity prices. The currency in Bolivia remained stable against the U.S. 
dollar in 2012, while appreciating in Paraguay.

Changes in regulations and taxes at the end of 2012 affected our performance in South America. 
Interconnection rates were lowered in all three countries. In Colombia, interconnection rates were 
cut by around 17% on April 1, 2012. Rates were subsequently cut by 40% in Paraguay and 25% 
in Bolivia on October 1 and December 1, 2012 respectively. 

In Bolivia a new 10% tax was imposed on certain entertainment services, such as gaming and 
competitions. In Paraguay, number portability was introduced in November.

Competitive environment
Millicom strengthened its number one position in Paraguay, with nearly 57% market share at the 
end of 2012. Market share also grew in Colombia to 11.6% and increased in Bolivia to 37%.

There were no new mobile entrants in our South American markets in 2012. In Bolivia, a new 
regulation on bidding and granting of spectrum licenses in the 1900 MHz band might result in new 
competitors in the market in the future. 

Categories
ARPU stabilization and growth remained a key focus for Millicom in 2012. ARPU in South America 
grew in the first three quarters of the year and would have been flat year-on-year in Q4 if not for the 
interconnection rate cuts in Paraguay and Bolivia. This is a clear reflection of our success in up-selling 
and cross-selling more services to existing customers and also confirms our status as provider of 
choice in new high value customer segments.

Communication
Communication revenue grew steadily by 4.7%. Mobile penetration rates have surpassed 100% in 
Colombia and Paraguay and exceeded 70% in Bolivia, which has the lowest penetration level of all 
our Latin American markets. This category represented 67.5% of our revenue in South America. 
SMS grew by 7.7%. 

…postpaid customers represented 17.2% of our customer 
base in South America

Throughout the year we offered attractively priced data bundles and invested to encourage upgrade 
from prepaid to postpaid services. During the last quarter of the year, 448,000 new mobile customers 
were added in South America, of which 23% are postpaid. By the end of 2012, postpaid customers 
represented 17.2% of our customer base in South America.

Information and entertainment
Our strategy to migrate customers from voice to data is delivering results and will continue to provide 
solid growth in South America going forward. Data penetration exceeded 20% at the end of 2012, 
a sizeable growth from 14.6% at the end of 2011. By the end of the year, we had close to 2.6 million 
data users in South America. Demonstrating the potential for the growth of mobile data, 38% of our 
customers had ARPU above $10 in South America by the end of year.

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Operating review — South America continued

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To boost uptake of smartphones we increased subsidies, improved network quality and coverage 
and put significant effort in increasing the possibility for our customers to try and learn about 
smartphone use in our new experience stores. We are seeing good returns on subsidies, around six 
months in 2012. Smartphone prices are coming down which will also help boost adoption. In 2012, 
increased penetration of smartphones came primarily from Android devices.

Bringing data to the mass market will require innovations in affordable services. Our different 
pre-paid packages were popular. In Colombia these bundled prepaid plans have also increased our 
voice revenue. Products such as our SMS browsing solution ‘Dot Go’, and Facebook and Twitter on 
USSD are introducing our customers to data and value added services. We launched unlimited music 
with Deezer across our three South American markets. Starting in Q2, we generated more revenue 
from VAS than from voice in Paraguay, our test-bed market for innovation.

Our Cable business continued to perform very well in 2012. In October 2012 Millicom completed 
the acquisition of Cablevision Paraguay, the leading pay TV operator in Asunción. As part of the 
acquisition Millicom also now operates a TV channel and owns rights to local football leagues in 
Paraguay and Bolivia. In Q4, Cablevision businesses contributed close to $15 million in revenue and 
$8.3 million in EBITDA.

Solutions and Mobile Financial Services
Our most popular services in the Solutions category continue to be our Zero Balance Products (ZBP) 
such as Tigo Lends You, peer-to-peer balance lending and SMS Gift & Collect. In Bolivia, they 
represented 80% of revenue in this category. During the year we promoted and introduced new 
services in this important product family, such as Lend Me a Call and Lend Me an SMS. 

In Colombia we extended our solutions offering to the corporate sector by offering packages that 
bundle several products together to increase efficiency in time and cost in our client’s organizations. 
In 2012, we implemented such bundles with organizations including the Police Department, the 
public transportation system, universities, and banks.

Millicom completed the acquisition of Cablevision 
Paraguay, the leading pay TV operator in Asunción

By the end of 2012 Mobile Financial Services was only operating in Paraguay in our South American 
region. Bolivia launched the services in January 2013. At the end of 2012, 24% of our customers in 
Paraguay, the first market where Millicom launched MFS, were using the service. Our partnership with 
Western Union for international money transfer services is also provided to our customers in Paraguay.

Brand and distribution
At the end of 2012, there were 184,000 Tigo points of sale across our three South American markets, 
or one for approximately every 330 people covered by our mobile licenses. 

We also launched a new self-activation chip system in one of our South American markets in 
November, allowing consumers to activate the SIM card themselves. This enabled us to be present at 
new points of sale, for example; drugstores, gas stations and convenience stores. 

In all our South American markets we launched the global brand campaign ‘Smile, you’ve got Tigo’. 
We also significantly increased the number and geographical spread of our own shops and 
transformed these into full ‘experience centers’ where customers can come and trial new services. 
In Bolivia we had 20 such stores at the end of 2012, compared to three the previous year.

In the fourth quarter we rebranded our Paraguayan cable operation to Tigo, stretching the Tigo 
brand to the homes of our customers in Paraguay where we already have a strong position in 
mobile telephony.

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Operating review — South America continued

Network
We continued to both expand the coverage and increase the capacity of our networks in South 
America with emphasis on improving the 3G user experience in urban areas and on sustaining higher 
data speeds at peak times. In Colombia we did not increase coverage but focused on improving 
customer service. Most of this expansion was in 3G. In Bolivia we increased coverage in 2G, including 
in rural areas, bringing communications for the first time to 26 towns in the country.

We made efforts to increase tower sharing as this brings significant Capex and Opex savings. 
In some markets challenges remain, such as Bolivia where regulation relating to tower sharing 
was not included in the new telecommunications law of 2012. 

During the last quarter of 2012 we renewed our license in Colombia for another 10 years 
(until February 2023). We paid a provisional amount of $53 million in February 2013 for this 
extension. We expect more visibility on the forthcoming spectrum auction in the first half of 2013 
and reiterate our commitment to invest and grow our market share in Colombia.

In South America we are interested in acquiring spectrum, notably to provide 4G services and to 
improve the quality of the current services through increase in capacity. However, acquisition of 
spectrum, like all our financial investments, will have to meet our strict return on investment criteria.

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Outlook
In 2013 we expect strong demand for internet connectivity, whether fixed broadband or mobile, 
to continue in our South American markets and provide the bulk of our growth. We will continue to 
bring innovative targeted bundles to market focusing on convenience and facilitating the total user 
experience, including streaming content and apps. Smartphones will take over more of the device 
landscape as prices will fall further. 

Fixed internet also shows significant potential as penetration was only 3% in Paraguay at the end 
of 2012. The possible merger with UNE, the telecom arm of EPM in Colombia, could bring significant 
synergies and considerably strengthen our market position. 

As every year, we expect further regulatory pressure in the form of interconnection rates cuts to be 
introduced in 2013.

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Operating review — Africa

Despite strong competition

Millicom retained its

market positions in Africa

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Africa
Our mobile operations in Africa are located in Chad, the Democratic Republic 
of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal and Tanzania. Our African 
licenses covered approximately 183 million people at the end of 2012.

Regional statistics per country as at December 31, 2012

Chad

DRC

Ghana

Mauritius

Rwanda

Senegal

Tanzania

Population 

GDP per capita

Mobile penetration

Market position3

1m

12m
25m
$3,100 $15,000 $1,300 $2,000 $1,600

75m
11m
$1,900 $300
33% 61% 72% 97% 36% 66% 43%
2 of 7
1 of 3

1 of 54 2/3 of 6 2 of 3

2 of 4

2 of 4

13m

47m

3 Market position represents the situation at December 31, 2012 and is based on number of subscribers.
4 Only Kinshasa and Bas Congo area.

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Operating review — Africa continued

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Macro-economic and regulatory environment
GDP growth in sub-Saharan Africa in 2012 was strong at 4.6% despite the challenges in the 
global economy. GDP growth was strong in Ghana, Rwanda and the DRC at 7.1%, 7.7% and 7.8% 
respectively. Notably in Ghana, the services sector continued to lead, growing at 8.8%. Inflation 
was high in Tanzania at the start of the year but fell to 12% in November, positively impacting 
purchasing power.

The uncertainty in Senegal regarding our license has, over time, affected our market position and 
investment potential in the country. Our dispute with the Senegalese government was resolved in an 
agreement signed in August 2012 that came into effect in December 2012, allowing us to restart our 
long-term planning in Senegal. 

Political developments affected the overall economic development of some of our African markets in 
2012. In Rwanda, the suspension of foreign aid to the country at the end of 2012 created uncertainty 
and may continue affecting the purchasing power of our customers in 2013. The DRC saw a freezing 
of investment and slowdown of capital flow following the presidential elections at the end of 2011. 
2012 was an election year in Ghana, with the new President elected in December.

Similarly to Latin America, the main regulatory developments related to lowering of interconnect 
charges. In February, the regulator in Tanzania introduced a 69% reduction in interconnection rates 
to be implemented on March 1, 2013. We also foresee interconnection rates cuts in the DRC and 
Ghana later in 2013.

SMS grew significantly during the year, by 33%

In Chad and DRC we continued to see new taxes for telecommunications companies being proposed 
by the authorities, for example relating to towers, calls and interconnect tariffs. In the DRC corporate 
taxes remained high, affecting consumer prices and purchasing power. In Tanzania, excise duty rates 
rose 2% reducing consumer purchasing power.

Revenue growth was negatively impacted by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar against local 
currencies. This increased cost pressure, especially in Ghana where the Ghanaian cedi depreciated 
by 15% against the U.S. dollar in 2012. Local currencies also depreciated against the U.S. dollar in 
Rwanda and Mauritius. 

Competitive environment
Millicom retained its market positions in Africa despite strong competition during the year. New 
competitors entered the markets in the DRC, Ghana and Rwanda. In Ghana, a crowded market with 
six operators, our market share declined to 17.2%. In Rwanda, where new competition entered with 
aggressive pricing and offers, our market share increased to nearly 38%. In the DRC we also gained 
market share to 34.8%, despite new competition. We continued to hold number one positions in 
Chad and DRC (Kinshasa Bas Congo regions only) and number two in the other African markets.

Categories
Communication
Revenue declined in the Communication category by 1.7% in local currency compared to 2011, as 
customer growth and traffic growth did not offset pricing pressures. SMS grew significantly during 
the year, by 33%, demonstrating the growth potential for this category. High competitive pressure 
on voice pricing in some of our markets remained the key reason for revenue decline, with new 
competitors entering Ghana and Rwanda in Q2. We also experienced the effects of the long lasting 
dispute over our license in Senegal and our resulting lack of investment. The dispute was settled 
amicably in Q3. ARPU declined by 7% compared to 2011 as expected, as we continued to focus on 
the affordability of our services.

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Significant untapped potential remains in voice, with markets like Chad, Rwanda and Tanzania having 
penetration levels well below 50%. Overall we grew our mobile customer base by approximately 9% 
in 2012 to nearly 19 million customers, with a very strong Q4 where we added 450,000 mobile 
customers, supported by strong developments in Chad and Tanzania. In 2012, we also noted a 
significant increase in ‘minutes of use’ by our subscribers. 

Information and entertainment
Performance in mobile data was strong (+121% year-on-year in local currency) essentially driven by 
strong growth in Tanzania, Ghana and Rwanda, the markets in which we have started to roll out 3G 
networks. We also acquired 3G licenses in DRC and Senegal in 2012. We put significant emphasis on 
developing our product offering in different solutions, bringing to Africa many of the products 
popular in our Latin American markets.

Twitter and Facebook over USSD, voice SMS, IVR radio, SMS based web browsing (‘Dot Go’) and bulk 
SMS were among the products launched in 2012 in our African markets. In Rwanda, we also launched 
a music service, ‘Tigo Muzika’, which by the end of the year was contributing 27% of revenue in the 
Entertainment category.

Performance in mobile data was strong (+121% year-on-
year in local currency)

At the end of 2012, mobile data penetration in Africa stood at 7.7%, up from 4.6% a year ago. This 
was achieved with only a limited number of markets providing 3G services. In Ghana thanks to our 
strong focus on data services, we grew our customer base in mobile data, which we believe holds the 
key for future performance and market position. 

Solutions and Mobile Financial Services
In the fourth quarter MFS was the largest contributor to our growth in Africa, generating more 
incremental revenue than even the fast growing mobile data business. We launched MFS in DRC in 
July and in Chad in December. We are now offering Mobile Financial Services in all African markets 
except Mauritius and Senegal, where we expect to launch the services in 2013. Penetration of MFS is 
highest in Tanzania, where over 37% of our customer base was using Tigo Pesa in Q4 2012. We have 
also noted a significant reduction in churn among our MFS customers.

Penetration of MFS is highest in Tanzania, where over 37% 
of our customer base was using Tigo Pesa

In Rwanda, growth in penetration of MFS services has been outstanding. At the end of December, 
22% of our customers in Rwanda were active users of MFS, making it the third fastest MFS 
implementation. The development of MFS is highly dependent upon market conditions such as 
the regulatory framework, different customer needs, local or international remittances, banking 
penetration and the image of the telecom industry. Our achievements in Africa with MFS have so far 
only focused on domestic money transfer, and we have plans to expand our product offering in 2013.

Different lending products have also proven popular in our African markets. In Chad these services 
helped us reach an unprecedented penetration rate of 94% for SMS users.

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Operating review — Africa continued

Branding and distribution
As in Latin America, we have increased the visibility of our brand externally, especially focusing on our 
331,000 points of sale. We have also increased the number of our own shops where our customers 
can trial and experience new services. 

During 2012, due to the increasing competition in many of our markets, advertising remained 
focused on high visibility campaigns and events. One of the most innovative campaigns was the 
painting of 20,000 moto-taxis in Tigo colors in Rwanda. These campaigns have been complemented 
by targeted below-the-line marketing activities, for example through direct SMS outreach, or our very 
popular Facebook pages.

Our direct sales force keeps our presence strong in our markets. We are constantly monitoring and 
evolving our distribution structure and providing direction to our agents and dealers. We continuously 
explore new ways to reward and increase the loyalty of our sales force. The launch of Tigo Sales 
Schools in Ghana, Tanzania and Rwanda is one such initiative, providing comprehensive sales training 
to our direct sales force to improve the quality of their acquisitions and developing life-long skills of 
our sellers. Electronic top-ups have also remained high, a market leading 80% in the DRC. Tanzania 
became the first operation to sell bundles and other products through EPIN and the Tigo Pesa 
mobile wallet.

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Network developments
Capex in Africa amounted to $430 million in 2012, including investment in license rights in Senegal 
of $103 million (including the extension in duration and scope of our existing license). The significant 
investments are necessary to expand the coverage and capacity of our 2G network, upgrade to 3G in 
the markets we have 3G licenses and to acquire 3G licenses. 

In 2012, we acquired 3G licenses in Senegal and in the DRC. In the DRC we also acquired 2 x 4 MHz 
of spectrum in the 900 MHz band and extended our existing license until 2024. This valuable low 
frequency spectrum will allow us to more efficiently expand our network in new regions of this large 
and populous country. We were also granted a 3G license and plan to launch enhanced data services 
as soon as possible. In the DRC we also re-launched our networks in the Kikwit and Katanga regions.

By the end of 2012 we had almost completed the transfer of our passive network infrastructure to 
Helios Towers in DRC, Ghana and Tanzania. We have existing site sharing deals with our competitors 
in most of our markets. Similarly we are looking at increasing the sharing of backbone fiber optic 
networks, for significant Capex savings. 

We continued to closely monitor quality of service and network availability and realized visible 
improvements as a result of investments in capacity towards the end of 2012.

Outlook
In 2013 we will continue to focus on increasing penetration in our markets through expanding 
coverage in strategically important areas and continuing the roll out and launch of 3G services in the 
markets where we have licenses. In 2013, and thanks to the tower outsourcing deals, we intend to 
have 80% of our new sites on third party towers. Strict overall cost control will continue.

We see data services, MFS, and pricing permitting, voice, as the main pillars of growth in 2013 in 
Africa. To continue growing our customer base, we will keep focus on affordability and innovation, 
introducing more relevant SMS and USSD based products. Based on the excellent performance of 
MFS in the region in 2012, we are confident that MFS penetration will continue to grow steadily in 
2013. We plan to have MFS available in all our markets by the end of 2013.

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Financial review

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Our focus remained on
up-selling and cross-selling new
services to existing customers

Customer growth in 2012 was 10%, with 4.1 million new mobile customers 
added in the year, bringing our total base to 47.2 million. Group revenues were 
up 6.3% to $4,814 million. Local currency organic revenue growth was 8%, 
in line with our expectations.

Our focus in 2012 remained on up-selling and cross selling new services to our existing customers 
rather than increasing their absolute number. As penetration of voice services is already high in 
most of our markets, we believe continuing to offer innovative services to our existing customers 
and expanding into new areas of business in our markets will enable us to grow faster than our 
competitors. In the fourth quarter of 2012, our Value Added Services (non-voice) contributed in 
excess of 35% of recurring revenue. Overall, non-voice services grew by 29% year-on-year.

In the fourth quarter, 35% of our mobile customers in Latin America had an ARPU of $10 or more 
and generated 86% of revenue for the region. As only 17% of our mobile customers in Latin America 
and less than 8% in Africa were data users, significant opportunities exist to up-sell data services. 

Due mainly to regulatory pressure and increased competition, and despite the steady uptake of data 
services, overall ARPU declined in 2012. We reported a -3.8% decline in ARPU in local currency in 
2012 versus -2.4% in 2011. Stabilizing and growing ARPU, particularly in the high-value customer 
segment, will remain a key focus in 2013, as will be to increase the number of RGU per mobile 
customer from 1.8 at December 31, 2012 to 2.5 by 2017.

Despite our continued investments in new services, we managed to achieve a healthy EBITDA margin 
of 42.9% (43.2% excluding online), which although 3.2pts lower than the prior year, was in line with 
our guidance. Most of this decline is the result the investments we made in 2012 to build scale in our 
new business areas outside of voice, such as MFS, mobile data and online services. We expect this 
trend to continue as we grow further in online and mobile value added services and, in particular, 
MFS which has a structurally lower EBITDA margin than Communication services. 

In 2012 we invested 19.1% of our revenue, or $922 million, in Capex (excluding spectrum, licenses 
and Cablevision assets). Investment in our 3G network in Africa and increased capacity in Latin 
America during the year accounted for over $200 million of our Capex. We also invested a further 
$111 million on upgrading our IT and billing platforms in 2012. This is part of a three year project in 
which we will invest a total of $300 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, our Value Added Services 
(non-voice) contributed in excess of 35% of recurring revenue

We made strong progress with our asset productivity measures during 2012. By the end of the year 
we had transferred most of the towers under our agreements with tower companies in Tanzania and 
DRC and had transferred close to two-thirds of our towers in Colombia. Transfer of our towers in 
Ghana was completed in 2011. We now have many direct tower sharing agreements with other 
operators in Latin America and Africa bringing additional coverage and cost efficiencies. As a 
consequence in 2013, 80% of the new sites built in Africa will be on third-party towers, reducing the 
investment for us or enabling us to fast-track our roll out for a similar absolute investment.

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In 2012 we received close to $127 million in cash from the transfer of towers to the different tower 
companies in Tanzania, DRC and Colombia. We expect to receive $40 million in 2013. We will 
continue to pursue other opportunities to share passive infrastructure which could include 3G or 4G 
network equipment and spectrum, enabling us to focus on our core activities. 

Our cash flow generation in 2012 was a healthy $1.13 billion, albeit 6% lower than in the record year 
of 2011. Operating free cash flow represented 23% of our revenue in 2012.

At the end of the year our cash position was approximately $1.2 billion. We re-leveraged our balance 
sheet slightly to a net debt to EBITDA of 1.0x at the end of 2012, up from 0.7x at December 31, 2011. 
Our gross debt at the end of 2012 was $3, 259 million with 40% of our group gross debt in bonds and 
40% from bank financing. 

In line with our strategy of finding the right balance between growth and returns, in 2012, we 
delivered revenue growth in excess of 8% in local currency, a high EBITDA margin at 42.9% and 
ROIC was 24.4%. 

Our cash flow generation in 2012 was a healthy 
$1.13 billion

We returned over $731 million to shareholders through a combination of dividends and repurchase 
of shares under our buy-back program and stated our ambition to progressive dividend growth 
going forward. 

Central America
Revenue in Central America totaled $1,901 million in 2012, up 4.5% year-on-year in local currency. 
Our Central American markets were very competitive throughout 2012. Local currency ARPU declined 
4% on last year, despite the addition of 1 million mobile customers, almost as the same number as in 
2012, bringing the total at year end to 15.6 million.

Our focus remains on cross-selling and up-selling more services to existing customers rather than 
growing their absolute number, especially in Central America where mobile voice penetration is high. 

Our cable business is demonstrating good growth while maintaining a healthy margin, reflecting the 
attractive opportunity in cable broadband and television services. At the end of 2012, we reached 
approximately 1.7 million homes passed and 862,000 Revenue Generating Units, 20% up from 2011. 
Revenue from our cable services in Central America grew by 15.9%. 

EBITDA for the year was $958 million and the EBITDA margin was 50.4%, down year-on-year, due 
primarily to higher subsidy levels in order to drive the uptake of 3G data services and a reduction in 
higher margin incoming international calls in the overall revenue mix.

Capex in 2012 amounted to $296 million or 15.6% of revenues.

Cash generation continued to be very strong, with OFCF slightly down from 2011 at $528 million or 
27.8% of revenues.

Mobile data penetration stood at 15% at the end of 2012 in Central America. With lowering handset 
prices and increased subsidies, we expect penetration of 3G services to grow in 2013. We will 
continue to invest in the capacity and quality of our 3G networks and bundle different fixed Internet, 
Pay TV and mobile services in Central America as we continue to see strong demand for data services 
with an attractive return on invested capital for Millicom.

Revenue from our cable services in Central America grew 
by 15.9%

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South America
Revenue grew by 12.9% in 2012 to $1,926 million, with all three markets reporting a strong 
performance. Mobile ARPU was flat in local currency mainly due to regulatory pressures. In the fourth 
quarter of 2012, revenues from non-SMS VAS grew 39% in local currency.

EBITDA reached $757 million, up 4.2%, and the EBITDA margin was 39.3%, declining 3.2pt as we 
continue to invest in handset subsidiaries to drive higher mobile data penetration. 

We invested $373 million or 19% of revenues in Capex in South America during the year. During the 
last quarter of 2012 we renewed our license in Colombia for another 10 years (until February 2023). 
We will pay an initial amount of $53 million in Q1 2013 for this extension.

Data penetration in South America exceeded 20% at the end of 2012, a sizeable growth from 
14.6% at the end of 2011. We expect several spectrum auctions in South America in 2013, notably 
in Colombia where spectrum in the 2.1 GHz and 1.7 GHz bands is expected to be auctioned. We are 
interested in acquiring additional spectrum to provide 4G services and to improve the quality of the 
service we provide to our customers. Acquisition of spectrum, like all our investments, will have to 
meet our strict financial hurdles.

Cash generation in South America was $393 million, or 20% of revenues. 

Africa
Revenues in Africa declined in 2012 by 0.8% on a reported basis to $974 million, but increased 4.8% 
in local currency. The uncertainty around our license in Senegal affected revenues in 2012 and was 
resolved in Q3 2012. ARPU also declined by -7.1% year-on-year.

We anticipate some further ARPU erosion in 2013 in Africa as we focus on affordability of our 
services in a region where penetration of mobile services and usage remain relatively low. In Ghana, 
DRC and Tanzania, the markets remained competitive but we have continued to invest to hold our 
solid market positions. We are confident that with the right level of investment these temporary 
challenges can be overcome.

EBITDA reached $359 million, down 11%, and the EBITDA margin was 34.8% in Q4 2012 down 
6.2 pt year-on-year. We expect margins in Africa to remain under pressure as we defend our market 
positions in voice and invest in mobile data. 

Capex in Africa amounted to $430 million in 2012 or 44% of revenues as we continued our 
investments in network coverage and 3G and value added services. The Capex in Africa also includes 
investment in new rights in Senegal of $103 million, including extension of our license in duration and 
scope. In 2012, we also extended our existing license and purchased further spectrum in the DRC.

At the end of 2012, mobile data penetration in Africa stood at 7.7%, up from 4.6% one year ago. 
We invested significantly in 3G in Africa during 2012 (circa 17% of revenues) which is testimony to 
our ambitions for voice and data growth in the region. 

Cash generation in Africa in 2012 was $85 million or 8.6% of revenues.

We invested significantly in 3G in Africa during 2012

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Categories
In 2012 we still report financial information by our five global categories and separately information 
regarding the online business we entered in 2012. In 2013, reporting will be aligned to our new 
organizational structure with the four business areas; Mobile, Cable, Mobile Financial Services, and 
Commerce and Services.

Communication: 9% of recurring revenue growth in 2012
In Q4 2012, revenue in voice in the Communication category declined for the first time by 4%, at the 
same time SMS revenues continued to grow. In 2012, revenues from this category represented 72% 
of our total revenues in 2012.

We aim to protect our Communication revenue base by segmentation of our offerings and volume 
elasticity. SMS growth, which remained very healthy in Q4 at 11.3%, is instrumental in achieving this.

Information: 53% of recurring revenue growth in 2012
In 2012 the Information category (data services) was by far the biggest single contributor to revenue 
growth, demonstrating the strong appetite and growth potential in data services in our markets. 
The category represented 11% of our revenue in 2012. The correlation between revenue and traffic 
growth remained high throughout the year, which supported our decision to invest both in Capex and 
subsidies for Cable and 3G.

We now have over 6.3 million users of data services representing around 13.4% of our total customer 
base (up from 10% a year ago). In Latin America, we have close to 4.9 million data users, 17.3% 
of our customer base. In Africa growth in mobile data has also been strong throughout 2012 and 
reached 7.7% penetration by year end. This was achieved with only a limited number of markets 
providing 3G services.

…the Information category (data services) was by 
far the biggest single contributor to revenue growth, 
demonstrating the strong appetite and growth 
potential in data services in our markets

We are confident that all of our customers with ARPU above $10 per month will eventually access 
data services, demonstrating the potential to further sell the mobile data service inside our 
customers’ base. Growth in penetration is expected to be supported by rapid decline in the price 
of quality smart phones.

In 2013, we will continue to invest in 3G in Latin America and further expand our 3G coverage in 
Africa in Tanzania, Ghana, Rwanda, and also in DRC and Senegal where recently we have successfully 
obtained licenses.

Entertainment: 12% of recurring revenue growth in 2012
Revenue in the Entertainment category (TV, Ringback tones, games) increased 9% year-on-year, 
despite the negative impact of a new regulation in Bolivia and represented 5% of our revenues in 2012. 

Revenue in Entertainment in Africa remained buoyant in the quarter as we launched several new 
music products. Year-on-year growth in local currency in Africa reached circa 54% in Q4 2012. For our 
smart phone customers, we launched unlimited music offers in partnership with Deezer across our 
entire Latin American footprint. The new services have been well received by customers. 

…all of our customers with ARPU above $10 per month 
will eventually access data services

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Solutions: 13% of recurring revenue growth in 2012
The Solutions category contributed 3% to our revenues in 2012. Our most successful products in 
the Solutions category in 2012 continued to be our airtime lending products that give our prepaid 
customers the convenience to continue using their phones after they have consumed their entire 
balance. In 2012 over 20% of our airtime was taken up by customers using this innovative and much 
appreciated solution. This product alone generated in excess of $70 million in revenues in 2012. We 
also expanded our product offering services under the ‘Tigo Care’ umbrella: medical appointments, 
agenda back-up, and emergency calls, for example.

MFS: 10% of recurring revenue growth in 2012
The Mobile Financial Services category continued to perform well in 2012, contributing $40 million 
– or 1% – to our revenues. The services comprised of domestic money transfer and payment services 
in Paraguay, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Tanzania, Ghana, Rwanda, DRC and Chad. We have 
also launched international transfer services for customers in Paraguay, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

Our MFS category continues to perform well and offers attractive potential in the medium to long 
term. MFS itself contributed 15% of recurring revenue growth Q4 2012 and 1.2% of recurring 
revenues with three markets having reached a degree of critical mass. Overall, in the markets that 
have been live more than a quarter, total MFS penetration reached 12%. In Q4, MFS user ARPU 
reached $1.24 per month and was $0.86 for the full 2012 year. 

Development of MFS is highly dependent upon market conditions such as the regulatory framework, 
different customer needs, for example, for local or international remittances, banking penetration 
and the image of the telecom industry.

E-Commerce and online: 3% of recurring revenue growth in 2012 
Millicom acquired a 20% stake in the two Rocket Internet subsidiaries Latin America Internet 
Holding (LIH) and Africa Internet Holding (AIH) in July 2012. By the end of 2012 LIH and AIH, 
offered online services in five countries in Latin America and eight countries in Africa covering a 
total of approximately 830 million people or 290 million internet users (Source: World data bank). 
During 2012 the Online category generated revenue of $13 million and EBITDA losses of $9 million. 

Revenue by region

EBITDA by region US$m

Central America

South America

Africa

40%

40%

20%

Central America

South America

Africa

958

757

359

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Contribution to recurring revenue growth by category

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Communication

Information

Entertainment

Solutions

MFS

Online

Central America financial highlights – US$m unless otherwise stated

Mobile customers

Mobile ARPU

Revenue

EBITDA

EBITDA margin %

Capex

OFCF

OFCF margin %

2012

15.6

11.2

1,901

958

50.4

(296)

528

27.8

South America financial highlights – US$m unless otherwise stated

Mobile customers

Mobile ARPU

Revenue

EBITDA

EBITDA margin %

Capex

OFCF

OFCF margin %

Africa financial highlights – US$m unless otherwise stated

Mobile customers

Mobile ARPU

Revenue

EBITDA

EBITDA margin %

Capex

OFCF

OFCF margin %

2012

12.7

12.8

2011

11.2

12.9

1,926

1,706

757

39.3

(373)

393

20.4

2012

18.9

4.4

974

359

36.9

(430)

85

8.6

726

42.5

(324)

425

24.9

2011

17.3

5.1

982

403

41.1

(297)

263

26.8

2012

9%

53%

12%

13%

10%

3%

2011

41%

40%

7%

10%

0%

–

2011

% change

14.6

11.9

1,842

958

52.0

(221)

541

29.4

6.6

-5.3%

3.2

0.0

-1.6 pt

33.2

-2.4

-1.6 pt

% change

14.0

-0.5%

12.9

4.2

-3.2 pt

15.1

7.4

-4.5 pt

% change

9.3

-12.4%

-0.8

-11.0

-4.2 pt

45.1

-68.1

-18.2 pt

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Corporate responsibility

Our CR reporting is

aligned to 

financial reporting

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CR strategy
The CR strategy, which is integrated into our core strategy, aims to move Millicom beyond compliance 
and industry standards. The strategy is aligned with the principles of the United Nations Global 
Compact. 

Millicom Foundation and CR supports the Corporate Strategy through our Core Business and 
Community Engagement.

Value creation for Millicom stakeholders

Addressed by Millicom Corporations

Responsibility in the core businesses

Addressed by Millicom Foundation

Responsibility in the community

ICT in remote areas

Health

Entrepreneurship

Education & Training

Addressed by aid agencies,  
relief organisations and private donors

Basic needs

Overall, the CR strategy has four objectives:

1.  Gaining competitive advantage as a responsible employer with a strategic approach to ethical 

business.

2. Enhancing our reputational capital and increasing the transparency of our communications.

3. Creating value as a sustainable business and supporting capacity building in local communities.

4.  Identifying opportunities while managing risks to combine cost benefit and social return.

Assessing Millicom’s key risks and impacts across different areas of CR, has been the focus in 2012. 
Results have driven prioritization as well as measurement. 

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Corporate responsibility continued

Millicom Foundation empowering women and children
At the end of 2012, in line with our new strategy to bring more focus on corporate responsibility, 
enhance our employer brand and strengthen communities Millicom took the decision to create 
Millicom Foundation. The strategy of the Millicom Foundation is to support the communities in which 
we operate through promoting and seizing business opportunities while using technology to mobilize 
societies and low-income families. The aim is to empower women and children through providing ICT 
in remote areas by enabling mobile healthcare, supporting entrepreneurship and facilitating 
education and training. 

Millicom Foundation is our tool as digital lifestyle leaders to be present and committed to promoting 
societies and our customers’ social and economic growth. 

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CR Governance 
Millicom restructured its Integrity and CR organization in Q4 2012. In the new set up, CR is separated 
from Compliance functions. This change aims to ensure focus on both sustainable opportunities that 
exist in our markets while at the same time ensuring proper compliance and risk management.

The CR Committee of the Board of Directors oversees management of all CR issues and 
implementation of the CR strategy. The CR Committee comprises Board members Mia Brunell 
Livfors and Donna Cordner. Our Group President and CEO, Hans-Holger Albrecht, participates in 
CR Committee meetings. 

The Director of CR holds the operational responsibility for implementation of the CR strategy and 
reports directly to the CEO and the Chairman of the CR Committee. 

Stakeholder engagement
In 2012 Millicom considerably increased its stakeholder engagement activities to key stakeholder 
groups beyond customers and employees. Engagement was also tracked and stakeholder feedback 
collected in a more systematic manner.

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Corporate responsibility continued

Stakeholder group

Engagement in 2012

Important for stakeholder

Resulting actions

Customers

Customer satisfaction surveys
Focus groups
User understanding
Points of sale and call centers

Charitable activities 
within the communities
Quality of service
Affordability and 
transparency of services

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Employees

Governments

Investors

NGOs and 
international 
organizations

Industry

Employee 
engagement survey
‘Meet the GM’ meetings
Integrity Line (whistleblower)
Performance 
Appraisal Process

Meetings on 
human rights issues
Meetings on public/
private partnerships
Stockholm Internet 
Forum 2012
‘ICT in a changing world’ 
by Swedish International 
Development Agency

Over 200 meetings 
with investors including 
SRI investors
Participation in surveys 
and questionnaires
A number of industry 
conferences were 
attended as well

UN Forum on 
Electronic Waste
UN Summit on Business 
and Human Rights
Child and Youth 
Finance Summit
Several one on one meetings

GSMA
Telecommunications 
Industry Dialogue on 
Freedom of Expression 
(FoE) and Privacy

Suppliers

Self-assessments and surveys
Meetings

More strategic approach 
to charitable activities, 
Millicom Foundation
Investment on network 
capacity and quality and 
affordable VAS
More transparency 
on conditions of services 
and promotions

Improved tools for 
communication (Yammer)
Improved whistle-blower 
process

Internal communications
Non-retaliation for 
whistle-blowers

ICT and development
Internet freedom, 
freedom of expression

Ongoing discussions on  
public/private partnerships 
and support regarding 
freedom of expression issues.

Transparency and 
communication
Risk management
Reporting
Governance

Quarterly reporting on progress 
of the CR and compliance, 
as part of quarterly reports
GRI reporting from 
2012 onwards

Labor rights, particularly 
child labor
Freedom of expression 
and privacy

ICT and development
Human rights and business

Unicef Children’s Rights and 
Business Principles tool pilot
Assessments on labor 
conditions and children’s rights
Industry Dialogue principles 
and stakeholder review

Studies and pilots with 
GSMA Foundation
Principles for the 
telecommunications 
sector on FoE and privacy

Compliance to the Supplier 
Code of Conduct
Investments required 
for SME suppliers to 
improve performance

Review of supplier 
requirements
Adjustment to supplier 
requirements to SMEs and 
future capacity building

Corporate responsibility reporting
In 2012, Millicom reports corporate responsibility information aligned to the Global Reporting 
Initiative (GRI) for the first time. The report has been externally assured and fulfills disclosures 
required for the application level C+ of GRI. The full Millicom CR report and GRI table can be found 
on the Millicom website.

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Risk management

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We aim to strike the

right balance

between profitable top line growth, cash flow
generation and return on invested capital

Millicom has an enterprise wide approach that empowers key decision makers to strike the right 
balance of risk with return, aligned to its key strategic and operational objectives. Millicom operates 
in a dynamic industry and characterized by rapid evolution in technology, consumer demand, and 
business opportunities. Combined with a focus on emerging markets in various geographic locations, 
the Group has a proactive approach to identifying, understanding, assessing, monitoring and acting 
on balancing this myriad of risks and opportunities. Millicom’s approach to risk includes an enterprise-
wide assessment of key stakeholder objectives, careful alignment of those objectives with strategy 
and operations, and implementing actions at corporate and operational levels. 

Risks are defined as uncertainties that may impact achievement of our main objectives as outlined at 
our March 2013 Capital Markets Day. We aim to strike the right balance between profitable top line 
growth, cash flow generation and return on invested capital.

Millicom’s Risk Function
Millicom has a network of risk officers at headquarter, regional and each significant operating country 
level, led by the Chief Risk Officer. The risk function is tasked with identifying, analyzing, monitoring 
and coordinating Millicom’s approach to balancing risk with returns and reporting to the audit 
committee on a regular basis. The audit committee is responsible for reviewing the effectiveness of 
risk function activities and oversight of risk related activities of the Group, and reporting to the wider 
Board of Directors. Key strategic and operating risks are assessed from an overall group perspective 
as well as individual country and business categories. Risk action plans comprising ongoing activities 
that seek to balance risks with returns are developed, implemented and modified over time as the 
underlying risks evolve. Action steps are implemented both globally and locally by executives and key 
decision makers.

Risks are inherent in business and Millicom accepts these risks to the extent that opportunities for 
sufficient returns exist and that adequate systems are in place to effectively manage risks to an 
acceptable level. Millicom’s control environment includes consideration of the impact of its key 
strategic and operating risks, and is designed and modified continuously accordingly. 

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Risk management continued

The table below sets out a summary of the risks and opportunities we face operating in our various 
emerging markets and business categories.

Potential impact

Evolution of the risk

Where we see opportunities 

How we balance risk with return

Financial Risks

Our revenue generating and 
financing activities 
are predominantly in 
currencies other than USD. 
This creates an exposure 
to fluctuations in exchange 
rates that may negatively 
impact our USD reported 
results and USD cash flows.

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Currency fluctuations in our 
local operations against our 
USD reporting currency are 
outside our control. 

None of the countries 
in which we operate 
have hyperinflationary 
economies or immediate 
threat of forced 
currency devaluations.

In El Salvador and DRC 
the effective currency of 
operation is the USD. In Chad 
and Senegal, the local 
currencies are pegged to the 
Euro.

Risks related to currency 
fluctuations can be minimized 
through careful cash and 
funds flow management as 
well as natural and contracted 
hedging instruments.

We continue to see 
opportunities to reduce 
our exposure to currency 
fluctuations by pushing down 
debt locally and by taking 
that debt whenever possible 
in local currency if available 
and affordable.

We closely monitor exchange 
rate movements and 
forecasts and develop 
scenario analyses and action 
plans in the event 
of significant fluctuations in 
rates.

The diverse geographical 
spread of the countries 
and economies and currencies 
in which we generate 
revenues and cash flows 
reduces our exposure to 
fluctuations in individual 
countries.

We maintain a policy 
of holding excess cash 
generated in USD and 
upstreaming cash to holding 
companies or cash pooling in 
USD.

We push down debt in local 
currency at local level.

We repatriate cash as early as 
possible during the year and 
through different means: 
royalties, dividends and 
management fees, supported 
by appropriate agreements.

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Potential impact

Evolution of the risk

Where we see opportunities 

How we balance risk with return

Financial Risks continued

We follow a strategy 
involving a mix of debt 
and equity financing 
that creates a degree of 
dependence and therefore 
exposure to continuing 
availability of external 
financing. In the event 
of economic conditions 
reducing liquidity in the 
financial markets in which 
we have historically raised 
debt financing we may 
need to seek financing or 
refinancing in different 
markets or at higher 
prices than in the past.

We have significant 
amounts of cash balances 
with financial institutions 
which exposes us to 
counterparty risk.

We have been able to 
renew or replace existing 
debt on commercially 
acceptable terms.

We have successfully 
raised additional financing 
through bond offerings 
in Paraguay and Sweden 
at substantially reduced 
rates compared to 
existing facilities.

The risk is largely within 
our control as we can 
choose which financial 
institutions we use and 
specific amounts in 
each institution.

Our established operation 
of successful businesses 
in emerging markets and 
strong historic cash flow 
have led to an improvement 
in our investment grading 
and we see an opportunity 
to further leverage this 
as we continue to seek 
opportunities to raise 
finance with reducing 
recourse or guarantees 
from the Millicom parent 
company. This in turn 
improves our debt raising 
ability and flexibility for 
pursuing our strategic 
objectives.

Our strong financial 
position and policy to 
diversify our cash across a 
number of banks provides 
us with greater negotiating 
power and relationships 
which give us [with] access 
to a number of sources of 
additional financing if 
and when required.

We seek to balance the 
various financing risks that 
we face through a variety 
of sources of financing and 
a target mix of variable and 
fixed interest rates, local 
currency versus US dollar 
debt and hedges against 
fluctuations between 
financing currencies and 
the US dollar and variability 
of interest rates.

We diversify the location 
of cash among a variety 
of banks so that our 
counterparty risk with 
individual banks does not 
exceed limits which we 
have set based on each 
banks credit rating.

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Risk management continued

Potential impact

Evolution of the risk

Where we see opportunities 

How we balance risk with return

Influence of shareholders and insiders

Certain insiders represent 
entities that have a 
significant number of 
Millicom shares, giving 
them substantial influence 
over management.

The shareholdings in 
Millicom of these entities 
have remained relatively 
constant in recent years 
as has the proportion of 
representation on the 
Board of Directors.

These entities have similar 
business interests as 
Millicom which can lead 
to additional business 
opportunities and sharing 
of knowledge and skills 
as well as entering into 
new businesses.

Opportunities for cost and 
process efficiencies exist 
with fellow subsidiaries 
including procurement, 
supplier relationships.

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We continue to maintain 
strong and productive 
relationships with our 
fellow shareholders. 

Our ability to exercise 
control over some of 
our operations is 
dependent on the consent 
of shareholders who are 
not under our control. 

Disagreements or 
unfavorable terms 
in agreements 
governing our joint 
ventures may adversely 
affect our operations.

Local partners have 
local expertise and 
know-how which can 
lead to opportunities 
and efficiencies in 
operating our businesses.

Skills, knowledge and 
experience from our 
local partners reduces 
risk of entering new 
countries or new businesses 
and provides us with 
opportunities to apply 
this across our different 
countries and operations.

Our Board of Directors 
comprises eight members 
of whom five are 
independent Directors. 
The five member Audit 
Committee of Millicom 
comprises four 
independent directors.

Business dealings with 
related parties are 
performed on an 
arm’s length basis. 

Transactions and 
balances with related 
parties (including entities 
controlled by the largest 
shareholder) are periodically 
review and approved by 
the Audit Committee.

Directors refrain from 
participating in decisions 
and votes where they have 
conflicts of interest as was 
the case for the decision 
related to the investment in 
Rocket Internet subsidiaries 
LIH and AIH.

We are in constant 
dialogue with our local 
partners in Honduras, 
Guatemala, Colombia, 
Mauritius, Rwanda and the 
Rocket Online businesses.

The shareholders’ 
agreement in Colombia 
that gives us management 
rights, and the option 
agreements we have 
related to Honduras, and 
the Rocket Online 
businesses LIH and AIH 
enable us to fully control 
and consolidate those 
businesses.

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Potential impact

Evolution of the risk

Where we see opportunities 

How we balance risk with return

Regulatory, tax and legal risks

The mobile telephony 
market is heavily regulated 
and taxed. Regulations in 
new areas of business such 
as Mobile Finance Services 
are often less developed.

Rules and regulations in 
the markets in which we 
operate continue to evolve 
with increasing types and 
rates of regulation but 
also increasing clarity 
on applicability to 
mobile operators.

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Taxes and regulatory 
changes are increasingly 
impacting the amount 
of cash available for 
repatriation relative 
to cash generated.

The frequency and type 
of tax authority and 
regulatory audits are 
increasing, raising the risk 
of claims for payment of 
additional taxes, or fines.

The tax and regulatory 
environments in many 
of the countries in which 
we operate are evolving 
in such a way that rates 
and types of tax (including 
withholding tax) and 
related charges, and tariff 
limits are increasing 
regularly. This may 
impact the amount and 
cost of repatriation of cash 
from our operations and 
may increase operating 
costs and/or reduce 
interconnection revenues.

Advanced tax planning also 
enables us to predict and 
plan for potential changes 
in tariffs and regulations.

In addition, the experience 
we gain in more regulated 
and taxed markets enables 
us to transfer knowledge 
and best practice to less 
developed markets and 
react quickly to changes.

Diversification of products 
and services from the 
traditionally heavily 
regulated communications 
business reduces our 
exposure to fluctuations 
in rates and regulations.

Regulatory pressures might 
even open up some 
opportunities for us to 
serve our customers better 
through continuous 
innovation, especially in 
our products and pricing.

We constantly monitor and 
review potential changes in 
regulations and taxes and 
have implemented a tax 
risk management system 
to identify and actively 
manage these risks. 

Cost cutting opportunities 
are sought in all aspects of 
our business to offset the 
impact of newly introduced 
or expected changes in 
taxes and regulations.

We are mainly operating 
in 144 different countries 
which significantly spreads 
our regulatory, tax and 
legal risks. Additionally 
we have diversified 
tremendously our products/
services base with less 
exposure now to pure 
telecom operations that 
are heavily dependent on 
regulations (which are 
generally less applicable to 
Value Added Services).

Taxes and regulatory 
pressures are part of the 
constraints we have to 
deal with in the telecom 
industry and we constantly 
look for cost cutting and 
other opportunities to 
offset them.

We have a adopted a tax 
strategy with a considered 
approach to risks and 
uncertainties, particularly 
where legislation is either 
underdeveloped or lacking 
in clarity. 

We apply international 
practice including OECD 
conventions in setting 
transfer prices.

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Potential impact

Evolution of the risk

Where we see opportunities 

How we balance risk with return

Regulatory, tax and legal risks continued

The mobile telephony 
sector may be forced 
to provide access to its 
spectrum which may result 
in additional competition 
or may be forced to pay 
high prices to get access 
to spectrum..

Demand for high quality 
spectrum continues to 
outweigh availability and 
shortages are expected 
to continue as demand 
for data and non-voice 
services increases.

In future broadcasters 
demand for LTE spectrum 
is likely to increase 
as broadcasters and 
media firms seek to 
gain strongholds in 
wireless markets.

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Many of the 
telecommunications 
regulatory regimes 
and legal systems 
in the countries in 
which we operate are 
underdeveloped compared 
to those in developed 
markets. This can lead 
to uncertainty and 
unpredictability in 
application of rules and 
regulations and reduced 
levels of transparency and/
or equitableness regarding 
claims or disputes.

Our position as an 
established number 
one or two operator 
with contractual rights 
of renewal in many of 
our markets positions 
us favorably for both 
renewal and new spectrum.

Our diversifying product 
and service portfolio 
enables us to provide 
services that optimize 
usage of spectrum and 
reduce reliance on certain 
types of spectrum. We are 
developing opportunities 
in partnering to deliver 
such services as TV and 
Machine to Machine.

Our strong cellular 
tower footprint reduces 
our reliance on 
particular spectrum. 

As a global player 
operating across two very 
different geographies; 
Latin America and Africa, 
we believe it is part of 
our duty to contribute 
positively to building 
an improved regulatory 
framework in the markets 
in which we operate.

We lead by example in 
the way we do business 
and in positively impacting 
and influencing the 
economic environments 
in which we do business. 
In turn this raises our local 
and global brand equity.

Our increasing 
engagement with key 
stakeholders in our markets 
as a corporate citizen 
promoting governance 
and ethics strengthens 
the economic environment.

We actively monitor 
and execute a strategy 
to secure high quality 
spectrum as and when 
it becomes available 
based on knowledge 
of customer needs. 

We believe that our 
present and future success 
is very much correlated 
to our understanding of 
our customers. We are 
used to operating in highly 
competitive environments 
and expect competition to 
remain strong.

We are ready to share 
spectrum with other 
operators or competitors if 
necessary to get access to 
attractive spectrum and to 
reduce costs.

We proactively engage with 
regulators, governments 
and other key stakeholders 
in our operations. 
We constantly monitor 
legal and regulatory 
developments in our 
markets and in many 
countries provide input 
into developing or 
enhancing existing 
rules and regulations.

We operate our businesses 
across multiple countries 
and business units 
subject to various 
different regulations. 
This diversification 
reduces our exposure to 
country specific issues.

Our policies and procedures 
are based on a backbone 
of integrity and ethical 
practices which include 
promotion of transparency 
and equity among our 
business partners and 
stakeholders in each of 
our markets.

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Risk management continued

Potential impact

Evolution of the risk

Where we see opportunities 

How we balance risk with return

Regulatory, tax and legal risks continued

Most of the countries 
in which we operate 
telecommunications 
businesses do not 
have universal service 
obligations (USOs). 
If such obligations were 
introduced the profitability 
of our operations may be 
negatively impacted.

There have been no recent 
trends toward introducing 
USOs in the mobile sector 
in the telecommunications 
markets in which we 
operate.

Increasingly high 
penetration levels in many 
of our markets reduce the 
likelihood of introduction 
of USOs.

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Any failure to comply with 
local or international laws 
and regulations could result 
in liabilities, sanctions or 
restrictions in activities. 
Any of these events could 
have a material adverse 
impact on our business.

Internal compliance, 
corporate responsibility 
and integrity activities 
continued to strengthen 
during the year. 
No significant changes 
noted in the inherent 
aspects of this risk.

In certain markets 
regulators offer or require 
investment in coverage 
expansion as an alternative 
to cash payments. This can 
create a cost-effective 
opportunity to increase 
our subscriber base with 
limited additional 
capital expenditure. 

Introduction of USOs may 
present opportunities to 
further fulfill our social 
responsibility ambitions. 
By 2016 we aim to move 
beyond compliance with 
applicable laws and internal 
policy to a model where we 
actively seek social return 
as an additional output 
from our investment.

Our presence and reach 
in many of our markets 
provides us with significant 
opportunities to 
demonstrate our role as 
leading corporate citizens. 

In offering affordable 
access to voice, data, 
entertainment, mobile 
financial services, and 
related solutions we are 
also investing a meaningful 
share of our local net 
profits in corporate social 
responsibility activities. 

We proactively engage 
with regulators, 
governments and other 
key stakeholders in our 
operations. We constantly 
monitor legal and 
regulatory developments 
in our markets and in 
many countries provide 
input into developing or 
enhancing existing rules 
and regulations.

We are actively involved 
in the countries and 
communities in which we 
do business, constantly 
seeking ways in which the 
benefits of the services 
that we provide can be cost 
effectively provided to a 
larger base on consumers.

Corporate governance and 
corporate citizenship are 
embedded in the Millicom 
culture. We directly 
associate brand equity 
with our public profile 
and see management of 
our image with customers, 
regulators and lawmakers 
in our markets as being 
closely correlated. 

We adopt a proactive 
approach to ensuring 
current compliance and 
monitor developments. 
Scenario and impact 
analysis is performed 
regularly on potential 
developments, and 
preparatory actions taken 
in advance of effective 
dates of new or amended 
locals and regulations.

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Emerging market risks

Many of the countries 
in which we operate 
have a history of political 
instability. Any current 
or future instability may 
negatively affect our ability 
to conduct business, 
revenue and profitability.

While political change has 
occurred with relatively 
little instability during 2012 
in several of our markets, 
the political systems in 
some of our markets 
(mainly in Africa) remain 
relatively fragile, and 
potentially threatened by 
cross-border conflicts or 
ongoing warring action 
from rival groups (for 
example DRC).

The recognition of the 
validity of our license in 
Senegal in October 2012 
has significantly reduced 
uncertainty in this market.

Political uncertainty 
typically hinders country 
growth. Improving 
stability drives economic 
growth and provides 
more opportunities for 
customers to improve their 
lives through use of the 
services that we provide. 

As we contribute positively 
as an industry to the 
societies in which we 
operate, improving stability 
in our markets can lead 
to an appreciation of the 
value of our businesses.

Some of the countries in 
which we operate have 
political regimes that may 
not view foreign business 
interests favorably and 
may attempt to expropriate 
all or part of our local 
assets or impose controls.

While governmental 
expropriation of assets 
does occur in some of our 
markets (most recently 
in the energy sector in 
Bolivia), the overall threat 
has steadily declined over 
recent years.

A marked increase in social 
responsibility programs and 
stakeholder engagement 
contributes to an improved 
profile as a good corporate 
citizen. We strongly believe 
that such actions and 
activities leads to increased 
customer uptake and 
loyalty (reduced churn). 
They also contribute to 
raising our brand image 
and government view of 
our profile.

We regularly engage key 
stakeholders in and monitor 
political and economic 
stability in all our markets.

We have contingency plans 
in place that enable us to 
operate under challenging/
constrained business 
environments (such as 
Senegal during the period 
in which the validity of our 
license was challenged).

Our corporate responsibility 
initiatives include 
demonstration of the 
significant role we play 
in contributing to 
economic development 
in the countries in which 
we operate.

We are constantly 
monitoring and 
managing our local 
profiles, and engaging 
with key stakeholders, 
including government 
ministries, agencies and 
regulatory bodies.

We develop and implement 
strategies to position our 
brand and corporate 
profile highlighting our 
contributions back to the 
economies, societies and 
communities in which we 
operate. This includes our 
profile as an employer of 
choice, charitable actions 
and our fiscal contributions.

We have a balanced 
approach towards leverage. 
We raise debt at the 
operating local level and, 
where possible, on a 
non-recourse basis.

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Evolution of the risk

Where we see opportunities 

How we balance risk with return

Emerging market risks continued

Many of the countries 
in which we operate 
lack infrastructure or 
have infrastructure in 
relatively poor condition.

Our tower monetization 
activities and tower sharing 
arrangements have 
reduced (shared) many 
of the direct operational 
risks connected to 
operation of cell sites. 

Challenges remain in 
certain countries where 
natural and manmade 
risks and threats to sites 
threaten coverage and 
quality of services. 
These include natural 
disasters as well as 
reliability of energy supply. 

Further opportunities 
exist for sharing of 
passive infrastructure or 
outsourcing to specialized 
tower management 
companies. Such deals 
generate value in operating 
efficiency and shared risk 
generally reduces risk.

Diversification into 
online and expansion 
of cable fixed line 
services reduces our 
reliance on infrastructure 
connected to operation 
of cell sites for revenue 
generating activities. 

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Macroeconomic risks

An economic downturn, 
a substantial slowdown 
in economic growth or 
deterioration in consumer 
spending could adversely 
affect Millicom’s 
operating results and 
financial conditions.

Most of the economies in 
which we operate continue 
to be impacted by global or 
local economic slowdown. 
The markets in which we 
operate in Central America 
which are to some degree 
dependent on international 
remittances remain 
particularly affected. This 
increases consumer price 
sensitivity which typically 
lowers margins and 
increases potential churn.

Despite economic 
conditions, demand for 
the increasingly diversified 
range of our services from 
higher value and target 
customers continues to 
increase, in particular 
data, mobile financial 
services, entertainment 
and solutions.

Many of the economies 
in our markets continue 
to outgrow more 
developed economies, 
leading to increased 
disposable income and 
consumer demand for 
our products and services. 

We have one of the 
strongest financial 
positions in the telecom 
industry with relatively 
low leverage and strong 
cash flow generation.

Network optimization 
and operating efficiency 
projects are a regular 
and ongoing part of our 
actions to minimize tower 
site outages. We make 
use of backup generators 
at many of our sites to 
ensure our services are 
constantly available. 

We are continuously 
looking for site sharing 
opportunities with other 
operators and tower 
management companies. 

Our business continuity 
plans include assessment 
of infrastructure related 
risks to which we devise 
and implement back-up 
and other contingency 
plans including alternate 
sources of energy.

We are continuously 
monitoring and refining 
affordability of our services. 

Operational efficiency 
management programs 
in place seek to reduce 
cost and deploy capex 
in business areas 
offering higher return 
on investments.

Our business model is 
focused on cross selling 
and upselling more services 
to our high value customers 
and therefore should 
enable us a higher resilience 
to economic conditions 
than the telecom industry 
on average. 

In Q4 2012, we generated 
81% of our revenues from 
27% of our customers at the 
top of the pyramid, i.e. with 
an ARPU of $10 or more. We 
believe these customers are 
less affected than average 
to economic slowdown.

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Potential impact

Evolution of the risk

Where we see opportunities 

How we balance risk with return

Macroeconomic risks continued

We could be affected 
by any deterioration of 
economic environments 
in developed markets, 
as some of the regions 
in which we operate are 
somewhat dependent 
on international aid.

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While some of our global 
competitors might face 
challenging environments 
in their home markets due 
to the economic downturn, 
in particular those exposed 
to Europe, they may focus 
less than in the past focus 
on emerging markets 
where we compete.

One third of our customer 
base is generating less 
than 1% of our revenues 
and these customers 
are the most likely to be 
impacted first. Whilst our 
future growth will differ 
from our projections in the 
event of a material impact 
on these customers, our 
current revenue base and 
cash flow generation shall 
be relatively more immune.

Dependence on spectrum and licenses

We face substantial 
competition in 
obtaining and renewing 
licenses, particular in 
our mobile businesses.

We have successfully 
renewed and obtained new 
licenses in our operations 
in recent years. We see less 
threat from new entrants 
in our markets.

We expect a degree of 
consolidation will occur 
in some of our markets and 
especially in Africa. This will 
reduce demand for existing 
and future spectrum.

Many of our markets 
are still to auction 
or make available 
spectrum enabling 3G 
or LTE service provision. 
As an established operator 
in all of our markets we 
see strong opportunities 
to acquire such spectrum 
which will enable us to 
follow our strategy of 
providing consumers with 
more value added services.

We have successfully 
obtained licenses 
for operation of new 
businesses (such as 
mobile financial services).

Diversification of our 
businesses reduces to some 
extent, our dependence 
on one or limited numbers 
of licenses and our 
geographical spread of 
operations further reduces 
exposure to individual 
license renewal risk.

We have resolved the 
license issue in Senegal.

Our preparation for license 
renewals and spectrum 
auctions or allocations 
starts well in advance 
of expiry or availability. 
Our approach focuses 
on legal requirements, 
our historic compliance, 
as well as amounts and 
sources of financing. 

We have ongoing dialogue 
with governments and 
regulators responsible 
for spectrum and licenses. 
We are regular 
participants in industry 
groups and work with 
governments in addressing 
mutual industry issues.

With penetration levels 
close to 100% and our 
extensive distribution 
footprint in our Latin 
American markets and 
in the urban areas of our 
African markets, we believe 
that potential new entrants 
in our markets have limited 
opportunities to jeopardize 
our established position.

We actively support 
government programs 
that link social objectives 
with license acquisitions 
or renewals.

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Evolution of the risk

Where we see opportunities 

How we balance risk with return

Dependence on spectrum and licenses continued

Availability or cost 
may limit our ability 
to acquire required 
or preferred frequency 
blocks of spectrum in 
some of our markets.

Governments are 
opening up additional 
blocks of spectrum as 
technologies change. 

The risk of parallel industries 
(e.g. television) competing 
for the same spectrum 
is increasing over time.

Diversification of our 
businesses reduces to some 
extent, our dependence 
on one or limited blocks 
of frequency and our 
geographical spread of 
operations further reduces 
exposure to individual 
frequency related risk.

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Entering into new businesses

While acquisition of 
new businesses increases 
risk, we are acquiring 
knowledge, skills and 
experience of executives 
and management 
driving these businesses 
(e.g. online) or leveraging 
from our existing 
businesses (e.g. cable).

We have invested 
considerably in innovation 
and value added services 
in people, process and 
technology to balance risks 
connected new businesses.

Our growth strategy is 
supported by constant 
innovation and acquisition 
of complementary 
businesses within the 
Digital Lifestyle sphere. 

As we enter into new 
business areas such as 
mobile financial services, 
online services and 
entertainment, we face 
new and differing risks 
including: regulatory 
requirements, employee 
skills, reputation risk, 
start-up operating losses 
and success factors 
different from those we 
are familiar with in the 
telecom business.

The timing and cost of our 
investments in spectrum 
are evaluated carefully 
against potential returns 
(ROIC). We consider 
alternate frequency blocks 
and the possibility for 
jointly bidding for spectrum 
with other operators. 

We evaluate ongoing 
spectrum needs against 
current capacity and 
quality as well as forecast 
growth or transition to new 
technologies (from cost 
of capex and equipment 
service and customer 
demand perspectives). 

Over the years, we have 
developed extensive 
experience in negotiating 
license renewals and 
spectrum prices.

We actively support 
government programs 
that link social objectives 
with spectrum acquisitions 
and renewals.

In 2012 and 2013, we have 
and will continue to invest 
in new business categories, 
and seek to make 
additional acquisitions 
if opportunities are 
available at the right price.

When necessary, we 
partner with experts in 
the business areas we are 
developing and monitor 
risks and returns against 
targets, refining timing 
and direction as necessary. 

We have a step by step 
approach to entering 
into new business areas 
and markets; we trial 
first and assess the risks 
and potential rewards 
before taking any decision 
to launch.

We consider spectrum 
an attractive and scarce 
resource. It is a pre-
requisite to operate as a 
mobile telecommunication 
service provider.

Consolidation and our 
active approach to 
pursuing acquisition 
opportunities in some 
of our markets creates 
opportunities to obtain 
spectrum from other 
operators. Such 
acquisitions may be less 
competitive and less costly 
than direct purchase from 
governments or regulators.

Spectrum sharing among 
competing operators is 
increasingly common in 
the industry and we see 
opportunities in this area 
particularly in lower cost 
of acquisition and 
efficiency in use.

We see significant 
potential in synergies 
from combinations of 
cable, TV, and broadband 
services with our traditional 
mobile operations in many 
of our markets (particularly 
LATAM) and to a lesser 
extent with online.

We believe that expanding 
our presence to cover more 
of the spaces and places 
where people ‘connect’ 
in the future will enable us 
to protect our market share 
and provide our customers 
with higher quality and 
more services in future. 
We also believe that such 
positioning will enable us to 
develop more partnerships 
with businesses seeking 
channels to provide services 
to our customer bases.

We now target 50% of 
revenue from non-voice 
services by 2017.

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Evolution of the risk

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Entering into new businesses continued

Our future growth is 
dependent upon our 
ability to innovate

We have successfully 
launched many new 
products and services 
in recent years and 
have developed a strong 
innovation culture within 
the Group. This enables 
us to stay up with, and 
often drive consumer 
demand and future 
direction of our industry.

We are typically ahead 
of our competitors in the 
launch of new products and 
services in our markets (e.g. 
mobile financial services).

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We face risks related to 
IT systems and billing, 
in particular as we move 
away from classic voice 
and diversify into new 
businesses with different 
technical requirements

We are more than 50% 
through a three year 
$300 million IT investment 
program that will see us 
migrate our legacy IT and 
billing systems to customer 
relationship management 
and convergent billing, 
as well as a group wide 
ERP system.

As mobile phones and 
internet connectivity 
become increasingly 
essential in the lives 
of consumers in our 
markets, we believe that 
the quantity and type 
of services will continue 
to evolve. Together with 
a shift toward lower 
priced smartphones we 
see significant potential 
for growth in the innovative 
products and services 
we have developed.

Additional investments 
in 3G and LTE 
infrastructure will open 
up new opportunities for 
transmission of higher data 
intensive products and 
services, and the demand 
of content providers to 
use our networks.

Developments in business 
areas such as machine 
to machine also provide 
us with opportunities to 
expand the number of 
devices using our networks.

The new state of the 
art billing and CRM IT 
platforms will enable us 
greater insight into the 
various customer of 
our customer segments. 
In turn this will enable us 
to serve our customers 
better in many different 
areas from communication 
to mobile financial services.

We have a stringent review 
and approval process for 
each stage of the design, 
development, piloting and 
scaling up new products 
and services in our markets. 
Concepts are piloted in 
one or a few countries and 
based on success rolled 
out to other operations. 

We continue to invest in 
retaining and recruiting 
talented people to deliver 
in the areas of opportunity 
we have identified and 
to discover new areas.

Our investment into online 
services has brought us a 
talented and experienced 
pool of executives and 
employees skilled in rapid 
development and 
deployment of new 
business concepts. 

We carefully monitor 
business requirements 
against capital expenditure 
to ensure the timing and 
amount of our investments 
match our expected 
development and 
competitive needs.

We adopt a phased 
approach to implementing 
new systems with projects 
tested and piloted in one 
country before being rolled 
out to others.

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Corporate Governance in Millicom is primarily based on Luxembourg and other EU legislation, the 
listing requirements of NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance and 
good stock market practice. Within these frameworks, the Board of Directors has developed and 
continuously evaluates internal guidelines and routines as further described below, in order to ensure 
quality and transparency throughout the corporate governance within Millicom.

The Company has applied the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance Code from 30 May 2011, 
when the Company moved its primary listing to the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm and delisted from the 
NASDAQ Stock Market in the US (following which full deregistration from NASDAQ in the US occurred 
on October 12, 2012). In accordance with the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance, a more 
detailed review of how Millicom applies the Code is found in the annual Corporate Governance 
Report posted on Millicom’s website.

The Millicom share is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm through Swedish Depository Receipts.

The Board has adopted work procedures to divide the work between the Board and the President and 
Chief Executive Officer (‘the CEO’). The Chairman has discussions with each member of the Board 
regarding the work procedures and the evaluation of the Board work. The other members of the 
Board evaluate the performance of the Chairman each year. The Board also evaluates yearly the 
performance of the CEO. The main task of the Board committees (Audit, Compensation and CR) is 
to work on behalf of the Board within their respective areas of responsibility. From time to time, the 
Board delegates authority to an ‘ad hoc’ committee so that it may resolve a specific matter on its 
own without having to go before the full Board for approval. 

The Board of Directors has adopted a corporate policy manual, Millicom’s central reference for all 
matters relating to its corporate policies on governance and other matters. Regional policies that 
are more stringent or detailed than those set out in the corporate policy manual are adopted as 
necessary. The Company’s Code of Ethics is a part of the corporate policy manual. All senior 
managers and members of the Board of Directors, must sign a statement acknowledging that 
they have read, understood and will comply with the Code of Ethics. 

Following the voluntary delisting from NASDAQ in the United States, Millicom implemented review 
processes to replace the Securities and Exchange Commission’s SOX requirements and further 
improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its internal controls, aligned with the COSO 2 internal 
control referential. Besides continuous controls performed by operational and functional 
management, the internal controls are reviewed in the framework of two complementary group 
processes: audit of internal control practices in Millicom entities to ensure that they are consistent 
with the principles and rules defined by the Group, and; global review of internal control systems in 
the Group based on materiality of related risks. This work is led by the Internal Audit & Control 
department, reporting to the Audit Committee of the Board.

Millicom’s governance position papers, codes of conduct, code of ethics, annual Corporate 
Governance report and terms and conditions for the Swedish Depositary Receipts are available 
on its corporate website. www.millicom.com.

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Annual General Meeting and other General Meetings
Millicom held its Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on 
May 29, 2012 in Luxembourg. The AGM decided on the following issues, among others:

 „ Composition of the Board and appointment of a new member
 „ Approve consolidated accounts
 „ Shareholder remuneration
 „ Remuneration of Directors
 „ Election of external auditors
 „ Procedures for the Nomination Committee

In addition to the above, an Extraordinary General Meeting was held on December 5, 2012, at which 
Anders Kronborg was elected as a new board member and a distribution of extraordinary dividend 
was resolved.

The AGM of Millicom is held in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg at the registered office of the 
Company or at such other place as may be specified in the notice convening the meeting on the 
last Tuesday of May. If such day is a public holiday, the meeting will be held on the next following 
business day. The Chairman of the AGM is to be elected by the shareholders.

Auditors
Ernst & Young S.A., Luxembourg was elected as the external auditor of Millicom in 2012 for a term 
ending on the day of the 2013 AGM. 

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Board of Directors 

In 2012, the Board had five meetings in person and nine by telephone.

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Allen Sangines-Krause Chairman
Allen Sangines-Krause (born 1959) was elected to the Board of Millicom 
in May 2008, and elected Chairman of the Board in May 2010. He is 
Chairman of the Compensation Committee. 

Mr. Sangines-Krause worked for Goldman Sachs between 1993 and 2007, working 
in a variety of senior positions from COO for Latin America based in Mexico City 
and New York and most recently as Managing Director out of London. Prior to 
joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. Sangines-Krause was with Casa de Bolsa Inverlat, 
in Mexico, and before that he was a Founding Partner of Fidem, S.C., a Mexican 
investment bank, which was acquired by Casa de Bolsa Inverlat in 1991. 
Mr. Sangines-Krause currently sits on the Board of Investment AB Kinnevik and 
is Chairman of Rasaland, a real estate investment fund. He is a member of the 
Council of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Harvard University.

Number of shares held: 2,318

Mia Brunell Livfors Non-Executive Director
Mia Brunell Livfors (born 1965) was elected a board member at the AGM 
2007. She is a member of the Compensation Committee and Chairman 
of the CR Committee.

Since August 2006, Ms. Brunell has been Chief Executive Officer of Investment 
AB Kinnevik (“Kinnevik”), a Swedish public company managing a portfolio of 
long-term investments in a number of public companies such as Millicom. Ms. 
Brunell joined Kinnevik owned company Modern Times Group MTG AB in 1992, 
and was appointed CFO in 2001. As CFO, Ms. Brunell played a central role in 
MTG’s development. Currently, Ms. Brunell is the Chairman of the Board of Metro 
International S.A. and a member of the Board of Tele2 AB, Modern Times Group 
MTG AB, BillerudKorsnäs AB, CDON Group and H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB. 
Between 2006 and 2008 Ms. Brunell was a member of the Board of CTC Media, 
Inc. – a Russian associated company of MTG. She was also a member of the Board 
of Transcom Worldwide S.A. from 2006 until 2012.

Number of shares held: 2,359

Donna Cordner Non-Executive Director
Donna Cordner (born 1956) was elected to the Board of Millicom in 
May 2004. She is an independent Director and is a member of the 
Audit Committee and the CR Committee. 

Ms. Cordner was formerly a Managing Director and Global Head of 
Telecommunications and Media Structured Finance group at Citigroup. She 
has also held senior management positions at Societe Generale and ABN Amro 
Bank N.V. in the U.S. and Europe, including as Director of ABN’s Latin American 
Telecommunications Project Finance and Advisory Group. Ms. Cordner was the 
CEO of HOFKAM Limited, the largest rural microfinance company in Uganda until 
July 2005. From March 2007 until July 2009 she held senior positions at Tele2 AB 
including Executive Vice President of Corporate Finance and Treasury as well as 
CEO for Tele2 Russia. Ms. Cordner is currently a member of the Supervisory Board 
of Carlsberg Group.

Number of shares held: 14,625 (and 10,000 options held)

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Paul Donovan Non-Executive Director
Paul Donovan (born 1958). He is an independent Director and a member 
of the Audit Committee. 

Mr. Donovan was elected to the Board of Millicom in May 2009. He was director 
and Chief Executive Officer of Eircom, Ireland’s leading telecommunications 
company from July 2009 to September 2012. Previously he was Chief Executive, 
EMAPA Region for the Vodafone Group. Mr. Donovan’s background includes a 
decade in the fast moving consumer goods industry, before he moved into the 
technology sector, with Apple, BT, Cable and Wireless and Vodafone. His career 
with Vodafone began in 1999 and since 2004, he was a member of Vodafone’s 
Executive Committee, with responsibility for the Group’s operations in Eastern 
Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific. Africa, the US, India and China were added 
to his remit in 2006. Mr. Donovan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Scandinavian Studies 
from University College London and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration 
from the University of Bradford.

Number of shares held: 1,356

Kim Ignatius Non-Executive Director
Kim Ignatius (born 1956) was elected to the Board of Millicom in May 
2011. He is an independent Director and is Chairman of the Audit 
Committee.

Mr. Ignatius is the CFO of Sanoma Corporation, the European media group, which 
he joined in 2008. Previously, Mr. Ignatius was EVP and CFO of TeliaSonera AB 
between 2003 and 2008 and EVP and CFO of Sonera Oyj between 2000 and 
2002. Before joining Sonera, Mr. Ignatius was Group CFO and a member of the 
Executive Board of Tamro Oyj, a leading pharmaceutical distributor listed on the 
Helsinki Stock Exchange, between 1997 and 2000. From 1984 to 1996 he worked 
for Amer Group in a variety of finance and general management roles in both 
North America and Europe. He started his career with Oy Hanke-Palsbo Ab and 
Fruehauf Corporation in a series of finance roles. Mr. Ignatius graduated with a 
B.Sc Economics from the Aalto University School of Economics in Helsinki. He is 
currently on the Board of Fortnum Corporation where he serves as Chairman of the 
Audit and Risk Committee. 

Omari Issa Non-Executive Director
Omari Issa (born 1947) was elected to the Millicom Board in May 2010. 
He is an independent Director and a member of the Audit Committee 
and the Compensation Committee.

Mr. Issa is the CEO of Investment Climate Facility for Africa and is a Board Member 
of Geita Gold Mining Company. He is a Tanzanian citizen who is responsible for 
managing the ICF’s seven year program to improve Africa’s investment climate 
and remove barriers to growth. Mr. Issa has extensive business experience in the 
public and private sectors, having worked in both Africa and abroad. He has first 
hand experience of the realities of doing business in Africa, having previously 
worked as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Celtel International, 
where he played an instrumental role in managing the company’s growth and 
expansion across the continent. Prior to working at Celtel, Mr. Issa spent 14 years 
with the IFC and six years with the World Bank. Mr. Issa was born in 1947. He has 
a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from The Polytechnic of Central London, and an 
MBA from Columbia University, New York.

Number of shares held: 610

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Anders Kronborg Non-Executive Director
Anders Kronborg (born 1964) was elected to the Board of Millicom in 
December 2012. 

Mr. Kronborg, started his career with the Kinnevik group in 2007 when he was 
appointed Chief Financial Officer of Metro International SA, the international free 
newspaper group. On May 1, 2012, Mr. Kronborg was appointed Chief Operating 
Officer (COO) of Investment AB Kinnevik. 

As COO, his focus is on the operating and financial development of Kinnevik’s 
portfolio of companies. Prior to joining Metro, Mr. Kronborg gained extensive 
experience from the financial operations of media businesses. He served as the 
CFO of Danish Broadcaster TV2 and held numerous executive positions with 
Danish newspaper group, Berlingske Media A/S. Mr. Kronborg has a master’s 
degree in Economics from Copenhagen University.

Dionisio Romero Paoletti Non-Executive Director
Dionisio Romero Paoletti (born 1965) was elected to the Board of 
Millicom in May 2012. He is an independent Director.

Mr. Romero Paoletti, aged 46, is Chairman and President of the Romero Group, 
a Peruvian business group founded in the late 1800s and today comprising 
numerous companies across a wide range of sectors from consumer products 
to textiles, logistics, infrastructure, trading and services. The Group also has a 
controlling interest in Credicorp (BAP), the largest financial conglomerate in Peru 
which is listed on the New York and Lima Stock Exchanges. Mr. Romero Paoletti 
developed his executive career within several companies in the Romero Group and 
succeeded his father as Chairman of the Group in 2001. He has served as a Board 
Member of Credicorp and Banco De Credito del Peru since 2003 and as Chairman 
since 2009. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Brown University and 
a master’s degree in Business Administration from Stanford University.

The Nominations Committee has resolved that:

The following Directors would qualify as independent of major 
shareholders as well as the Company and its management according to 
the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance.

Ms. Donna Cordner

Mr. Paul Donovan

Mr. Omari Issa

Mr. Kim Ignatius

Mr. Dionisio Romero Paoletti

The following Directors would not qualify as independent of major 
shareholders, but independent of the Company and its management 
according to the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance.

Ms. Mia Brunell Livfors

Mr. Anders Kronborg

Mr. Allen Sangines-Krause

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Board Meetings
During the 2012 financial year, the Board convened five times at different locations in Europe. In 
addition, nine telephone conferences were held. The average attendance rate at meetings was 95%. 
The main topics handled by the Board were:
 „ Review and approval of financial reports.
 „ Review and follow-up of internal control and corporate governance.
 „ Appointment of the new CEO.
 „ Treasury matters, including significant credit facility agreements.
 „ Human resource matters, including talent management, succession planning and 

remuneration guidelines.

 „ Strategy review, including review of growth opportunities, product portfolio, business model 

challenges and marketing strategies.

 „ Several matters regarding acquisition and divestments opportunities and participation in license 

auctions or tenders.
 „ Review of 2013 budget.
 „ Self-evaluation of the Board and evaluation of the CEO.
 „ Auditor’s report and corporate sustainability matters.

Board Committees
The work of the Board is divided between the Board and its principal committees:

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee has the responsibility for planning and reviewing the financial reporting 
process, the preparation of the annual and quarterly financial reports and accounts and the 
involvement of external auditors in that process. The Audit Committee focuses particularly on 
compliance with legal requirements, accounting standards, independence of external auditors, audit 
fees, the internal audit function, the fraud risk assessment, risk management and ensuring that an 
effective system of internal financial controls is in place. Millicom’s directors have established an 
Audit Committee that convenes at least four times a year, comprising five directors, Mr. Ignatius 
(Chairman and financial expert), Mr. Donovan, Mr. Issa, Ms. Cordner and Mr. Kronborg. The Audit 
Committee met ten times during 2012, including five meetings by telephone, and Millicom’s external 
auditors participated in each such meeting.

Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors 
regarding the compensation of the CEO and the other senior managers as well as management 
succession planning. The Board of Directors, based on a proposal by the Compensation Committee, 
propose guidelines for remuneration to Senior Management to be approved by the shareholders at 
the Annual General Meeting. The objective of the guidelines is to ensure that Millicom can attract, 
motivate and retain executives, within the context of Millicom’s international talent pool, which 
consists of Telecom, Media, FMCG and Online companies. Millicom’s Compensation Committee is 
chaired by Mr. Sangines-Krause. The two other members of the committee are Ms. Brunell Livfors 
and Mr. Issa. The Compensation Committee meet four times in 2012.

CR Committee
Millicom’s directors have established a Corporate Social Responsibility (CR) Committee that convenes 
at least two times a year, comprising two directors, Ms. Brunell Livfors (Chairman) and Ms. Cordner. 
This committee has responsibility for overseeing and making recommendations to the Board 
regarding the management of CR. The CR committee met three times in 2012.

Nomination Committee
The Nominations Committee is responsible for preparing proposals for the election of Directors 
of the Board, Chairman of the Board and auditor, in the case that an auditor should be elected, 
and their remuneration as well as a proposal on the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting. 
The Nomination Committee is comprised of Cristina Stenbeck, on behalf of Investment 
AB Kinnevik, Annika Andersson on behalf of Swedbank Robur funds and William C. Miller on 
behalf of J.M. Hartwell L.P. The Nomination Committee held its first meeting on Monday, 
November 26, 2012, and elected Cristina Stenbeck as Chairman.

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Executive Committee

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Hans-Holger Albrecht President and Chief Executive Officer
Hans-Holger Albrecht was appointed President and CEO of Millicom 
on November 1st 2012. 

Previously he was President and CEO of Modern Times Group MTG AB (MTG) for 
12 years. Hans-Holger started his career at MTG in 1997 as head of the Pay-TV 
operations, before being appointed as Business Area Manager in 1999 and thus 
assuming responsibility for the free-TV division as well. In April 2000, he was 
appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MTG. Before joining MTG, Hans-
Holger worked for the Luxembourg-based media group CLT from 1991 to 1996 
and for Daimler-Benz in 1990. Hans-Holger Albrecht studied at the University 
of Freiburg in Germany, at Yale University in the USA and at the University of 
Bochum, Germany, where he received a Master of Laws degree (LLM).

François-Xavier Roger Senior EVP Chief Financial Officer
François-Xavier Roger was appointed as CFO of Millicom in September 2008. 

Previously, he served as Vice-President Corporate Finance and Treasurer of 
Danone from 2006 to 2008 and as CFO of Danone Asia from 2000 to 2005. 
He also held various CFO positions in Asia, Africa and LATAM within the Sanofi 
Group. He majored in Marketing for his MBA at The Ohio State University and has 
a master’s degree in Major Accounting from Audencia Business School in France.

Mario Zanotti Senior EVP Operations
Mario Zanotti was appointed as Senior EVP Operations in December 
2012. 

From late 2011, Mario was COO Categories & Global Sourcing. He joined Millicom 
in 1992 as General Manager of Telecel in Paraguay. Following this, he became 
Managing Director of Tele2 Italy and CEO of YXK Systems. In 2002, he served as 
Head of Central America for Millicom and became Chief Officer LATAM in 2008. 
Prior to joining Millicom, he worked as an electrical engineer at Itaipu Hydroelectric 
Power Plant and later as Chief Engineer of the biggest electrical contractor 
company in Paraguay. He has a degree in Electrical Engineering from the Pontifica 
Universidade Catolica in Porto Alegre, Brazil and a MBA from INCAE and the 
Universidad Catolica de Asunción, Paraguay.

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Regis Romero EVP Africa and South America
Regis Romero was appointed as EVP Africa and South America in 
December 2012. 

Prior to this, he was COO Global Markets. He joined Millicom in 1998 as 
Commercial Manager in Bolivia. He then became COO in Paraguay and Co-Head 
of Africa before becoming Chief Officer Africa in 2008. Prior to joining Millicom, he 
worked as an investment consultant for Interamerican Development Bank. He has 
a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from National University, USA, 
and a master’s degree in Business Management from EDAN in Asunción and has 
completed the S.E.P at London Business School.

Jo Leclère EVP of Human Resources
Jo Leclère was appointed Chief HR Officer of Millicom in 2011. 

He joined Millicom in February 2009 as Head of Reward & Performance, having 
previously been VP Operations Europe at Northgate Arinso, a global HR consulting 
and outsourcing provider. Prior to this position, he was HR Services Director at 
PricewaterhouseCoopers. He holds a master’s degree in Law, a postgraduate 
degree in Tax and a bachelor’s degree in Economics.

Martin Lewerth EVP of Home and Digital Media
Martin Lewerth was appointed as EVP of Home and Digital Media in 
December 2012. 

Previously, Martin was Executive Vice President Pay-TV and Technology at MTG. 
Martin joined MTG in 2001 where he served in various management positions 
including CTO for MTG, CEO for the IPTV distribution, Business area manager for 
the Pay-TV business and manager responsible for the Group’s online strategy and 
operations. Before joining MTG, Martin worked for the management consulting 
firm Applied Value and the Swedish company SKF Group. Martin holds a MSc from 
Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden.

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Anders Nilsson EVP of Commerce and Services
Anders Nilsson has been appointed as EVP of Commerce and Services in 
January 2013. 

Anders will oversee the Mobile Financial Services business (previously headed 
by François-Xavier Roger) and the newly created Online division. Prior to joining 
Millicom, Anders was EVP of Central European Broadcasting at MTG, responsible 
for free and pay TV operations in the Baltics and free-TV operations in the Czech 
Republic, Bulgaria and Hungary. Anders joined MTG in 1992 and he successfully 
headed the Group’s Radio and Publishing businesses before serving as MTG’s 
COO and Head of MTG Sweden. Between 2008 and 2010, Anders was also CEO of 
MTG’s Online business area which was spun off in 2010 into what is now CDON.

Xavier Rocoplan EVP CTIO
Xavier Rocoplan was appointed as EVP and Chief Technical & IT Officer 
in December 2012. 

He was previously Chief Global Networks Officer, a position he held from April 
2012. Xavier will continue to report to Mario Zanotti, senior EVP Operations. Xavier 
joined Millicom in 2000 as CTO in Vietnam and then became CTO for the South 
East Asian cluster (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam). In 2004, he was appointed 
CEO of Paktel in Pakistan, a role he held until 2007. During this time, he launched 
Paktel’s GSM operations and led the process that was concluded with the disposal 
of the business in 2007. After Millicom’s exit from Asia, Xavier was appointed to 
head the New Corporate Business development unit where he managed the Tower 
Assets Monetization program which led to the creation of tower companies in 
Ghana, Tanzania, DRC and Colombia. Xavier holds master’s degrees from Ecole 
Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications de Paris and from Université Paris 
IX Dauphine.

Marc Zagar EVP Controlling and Analytics
Marc Zagar has been appointed EVP of Controlling and Analytics with 
effect from February 2013. 

Marc will report to François-Xavier Roger, Senior EVP and Group CFO. Prior to 
joining Millicom and since October 2011, Marc Zagar was EVP Finance at MTG. 
Marc joined MTG in 2001 as Business Area Controller of Viasat broadcasting. In 
March 2006, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer for MTG’s broadcasting 
businesses. Prior to joining MTG, Marc worked for over ten years in various financial 
management positions within Vivendi Universal, having started his career with 
Steelcase Strafor. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from CESEM Business 
School in Reims, France and has a master’s degree from Université Dauphine 
in Paris.

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Director’s Report

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Principal Activities and Background
Millicom is a leading telecommunications and media company providing 
communications, information, entertainment, solutions, financial, online and 
e-commerce services in emerging markets, using various combinations of 
mobile and fixed telephony, cable, broadband and internet businesses, 
primarily in 16 countries in Central America, South America and Africa. Millicom 
operates its mobile businesses in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in 
Central America; in Bolivia, Colombia and Paraguay in South America; and in 
Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo (‘DRC’), Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda, 
Senegal and Tanzania in Africa. In addition Millicom operates cable businesses 
in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Paraguay and 
online/e-commerce businesses in several countries.

During 2012 Millicom expanded its reach into cable business in Central America and in Paraguay in 
South America through the acquisition of several cable businesses. Millicom also entered the Online 
Services business with the acquisition of a minority stake and controlling options over certain internet 
based businesses in Latin America (predominantly in Brazil) and Africa.

The Company’s shares are traded as Swedish Depositary Receipts on the Stockholm stock exchange 
under the symbol MIC SDB and over the counter in the US under the symbol MIICF. On October 12, 
2012 the Company filed a certificate with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) to 
terminate the registration of its shares. As from that date the Company is no longer subject to the 
reporting and disclosure requirements of the Exchange Act in the US. The Company has its registered 
office at 2, Rue du Fort Bourbon, L-1249 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and is registered 
with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce under the number RCS B 40 630.

Group Performance
Results for 2012
The Group continued to experience attractive growth in 2012 despite more challenging economic 
conditions and a reversal of growth in traditional communications in Q4 2012. The total mobile 
customer base increased by 10% to 47.2 million compared to 43.1 million at December 31, 2011. 
In 2012, our emphasis was on building all of our categories with particular focus on value added 
services including our information and MFS categories. In the last quarter of the year, we generated 
35% of revenues from non-voice services. Revenue increased by over 6% to $4,814 million year-on-
year in dollar terms and by 8% in local currency.

The total mobile customer base increased by 10%

Total operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2012 was down by 12% to $1,104 million 
from $1,257 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, reflecting an increased focus on 
developing resources and infrastructure around value added services, and in encouraging customers 
to migrate toward data through increased handset subsidies. This focus was also reflected in the 
normalized net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company as it declined by 14% in 2012 
to $655 million from $767 million in 2011. The year-on-year decline in normalized basic earnings of 
12% was mainly due to negative foreign exchange movements.

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The Group generated operating free cash flow of $1,127 million in 2012, equivalent to 23.4% of 
revenues, compared to $1,218 million in 2011. Cash and cash equivalents increased to $1,174 million 
compared to $861 million at December 31, 2011. As at December 31, 2012, the Group had total 
equity of $2.3 billion compared to $2.4 billion as at December 31, 2011.

The Group’s performance throughout 2012 demonstrates our ability to maintain top-line growth and 
cash flow generation while refocusing on growth opportunities and reacting to market conditions. 
We have delivered revenue growth and only a slight decline in margins as we invested in new business 
opportunities.

Operational/Strategic Developments in 2012
On August 14, 2012 Millicom announced that it had entered into an agreement with Rocket Internet 
GmbH (‘Rocket’) whereby Millicom will acquire an initial 20% interest in two subsidiaries of Rocket, 
Latin America Internet Holding (‘LIH’) and Africa Internet Holding (‘AIH’) for Euro 85 million and 
unconditional options to acquire the remaining shares in each of LIH and AIH by September 2016 at 
the latest. 

On October 2, 2012, Millicom announced the completion of the acquisition of Cablevision Paraguay, 
the leading pay-TV operator in Asunción. In the fourth quarter, the operation was rebranded, 
reaching more homes with the Tigo brand.

Millicom announced that it had entered into an 
agreement with Rocket Internet

On October 30, 2012, Millicom successfully issued a five-year SEK 2 billion bond in Sweden. SEK 1.75 
billion of the bond was issued with a floating rate coupon of 3 months STIBOR +3.50% and SEK 0.25 
billion with a fixed coupon of 5.125%. Proceeds were in part used to finance the investment in the 
two Berlin-based holding companies of Rocket Internet: Latin America Internet Holdings (LIH) and 
Africa Internet Holdings (AIH).

On October 31, 2012, Millicom officially welcomed its new President and CEO Hans-Holger Albrecht. 
Hans-Holger joined Millicom from Modern Times Group (MTG) where he served as President and CEO 
for over 12 years. Hans-Holger presided over MTG’s rapid expansion and development into an 
industry leading broadcaster with a unique geographical reach, balanced mix of pay and free TV, and 
strong financial position. Under his leadership, MTG’s sales tripled to SEK 13.5 billion, as MTG 
expanded from its Nordic base into Central & Eastern Europe and Africa, and pioneered new TV 
distribution markets. 

On November 20, 2012, Millicom launched its Mobile Financial Services (MFS) in Chad. At the end of 
2012, Millicom had over 4 million MFS users, 12% of customers in countries where MFS has been 
offered for more than one quarter.

On December 4, 2012, Millicom renewed its license in Colombia for a further ten years. Colombia 
Movil (a subsidiary of Millicom) renewed its license until February 2023. In February 2013, Colombia 
Movil will initially pay COP 93 billion (approximately US$ 53 million). The final consideration to be 
paid for the renewal of the license and 50 MHz of spectrum in the 1900 MHz spectrum band will be 
determined by the ‘Tribunal de Arbitramiento’ (Arbitrage Court) in the next 12-18 months. 

On December 5, 2012, at the EGM, an exceptional dividend of $3.00 per share was approved and 
subsequently paid in December 2012.

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On December 7, 2012, Millicom announced the appointment of four new members to its Executive 
Committee, bringing the total to nine. The team, led by the President and Group CEO, Hans-Holger 
Albrecht, is comprised of two Senior Executive Vice Presidents and six Executive Vice Presidents. The 
Senior Executive Vice Presidents are Mario Zanotti (Senior EVP of Operations) and François-Xavier 
Roger (Senior EVP & CFO). Regis Romero (EVP Africa and South America) and Jo Leclere (EVP of 
Human Resources) have been joined as Executive Vice Presidents by the newly appointed Xavier 
Rocoplan (EVP and CTIO), Marc Zagar (EVP Controlling and Analytics), Anders Nilsson (EVP 
Commerce and Services) and Martin Lewerth (EVP Home and Digital Media).

On December 7, 2012, Millicom announced that its fully owned subsidiary in Paraguay successfully 
issued a US$ denominated bond. Tigo Paraguay completed the issuance of a 10-year US$ 300 
million bond with a fixed coupon of 6.75% Tigo Paraguay used part of the proceeds for refinancing 
loans used for the Cablevision acquisition.

During the year we returned  
$731 million  
to our shareholders

During the year we returned $731 million to our shareholders, through $541 million of dividends 
(a $2.40 per share ordinary dividend and a $3.00 per share exceptional dividend) and through a share 
buyback program. On February 12, 2013, we reiterated our ordinary dividend policy of no less than 
$2.00 per share or a minimum pay-out ratio of 30% and announced that the Board will propose 
to the AGM in May the payment of an ordinary dividend of $2.64 per share and intend to have a 
progressive dividend in the future. 

Outlook for the Group
In 2013 the transition from voice to data and from analogue to digital TV is expected to accelerate 
as we ensure Millicom remains a growth company. Our priorities will be to 1) secure high market share 
and further monetize mobile data, 2) grow our cable business by exploiting untapped potential, 
3) expand our MFS business from its initial success, and 4) explore and further develop e-commerce 
and online opportunities in our partnership with Rocket Internet. Creation of a leading integrated 
operator in Colombia with EPM (the leading utility company in the Northwest region of Colombia) 
would enable us to accelerate our development in cable, whilst offering material opportunities to 
cross-sell and up-sell innovative and best quality services to customers.

In 2013 we expect EBITDA margin to decline less than in 2012, and remain above 40%, and Capex 
to revenue to peak at around 20% (both excluding the ‘Commerce and Services’ area). We have 
recently increased our focus on costs and Capex avoidance to improve the productivity of our 
investments and adjust our costs structure to the slowing growth momentum on voice. Building on 
Millicom’s pioneering approach to Value Added Services; we will focus on becoming a Digital leader. 

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Independent auditors’ report

Independent auditors’ report
To the Shareholders of Millicom International Cellular S.A.

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Following our appointment by the General Meeting of the Shareholders dated May 29, 2012, we have audited the accompanying 
consolidated accounts of Millicom International Cellular S.A., which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as at 
December 31, 2012, the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated 
statement of changes in equity, the consolidated cash flow statement for the year then ended, and a summary of significant 
accounting policies and other explanatory information. The consolidated accounts as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the 
years then ended were audited by another auditor which issued an unqualified opinion on March 1, 2012.

Board of Directors’ responsibility for the consolidated accounts 
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated accounts in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and for such internal control as the Board of Directors 
determines is necessary to enable the preparation and presentation of consolidated accounts that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Responsibility of the “réviseur d’entreprises agréé”
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated accounts based on our audit.  We conducted our audit in accordance 
with International Standards on Auditing as adopted for Luxembourg by the “Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier”.  
Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
about whether the consolidated accounts are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated accounts.  
The procedures selected depend on the judgment of the “réviseur d’entreprises agréé”, including the assessment of the risks of 
material misstatement of the consolidated accounts, whether due to fraud or error.  In making those risk assessments, the “réviseur 
d’entreprises agréé” considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated accounts 
in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the 
effectiveness of the entity’s internal control.  An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the 
reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the Board of Directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the 
consolidated accounts.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated accounts give a true and fair view of the financial position of Millicom International Cellular S.A. as of 
December 31, 2012, and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union.

ERNST & YOUNG
Société Anonyme  
Cabinet de révision agréé

Olivier LEMAIRE
Luxembourg 
March 22, 2013

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Consolidated income statements
for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Sales and marketing
General and administrative expenses
Other operating expenses
Other operating income

Operating profit
Interest expense
Interest and other financial income
Revaluation of previously held interests
Other non-operating income (expenses), net
Loss from associates

Profit before tax from continuing operations
(Charge) credit for taxes

Profit for the year from continuing operations
Profit for the year from discontinued operations, net of tax

Net profit for the year
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Earnings per share for the year
(US$ per common share)

Basic earnings per share
– from continuing operations attributable to equity holders
– from discontinued operations attributable to equity holders
– for the year attributable to equity holders

Diluted earnings per share
– from continuing operations attributable to equity holders
– from discontinued operations attributable to equity holders
– for the year attributable to equity holders

Notes

10

10,11

5

13

18

14

7

15

2012
US$ millions

2011
US$ millions

(As Restated)(i)
US$ millions

2010

4,814
(1,737)

3,077
(914)
(956)
(122)
19

1,104
(220)
14
–
22
(23)

897
(393)

504
–

504

508
(4)

5.02
–
5.02

5.01
–
5.01

4,530
(1,565)

2,965
(817)
(839)
(96)
44

1,257
(187)
15
–
(4)
(10)

1,071
19

1,090
39

1,129

925
204

8.50
0.37
8.87

8.49
0.37
8.86

3,920
(1,330)

2,590
(737)
(739)
(75)
3

1,042
(215)
15
1,060
(62)
(2)

1,838
(227)

1,611
12

1,623

1,620
3

14.89
0.08
14.97

14.87
0.08
14.95

(i)  Restatement – see note 4

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Consolidated statements of comprehensive income
for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

Net profit for the year

Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
Cash flow hedges

Total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

(i)  Restatement – see note 4

2012
US$ millions

2011
US$ millions

(As Restated)(i)
US$ millions

2010

504

(55)
(2)

447

469

(22)

1,129

1,623

(47)
(3)

(6)
(2)

1,079

1,615

882

197

1,617

(2)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated statements of financial position
as at December 31, 2012 and 2011

ASSETS
Non-Current Assets
Intangible assets, net
Property, plant and equipment, net
Investments in associates
Pledged deposits
Deferred tax assets
Other non-current assets

Total Non-Current Assets

Current Assets
Inventories
Trade receivables, net
Amounts due from non-controlling interests and joint ventures
Prepayments and accrued income
Current income tax assets
Supplier advances for capital expenditure
Advances to non-controlling interest
Other current assets
Restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents

Total Current Assets
Assets held for sale

TOTAL ASSETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Notes

2012
US$ millions

2011
US$ millions

16

17

18

19,27

14

20

21

22

7

2,419
3,108
193
47
259
86

6,112

93
322
81
140
39
44
56
86
43
1,174

2,078
21

8,211

2,170
2,865
63
50
317
37

5,502

75
277
159
119
24
32
34
113
20
861

1,714
66

7,282

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Consolidated statements of financial position continued
as at December 31, 2012 and 2011

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
EQUITY
Share capital and premium
Treasury shares
Put option reserve
Other reserves
Retained profits
Profit for the year attributable to equity holders

Equity attributable to owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests

TOTAL EQUITY

Liabilities
Non-current Liabilities
Debt and financing
Derivative financial instruments
Provisions and other non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current Liabilities
Debt and financing
Put option liability
Payables and accruals for capital expenditure
Other trade payables
Amounts due to joint venture partners
Accrued interest and other expenses
Current income tax liabilities
Provisions and other current liabilities

Total current liabilities
Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale

TOTAL LIABILITIES

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Notes

2012
US$ millions

2011
US$ millions

23

23

25

26

27

35

28

14

27

28

28

7

642
(198)
(737)
(133)
1,942
508

2,024
312

2,336

2,566
4
127
180

2,877

693
730
411
259
19
341
161
379

2,993
5

5,875

8,211

663
(378)
(737)
(104)
1,886
925

2,255
191

2,446

1,817
8
114
199

2,138

621
745
334
224
93
264
105
303

2,689
9

4,836

7,282

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Consolidated statements of cash flows
for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

Profit before tax from continuing operations

897

1,071

1,838

Notes

2012
US$ millions

2011
US$ millions

(As Restated)(i)
US$ millions

2010

Adjustments for non-operating items:
Interest expense
Interest and other financial income
Revaluation of previously held interests
Loss from associates
Other non-operating (income) expenses, net

Adjustments for non-cash items:
Depreciation and amortization
Loss (gain) on disposal and impairment of assets, net
Share based compensation

Increase in trade receivables, prepayments and other 
current assets
Increase in inventories
Increase  in trade and other payables

Changes in working capital
Interest paid
Interest received
Tax paid

10,11,16,17

10,11

24

220
(14)
–
23
(22)

811
6
22

187
(15)
–
10
4

739
(22)
17

215
(15)
(1,060)
2
62

677
16
31

1,943

1,991

1,766

(103)
(14)
201

84
(169)
11
(284)

(57)
(13)
85

15
(141)
14
(268)

(31)
(13)
45

1
(171)
15
(239)

Net cash provided by operating activities

1,585

1,611

1,372

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of subsidiaries, and non-controlling interests,  
net of cash acquired
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries and non-controlling interests
Purchase of intangible assets and licenses
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Disposal of pledged deposits, net
Disposal  of time deposits, net
Net increase in restricted cash
Cash (used) provided by other investing activities

Net cash used by investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:
Loans to associates
Short term loans to other non-controlling interests
Proceeds from issuance of shares
Purchase of treasury shares
Proceeds from debt and other financing
Repayment of debt and financing
Advance payments to non-controlling interests
Payment of dividends

Net cash used by financing activities
Cash provided by discontinued operations
Exchange gains (losses) on cash and cash equivalents

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

5

16

17

21

27

27

7

(172)
–
(159)
2
(842)
115
–
–
(23)
(31)

(1,110)

(31)
(24)
–
(190)
1,545
(923)
–
(541)

(164)
–
2

(313)
861

1,174

(20)
1
(57)
–
(700)
127
9
3
(20)
(35)

(692)

–
–
1
(498)
703
(792)
(27)
(494)

(1,107)
53
(27)

(162)
1,023

861

(5)
5
(26)
–
(597)
37
2
47
–
9

(528)

–
–
3
(300)
1,148
(1,397)
–
(789)

(1,335)
–
3

(488)
1,511

1,023

(i)  Restatement – see note 4

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Consolidated statements of changes in equity
for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

Number 
of shares
’000

Number of 
shares held 
by the Group
’000

Share 
Capital(i)

US$ ’000

Share
Premium(i)
US$ ’000

Balance as of January 1, 2010
Profit for the year(ix)
Cash flow hedge
Currency translation differences
Total comprehensive income for the year(ix)
Transfer to legal reserve
Dividends(vii)
Purchase of treasury shares
Shares issued via the exercise of share options
Share-based compensation(iii)
Directors’ shares(iii) 
Issuance of shares under the LTIPs(iii)
Change in scope of consolidation(viii)
Dividend to non-controlling shareholders
Put option for non-controlling interest(iv)(ix)
Balance as of December 31, 2010 (As Restated)(ix)
For the year ended December 31, 2011(ix)
Profit for the year
Cash flow hedge reserve movement
Currency translation differences
Total comprehensive income for the year
Transfer to legal reserve
Dividends(vii)
Purchase of treasury shares
Cancellation of treasury shares
Shares issued via the exercise of stock options
Share-based compensation(iii)
Issuance of shares under the LTIPs(iii)
Sale of Amnet Honduras to non-controlling interests
Disposal of Laos
Dividend to non-controlling shareholders

108,648
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
145
–
5
255
–
–
–

109,053

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(4,200)
40
–
46
–
–
–

Attributable to equity holders

Treasury 
shares
US$ ’000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(300,000)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Retained

profits(ii)

US$ ’000

Put option 

reserve(iv)

US$ ’000

Other
reserves(v)

US$ ’000

Total Equity 
Holder’s 
interests
US$ ’000

Non-
controlling 
interests(vi)
US$ ’000

Total equity
US$ ’000

1,788,186
1,620,277
–
–
1,620,277
(53)
(653,779)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(737,422)

(64,930) 2,383,803
1,620,277
(1,700)
(1,090)
1,617,487
–
(653,779)
(300,000)
3,276
30,286
432
–
–
–
(737,422)

–
(1,700)
(1,090)
(2,790)
53
–
–
(816)
30,286
–
(16,488)
–
–
–

(73,673) 2,310,130
1,622,968
(1,700)
(5,785)
1,615,483
–
(653,779)
(300,000)
3,276
30,286
432
–
130,843
(9,616)
(737,422)

2,691
–
(4,695)
(2,004)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
130,843
(9,616)
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(3,254)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

162,971
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
218
–
8
381
–
–
–

497,576
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
3,874
–
424
16,107
–
–
–

(3,254)

163,578

517,981

(300,000) 2,754,631

(737,422)

(54,685) 2,344,083

45,550

2,389,633

–
–
–
–
–
–
(4,646)
4,200
6
–
187
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(6,300)
59
–
70
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(20,070)
1,184
–
6,025
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
(498,274)
401,415
592
–
17,908
–
–
–

924,515
–
–
924,515
(61)
(493,909)
–
(375,045)
(435)
–
(773)
2,207
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
(3,015)
(39,806)
(42,821)
61
–
–
–
(81)
17,264
(23,230)
–
–
–

924,515
(3,015)
(39,806)
881,694
–
(493,909) 
(498,274) 
–
1,319
17,264
–
2,207
–
–

204,490
(247)
(6,892)
197,351
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
11,974
(6,493)
(57,212)

1,129,005
(3,262)
(46,698)
1,079,045
–
(493,909) 
(498,274) 
–
1,319
17,264
–
14,181
(6,493)
(57,212)

Balance as of December 31, 2011

104,939

(3,507)

157,407

505,120

(378,359)

2,811,130

(737,422)

(103,492) 2,254,384

191,170

2,445,554

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Consolidated statements of changes in equity
for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

Balance as of January 1, 2012
Profit for the year
Cash flow hedge reserve movement
Currency translation differences

Total comprehensive income for the year
Dividends(vii)
Purchase of treasury shares
Cancellation of treasury shares
Share-based compensation(iii)
Issuance of shares under the LTIPs(iii)
Non-controlling interests in Rocket Internet(x)
Dividend to non-controlling shareholders
Change in scope of consolidation(viii)

Attributable to equity holders

Number 
of shares
’000

104,939
–
–
–

–

–
–
(3,200)
–
–
–
–
–

Number of 
shares held 
by the Group
’000

Share 
Capital(i)

US$ ’000

Share
Premium(i)
US$ ’000

Treasury 
shares
US$ ’000

Retained

profits(ii)

US$ ’000

Put option 

reserve(iv)

US$ ’000

Other
reserves(v)

US$ ’000

Total Equity 
Holder’s 
interests
US$ ’000

Non-
controlling 
interests(vi)
US$ ’000

Total equity
US$ ’000

(3,507)
–
–
–

–

–
(2,106)
3,200
–
237
–
–
–

157,407
–
–
–

–

–
–
(4,800)
–
–
–
–
–

505,120
–
–
–

–

–
–
(15,000)
–
(1,106)
–
–
–

(378,359)
–
–
–

2,811,130
508,306
–
–

–

508,306

–
(189,619)
344,377
–
25,453
–
–
–

(541,133)
–
(324,577)
–
(11,926)
–
–
8,658

(737,422)
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(103,492) 2,254,384
508,306
(1,118)
(37,709)

–
(1,118)
(37,709)

(38,827)

469,479

–
–
–
21,929
(12,421)
–
–
–

(541,133)
(189,619)
–
21,929
–
–
–
8,658

191,170 2,445,554
503,588
(1,203)
(55,239)

(4,718)
(85)
(17,530)

(22,333)

–
–
–
–
–
160,321
(16,969)
–

447,146

(541,133)
(189,619)
–
21,929
–
160,321
(16,969)
8,658

Balance as of December 31, 2012

101,739

(2,176)

152,607

489,014

(198,148) 2,450,458

(737,422)

(132,811) 2,023,698

312,189

2,335,887 

(i)  Share Capital and Share Premium – see note 23.
(ii)  Retained Profits – includes profit for the year attributable to equity holders, of which $126 million (2011: $94 million; 2010: $60 million) are not distributable to equity holders.
(iii)  Share-based compensation – see note 24.
(iv)  Put option reserve – see note 25.
(v)  Other reserves – see note 26.
(vii)  Dividends – see note 29.
(viii) Change of scope of consolidation – see note 5. 
(ix)  Restatement – see note 4.
(x)  See note 5.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

1. Corporate information
Millicom International Cellular S.A. (the “Company”), a Luxembourg Société Anonyme, and its subsidiaries, joint ventures and 
associates (the “Group” or “Millicom”) is an international group providing communications, information, entertainment, solutions, 
financial, online and e-commerce services in emerging markets, using various combinations of mobile and fixed telephony, cable, 
broadband and internet businesses, primarily in 16 countries in Central America, South America and Africa.

Millicom operates its mobile businesses in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in Central America; in Bolivia, Colombia and 
Paraguay in South America; and in Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”), Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal and 
Tanzania in Africa. In addition Millicom operates cable businesses in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and 
Paraguay and online/e-commerce businesses in several countries (see note 5).

The Company’s shares are traded as Swedish Depositary Receipts on the Stockholm stock exchange under the symbol MIC SDB and 
over the counter in the US under the symbol MIICF. On October 12, 2012 the Company filed a certificate with the US Securities and 
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to terminate the registration of its shares. As from that date the Company is no longer subject to the 
reporting and disclosure requirements of the Exchange Act in the US.

The Company has its registered office at 2, Rue du Fort Bourbon, L-1249 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and is registered 
with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce under the number RCS B 40 630.

On March 22, 2013 the Board of Directors (“Board”) authorized these consolidated financial statements for issuance. The approval will 
be submitted for ratification by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on May 28, 2013.

2. Summary of consolidation and accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements of the Group are presented in US dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest million 
(US$’ million) except where otherwise indicated. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis 
except for certain financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002 on the application 
of international accounting standards, the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 have been 
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (“IFRS”).

As of December 31, 2012, International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union are similar to those 
published by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), except for IAS 39—Financial Instruments that has been partially 
adopted by the European Union and for new standards and interpretations not yet endorsed but effective in future periods. Since the 
provisions that have not been adopted by the European Union are not applicable to the Group, the consolidated financial statements 
comply with both International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the IASB and as adopted by the European Union.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to exercise its judgment in the process of 
applying the Group’s accounting policies. It also requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates and assumptions that affect 
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements 
and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates are based on 
management’s best knowledge of current events and actions, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates. Areas 
involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated 
financial statements are disclosed in note 3.

2.2 Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Group are comprised of the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries 
and joint ventures as at December 31 each year. The financial statements of the subsidiaries and joint ventures are prepared for the 
same reporting year as the Company, using consistent accounting policies.

All intra-group balances, transactions, income and expenses, and profits and losses resulting from intra-group transactions are 
eliminated.

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for acquisitions where there is a change in control. The cost of an acquisition 
is measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange. 
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their 
fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interest. The excess of the cost of acquisition over 
the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than 
the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the income statement (see accounting 
policy for Goodwill). All acquisition related costs are expensed.

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are all entities (including special purpose entities) over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and 
operating policies, generally accompanying a shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. The existence and effect of 
potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered when assessing whether the Group controls another 
entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de-consolidated from the 
date that control ceases.

Non-controlling interests
The Group treats transactions with non-controlling interests as transactions with equity owners of the Group. Gains or losses on 
disposals to non-controlling interests are recorded in equity. For purchases from non-controlling interests, the difference between any 
consideration paid and the relevant share acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is also recorded in equity. 
Non-controlling interest is measured at the proportionate interest in the net assets of the subsidiary.

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Joint ventures
Millicom determines the existence of joint control by reference to joint venture agreements, articles of association, structures and 
voting protocols of the boards of directors of those ventures.

Entities that are jointly controlled are consolidated in the financial statements using the proportionate method which includes the 
Group’s share of the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the joint ventures.

The Group recognizes the portion of gains or losses on the sale of assets to joint ventures that are attributable to other parties in the 
joint venture. The Group does not recognize its share of profits or losses from purchase of assets by the Group from a joint venture until 
it resells the assets to a third party. However, if a loss on a transaction provides evidence of a reduction in the net realizable value of 
current assets or an impairment loss, the loss is recognized immediately.

Associates
Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control, generally accompanying a shareholding of 
between 20% and 50% of the voting rights.

Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognized at cost. The Group’s 
investment in associates includes goodwill (net of any accumulated impairment loss) identified on acquisition.

The cost of shares acquired in associates from sale and lease back transactions with tower companies are initially measured based 
on the fair values of the towers sold. The fair value of the towers was derived by using the estimated replacement cost of the towers 
adjusted by an amount for wear and tear taking into consideration the average age of the towers. 

The Group’s share of post-acquisition profits or losses of associates is recognized in the consolidated income statement, and its share 
of post-acquisition movements in reserves is recognized in reserves. Cumulative post-acquisition movements are adjusted against the 
carrying amount of the investment. When the Group’s share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate, 
including any other unsecured receivables, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless the Group has incurred obligations or 
made payments on behalf of the associates.

Gains on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates. 
Losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of 
associates have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group. Dilution gains and 
losses arising in investments in associates are recognized in the income statement.

2.3 Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currencies
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the entity operates (“the functional currency”). The functional currency of each subsidiary, joint venture and 
associate reflects the economic substance of the underlying events and circumstances of these entities. The Company is located in 
Luxembourg and its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates operate in different currencies. The Group’s consolidated financial 
statements are presented in U.S. dollars (the “presentation currency”). The functional currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar 
because of the significant influence of the U.S. dollar on its operations.

Transactions and balances
Transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency using exchange 
rates prevailing on transaction dates. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions, and on 
translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency at year-end exchange 
rates, are recognized in the consolidated income statement, except when deferred in equity as qualifying cash flow hedges.

Translation into presentation currency
The results and financial position of all Group entities (none of which operate in an economy with a hyperinflationary functional 
currency) with functional currency other than the U.S. dollar presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency 
as follows:

i) 

ii) 

 Assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate at the date of the statement of financial position;

 Income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates (unless this average is not a reasonable approximation of the 
cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates 
of the transactions); and

iii) 

 All resulting exchange differences are recognized as a separate component of equity (“Currency translation reserve”), in the 
caption “Other reserves”.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of net investments in foreign operations, and of borrowing and 
other currency instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are recorded in equity. When a foreign operation is sold, 
exchange differences that were recorded in equity are recognized in the consolidated income statement as part of gain or loss on sale.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign 
operation and translated at the closing rate.

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The following table presents relevant currency translation rates to the U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and average rates 
for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Country

Bolivia
Brazil
Chad and Senegal
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ghana
Guatemala
Honduras
Luxembourg
Mauritius
Nicaragua
Paraguay
Rwanda
Sweden
Tanzania
UAE (Dubai)

Currency

2012 Average rate

2012 Year-end rate

2011 Year-end rate

Boliviano
Real
CFA Franc
Peso
Costa Rican Colon 
Cedi
Quetzal
Lempira
Euro
Rupee
Gold Cordoba
Guarani
Rwandese Franc
Krona
Shilling
Dirham

6.91
2.08
508.79
1,809.80
508.56
1.84
7.84
19.57
0.77
29.92
23.54
4,428.31
614.16
6.74
1,586.01
3.67

6.91
2.05
497.50
1,768.23
514.32
1.88
7.90
20.03
0.76
30.54
24.13
4,224.00
631.46
6.50
1,581.00
3.67

6.91
N/A
506.98
1,942.70
511.84
1.64
7.81
19.12
0.77
29.33
22.97
4,478.00
604.14
6.88
1,578.15
3.67

The effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents held or due in a foreign currency is reported in the cash flow 
statement in order to reconcile cash and cash equivalents at the beginning and end of the year. Millicom’s functional currency in both 
El Salvador and DRC is the U.S. dollar.

2.4 Segment reporting

Management determines operating and reportable segments based on the reports that are used by the Chief Operating Decision 
Maker (“CODM”) to make strategic and operational decisions from both a business and a geographic perspective. The Group’s risks 
and rates of return for its operations are affected predominantly by the fact that it operates in different geographical regions. 
The businesses are predominantly organized and managed according to the selected geographical regions, which represent the 
basis for evaluation of past performance and for making decisions about the future allocation of resources.

2.5 Property, plant and equipment

Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost or the lower of fair value and the present value of future minimum 
lease payments for items under finance leases, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment. Historical cost includes 
expenditure that is directly attributable to acquisition of items. The carrying amount of replaced parts is derecognized.

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset and the remaining 
life of the license associated with the assets, unless the renewal of the license is contractually possible.

Estimated useful lives are: 
  Buildings 
  Networks (including civil works) 
  Other 

40 years or lease period, if shorter 
5 to 15 years 
2 to 7 years

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The assets’ residual value and useful life is reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at 
each statement of financial position date. An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if its 
carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

Construction in progress consists of the cost of assets, labor and other direct costs associated with property, plant and equipment 
being constructed by the Group. Once the assets become operational, the related costs are transferred from construction in progress 
to the appropriate asset category and depreciation commenced.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, when it is probable 
that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. 
Repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement in the financial period in which they are incurred. Costs of major 
inspections and overhauls are added to the carrying value of property, plant and equipment and the carrying amount of previous 
major inspections and overhauls is derecognized.

Equipment installed on customer premises which is not sold to customers is capitalized and amortized over the customer 
contract period.

A liability for the present value of the cost to remove an asset on both owned and leased sites is recognized when a present obligation 
for the removal exists. The corresponding cost of the obligation is included in the cost of the asset and depreciated over the useful life 
of the asset.

Borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of a qualifying asset are capitalized as part of the 
cost of that asset when it is probable that such costs will result in future economic benefits for the Group and the costs can be 
measured reliably.

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2.6 Intangible assets

Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business 
combination is measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less 
any accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. Internally generated intangible assets, excluding capitalized 
development costs, are not capitalized and expenditure is charged to the income statement in the year in which expenditure is incurred.

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful economic lives using the straight-line method and 
assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortization period and the 
amortization method for intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed at least at each financial year-end. Changes in the 
expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the assets are accounted for by 
changing the amortization period or method, as appropriate, and treated as changes in accounting estimates. The amortization 
expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognized in the consolidated income statement in the expense category consistent 
with the function of the intangible assets.

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost of an acquisition, over the Group’s share in the fair value of identifiable assets less liabilities and 
contingent liabilities of the acquired subsidiary, joint venture or associate at the date of the acquisition. If the fair value of identifiable 
assets, liabilities or contingent liabilities or the cost of the acquisition can only be determined provisionally, then goodwill is initially 
accounted for using provisional values. Within 12 months of the acquisition date, any adjustments to the provisional values are 
recognized once the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities, and the cost of the acquisition have been 
finally determined. Adjustments to provisional fair values are made as if the adjusted fair values had been recognized from the 
acquisition date. Goodwill on acquisition of subsidiaries and joint ventures is included in “Intangible assets, net”. Goodwill on 
acquisition of associates is included in “investments in associates”. Following initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less 
any accumulated impairment losses. Gains or losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating 
to the entity sold.

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value 
may be impaired. Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed.

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from acquisition date, allocated to each of the 
Group’s cash generating units or groups of cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, 
irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the Group are assigned to those units or groups of units. Each unit or group of units 
to which the goodwill is allocated:

•	 Represents	the	lowest	level	within	the	Group	at	which	the	goodwill	is	monitored	for	internal	management	purposes;	and

•	

Is	not	larger	than	an	operating	segment.

Impairment is determined by assessing the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit (or group of cash-generating units), to 
which the goodwill relates. Where the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit (or group of cash-generating units) is less than 
the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. Where goodwill forms part of a cash-generating unit (or group of cash-
generating units) and part of the operation within that unit is disposed of, the goodwill associated with the operation disposed of is 
included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal. Goodwill disposed of in this manner is 
measured based on the relative values of the operation disposed and the portion of the cash-generating unit retained.

Licenses
Licenses are recorded at either historical cost or, if acquired in a business combination, at fair value at the date of acquisition. Licenses 
have a finite useful life and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. Amortization is 
calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the cost of the licenses over their estimated useful lives.

The terms of licenses, which have been awarded for various periods, are subject to periodic review for, amongst other things, rate 
setting, frequency allocation and technical standards. Licenses are initially measured at cost and are amortized from the date the 
network is available for use on a straight-line basis over the license period. Licenses held, subject to certain conditions, are usually 
renewable and generally non-exclusive. When estimating useful lives of licenses, renewal periods are not usually included. 

Trademarks and customer bases
Trademarks and customer bases are recognized as intangible assets only when acquired or gained in a business combination. Their 
cost represents fair value at the date of acquisition. Trademarks and customer bases have finite useful lives and are carried at cost less 
accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the cost of the trademarks and 
customer bases over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives for trademarks and customer bases are based on specific 
characteristics of the market in which they exist. Trademarks and customer bases are included in “Intangible assets, net”.

Estimated useful lives are: 
  Trademarks 
  Customer bases 

1 to 15 years 
4 to 9 years

Indefeasible Rights of Use
Indefeasible rights of use (“IRU”) agreements are mainly composed of purchase and/or sale of specified infrastructure, purchase  
and/or sale of lit fibre capacity and exchange of network infrastructure or lit fibre capacity. These arrangements are either accounted 
for as leases, service contracts, or partly as leases and partly as service contracts. Determination of the appropriate classification 
depends on an assessment of the characteristics of the arrangements.

A network capacity contract is accounted for as a lease if, and when: 

•	 The	purchaser	has	an	exclusive	right	to	the	capacity	for	a	specified	period	and	has	the	ability	to	resell	(or	sub-let)	the	capacity;	and	 

•	 The	capacity	is	physically	limited	and	defined;	and	

•	 The	purchaser	bears	all	costs	related	to	the	capacity	(directly	or	not)	including	costs	of	operation,	administration	and	

maintenance; and 

•	 The	purchaser	bears	the	risk	of	obsolescence	during	the	contract	term.	

If all of these criteria are not met, the IRU is treated as a service contract. 

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If the arrangement is, or contains a lease, the lease is accounted for as either an operating lease or a financial lease (see policy note 
Leases 2.20). A financial lease of an IRU of network infrastructure is accounted for as a tangible asset. A financial lease of an IRU on 
capacity is accounted for as an intangible asset. 

2.7 Impairment of non-financial assets

At each reporting date the Group assesses whether there is an indication that a non-financial asset may be impaired. If any such 
indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for a non-financial asset is required, the Group makes an estimate of the asset’s 
recoverable amount. The Group determines the recoverable amount based on the higher of its fair value less cost to sell, and its value 
in use, for individual assets, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or 
groups of assets. 

Where the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is written down to its 
recoverable amount. Where no comparable market information is available, the fair value less cost to sell is determined based on the 
estimated future cash flows discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects current market conditions for the time 
value of money and risks specific to the asset. The foregoing analysis also evaluates the appropriateness of the expected useful lives of 
the assets. Impairment losses of continuing operations are recognized in the consolidated income statement in expense categories 
consistent with the function of the impaired asset.

At each reporting date an assessment is made as to whether there is any indication that previously recognized impairment losses may 
no longer exist or may have decreased. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount is estimated. Other than for goodwill, a 
previously recognized impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimate used to determine the asset’s recoverable 
amount since the last impairment loss was recognized. If so, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. 
The increased amount cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment 
loss been recognized for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognized in profit or loss. After such a reversal, the depreciation 
charge is adjusted in future periods to allocate the asset’s revised carrying amount, less any residual value, on a systematic basis over 
its remaining useful life.

2.8 Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. 
They are included in current assets, except for those maturing more than 12 months after the end of the reporting period. These are 
classified within non-current assets. Loans and receivables are carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Gains and 
losses are recognized in the income statement when the loans and receivables are derecognized or impaired, as well as through the 
amortization process.

2.9 De-recognition of Financial Assets and Liabilities

A financial asset (or a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognized when:

•	 Rights	to	receive	cash	flows	from	the	asset	have	expired

•	 Rights	to	receive	cash	flows	from	the	asset	or	obligations	to	pay	the	received	cash	flows	in	full	without	material	delay	have	been	

transferred to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either transferred:

(a)  Substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or 

(b)  Control of the asset.

When rights to receive cash flows from an asset have been transferred or a pass-through arrangement concluded, an evaluation is 
made if and to what extent the risks and rewards of ownership have been retained. When the Group has neither transferred nor 
retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the asset is recognized to the extent 
of the Group’s continuing involvement in the asset. In that case, the Group also recognizes an associated liability. The transferred asset 
and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Group has retained. Continuing 
involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of 
the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Group could be required to repay.

A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled, or expires. When an existing 
financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are 
substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of 
a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in the income statement.

2.10 Financial instruments

Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss 
Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss are financial instruments held for trading. Their fair value is determined by 
reference to quoted market prices on the statement of financial position date. Where there is no active market, fair value is determined 
using valuation techniques. Such techniques include using recent arm’s length market transactions, reference to the current market 
value of a substantially similar instrument, discounted cash flow analysis and option pricing models. A financial instrument is classified 
in this category if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short-term. Derivatives are also categorized as held for trading 
unless they are designated as hedges. Assets in this category are classified as current assets.

Financial instruments that contain obligations to purchase own equity instruments
Contracts that contain obligations for the Company to purchase its own equity instruments for cash or other financial assets are 
initially recorded as financial liabilities based on the present value of the redemption amounts with a corresponding reserve in equity. 
Subsequently the carrying value of the liability is remeasured at the present value of the redemption amount with changes in carrying 
value recorded in other non-operating (expenses) income, net. If the contracts expire without delivery, the carrying amounts of the 
financial liabilities are reclassified to equity.

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Financial instruments that contain call options over non-controlling interests
Call option contracts over non-controlling interests that require physical settlement of a fixed number of own shares for a fixed 
consideration are classified as equity. 

Contracts over non-controlling interests that require gross cash settlement are also classified as equity instruments. Such call options 
are initially recognized at fair value and not subsequently remeasured. If a call option is exercised, this initial fair value is included as 
part of the cost of the acquisition of the non-controlling interest. If an unexercised call option expires or otherwise lapses, the fair value 
of the call option remains within equity.

Call option contracts over non-controlling interests that require net cash settlement or provide a choice of settlement are classified as 
financial assets.  

Contracts over non-controlling interests that require physical settlement of a variable number of own shares for a variable price are 
classified as financial assets and changes in the fair value are reported in the income statement. If such a call option is exercised, the 
fair value of the option at that date is included as part of the cost of the acquisition of the non-controlling interest. If an unexercised 
call option expires or otherwise lapses, its carrying amount is expensed in the income statement.

Offsetting financial instruments 
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position 
if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognized amounts and an intention to settle on a net basis, or to realize the 
assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities
Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured 
at fair value. The method of recognizing the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging 
instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged. The Group designates certain derivatives as either:

(a)  Hedges of the fair value of recognized assets or liabilities or a firm commitment (fair value hedge);

(b) 

 Hedges of a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction 
(cash flow hedge); or

(c)  Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation (net investment hedge).

For transactions designated and qualifying for hedge accounting, at the inception of the transaction, the Group documents the 
relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking 
various hedging transactions. The Group also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of 
whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows 
of hedged items.

Movements in the hedging reserve are recognized as other comprehensive income. The full fair value of a hedging derivative is 
classified as a non-current asset or liability when the period to maturity of the hedged item is more than 12 months and as a current 
asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months. Trading derivatives are classified as a current 
asset or liability when the remaining period to maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months. 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognized in 
other comprehensive income. Gains or loss relating to any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the income statement 
within ‘other non-operating (expenses) income, net’.

Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified to the income statement in the periods when the hedged item affects profit or loss. 

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain 
or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognized when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognized in the 
income statement. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity 
is immediately transferred to the income statement within ‘other non-operating (expenses) income, net’.

2.11  Discontinued operations and non-current assets (or disposal groups) held for sale and 
related liabilities

Non-current assets (or disposal groups) are classified as assets held for sale and stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value 
(less costs to sell if their carrying amount is expected to be recovered principally through sale, not through continuing use). Liabilities of 
disposal groups are classified as “Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale”.

Discontinued operations are those with identifiable operations and cash flows (for both operating and management purposes) and 
represent a major line of business or geographic unit which has been disposed of or is available for sale. Revenues and expenses 
associated with discontinued operations are presented in a separate line in the consolidated income statement. Comparative figures 
in the consolidated income statement representing the discontinued operations are reclassified to the separate line.

2.12 Inventories

Inventories (which mainly consist of mobile telephone handsets and related accessories) are stated at the lower of cost and net 
realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the 
ordinary course of business, less applicable variable selling expenses.

2.13 Trade receivables

Trade receivables are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest 
method, less provision for impairment. A provision for impairment is recorded when there is objective evidence that the Group will not 
be able to collect amounts due according to the original terms of receivables. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability 
that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganization, and default or delinquency in payments are indicators of impairment. 
The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash 
flows, discounted at the effective interest rate. The provision is recognized in the consolidated income statement within “Cost of sales”.

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2.14 Deposits

Time deposits
Cash deposits with banks with maturities of more than three months that generally earn interest at market rates are classified as 
time deposits.

Pledged deposits
Pledged deposits represent contracted cash deposits with banks that are held as security for debts at corporate or operational entity 
level. Millicom is unable to access these funds until either the relevant debt is repaid or alternative security is arranged with the lender.

2.15 Restricted cash

Cash held with banks related to mobile financial services which is restricted in use due to local regulations, but typically cycled out of 
the banking system within three months, is denoted as restricted cash.

2.16 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with 
original maturities of three months or less. 

2.17 Impairment of financial assets

The Group assesses at each statement of financial position date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group of 
financial assets is impaired. Impairment losses are recognized in the consolidated income statement. 

2.18 Share capital

Common shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a 
deduction from the proceeds.

Where any Group company purchases the Company’s share capital, the consideration paid including any directly attributable 
incremental costs is shown under “Treasury shares” and deducted from equity attributable to the Company’s equity holders until the 
shares are cancelled, reissued or disposed of. Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration received, net of 
any directly attributable incremental costs and the related income tax effects, is included in equity attributable to the Company’s 
equity holders.

2.19 Borrowings

Borrowings are initially recognized at fair value, net of directly attributable transaction costs. Borrowings are subsequently measured at 
amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium 
on acquisition and any fees or costs that are an integral part of the effective interest rate. Any difference between the initial amount 
and the maturity amount is recognized in the consolidated income statement over the period of the borrowing.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 
12 months from the statement of financial position date.

2.20 Leases

The determination of whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement and involves an 
assessment of whether the fulfillment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets and whether or not the 
arrangement conveys a right to use the asset. 

Finance leases 
Finance leases, which transfer substantially all risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased item to the lessee, are capitalized 
at the inception of the lease at the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. 
Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and reduction of the lease liability so as to achieve a constant rate of 
interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are charged directly against income. Where a finance lease results 
from a sale and leaseback transaction, any excess of sales proceeds over the carrying amount of the assets is deferred and amortized 
over the lease term.

Capitalized leased assets are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets, or the lease term if there is no 
reasonable certainty that the Group will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term.

Operating leases
Operating leases are all other leases that are not finance leases. Operating lease payments are recognized as expenses in the 
consolidated income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Tower sale and lease back transactions
The sale and lease back of towers and related site operating leases and service contracts are accounted for in accordance with the 
underlying characteristics of the assets, and the terms and conditions of the lease agreements.

When sale and lease back agreements are concluded, the portions of assets that will not be leased back by Millicom are classified as 
assets held for sale as completion of their sale is highly probable. Asset retirement obligations related to the towers are classified as 
liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale. 

On transfer to the tower companies, the portion of the towers leased back are accounted for as operating leases or finance leases 
according to the criteria set out above. The portion of towers being leased back represents the dedicated part of each tower on which 
Millicom’s equipment is located and was derived from the average technical capacity of the towers. Rights to use the land on which 
the towers are located are accounted for as operating leases, and costs of services for the towers are recorded as operating expenses.

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2.21 Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, if it is probable 
that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be 
made of the amount of the obligation. Where the Group expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, for example under an 
insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognized as a separate asset but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain. The 
expense relating to any provision is presented in the income statement net of any reimbursement. If the effect of the time value of 
money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects, where appropriate, risks specific to the liability. 
Where discounting is used, increases in the provision due to the passage of time are recognized as interest expenses.

2.22 Trade payables

Trade payables are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method 
where the effect of the passage of time is material.

2.23 Revenue recognition

Revenue comprises the fair value of consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods and services, net of value added tax, 
rebates and discounts and after eliminating intra-group sales.

Revenue is recognized to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably 
measured. The following specific recognition criteria must also be met before revenue is recognized.

Recurring revenue consist of monthly subscription fees, airtime usage fees, interconnection fees, roaming fees, revenue from online 
product and service sales, mobile finance service commissions and fees from other telecommunications services such as data services, 
short message services and other value added services. Recurring revenues are recognized on an accrual basis, i.e. as the related 
services are rendered. 

Unbilled revenue for airtime usage and subscription fees resulting from services provided from the billing cycle date to the end of each 
month are estimated and recorded.

Subscription products and services are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the customer relationship. Related costs are 
also deferred, to the extent of the revenues deferred, and amortized over the estimated life of the customer relationship. The 
estimated life of the customer relationship is calculated based on historical disconnection percentage for the same type of customer.

Where customers purchase a specified amount of airtime in advance, revenue is recognized as airtime credit is used. Unused airtime 
credit is carried in the statement of financial position as deferred revenue within “other current liabilities”.

Revenue from value added content services such as video messaging, ringtones, games etc., are recognised net of payments to the 
providers under certain conditions including if the providers are responsible for the content and determining the price paid by the 
customer. For such services the Group is considered to be acting in substance as an agent. Otherwise the revenue is recognised gross.

Revenue from the sale of handsets and accessories are recognized when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of handsets 
and accessories have been passed to the buyer.

Revenue arrangements with multiple service deliverables (“Bundled Offers” such as various services sold together) are divided into 
separate units of accounting if the deliverables in the arrangement meet certain criteria. The arrangement consideration is then 
allocated among the separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values or on the residual method. Revenue is then 
recognized separately for each unit of accounting.

Revenue from the sale of online and e-commerce services is recognized as and when the service is provided or on delivery of products 
to customers, less provision for product returns, based on the amounts expected to be received from customers.

Revenue from sale of capacity is recognized when the capacity has been delivered to the customers, based on the amounts expected 
to be received from customers.

Revenue from lease of tower space is recognized over the period of the underlying lease contracts. For finance leases revenue is 
apportioned between the lease of the tower space and interest income (other operating income). Revenue from provision of mobile 
financial services is recognized once the primary service has been provided to the customer.

2.24 Cost of sales

The primary cost of sales incurred by the Group in relation to the provision of services relate to interconnection costs, roaming costs, 
rental of leased lines and tower infrastructure, costs of handsets and other accessories sold, royalties, commissions, and cost of goods 
sold. Cost of sales is recorded on an accrual basis.

Cost of sales also includes depreciation and any impairment of network equipment and trade receivables.

2.25 Customer acquisition costs

Specific customer acquisition costs, including dealer commissions and handset subsidies, are charged to sales and marketing when the 
customer is activated.

2.26 Employee benefits

Pension obligations
Pension obligations can result from either a defined contribution plan or a defined benefit plan.

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. No further 
payment obligations exist once the contributions have been paid. The contributions are recognized as employee benefit expenses 
when they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognized as assets to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments 
is available.

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2. Summary of consolidation and accounting policies continued
A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that is not a defined contribution plan. Typically, defined benefit pension plans define an 
amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years 
of service and compensation. The liability recognized in the statement of financial position in respect of the defined benefit pension 
plan is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the statement of financial position date less the fair value of plan assets, 
together with adjustments for unrecognized actuarial gains or losses and past service costs. The defined benefit obligation is 
calculated annually by independent actuaries. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the 
estimated future cash outflows using an appropriate discount rate based on maturities of the related pension liability. 

Share-based compensation
Share awards are granted to management and key employees.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognized, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the 
performance and/or service conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the relevant employee becomes fully entitled to the 
award (the vesting date). The cumulative expense recognized for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until the vesting 
date reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments 
that will ultimately vest.

No expense is recognized for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market 
condition, which are treated as vested irrespective of whether or not the market conditions are satisfied, provided that all other 
performance conditions are satisfied. Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, as a minimum an expense is 
recognized as if the terms had not been modified. In addition, an expense is recognized for any modification that increases the total 
fair value of the share based payment arrangement, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee as measured at the date 
of modification.

2.27 Taxation

Current tax
Current tax assets and liabilities for current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to 
the taxation authorities. The tax rate and tax laws used to compute the amount are those enacted or substantively enacted by the 
statement of financial position date.

Deferred tax
Deferred income tax is provided using the liability method and calculated from temporary differences at the statement of financial 
position date between the tax base of assets and liabilities and their carrying amount for financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax 
liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, except where the deferred tax liability arises from the initial recognition 
of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects 
neither accounting, nor taxable, profit or loss.

Deferred income tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences and carry-forward of unused tax credits and 
unused tax losses, to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary 
difference and the carry-forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses can be utilized, except where the deferred tax assets 
relate to deductible temporary differences from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business 
combination, and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither accounting, nor taxable, profit or loss.

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at each statement of financial position date and reduced to the extent 
that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to utilize the deferred income tax asset. Unrecognized 
deferred income tax assets are reassessed at each statement of financial position date and are recognized to the extent it is probable 
that future taxable profit will enable the deferred tax asset to be recovered.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rate expected to apply in the year when the assets are realized or 
liabilities settled, based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the statement of financial 
position date. Income tax relating to items recognized directly in equity is recognized in equity and not in the consolidated income 
statement. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset where legally enforceable set off rights exist and the deferred 
taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority.

2.28 Changes in accounting policies

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 are prepared in accordance with consolidation and accounting 
policies consistent with those of the previous financial years.

The following standards, amendments and interpretations issued are not effective for the financial year beginning January 1, 2012 
and have not been early adopted.

•	

IFRS	9,	“Financial	Instruments”,	addresses	the	classification,	measurement	and	recognition	of	financial	assets	and	financial	
liabilities. IFRS 9 was issued in November 2009 and October 2010. It replaces the parts of IAS 39 that relate to the classification 
and measurement of financial instruments. IFRS 9 requires financial assets to be classified into two measurement categories: 
those measured at fair value, and those measured at amortized cost. The determination is made at initial recognition. The 
classification depends on the entity’s business model for managing its financial instruments and the contractual cash flow 
characteristics of the instrument. For financial liabilities, the standard retains most of the IAS 39 requirements. The main change is 
that, in cases where the fair value option is taken for financial liabilities, the part of a fair value change due to an entity’s own credit 
risk is recorded in other comprehensive income rather than the income statement, unless this creates an accounting mismatch. 
The Group is yet to assess IFRS 9’s full impact and intends to adopt IFRS 9 no later than the accounting period beginning on or 
after January 1, 2015 or at the date of endorsement by the EU if later.

•	

IFRS	10,	“Consolidated	Financial	Statements”	build	on	existing	principles	by	identifying	the	concept	of	control	as	the	determining	
factor in whether an entity should be included within the financial statements of the parent company. The standard provides 
additional guidance to assist in the determination of control where this is difficult to assess. The Group is yet to assess IFRS 10’s full 
impact and intends to adopt IFRS 10 no later than the accounting period beginning on or after January 1, 2014.

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•	

IFRS	11,	“Joint	Arrangements”,	sets	out	the	core	principle	that	a	party	to	a	joint	arrangement	determines	the	type	of	joint	
arrangement in which it is involved by assessing its rights and obligations and accounts for those rights and obligations in 
accordance with that type of joint arrangement. The standard removes the option for an interest in a jointly controlled entity using 
proportionate consolidation, and requires equity accounting to be applied to investments in a joint venture. The standard is 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014.

•	

•	

•	

•	

IFRS	12,	“Disclosure	of	interests	in	other	entities”	includes	the	disclosure	requirements	for	all	forms	of	interests	in	other	entities,
including joint arrangements, associates, special purpose vehicles and other off balance sheet vehicles. The Group does not expect 
IFRS 12 to have a significant impact and intends to adopt IFRS 12 in the accounting period beginning on January 1, 2014.

IFRS	13.	“Fair	Value	Measurement”	aims	to	improve	consistency	and	reduce	complexity	by	providing	a	precise	definition	of	fair	
value and a single source of fair value measurement and disclosure requirements for use across IFRS’s. The requirements do not 
extend the use of fair value accounting but provide guidance on how it should be applied where its use is already required or 
permitted by other standards within IFRS. The Group does not expect IFRS 13 to have a significant impact and intends to adopt 
IFRS 13 in the accounting period beginning on or after January 1, 2013.

IAS	27,	“Consolidated	and	Separate	Financial	Statements”,	reissued	as	IAS	27	“Separate	Financial	Statements”,	as	a	result	of	
issuance of IFRS 10, “Consolidated Financial Statements”.  The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2014.

IAS	28,	“Investments	in	Associates”	and,	reissued	as	IAS	28	“Investments	in	Associates”,	as	a	result	of	issuance	of	IFRS	11,
“Joint Arrangements”. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014.

There are no other IFRS’s or IFRIC interpretations that are not yet effective that would be expected to have a material impact on 
the Group.

3. Significant accounting judgments and estimates
Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities are potential liabilities that arise from past events whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or 
non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of Millicom. Provisions for liabilities are recorded 
when a loss is considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. The determination of whether or not a provision should be 
recorded for any potential liabilities is based on management’s judgment.

Estimates
Estimates are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events 
that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Because of inherent uncertainties in this evaluation process, actual results 
may be different from originally estimated amounts. In addition, significant estimates are involved in the determination of 
impairments, provisions related to taxes and litigation risks. These estimates are subject to change as new information becomes 
available and may significantly affect future operating results.

Accounting for property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets involves the use of estimates for determining fair values at 
acquisition dates, particularly in the case of such assets acquired in a business combination. Furthermore, the expected useful lives of 
these assets must be estimated. The determination of fair values of assets and liabilities, as well as of useful lives of the assets is based 
on management judgment.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for unused tax losses to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against 
which the losses can be utilized. Significant management judgment is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that 
can be recognized, based upon the likely timing and level of future taxable profits together with future tax planning strategies 
(see note 14).

For critical accounting estimates reference is made to the relevant individual notes to these consolidated financial statements, more 
specifically note 5—Acquisition of subsidiaries, joint ventures and non-controlling interests; note 7—Discontinued operations and 
assets held for sale; note 14—Taxes; note 16—Intangible assets, note 17—Property, plant and equipment, note 20—Trade 
receivables, note 24—Share-based compensation (relating to long-term incentive plans); note 28 – Other noncurrent and current 
provisions and liabilities (relating to the put option); note 32—Commitments and contingencies; and note 35—Financial instruments.

4. Restatement of previously issued financial statements
On January 26, 2012, the board of directors of the Company, based on the recommendation of the audit committee and 
in consultation with management, concluded that, due to a misstatement in the Group’s previously issued consolidated financial 
statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, and for the quarters ending on September 30, 2010 to September 30, 2011, 
the Group should restate its consolidated financial statements for the periods then ended.

The restatement followed a reassessment of the accounting treatment of the put option provided to Millicom’s partner who holds a 
33.3% non-controlling interest in the Honduran operation. As a result, it was determined that, as the put option could be exercised 
under certain change of control events which could be outside the control of Millicom, the option met the criteria under IAS 32 for 
recognition as a liability and corresponding equity reserve. Therefore a liability for the put option at July 1, 2010 of $737 million was 
retroactively recorded. 

5. Acquisitions of subsidiaries, joint ventures and non-controlling interests 

Year ended December 31, 2012

During the year ended December 31, 2012 Millicom made investments in Rocket Internet businesses in Latin America and Africa 
(together ‘Rocket Acquisitions’) and in Cablevision Paraguay (‘Cablevision Acquisition’). 

During the year Millicom also completed the increase of ownership in Navega El Salvador from 55% to 100% and completed other 
minor acquisitions for consideration of $16 million. 

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continued

Cablevision Acquisition
On	October	2,	2012	Millicom	completed	its	acquisition	of	the	debt	and	cash	free	operating	businesses	of	Cable	Vision	Comunicaciones	
S.A., Television Dirigida S.A., Consorcio Multipunto Multicanal S.A., Producciones Unicanal S.A. and 100% of the shares of 
Teledeportes Paraguay S.A. (together “Cablevision”) for combined cash consideration of $172 million.

The acquired interests provide Millicom with the ability to govern the operating and financial policies of Cablevision which has been 
fully consolidated into the Millicom Group financial statements from October 1, 2012.

Millicom provisionally allocated the purchase price of $172 million to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and contingent liabilities 
and recognized the following amounts:

Tangible and intangible assets, net

Fair value of the net assets acquired and contingent liabilities
Cash consideration
Goodwill

Cablevision 
Fair value 
US$ millions

107

107
172
65

The provisional allocation will be changed on the basis of additional information and assessment of Millicom’s share of the fair values  
of the assets and liabilities acquired.

The goodwill, which is not expected to be tax deductible, is attributable to future customers, know-how, and potential synergies.

Cablevision contributed revenues of $15 million and net profit of $6 million for the period from acquisition to December 31, 2012. 
If the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012, Group revenues from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 
2012 would have been $54 million higher, and the net profit from continuing operations for the same period would have been 
$17 million higher. These amounts have been calculated using the Group accounting policies.

Rocket acquisitions
On August 29, 2012 Millicom acquired, for Euro 85 million, and by way of issuance of new shares, 20% interests in two subsidiaries 
of Rocket Internet GmbH, Latin America Internet Holding (“LIH”) and Africa Internet Holding (“AIH”) and unconditional options to 
acquire the remaining shares in each of LIH and AIH (LIH and AIH own several operating entities in Latin America and Africa 
respectively). The options can be exercised from the August 29, 2012 acquisition date. The first options expire in September 2013 
(“First Options”) and enable Millicom to increase its stakes to 35%, the second to 50% with expiry in September 2014 (“Second 
Options”) and the third to increase its stakes to 100% with expiry in September 2016 (“Third Options”).

The acquired 20% interests, combined with unconditional rights to exercise the First, Second and Third Options, as well as a number 
of protective governance mechanisms in the LIH and AIH shareholders agreements provide Millicom with the ability to govern the 
operating and financial policies of AIH, and LIH. While Millicom controls AIH, certain minority shareholder rights per shareholder 
agreements, including blocking rights, result in Millicom having significant influence in the operating entities in the AIH Group. 
Millicom’s economic ownership of these entities is treated as “investments in associates” (note 18). Investment Kinnevik AB, Millicom’s 
largest shareholder, holds minority interests in certain subsidiaries of LIH and AIH.

As a result of the acquisition and option agreements Millicom has the right to control LIH and AIH, which have been fully consolidated 
into the Millicom Group financial statements from September 1, 2012. 

LIH
Millicom provisionally allocated the LIH purchase price of Euro 50 million ($64 million) to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and 
contingent liabilities and recognized the following amounts:

Intangible assets, net
Property, plant and equipment, net
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities

Fair value of the net assets acquired and contingent liabilities
Non-controlling interests:
  In net assets acquired and contingent liabilities
  Less fair value of options (equity instruments)

Controlling interest
Cash consideration
Goodwill

LIH Group  
Fair value 100% 
US$ millions

14
1
9
65

89
8
5

13

76

62
(15)

47

29
64
35

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5. Acquisitions of subsidiaries, joint ventures and non-controlling interests 
continued
The provisional allocation will be changed on the basis of additional information and assessment of Millicom’s share of the fair values 
of the assets and liabilities acquired.

The goodwill, which is not expected to be tax deductible, is attributable to future customers, know-how, potential synergies and the 
value of development stage projects. The non-controlling interest has been measured as a proportion of the net assets acquired.

LIH contributed revenues of $13 million and net loss of $9 million for the period from acquisition to December 31, 2012.

AIH
Millicom provisionally allocated the AIH purchase price of Euro 35 million ($45 million) to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and 
contingent liabilities and recognized the following amounts:

Investment in associates
Cash and cash equivalents
Fair value of the net assets acquired and contingent liabilities
Non-controlling interests:

In net assets acquired and contingent liabilities
  Less fair value of options (equity instruments) 

Controlling interest
Cash consideration
Goodwill

AIH Fair value 
100%  
US$ millions

100
45

145

126
(13)

113

32
45
13

The provisional allocation will be changed on the basis of additional information and assessment of Millicom’s share of the fair values 
of the assets and liabilities acquired.

The investment in associates represents investments in entities in which AIH has significant influence. The fair value of these 
investments has been determined based on a discounted cash flow model. The goodwill, which is not expected to be tax deductible, 
is attributable to future customers, know-how, potential synergies and the value of development stage projects. The non-controlling 
interest has been measured as a proportion of the net assets acquired.

Rocket options
At December 31, 2012 the options to acquire the remaining shares in AIH and LIH had not been exercised. These call options are 
financial instruments which are accounted for in accordance with IAS 32 and 39. 

The exercise prices of the First and Second Options of Euro 85 million and Euro 170 million respectively are based on the original equity 
values of AIH and LIH. The cash invested by Millicom (capital increases) in each of AIH and LIH has increased the equity value of each of 
the businesses such that the equity value exceeds the exercise prices. As these options are exercisable at fixed prices they are accounted 
for as equity instruments in accordance with IAS 32. Accordingly, for LIH a provisional value of $15 million and for AIH a provisional value 
of $12 million has been assigned to the options against non-controlling interests in the consolidated statement of financial position.

The exercise prices of the Third Options are based on the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise, and as such the option 
itself does not have any standalone value. 

Year ended December 31, 2011

Millicom did not acquire any subsidiaries, joint ventures or non-controlling interests during the year ended December 31, 2011. At 
December 31, 2011, the agreement entered into on August 20, 2010 to increase Millicom’s ownership in Navega El Salvador from 55% 
to 100% remained subject to completion.

Year ended December 31, 2010

In	2010,	Millicom	gained	control	over	Telefonica	Cellular	S.A.	DE	CV,	its	mobile	phone	operation	in	Honduras,	and	acquired	control
of Navega	S.A.	DE	CV,	its	cable	operation	in	Honduras.

Telefonica	Cellular	S.A.	DE	CV	
On July 1, 2010 Millicom reached agreement with its local partner in Honduras whereby Millicom’s local partner granted Millicom an 
unconditional	call	option	for	the	next	five	years	for	his	33%	stake	in	Telefonica	Cellular	S.A.	DE	CV	(“Celtel”)	and	as	consideration,
Millicom granted a put option for the same duration to the local partner (see notes 28 and 35). The put option can only be exercised 
in case of a change of control of Millicom International Cellular S.A. or Millicom’s subsidiary that holds the shares in Celtel (except if 
the change of control is in favor of Investment AB Kinnevik, the current largest shareholder of Millicom, or management of Millicom). 

Prior to entering into the agreement, Millicom was dependent on the consent of its local partner for strategic decisions related to its 
Honduran operation, as the shareholders agreement required a vote of 75% of the shares to authorize and approve significant 
financial and operating policies of Celtel. The call option allows Millicom, unconditionally at any time during the five year period from 
July 1, 2010 to exercise its right to acquire the 33% stake (and voting rights) of our local partner at a price which Millicom believes 
represents the strategic value of the asset. The call option therefore conferred to Millicom control over Celtel through its ability to 
influence and exercise the power to govern the financial and operating policies (develop the future business in Honduras).

Accordingly, Celtel has been fully consolidated into the Millicom Group financial statements from July 1, 2010.  Previously, the 
Honduras operations were proportionately consolidated. 

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5. Acquisitions of Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures and Non-Controlling Interests 
continued
Millicom completed the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and contingent liabilities during the 
year ended December 31, 2010. The recognized amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of July 1, 2010 were 
as follows:

Fair value (100%)
US$ millions

Previously  
held interests 
(66.7%) 
US$ millions

Intangible assets, net (i)
Other investments
Property, plant and equipment, net
Trade receivables
Prepayments and accrued income
Other current assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Other non-current liabilities (ii)
Current debt and other financing
Trade payables
Accrued interests and other expenses
Current income tax liabilities
Other current liabilities

Non-controlling interests
Fair value of the net assets acquired and contingent liabilities
Goodwill arising on change of control
Previously held interests in Celtel
Revaluation of the previously held interests in Celtel

23
14
226
9
4
24
16

316
100
50
4
9
12
36

211

435
21
339
14
7
34
25

875
265
75
6
13
17
52

428
147

300
855
(105)
1,049

(i) 

 Intangible assets not previously recognized are trademarks for an amount of $40 million, with estimated useful life of 10 years, customers’ list for an 
amount of $335 million, with estimated useful life of eight to nine years, and telecommunications license for an amount of $21 million, with 
estimated useful life of 11 years.

(ii)  Deferred tax liabilities related to differences between the tax base and the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired amount to $114 million.

The goodwill, which is not expected to be tax deductible, is attributable to the profitability potential of Celtel and the synergies 
expected to arise. The fair value of the customers’ list was ascertained using the discounted excess earnings method, the fair value 
of the trademark was ascertained using the relief from royalty approach, and the fair value of the telecommunications license against 
comparable transactions.

The change of control contributed revenues of $100 million and net profit of $1,049 million (including the gain on revaluation of the 
previously held interest) for the period from acquisition to December 31, 2010. If the change of control had occurred on January 1, 
2010, unaudited pro forma Group revenues from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 would have been 
$4,018 million, and the unaudited pro forma net profit from continuing operations for the same period, as restated, would have been 
$1,633 million. These amounts have been calculated using the Group accounting policies.

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5. Acquisitions of subsidiaries, joint ventures and non-controlling interests 
continued
Millicom revalued at fair value its previously held 66.7% interest in Celtel recognizing a gain of $1,049 million, recorded under the 
caption “Revaluation of previously held interests”. The fair value of the previously held interests was determined based on discounted 
cash flows. The cash flow projections used (adjusted operating profit margins, income tax, working capital and capital expenditure) 
were estimated by management covering six years. Cash flows beyond this period were extrapolated using a perpetual growth rate of 
2%. The valuation was determined using a discount rate of 14.3%.

Navega	S.A.	DE	CV
As part of a regional shareholding alignment agreement with its local partner in Honduras, on August 20, 2010 Millicom reached 
agreement	with	its	local	partner	in	Honduras	whereby	Millicom	acquired	a	further	6%	of	Navega	S.A.	DE	CV	(“Navega	Honduras”)	
(formerly Metrored S.A.). As a result of this agreement Millicom has the right to control Navega Honduras, which has been fully 
consolidated into the Millicom Group financial statements from August 20, 2010.  Previously, the results of Navega Honduras were 
proportionately consolidated. The agreement is expected to facilitate further integration of the cable business and to create synergies.

Millicom completed the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and contingent liabilities during the 
year ended December 31, 2010 and recognized the following amounts:

Intangible assets, net
Property, plant and equipment, net
Other non-current assets
Trade receivables
Prepayments and accrued income
Other current assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Other non-current liabilities
Current debt and other financing
Trade payables
Accrued interests and other expenses
Current income tax liabilities
Other current liabilities

Non-controlling interests
Fair value of the net assets acquired and contingent liabilities
Goodwill arising on change of control
Previously held interests in Navega Honduras
Revaluation of the previously held interests in Navega Honduras
Cost of change of control

Fair value 
100% 
US$ ’000

Previously 
held interests 
60.72% 
US$ ’000

11,879
13,890
109
1,207
25
293
1,852

29,255
1,930
699
217
689
628
1,343

5,506

19,563
22,875
180
1,988
40
482
3,050

48,178
3,178
1,152
357
1,135
1,035
2,211

9,068
13,037

26,073
13,866
(23,748)
10,726
5,465

The goodwill, which is not expected to be tax deductible, is attributable to the profitability potential of Navega Honduras and the 
synergies expected to arise. The fair value of the customers’ list was ascertained using the discounted excess earnings method, and 
the fair value of the trademark was ascertained using the relief from royalty approach.

Navega Honduras contributed revenues of $1 million and net profit of $20 million (including gain on revaluation) for the period from 
acquisition to December 31, 2010. If the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2010, unaudited pro forma Group revenues from 
continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 would have been $3,924 million, and the unaudited pro forma net profit 
from continuing operations for the same period, as restated, would have been $1,612 million. These amounts have been calculated 
using the Group accounting policies.

Millicom revalued at fair value its previously held 60% interest in Navega Honduras recognizing a gain of $11 million, recorded under 
the caption “Revaluation of previously held interests”.

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6. Disposals of subsidiaries and joint ventures and non-controlling interests

Year ended December 31, 2012

There were no disposals of subsidiaries, joint ventures or non-controlling interests during 2012.

Year ended December 31, 2011

Millicom Lao Co Ltd
On September 16, 2009 Millicom announced that it signed an agreement for the sale of its 74.1% holding in Millicom Lao Co. Ltd., its 
Laos	operation,	to	VimpelCom	for	approximately	$65	million	in	total	cash	proceeds,	payable	on	completion.	The	transaction	valued	
the entire Laos operation at an enterprise value of approximately $102 million.

On March 9, 2011 Millicom completed the transaction and received proceeds (net of transaction costs and taxes) from the sale of 
$53 million, realizing a gain on sale of $37 million. From that date the Laos operation is no longer included in the consolidated financial 
statements of the Group.

Amnet Honduras
As part of a regional shareholding alignment agreement with its local partner in Honduras, on March 21, 2011, Millicom reduced its 
shareholding in Amnet Honduras from 100% to 66.7%, realizing a gain on sale of $2 million, which is recorded in equity as gain on 
sale to non-controlling interests. The proceeds from the sale amount to $17 million, of which $5 million was received in 2011 and 2012 
and $4 million will be received each year for the next three years (in March 2013, March 2014 and March 2015).

Year ended December 31, 2010

As part of the regional shareholding alignment agreement with its local partner in Guatemala, on August 20, 2010, Millicom disposed 
of 45% of its interest in Newcom Guatemala (“Amnet Guatemala”). From that date Amnet Guatemala has been accounted for as a 
joint venture and proportionately consolidated into the Millicom Group financial statements. Previously, the results of the Amnet 
Guatemala were fully consolidated. There was no significant impact on profit and loss from the disposal.

7. Discontinued operations and assets held for sale
Discontinued operations
There were no discontinued operations in 2012. The results of discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, and 
2010 are presented below:

Revenues
Operating expenses(i)

Profit before tax
Tax charge
Gain from disposal, net

Net profit for the year

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

6
(3)

3
–
36

39

30
(17)

13
(1)
–

12

The cash (used) provided by discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 is presented below:

Net cash used by operating activities
Net cash used by investing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities
Transfer of cash to assets held for sale
Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations

Cash provided (used) by discontinued operations

(i)  Xxxx

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

–
–
–
–
53

53

11
(16)
6
(1)
–

–

There were no non-cash investing and financing activities of discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2011 
and 2010.

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7. Discontinued operations and assets held for sale continued
Assets held for sale
Between 2009 and 2011, Millicom signed various sale and lease back agreements with tower companies in Africa and South America 
whereby Millicom agreed the sale of tower assets and to lease back a dedicated portion of each tower to locate its network equipment 
equipment (see note 18). The portions of these assets that will not be leased back by Millicom are classified as assets held for sale as 
completion of their sale is highly probable.

At December 31, 2012, towers sold but yet to be transferred to tower companies (assets held for sale) of $21 million related to 
operations in DRC, Colombia, Ghana and Tanzania (December 31, 2011: $66 million related to operations in DRC, Colombia, Ghana 
and Tanzania). 

Asset retirement obligations related to the towers of $5 million (December 31, 2011: $9 million) are classified as liabilities directly 
associated with assets held for sale. 

The major classes of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale as at December 31, 2012, and 2011 are as follows:

Assets held for sale
Property, plant and equipment, net

Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale
Other non-current liabilities

Net assets directly associated with assets held for sale

8. Subsidiaries
The Group has the following significant subsidiaries, which are consolidated:

Name of the company

Central America
Telemovil El Salvador S.A.
Cable	El	Salvador	S.A.	de	C.V.
Navega.com S.A. Succursal El Salvador
Telefonica Celular S.A.
Navega	S.A.	de	CV	(formerly	Metrored	S.A.)	(see	note	5)
Cable Costa Rica S.A.

South America
Telefonica Celular de Bolivia S.A.
Telefonica Celular del Paraguay S.A.
Colombia Movil S.A. E.S.P.

LATAM Internet Holding GmbH

Africa
Millicom Ghana Company Limited
Sentel GSM S.A.
MIC Tanzania Limited
Oasis S.P.R.L.

Millicom Tchad S.A.
Millicom Mauritius Limited
Millicom Rwanda Limited
Africa Internet Holding GmbH

Unallocated
Millicom International Operations S.A.
Millicom	International	Operations	B.V.
MIC	Latin	America	B.V.
Millicom	Africa	B.V.
Millicom	Holding	B.V.
Millicom Ireland Limited

Country

El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador
Honduras
Honduras
Costa Rica

Bolivia
Paraguay
Colombia

Germany

Ghana
Senegal
Tanzania
Democratic  
Republic of Congo
Chad
Mauritius
Rwanda
Germany

Luxembourg
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Ireland

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

21

(5)

16

66

(9)

57

Holding 
December 31, 
2012 
% of ownership 
interest

Holding 
December 31, 
2011 
% of ownership 
interest

100.0
100.0
100.0
66.7
66.7
100.0

100.0
100.0
55.0
66.7
66.7
100.0

100.0
100.0
50.0 + 1 share

100.0
100.0
50.0 + 1 share

20.0

100.0
100.0
100.0

100.0
100.0
100.0
87.5
20.0

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

–

100.0
100.0
100.0

100.0
100.0
100.0
87.5
–

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

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9. Interests in joint ventures
The following amounts have been proportionally consolidated into the Group’s accounts from continuing operations representing the 
Group’s share of revenue, operating expenses and operating profit in the Group’s joint ventures:

Name of the company

Central America
Comunicaciones Celulares S.A.
Navega.com S.A. (see note 5)

Africa
Emtel Limited

Holding 
December 31,  
2012   
% of ownership 
interest

Holding 
December 31,  
2011   
% of ownership 
interest

55.0
55.0

50.0

55.0
55.0

50.0

Country

Guatemala
Guatemala

Mauritius

The share of assets and liabilities of the jointly controlled entities at December 31, 2012 and 2011, which are included in the 
consolidated financial statements, are as follows: 

Current assets
Non-current assets

Total assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

197
445

642
185
241

426

235
419

654
206
175

381

The share of revenues and operating expenses of the jointly controlled entities for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 
2010, which are included in the consolidated income statements from continuing operations, are as follows:

Revenue
Total operating expenses

Operating profit

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

663
(389)

274

650
(365)

285

799
(413)

386

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10. Segment information
The Group has businesses in three regions: Central America, South America and Africa.

Revenue, operating profit (loss) and other segment information for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

December 31, 2012

Revenue

Operating profit (loss)

Add back:
Depreciation and amortization
Loss (gain) of disposal and impairment
Corporate costs

Adjusted operating profit (loss)(i)
Additions to:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets

Capital expenditure
Taxes paid
Changes in working capital
Other movements

Operating free cash flow (ii)

Total Assets(iii)
Total Liabilities

Central 
America 
US$ millions

South  
America 
US$ millions

Africa 
US$ millions

Unallocated 
items 
US$ millions

Total 
continuing 
operations 
US$ millions

Intercompany 
elimination 
US$ millions

Total 
US$ millions

1,901

639

1,939

491

320
(1)
–

958

(290)
(6)

(296)
(131)
42
(45)

528

257
–
–

748

(303)
(70)

(373)
(76)
3
91

393

974

122

233
4
–

359

(272)
(158)

(430)
(32)
46
142

85

–

(148)

1
3
144

–

(5)
(16)

(21)
(45)
(7)
48

(25)

3,570

1,696

2,604

1,913

2,050

2,073

1,068

1,253

4,814

1,104

811
6
144

2,065

(870)
(250)

(1,120)
(284)
84
236

981

9,292

6,935

–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

4,814

1,104

811
6
144

2,065

(870)
(250)

(1,120)

(1,081)

(1,060)

8,211

5,875

(i)  Adjusted operating profit is used by the management to monitor the segmental performance and for capital management (see note 34).
(ii)  Operating free cash flow by segment includes vendor financing of capital equipment as a cash transaction.
(iii)  Segment assets include goodwill and other intangibles.

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10. Segment information continued

December 31, 2011

Revenue

Operating profit (loss)

Add back:
Depreciation and amortization
Loss (gain) of disposal and impairment
Corporate costs

Adjusted operating profit (loss)(i)
Additions to:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets

Capital expenditure
Taxes paid
Changes in working capital
Other movements

Operating free cash flow (ii)

Total Assets(iii)
Total Liabilities

Central 
America 
US$ millions

South  
America 
US$ millions

Africa 
US$ millions

Unallocated 
items 
US$ millions

Total 
continuing 
operations 
US$ millions

Discontinued 
operations 
(note 7) 
US$ millions

Intercompany 
elimination 
US$ millions

Total 
US$ millions

1,842 

650 

1,706 

505 

303
5
–

958

(220)
(1)

(221)
(146)
(67)
17

541

231
(10)
–

726

(295)
(29)

(324)
(77)
15
85

425

982 

216 

204
(17)
–

403

(288)
(9)

(297)
(14)
92
79

263

4,074

1,673

2,008

1,388

1,630

1,705

–   

(114) 

1
–
113

–

–
(6)

(6)
(31)
(25)
37

(25)

830

927

4,530 

1,257 

739
(22)
113

2,087

(803)
(45)

(848)
(268)
15
218

1,204

8,542

5,693

6

3

2
–
–

5

–
–

–

–

–

–   

–   

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

4,536 

1,260 

741
(22)
113

2,092

(803)
(45)

(848)

(1,260)

(857)

7,282

4,836

(i)  Adjusted operating profit is used by the management to monitor the segmental performance and for capital management (see note 34).
(ii)  Operating free cash flow by segment includes vendor financing of capital equipment as a cash transaction.
(iii)  Segment assets include goodwill and other intangibles.

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10. Segment information continued

December 31, 2010 (As restated)(iv)

Revenue

Operating profit (loss)

Add back:
Depreciation and amortization
Loss (gain) of disposal and impairment
Corporate costs

Adjusted operating profit (loss)(i)
Additions to:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets

Capital expenditure
Taxes paid
Changes in working capital
Other movements

Operating free cash flow (ii)

Total Assets(iii)
Total Liabilities

Central
America(v)

US$ millions

South America 
US$ millions

Africa 
US$ millions

Unallocated 
items 
US$ millions

Total 
continuing 
operations 
US$ millions

Discontinued 
operations 
(note 7) 
US$ millions

Intercompany 
elimination 
US$ millions

Total 
US$ millions

1,641 

639 

1,374 

362 

250
4
–

893

(187)
(21)

(208)
(139)
34
7

587

223
5
–

590

(216)
(28)

(244)
(63)
(31)
60

312

905 

148 

203
7
–

358

(274)
(4)

(278)
(9)
(28)
102

145

3,618

2,320

1,504

1,258

1,600

1,630

–   

(107) 

1
–
106

–

–
(1)

(1)
(28)
26
(25)

(28)

650

803

3,920 

1,042 

677
16
106

1,841

(677)
(54)

(731)
(239)
1
144

1,016

7,372

6,011

30 

13 

–
–
–

13

(16)
–

(16)

–   

–   

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

3,950 

1,055 

677
16
106

1,854

(693)
(54)

(747)

72

47

(449)

(1,453)

6,995

4,605

(i)  Adjusted operating profit is used by the management to monitor the segmental performance and for capital management (see note 34).
(ii)  Operating free cash flow by segment includes vendor financing of capital equipment as a cash transaction.
(iii)  Segment assets include goodwill and other intangibles.
(iv)  Restatement – see note 4.
(v)  Includes cable which in 2010 was reported as a separate segment which has now been integrated with mobile operations. 

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10. Segment information continued
Revenue from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 by country are as follows:

Colombia
Honduras
Guatemala
Paraguay
Bolivia
El Salvador
Other

Total

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

849
705
654
649
429
408
1,120

4,814

756
673
647
593
357
414
1,090

4,530

612
532
571
463
299
453
990

3,920

Non-current assets (intangible assets and property, plant and equipment) as at December 31, 2012 and 2011 by country are as follows:

Colombia
Honduras
Guatemala
Paraguay
Bolivia
El Salvador
Other

Total

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

713
1,554
399
474
274
424
1,689

5,527

596
1,669
392
256
260
438
1,424

5,035

11. Analysis of Operating Profit
The Group’s operating income and expenses from continuing operations by nature of expense is as follows:

Revenue

Cost of services rendered and goods sold

Depreciation and amortization (notes 10, 16 and 17)

Dealer commissions

Employee related costs (note 12)

Sites and network maintenance

Advertising and promotion

Phone subsidies

External services

Operating lease expense (note 32)

Billing and payments

Gain (loss) on disposal and impairment of assets, net (note 10)

Other income

Other expenses

Operating profit

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

4,814
(1,134)
(811)
(417)
(345)
(220)
(130)
(179)
(190)
(108)
(36)
(6)
19
(153)

1,104

4,530
(1,007)
(739)
(398)
(299)
(208)
(127)
(139)
(155)
(96)
(33)
22
44
(138)

1,257

3,920
(810)
(677)
(355)
(294)
(176)
(120)
(124)
(110)
(83)
(28)
(16)
3
(88)

1,042

The following table summarizes the aggregate amounts paid to Millicom’s auditors for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Audit fees

Audit related fees

Tax fees

Other fees

Total

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

4.8
–
0.2
0.8

5.8

3.6
0.2
0.1
–

3.9

4.2
0.6
–
0.1

4.9

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12. Employee Related Costs

Wages and salaries
Social security
Share-based compensation (see note 24)
Other employee related costs(i)

Total

(i) 

Includes pension costs and other benefits.

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

(238)
(29)
(22)
(56)

(345)

(209)
(24)
(17)
(49)

(299)

(196)
(21)
(31)
(46)

(294)

2010

6,109
237

6,346

The average number of permanent employees during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:

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Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

Total average number of permanent employees

2012

8,273
–

8,273

2011

6,526
128

6,654

13. Other non-operating (expenses) income, net

Change in carrying value of put option(i)
Change in fair value of derivatives
Revaluation of previously held interest (see note 5)
Other exchange (losses), net
Other non-operating expenses

Other non-operating (expenses) income, net

(i)  Restatement – see note 4.

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010

(As restated)(i)

15
(6)
9
2
2

22

24
(2)
–
(26)
–

(4)

(32)
(15)
–
(15)
–

(62)

14. Taxes
Taxes mainly comprise income taxes of subsidiaries and joint ventures. As a Luxembourg commercial company, the Company 
is subject to all taxes applicable to a Luxembourg Société Anonyme. Due to losses incurred and brought forward, no taxes based 
on income in Luxembourg have been computed for 2012, 2011 and 2010.

The effective tax rate on continuing operations is 44% (2011: 2%), 2010: 12%). Currently Millicom operations are in jurisdictions with 
income tax rates of 6% to 40% (2011 and 2010: 10% to 40%).

The reconciliation between the weighted average statutory tax rate and the effective average tax rate is as follows:

Weighted average statutory tax rate(i)
Recognition of previously unrecorded tax losses
Unrecognized current year tax losses(ii)
Non-taxable income and non-deductible expenses, net
Taxes based on revenue
Income taxes at other than statutory tax rates
Withholding taxes on transfers between operating and non-operating entities
Write-back of tax provision
Non-taxable gain arising from revaluation of previously held interests
Effect on change in tax rate

Effective tax rate

2012 
%

2011 
%

2010 
%

16
–
2
6
2
3
8
3
–
4

44

24
(29)
1
1
(6)
4
3
–
–
–

(2)

23
–
7
–
(7)
2
3
–
(16)
–

12

(i) 

(ii) 

 The weighted average statutory tax rate has been determined by dividing the aggregate statutory tax charge of each subsidiary and joint venture, 
which was obtained by applying the statutory tax rate to the profit or loss before tax, by the aggregate profit before tax excluding the impact of the 
revaluation of Honduras in 2010 (see note 5).
 Unrecognized current year tax losses mainly consist of tax losses at the Company level and tax losses recorded in the Group’s operations in the DRC, 
Rwanda and Tanzania (2011: DRC, Rwanda and Tanzania; 2010: DRC, Rwanda and Colombia).

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14. Taxes continued
The credit (charge) for income taxes from continuing operations is shown in the following table and recognizes that revenue and 
expense items may affect the financial statements and tax returns in different periods (temporary differences):

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

Current income tax credit (charge)
Net deferred income tax benefit (expense)
Credit/(charge) for taxes

(A) Profit After Tax
(1) Current Income Tax
(2) Deferred Income Tax

(B) Total income tax (1) + (2)

(C) Profit Before Tax  = (A)+(B)
(3) Effective tax rate (B)/(C)
(4) Weighted average tax rate

(D) Theoretical Income Tax  (C)*(4)

Difference to explain =(B)-(D)
Non taxable and deductible items
Items taxed with another tax rate
Withholding tax
Provision PY underestimate
Tax based on revenues and other taxes
Impact of changes in tax rates on DTA
Unrecognized tax losses
(Use)/recognition of DTA

Total

(223)
(4)

(227)

(326)
(67)

(393)

504
(326)
(67)

(393)

897
44%
16%

(142)

(251)
(52)
(24)
(72)
(24)
(24)
(39)
(16)
–

(251)

(278)
297

19

1,090
(278)
297

19

1,071
(2%)
24%

(262)

281
6
(49)
(39)
–
50
–
(6)
319

281

The tax effects of significant items of the Group’s deferred income tax asset and liability as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

Consolidated balance sheets

Consolidated income statements

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

Loss carry-forwards
Provision for doubtful debtors
Temporary differences between book and tax 
basis of intangible assets and property, plant and 
equipment
Deferred tax liabilities recognized as part of the 
acquisition of Celtel (see note 5)
Deferred tax liabilities recognized as part of the 
acquisition of Amnet (see note 5)
Deferred tax liabilities recognized as part of the 
acquisition of Navega (see note 5)
Deferred tax liabilities recognized as part of the 
acquisition of LIH Group (see note 5)
Other temporary and translation differences

Deferred tax benefit (expense)
Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net
Reflected in the statements of financial 
position as: 
Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

134
14

(56)

(81)

(13)

(2)

(5)
88

79

259
(180)

182
9

5

(94)

(19)

(2)

–
37

118

317
(199)

(48)
5

(61)

13

6

–

(5)
51

(39)

182
5

50

11

6

1

–
41

296

(6)
1

(2)

8

6

1

–
(12)

(4)

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for 
financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

As the Group was in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it was unlikely that such 
differences would reverse in a foreseeable future, no deferred tax liability was recognized in respect of $3,826 million 
(2011: $3,352 million) of unremitted earnings of subsidiaries and joint ventures. Furthermore, it was not practicable to estimate 
the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liabilities in respect of these unremitted earnings.

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14. Taxes continued
At December 31, 2012 the deferred tax assets of $207 million in our Colombian operation represent the expected and remaining 
unutilised portion of a tax credit of $308 million that was recognized in our Colombian operation in 2011. The credit related to 
expected utilization of tax loss carry-forwards and other temporary differences related mainly to property, plant and equipment and 
intangible assets. The expected utilisation of the tax loss carry-forwards was based on an assessment by management that sufficient 
taxable profit will be available to allow the benefit of the deferred tax asset to be utilised. At December 31, 2012 the deferred tax 
assets of $207 million in our Colombian operation represent the expected and remaining unutilised portion of a tax credit of $308 
million that was recognized in our Colombian operation in 2011. The credit related to expected utilization of tax loss carry-forwards 
and other temporary differences related mainly to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. The expected utilisation of 
the tax loss carry-forwards was based on an assessment by management that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow the 
benefit of the deferred tax asset to be utilised. 

A change in the corporate income tax rate in Colombia from 33% to 25% effective January 1, 2013 resulted in a write-down in the 
value of the deferred tax asset by $25 million in 2012.

Total unrecognized tax loss carry-forwards relating to continuing operations amounted to $267 million as at December 31, 2012 
(2011: $169 million, 2010: $775 million) of which $236 million expire within one to five years (2011: $169 million, 2010: $775 million 
and $31 million which have no expiry (2011: nil, 2010: nil). In addition the Company has unrecognized net tax losses of $1,793 million 
(2011: $1,742 million) that do not expire for which deferred tax assets have not been recognized as taxable profits may not be 
available to utilize these losses.

15. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the Company by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the net profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the Company by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of dilutive potential shares.

Net profit and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations are as follows:

Basic
Net profit attributable to equity holders from continuing operations
Net profit attributable to equity holders from discontinued operations
Net profit attributable to equity holders to determine the basic earnings per share

Diluted
Net profit attributable to equity holders from continuing operations
Net profit attributable to equity holders from continuing operations used to 
determine the diluted earnings per share
Net profit attributable to equity holders from discontinued operations
Net profit attributable to equity holders to determine the diluted earnings per share

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010

(As restated)(i)
US$ millions

508
–
508

508

508
–
508

886
39
925

886

886
39
925

2012 
’000

2011 
’000

1,611
9
1,620

1,611

1,611
9
1,620

2010 
’000

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (excluding treasury shares) for basic 
earnings per share
Effect of dilution:
Potential incremental shares as a result of share options
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (excluding treasury shares) adjusted 
for the effect of dilution

101,332

104,196

108,219

93

105

177

101,425

104,301

108,396

(i)  Restatement – see note 4 

To calculate earnings per share amounts for discontinued operations, the weighted average number of shares for both basic and 
diluted amounts is as per the table above.

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16. Intangible Assets
Movements in intangible assets in 2012 were as follows:

Opening balance, net
Change in the composition of the Group 
(see note 5)
Additions (see note 10)
Amortization charge(i)
Transfers
Other movements
Exchange rate movements

Closing balance, net

As at December 31, 2012
Cost or valuation
Accumulated amortization

Net

Goodwill
US$ millions

Licenses
US$ millions

Customers’ lists 
US$ millions

Other(ii)
US$ millions

Total
US$ millions

1,415

130
–
–
–
–
(37)

1,508

1,508
–

1,508

213

–
155
(41)
3
–
(3)

327

571
(244)

327

370

44
–
(69)
–
–
(10)

335

532
(197)

335

172

2,170

21
95
(44)
(3)
3
5

195
250
(154)
–
3
(45)

249

2,419

518
(269)

249

3,129
(710)

2,419

(i)  The amortization charge for Licenses and Other is recorded under the caption “General and administrative expenses”.
(ii)  The caption “Other” includes mainly those intangible assets identified in business combinations (i.e. trademarks). (See note 5).

Movements in intangible assets in 2011 were as follows:

Opening balance, net
Change in the composition of the Group 
(see note 5)
Additions (see note 10)
Amortization charge(i)
Transfers
Other movements
Exchange rate movements

Closing balance, net

As at December 31, 2011
Cost or valuation
Accumulated amortization

Net

Goodwill
US$ millions

Licenses
US$ millions

Customers’ lists 
US$ millions

Other(ii)

US$ millions

Total
US$ millions

1,428

–
–
–
–
–
(13)

1,415

1,415
–

1,415

238

–
13
(35)
4
(1)
(6)

213

409
(196)

213

433

5
–
(65)
–
–
(3)

370

503
(133)

370

184

2,283

–
32
(41)
(4)
–
1

5
45
(141)
–
(1)
(21)

172

2,170

362
(190)

172

2,689
(519)

2,170

(i)  The amortization charge for Licenses and Other is recorded under the caption “General and administrative expenses”.
(ii)  The caption “Other” includes mainly those intangible assets identified in business combinations (i.e. trademarks).

The following table provides details of cash used for  intangible asset additions:

Additions

Change in suppliers advances
Change in capex accruals and payables

Cash used from continuing operations for intangible asset additions

2012
US$ millions

2011
US$ millions

2010
US$ millions

250

1
(92)

159

45

–
12

57

54

–
(28)

26

Impairment test of goodwill

As at December 31, 2012, management tested goodwill for impairment. The Group determines whether goodwill is impaired at least 
on an annual basis. This requires an estimation of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit (or group of cash-generating 
units) to which the goodwill is allocated.

The recoverable amount of a cash-generating unit (“CGU”) or group of CGUs is determined based on discounted cash flows. The cash 
flow projections used (adjusted operating profit margins, income tax, working capital, capital expenditure and license renewal cost) 
are extracted from financial budgets approved by management and the Board covering a period of three years apart from our new 
business in Rwanda where six years has been used (2011: six years). The planning horizon reflects industry practice in the countries 
where the Group operates. Cash flows beyond this period are extrapolated using a perpetual growth rate of 2% (2011: 2%). 
No impairment losses were recorded on goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. 

Sensitivity analysis was performed on key assumptions within the impairment tests. The sensitivity analysis determined that sufficient 
margin exists from realistic changes to the assumptions that would not impact the overall results of the testing. For DRC and Senegal, 
the estimated recoverable amount exceeded the carrying value by less than 10%. As a consequence, a negative change including 
change in price, volume, cost discount rate and/or future capital expenditure could cause the estimated recoverable amount to decline 
below carrying value and trigger an impairment which would be recorded in the income statement.

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16. Intangible Assets continued
The recoverable amounts have been determined for the cash generating units based on the following discount rates for the years 
ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

Central America
South America
Africa

The allocation of goodwill to cash generating units, net of exchange rate movements, is shown below:

Millicom’s operations in:

Honduras (see note 5)
El Salvador
Costa Rica
Paraguay
Colombia
Guatemala
Senegal
DRC
Other

Total Goodwill

Discount rate after tax

2012

2011

7.5%–11.4%  8.2%–12.7% 
7.4%–10.8% 8.0%–11.2%
8.4%–15.2%  8.9%–14.6% 

2012
US$ millions

[2011]
US$ millions

883
194
137
76
57
40
35
11
75

926
185
138
4
52
36
34
11
29

1,508

1,415

17. Property, Plant and Equipment
Movements in intangible assets in 2012 were as follows:

Opening balance, net
Change in the composition of the Group (note 5)(iii)
Additions (including sale and leaseback)
Impairments and net disposals
Depreciation charge(ii)(v)
Asset retirement obligations
Transfers
Transfer to assets held for sale (see note 7)
Exchange rate movements

Closing Balance at December 31, 2012
Cost or valuation
Accumulated depreciation

Net

Network
equipment(iv)
US$ millions

Land and 
Buildings
US$ millions

Construction
in Progress
US$ millions

Other(i)
US$ millions

Total
US$ millions

2,428
20
52
(97)
(584)
6
659
44
12

2,540

5,213

(2,673)

2,540

2,540

69
2
8
(1)
(8)
–
7
–
–

77

99

(22)

77

77

240
1
793
(2)
–
–
(718)
–
8

322

322

–

322

322

128
8
49
(4)
(65)
–
52
–
1

169

422

(253)

169

169

2,865
31
902
(104)
(657)
6
–
44
21

3,108

6,056

(2,948)

3,108

3,108

(i) 
(ii) 

“Other” mainly includes office equipment and motor vehicles.
 The depreciation charge for network equipment is recorded under the caption “Cost of sales” and the depreciation charge for Land and Buildings 
and Other is recorded under “General and administrative expenses”.

(iii)  The change in the composition of the Group corresponded to the acquisition of Cablevision Paraguay and other minor investments.

The net carrying amount of network equipment under finance leases at December 31, 2012, mainly comprising towers from the sale 
and lease back transactions with tower companies, was $195 million.

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17. Property, Plant and Equipment continued
Movements in tangible assets in 2011 were as follows:

Network
equipment(iv)

US$ millions

Land and 
Buildings
US$ millions

Construction
in Progress
US$ millions

Other(i)

US$ millions

Total
US$ millions

Opening balance, net
Change in the composition of the Group (note 5)(iii)
Additions (including sale and leaseback)
Impairments and net disposals
Depreciation charge(ii)
Asset retirement obligations
Transfers
Transfer to assets held for sale (see note 7)
Exchange rate movements

Closing balance at December 31, 2011
Cost or valuation
Accumulated depreciation

Net

2,396
2
127
(99)
(550)
5
630
(56)
(27)

2,428
4,557
(2,129)

2,428

54
–
9
(1)
(3)
–
12
–
(2)

69
85
(16)

69

207
3
721
(7)
–
–
(685)
–
1

240
240
–

240

112
–
22
(2)
(45)
–
43
–
(1)

128
345
(217)

128

2,768
5
879
(109)
(598)
5
–
(56)
(29)

2,865
5,227
(2,362)

2,865

(i) 
(ii) 

“Other” mainly includes office equipment and motor vehicles.
 The depreciation charge for network equipment is recorded under the caption “Cost of sales” and the depreciation charge for Land and Buildings 
and Other is recorded under the caption “General and administrative expenses”.

(iii)  The change in the composition of the Group corresponded to other minor investments.

The net carrying amount of network equipment under finance leases at December 31, 2011, mainly comprising towers from sale and 
lease back transactions with tower companies, was $133 million.

Borrowing costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were not significant.

The following table provides details of cash used for the purchase of property, plant and equipment:

Additions
Additions from discontinued operations
Subtotal

Change in suppliers advances
Change in capex accruals and payables
Vendor	financing	and	finance	leases	(see	note	31)

Cash used from continuing operations for purchase of property, plant and 
equipment

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

870
–
870

3
(21)
(10)

842

803
–
803

(2)
(63)
(38)

700

693
(16)
677

(12)
23
(91)

597

18. Investments in associates

Helios Towers Tanzania
Helios Towers DRC
Helios Towers Ghana
ATC	Colombia	BV
Africa e-Commerce Holding (see note 5)
Others

Total

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

26
29
17
20
100
1

193

29
16
17
–
–
1

63

Helios Towers Tanzania, DRC and Ghana
The carrying value of the 40% investment stakes in Helios Tower companies in Tanzania, DRC and Ghana comprises initial cost, 
measured at Millicom’s interest in the fair value of the tower sites transferred to the tower companies (see note 7), after elimination of 
intercompany gains on sale. The carrying values have subsequently been changed to reflect Millicom’s share in the losses of the tower 
companies which amounted to $18 million in 2012 (2011: $10 million). Revenue in 2012 of the tower companies amounted to 
$82 million. At December 31, 2012 total assets amounted to $295 million and total liabilities $124 million. 

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18. Investments in associates continued
ATC	Colombia	BV
In	December	2011,	Millicom	exercised	an	option	to	acquire	a	40%	stake	in	the	holding	company	(ATC	Colombia	BV),	of	ATC	Infraco	
(the	company	to	which	Millicom	sold	its	towers).	By	December,	2012	Millicom	had	invested	cash	of	$35	million	in	ATC	Colombia	BV.
The amount of the investment is derived from the value of the tower assets transferred to ATC Infraco (see note 7).

Through a Millicom subsidiary, Millicom also had an unconditional option to acquire a minority equity interest of up to 40% in ATC 
Sitios de Colombia S.A.S. (ATC Sitios), another tower subsidiary of American Tower in Colombia. The option expired on 
December 21, 2012. 

Millicom has provided Colombia Móvil’s other shareholders with separate unconditional options to acquire up to half of Millicom’s 
interest	in	ATC	Colombia	BV.	The	options	expire	on	July	18,	2013.	At	December	31,	2012	the	fair	values	of	the	options	were	not
significant.

19. Non-current pledged deposits
As at December 31, 2012, non-current pledged deposits amounted to $47 million (2011: $49 million) and mainly related to security 
over financing of Millicom’s operation in Chad (see note 27).

20. Trade receivables, net

Gross trade receivables
Less: provisions for impairment of receivables

Trade receivables, net

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

430
(108)

322

349
(72)

277

Nominal value less impairment is assumed to approximate the fair value of trade receivables (see note 34).

As at December 31, 2012 and 2011, the ageing analysis of trade receivables is as follows:

Neither  
past due nor 
impaired 
US$ millions

Past due (net of impairments)

<30 days 
US$ millions

30–90 days 
US$ millions

>90 days 
US$ millions

Total 
US$ millions

72
94 
40 

206 

73 
71 
34 

178 

21
19 
23 

63 

31 
15 
9 

55 

23
21
9 

53 

21 
13 
6 

40 

–
–
–

–

1
3
–

4

116
134 
72 

322 

126 
101 
50 

277 

2012
Telecom operators
Own customers
Others

Total

2011
Telecom operators
Own customers
Others

Total

21. Restricted cash

Mobile financial services

Restricted cash

Mobile financial services cash where restricted based on local regulations.

22. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents are comprised as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents in U.S. dollars
Cash and cash equivalents in other currencies

Total cash and cash equivalents

Cash balances are diversified among leading international banks and in domestic banks within the countries where we operate.

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

43

43

20

20

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

628
546

1,174

510
351

861

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23. Share capital
Share capital and share premium

The authorized registered share capital of the Company is 133,333,200 shares (2011: 133,333,200). As at December 31, 2012,  
the total subscribed and fully paid-in share capital and premium was $642 million (2011: $663 million) consisting of 101,739,217 
(2011: 104,939,217) registered common shares with par value of $1.50 (2011: $1.50) each.

The following table summarizes movements in issued share capital for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

Issued share capital as of January 1
Exercise of share options(i)
Shares to employees and directors(i)

Total issuance of shares during the year
Cancellation of shares during the year
Issued share capital as of December 31

2012 
Number of 
shares

2011 
Number of 
shares

104,939,217 109,053,120
39,622
46,475

–
–

–
(3,200,000)

86,097
(4,200,000)
101,739,217 104,939,217

(i) 

In addition, 236,150 LTIP shares were issued from treasury shares during 2012 (2011: 6,179 of share options and 186,681 of LTIP shares).

During 2012 the Company repurchased 2,106,070 shares for $190 million under a share buy-back program (2011: 4,646,241 shares) 
for $498 million.

The Company reduced its issued share capital by $5 million in 2012 (2011: $6 million), by way of cancellation of 3.2 million treasury 
shares (2011: 4.2 million shares) having a par value of $1.50 each.

24. Share-based compensation
Share-based compensation comprises share options and long term incentive plans.

Share options

Until May 30, 2006, share options were granted to directors, senior executives, officers and selected employees. The exercise price of 
the granted options was equal to or higher than the market price of the shares on the date of grant. The options were conditional on 
the employee or director completing one to five years of service (the vesting period) and were exercisable starting from one year to 
five years from the grant date. 

Options granted prior to 2005 have an indefinite life and in 2005 a twenty year life. Shares issued when share options are exercised 
have the same rights as common shares.

The following table summarizes information about share options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2012. The market 
price of the Company’s shares as at December 31, 2012 was SEK 562.50 (2011: SEK 698.50), approximately $86.48 (2011: $100.20).

Range of exercise price $

20.56
25.05–29.75
31.88–35.91

20.56–35.91

Options outstanding 

Options exercisable

Weighted 
average 
exercise price

Number 
outstanding at 
December  
31, 2012

Weighted 
average 
exercise price

Number 
exercisable at 
December  
31, 2012

20.56
26.93
35.16

29.34

35,000
33,332
66,664

134,996

20.56
26.93
35.16

29.34

35,000
33,332
66,664

134,996

Share options outstanding at the end of the year have the following expiry dates, exercise prices and terms:

Date issued

Number of options 
outstanding as at 
December 31, 2012

Exercise 
price $

May 1996, May 1997, May 1998, and May 2004

99,996

25.05–35.91

May 2005

35,000

20.56

Terms 

Exercisable 
immediately. 
Options have an 
indefinite life.
Exercisable 
immediately. 
Options have a 
20 year life.

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24. Share-based compensation continued
The following table summarizes the Company’s share options as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and changes during the years 
then ended:

2012

2011

Average 
exercise price 
in $ per share

Number of 
options

Average 
exercise price 
in $ per share

Number of 
options

Average 
exercise price 
in $ per share

29.34
–
–

29.34
29.34

134,996
–
–

134,996
134,996

29.06
20.56
28.80

29.34
29.34

183,797
(3,000)
(45,801)

134,996
134,996

26.21
25.05
22.58

29.06
29.06

2010

Number of 
options

329,788
(686)
(145,305)

183,797
183,797

Outstanding at beginning of 
year
Expired/forfeited
Exercised

Outstanding at end of year
Exercisable at end of year

Long-term incentive plans

2009
Long-term incentive awards for 2009 (“2009 LTIPs”) were approved by the Board on June 16, 2009. The 2009 LTIPs consist 
of a deferred share awards plan and a performance shares plan.

Shares granted under the deferred plan are based on past performance and vested 16.5% on each of January 1, 2010 and 
January 1, 2011 and 67% on January 1, 2012. 

Shares granted under the performance plan vested at the end of the three year period ended January 1, 2012 and were 50% subject 
to a market condition that was based on the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of Millicom compared to the TSR of a peer group of 
companies during the three year period of the plan, and 50% subject to a performance condition, based on EPS. A fair value per share 
subject to the market condition was determined and applied to the total potential number of performance shares, and expensed over 
the vesting period.

In 2012, 101,101 treasury shares were issued under the 2009 performance shares plan and 89,519 treasury shares issued under the 
deferred share plan.

The total charge for the 2009 LTIPs of $12 million was recorded over the service period (2009 to 2011).

2010
Long- term incentive awards for 2010 (“2010 LTIPs”) were approved by the Board on November 27, 2009. The 2010 LTIPs consist 
of a deferred share awards plan and a performance shares plan, the mechanisms of which are the same as the 2009 LTIPs.

In 2012, no shares were issued under the 2010 performance shares plan and 23,248 treasury shares issued under the deferred 
share plan.

The total charge for the 2010 LTIPs of $16 million was recorded over the service period (2010 to 2012).

2011
Long-term incentive awards for 2011 (“2011 LTIPs”) were approved by the Board on February 1, 2011. The 2011 LTIPs consist 
of a deferred share awards plan and a performance shares plan.

Shares granted under the deferred share awards plan are based on past performance and vest 16.5% on each of January 1, 2012 
and January 1, 2013 and 67% on January 1, 2014.

Shares granted under the performance plan vest at the end of the three year period ending January 1, 2014, subject to performance 
conditions, 50% based on Return on Capital Investment (ROIC) and 50% based on EPS. Prior to September 2011, the vesting 
conditions were 50% based on EPS and 50% on a market condition that was based on the ranking of the TSR of Millicom compared 
to the FTSE Global Telecoms Index adjusted to add three peer companies (“Adjusted Global Telecoms Index”). As this index was 
discontinued during 2011, the compensation committee approved the replacement of this condition with the ROIC condition. 

In 2012, no shares were issued under the 2011 performance share plan and 22,282 treasury shares were issued under the deferred 
share plan.

The total charge for the 2011 LTIPs was estimated as of December 31, 2011 at $22 million, and is being recorded over the service 
period (2011 to 2013).

2012
Long-term incentive awards for 2012 (“2012 LTIPs”) were approved by the Board on January 27, 2012. The 2012 LTIP’s consist 
of a deferred share awards plan and a performance shares plan, the mechanisms of which are the same as the 2011 LTIPs.

Shares granted under the deferred share awards plan are based on past performance and vest 16.5% on each of January 1, 2013 and 
January 1, 2014 and 67% on January 1, 2015. Shares under the performance plan vest at the end of the three year period ending 
January 1, 2015.

In 2012, no shares were issued under either the performance share plan or the deferred share plan.

The total charge for the 2012 LTIPs estimated at $25 million, is being recorded over the service period (2012 to 2014).

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Plan share awards
Share awards granted(i)
Revision for actual and 
expected forfeitures
Revision for expectations in 
respect of performance 
conditions
Shares issued

24. Share-based compensation continued
The number of share awards expected to vest under the long-term incentive plans is as follows:

Performance 
shares 2012

Deferred share 
awards 2012

Performance 
shares 2011

Deferred share 
awards 2011

Performance 
shares 2010

Deferred share 
awards 2010

104,178
3,763

161,787
5,658

106,947
6,640

146,556
7,727

81,862
9,368

153,960
15,274

(3,756)

(7,520)

(11,054)

(20,572)

(18,735)

(28,966)

Share awards expected to vest

104,185

159,925

102,533

111,429

71,789

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
(22,282)

–
(706)

–
(48,881)

91,387

(i)  Additional shares granted including consideration for the impact of the special dividends paid in 2012, 2011 and 2010 (see note 29), and vest at the 
end of the performance and deferred share plans.

Total share-based compensation expense

Total share-based compensation for years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:

2008 LTIPs
2009 LTIPs
2010 LTIPs
2011 LTIPs
2012 LTIPs

Total share-based compensation expense

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

–
–
5
7
10

22

–
3
5
9
–

17

21
4
6
–
–

31

25. Put option reserve
On July 1, 2010, in exchange for an unconditional five year call option, the Company granted to its non-controlling interest in our 
operation in Honduras a five year conditional put option over his 33.3% shareholding (see note 28). A put option reserve in the amount 
of $737 million was recognised representing the present value of the redemption price of the put option at that date.  

26. Other reserves

As at January 1, 2010
Transfer from retained profits
Shares issued via the exercise of share options
Share-based compensation
Issuance of shares—2007, 2008, and 2009 LTIPs
Cash flow hedge reserve movement
Currency translation movement

As at December 31, 2010
Transfer from retained profits
Shares issued via the exercise of share options
Share based compensation
Issuance of shares—2008, 2009, and 2010 LTIPs
Cash flow hedge reserve movement
Currency translation movement

As at December 31, 2011
Share-based compensation
Issuance of shares—2009, 2010, and 2011 LTIPs
Cash flow hedge reserve movement
Currency translation movement

As at December 31, 2012

Legal 
reserve 
US$ ’000

Equity-settled 
transaction  
reserve 
US$ ’000

Hedge  
reserve 
US$ ’000

16,245
53
–
–
–
–
–

16,298
61
–
–
–
–
–

16,359
–
–
–
–

16,359

25,754
–
(816)
30,286
(16,488)
–
–

38,736
–
(81)
17,264
(23,230)
–
–

32,689
21,929
(12,421)
–
–

42,197

–
–
–
–
–
(1,700)
–

(1,700)
–
–
–
–
(3,015)
–

(4,715)
–
–
(1,118)
–

(5,833)

Currency 
translation 
reserve 
US$ ’000

(106,929)
–
–
–
–
–
(1,090)

(108,019)
–
–
–
–
–
(39,806)

(147,825)
–
–
–
(37,709)

Total 
US$ ’000

(64,930)
53
(816)
30,286
(16,488)
(1,700)
(1,090)

(54,685)
61
(81)
17,264
(23,230)
(3,015)
(39,806)

(103,492)
21,929
(12,421)
(1,118)
(37,709)

(185,534)

(132,811)

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26. Other reserves continued
Legal reserve

If the Company reports an annual net profit on a non-consolidated basis, Luxembourg law requires appropriation of an amount equal 
to at least 5% of the annual net profit to a legal reserve until such reserve equals 10% of the issued share capital. This reserve is not 
available for dividend distribution.

No appropriation was required in 2012 as the 10% minimum level was reached in 2011 and maintained in 2012. At the Company’s 
Annual General Meeting in May 2011, the shareholders voted to transfer $61,000 from retained profits to the legal reserve.

Equity-settled transaction reserve

The cost of share options and LTIPs is recognized as an increase in the equity-settled transaction reserve over the period in which the 
performance and/or service conditions are rendered. When the options are exercised their cost is transferred from the equity-settled 
transaction reserve to share premium. When shares under the different LTIPs vest and are issued, the corresponding reserve is 
transferred to share capital and share premium.

Currency translation reserve

For the purposes of consolidating joint ventures, associates and subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar, 
statements of financial position are translated to U.S. dollars using the closing exchange rate. Income statements are translated to 
U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates during the year. The currency translation reserve includes foreign exchange gains and losses 
arising from the translation of financial statements.

27. Borrowings 
Borrowings due after more than one year:

Debt and financing:
El Salvador 8% Senior Notes(ii)
SEK Senior Notes (xii)
Paraguay 6.75% Senior Notes (ix)
Bank financing
Non-controlling shareholders
Finance leases
Vendor	financing

Total non-current other debt and financing
Less: portion payable within one year

Total other debt and financing due after more than one year

Borrowings due within one year:

Debt and financing:
Bank financing
Vendor	financing
Finance leases

Total current other debt and financing
Portion of non-current debt payable within one year

Total other debt and financing due within one year

2012  
US$ millions

2011  
US$ millions

440
304 
293 
1,461 
243
200
40

2,981
(415)

2,566

437
–
–
1,411 
264
138
43

2,293
(476)

1,817

2012  
US$ millions

2011  
US$ millions

236
10
32

278
415

693

121
6
18

145
476

621

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27. Borrowings continued
Other debt and financing

Millicom’s share of total other debt and financing analyzed by location is as follows:

Colombia(i)
El Salvador(ii)
Honduras(iii)
Tanzania(iv)
Guatemala(v)
Ghana(vi)
Other Central America(vii)
Chad(viii)
Paraguay(ix)
Bolivia(x)
DRC(xi)
Luxembourg(xii)
Other

Total other debt and financing
Of which:
Due after more than 1 year
Due within 1 year

2012  
US$ millions

2011  
US$ millions

547
440
229
183
219
76
172
98
379
198
124
304
290

543
437
258
197
221
118
132
108
98
71
96
–
159

3,259

2,438

2,566
693

1,817
621

Significant individual financing facilities are described below:

(i) Colombia
In March 2008, Colombia Móvil S.A.  E.S.P (“Colombia Móvil”), Millicom’s operation in Colombia, entered into a COP391 billion, Club 
Deal five year facility with Colombian banks. This facility bears interest at Deposits to Fixed Terms (“DTF”) plus 4.5% and is 50% 5 by 
the Company. As at December 31, 2012, $34 million (2011: $93 million was outstanding on this facility.

Colombia Móvil S.A. E.S.P. also had local currency loans from its non-controlling shareholders outstanding as at December 31, 2012 
of $243 million (2011: $264 million (2010: $308 million). These loans bear interest at DTF plus 4.15% and mature between 2014 and 
2015.

In addition, as at December 31, 2012 Colombia Móvil S.A.  E.S.P. had $169 million (2011: $116 million) of other debt and financing, 
in U.S. dollars and local currency as well as finance lease payables of $68 million relating to lease of tower space from ATC Sitios 
Infraco S.A.S. (2011: $52 million).

(ii) El Salvador
On September 23, 2010, Telemóvil Finance Co. Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of Millicom in the Cayman Islands issued $450 million 
aggregate principal amount of 8% Senior Unsecured Guaranteed Notes (the “8% Senior Notes”) due on October 1, 2017. The 8% 
Senior Notes were issued for $444 million representing 98.68% of the aggregate principal amount. Distribution and other transaction 
fees of $9 million reduced the total proceeds from issuance to $435 million. The 8% Senior Notes have an 8% per annum coupon with 
an 8.25% yield and are payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1. The effective interest rate is 8.76%.

The 8% Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations of Telemóvil Finance Co. Ltd and rank equal in right of payment with all 
future  unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Millicom. The 8% Senior Notes are guaranteed by Telemóvil El Salvador, 
S.A., a Millicom subsidiary. 

Telemóvil Finance Co. Ltd has options to partially or fully redeem the 8% Senior Notes as follows:

(i)  Full or partial redemption at any time prior to October 1, 2014 for 100% of the principal to be redeemed, or the present value 

of the remaining scheduled payments of principal to be redeemed and interest, whichever is higher.

(ii)  Full or partial redemption at any time on or after October 1, 2014 for the following percentage of principal to be redeemed, 

plus accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts dues, if any:

  October 1, 2014 
October 1, 2015 
October 1, 2016 

104% 
102% 
100%

These options represent embedded derivatives which, in accordance with IAS 39 have been valued and determined to be closely 
related to the underlying bond.

(iii)  Redemption of up to 35% of the original principal of the 8% Senior Notes if, prior to October 1, 2013, Telemóvil El Salvador 

receives proceeds from issuance of shares, at a repurchase price of 108% of the principal amount to be redeemed plus accrued 
and unpaid interest and all other amounts due, if any, on the redeemed notes.

If either Millicom, Telemóvil Finance Co. Ltd or Telemóvil El Salvador, S.A. experience a Change of Control Triggering Event, defined 
as a rating decline resulting from a change in control, each holder will have the right to require repurchase of its notes at 101% of their 
principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts due, if any.

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27. Borrowings continued
(iii) Honduras
Telefonica Celular S.A., Millicom’s operation in Honduras, has facilities with several local and international banks maturing between 
2013 and 2020. These facilities are in U.S. dollars and in Lempiras and are unsecured. Interest rates are either fixed or variable, ranging 
as of December 31, 2011 and 2012 between 3.9% and 10.5%. As at December 31, 2012, the amount of outstanding debt under 
these facilities was $229 million. 

(iv) Tanzania
In December 2008, Millicom Tanzania Limited entered into facilities totalling $228 million comprising of a five year local currency 
syndicated tranche for TZS95 billion at the 180 days treasury bill rate plus 3%, a seven year $116 million EKN guaranteed financing 
with 45% of the facility fixed at 4.1% and 55% of the facility at $ LIBOR plus 0.665% and a seven year $40 million tranche with 
Proparco at $ LIBOR plus 2.5%. All tranches are 100% guaranteed by the Company. As at December 31, 2012, the amount 
outstanding under these facilities was $103 million (2011: $155 million).

In December 2010, the operation signed a sale and lease-back agreement with Helios Towers Tanzania (note 18), a direct subsidiary of 
Helios Towers Africa, for most of its cell sites transferred to Helios Towers in 2011 and 2012. As at December 31, 2012, $80 million was 
outstanding on the finance lease as part of the lease back agreement (2011: $40 million).

In March 2007, Millicom Tanzania Limited entered into a five year Citi-Opic facility, bearing interest at a rate of $ LIBOR plus 2.5%, 
composed of a $17.4 million $ Tranche and a Tranche in local currency up to the equivalent of $5 million. The outstanding 
U.S. dollar amount under these facilities as at December 31, 2011 amounted to $2 million (2010: $7 million). This loan was fully 
repaid in March 2012.

(v) Guatemala
In 2011 Comcel and its sister companies Asesoria en Telecomunicaciones S.A. (Asertel), Distribuidora Central de Comunicaciones, S.A. 
(COCENSA), Distribuidora Internacional de Comunicaciones, S.A. (INTERNACOM) and Distribuidora de Comunicaciones de Occidente, 
S.A. (COOCSA) entered into a $215 million syndicated loan with Citibank, Scotiabank, Banco General, RBC and HSBC which was fully 
disbursed in 2011, Millicom’s share of the facility at December 31, 2012 amounted to $129 million.

As at December 31, 2012, Comcel had financing of $33 million (Millicom’s share of outstanding debt) with Citibank bearing a fixed 
rate of 5.35% in OPIC Tranche A, variable rate of 1.40% in EKN, variable rate of 4.37% in a syndicated loan (2011: $27 million), and 
$43 million with Bancolombia maturing in 2017 bearing a floating interest rate at 4.31% (2011: $53 million) and other financing with 
local banks of the equivalent of $6 million (2011: $6 million).

Comcel also had another five year facility with IFC for $100 million, bearing interest at $ LIBOR plus 4.50%. This loan was fully repaid 
during 2011.

(vi) Ghana
In December 2007 Millicom (Ghana) Limited, Millicom’s operation in Ghana, entered into a $60 million local five year facility. The loan 
bears interest at $ LIBOR plus 2%. In parallel a $80 million offshore seven year DFI (Development Finance Institution) financing which 
bears interest at $ LIBOR plus 2.25% was arranged. As at December 31, 2011, $72 million (2010: $102 million) was outstanding under 
these facilities. In August 2012, Millicom Ghana breached certain financial covenants under the loan agreement. In September 2012, 
it obtained a waiver for these covenants for 12 months. These loans were fully repaid during 2012.

In December 2009 the operation entered into a 3.5 year $22 million Ericsson arranged financing with EKN and Nordea priced 
at $ LIBOR + 0.85% fully guaranteed by the Company. As at December 31, 2012, $6 million was outstanding under this facility  
(2011: $19 million).

An additional facility of $9 million was provided by Nordea in May 2011 priced at Cost of Funds plus 2.5% fully guaranteed by the 
Company. As at December 31, 2011, $5 million was outstanding under this facility. This loan was fully repaid during 2012.

In January 2010, the operation signed a sale and lease back agreement with Helios Towers Ghana, a direct subsidiary of Helios Towers 
Africa, for most of its cell sites, transferred to Helios Towers in 2010 and 2011. As at December 31, 2012, $20 million was outstanding 
on the finance lease as part of the lease back agreement (2011: $27 million).

In June 2012, the operation entered into a one year facility for $50 million with Standard Bank bearing interest at $ LIBOR one month 
plus 1.95%.

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27. Borrowings continued
(vii) Cable Central America
In	September	2009,	Millicom	Cable N.V.,	a	subsidiary	of	the	Company,	refinanced	with	a	two year,	$250 million	senior	term	loan	facility	
fully guaranteed by the Company with Standard Bank, RBS, Nordea, DnB Nor, and Morgan Stanley. This loan agreement is allocated 
to the three main Amnet operating entities in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Honduras. The loan bore interest for the first six months at 
$ LIBOR plus 4.5%, for months seven to twelve at $ LIBOR plus 4.75% and thereafter the margin increases by an incremental 25 basis 
points per quarter. 

During the course of 2010 Millicom’s cable businesses in Honduras and Costa Rica obtained financing under a $105 million seven year 
club deal fixed rate facility with HSBC, Bancocolombia and Citibank bearing interest at 6.7% in Costa Rica and a $30 million seven 
year bilateral fixed rate financing from Banco Industrial bearing interest at 7% in Honduras. As at December 31, 2012, $94 million was 
outstanding under the facility in Costa Rica (2011: $99 million) and $32 million for the facility in Honduras (2011: $33 million).

(viii) Chad
In May and August 2007, Millicom’s operation in Chad signed respectively a $31 million five year Facility with China Development 
Bank bearing interest at $ LIBOR +2% and a Euro 15 million five year facility with Proparco bearing interest at Euribor +2%. As at 
December 31, 2012, the amount outstanding under this facility was $1 million which was repaid in January 2013 (2011: $4 million).

In May 2009, Millicom Chad entered into a XAF 6 billion five year facility co-arranged by Societe Generale Cameroun and Financial 
Bank priced at a fixed interest rate of 7%, fully guaranteed by the Company. At the same date, Millicom Chad signed a XAF 21 billion 
five year Subordinated Facility with Societe Generale Tchad with interest at TIAO +1.85% and guaranteed by Nordea. This guarantee 
is secured by a pledged deposit of $44 million by the Company (see note 19). As at December 31, 2012 $8 million and $42 million 
respectively were outstanding under these facilities (2011: $12 million and $41 million respectively).

In December 2009 the operation signed a XAF 9.25 billion five year fixed rate financing with the IFC bearing interest at 8%. 
This facility is guaranteed by Millicom. As at December 31, 2012 the amount outstanding under this facility was $18 million 
(2011: $17 million).

In January 2010 the operation entered into a three year deferred payment agreement with Huawei for $50 million, guaranteed by 
Millicom and bearing interest at LIBOR +3.75%. As at December 31, 2012 the amount outstanding under this agreement was 
$14 million (2011: $15 million).

In July 2010, Millicom Chad signed a XAF 8 billion five year facility co-arranged by Proparco and BICEC (Banque Internationale du 
Cameroun pour l’Epargne et Le Credit) at a fixed interest rate of 8%, guaranteed by Millicom. As at December 31, 2012 the amount 
outstanding under this facility was $12 million (2011: $15 million).

(ix) Paraguay
On December 7, 2012, Telefónica Celular del Paraguay S.A., Millicom’s fully owned subsidiary in Paraguay issued $300 million 
aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Unsecured Notes (the “6.75% Senior Notes”) due on December 13, 2022. The 6.75% 
Senior Notes were issued at 100% of the aggregate principal amount. Distribution and other transaction fees of $7 million reduced 
the total proceeds from issuance to $293 million. The 6.75% Senior Notes have a 6.75% per annum coupon with interest payable 
semi-annually in arrears on June 13 and December 13. The effective interest rate is 7.12%.

The 6.75% Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations of Telefónica Celular del Paraguay S.A. and rank equal in right of payment 
with all future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Telefónica Celular del Paraguay S.A. The 6.75% Senior Notes are 
unguaranteed. 

Telefónica Celular del Paraguay S.A. has options to partially or fully redeem the 6.75% Senior Notes as follows:

(i)  Full or partial redemption at any time prior to December 13, 2017, for the highest of, 100% of the principal to be redeemed or, the 

present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal to be redeemed and interest.

(ii)  Full or partial redemption at any time on or after December 13, 2017 for the following percentage of principal to be redeemed, 

plus accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts dues, if any:

  December 13, 2017 
December 13, 2018 
December 13, 2019 
December 13, 2020 
December 13, 2021 

103.375% 
102.25% 
101.125% 
100.00% 
100.00%

These options represent embedded derivatives which, in accordance with IAS 39 have been valued and determined to be closely 
related to the underlying bond.

(iii)  Redemption of up to 35% of the original principal of the 6.75% Senior Notes if, prior to December 13, 2015, Telefónica Celular del 

Paraguay S.A. receives proceeds from issuance of shares, at a redemption price of 106.75% of the principal amount to be 
redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts due, if any, on the redeemed notes. 

If Telefónica Celular del Paraguay S.A. experiences a Change of Control Triggering Event, defined as a rating decline resulting from 
a change in control, each holder will have the right to require repurchase of its notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued 
and unpaid interest and all other amounts due, if any.

In July 2008, Telefonica Cellular Del Paraguay S.A. (Telecel), Millicom’s operation in Paraguay entered into a $100 million, eight year 
loan with the European Investment Bank (“EIB”). The loan bears interest at rates between $ LIBOR plus 0.234% and $ LIBOR plus 
0.667%. The outstanding amount as at December 31, 2012 was $85 million (2011: $95 million). The EIB loan is guaranteed for 
commercial risks by a group of banks. The commission guarantee fee is 1.25% per annum.

In addition as at December 31, 2012 Telecel had $0.5 million (2011: $3 million) of other debt and financing outstanding.

(x) Bolivia
In December 2007, Telefonica Celular de Bolivia SA (“Telecel Bolivia”), Millicom’s operation in Bolivia, signed a financing agreement for 
$40 million	with	the	Nederlandse	Financieringsmaatschappij	Voor	Ontwikkelingslanden, N.V.	(FMO),	also	known	as	the	Netherlands	
Development Finance Company. The A tranche of $20 million was provided directly by the FMO, is repayable over seven years and 
bears interest at $ LIBOR plus 2.25%. The B tranche of $20 million is provided equally by Nordea and Standard Bank, is repayable over 
five years and bears interest at $ LIBOR plus 2%. Both tranches are guaranteed by the Company. As of December 31, 2012, $7 million 
of this financing agreement corresponding to the “A” tranche of the FMO’s loan was outstanding (2011: $16 million).

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27. Borrowings continued 

In March 2008, Telecel Bolivia signed a four year and nine months financing agreement for $30 million with International Finance 
Corporation. The loan bears interest at $ LIBOR plus 2% and is fully guaranteed by the Company. As at December 31, 2012, this loan 
was fully repaid.

In May 2012, Telecel Bolivia repaid entirely its seven bilateral loans in local currency bearing a fixed rate ranging from 4.5% to 6.5% 
that amounted $46 million in 2011 (2010: $44 million).

In May 2012, Telecel Bolivia issued Bs 1.36 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.75% due on April 2, 2020. Distribution and other 
transaction fees of Bs 5 million reduced the total proceeds from issuance to Bs 1.32 billion or US$191 million. The bond has a 4.75% 
per annum coupon with interest payable semi-annually in arrears in May and November. The effective interest rate is 4.79%.

(xi) Democratic Republic of Congo
In September 2006, Oasis S.P.R.L. (“Oasis”), Millicom’s operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, entered into a $106 million, 
seven year loan from the China Development Bank to finance equipment purchases from Huawei. The loan bears interest at $ LIBOR 
plus 2% and is repayable over 17 equal quarterly installments commencing in 2009. This financing is 100% guaranteed by the 
Company. As of December 31, 2012, $15 million was outstanding under this facility (2011: $35 million).

In September 2009, Oasis entered into a seven year $80 million financing with the IFC guaranteed by Millicom and bearing interest at 
LIBOR +5%. As at December 31, 2012 the outstanding amount under this facility was $78 million (2011: $28 million).

In addition at December 31, 2012, Oasis had other debt and financing of $31 million (2011: $33 million), mainly consisting of 
$24 million of finance leases related to towers and $7 million of vendor financing from Huawei, bearing interest at LIBOR + 3% and 
guaranteed by Millicom.

(xii) Luxembourg
On October 30, 2012 Millicom issued senior unsecured floating rate notes of Swedish Kronor (“SEK”) 1.75 billion and senior unsecured 
fixed rate notes of SEK 0.25 billion. The floating rate notes were issued for 100% of the principal amount and the fixed rate notes for 
99.699% of the principal amount and both are repayable in five years. The floating rate notes bear interest at the three month 
Swedish Interbank Offering rate (“STIBOR”) + 3.5% per annum and the fixed rate notes bear interest at 5.125% per annum. At the 
same time Millicom entered into various cross currency interest swap contracts whereby Millicom will sell SEK and receive USD to hedge 
against exchange rate fluctuations (see note 34).

The bonds can be early redeemed between October 2013 and October 2016 at 101% of the issuance price. These options 
represent embedded derivatives which, in accordance with IAS 39, have been valued and determined to be closely related to the 
underlying bond.

Fair value of financial liabilities

Borrowings are recorded at amortized cost. The fair value of borrowings as at December 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

Other debt and financing

Fair value of total debt

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2,682

2,682

2,263

2,263

When the quoted price of the borrowings in an active market is not available, the fair value of the borrowings is calculated by 
discounting the expected future cash flows at market interest rates.

The nominal value of the other financial liabilities is deemed to approximate their fair values (see note 35).

Guarantees

Millicom has issued guarantees to secure certain obligations of some of its operations under financing agreements. Outstanding 
amounts under the guarantees and the guarantee periods as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are shown below. Amounts covered by 
bank guarantees are recorded in the consolidated statements of financial position under the caption “Other debt and financing” and 
amounts covered by supplier guarantees are recorded under the caption “Trade payables” or “Other debt and financing” depending on 
the underlying terms and conditions.

As of December 31, 2012

Terms

0–1 year
1–3 years
3–5 years

Total

Bank and other

 financing guarantees(i)

Outstanding 
exposure 
US$ millions

Maximum 
exposure 
US$ millions

278
196
315

789

470
305
355

1,130

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27. Borrowings continued 
As of December 31, 2011

Terms

0–1 year
1–3 years
3–5 years
More than 5 years

Total

Bank and other

 financing guarantees(i)

Outstanding 
exposure 
US$ millions

Maximum 
exposure 
US$ millions

29
231
272
186

718

105
383
355
225

1,068

(i)  The guarantee ensures payment by the guarantor of outstanding amounts of the underlying loans in the case of non-payment by the obligor.

Pledged assets

The Group’s share of total debt and financing secured by either pledged assets, pledged deposits issued to cover letters of credit, or 
guarantees issued by the Company as at December 31, 2012 is $1,391 million (2011: $1,384 million). Assets pledged by the Group over 
this debt and financing at the same date amount to $131 million (2011: $383 million) of which $87 million (2011: $335 million) were 
pledged over property, plant and equipment.

The following table provides details of net debt change for the years 2012, 2011 and 2010: 

Total Debt and financing
Less: Financial instruments (assets) related to debt
Less: cash and short-term deposits

Net debt at the end of the year

2012  
US$ millions

2011  
US$ millions

2010  
US$ millions

3,259
(6)
(1,262)

1,991

2,438
–
(931)

1,507

2,352
–
(1,084)

1,268

Net debt includes interest bearing loans and borrowings, less cash and cash equivalents and pledged and time deposits related to 
bank borrowings.

28. Other non-current and current provisions and liabilities
Provisions and other non-current liabilities are comprised as follows:

Non-current legal provisions (note 32)
Long-term portion of asset retirement obligations
Long-term portion of deferred income on tower deals
Other

Total

Provisions and other current liabilities are comprised as follows:

Put option
Deferred revenues
Customer deposits
Current legal provisions (note 32)
Other tax payables
Current provisions(i)
Derivative financial instruments
Customer and distributor cash balances (Tigo cash)
Other

Total

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

6
62
51
8

127

5
51
51
7

114

2012
US$ millions

2011
US$ millions

730
151
22
7
71
16
7
47
58

745
133
22
2
70
15
15
19
27

1,109

1,048

(i) 

 Includes tax and other contingencies for $4 million (2011: $4 million) that were assumed as part of the Amnet and Navega acquisitions. The former 
shareholders of Amnet and Navega placed in escrow $35 million and $3 million respectively to cover these contingencies. Therefore a 
corresponding financial asset of $4 million (2011: $4 million) has been recorded within “Other current assets”.

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28. Other non-current and current provisions and liabilities continued
Put option

On July 1 2010, Millicom reached an agreement with its local partner in Honduras whereby Millicom’s local partner granted Millicom 
an unconditional call option for a duration of five years for his 33% stake in Celtel, the Honduran operation (see notes 5 and 35). At the 
same time, and as consideration for the call option, Millicom granted a put option for the same duration to its local partner. The put 
option becomes exercisable on a change of control of Millicom International Cellular S.A., or Millicom’s subsidiary that holds the shares 
in Celtel (except if the change of control is in favor of Investment AB Kinnevik, the current largest shareholder of Millicom, or 
management of Millicom). 

A change of control event may occur at Millicom level which is beyond the control of Millicom. Such an event would trigger the ability 
of our local partner to exercise his put option at his discretion. Therefore, the put option is a financial liability as defined in IAS 32 and is 
recorded as a current liability. The liability is measured at the present value of the redemption price of the put option which amounted 
to $730 million at December 31, 2012 (2011: $745 million). 

The redemption price of the put option is based on a multiple of the EBITDA of Celtel. The multiple is based on a change of control 
transaction multiple of Millicom. Management estimated the change of control transaction multiple of Millicom from a trading 
multiple of Millicom adding a control premium (based upon comparable transactions from the industry). 

29. Dividends
On December 5, 2012 an extraordinary dividend of $3.00 per share from Millicom’s retained profits as at December 31, 2011 was 
approved at an Extraordinary General Meeting and distributed in December 2012.

On May 29, 2012 a dividend distribution of $2.40 per share from Millicom’s retained profits as at December 31, 2011 was approved 
by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and distributed in June 2012.

On December 2, 2011 an extraordinary dividend of $3.00 per share from Millicom’s retained profits as at December 31, 2010 was 
approved at an Extraordinary General Meeting and distributed in December 2011.

On May 31, 2011 a dividend distribution of $1.80 per share from Millicom’s retained profits as at December 31, 2010 was approved 
by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and distributed in June 2011.

30. Directors’ and officers’ remuneration 

Directors

The remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company comprises an annual fee. Between May 2006 and May 
2010 directors remuneration also included share-based compensation (restricted shares). Director remuneration is proposed by the 
nominations committee and approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting of shareholders (the “AGM”).

The remuneration charge for the Board for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:

2012 Fees
2011 Fees
2010 Fees
Restricted share-based compensations(i)

Total

Chairman

Other members of the board

Total

No. of shares

US$ ’000

No. of shares

US$ ’000

US$ ’000

210
203
77
82

159

4,270

787
697
444
350

794

997
900
521
432

953

1,007

(i)  See note 24.
(ii)  Restricted shares could not be sold for one year from date of issue.

The number of shares and share options beneficially owned by the directors as at December 31, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:

2012
Shares
Share options

2011
Shares
Share options

Officers

Other 
 members of 
the Board

Chairman

2,318
–

2,318
–

18,950
10,000

19,560
10,000

Total

21,268
10,000

21,878
10,000

The remuneration of the Officers of the Company (“Officers”) comprises an annual base salary, an annual bonus, share-based 
compensation, social security contributions, pension contributions and other benefits. The bonus and share-based compensation 
plans are based on actual performance (including individual and Group performance). Up until May 2006, the Officers were issued 
share options. Subsequent to May 2006, the Officers were issued restricted shares. Share-based compensation is granted once a year 
by the compensation committee of the Board. The annual base salary and other benefits of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and 
the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) are proposed by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board.

On October 31, 2012 the Board appointed Hans-Holger Albrecht, who was a Director of Millicom since May 2010, to succeed Mikael 
Grahne as President and CEO. 

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30. Directors’ and officers’ remuneration continued
The remuneration charge for the Officers for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:

2012
Base salary
Bonus
Pension
Other benefits

Total
Share-based compensation:(i)(ii)

2011
Base salary
Bonus
Pension
Other benefits

Total
Share-based compensation:(i)(ii)

2010
Base salary
Bonus
Pension
Other benefits

Total
Share-based compensation:(i)
Shares issued/charge under long term incentive plans(ii)
Charge for share options

Current Chief 
Executive 
Officer 
US$ ’000

Former Chief 
Executive 
Officer 
US$ ’000

Current Chief 
Financial 
Officer 
US$ ’000

633
–
134
44

811
–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

1,265
1,554
379
187

3,385
3,431

1,323
1,915
406
158

3,802
2,862

1,261
1,823
385
178

3,647

2,874
5

662
719
108
59

1,548
1,533

676
798
105
71

1,650
1,267

614
624
112
74

1,424

1,243
–

(i)  See note 24.
(ii) 

 Share awards of 33,209 and 13,964 were granted in 2012 under the 2012 LTIPs to the former CEO and CFO. Share awards of 34,937 and 14,814 
were granted in 2011 under the 2011 LTIPs to the former CEO and CFO. Share awards of 41,628 and 19,891 were granted in 2010 under the 2010 
LTIPs to the former CEO and CFO. 

The number of shares and unvested share awards beneficially owned by senior management as at December 31, 2012 and 2011 was 
as follows:

2012
Shares
Share awards not vested

2011
Shares
Share awards not vested

Severance payments

Chief 
Executive 
Officer

610
–

610
–

Former  
Chief  
Executive 
Officer

–
–

666,193
105,063

Chief 
Financial 
Officer

23,402
46,044

7,800
45,228

Total

24,012
46,044

674,603
150,291

If employment of the executives is terminated by Millicom, severance payment of up to 12 months’ salary is payable.

31. Non-cash investing and financing activities
The following table gives details of non-cash investing and financing activities for continuing operations for the years ended 
December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Investing activities
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (see note 17)
Asset retirement obligations (see note 17)

Financing activities
Vendor	financing	and	finance	leases	(see	note	17)
Share-based compensation (see note 24)

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

(10)
(6)

10
22

(38)
(5)

38
17

(91)
17

91
31

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32. Commitments and contingencies

Operational environment

Millicom operates in emerging markets, namely Latin America and Africa, characterized by evolving regulatory, political, technological 
and economic environments. These characteristics result in uncertainties that may affect future operations, the ability to conduct 
business, transact foreign exchange, repatriate funds and repay debt and which may impact agreements with other parties. In the 
normal course of business, Millicom faces uncertainties regarding taxation, interconnect rates, license renewal and tariff 
arrangements, which can have a significant impact on the long-term economic viability of its operations.

Litigation

The Company and its operations are contingently liable with respect to lawsuits and other matters that arise in the normal course of 
business. As of December 31, 2012, the total amount of claims against Millicom’s operations was $955 million (December 31, 2011: 
$127 million) of which $1 million (December 31, 2011: $1 million) relate to joint ventures. As at December 31, 2012, $13 million 
(December 31, 2011: $7 million) has been provided for these claims in the consolidated statement of financial position. Management 
is of the opinion that while it is impossible to ascertain the ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to these claims, the 
ultimate outcome of these contingencies is not anticipated to have a material effect on the Group’s financial position and operations.

Ghana
Included in the total claims above is a lawsuit which was filed against our subsidiary in Ghana (Millicom Ghana) by E-Talk Limited 
(E-Talk) in November 2011, alleging that Millicom Ghana terminated a July 2006 contract with insufficient notice. The total value of 
the claim is approximately $30 million, including various general damages, loss of expected revenues and punitive damages. Pre-trial 
talks were held with the plaintiff with no resolution in the Commercial Court in Accra on April 28, 2012 and the Court has asked the 
parties to provide more information. Management considers this claim as opportunistic and without foundation, in so far as it was 
filed more than four years after the events on which the plaintiff bases its claim and takes the view that no provision should be made 
for this claim.

Colombia
Also included in the total claims is a claim filed with the Civil Chamber of Bogota in Colombia against the entire mobile operator 
industry of Colombia, including our subsidiary in Colombia, by a group of approximately twenty individuals. The claimants allege 
damages and losses suffered from third parties through illegal use of cellular phones in extortion attempts against the claimants, and 
are claiming a collective total of approximately $753 million from the mobile operators.  The case has been inactive, with the 
exception of a mandatory settlement conference held among the parties under the court’s supervision, which did not result in any 
settlement agreement. It is expected that the litigation will move towards an evidence-presentation phase. Management considers 
this claim to be entirely spurious and without foundation or substance. As a result, management is of the view that no provision should 
be made for this claim.

Sentel GSM S.A. (“Sentel”) license
In 2012, Millicom and the government of the Republic of Senegal signed an agreement whereby the validity of the license of 
Millicom’s subsidiary in Senegal was recognized by both parties, and all existing legal claims and current law suits were withdrawn. In 
addition, Millicom was granted a technological neutral, global license, including a 3G license, an alignment of its license terms with 
those of the other operators, additional rights over spectrum, certain investment protection rights, and its current license term is 
extended until 2028. In consideration for these additional license and spectrum rights Millicom paid $103 million to the government of 
the Republic of Senegal (see note 16).

Taxation
The Group faces regular tax investigations in the countries where it operates.  As of December 31, 2012, the Group estimates potential 
tax claims amounting to $85 million of which a tax provision of $11 million has been recorded. Management is of the opinion that 
while it is impossible to quantify the ultimate financial liability with respect to these assessments, the ultimate outcome of these 
contingencies is not anticipated to have a material effect on the Group’s financial position and operations.

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32. Commitments and contingencies continued
Lease commitments
Operating Leases:
The Group has the following annual commitments lease as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Operating lease commitments
Within: one year
Between: one to five years
After: five years

Total

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

82
187
130

399

62
158
19

239

Operating leases mainly comprise agreements containing commitments relating to land and buildings including towers sold and 
leased back. The operating lease terms and conditions reflect normal market conditions. Total operating lease expense from 
continuing operations was $108 million in 2012 (2011: $96 million, 2010: $83 million—see note 11). Finance leases:

Financial Leases:
The Group’s future minimum payments on finance leases were $512 million at December 31, 2012 (2011: $453 million) and mainly 
comprised leased towers in Ghana, Tanzania, DRC and Colombia under 12 year leases (see note 17) and tower sharing in other 
countries. Other financial leases are not material and mainly consist of lease agreements relating to vehicles used by the Group.

The Group has the following finance lease commitments as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Finance lease commitments
Within: one year
Between: one to five years
After: five years

Total

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

45
187
280

512

37
153
263

453

Lease liabilities connected to these leases were $232 million at December 31, 2012 (2011: $156 million). 

Capital commitments

As of December 31, 2012 the Company and its subsidiaries and joint ventures have fixed commitments to purchase network 
equipment, land and buildings, other fixed assets and intangible assets (including approximately $53 million in Colombia for a license 
renewal) for a value of $367 million (2011: $370 million), of which $50 million (2011: $46 million) relate to joint ventures, from a 
number of suppliers.

Millicom is also committed to supporting Colombia Móvil S.A., its operation in Colombia, through loans and warranties.  
The maximum commitment is $238 million and remains until the time the total support from Millicom equals the support from the 
founding shareholders of Colombia Móvil S.A.

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32. Commitments and contingencies continued
Dividends

The ability of the Company to make dividend payments is subject to, among other things, the terms of indebtedness, legal restrictions 
and the ability to repatriate funds from Millicom’s various operations. As at December 31, 2012, $126 million (December 31, 2011: 
$94 million) of Millicom’s retained profits represent statutory reserves and are unable to be distributed to owners of the Company.

Foreign currency forward contracts

As of December 31, 2012, the Group held foreign currency forward contracts to sell Colombian Pesos in exchange for U.S. dollars for 
a nominal amount of $43 million (2011: $84 million). Net exchange losses on these forward contracts for the year were $6 million 
(2011: $2 million).

33. Related party transactions
The Company conducts transactions with its principal shareholder, Investment AB Kinnevik (“Kinnevik”) and subsidiaries, with tower 
companies in which it holds a direct or indirect equity interest in Ghana, DRC, Tanzania and Colombia (see note 7), and with a subsidiary 
of a non-controlling interest in Colombia. Transactions with related parties are conducted on normal commercial terms and conditions.

Kinnevik

The Company’s principal shareholder is Kinnevik. Kinnevik is a Swedish holding company with interests in the telecommunications, 
media, publishing, paper and financial services industries. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, Kinnevik owned approximately 38% 
of Millicom (2011: 36%). During 2012 and 2011, Kinnevik did not purchase any Millicom shares. There are no significant loans made by 
Millicom to or for the benefit of these related parties.

During 2012 and 2011 the Company purchased services from Kinnevik subsidiaries including fraud detection, procurement and 
professional services. 

Helios Towers and American Towers

The Group acquired a 40% equity investment in the associate company Helios Towers Ghana in 2010 and in the associate companies 
Helios	Towers	DRC,	Helios	Towers	Tanzania	and	ATC	Colombia	B.V.	in	2011	(“Tower	companies”).	Millicom	sold	and	leased	back	a	
portion of its tower assets in each of these countries and received related tower operation and management services (see notes 7 
and 18). The Group has future lease commitments in respect of the Tower companies (see note 32).

On October 18, 2011, DRC provided Helios Towers DRC with a financing facility for maximum of $38 million (of which principal of 
$30 million). Amounts under the facility are guaranteed by Helios Towers Africa, the parent company of Helios Towers DRC, as well as 
by pledge of its shares in Helios Towers DRC. Outstanding amounts under the facility bear interest at LIBOR + 7.5% per annum until 
October 17, 2012 and thereafter increase by 100bps each year until the maturity date of October 17, 2015. Interest is either repayable 
on June 15 and December 15 of each year or add to the principal.

UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones S.A.

The Group operation in Colombia leases portions of its tower assets under finance leases to UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones S.A. (UNE), 
a minority shareholder in Millicom’s Colombian operation.

The following transactions were conducted with related parties:

Purchases of goods and services (Kinnevik)
Lease of towers and related services (Associates)
Gain on sale of towers (Associates)
Revenue from lease of towers (UNE)
Interest income (Helios Towers DRC loan)

Total

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2010 
US$ millions

8
107
16
1
1

144

6
22
54
–
–

82

4
9
8
–
–

20

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33. Related party transactions continued
As at December 31, the Company had the following balances with related parties:

Payables
Finance lease payables
Other accounts payable

Total
Receivables from sale of towers

Loan to Helios Towers DRC

Total

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

188
12

200
–

32

32

127
10

137
77

–

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34. Financial risk management

Terms, conditions and risk management policies

Exposure to interest rate, foreign currency, non-repatriation, liquidity, capital management and credit risks arise in the normal course 
of Millicom’s business. The Group analyses each of these risks individually as well as on an interconnected basis and defines and 
implements strategies to manage the economic impact on the Group’s performance in line with its financial risk management policy. 
Millicom’s risk management strategies may include the use of derivatives. Millicom’s policy prohibits the use of such derivatives in the 
context of speculative trading.

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk generally arises on borrowings. Borrowings issued at floating rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. 
Borrowings issued at fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk. The Group’s exposure to risk of changes in market 
interest rates relates to both of the above. To manage the risk, the Group’s policy is to maintain a combination of fixed and floating 
rate debt with target for the debt to be equally distributed between fixed and variable rates. The Group actively monitors borrowings 
against target and applies a dynamic interest rate hedging approach. The target mix between fixed and floating rate debt is reviewed 
periodically. The purpose of Millicom’s policy is to achieve an optimal balance between cost of funding and volatility of financial 
results, while taking into account market conditions as well as our overall business strategy. At December 31, 2012, approximately 55% 
of the Group’s borrowings are at a fixed rate of interest or for which variable rates have been swapped for fixed rates with interest rate 
swaps (2011: 51%).

Interest rate swaps

To comply with internal policies, in January, 2010 Millicom entered into an interest rate swap to hedge the interest rate risk of the 
floating rate debt in three different countries (Tanzania, DRC and Ghana). The interest rate swap was issued in January, 2010 for a 
nominal amount of $100 million, with maturity January, 2013. During the three month period ending September 30, 2012 the 
Tanzania and Ghana hedges were assessed as ineffective and, as the value of these hedges are not expected to change significantly 
between September 30, 2012 and their expiry in January, 2013, the corresponding cash flow reserve was recycled to the income 
statement.  At December 31, 2012 the DRC hedge was assessed as ineffective and the corresponding cash flow reserve was recycled 
to the income statement.  

In 2010 Millicom entered into interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risks on floating rate debts in Honduras and Costa Rica. 
The interest rate swap in Honduras was issued for a nominal amount of $30 million, with maturity in 2015, and in Costa Rica for a 
nominal amount of $105 million with maturity in 2017.

In October 2012, Millicom issued senior unsecured floating rate notes of Swedish Kronor (“SEK”) 1.75 billion and senior unsecured fixed 
rate notes of SEK 0.25 billion (see note 27). At the same time Millicom entered into various cross currency interest swap contracts 
whereby Millicom will sell SEK and receive U.S. dollar to hedge against exchange rate fluctuations for the notional amount of SEK 2 
billion and interest payments on this principal. Millicom will also hedge against interest rate fluctuations on the floating rate notes of 
SEK 1.75 billion by receiving variable interest at STIBOR +3.5% and paying a fixed rate of 5.125%. As the timing and amounts of the 
cash flows under the swap agreements match the cash flows under the bonds the swaps assessed as highly effective, thus qualified 
for cash flow hedge accounting, and, as a result, the effective portion of the fair value change of the swap was recorded against 
other comprehensive income. Cash flows under the swaps amount to approximately SEK 101 million per year for the years 2013 
through to 2017 related to interest on the bond and SEK 2 billion in 2017 related to the principal.

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34. Financial risk management continued
The table below summarizes, as at December 31, 2012, our fixed rate debt and floating rate debt:

Fixed rate
Weighted average nominal interest rate
Floating rate
Weighted average nominal interest rate

Total
Weighted average nominal interest rate

The table below summarizes, as at December 31, 2011, our fixed rate debt and floating rate debt:

Fixed rate
Weighted average nominal interest rate
Floating rate
Weighted average nominal interest rate

Total
Weighted average nominal interest rate

Amounts due within

1 year

1–2 years

2–3 years

3–4 years

4–5 years

>5 years

Total

(in millions of U.S. dollars, except percentages)

305
4.34%
388
5.61%

693
5.05%

140
7.34%
333
6.92%

473
7.04%

94
7.35%
254
7.33%

348
7.33%

102
5.78%
187
5.22%

289
5.42%

109
6.39%
347
5.30%

456
5.56%

928
9.16%
72
12.43%

1,000
9.36%

1,678
7.64%
1,581
6.36%

3,259
7.45%

Amounts due within

1 year

1–2 years

2–3 years

3–4 years

4–5 years

>5 years

Total

(in millions of U.S. dollars, except percentages)

261
4.37%
360
5.31%

621
4.91%

119
6.02%
194
5.50%

313
5.70%

135
6.13%
191
4.75%

326
5.32%

97
5.66%
194
6.27%

291
6.06%

45
6.02%
199
5.98%

244
5.99%

585
8.85%
58
2.17%

643
5.19%

1,242
6.98%
1,196
5.37%

2,438
6.97%

A 100 basis point fall or rise in market interest rates for all currencies in which the Group had borrowings at December 31, 2012, would increase or reduce profit before tax from continuing operations for the year by 
approximately $16 million (2011: $12 million).

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34. Financial risk management continued
Foreign currency risk

The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures where the Group 
operates. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognized assets and liabilities and net investments in 
foreign operations.

Millicom seeks to reduce its foreign currency exposure through a policy of matching, as far as possible, assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies. In some cases, Millicom may borrow in U.S. dollars where it is either commercially more 
advantageous for joint ventures and subsidiaries to incur debt obligations in U.S. dollars or where U.S. dollar denominated borrowing is 
the only funding source available to a joint venture or subsidiary. In these circumstances, Millicom accepts the remaining currency risk 
associated with financing its joint ventures and subsidiaries, principally because of the relatively high cost of forward cover, when 
available, in the currencies in which the Group operates.

The following table summarizes debt denominated in U.S. dollars and other currencies at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Total US$
Colombia
Chad
Tanzania
Honduras
Bolivia
Ghana
Guatemala
Other

Total non-US$ currencies

Total

2012 
US$ millions

2011 
US$ millions

2,191
507
84
97
96
191
19
53
21

1,068

3,259

1,606
504
86
35
89
46
19
11
42

832

2,438

At December 31, 2012, if the U.S. dollar had weakened/strengthened by 10% against the other functional currencies of our operations 
and all other variables held constant, then profit before tax from continuing operations would have increased/decreased by $99 
million and $121 million respectively (2011: $112 million and $137 million respectively). This increase/decrease in profit before tax 
would have mainly been as a result of the conversion of the results of our operations with functional currencies other than the 
US dollar. 

Non-repatriation risk

Most of the operations receive substantially all of their revenue in the currency of the countries in which they operate. The Group 
derives substantially all its revenue through funds generated by local operations and, therefore, Millicom is dependent on their ability 
to transfer funds to the Company.

Although there are foreign exchange controls in some of the countries in which Millicom Group companies operate, none of these 
countries currently significantly restrict the ability of these operations to pay interest, dividends, technical service fees, royalties or repay 
loans by exporting cash, instruments of credit or securities in foreign currencies. However, existing foreign exchange controls may be 
strengthened in countries where the Group operates, or foreign exchange controls may be introduced in countries where the Group 
operates that do not currently impose such restrictions, in which case, the Company’s ability to receive funds from the operations will 
subsequently be restricted, which would impact the Company’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders.

In addition, in some countries, it may be difficult to convert large amounts of local currency into foreign currency because of limited 
foreign exchange markets. The practical effects of this are time delays in accumulating significant amounts of foreign currency and 
exchange risk, which could have an adverse effect on the Group’s results of operations.

Credit and Counterparty risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to credit risk are primarily cash and cash equivalents, pledged deposits, letters 
of credit, trade receivables, amounts due from joint venture partners, supplier advances and other current assets and derivatives. 
Counterparties to agreements relating to the Group’s cash and cash equivalents, pledged deposits and letters of credit are significant 
financial institutions with investment grade ratings. Management does not believe there are significant risks of non-performance by 
these counterparties. Management has taken steps to diversify its banking partners. We are also managing the allocation of deposits 
across banks so that the Group’s counterparty risk with a given bank stays within limits which have been set based on each bank’s 
credit rating. This way we are avoiding any significant exposure to a specific party.

A large portion of turnover comprises prepaid airtime. For customers for whom telecom services are not prepaid, the Group follows 
risk control procedures to assess the credit quality of the customer, taking into account its financial position, past experience and 
other factors.

Accounts receivable are mainly derived from balances due from other telecom operators. Credit risk of other telecom operators is 
limited due to the regulatory nature of the telecom industry, in which licenses are normally only issued to creditworthy companies. 
The Group maintains a provision for impairment of trade receivables based upon expected collectability of all trade receivables.

As the Group has a large number of internationally dispersed customers, there is no significant concentration of credit risk with respect 
to trade receivables.

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34. Financial risk management continued
Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is defined as the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities. 
The Group has incurred significant indebtedness but also has significant cash balances. Millicom evaluates its ability to meet its 
obligations on an ongoing basis using a recurring liquidity planning tool. This tool considers the operating net cash flows generated 
from its operations and the future cash needs for borrowing and interest payments and capital and operating expenditures required 
in maintaining and developing local business.

The Group manages its liquidity risk through use of bank overdrafts, bank loans, vendor financing, Export Credit Agencies and 
Development Finance Institutions (“DFI”) loans, bonds and finance leases. Millicom believes that there is sufficient liquidity available in 
the markets to meet ongoing liquidity needs. Additionally, Millicom is able to arrange offshore funding through the use of Export 
Credit Agency guarantees and DFIs (IFC, PROPARCO, DEG and FMO), who have been established specifically to finance development 
in the Group’s markets. Millicom is diversifying its financing with commercial banks representing about 38% of its gross financing, 
Bonds 38%, Development Finance Institutions 8%, partners 8%, financial leases 7% and suppliers 1%. The Group is therefore not 
dependent on a few sources of financing but is relying on various financing opportunities. 

The tables below summarize the maturity profile of the Group’s net financial liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Year ended 31 December 2012

Total borrowings (see note 27)

Cash and cash equivalent
Restricted cash
Pledged deposit (relating to bank borrowings)

Net cash (debt)
Future interest commitments(i)
Trade payables (excluding accruals)
Derivative financial instruments
Put option
Other financial liabilities (including accruals)
Trade receivables
Other financial assets

Net financial asset (liability)

Year ended 31 December 2011

Total borrowings (see note 27)
Cash and cash equivalent
Restricted cash
Pledged deposit (relating to bank borrowings)

Net cash (debt)
Future interest commitments(i)
Trade payables (excluding accruals)
Derivative financial instruments
Put option
Other financial liabilities (including accruals)
Trade receivables
Other financial assets

Net financial asset (liability)

Less than 
1 year 
US$ millions

(693)

1,174 
43
3 

527
(211)
(404)
(7)
(730)
(998)
322 
199 

(1,302)

Less than 
1 year 
US$ millions

(621)
861 
20
– 

260 
(136)
(341)
(15)
(745)
(862)
277 
335 

1 to 5 years 
US$ millions

>5 years 
US$ millions

Total 
US$ millions

(1,566)

(1,000)

(3,259)

–
–
47

(1,519)
(558)
–
(4)
–
–
–
86 

(1,995)

–
–
–

(1,000)
(47)
–
–
–
–
–
– 

(1,047)

1,174 
43
50 

(1,992)
(816)
(404)
(11)
(730)
(998)
322 
285 

(4,344)

1 to 5 years 
US$ millions

>5 years 
US$ millions

Total 
US$ millions

(1,174)
–
–
50

(1,124)
(342)
–
(8)
–
–
–
37 

(643)
–
–
– 

(643)
(26)
–
–
–
–
–
– 

(669)

(2,438)
861
20
50 

(1,507)
(504)
(341)
(23)
(745)
(862)
277
372 

(3,333)

(1,227)

(1,437)

(i) 

Includes unamortized difference between carrying amount and nominal amount of debts.

Financial statements continuedMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverviewPrint116

34. Financial risk management continued
Capital management

The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to ensure that it maintains a strong credit rating and healthy capital 
ratios in order to support its business and maximize shareholder value.

The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it, in light of changes in economic conditions and imposed 
restrictions such as debt covenants and local regulations. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may make dividend 
payments to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares. Millicom has a Ba1 rating by one independent rating 
agency, namely Moody’s, which is just one notch below investment grade. The Group monitors capital using primarily a net debt to 
adjusted operating profit ratio, as well as a set of other indicators.

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Net debt (see note 27)
Adjusted operating profit (see note 10)

Net debt to adjusted operating profit ratio

2012
US$ millions

2011
US$ millions

1,991
2,065

Ratio

1.0

1,507
2,087

Ratio

0.7

The Group reviews its gearing ratio (net debt divided by total capital plus net debt) periodically. Net debt includes interest bearing 
loans and borrowings, less cash and cash equivalents and pledged deposits related to bank borrowings. Capital represents equity 
attributable to the equity holders of the parent. 

Net debt (see note 27)
Equity

Net debt and equity

Gearing ratio

2012
US$ millions

2011
US$ millions

1,991
2,336

4,327

46%

1,507
2,446

3,953

38%

35. Financial instruments
The fair value of Millicom’s financial instruments is included at the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current 
transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. The fair value of all financial assets and all financial 
liabilities except debt and financing approximate their carrying value largely due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The 
fair values of all debt and financing have been estimated by the Group based on discounted future cash flows at market interest rates.

The following table shows the carrying and fair values of financial instruments as at December 31, 2012 and 2011:

Carrying value

Fair value

2012 
US$ millions

2011  
US$ millions

2012 
US$ millions

2011  
US$ millions

FINANCIAL ASSETS

Loans and receivables
Pledged deposits
Other non-current assets
Trade receivables, net
Amounts	due	from	non-controlling	interests	and	JV	partners
Prepayments and accrued income
Advances to non-controllng interest
Other current assets
Restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents

Total
Current
Non-current

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Debt and financing (see note 27)
Trade payables
Payables and accruals for capital expenditure
Derivative financial instruments
Put option
Amounts	due	to	non-controlling	interests	and	JV	partners
Accrued interest and other expenses
Other liabilities

Total
Current
Non-current

47
86
322
81
140
56
86
43
1,174

2,035
1,903
132

3,259
259
411
11
730
19
341
140

5,170
2,591
2,579

50
37
277
159
119
34
113
20
861

1,670
1,583
87

2,438
224
334
23
745
93
264
74

4,195
2,364
1,831

47
86
322
81
140
56
86
43
1,174

2,035
1,903
132

2,682
259
411
11
–
19
341
140

3,863
1,861
2,002

50
37
277
159
119
34
113
20
861

1,670
1,583
87

2,263
224
334
23
–
93
264
74

3,275
1,619
1,656

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35. Financial instruments continued
Call option and put option related to Telefonica Cellular S.A. DE CV (Celtel)

As described in note 5, on July 1, 2010 Millicom reached agreement with its local partner in Honduras whereby Millicom’s local 
partner granted Millicom an unconditional call option for the next five years for his 33% stake in Telefonica Celtel and as consideration, 
Millicom granted a conditional put option for the same duration to the local partner. 

The put option can only be exercised on a change of control of Millicom International Cellular S.A. or Millicom’s subsidiary that holds 
the shares in Celtel (except if the change of control is in favor of Investment AB Kinnevik, the current largest shareholder of Millicom, or 
management of Millicom). Millicom believe that a change of control transaction that triggers the local partner’s right to exercise his 
put is currently highly unlikely to happen during the term of the put option and have therefore determined the fair value of the put 
option to be immaterial at both December 31, 2012 and 2011. 

The call option price is a fixed multiple of the EBITDA of Celtel in the year the option is exercised. As the fixed multiple exceeded the 
fair value multiples (based on comparable transactions and including a control premium) at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and as 
there were no expectations that the Honduran market characteristics would significantly change over the term of the call option, 
Millicom determined the fair value of the call option to be immaterial at both December 31, 2012 and 2011.  

Fair value measurement hierarchy

Effective January 1, 2009, Millicom adopted the amendment to IFRS 7 for financial instruments that are measured in the Statement 
of Financial Position at fair value, which requires disclosure of fair value measurements by level of the following fair value measurement 
hierarchy:

•	 Level	1—Quoted	prices	(unadjusted)	in	active	markets	for	identical	assets	or	liabilities.

•	 Level	2—Inputs	other	than	quoted	prices	included	within	level	1	that	are	observable	for	the	asset	or	liability,	either	directly	

(that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices).

•	 Level	3—Inputs	for	the	asset	or	liability	that	are	not	based	on	observable	market	data	(that	is,	unobservable	inputs).

Derivative financial instruments are measured with reference to level 2, except for the call options in Colombia (see note 7), the call and 
put options in Honduras (see note 5 and note 28) and the call options for Rocket (see note 5) which are measured with reference to 
level 3. The Honduras put option liability is carried at the present value of the redemption amount and is therefore excluded from the 
fair value hierarchy. No other financial instruments are measured at fair value. 

36. Subsequent events

Deregistration from NASDAQ US

As described in note 1, on October 12, 2012 the Company filed a certificate with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) 
to terminate the registration of its shares. As from January 11, 2013 the termination of our reporting and disclosure obligations under 
the US Exchange Act became fully effective. Millicom shares will continue to trade in the USA over the counter.

Dividend

On February 12, 2013 Millicom announced that the Board will propose to the Annual General Meeting of the shareholders a dividend 
distribution of $2.64 per share to be paid out of Millicom’s profits for the year ended December 31, 2012 subject to the Board’s 
approval of the 2011 Consolidated Financial Statements of the Group.

Financial statements continuedMillicom Annual Report 2012Review of OperationsHomeCorporate governanceFinancial statementsOther informationOverviewPrint118

Contact details

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Shareholder information

Corporate and registered office:

Millicom International Cellular SA  
2, rue du Fort Bourbon  
L-1249 Luxembourg  
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Postal address: 

Millicom International Cellular SA  
B.P.2312   
L-1023 Luxembourg  
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Tel: +352 27 759 101  
Fax: +352 27 759 359  
RCB 40630 Luxembourg

Investor relations

Justine Dimovic  
Head of Investor Relations  
Tel: + 352 27 759 479  
investors@millicom.com

Visit MIC’s homepage at

http://www.millicom.com

Financial calendar

First quarter results: April 17, 2013  
Second quarter results: July 17, 2013  
Third quarter results: October 21, 2013  
Full year results 2013: February 2014

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