Investment and recruitment leap from Türk Telekom in the first half of 2010

Türk Telekom continued its investments in the first half of 2010 without cutting speed. Türk Telekom made an investment of 520 mn TL in technology and infrastructure during the first half of the year, and recruited 3500 new employees in only 6 months.

Turkey’s leading communication and convergence technologies company Türk Telekom, announced its 2010 half year financial results. H1 2010 group revenues have reached TL 5.25 billion.

By playing a leading role with its investments in developing Turkish technologies and exporting these technologies to the international markets, Türk Telekom also aims to increase the competitive power of Turkey in global markets. Just like 2009, Türk Telekom continued to make investments in full speed in 2010, and in the first half of 2010 Türk Telekom made 520 mn TL investment on technology and infrastructure.

In the first half of 2010 Türk Telekom invested not only in technology but also in human resources. Türk Telekom, who did not reduce its investments in 2009 despite the severe economic conditions, increased its investments in Human Resources and recruited 3500 new employees in the first 6 months of 2010.

Türk Telekom CEO Dr. Paul Doany commented as follows on the H1 financial results of Türk Telekom:

“In the first half of 2010 revenue grew 2 % with a slight improvement in the consolidated EBITDA margin. The EBITDA margin of our Mobile business almost doubled in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter 2010.

In 2010, we launched our new Home Advantage tariffs which have significantly improved benefits for our customers and as a result of our innovative approach over 4 million homes with approximately 16 million people are now enjoying the benefits of Home Advantage.

Additionally, we have bundled more value into the home line with insurance and home/ office security offers complementing our high value bundle calling offers.

Also, PC sales campaigns through our dealers with various brands made our sales channel one of the strongest in the country.

During the first half of 2010, we took an historical step for the Turkish telecommunication sector. We signed an agreement to acquire 100 percent shares of Invitel International which is one of the leading independent wholesale data and capacity service providers in Europe, with 27 thousand kilometres of optic fibre network across 16 countries.

Furthermore, JADI LINK project which covers establishment of an integrated multi-pass fibre optic network among the Middle East, Southern Asia and the Far East is being realised in cooperation with Saudi Telecom Company, Jordan Telecom Group and Syrian Telecommunication Establishment.

Both of the above mentioned steps are important in making Türk Telekom and Turkey a telecommunication hub for the region. In the coming months and years we will continue our regional initiatives (with Vitamin/Adaptive Curriculum, I Can Football, Wirofon and other Türk Telekom created services and products) which will bring a global identity to the Türk Telekom brand which is becoming stronger every year.

Last year, Türk Telekom was ranked as the Most Valuable Brand in Turkey with a brand value of 1.6 billion dollars in the research made by Capital magazine in coordination with Brand Finance, a leading brand valuation company in the UK. We are very pleased to see that this year we repeated this success with a brand value of 1.7 billion dollars and again Türk Telekom was selected as the Most Valuable Brand in Turkey.

With our value added products and services, our innovative strategies and our regional initiatives we will continue our leadership in the Turkish communication and convergence technologies.”

Financial Highlights


(TL mn)

H1 2009

H1 2010

% Change

Revenue

5.149

5.250

2%

Net Operating Expenses excluding Depreciation and Amortization*

(2.976)

(2.996)

0,7%

Operating Profit Before Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)

2.173

2.254

3,7%

Depreciation and Amortization

(864)

(756)

-12,5%

Operating Profit

1.309

1.498

14,5%

Net Financial Income / (Expense)

(271)

(7)

-97,3%

Taxes

(302)

(424)

40,4%

Minority Interest

85

80

-6%

Net Income

821

1.147

39,7%

Capital Expenditure

1.148

520

-55%

Headcount

35.820

35.116**

-2%

*Net operating expenses includes operating expenses, other operating expenses and other operating income
** 2009 final headcount is 34.086