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Companies news of 2009-03-07 (page 1)

  • NetDragon Launches Open Beta Testing for Way of the Five
  • NetDragon lance des tests bêta ouverts pour le jeu Way of the Five
  • NetDragon Launches Open Beta Testing for Way of the Five
  • Everything Channel's Channel @ Work Home Build Partners with the New Orleans Area Habitat...
  • Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Engine Launches Planet-Hunting Spacecraft
  • Aerojet Engines Assist NASA in Quest to Discover Habitable Planets
  • Telecom Argentina S.A. Announces Consolidated Annual Period ('FY08') and Fourth Quarter...
  • GameTech Announces SEC Filing of First Quarter Fiscal Year 2009 Financial Results



    NetDragon Launches Open Beta Testing for Way of the Five

    HONG KONG, March 7 /PRNewswire/ --

    NetDragon Websoft Inc., a leading game developer and operator in the PRC ("NetDragon", with its subsidiaries collectively known as the "Group"; stock code: 777), announced that the open beta testing for Way of the Five, a new cartoony turn-based online game, commenced on 7 March 2009.

    (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090309/CNM002 )

    Mr. Liu Dejian, Chairman and Executive Director of NetDragon, said, "As NetDragon enters its 10th anniversary year, we are pleased to publicly release the eagerly anticipated Way of the Five. We hope that Way of the Five will encourage creativity and promote the messages of happiness and joyful living, and we are delighted to share this with players and to add a touch of bliss to their busy and tense daily lives. Looking forward, we will continue to focus on R&D and innovation, with an aim to bringing superior gaming experiences to the world with our introduction of diversified and cutting-edge gaming products."

    Way of the Five is a cartoony turn-based online game developed by NetDragon's seasoned development team over three years. The game's lore is premised on traditional Chinese epics and mythical tales, which NetDragon presents in a refreshingly captivating and humorous manner, integrating popular cartoon-style visuals with oriental culture and mysticism. Within the game, players can create their own pets with different appearances, characteristics, hobbies, skills, as well as slight gestures, motions and verbal expressions. Of note, Mr. Stephen Chow, the renowned movie director and actor, is acting as the "Ambassador of Happiness" for Way of the Five.

    About NetDragon

    NetDragon Websoft Inc. is one of the leading online game developers and operators in the PRC. The Group's game portfolio comprises of a range of MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) that cater to various types of players and gaming preferences. The Group has successfully developed and marketed many popular online titles of various styles. Its current offerings include the games Way of the Five, Eudemons Online, Conquer Online, Zero Online, Tou Ming Zhuang Online, Heroes of Might and Magic Online, Era of Faith, and Monster & Me. Some of the games are also available in foreign languages, including English, French and Spanish. The Group also has three games currently in development, including Tian Yuan, and Disney Fantasy Online, which are expected to be launched in 2009, and Dungeon Keeper Online, which is expected to be launched in 2010.

    NetDragon successfully transferred to the Main Board of the SEHK on 24 June 2008 (Stock code on Main Board: 777). For more details please visit http://www.nd.com.cn or http://www.nd.com.cn/ir .

    For further information please contact: NetDragon Websoft Inc. Ms. Maggie Zhou (Investor Relations Department) Tel: +86-591-87543120 Email: ir@nd.com.hk Fax: +86-591-8754-1761 IR website: http://www.nd.com.cn/ir Porda International (Finance) P.R. Group Fax: +852-3150-6728 Helen Chung Tel: +852-3150-6730 Email: helen.chung@pordafinance.com.hk Sharis Siu Tel: +852-3150-6771 Email: sharis.siu@pordafinance.com.hk Kate Lam Tel: +852-3150-6738 Email: kate.lam@pordafinance.com.hk Liz Yip Tel: +852-3150-6739 Email: liz.yip@pordafinance.com.hk

    NetDragon Websoft Inc.

    Ms. Maggie Zhou, Investor Relations, NetDragon Websoft Inc., +86-591-87543120, Fax: +86-591-87541761, ir@nd.com.hk; or Helen Chung, +852-3150-6730, helen.chung@pordafinance.com.hk, or Sharis Siu, +852-3150-6771, sharis.siu@pordafinance.com.hk, or Kate Lam, +852-3150-6738, kate.lam@pordafinance.com.hk, or Liz Yip, +852-3150-6739, liz.yip@pordafinance.com.hk, all of Porda International (Finance) P.R. Group, Fax: +852-3150-6728, for NetDragon Websoft Inc. Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090309/CNM002




    NetDragon lance des tests bêta ouverts pour le jeu Way of the Five

    HONG KONG, March 7 /PRNewswire/ --

    NetDragon Websoft Inc., l'un des principaux développeurs et exploitants de jeux vidéo en RPC (<< NetDragon >>, ou le << Groupe >> avec l'ensemble de ses filiales; code boursier : 777), a annoncé aujourd'hui que les tests bêta ouverts pour le nouveau jeu en ligne en dessins animés Way of the Five ont débuté le 7 mars 2009.

    (Photo : http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090309/CNM002 )

    M. Liu Dejian, président du conseil et directeur exécutif de NetDragon, a affirmé : << Nous sommes ravis de commercialiser le très attendu Way of the Five au moment où NetDragon célèbre son 10e anniversaire. Nous espérons que Way of the Five favorisera la créativité et transmettra des messages de bonheur et de joie. Nous sommes très heureux de partager ce jeu avec les amateurs de jeux vidéo et d'ajouter une touche de fantaisie à leur vie quotidienne, marquée par le manque de temps et le stress. Au cours des prochaines années, nous continuerons à concentrer nos activités sur la recherche et le développement ainsi que sur l'innovation dans le but ultime de fournir au monde entier des expériences de jeu supérieures par le biais de produits diversifiés à la fine pointe de la technologie. >>

    Way of the Five est un jeu en ligne en dessins animés qui a été mis au point sur une période de trois ans par l'équipe de développement expérimentée de NetDragon. Le jeu est basé sur des histoires mythiques et des légendes traditionnelles de la Chine, lesquelles sont présentées de façon agréablement humoristique et divertissante par NetDragon. En effet, le jeu ajoute des images populaires de type dessin animé à la culture et au mysticisme de l'Orient. Dans le jeu, les joueurs peuvent créer leurs propres animaux et leur attribuer divers traits physiques, caractéristiques, passe-temps, habiletés, de même que certains mouvements, gestes et expressions verbales. Il convient également de noter que M. Stephen Chow, réalisateur et acteur de renom, y joue le rôle de l'<< Ambassadeur du bonheur >>.

    À propos de NetDragon

    NetDragon Websoft Inc. est l'un des principaux développeurs et exploitants de jeux en ligne en RPC. Le portefeuille de jeux du groupe comprend une gamme de jeux de rôle en ligne massivement multijoueur (MMORPG - Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) qui répondent aux différentes préférences de jeux et satisfont divers types de joueurs. Le groupe a développé et commercialisé avec succès de nombreux jeux en ligne très populaires dans plusieurs styles, dont Way of the Five, Eudemons Online, Conquer Online, Zero Online, Tou Ming Zhuang Online, Heroes of Might and Magic Online, Era of Faith, et Monster & Me. Certains de ces jeux sont également offerts en plusieurs langues étrangères, y compris le français, l'anglais et l'espagnol. Le groupe compte actuellement trois jeux en cours de développement : Tian Yuan et Disney Fantasy Online, qui devraient être lancés en 2009, et Dungeon Keeper Online, dont la sortie est prévue pour 2010.

    NetDragon est passée avec succès au tableau principal de la bourse de Hong Kong le 24 juin 2008 (code boursier au tableau principal : 777). Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, veuillez consulter le http://www.nd.com.cn ou le http://www.nd.com.cn/ir.

    Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, veuillez contacter : NetDragon Websoft Inc. Mme Maggie Zhou (Service des relations avec les investisseurs) Tél. : +86-591-87543120 Courriel : ir@nd.com.hk Téléc. : +86-591-8754-1761 Site Internet : http://www.nd.com.cn/ir Porda International (Finance) P.R. Group Téléc. : +852-3150-6728 Helen Chung Tél. : +852-3150-6730 Courriel : helen.chung@pordafinance.com.hk Sharis Siu Tél. : +852-3150-6771 Courriel : sharis.siu@pordafinance.com.hk Kate Lam Tél. : +852-3150-6738 Courriel : kate.lam@pordafinance.com.hk Liz Yip Tél. : +852-3150-6739 Courriel : liz.yip@pordafinance.com.hk

    NetDragon Websoft Inc.

    Mme Maggie Zhou, Relations avec les investisseurs, NetDragon Websoft Inc., +86-591-87543120, Téléc. : +86-591-87541761, ir@nd.com.hk; ou Helen Chung, +852-3150-6730, helen.chung@pordafinance.com.hk, ou Sharis Siu, +852-3150-6771, sharis.siu@pordafinance.com.hk, ou Kate Lam, +852-3150-6738, kate.lam@pordafinance.com.hk, ou Liz Yip, +852-3150-6739, liz.yip@pordafinance.com.hk, toutes de Porda International (Finance) P.R. Group, Téléc. : +852-3150-6728, pour NetDragon Websoft Inc. Photo : NewsCom : http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090309/CNM002




    NetDragon Launches Open Beta Testing for Way of the Five

    HONG KONG, March 7 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- NetDragon Websoft Inc., a leading game developer and operator in the PRC ("NetDragon", with its subsidiaries collectively known as the "Group"; stock code: 777), announced that the open beta testing for Way of the Five, a new cartoony turn-based online game, commenced on 7 March 2009.

    (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090309/CNM002 )

    Mr. Liu Dejian, Chairman and Executive Director of NetDragon, said, "As NetDragon enters its 10th anniversary year, we are pleased to publicly release the eagerly anticipated Way of the Five. We hope that Way of the Five will encourage creativity and promote the messages of happiness and joyful living, and we are delighted to share this with players and to add a touch of bliss to their busy and tense daily lives. Looking forward, we will continue to focus on R&D and innovation, with an aim to bringing superior gaming experiences to the world with our introduction of diversified and cutting-edge gaming products."

    Way of the Five is a cartoony turn-based online game developed by NetDragon's seasoned development team over three years. The game's lore is premised on traditional Chinese epics and mythical tales, which NetDragon presents in a refreshingly captivating and humorous manner, integrating popular cartoon-style visuals with oriental culture and mysticism. Within the game, players can create their own pets with different appearances, characteristics, hobbies, skills, as well as slight gestures, motions and verbal expressions. Of note, Mr. Stephen Chow, the renowned movie director and actor, is acting as the "Ambassador of Happiness" for Way of the Five.

    About NetDragon

    NetDragon Websoft Inc. is one of the leading online game developers and operators in the PRC. The Group's game portfolio comprises of a range of MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) that cater to various types of players and gaming preferences. The Group has successfully developed and marketed many popular online titles of various styles. Its current offerings include the games Way of the Five, Eudemons Online, Conquer Online, Zero Online, Tou Ming Zhuang Online, Heroes of Might and Magic Online, Era of Faith, and Monster & Me. Some of the games are also available in foreign languages, including English, French and Spanish. The Group also has three games currently in development, including Tian Yuan, and Disney Fantasy Online, which are expected to be launched in 2009, and Dungeon Keeper Online, which is expected to be launched in 2010.

    NetDragon successfully transferred to the Main Board of the SEHK on 24 June 2008 (Stock code on Main Board: 777). For more details please visit http://www.nd.com.cn/ or http://www.nd.com.cn/ir .

    For further information please contact: NetDragon Websoft Inc. Ms. Maggie Zhou (Investor Relations Department) Tel: +86-591-8754-3120 Email: ir@nd.com.hk Fax: +86-591-8754-1761 IR website: http://www.nd.com.cn/ir Porda International (Finance) P.R. Group Fax: +852-3150-6728 Helen Chung Tel: +852-3150-6730 Email: helen.chung@pordafinance.com.hk Sharis Siu Tel: +852-3150 6771 Email: sharis.siu@pordafinance.com.hk Kate Lam Tel: +852-3150 6738 Email: kate.lam@pordafinance.com.hk Liz Yip Tel: +852-3150 6739 Email: liz.yip@pordafinance.com.hk

    Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090309/CNM002
    PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840 NetDragon Websoft Inc.

    CONTACT: Ms. Maggie Zhou, Investor Relations, NetDragon Websoft Inc.,
    +86-591-87543120, Fax: +86-591-87541761, ir@nd.com.hk; or Helen Chung,
    +852-3150-6730, helen.chung@pordafinance.com.hk, or Sharis Siu, +852-3150-6771,
    sharis.siu@pordafinance.com.hk, or Kate Lam, +852-3150-6738,
    kate.lam@pordafinance.com.hk, or Liz Yip, +852-3150-6739,
    liz.yip@pordafinance.com.hk, all of Porda International (Finance) P.R. Group,
    Fax: +852-3150-6728, for NetDragon Websoft Inc.

    Web site: http://www.nd.com.cn/




    Everything Channel's Channel @ Work Home Build Partners with the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity to Help Rebuild New Orleans

    NEW ORLEANS, March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, Everything Channel, a division of United Business Media, announced that it is partnering with the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild New Orleans. The Channel @ Work Home Build will bring together 100 members of the technology community and Everything Channel employees to build houses. The homes built by the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity help families empower themselves to transform their own lives.

    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080505/NYM117LOGO-a )

    Everything Channel's parent company, United Business Media Ltd. (UBM), is working closely on the Channel @ Work Home Build. Community Connection, UBM's 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, is committed to supporting its employees' volunteer and giving efforts, and will help underwrite building material costs for this community project.

    "New Orleans holds a very special place in the heart of Everything Channel. Our very first XChange event was held here in 1995 and we returned many times over the years, making the city a second home to our group. We are thrilled to be bringing our event back to the city and to have an opportunity to give back and contribute to the continuing efforts to rebuild the city, not only with our events team -- but with our event sponsors and attendees," said Nancy Hammervik, Vice President/ Managing Director, Everything Channel Events.

    Beginning tomorrow, Everything Channel's XChange Solution Provider conference will commence at the Sheraton New Orleans. XChange Solution Provider will bring together more than 225 pre-qualified executive-level technology sellers with approximately 75 industry leading Channel vendors to meet, build relationships and strategize growth in turbulent times.

    Everything Channel is the leading producer of face-to-face events that build technology partnerships and alliances between Vendors, Distributors and senior-level Decision-Makers within the Retail, End User and IT Channel markets. Everything Channel's IT Channel events deliver new markets, customers and revenue opportunities for Solution Providers and Vendors. These events offer numerous recruiting, training, education and networking opportunities during three and four-day events filled with keynotes, lectures, debates and discussions revolving around critical Channel issues and trends.

    "We are always amazed by the generosity of the business community when they hold corporate meetings in New Orleans," stated Jim Pate, Executive Director, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. "In such busy times, Everything Channel has taken a full day and set it aside to work with us. That is tremendous support of our mission."

    For additional information on Everything Channel XChange Solution Provider, contact Allison Cohen at accohen@everythingchannel.com or visit http://www.everythingchannelevents.com/xsp09.

    New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity

    New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. NOAHH builds new houses in partnership with sponsors, volunteers, communities, and homeowner families to eliminate poverty housing in the New Orleans area while serving as a catalyst to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Since its inception in 1983 NOAHH has built over 289 new homes for low-income families in need of adequate shelter. NOAHH plans to continue to build homes in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Charles and Plaquemines Parishes. http://www.habitat-nola.org/

    Everything Channel (http://www.everythingchannel.com/, http://www.channelweb.com/)

    Everything Channel is the one-stop shop for accessing, enabling, managing and accelerating technology sales channels. From branding and recruiting to marketing and sales, Everything Channel offers technology marketers the unmatched breadth and depth of global brands and market intelligence combined with unparalleled audience loyalty and credibility serving all technology sales channels through an extensive database. Everything Channel provides innovative sales and marketing solutions to arm the sellers of technology with the resources they need to achieve measurable and significant results.

    About United Business Media Limited (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/)

    United Business Media Limited (UBM) is a global media and marketing services company that informs markets and brings the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print, and with the information they need to do business successfully. UBM serves professional and commercial communities, from IT professionals to doctors, from journalists to jewelry dealers, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. UBM employs more than 6,500 people in more than 30 countries. UBM's businesses operating in the US include CMPMedica, Commonwealth Business Media, Everything Channel, PR Newswire, RISI, TechInsights, TechWeb and Think Services. UBM is listed on the London Stock Exchange (UBM.L) and has a market capitalization of $1.6 billion.

    Contact Allison Cohen Everything Channel (516) 562-7870 accohen@everythingchannel.com

    Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080505/NYM117LOGO-a
    http://photoarchive.ap.org/ Everything Channel

    CONTACT: Allison Cohen of Everything Channel, +1-516-562-7870,
    accohen@everythingchannel.com

    Web Site: http://www.everythingchannel.com/




    Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Engine Launches Planet-Hunting Spacecraft

    CANOGA PARK, Calif., March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In the first planet-hunting mission of its kind, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne boosted NASA's Kepler spacecraft into orbit to help scientists in their quest to find Earth-like planets circling distant suns in the Milky Way galaxy. The Kepler spacecraft was launched today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a United Technologies Corp. company, powered the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket with an RS-27A engine. It was the 227th flight boosted by the RS-27 family of engines.

    The Kepler spacecraft is part of NASA's mission to find orbiting planets that could contain water and harbor life. For four years, Kepler will observe the brightness of more than 100,000 stars in the Milky Way to detect periodic dimming. Such dimming could occur when a planet passes in front of its parent star, momentarily blocking the starlight seen from Earth. Kepler contains a lens, primary mirror and a charge-coupled device array for collecting light. After it is launched, Kepler will pass the moon's orbit and orbit the sun, trailing Earth. It is the first space mission of its kind to search for small, orbiting planets that may harbor life in our galaxy.

    "All previous planet-hunting expeditions have used land-based telescopes, and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is proud to be part of a mission that brings us closer to finding other Earth-like planets," said Elizabeth Jones, RS-27 program manager, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. "This mission is another example of the key role that Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne plays in the advancement of scientific research in space."

    The Kepler spacecraft is equipped with a specially designed photometer that can simultaneously focus on more than 100,000 stars with the precision required to detect orbiting planets.

    Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., a part of Pratt & Whitney, is a preferred provider of high-value propulsion, power, energy and innovative system solutions used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, missile defense systems and advanced hypersonic engines.

    Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.

    Bryan Kidder Carri Karuhn Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne +1.818.586.2213 +1.818.586.4963 bryan.kidder@pwr.utc.com carri.karuhn@pwr.utc.com

    Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne

    CONTACT: Bryan Kidder, +1-818-586-2213, or bryan.kidder@pwr.utc.com, or
    Carri Karuhn, +1-818-586-4963, or carri.karuhn@pwr.utc.com, both of Pratt &
    Whitney Rocketdyne




    Aerojet Engines Assist NASA in Quest to Discover Habitable Planets

    SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aerojet, a GenCorp company, announced today that NASA's Kepler mission was launched aboard the ULA Delta II from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The launch vehicle will place the Kepler spacecraft into solar orbit.

    The Kepler mission will survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy in search of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone. Aerojet provided eight MR-103G 0.2 lbf rocket engine assemblies to Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. for the Kepler spacecraft and has provided propulsion for every NASA Discovery mission.

    Aerojet, under contract to United Launch Alliance, provides the Delta II rocket's second stage liquid engine. Other notable Delta II launches include critical NASA missions such as the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity, MESSENGER, Phoenix Mars Lander, GLAST, THEMIS, STEREO and Deep Impact, as well as the USAF Global Positioning System (GPS) Block IIR fleet and several missions for the National Reconnaissance Office. "The Kepler mission is an important science mission that will help us understand whether planets like Earth are common or rare in the galaxy. Aerojet is proud to be part of the team to send them on their way," said Richard Yanick, director of Delta II and Space Tank Production Programs.

    Kepler is a NASA Discovery Mission. Ames is the home organization of the science principal investigator and is responsible for the ground system development, mission operations and science data analysis. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., manages the Kepler mission development. Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. of Boulder, Colo., is responsible for developing the Kepler flight system and supporting mission operations. For more information about the Kepler mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/kepler.

    Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, defense and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale, and leasing of the company's excess real estate assets. Additional information about Aerojet and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' Web sites at http://www.aerojet.com/ and http://www.gencorp.com/.

    Aerojet

    CONTACT: Glenn Mahone, +1-202-302-9941, Glenn.Mahone@Aerojet.com, or
    Kristin Conner, +1-916-355-2143, Kristin.Conner@Aerojet.com, both of Aerojet

    Web Site: http://www.aerojet.com/

    Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/347350.html




    Telecom Argentina S.A. Announces Consolidated Annual Period ('FY08') and Fourth Quarter Results for Fiscal Year 2008 ('4Q08')*

    BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Telecom Argentina (BASE: TECO2; NYSE: TEO), one of Argentina's leading telecommunications groups, announced today a Net Income of P$961 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 or +9% when compared to same period of the previous year. If Publicom sales effects were not contemplated, Net Income would have grown by 23% vs. FY07.

    Highlights

    -- Telecom Argentina Group continued with the expansion of its business during fiscal year 2008. Consolidated Net Revenues amounted to P$10,608 million (+17%) when compared to same period of the previous fiscal year ("FY07"). Revenues generated by the Cellular business grew by 20% and the Internet business increased by 39%.

    -- Cellular subscribers totaled 14.4 million (+17%), while broadband subscribers reached 1,042,000 (+33%). Fixed lines in service also increased by 2% to 4.3 million.

    -- Operating Profit Before Depreciation and Amortization ("OPBDA") reached P$3,330 million (+9% vs. FY07), equivalent to 31% of Net Revenues, mainly fueled by growth in cellular telephony in Argentina. On the contrary, fixed line telephony profitability continued to weaken due to frozen tariffs of regulated services and the inflation effect on the cost structure.

    -- Operating Profit amounted to P$2,041 million (+25% vs. FY07), equivalent to 19% of Net Revenues (+121 bps. vs. FY07).

    -- Net Income reached P$961 million (+9% vs. FY07). If Publicom sales effects were not contemplated, Net Income would have grown by 23% vs. FY07.

    -- Investments (excluding materials) totaled P$1,597 million during FY08 (+23% vs. FY07), where P$834 million were allocated to fixed telephony (+21% vs. FY07).

    -- Net Financial Debt (before NPV effect) declined to P$912 million (-P$1,143 million vs. December 2007). The Net Financial Debt to OPBDA ratio declined from 0.7x as of the end of December 2007 to 0.3x as of the end of December 2008.

    As of December 31 2008 2007 Var $ Var % Consolidated Net Revenues (in MM P$) 10,608 9,074 1,534 17% Voice, Data & Internet 3,653 3,302 351 11% Cellular 6,955 5,772 1,183 20% Operating Profit before D&A (in MM P$) 3,330 3,052 278 9% Operating Profit (in MM P$) 2,041 1,636 405 25% Net Income (in MM P$) 961 884 77 9% Shareholder's equity (in MM P$) 4,020 3,030 990 33% Net Financial Debt - Before NPV effect (in MM P$) 912 2,055 (1,143) (56%) Net Financial Debt - Book value (in MM P$) 903 1,993 (1,090) (55%) CAPEX (in MM P$) 1,597 1,302 295 23% Lines in service (Fixed lines - in thousands) 4,299 4,208 91 2% Cellular customers (in thousands) 14,390 12,292 2,098 17% Personal (Argentina) 12,564 10,666 1,898 18% Nucleo (Paraguay) 1,826 1,626 200 12% ADSL customers (in thousands) 1,042 783 259 33% Fixed line traffic (in MM minutes, Internet & Public Telephony not incl.) 16,306 16,878 (572) (3%) Incoming/Outgoing cellular voice traffic in Arg.(in MM minutes) 11,579 9,946 1,633 16% Average Revenue per user (ARPU) Fixed Telephony/voice (in P$) 39 39 - 0% Average Revenue per user (ARPU) Cellular Telephony Arg. (in P$) 41 39 2 5%

    During FY08, Consolidated Net Revenues increased by 17% (+P$1,534 million vs. FY07) to P$10,608 million, mainly fueled by the cellular and broadband businesses.

    Moreover, OPBDA increased by 9% (+P$278 million) to P$3,330 million (31% of Consolidated Net Revenues).

    Company Activities Consolidated Net Revenues

    The evolution in Consolidated Net Revenues by reportable segment was as follows:

    Voice, Data Transmission & Internet

    During fiscal year 2008, revenues generated by these services amounted to P$3,653 million, +11% vs. FY07, where Internet revenues have grown the most (+39% vs. FY07).

    Voice

    Total Revenues for this service reached P$2,701 million (+4% vs. FY07). The results of this line of business are still affected by frozen tariffs of regulated services.

    Monthly Charges and Supplementary Services increased by P$53 million, or 7% vs. FY07, to P$799 million, as a consequence of a higher number of lines in service (+2%), which reached 4.3 million lines, and the 19% increase in supplementary services.

    Revenues generated by traffic (Local Measured Service, Domestic Long Distance and International Telephony) totaled P$1,237 million, an increase of 1% vs. FY07, as a consequence of a slight decrease of 3% in minutes affected by the mobile substitution, reflecting a small decrease in local and national long distance traffic. Otherwise, international traffic continued growing by 10% vs. FY07.

    Interconnection revenues amounted to P$400 million (+7% vs. FY07), mainly as a consequence of traffic originated in cellular lines but transported by and terminated in the Company's fixed-line network.

    Other revenues reached P$265 million (+5% vs. FY07). This evolution is the consequence of an increase in billing and collection fees as well as in voice, data and internet equipment sales despite a decrease in Public Telephony revenues (-P$31 million), which was affected by the development of the mobile service.

    Data Transmission and Internet

    Data transmission revenues amounted to P$217 million (+25% vs. FY07), generated by the offering of new solutions to the corporate market geared towards addressing internal necessities related to infrastructure. This has enhanced its position as an integrated provider of innovative ICT solutions (connectivity, housing and hosting). In this line, in July 2008, Telecom acquired the shares of Cubecorp Argentina S.A., a world class infrastructure datacenter located in Buenos Aires, in order to maximize its datacenter services.

    Revenues related to Internet reached P$735 million (+207 million or 39% vs. FY07), mainly due to the substantial expansion of broadband service, driven by better network coverage, commercial promotions and innovation of the service portfolio.

    During the fourth quarter, and in line with the increase of the market, in November, Telecom reached one million ADSL clients. As part of this milestone, the company carried out several extensive promotions through TV, visual advertisements, radio and Internet media.

    During this quarter, Telecom continued promoting Arnet Go, the first broadband service that combines ADSL technology for home internet access using a Wi-Fi modem, and the mobile internet access through Telecom Personal's 3G networks.

    As of December 31, 2008, Telecom reached 1,042,000 ADSL customers (+33% vs. FY07). Lines with these types of connections represent approximately 24% of Telecom's fixed-lines in service.

    Cellular Telephony

    Cellular Telephony continues expanding, increasing its participation in the Group's total revenues (66% vs. 64% in FY07). During FY08, this business generated revenues of P$6,955 million (+20% vs. FY07). As of the end of December 2008, total subscribers reached 14.4 million, representing an increase of 0.6 million subscribers when compared to September 30, 2008 and 2.1 million vs. FY07.

    Telecom Personal in Argentina

    As of the end of December 2008, Personal reached 12.6 million subscribers in Argentina (+1.9 million, or +18% vs. FY07). 4Q08 experienced the highest increase of 2008, adding 0.6 million subscribers.

    Approximately 66% of the overall subscriber base is prepaid and 34% is postpaid (including "cuentas claras" plans).

    Total voice traffic increased by 16% vs. FY07 while outgoing SMS traffic increased from a monthly average of 883 million messages in FY07 to 1,454 million (+65%) in FY08. Because of this raise in traffic and the increasing use of value-added services, the Average Monthly Revenue per User ("ARPU") increased to P$41 in FY08, compared to P$39 in FY07. Meanwhile, the ARPU in 4Q08 amounted to P$42, stable when compared to 4Q07.

    Revenues totaled P$6,565 million (+P$1,226 million or +23% vs. FY07). Service revenues increased by P$1,097 million or 23% vs. FY07, reaching P$5,853 million; furthermore, value-added services totaled P$1,735 million (+P$471 million or 37%, vs. FY07), 30% of service revenues. Additionally, handset sales grew by P$129 million (+22%) compared to FY07, reaching P$712 million.

    Commercial Activities

    During 4Q08, Personal continued developing its commercial efforts focusing on different segments. That is why it launched original packs, with the purpose of providing Personal's customers with more flexibility and convenient offers.

    Furthermore, Personal continued to expand 3G network coverage, as well as the offer of new Smartphones, Mobile Broadband USB Modems and Netbooks. Additionally, the Company expanded its commercial offices, opening new customer centers in Viedma (Rio Negro), San Rafael (Mendoza), Comodoro Rivadavia (Chubut), Villa Maria (Cordoba) and Rio Cuarto (Cordoba).

    Moreover, Personal continued providing innovative value added services, such as the download of CNN en Espanol contents.

    In line with its focus strategy in music, Personal put into practice several promotional actions such as handsets with music related content.

    Finally, Personal closed FY08 having strengthened its leadership position in brand recognition, with particular focus on the youth segment.

    Nucleo

    Personal's controlled subsidiary that operates in Paraguay generated revenues equivalent to P$390 million during FY08 (-10% vs. FY07).

    The global crisis affected Paraguayan economy, where the depreciation of its currency and a lower level of activity were the last evident effects.

    The devaluation of the Guarani in 4Q08 originated a reduction in revenues due to the consequent conversion of the full year revenues to the end of period exchange rate. The Guarani appreciated 18% against the dollar in the first half, but with the deepening of the financial crisis in October, it suffered a strong depreciation of 23%. This conversion effect had a negative impact of P$46 million on revenues of 4Q08 and FY08.

    By the end of December 2008, the subscriber base reached approximately 1.8 million customers (+12% vs. FY07). Prepaid and Postpaid customers represented 90% and 10%, respectively.

    Consolidated Operating Costs

    The Cost of Services Provided, Administrative Expenses and Selling Expenses totaled P$8,567 million in FY08, which represents an increase of P$1,129 million, or +15%, vs. FY07. This increase in costs is a consequence of the increase in revenues, inflationary effects on the costs structure, and higher expenses related to the competition in the cellular business and internet.

    The cost breakdown is as follows:

    -- Salaries and Social Security Contributions: totaled P$1,217 million (+27% vs. FY07), affected by increases in salaries and social security imposed by law, the increase in mobile headcount that accompanied the evolution of the cellular business, and the absorption of 46 employees from Cubecorp S.A.

    -- Taxes: reached P$825 million (+25% vs. FY07), influenced mainly by a higher rates in turnover taxes and additional charges related to Universal Service.

    -- Maintenance, materials and supplies reached P$541 million (+21% vs. FY07), mostly due to an increase in costs that followed inflation.

    -- Network access costs (includes TLRD, Roaming, Interconnection, international settlement charges and lease of circuits): amounted to P$1,366 million (+19% vs. FY07) generated by higher traffic between cellular operators that accompany the increase in revenues.

    -- Fees for services: reached P$389 million (+30% vs. FY07), mainly caused by the evolution of prices that followed inflation.

    -- Agents, prepaid card commissions and other commissions: were P$928 million (+11% vs. FY07), mainly due to the increase in commissions paid to commercial agents and card distribution costs, as a higher volume of revenues was registered.

    -- Advertising: amounted to P$388 million (+27% vs. FY07) oriented towards supporting the commercial activity in cellular telephony and Internet, and to strengthen the brand position of the Telecom Group.

    -- Cost of handsets sold: totaled P$1,026 million (+15% vs. FY07) mainly due to an increase in the number of terminals sold. Despite this, handset subsidies were less than in FY07 and represented P$268 million (-P$17 million vs. FY07).

    -- Other Costs (includes bad debt expense, cost of directories publishing, transportation and freight, insurance, energy, water and others, rental expense and international and satellite connectivity: totaled P$598 million (+27% vs. FY07). This increase was due to the inflationary effects on related services.

    -- Depreciation of Fixed and Intangible Assets: reached P$ 1,289 million (-9% vs. FY07). Fixed-line telephony totaled P$822 million (-1% vs. FY07) and Cellular telephony P$467 million (-21% vs. FY07), as TDMA technology depreciation charges ended in March 2008.

    Consolidated Financial and Holding Results Financial and Holding Results resulted in a loss of P$265 million, an improvement of P$176 million vs. FY07. This was due to P$110 million less net interest, the positive effect of P$61 million of holding results generated by inventories and the gain on purchase of notes of P$34 million. This positive impact compensated the loss of P$32 million registered in foreign currency exchange losses.

    Consolidated Net Financial Debt

    As of December 31, 2008, Net Financial Debt (Loans before the effect of NPV valuation, minus Cash, Cash Equivalents and Other credits from derivative Investments for Notes) amounted to P$912 million, a reduction of P$1,143 million as compared to December 2007.

    From October 16, 2008 to December 31, 2008, Telecom Argentina and Telecom Personal purchased Notes pursuant to market purchase transactions. In the case of Telecom Argentina, it has acquired an aggregate principal nominal amount of euros 79 million of Telecom's Series A Regulation S Euro Notes Due 2014 (equivalent to an outstanding amount of euros 32 million). In the case of Telecom Personal, it has acquired an aggregate principal amount of US$ 40 million of Personal's Series 3 Medium Term Notes due 2010. These notes were acquired in market transactions, with both companies' cash.

    During January 2009, Personal purchased a nominal amount of US$4 million Series 3 Notes due 2010.

    The Notes acquired were cancelled according to the terms and conditions of the Indenture.

    Consolidated Capital Expenditures

    During FY08, the Company invested P$1,597 million (excluding materials), in fixed and intangible assets. This amount was allocated to Voice, Data and Internet businesses (P$834 million) and cellular business (P$763 million).

    Main capex projects are related to the expansion of broadband services and to the upgrade of the network for next generation services (NGN), the improvement of the network (capacity, coverage and 3G), and the launch of new and innovative value-added services.

    In relative terms, capex reached 15% of the revenues, within industry standards.

    Furthermore, due to a careful management of capex, Telecom reached a ratio of operating profit to net investment capital of 36% for FY08.

    Other Initiatives

    Related to the corporate market, during 4Q08 Telecom continued enhancing its position as an integrated provider of innovative ICT solutions, conceived to satisfy specific needs of each business segment and contribute to the improvement of government administration.

    During this quarter, Telecom Argentina was distinguished with a certification that endorses the fulfillment of Communication "A 4609" from the Central Bank of Argentina to its datacenters in Cordoba and Bosque Alegre's housing service, adding to those received for the Buenos Aires datacenter. This certification is a requirement to provide services to financial entities, one of the segments that have grown the most during the year.

    Likewise, during December, Telecom validated ISO 9001:2000 certifications for the third time, originally obtained in 2001, related to wholesale client procedures in order to improve quality administration and enhance standard solutions offered to that segment.

    Recent Relevant Matters

    Standard & Poor's Ratings Services announced on February 12, 2009, that it had downgraded to 'B-' from 'B' the foreign currency ratings on Telecom Argentina and Telecom Personal in line with the increase in Convertibility and Transferability risk assigned to Argentina. Additionally, Standard & Poor's, has also rated the local currency 'B' for both companies in Credit Watch as it reviews the impact of other country risk factors.

    On January 1, 2009, Telecom incorporated by merger Cubecorp Argentina S.A., a "world class infrastructure" datacenter, with the objective of simplifying administration and taking advantage of professional and qualified staff from both companies. As part of this agreement, a migration plan was initiated to transfer Telecom Argentina and Telecom Personal data centers to Pacheco, Buenos Aires Province premises.

    Telecom is the parent company of a leading telecommunications group in Argentina, where it offers directly or through its controlled subsidiaries local and long distance fixed-line telephony, cellular, data transmission and Internet services, among other services. Additionally, through a controlled subsidiary, the Telecom Group offers cellular services in Paraguay. The Company commenced operations on November 8, 1990, upon the Argentine government's transfer of the telecommunications system in the northern region of Argentina.

    Nortel Inversora S.A. ("Nortel"), which acquired the majority of the Company from the Argentine government, holds 54.74% of Telecom's common stock. Nortel is a holding company where the common stock (approximately 68% of capital stock) is owned by Sofora Telecomunicaciones S.A. Additionally, Nortel capital stock is comprised of preferred shares that are held by minority shareholders.

    As of December 31, 2008, Telecom had 984,380,978 shares outstanding. (*) Employee Stock Ownership Program For more information, please contact the Investor Relations Department: Pedro Insussarry 54-11-4968-3743 Solange Barthe Dennin 54-11-4968-3752 Evangelina Sanchez 54-11-4968-3718 Ruth Fuhrmann 54-11-4968-4448 Horacio Nicolas del Campo 54-11-4968-6236 Voice Mail: 54-11-4968-3628 Fax: 54-11-4313-5842 E-mail: relinver@ta.telecom.com.ar For information about Telecom Group services, visit: http://www.telecom.com.ar/ http://www.personal.com.ar/ http://www.personal.com.py/ http://www.arnet.com.ar/ Disclaimer

    This document may contain statements that could constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Company's expectations for its future performance, revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, liquidity and capital structure; the effects of its debt restructuring process; the impact of emergency laws enacted by the Argentine Government; and the impact of rate changes and competition on the Company's future financial performance. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "intends," "should," "seeks," "estimates," "future" or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect the Company's expected results. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of emergency laws enacted by the Argentine government that have resulted in the repeal of Argentina's Convertibility law, devaluation of the peso, various changes in restrictions on the ability to exchange pesos into foreign currencies, and currency transfer policy generally, the "pesification" of tariffs charged for public services, the elimination of indexes to adjust rates charged for public services and the Executive branch announcement to renegotiate the terms of the concessions granted to public service providers, including Telecom. Due to extensive changes in laws and economic and business conditions in Argentina, it is difficult to predict the impact of these changes on the Company's financial condition. Other factors may include, but are not limited to, the evolution of the economy in Argentina, growing inflationary pressure and evolution in consumer spending and the outcome of certain legal proceedings. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as the date of this document. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events and circumstances after the date of this press release, including, without limitation, changes in the Company's business or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are encouraged to consult the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, as well as periodic filings made on Form 6-K, which are filed with or furnished to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for further information concerning risks and uncertainties faced by Telecom.

    * Non-audited Financial data

    Telecom Argentina

    CONTACT: Pedro Insussarry, +011-54-11-4968-3743, or Solange Barthe
    Dennin, +011-54-11-4968-3752, both for Telecom Argentina

    Web site: http://www.telecom.com.ar/




    GameTech Announces SEC Filing of First Quarter Fiscal Year 2009 Financial Results

    RENO, Nev., March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GameTech International, Inc. ("GameTech" or the "Company") , a leading designer, developer and marketer of electronic bingo equipment, bingo systems and video lottery terminals, has filed its first quarter results with the SEC and the Form 10-Q can be accessed via the internet Friday March 6, 2009, at approximately 3:00 p.m. Pacific time. The Quarterly Report includes information about GameTech's financial position and results of operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

    GameTech International, Inc. is in the business of designing, manufacturing, and marketing computerized bingo and gaming equipment, systems, and services. Under the GameTech(R) brand the Company provides electronic bingo systems and equipment. Under the Summit Gaming(TM) brand the Company provides video lottery terminals and slot machine gaming devices. The Company also provides other gaming related equipment and services. GameTech International, Inc. is an innovator in advanced wireless gaming applications and devices as well as software and content for traditional slot machine games. GameTech International, Inc. serves customers in 41 U. S. States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, and the United Kingdom. The company was incorporated in 1994 and is headquartered in Reno, Nevada.

    Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are intended to be forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. GameTech cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Such factors include risks associated with doing business in a regulated industry, our ability to retain customers and secure new customers, risks associated with rapid technological change, and those disclosed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. GameTech does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update our forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

    GameTech International, Inc.

    CONTACT: Marcia Martin of GameTech International, Inc., +1-775-850-6100

    Web Site: http://www.gametech-inc.com/

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