Sales of Equipment – Sales of equipment revenues for 2023 decreased by 3.5%, or Ps.4.7 billion, over 2022. At constant exchange rates, sales of equipment revenues for 2023 increased by 4.7% over 2022. This increase at constant exchange rates principally reflects higher sales of smartphones, data-enabled devices and accessories in Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Colombia and Ecuador, which were partially offset by lower sales in Central America and Peru.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Total operating costs and expenses for 2023 decreased by 3.6%, or Ps.18.6 billion, over 2022. At constant exchange rates, total operating costs and expenses for 2023 increased by 4.8% over 2022. This increase in operating costs and expenses at constant exchange rates principally reflects increased costs associated with electric energy, network maintenance, lease space, IT and logistics.
Cost of Sales and Services – Cost of sales and services decreased by 4.3%, or Ps.14.1 billion, over 2022. At constant exchange rates, cost of sales and services for 2023 increased by 3.9% over 2022. This increase in costs of sales and services at constant exchange rates principally reflects an increase in sales of higher-end smartphones as well as, increased electric energy, corporate network, IT services and network maintenance costs. This increase, which was also due to inflationary pressures, was partially offset by our cost savings program.
Commercial, Administrative and General Expenses – Commercial, administrative and general expenses for 2023 decreased by 3.6%, or Ps.6.5 billion, over 2022. As a percentage of operating revenues, commercial, administrative and general expenses were 21.2% for 2023, the same as 2022. At constant exchange rates, commercial, administrative and general expenses for 2023 increased by 5.1% over 2022. This increase in commercial, administrative and general expenses at constant exchange rates principally reflects the recognition of certain uncollectible accounts, increased expenses for frequency rights-of-use, improvements to customer service centers and advertising.
Other Expenses – Other expenses for 2023 increased by Ps.2.0 billion over 2022, principally due to the write-off of the cost of sales of towers in the Dominican Republic and Peru.
Depreciation and Amortization – Depreciation and amortization for 2023 decreased by 4.3%, or Ps.6.8 billion, over 2022. As a percentage of operating revenues, depreciation and amortization were 18.6% for 2023, a decrease of 0.2% over 2022. At constant exchange rates, depreciation and amortization for 2023 increased by 8.3% over 2022. This increase in depreciation and amortization at constant exchange rates principally reflects higher amortization of rights-of-use for towers owned by Sitios Latam, higher capital expenditures in Brazil, our acquisition of 32.0% of Grupo Oi’s mobile business in Brazil in April 2022 and amortization of 5G license payments.
Operating Income
Operating income for 2023 decreased by 1.8%, or Ps.3.1 billion, over 2022. Operating margin (operating income as a percentage of operating revenues) was 20.6% for 2023, which represented an increase of 0.3% over 2022.
Non-Operating Items
Net Interest Expense – Net interest expense (interest expense less interest income) for 2023 decreased by 4.2%, or Ps.1.5 billion, over 2022. This decrease principally reflects a decrease in interest expense on debt due to changes in interest rates in Brazil.
Foreign Currency Exchange Gain, Net – We recorded a net foreign currency exchange gain of Ps.14.7 billion for 2023, compared to our net foreign currency exchange gain of Ps.20.8 billion for 2022. This decrease principally reflects the appreciation of some of the currencies in which our indebtedness is denominated, particularly the U.S. dollar, the euro and the British pound sterling.
Valuation of Derivatives, Interest Cost from Labor Obligations and Other Financial Items, Net – We recorded a net loss of Ps.26.8 billion for 2023 on the valuation of derivatives, interest cost from labor obligations and other financial items, net, compared to a net loss of Ps.19.1 billion for 2022. The change in 2023 principally reflects a loss on hedging instruments as a result of the depreciation of some of the currencies in which our indebtedness is denominated.
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