Technology
TOTAL PLAY ANNOUNCES 15% GROWTH IN EBITDA, TO Ps.18,361 MILLION IN 2023
Published
2 years agoon
By
—11% increase in revenue and 9% growth in costs and expenses in 2023, boost EBITDA margin to 45%, highest annual level since the company issues public debt—
—Subscriber base growth moderation strategy and strict financial discipline significantly strengthen Total Play’s profitability, cash flow and liquidity—
—Firm increase in the company’s cash and restricted cash balance; it grows 48%, to Ps.5,754 million at the end of the year—
MEXICO CITY, Feb. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Total Play Telecomunicaciones, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (“Total Play”), a leading telecommunications company in Mexico that offers internet access, pay television and telephony services, through one of the largest 100% fiber optic networks in the country, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter 2023 and 2023.
“The strategy to moderate the growth of our subscriber base and initiatives that further drive operational efficiency, launched in 2023, together with the company’s strict financial discipline, notably strengthened the profitability and cash generation of Total Play during the year. Rigorous budget planning, process optimization and structures rationalization translated into lower annual growth in costs and expenses compared to revenue and in a firm 15% increase in EBITDA in 2023,” commented Eduardo Kuri, CEO of Total Play. “Capex figures, consistent with our solid strategy, allowed a significant positive balance of EBITDA less Capex – a fundamental indicator of cash flow generation – of Ps.2,735 million in 2023, notably higher than the negative figure of Ps.6,493 million a year ago.”
“Likewise, the company’s balance sheet was additionally strengthened, with a 48% growth in the cash and restricted cash balance, to Ps.5,754 million at the end of 2023, while the appropriate planning of the maturity profile allowed us to reduce debt with cost of short-term loans by 34%,” added Mr. Kuri. “Our firm strategy has translated into increasing financial strength this year and we are determined to further drive the liquidity and robustness of Total Play’s capital structure going forward.”
Fourth quarter results
Revenue for the quarter totaled Ps.10,674 million, 10% above Ps.9,736 million in the same period of the previous year. Total costs and expenses were Ps.5,938 million, compared to Ps.5,356 million the previous year.
As a result, Total Play’s EBITDA grew 8%, to Ps.4,736 million, from Ps.4,380 million a year ago; the EBITDA margin for the quarter was 44%. The company recorded operating income of Ps.605 million, compared to Ps.747 million a year ago.
Total Play reported a net loss of Ps.1,024 million, from a loss of Ps.438 million in the same quarter of 2022.
Q4 2022
Q4 2023
Change
Ps.
%
Revenue from services
$9,736
$10,674
$938
10 %
EBITDA
$4,380
$4,736
$356
8 %
Operating income
Net result
$747
$(438)
$605
$(1,024)
$(142)
$(586)
-19%
-134%
Amounts in millions of pesos.
EBITDA: Earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization.
Service revenue
The company’s revenue grew 10%, as a result of a 7% increase in sales in the residential segment, and a 29% increase in revenue from the corporate business.
Totalplay Residencial’s revenue growth, to Ps.8,945 million, compared to Ps.8,398 million the previous year, is related to a 10% increase in the number of subscribers of the company’s services in the year, to reach 4,779,480 — a figure that includes 69,554 small and medium-sized businesses — at the end of 2023. Compared to the previous quarter, the number of net additions grew by 85,774 users, in line with Total Play’s subscriber base growth moderation strategy.
The quarter’s average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) was Ps.616, from Ps.617 a year ago.
As previously announced, in the first quarter of the year the company’s investment program in geographic expansion concluded, given that the territory in which its target market is located throughout the country was reached. According to this, the number of homes passed in Mexico at the end of this period was 17,556,755, a figure with minor variations during 2023. Compared to the same quarter of 2022 — in which the number of homes passed was 17,332,265 — the growth was 1%.
Penetration — proportion of homes passed by Total Play that have the company’s telecommunications services — was 27.2% at the end of the quarter, up from 25.2% a year ago.
Revenue from the business segment was Ps.1,729 million, from Ps.1,338 million the previous year, due to the implementation of various projects by business organizations this quarter.
Costs and expenses
Total costs and expenses grew 11%, as a result of a 19% increase in service costs and a 7% growth in general expenses.
The increase in expenses, to Ps.3,874 million, from Ps.3,627 million, reflects higher maintenance and fee expenses — in the context of growing operations in the company —partially offset by reduction in personnel and advertising expenses, derived from strategies that generate strong operational efficiencies.
The increase in costs, to Ps.2,064 million, from Ps.1,729 million the previous year results mainly from increased costs of content and business projects, partially offset by lower costs of licenses and interconnection links.
EBITDA and net result
Total Play’s EBITDA was Ps.4,736 million, 8% higher compared to Ps.4,380 million the previous year.
Relevant variations below EBITDA were the following:
Increase of Ps.498 million in depreciation and amortization, mainly as a result of subscriber acquisition costs — telecommunication equipment, labor and installation expenses.
Growth of Ps.172 million in interest expense, consistent with the increase in the balance of financial debt.
Decrease of Ps.636 million in foreign exchange gains, as a consequence of net liability monetary position in foreign currency, together with lower appreciation of the peso against the basket of currencies in which the company’s monetary liabilities are denominated this quarter, compared to the previous year.
Total Play reported a net loss of Ps.1,024 million, from a loss of Ps.438 million in the same period of 2022.
Balance sheet
As of December 31, 2023, the company’s debt with cost was Ps.52,199 million, compared to Ps.49,533 million the previous year. The growth of the debt balance is related to credits with financial institutions during the period.
Consistent with the strategy to expand the company’s maturity profile, the balance of debt with cost for short-term loans was reduced 34%, to Ps.4,573 million, from Ps.6,973 million a year ago.
The lease liability was Ps.5,665 million, 20% lower compared to Ps.7,073 million the previous year.
The balance of cash and cash equivalents, as well as restricted cash in trusts totaled Ps.5,754 million, 48% higher compared to Ps.3,878 million a year ago. As a result, the company’s net debt was Ps.52,110 million, 1% lower than Ps.52,728 million the previous year.
Total Play’s fixed assets — which include the accumulated investment in fiber optics, telecommunications equipment, and the cost of acquiring subscribers, among other assets — were Ps.61,946 million, 7% above Ps.58,165 million a year ago.
Twelve-month results
Revenue for 2023 was Ps.40,503 million, 11% above Ps.36,352 million from the previous year, within the framework of growth of 13% in residential income, to Ps.34,586 million, and 2% in business income, to Ps.5,917 million.
Total costs and expenses grew 9%, to Ps.22,142 million, from Ps.20,384 million, as a result of a 12% increase in general expenses and a 3% increase in service costs. Total costs and expenses grow at a lower rate than income as a result of strict compliance with budgets and strategies that generate operational efficiencies throughout the company.
Total Play reported EBITDA of Ps.18,361 million, 15% above the Ps.15,968 million of the previous year; The EBITDA margin was 45%, one percentage point above the previous year. Operating income was Ps.2,316 million, from a profit of Ps.3,097 million in 2022.
The company recorded a net loss of Ps.3,147 million, compared to a loss of Ps.2,251 million a year ago.
2022
2023
Change
Ps.
%
Revenue from services
$36,352
$40,503
$4,151
11 %
EBITDA
$15,968
$18,361
$2,393
15 %
Operating income
Net result
$3,097
$(2,251)
$2,316
$(3,147)
$(781)
$(896)
-25%
-40%
Amounts in millions of pesos.
EBITDA: Earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization.
About Total Play
Total Play is a leading Triple Play provider in Mexico that, thanks to the widest direct-to-home fiber optic network in the country, offers entertainment and technologically advanced services with the highest quality and speed in the market. For the latest news and updates about Total Play, visit: www.totalplay.com.mx.
Total Play is a Grupo Salinas company (www.gruposalinas.com), a group of dynamic, fast-growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating economic value through market innovation and goods and services that improve standards of living; social value to improve community well-being; and environmental value by reducing the negative impact of its business activities. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies. Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors, and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. The group of companies shares a common vision, values, and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results, and world-class performance.
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are concepts about the future that involve risks and uncertainty that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Other risks that may affect Total Play and its subsidiaries are presented in documents sent to the securities authorities.
Investor Relations:
Bruno Rangel
+ 52 (55) 1720 9167
jrangelk@totalplay.com.mx
Rolando Villarreal
+ 52 (55) 1720 9167
rvillarreal@totalplay.com.mx
Press Relations:
Luciano Pascoe
Tel. +52 (55) 1720 1313 ext. 36553
lpascoe@gruposalinas.com.mx
TOTAL PLAY TELECOMUNICACIONES, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY INCOME STATEMENTS
(Millions of Mexican pesos)
4Q22
4Q23
Change
$
%
$
%
$
%
Revenue from services
9,736
100 %
10,674
100 %
938
10 %
Cost of services
(1,729)
(18 %)
(2,064)
(19 %)
(335)
(19 %)
Gross profit
8,007
82 %
8,610
81 %
603
8 %
General expenses
(3,627)
(37 %)
(3,874)
(36 %)
(247)
(7 %)
EBITDA
4,380
45 %
4,736
44 %
356
8 %
Depreciation and amortization
(3,633)
(37 %)
(4,131)
(39 %)
(498)
(14 %)
Operating profit
747
8 %
605
6 %
(142)
(19 %)
Financial cost:
Interest revenue
38
0 %
53
0 %
15
39 %
Change in fair value of financial instruments
(216)
(2 %)
(113)
(1 %)
103
48 %
Accrued interest expense
(1,289)
(13 %)
(1,461)
(14 %)
(172)
(13 %)
Other financial expenses
(99)
(1 %)
(54)
(1 %)
45
45 %
Foreign exchange gain – Net
1,248
13 %
612
6 %
(636)
(51 %)
(318)
(3 %)
(963)
(9 %)
(645)
n.m.
Equity interest in net results of non-controlling entities
(1)
(0 %)
–
0 %
1
100 %
Profit (Loss) before income tax provisions
428
4 %
(358)
(3 %)
(786)
(184 %)
Income tax provision
(885)
(9 %)
(666)
(6 %)
219
25 %
Net loss before non-controlling interest
(457)
(5 %)
(1,024)
(10 %)
(567)
(124 %)
Non-controlling interest
19
0 %
–
0 %
(19)
(100 %)
Net Loss for the period
(438)
(4 %)
(1,024)
(10 %)
(586)
(134 %)
TOTAL PLAY TELECOMUNICACIONES, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED ACCUMULATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(Millions of Mexican pesos)
Accumulated
Accumulated
12M22
12M23
Change
$
%
$
%
$
%
Revenue from services
36,352
100 %
40,503
100 %
4,151
11 %
Cost of services
(7,588)
(21 %)
(7,801)
(19 %)
(213)
(3 %)
Gross profit
28,764
79 %
32,702
81 %
3,938
14 %
General expenses
(12,796)
(35 %)
(14,341)
(35 %)
(1,545)
(12 %)
EBITDA
15,968
44 %
18,361
45 %
2,393
15 %
Depreciation and amortization
(12,871)
(35 %)
(16,045)
(40 %)
(3,174)
(25 %)
Operating profit
3,097
9 %
2,316
6 %
(781)
(25 %)
Financial cost:
Interest revenue
98
0 %
191
0 %
93
95 %
Change in fair value of financial instruments
(358)
(1 %)
(576)
(1 %)
(218)
(61 %)
Accrued interest expense
(4,228)
(12 %)
(5,528)
(14 %)
(1,300)
(31 %)
Other financial expenses
(254)
(1 %)
(393)
(1 %)
(139)
(55 %)
Foreign exchange gain – Net
1,337
4 %
3,384
8 %
2,047
153 %
(3,405)
(9 %)
(2,922)
(7 %)
483
14 %
Equity interest in net results of non-controlling entities
(1)
(0 %)
(19)
(0 %)
18
n.m.
Profit (Loss) before income tax provisions
(309)
(1 %)
(625)
(2 %)
(316)
(102 %)
Income tax provision
(1,969)
(5 %)
(2,522)
(6 %)
553
28 %
Net loss before non-controlling interest
(2,278)
(6 %)
(3,147)
(8 %)
(869)
(38 %)
Non-controlling interest
27
0 %
–
0 %
27
100 %
Net Loss for the period
(2,251)
(6 %)
(3,147)
(8 %)
(896)
(40 %)
TOTAL PLAY TELECOMUNICACIONES, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Millions of Mexican pesos)
As of December 31,
2022
2023
Change
$
%
$
%
$
%
Assets
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
1,890
2 %
2,377
3 %
487
26 %
Restricted cash in trusts
1,988
2 %
3,377
4 %
1,389
70 %
Customers – net
5,506
7 %
4,426
5 %
(1,080)
(20 %)
Other accounts receivable
236
0 %
183
0 %
(53)
(22 %)
Recoverable taxes
3,810
5 %
4,141
5 %
331
9 %
Related parties
310
0 %
367
0 %
57
18 %
Inventories
2,342
3 %
2,926
3 %
584
25 %
Prepaid expenses
908
1 %
514
1 %
(394)
(43 %)
Total current assets
16,990
20 %
18,311
21 %
1,321
8 %
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Related parties
154
0 %
237
0 %
83
54 %
Property, plant and equipmente – Net
58,165
70 %
61,946
71 %
3,781
7 %
Rights-of-use assets -Net
6,703
8 %
4,780
5 %
(1,923)
(29 %)
Trademarks and other assets
1,368
2 %
2,171
2 %
803
59 %
Total non-current assets
66,390
80 %
69,134
79 %
2,744
4 %
Total assets
83,380
100 %
87,445
100 %
4,065
5 %
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
Financial debt
6,973
8 %
4,573
5 %
(2,400)
(34 %)
Lease liabilities
2,108
3 %
2,338
3 %
230
11 %
Trade payables
10,751
13 %
13,373
15 %
2,622
24 %
Reverse factoring
2,691
3 %
2,234
3 %
(457)
(17 %)
Other payables and payable taxes
2,446
3 %
1,473
2 %
(973)
(40 %)
Related parties
365
0 %
1,012
1 %
647
177 %
Liabilities from contracts with customers
986
1 %
994
1 %
8
1 %
Interest payable
385
0 %
316
0 %
(69)
(18 %)
Derivative financial instruments
126
0 %
175
0 %
49
39 %
Total short-term liabilities
26,831
32 %
26,488
30 %
(343)
(1 %)
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Financial debt
42,560
51 %
47,626
54 %
5,066
12 %
Lease liabilities
4,965
6 %
3,327
4 %
(1,638)
(33 %)
Derivative financial instruments
764
1 %
1,442
2 %
678
89 %
Employee benefits
49
0 %
74
0 %
25
51 %
Deferred income tax
2,355
3 %
5,253
6 %
2,898
123 %
Total long-term liabilities
50,693
61 %
57,722
66 %
7,029
14 %
Total liabilities
77,524
93 %
84,210
96 %
6,686
9 %
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
5,856
7 %
3,235
4 %
(2,621)
(45 %)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
83,380
100 %
87,445
100 %
4,065
5 %
TOTAL PLAY TELECOMUNICACIONES, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Millions of Mexican pesos)
12th months period ended
December 31,
2022
2023
Operating activities:
Loss before income tax provision
(309)
(625)
Items not requiring the use of resources:
Depreciation and amortization
12,871
16,045
Employee benefits
27
16
Items related to investing or financing activities:
Accrued interest income
(98)
(191)
Accrued interest expense and other financial transactions
4,840
6,497
Unrealized foreign exchange gain
(1,299)
(3,420)
Derivative financial instruments valuation
45
–
Non-Controlling Participation
27
19
16,104
18,341
Resources (used in) generated by operating activities:
Customers and unearned revenue
(1,134)
1,087
Other receivables
(91)
53
Related parties, net
(91)
388
Taxes to be recovered
244
(330)
Inventories
(462)
(584)
Advance payments
(442)
394
Trade payables
3,253
2,401
Other payables
440
(952)
Cash flows generated by operating activities
17,821
20,798
Investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
(22,461)
(15,626)
Other assets
82
(53)
Collected interest
98
191
Cash flows (used in) investing activities
(22,281)
(15,488)
Financing activities:
Capital contributions
122
–
Loans received
8,726
6,034
Leasing cash flows
(3,075)
(2,650)
Restricted Cash in Trusts
(1,101)
(1,389)
Reverse factoring
1,422
(457)
Derivative financial instruments
–
(1,012)
Interest payment
(3,910)
(5,349)
Cahs flows generated by (used in) financing activities
2,184
(4,823)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(2,276)
487
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
4,166
1,890
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
1,890
2,377
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SOURCE Total Play Telecomunicaciones, S.A.P.I. de C.V.
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He said the journey helped him understand not only the historical facts, but also what the Red Army endured. “If you see the Long March merely as a military campaign, it ended in Yan’an. But as a spirit, it has never truly come to an end.”
We came to retrace history. We leave with something more: a deeper understanding of China’s past, a clearer view of its present, and perhaps a greater appreciation for the stories that connect us across cultures.
Edgar Snow called the Long March “an Odyssey unequalled in modern times.” He believed that what sustained it was a flame — consisting of an undimmed ardor, an undying hope and an amazing revolutionary optimism.
Ninety years later, that flame still burns.
Passed down through generations, the spirit of the Long March continues to light China’s path forward.
And as it crosses borders and cultures, it offers the world a glimpse of a nation defined by resilience, perseverance and an enduring drive to move forward.
China Mosaic
http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm
The Finish Line that Changed China: Retracing the Long March to Yan’an
http://www.china.org.cn/video/2026-07/23/content_118614941.shtml
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-finish-line-that-changed-china-retracing-the-long-march-to-yanan-302833900.html
SOURCE China.org.cn
Technology
Visa and Lianlian Advance Trusted B2B Agentic Commerce Through LoopXPay’s First Live B2B Agentic Transaction
Published
5 minutes agoon
July 24, 2026By
First live B2B agentic transaction in Greater China highlights how AI-enabled commerce can help SMBs streamline purchasing and payments, supported by Visa’s Agentic Directory for trusted AI agent interactions
SINGAPORE, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, and Lianlian DigiTech Co., Ltd. (“Lianlian”), an AI-native global financial infrastructure provider, today announced the first live B2B agentic transaction completed using LoopXPay, Lianlian’s AI agent.
Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) often lack dedicated procurement teams and spend valuable time sourcing, purchasing and making payments themselves. In the transaction, the LoopXPay agent was used to source a product sample from a supplier and complete the purchase in a single workflow. The agent identified the purchasing requirement, recommended suitable suppliers, compared options, placed the order and securely executed the payment within a single workflow, while operating within pre-defined spending controls and approval parameters.
The milestone highlights how AI-powered commerce experiences can help SMBs simplify purchasing and payment activities while maintaining appropriate controls and oversight. By enabling AI agents to operate within pre-defined spending parameters and approval controls, businesses can reduce manual effort while retaining visibility into commercial decision-making.
As AI agents become more involved in purchasing and payment activities, businesses will require confidence that transactions are being executed by verified participants, within approved parameters and with appropriate oversight. Capabilities aligned with Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol can help provide the identity, transparency and controls needed to support these interactions.
As part of the collaboration, LoopXPay has been registered in Visa’s Agentic Directory, enabling participating businesses and merchants to identify verified AI agents within the ecosystem. Supporting the implementation of Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol, the Agentic Directory helps provide greater transparency into agent-driven interactions and confidence that participating agents have met Visa’s requirements.
“AI-powered commerce experiences can help businesses simplify purchasing and payments while maintaining the controls and oversight they require,” said Darren Parslow, Global Head, Visa Commercial Solutions, Visa. “For SMBs, that means less complexity in managing day-to-day commercial activities and more time focused on growth. As businesses increasingly look to embed intelligence into purchasing and payment experiences, trust will become a critical enabler of adoption. Through our collaboration with Lianlian, we are helping advance the trusted foundations that businesses will need to participate in this next era of commerce with confidence.”
Building on this milestone, Visa and Lianlian are exploring how AI agents can support a broader range of commercial activities, including procurement, digital advertising optimisation and B2B platform payments, helping advance trusted commerce through greater efficiency, transparency and control.
Zhang Zhengyu, Founder, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Lianlian DigiTech, said, “AI is reshaping the entire commercial value chain, where a growing number of business activities will be autonomously executed by AI agents, with payments serving as the critical infrastructure connecting them to global commerce. Leveraging its experience in global cross-border payments, compliance, as well as payment network, LianLian is actively building AI-native financial infrastructure, delivering an integrated suite of capabilities for the Agent Economy, spanning identity verification, transaction authorisation, intelligent payment, and global fund settlement. Through this collaboration with Visa, we aim to combine Lianlian’s AI-native capabilities with Visa’s trusted global network and commercial payment expertise to help businesses transact more securely, intelligently and efficiently in an increasingly agent-driven commerce environment.”
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
About Lianlian
Lianlian DigiTech Co., Ltd. (“Lianlian DigiTech” or “Lianlian”) was founded in 2009 and listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2024 (stock code: 2598.HK). As China’s leading global provider of digital and intelligent payment services, Lianlian adheres to its mission of “Connecting the world, empowering global commerce” and pursues an “AI-Native + Globalization” strategy. The Company is committed to building a trusted global intelligent financial infrastructure, enabling seamless connectivity between Chinese enterprises and global businesses. As of now, Lianlian has established a global licensing portfolio comprising 68 payment licenses and related qualifications, and holds a VATP license issued by the Hong Kong SFC. It supports services in more than 200 countries and regions and enables transaction settlement in over 140 currencies, connecting over 180 global e-commerce platforms and serving a cumulative total of over 13.3 million customers. Learn more at www.lianlian.com.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/visa-and-lianlian-advance-trusted-b2b-agentic-commerce-through-loopxpays-first-live-b2b-agentic-transaction-302833916.html
SOURCE Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited
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The Finish Line that Changed China: Retracing the Long March to Yan’an
Visa and Lianlian Advance Trusted B2B Agentic Commerce Through LoopXPay’s First Live B2B Agentic Transaction
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