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1st Quarter Results

26/02/2003 7:02am

UK Regulatory


RNS Number:9769H
Intec Telecom Systems PLC
26 February 2003

                              Intec Telecom Systems PLC

    Unaudited results for the three months ended 31st December 2002 - 'Q1 2003'

Intec delivers increased EBITDA and positive operating cash flow of #1.3 million

Intec Telecom Systems PLC ("Intec" or "the Company"), a leading provider of
telecoms Operations Support Systems ("OSS"), is pleased to announce its
unaudited results for the three months ended 31 December 2002, ("Q1").  Despite
normal quarterly fluctuations, both EBITDA profit and positive cashflow targets
have been met, and the Board remains cautiously confident of meeting
expectations for the full year. Intec also concluded the successful acquisition
of its largest interconnect competitor - Ericsson's 'Settler' business unit - in
the period.

                                   HIGHLIGHTS

- Turnover of #10.4 million within management expectations (3 months ended 31
  December 2001 - #10.9 million) despite quarterly fluctuations.

- Substantial increase in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and
  amortisation ("EBITDA") of #463,000 compared to Q1 2002 - #33,000.

- Positive operating cash inflow of #1.3 million (Q1 2002 - outflow of #2.0
  million) - the fourth sequential cashflow positive quarter.

- Loss before tax was #1.5 million (Q1 2002: loss of #1.8 million), after
  depreciation and amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets of 
  #2.1 million (Q1 2002: #1.7 million).

- 42 new name customers, including 31 from the acquisition of Settler business
  in Sweden.

- 61 new contracted installations, comprising 9 new InterconnecT family
  licences, 3 new Inter-mediatE licences, and 49 from acquisition of the Settler
  business.

- Intec remains fully-funded with cash and cash equivalent investments of #11.3
  million after full payment for recent Ericsson acquisition.

- Successful acquisition of largest interconnect competitor - Ericsson's '
  Settler' business unit.

"Intec has delivered another solid, on-target first quarter within an industry
that continues to be very competitive," said Intec's Executive Chairman, Mike
Frayne. "Our strategy of investment properly balanced against revenues, combined
with very good cost control, has allowed us to deliver substantially improved
EBITDA earnings and positive operating cash flow, despite expected quarterly
revenue fluctuations and intense competition for new business. Although the
business environment is still very challenging, we are cautiously confident that
the full year will yield results consistent with expectations."

"The first quarter is typically difficult to close new business, particularly as
it included a lengthy Christmas and New Year break. Intec's ability to deliver
revenues within a few percent of expectations and EBITDA and cash flow that were
substantially up on last year, particularly in a highly competitive business
climate, is therefore very pleasing," added Chief Executive Kevin Adams. "Our
product set and customer base has been strengthened with the acquisition of the
Ericsson Settler business, and we see many benefits from this going forward."

For further information:

Kevin Adams, CEO
Intec Telecom Systems PLC
+44 (0) 1483 745800
kevin.adams@intec-telecom-systems.com

Andrew Rodaway
Intec Telecom Systems PLC
+44 (0) 7768 808082
andrew.rodaway@intec-telecom-systems.com

Cubitt Consulting
Fergus Wylie/Sarah Brydon
+44 (0) 20 7367 5100
fergus.wylie@cubitt.com


                          Chairman's and CEO's Statement

              Intec Telecom Systems PLC - 1st Quarter Results 2003

Overview

The telecoms industry continues to be a very competitive market for its
suppliers. Despite this, and the normal quarterly fluctations expected in new
business revenues, Intec has achieved another solid result in the first quarter
of its 2003 financial year. Although turnover this quarter was towards the low
end of our range of expectations, we have substantially increased EBITDA profit
over the prior equivalent period, indicating that our policy of ongoing
investment in balance with actual revenue is working well. We were also once
again operating cashflow positive, the fourth successive quarter where this has
been achieved. During the quarter we also completed the acquisition of
Ericsson's 'Settler' interconnect business unit, historically our major
competitor, bringing us clear market share leadership.

Operational highlights

Intec gained eleven new customers in the quarter from existing operations and
thirty one new customers from its acquisition of the Ericsson 'Settler' business
unit. In addition, two existing US customers placed substantial orders for
additional product licences. Included in the figures for sales from existing
operations are nine new InterconnecT family sales (primarily InterconnecT CABS
CG customers) and three new Inter-mediatE licences. Our InterconnecT CABS
division had a successful quarter, adding numerous new customers. We have
invested in our Dallas-based CABS processing centre to allow for present and
future expansion in workload, and we are seeing a pleasing increase in business
from larger customers, as they recognise the benefits of high-quality,
outsourced CABS processing.

In EMEA Intec signed a new support services contract worth almost #1 million per
annum with a mobile sector customer with operations in several countries. In the
CALA region Intec concluded a very substantial deal in Venezuela for
InterconnecT, and another contract worth almost US$1 million for services and
licence upgrades with a Caribbean organisation. In the US we won several
important new InterconnecT CABS CG customers, signed two new mediation
customers, and extended licence agreements with two more. In Asia Pacific we
make an important breakthrough in China, when we were formally selected to
provide software to our first customer in the mainland region, an agreement
which was signed just after the quarter end.

Intec held an exceptionally successful User Group event in London in the
quarter, attended by over 200 customer, partner and Intec delegates. This was a
substantially larger event than the previous year, which was particularly
gratifying given the current economic climate and the close focus on costs by
our customers. Intec's User Groups continue to be an important driver of product
direction and marketplace information.

Products

During 2002 Intec undertook a major review of its Product Operations division,
as part of a larger, ongoing programme to achieve greater business efficiency
and continual improvement in competitiveness. Intec has developed rapidly since
it became a public company in June 2000, changing from a single-product company
to a global OSS business with numerous offerings. This is a core part of our
strategy, and has played a major role in helping us to achieve good growth in an
industry which has been substantially affected by sector problems.

However, maintaining a larger and fast-developing product portfolio is a
considerable challenge, with the potential for costs to grow beyond our ability
to generate equivalent revenues, if not carefully managed. Our aim with our
product review has therefore been to focus on those product developments which
we see have the best business potential, and also to rationalise our product
branding and marketing strategies in parallel.

Intec now offers its customers products from two core families: revenue
generation, and network-facing systems. In the network-facing group the
principal offerings are Inter-mediatE for carrier-grade, convergent mediation;
and Inter-activatE for single-platform service activation. In the revenue
generation group are InterconnecT, our market-leading revenue generation and
settlement family; and our newly-launched solution, Inter-contenT, which allows
operators, content providers, content aggregators and other partners to generate
and share revenues from next-generation communications services. Inter-contenT
was formally shown for the first time after the quarter-end at the 3GSM World
Congress. A sophisticated demonstration involving the delivery of real-time
video news clips to wireless handheld devices attracted a high level of interest
from potential customers, and effectively demonstrated the advanced capabilities
of Intec's solution.

Staff and cost initiatives

During the quarter Intec maintained cost management initiatives developed in
preceding periods. Our objective has been to maintain product investment and
staff resources at levels appropriate to the business, in terms of both
operating revenues and future market potential, while working hard to reduce
overall costs. The welcome increase in EBITDA profit that we have recorded in
the quarter, together with positive operating cash flow, are indicative that
these policies are proving successful in a very competitive market. We believe
that sustained product investment, at a time when competitors are cutting back,
will give us a clear competitive advantage in a market where the technical
requirements for OSS are continually moving forwards. Staff numbers at the end
of the quarter stood at 513, compared with 505 a year ago. This includes 29 new
employees from the Settler business acquisition and is therefore indicative of
efficiencies achieved in the core and earlier acquired businesses.

We have continued to pursue sensible cost management policies in other areas of
the business, with an emphasis on cutting costs from activities that are not
core to the business or less productive, rather than those which might impact
our performance. All expenditure is carefully scrutinised, and we frequently
review suppliers for value and competitiveness. Staff-driven initiatives
continue to play an important part in cost control.

Ericsson 'Settler' acquisition

In November 2002 Intec announced the post-year end acquisition of Ericsson's '
Settler' business unit, its major competitor in the interconnect billing market.
With this acquisition Intec has expanded its base of supported customers by
approximately 30 carriers. The agreement also covers the Settler development
team in Sweden and exclusive worldwide rights to develop and market the Settler
product range. The agreement includes further cooperation between the two
companies where Ericsson will continue to offer solutions based on Settler as
well as Intec's InterconnecT product suite.

The total consideration amounts to US$5.1 million (#3.1 million including
acquisition costs). The acquisition is expected to be revenue and earnings
enhancing, generating new licence revenues, related services work and recurring
revenues for support & maintenance. A key benefit of the agreement is the
synergies that will be achieved. Ericsson has a direct presence in some
countries where Intec has few resources, enabling a greater reach. In other
areas, where the two companies have previously competed fiercely, efforts can be
re-directed to other productive opportunities. The agreement enables Ericsson as
well as other successful Settler partners to be able to offer their telecom
customers Intec billing technology from either the InterconnecT or the Settler
range. The integration of this acquisition is progressing well.

Financial analysis

In common with many enterprise software businesses Intec has always experienced
a degree of unevenness in quarterly revenues, primarily due to current sales
cycles and uncertainty in new contract closure dates. In the quarter under
review, which included a particularly extended Christmas and New Year break for
many businesses, revenues from new software licences have been impacted. Against
this, recurring revenues from upgrades, bureau and support business, and
revenues from professional services have increased significantly, resulting in
reported revenues of #10.4 million for the quarter (Q1 2002: #10.9 million).

Recurring revenues continue to be a growing contributor to our business model,
at #5.7 million (55%) of turnover, up from #4.6 million (42%) in Q1 2002.
Professional services income has also increased to #3.4 million (32%) in Q1 2003
from #2.6 million (24%) in Q1 2002.  New licence sales revenue of #1.3 million
(13%) have decreased compared to #3.7 million (34%) in Q1 2002.  All regions
made satisfactory contributions in the period, with EMEA contributing 38% of
turnover, North America 46%, CALA 9%, and Asia-Pacific 7%.

Gross margin increased to 69% (Q1 2002: 67%), reflecting a reduction in the use
of third party contractors for implementations.  Distribution costs also fell to
#2.2 million (Q1 2002: #2.6 million) partly as a result of efficiency measures
we have taken in our sales processes, as well as lower new licence commission
payments. General administrative costs decreased by 2%, at #2.8 million (Q1
2002: #2.9 million) through continued close attention to cost control across the
business.

As stated earlier Intec continues to invest in its product portfolio to help us
take advantages of next-generation technologies and the growing requirements of
our major carrier customers. However, as a result of our review of product
development priorities in the year, and some rationalisation of development
facilities, development expenditure was up only marginally at  #2.2 million (Q1
2002:  #2.1 million) despite a substantially broader product portfolio. Intec
incurs the majority of its development expenditure for InterconnecT family
products in South Africa and for Inter-mediatE products in the US. As a result
of the Settler acquisition we have 29 new staff in Sweden.

Depreciation and goodwill amortisation charges have increased from #1.7 million
in Q1 2002 to #2.1 million in the current quarter, reflecting additional
goodwill amortisation from the acquisition of the former ICL Sims/Prospero
business in the second quarter of 2002.  No provision for goodwill impairment
has been considered necessary.

Cash and cash investments have decreased by #2.0 million since 30 September
2002, although it is important to note that  #3.1 million (including acquisition
costs) was paid as consideration for the Ericsson Settler business in December
2002. Positive operating cash inflows of #1.3 million reflect ongoing
improvement in cash collections during the quarter, resulting from a continued
focus on credit control.

Intec's annualised debtor-days continues to improve, with the figure at 31
December 2002 standing at 91 days, compared with 105 days at 30 September 2002
and 116 days at 31 December 2001.  Successful cash collections have continued
during the second quarter with approximately  #4.3 million collected up to 18
February 2003.

Outlook

The telecoms industry is experiencing many changes, with the imminent
availability of 3G services to retail customers prominent among them. Intec has
already demonstrated through a number of customer deliveries its ability to
fully satisfy the technical demands of this market. But whatever the technology,
telecoms continues to be a vital business and social service where traffic
volumes grow consistently. As a result we view the industry as fundamentally
sound, despite some obvious difficulties on the supply side. Intec sells
solutions that are clearly necessary to operators, and our business performance
in a challenging market underlines this. Intec is building market share, winning
prestigious customers, and investing carefully in the business. We therefore
remain cautiously confident that our performance in 2003 will be in line with
previously stated forecasts for growth and profitability.

Mike Frayne, Executive Chairman & Kevin Adams, CEO.

25 February 2003



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                         
3 months ended 31 December 2002

                                                              Unaudited        Unaudited          Audited
                                                         3 months ended   3 months ended       Year ended
                                                            31 December      31 December     30 September
                                                 Note              2002             2001             2002
                                                                   #000             #000             #000

TURNOVER                                                         10,437           10,919           47,474
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________

EBITDA before exceptional items                  (i)                463               33            3,739
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________

Operating loss                                                   (1,642)          (1,673)         (13,325)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
 
Basic loss per share                                             (0.90)p          (1.05)p          (7.94)p
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________

Adjusted (loss)/earnings per share              (ii)             (0.03)p          (0.34)p           0.46 p
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________


Notes to the financial highlights                                  #000             #000             #000

(i)   Operating loss                                             (1,642)          (1,673)         (13,325)
      Depreciation                                                  459              406            1,745
      Amortisation of goodwill and other                          
      intangibles                                                 1,646            1,300            7,079
      Impairment of goodwill                                          -                -            7,464
      Exceptional item (Poland debtor provision)                      -                -              776
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                                           
      EBITDA before exceptional items                               463               33            3,739
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________

(ii) Adjusted (loss)/earnings per share based on
      following adjusted loss after tax
      Loss after tax                                             (1,714)          (1,920)        (14,782)
      Amortisation of goodwill and other                          
      intangibles                                                 1,646            1,300           7,079
      Impairment of goodwill                                          -                -           7,464
      Write down of investments                                       -                -             321
      Exceptional item (Poland debtor provision)                      -                -             776
                                                        _______________   ______________    ____________
      Adjusted (loss)/earnings after tax                            (68)            (620)            858
                                                        _______________   ______________    ____________


KEY CUSTOMER DATA

                                                            31 December      30 September     31 December
                                                                   2002              2002            2001
                                                                 Number            Number          Number
Cumulative:
Contracted customer base                                            283               272             222
Contracted customers acquired                                        31                 -               -
                                                        _______________    ______________    ____________
Total contracted customer base                                      314               272             222
                                                        _______________    ______________    ____________
                                                        _______________    ______________    ____________

Contracted installations                                            395               383             290
Contracted installations acquired                                    49                 -               -
                                                        _______________    ______________    ____________
Total contracted installations                                      444               383             290
                                                        _______________    ______________    ____________
                                                        _______________    ______________    ____________





CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
3 months ended 31 December 2002

                                                              Unaudited        Unaudited          Audited
                                                         3 months ended   3 months ended       Year ended
                                                            31 December      31 December     30 September
                                                 Note              2002             2001             2002
                                                                   #000             #000             #000

TURNOVER
Continuing operations                                            10,382           10,919           47,474
Acquisitions                                     5                   55                -                -
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
Total turnover                                   2               10,437           10,919           47,474

Cost of sales                                                    (3,183)          (3,588)         (15,430)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________

GROSS PROFIT                                                      7,254            7,331           32,044

Distribution costs                                               (2,189)          (2,602)          (9,945)
Administrative expenses:
  Development expenditure                                        (2,238)          (2,145)          (8,026)
  Amortisation of goodwill and other intangible                  (1,646)          (1,300)          (7,079)
  assets
  Impairment of goodwill                                              -                -           (7,464)
  Exceptional item                                                    -                -             (776)
  Other administrative expenses                                  (2,823)          (2,886)         (12,079)

Total administrative expenses                                    (6,707)          (6,331)         (35,424)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________

OPERATING LOSS
Continuing operations                                            (1,587)          (1,602)         (13,325)
Acquisitions                                                        (55)               -                -
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
GROUP OPERATING LOSS                                             (1,642)          (1,602)         (13,325)
Share of operating loss in associate                                  -              (71)               -
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
Total operating loss                                             (1,642)          (1,673)         (13,325)

Amounts written off investments                                       -                -             (321)
Interest receivable and similar income                              123              177              494
Interest payable and similar charges                                 (1)            (307)            (331)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________

LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION                      (1,520)          (1,803)         (13,483)
Tax charge on loss on ordinary activities        3                 (194)            (117)          (1,299)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________

RETAINED LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER
TAXATION                                                         (1,714)          (1,920)         (14,782)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________               
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                       
Loss per share - basic                           4              (0.90)p           (1.05)p          (7.94)p
                                                        _______________    ______________     ____________              
                                                        _______________    ______________     ____________
                                                      
(Loss) / earnings per share - adjusted           4              (0.03)p           (0.34)p           0.46 p
                                                        _______________    ______________      ____________             
                                                        _______________    ______________      ____________




CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
3 months ended 31 December 2002

                                                              Unaudited        Unaudited          Audited
                                                         3 months ended   3 months ended       Year ended
                                                            31 December      31 December     30 September
                                                                   2002             2001             2002
                                                                   #000             #000             #000

Loss for the period                                              (1,714)          (1,920)         (14,782)
Exchange translation differences arising on
foreign currency net investments                                   (136)            (302)            (557)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
Total recognised gains and losses during the period              (1,850)          (2,222)         (15,339)
                                                        _______________   ______________      ____________              
                                                        _______________   ______________      ____________




CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
31 December 2002

                                                              Unaudited        Unaudited          Audited
                                                 Note       31 December      31 December     30 September
                                                                   2002             2001             2002
                                                                   #000             #000             #000

FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets                                                65,073           72,404           63,422
Tangible assets                                                   2,876            2,853            2,910
Investments                                                         101              371              101
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                                 68,050           75,628           66,433
CURRENT ASSETS
Stocks                                                               30               28               64
Debtors                                          6               16,434           19,821           17,965
Investments                                                       5,831            1,801            5,151
Cash at bank and in hand                                          5,456           13,287            8,156
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                                 27,751           34,937           31,336

CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year   7               (5,970)          (7,591)          (5,796)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________

NET CURRENT ASSETS                                               21,781           27,346           25,540
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES                            89,831          102,974           91,973

Deferred income                                                  (5,415)          (4,314)          (5,766)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
TOTAL NET ASSETS                                                 84,416           98,660           86,207
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________

CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called up share capital                          8                1,906            1,836            1,903
Share premium account                            8              238,708          235,366          238,652
Other reserve                                    8                    -            2,689                -
Merger reserve                                   8                  249              249              249
Foreign exchange reserve                         8                 (844)            (453)            (708)
Profit and loss account                          8             (155,603)        (141,027)        (153,889)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS                                       84,416           98,660           86,207
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________



RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
3 months ended 31 December 2002

                                                              Unaudited        Unaudited          Audited
                                                            31 December      31 December     30 September
                                                                   2002             2001             2002
                                                                   #000             #000             #000


Loss for the financial period                                    (1,714)          (1,920)         (14,782)
Other recognised losses relating to the period                     (136)            (302)            (557)
Issue of share capital net of associated                             59                -            3,353
expenses
(Decrease)/increase in contingent consideration                       -              192           (2,497)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
(Decrease)/increase in shareholders' funds                       (1,791)          (2,030)          14,483
Opening shareholders' funds                                      86,207          100,690          100,690
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
Closing shareholders' funds                                      84,416           98,660           86,207
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________


CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
3 months ended 31 December 2002

                                                              Unaudited        Unaudited          Audited
                                                         3 months ended   3 months ended       Year ended
                                                            31 December      31 December     30 September
                                                 Note              2002             2001             2002
                                                                   #000             #000             #000

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating
activities                                        (i)             1,320           (1,998)           2,770
                                                 
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest received                                                   123              177              494
Interest element of finance lease rental                              -               (2)              (4)
payments
Interest paid and similar items                                      (1)            (305)            (327)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                                    122             (130)             163
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
Taxation
Overseas taxation (paid)/received                                     1              (26)            (378)
UK corporation taxation received/(paid)                               -              (10)             (10)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                                      1              (36)            (388)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
Capital investment
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets                          (366)            (352)          (1,651)
Proceeds on disposal of fixed assets                                  2                -               59
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                                   (364)            (352)          (1,592)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
Acquisitions
Investment in subsidiaries (see note 5)                          (3,239)               -           (5,222)
Net cash acquired with subsidiaries                                   -                -                6
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
                                                                 (3,239)               -           (5,216)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________

Cash outflow before management of liquid
resources and financing                                          (2,160)          (2,516)          (4,263)

Use of liquid resources
Decrease/(increase) in cash investments/term
deposits                                                           (643)           1,009           (2,252)
Payments received from escrow                                         -                -               52

Financing
Issue of ordinary share capital                                      59                -                -
Capital element of finance lease rental payments                      -              (75)            (188)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________
Decrease in cash in the period              (ii),(iii)           (2,744)          (1,582)          (6,651)
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________               
                                                        _______________   ______________     ____________               
                 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
3 months ended 31 December 2002

                                                              Unaudited        Unaudited          Audited
                                                         3 months ended   3 months ended       Year ended
                                                            31 December      31 December     30 September
                                                                   2002             2001             2002
                                                                   #000             #000             #000

(i) Reconciliation of operating loss to net cash
inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

Operating loss                                                   (1,642)          (1,602)         (13,325)
Depreciation                                                        459              406            1,745
Amortisation of goodwill and other intangible                     1,646            1,300            7,079
assets
Impairment of goodwill                                                -                -            7,464
Loss/(profit) on disposal of fixed assets                            17               27              (25)
Decrease/(increase) in stock                                         33                1              (39)
Decrease/(increase) in debtors                                    1,289             (750)            (172)
(Increase)/decrease in creditors                                   (482)          (1,380)               43
                                                        _______________   ______________      ____________
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating                          
activities                                                        1,320           (1,998)            2,770
                                                        _______________   ______________      ____________
                                                        _______________   ______________      ____________
(ii) Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement
in net funds

Decrease in cash in the period                                   (2,744)          (1,582)          (6,651)
Net cash outflow from decrease in finance lease                       -               75              188
Net cash (inflow)/outflow from (decrease)/
increase in liquid resources                                        643           (1,009)           2,200
                                                        _______________   ______________      ____________
Change in net funds resulting from cash flows                    (2,101)          (2,516)          (4,263)
Translation differences                                              81             (274)            (195)
                                                        _______________   ______________      ____________
Movement in net funds                                            (2,020)          (2,790)           (4,458)
Net funds at 1 October                                           13,307           17,765            17,765
                                                        _______________   ______________      ____________
Net funds at 31 December / 30 September                          11,287           14,975            13,307
                                                        _______________   ______________      ____________
                                                        _______________   ______________      ____________

(iii) Analysis of movement in net funds
                                              Audited                                             Unaudited
                                            1 October                          Exchange         31 December
                                                 2002        Cash flow         movement                2002
                                                 #000             #000             #000                #000

Cash in hand and at bank                        8,156           (2,744)              44               5,456
Term deposits and escrow account                5,151              643               37               5,831
                                            _________        _________         ________         ___________
                                               13,307           (2,101)              81              11,287
                                            _________        _________         ________         ___________
                                            _________        _________         ________         ___________


NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
3 months ended 31 December 2002

1.        BASIS OF PREPARATION

The interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with
accounting policies set out in, and consistent with, the Group's 2002 financial
statements except for the taxation charge for the period which is based on the
estimated charge for the year ending 30 September 2003.

The interim financial information is neither reviewed nor audited and does not
comprise statutory accounts for the purposes of Section 240 of the Companies Act
1985.

The abridged information for the year ended 30 September 2002 has been extracted
from the Group's statutory accounts for that period, which will be filed with
the Registrar of Companies following the 2002 Annual General Meeting.  The
Auditor's report on the statutory accounts of the Group for that period was
unqualified and did not contain a Statement under either Section 237(2) or
Section 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985.

The interim financial information was approved by the Board of Directors on 25
February 2003.

2.        TURNOVER AND SEGMENTAL REPORTING


Turnover by origin                      Unaudited                                Unaudited
                             3 months ended 31 December 2002          3 months ended 31 December 2001
                                             Inter-                                   Inter-
                                Total       segment      External        Total       segment      External
                             turnover      turnover      turnover     turnover      turnover      turnover
                                 #000          #000          #000         #000          #000          #000

United Kingdom                  4,885          (123)        4,762        4,125          (450)        3,675
Continental Europe                 14             -            14          130             -           130
Asia-Pacific                       46             -            46          432             -           432
North America & Canada          5,595           (55)        5,540        6,531           (37)        6,494
South America                      75             -            75          188             -           188
                             ________      ________      ________      _______       _______       _______
                               10,615          (178)       10,437       11,406          (487)       10,919
                             ________      ________      ________      _______       _______       _______
                             ________      ________      ________      _______       _______       _______

                                                                      Audited Year ended 30 September 2002
                                                                                      Inter-
                                                                         Total       segment      External
                                                                      Turnover      turnover      turnover
                                                                          #000          #000          #000

United Kingdom                                                          21,148        (1,509)       19,639
Continental Europe                                                         166             -           166
Asia-Pacific                                                             1,758             -         1,758
North America & Canada                                                  25,566          (600)       24,966
South America                                                              945             -           945
                                                                       _______      ________        ______
                                                                        49,583        (2,109)       47,474
                                                                       _______      ________        ______
                                                                       _______      ________        ______


2. TURNOVER AND SEGMENTAL REPORTING (continued)


Turnover by destination                                           Unaudited         Unaudited           Audited
                                                             3 months ended    3 months ended        Year ended
                                                                31 December       31 December      30 September
                                                                       2002              2001              2002
                                                                       #000              #000              #000

United Kingdom                                                          789               584             3,519
Continental Europe                                                    2,273             2,409             9,753
Eastern Europe                                                          596                91             1,235
Middle East                                                             155                31               728
Africa                                                                  191               129             1,687
Asia-Pacific                                                            693             1,278             5,521
North America & Canada                                                4,781             5,142            21,058
South America                                                           959             1,255             3,973
                                                             ______________     _____________       ___________
Total turnover by destination                                        10,437            10,919            47,474
                                                             ______________     _____________       ___________
                                                             ______________     _____________       ___________

Turnover by activity                                              Unaudited         Unaudited           Audited
                                                             3 months ended    3 months ended        Year ended
                                                                31 December       31 December      30 September
                                                                       2002              2001              2002
                                                                       #000              #000              #000

Licence sales                                                         1,340             3,665            15,481

Professional services income:
   Implementation and migrations                                      2,078             1,288             6,937
   Consulting and training income                                       289               499             1,793
   Hardware                                                             368                38               576
   Non-telecom custom network solutions                                 649               791             2,957
                                                             ______________     _____________       ___________
                                                                      3,384             2,616            12,263
Recurring Income:
   ASP Service                                                          822               597             2,761
   Volume upgrade licences                                              963               757             1,928
   Support and maintenance fees                                       3,928             3,284            15,041
                                                             ______________     _____________       ___________
                                                                      5,713             4,638            19,730
                                                             ______________     _____________       ___________
Total turnover by activity                                           10,437            10,919            47,474
                                                             ______________     _____________       ___________
                                                             ______________     _____________       ___________


2. TURNOVER AND SEGMENTAL REPORTING (continued)

Loss before taxation                                               Unaudited  3 months ended 31 December 2002
                                                                       Before                           After
                                                              amortisation of Amortisation of amortisation of
                                                                     goodwill        goodwill        goodwill
                                                                         #000            #000            #000

United Kingdom                                                             (2)           (511)           (513)
Continental Europe                                                         30               -              30
Asia-Pacific                                                               27               -              27
North America & Canada                                                     47          (1,135)         (1,088)
South America                                                              24               -              24
                                                               ______________   _____________     ___________
                                                                          126          (1,646)         (1,520)
                                                               ______________   _____________     ___________
                                                               ______________   _____________     ___________


The segmental analysis of loss before taxation for the three months ended 31
December 2002 includes intercompany interest charge from the UK to North America
& Canada of #954,000 (31 December 2001 - #1,048,000).


                                                                     Unaudited 3 months ended 31 December 2001

                                                                      Before                             After
                                                             amortisation of
                                                                    goodwill  Amortisation of  amortisation of
                                                                                     goodwill         goodwill
                                                                        #000             #000             #000

United Kingdom                                                          (858)           (143)           (1,001)
Continental Europe                                                        55              (2)               53
Asia-Pacific                                                             143            (113)               30
North America & Canada                                                   124          (1,042)             (918)
South America                                                             33               -                33
                                                               ______________  _____________       ___________
                                                                        (503)         (1,300)           (1,803)
                                                               ______________  _____________       ___________
                                                               ______________  _____________       ___________



                                                                         Audited Year ended 30 September 2002
                                    Before                                                             
                           amortisation of                                                              After
                                 goodwill,                                                    amortisation of
                            impairment and                                                          goodwill,
                          investment write                                                     impairment and
                                      down  Amortisation of         Goodwill     Exceptional investment write
                                                   goodwill       impairment           items             down
                                      #000             #000             #000            #000             #000

United Kingdom                         677           (2,200)          (1,684)         (1,097)          (4,304)
Continental Europe                     185              (74)               -               -              111
Asia-Pacific                           187             (420)          (5,780)              -           (6,013)
North America & Canada                 948           (4,385)               -               -           (3,437)
South America                          160                -                -               -              160
                           _______________   ______________        _________      __________     ____________
                                     2,157           (7,079)          (7,464)         (1,097)         (13,483)
                           _______________   ______________        _________      __________     ____________
                           _______________   ______________        _________      __________     ____________



2. TURNOVER AND SEGMENTAL REPORTING (continued)


Net assets/
(liabilities) by origin
                               Unaudited        Unaudited        Unaudited        Unaudited          Audited
                             31 December      31 December      31 December      31 December     30 September
                                    2002             2002             2002             2001             2002
                               Excluding                         Including        Including        Including
                             unamortised      Unamortised      unamortised      unamortised      unamortised
                                goodwill         goodwill         goodwill         goodwill         goodwill
                                    #000             #000             #000             #000             #000

United Kingdom                    12,883            5,156           18,039           22,923           17,125
Continental Europe                    31                -               31              218              (58)
Africa                              (384)               -             (384)               -             (464)
Asia-Pacific                         107                -              107            7,130              494
North America & Canada             8,057           58,485           66,542           68,275           68,902
South America                         81                -               81              114              208
                         _______________   ______________        _________       __________     ____________
                                  20,775           63,641           84,416           98,660           86,207
                         _______________   ______________        _________       __________     ____________
                         _______________   ______________        _________       __________     ____________


3.        TAX CHARGE ON LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES

                                                                   Unaudited         Unaudited           Audited
                                                                 31 December       31 December      30 September
                                                                        2002              2001              2002
                                                                        #000              #000              #000
Current taxation:
UK corporation tax at 30% (2002: 30%)                                      -                 -                 -
Overseas taxation                                                        190               105             1,098
Prior year                                                                 4                12               273
                                                                  __________       ___________      ____________
Total current tax                                                        194               117             1,371
Deferred taxation:
Origination and reversal of timing differences                             -                 -               (72)
                                                                  __________       ___________      ____________
Tax on loss on ordinary activities                                       194               117             1,299
                                                                  __________       ___________      ____________
                                                                  __________       ___________      ____________


i)                     The major trading companies in the UK and the US have not
incurred corporate tax liabilities. However, we have suffered corporate taxation
is a number of our overseas trading subsidiaries and branches amounting to #0.1
million.  The remainder of the tax charge is in respect of withholding tax,
which is deducted at source in certain jurisdictions and which we do not expect
to recover, amounting to #0.1 million.

ii)                   The US operations have substantial ongoing tax benefits
arising from goodwill allowances which will continue to ameliorate tax charges
against profits in future periods.  In addition, there are significant losses
brought forward in the US.



4.        (LOSS)/EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE


                                                                   Unaudited        Unaudited           Audited
                                                              3 months ended   3 months ended        Year ended
                                                                 31 December      31 December      30 September
                                                                        2002             2001              2002
                                                                        #000             #000              #000

Basic loss                                                            (1,714)          (1,920)          (14,782)
Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets                         1,646            1,300             7,079
Impairment of goodwill                                                     -                -             7,464
Amount written off investment                                              -                -               321
Exceptional item (Poland debtor provision)                                 -                -               776
                                                                  __________      ___________      ____________
Adjusted (loss)/earnings                                                 (68)           (620)               858
                                                                  __________      ___________      ____________

                                                                      Number           Number            Number
Weighted average number of shares                                190,062,614      183,328,066       186,219,551
                                                                 ___________      ____________      ____________

                                                                       Pence            Pence             Pence
Basic loss per ordinary share                                          (0.90)           (1.05)            (7.94)
Amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets                          0.87             0.71              3.80
Impairment of goodwill                                                     -                -              4.01
Amount written off investment                                              -                -              0.17
Exceptional item (Poland debtor provision)                                 -                -              0.42
                                                                  __________       ___________      ____________
Adjusted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share                            (0.03)           (0.34)             0.46
                                                                  __________       ___________      ____________
                                                                  __________       ___________      ____________


Diluted loss/earnings per share is not presented in respect of outstanding share
options since none of the options are dilutive.

5.        ACQUISITIONS

a)   Current year acquisitions

On 18 December 2002, the group acquired Ericsson AB's 'Settler' interconnect
billing product unit, including the Settler development team and worldwide
rights to develop and market the Settler product range.  The total
consideration, settled in cash, amounted to US$5.1 million (#3.0 million plus
acquisition costs of #0.1 million) as disclosed below.

Goodwill arising on acquisition has been capitalised and is being amortised over
four years from the date of acquisition. Goodwill charged in the period amounts
to #29,000.  Turnover from acquisitions of #55,000 is for the period from 18
December to 31 December 2002.


                                                                                                 
                                                                                                  
Net liabilities at date of acquisition                                                           Provisional
And provisional fair value                                                                        fair value
                                                                                                       #'000

Creditors                                                                                              (176)
Goodwill arising on acquisition                                                                        3,299
                                                                                                 ___________
                                                                                                       3,123
                                                                                                 ___________
                                                                                                 ___________
                                                                                                 
Consideration paid in cash                                                                             2,990
Acquisition costs                                                                                        133
                                                                                                 ___________
                                                                                                       3,123
                                                                                                 ___________
                                                                                                 ___________


In addition to the above, a share option was granted to the advisers to the
acquisition.  This option vested on successful closure of the acquisition and
was exercisable immediately.  293,121 ordinary shares were issued at 20.2 pence
per share.

b)   Prior year acquisitions

Deferred consideration of #116,000 was paid in respect of the operational
support systems business acquired from ICL, a Fujitsu company.

c)   Reconciliation to cash flow statement
                                                                                                            #000

Consideration for 'Settler' business                                                                       2,990
Acqusition costs                                                                                             133
Deferred consideration payments on prior year acquisition                                                    116
                                                                                                     ___________
                                                                                                           3,239
                                                                                                     ___________
                                                                                                     ___________

6.        DEBTORS

                                                                  Unaudited         Unaudited           Audited
                                                                31 December       31 December      30 September
                                                                       2002              2001              2002
                                                                       #000              #000              #000

Trade debtors                                                        12,023            13,867            13,676
Corporation tax recoverable                                             196               214               196
Deferred tax                                                             86                 -                72
Withholding tax recoverable                                               -                87                 -
Other debtors                                                           162             1,345               301
WIP and accrued income                                                2,960             3,037             2,571
Prepayments
    Due within one year                                               1,007             1,239             1,149
    Due after more than one year                                          -                32                 -
                                                                ___________        __________      ____________
                                                                     16,434            19,821            17,965
                                                                ___________        __________      ____________
                                                                ___________        __________      ____________


7.        CREDITORS


                                                               Unaudited          Unaudited            Audited
                                                             31 December        31 December       30 September 
                                                                    2002               2001               2002
                                                                    #000               #000               #000
Amounts falling due within one year
Obligations under finance leases                                       -                113                  -
Trade creditors                                                    1,582              1,131              1,767
Corporation tax                                                      454                472                454
Overseas tax                                                         651                295                516
Other creditors including taxation and social                        612                948                686
security
Accruals                                                           2,084              2,386              1,670
Deferred/contingent consideration                                    587              2,246                703
                                                             ___________         __________       ____________
                                                                   5,970              7,591              5,796
                                                             ___________         __________       ____________
                                                             ___________         __________       ____________



8.        STATEMENT OF MOVEMENTS ON RESERVES



                                  Called       Share                            Foreign      Profit
                                up share     premium                           exchange    and loss
                                 capital     account      Other      Merger     reserve     account
                                                        reserve     reserve
                                                                                                         Total
                                    #000        #000       #000        #000        #000        #000       #000

At 1 October 2002                  1,903     238,652          -         249       (708)   (153,889)     86,207
Issue of shares                        3          56          -           -           -           -         59
Retained loss                          -           -          -           -           -     (1,714)    (1,714)
Foreign exchange translation           -           -          -           -       (136)           -      (136)
                                 _______    ________    _______     _______    ________   _________   ________
At 31 December 2002                1,906     238,708          -         249       (844)   (155,603)     84,416
                                 _______    ________    _______     _______    ________   _________   ________
                                 _______    ________    _______     _______    ________   _________   ________









                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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