3. Assets and Liabilities

3.1.   Property and equipment

Accounting policies

Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and impairment, if any. Cost includes all costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition for itsintended use. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset.

Depreciation expenses are based on management’s estimates of residual value, the depreciation method used and the useful lives of property and equipment. Estimates may change due to technological developments, competition, changes in market conditions and other factors, and may result in changes in estimated useful lives and depreciation charges. The actual economic lives of long-lived assets may be different from the estimated useful lives. A change in estimated useful lives is accounted for prospectively as a change in accounting estimate.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Telecommunications network   3 to 20 years

Buildings and structures 7 to 50 years

Vehicles, office and other equipment  3 to 7 years

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. The lease term includes renewals when such renewals are reasonably certain.

The assets’ residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.

Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. The cost of major renovations and other subsequent expenditure is included in the carrying amount of the asset or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably.

The present value of the expected cost for the decommissioning of an asset after its use is included in the cost of the respective asset. Please refer to Note 3.8 for further information about the provision for decommissioning liabilities.

At the time of retirement or other disposition of property or equipment, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recorded in profit or loss.

Finance leases

Finance leases, that is, leases that transfer substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased item to the Group, are capitalised at the commencement of the lease at

the fair value of the leased property or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and reduction of the lease liability so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are recognised in finance costs within profit or loss.

A leased asset is depreciated over the lesser of the lease term or the useful life of the asset.

The Group has entered into long-term leases of telecommunication assets. The Group has determined that, based on an evaluation of the terms and conditions of the arrangements, such as the lease term constituting a major part of the economic life of the asset, it obtains all the significant risks and rewards of ownership of these assets. Accordingly, it accounts for the contracts as finance leases.

At the commencement of the lease term the Group recognises finance leases as assets and liabilities at the present value of the minimum lease payments. In determining the present value of the minimum lease payments, assumptions and estimates are made in relation to discount rates, the expected costs for services and taxes to be paid by and reimbursed to the lessor, and long-term inflation forecasts where the lease agreements include provisions to adjust the lease payments for inflation.

Non-current assets held for sale

Non-current assets are classified as assets held for sale (“AHFS”) and stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell if their carrying amount is recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use and the sale is considered highly probable.

Capitalised borrowing costs

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset during the construction phase that necessarily takes a substantial period of time are capitalised as part of property and equipment until the asset is ready for use. All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they occur. Borrowing costs consist of interest and other costs that the Group incurs in connection with the borrowing of funds.

Impairment

The Group tests long-lived assets, other than goodwill, for impairment when circumstances indicate there may be a potential impairment. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. Estimating recoverable amounts of assets is based on management’s evaluations, including estimates of applicable market rates, if the market approach is used, or future cash flows, discount rates, terminal growth rates, and assumptions about future market conditions, if the income approach is used.

Disclosures

Property and equipment is as follows:

Included in construction in-progress are advances to suppliers of network equipment of 1,293  and 1,601 as at 31 December 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Assets purchased under certain contracts with deferred payment terms in the amount of 1,351  (2014: 1,252) are pledged as security for the related liabilities.

Finance leases

The carrying value of buildings and structures and telecommunications network held under finance leases at 31 December 2015 was 3,116 (2014: nil) and 66 (2014: nil), respectively. Leased assets are pledged as security for the related finance lease liabilities.

Capitalised borrowing costs

Capitalised borrowing costs were 1,499 (out of the total interest expense of 16,278) and 1,789 (out of the total interest expense of 15,581) for the years ended 31 December 2015 and 2014, respectively. The rate used to determine the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation was 7.0% and 7.2% for the years ended 31 December 2015 and 2014, respectively.

3.2.   Intangible assets

3.2.1.   Intangible assets, other than goodwill

Accounting policies

Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business combination is their fair value as of the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment, if any. Intangible assets consist principally of operating licences, frequencies, software and customer base.

The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed as either finite or indefinite. The Group does not have intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, other than goodwill. All intangible assetsare amortised on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

4G operating licences  20 years

Other operating licences    10 to 20 years

Frequencies    10 to 12 years

Software  2 to 5 years

Customer base 4 to 19 years

Other intangible assets   1 to 10 years

Amortisation expenses are based on management’s judgment as to the amortisation method to be used and its estimates of the useful lives of the intangible assets. Estimates may change due to technological developments, competition, changes in market conditions and other factors, and may result in changes in estimated useful lives and amortisation charges. Critical estimates of useful lives of intangible assets are impacted by estimates of average customer relationship based on churn, remaining licence period and expected developments in technology and markets. The actual economic lives of the assets may be different from the estimated useful lives. A change in estimated useful lives is accounted for prospectively as a change in accounting estimate.

Change in estimate

During the year the Group changed its method of amortisation of 2G licences from sum-of-the-years’-digits basis to straight-line basis. In the past the Group assumed a gradual decrease in the number of 2G subscribers and chose the method that best reflected the pattern in which the economic benefits of these operating licences were expected to be consumed or otherwise used up. Considering the growing trend of technology neutrality, which means that certain spectrum frequency can be used for a number of technologies, i.e. spectrum that was used for 2G can now be used for 3G or 4G technologies, the Group concluded that the straight-line method better reflects the pattern of consumption of the economic benefits of these licences. The change has been accounted for as a change in accounting estimate and resulted in an additional profit of approximately 200.

The Group continues to evaluate the amortisation periods to determine whether events or circumstances warrant revised amortisation periods. Additionally, the Group considers whether the carrying value of such assets should be impaired based on the expected future economic benefits.

Impairment

Assets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of (1) an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and (2) value in use. The recoverable amount is determined for each individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets.

Impairment losses relating to continuing operations are recognised in profit or loss in the expense categories which are consistent with the function of the impaired asset.

For assets, other than goodwill, an assessment is made at each reporting date to determine whether there is an indication that previously recognised impairment losses no longer exist or have decreased. If such indication exists, the Group estimates the asset’s recoverable amount. A previously recognised impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the assumptions used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognised. The reversal is limited so that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed its recoverable amount, nor exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognised in profit or loss.

Estimating recoverable amounts of assets is based on management’s evaluations, including estimates of applicable market rates, if the market approach is used, or future cash flows, discount rates, terminal growth rates, and assumptions about future market conditions, if the income approach is used.

Disclosures

Intangible assets, other than goodwill, are as follows:

Operating licences and frequencies provide the Group with the exclusive right to utilise certain radio frequency spectrum to provide wireless communication services.

Operating licences primarily consist of

-   several 2G licences,

-   a nationwide 3G licence,

-   a nationwide 4G licence to use 2.5–2.7 GHz spectrum (10x10 MHz band) awarded to PJSC MegaFon in 2012, and

-   a nationwide 4G licence to use 2.5–2.7 GHz spectrum (30x30 MHz band) acquired in the Scartel business combination.

These licences are integral to the wireless operations of the Group and any inability to extend existing licences on the same or comparable terms could materially affect the Group’s business. While operating licences are issued for a fixed period, renewals of these licences previously had occurred routinely and at nominal cost. The Group believes that there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that could result in delays in licence renewal, or even an outright refusal to renew.

Nationwide 3G and 4G licences were obtained by PJSC MegaFon at nominal cost in 2007 and 2012, respectively, but require the Company to meet certain conditions, including capital commitments and coverage requirements (Note 5.7).

Acquisitions

In August 2015 MegaFon acquired 900/1,800 MHz band spectrum in the Samara, Astrakhan, Yaroslavl regions and the Chuvash Republic through the purchase of 100% of the shares of JSC SMARTS-Samara, CJSC Astrakhan GSM, CJSC Yaroslavl GSM and CJSC SMARTS-Cheboksary (together “SMARTS”), the subsidiaries of Russian regional mobile operator JSC SMARTS. The Group’s management concluded that assets and activities of the acquired companies are not capable of being conducted and managed as a business, accordingly the acquisition of SMARTS was accounted for as an acquisition of assets. The purchase price totaled 5,745 at the date of acquisition, consisting of cash consideration of 5,505 and a deferred payment with a fair value of 240 payable within six months from the date of acquisition (Note 3.4).

In October 2015 the Company successfully bid for 1800 MHz band spectrum in the Republic of Dagestan and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic pursuant to a frequency distribution auction conducted by the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media of the Russian Federation (“Roskomnadzor”). The total consideration for the spectrum is 1,260.

3.2.2.   Goodwill

Accounting policies

Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred plus the fair value of any non-controlling interest in the acquired company at the acquisition date over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired, and is not amortised, but tested for impairment at least annually.

After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

Disclosures

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses of nil, for the years ended 31 December 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

3.2.3.   Goodwill impairment

Accounting policies

Goodwill is not subject to amortisation and is tested annually for impairment as of 1 October or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated from the acquisition date to each of the cash-generating units (“CGUs”), or groups of CGUs, that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. The Group has identified and recognised the following CGUs: 1) integrated telecominucation services group of CGUs and 2) broadband internet CGU. Each CGU or any group of CGUs to which the goodwill is allocated represents the lowest level within the entity at which the goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.

An impairment loss of associated goodwill is recognised for the amount by which the CGU’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of (1) a CGU’s fair value less costs to sell and (2) value in use. The recognised impairment loss is not subsequently reversed.

Estimating recoverable amounts of assets and CGUs is based on management’s evaluations, including determining the appropriate CGUs and estimates of applicable multiples, if the market approach is used, or future cash flows, discount rates, terminal growth rates, and assumptions about future market conditions, if the income approach is used. Allocation of the carrying value of the assets being tested between individual CGUs also requires judgment.

Goodwill impairment test

The Group considers the relationship between market capitalisation and its book value, among other factors, when reviewing for indicators of impairment. As of 31 December 2015, the market capitalisation of the Group was not below the book value of its equity.

As a result of the annual test, no impairment of goodwill was identified in 2015 or 2014.

Goodwill acquired through business combinations has been allocated to related CGUs and groups of CGUs as follows:

In assessing whether goodwill has been impaired, the carrying values of the CGUs (including goodwill) were compared with their estimated recoverable amounts.

Integrated telecommunication services (group of CGUs)

Investment in the Euroset joint venture (Note 3.3) and the net assets of the Company’s own retail network have been allocated to the integrated telecommunication services group of CGUs. In 2015 the management of the Group conducted an analysis of Euroset’s operations and concluded that it shall be allocated to the integrated telecommunication services group of CGUs starting from 2015. This was due to the increasing control over and integration with retail network leading to reduction of subscriber acquisition costs and realisation of synergies together with integration of handsets and telecommunication services (bundled offerings). Thus, cash flows of Euroset and the Company’s own retail network are no longer considered largely independent of those from the integrated telecommunication services group of CGUs.

The recoverable amount of the integrated telecommunication services group of CGUs has been determined based on its fair value less costs to sell (Level 3). The fair value was estimated based on a multiple of earnings, which is 4 times operating income before depreciation and amortisation (“OIBDA”), which represents a lower point of the range observed in the market for acquisitions of similar businesses. The fair value was reduced by 5% as an estimate of costs to sell the business.

Management believes that any change in any of these key assumptions which can currently be reasonably anticipated would not cause the aggregate carrying amount of the integrated telecommunication services group of CGUs to exceed the aggregate recoverable amount of this unit.

Broadband internet CGU

The recoverable amount of the broadband internet CGU has been determined based on its value in use. The value in use was estimated using cash flow projections from financial budgets

approved by senior management covering 2016 and further seven-year projections. Due to less favourable economic environment foreseen for the next two years, the extended forecast period has been used for testing to take into account better growth rates forecasted in the long term.

The calculation of value in use for the broadband internet unit is most sensitive to the following assumptions: average monthly revenue per user (“ARPU”), discount rates, market share in Moscow, salary growth index and capital expenditures (“CAPEX”) to revenues ratio. The key assumptions used in the forecast are as follows:

Revenue growth is projected based on market share dynamics, ARPU growth and other factors.

The discount rate represents the current market assessment of the risks specific to the CGU, taking into consideration the time value of money and individual risks to the underlying assets that have not been incorporated in the cash flow estimates. The discount rate calculation is based on the specific circumstances of the Group and its operating segments and is derived from its weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”). The WACC takes into account both debt and equity. The cost of equity is derived from the expected return on investment by the Group’s investors. The cost of debt is based on the interest-bearing borrowings the Group is obliged to service. Segment-specific risk is incorporated by applying individual beta factors. The beta factors are evaluated annually based on publicly available market data. The discount rate decreased since last year consistent with the general decrease in market interest rates over the year.

Annual salary growth is projected based on inflation estimates.

Sensitivity to changes in key assumptions

The estimated recoverable amount of the broadband internet unit exceeds its carrying value by 321. The following changes in the key assumptions made independently, with all other assumptions constant, would result in impairment for the broadband internet unit:

There are no reasonably possible changes in other assumptions that could result in impairment for the broadband internet unit.

3.3.   Investments in associates and joint ventures

Accounting policies

Investments in associates and joint ventures which are jointly controlled entities are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognised at cost. The Group’s share of the profits and losses of these companies is included in the ‘Share of profit/(loss) of associates and joint ventures’ line in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the carrying amount of the investment.

Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its associates or joint ventures are eliminated only to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates or joint ventures. Unrealised losses are also eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of associates or joint ventures have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

Impairment

For associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method, at each reporting date the Group determines whether there is objective evidence that the investment in the associate or joint venture is impaired. If there is such evidence, the Group calculates the amount of impairment as the difference between the recoverable amount of the Group’s investment in associate or joint venture and its carrying value, then recognises its share of the loss as ‘Share of profit/(loss) of associates and joint ventures’ within profit or loss.

Disclosures

Investments in associates and joint ventures are as follows:

Garden Ring

On 9 October 2015 MegaFon acquired 49.999% of the shares of Glanbury Investments Limited (“Glanbury”), which holds 100% of the shares of CJSC Sadovoe Koltso (“Garden Ring”), which owns and operates an office building in the center of Moscow.

 

Under the transaction, the Group is required to pay approximately $282 million (17,550 at the exchange rate as of the date of acquisition) for its share in Glanbury and loans receivable from Garden Ring transferred from seller as part of the deal (Note 3.4). By 31 December 2015 the Group has paid $252 million (15,759 at the exchange rates as of the payment dates) to the seller, including purchase of Garden Ring debt of $63.6 million (3,960 at the exchange rates as of the payment date), and the remaining portion of the consideration is being deferred for up to one year with interest charged at 2.5% per annum.

 

Simultaneously MegaFon has entered into a joint venture agreement for the operation of the building with Sberbank Investments Limited, a subsidiary of PJSC Sberbank (“Sberbank”), which owns another 49.999% in Glanbury, and with Woodsworth Investments Limited, an independent real estate developer, which owns the remaining 0.002% in Glanbury.

 

MegaFon has signed a ten-year lease agreement with Garden Ring for a part of the building. This building will become the new corporate headquarters of the Group, permitting the consolidation of the Group’s operations in Moscow into a single location. At 31 December 2015 the amount of the commitment in relation to this lease is approximately 16,000. The remaining part of the building will be leased by Sberbank.

 

The Garden Ring joint venture is accounted for using the equity method in the consolidated financial statements.

The reconciliation of summarised financial information of Garden Ring to the carrying amount of the Group’s interest in the joint venture as of 31 December 2015 is presented below:

The composition of the Group’s share of loss of the joint venture accounted for using the equity method from 9 October to 31 December 2015 is as follows:

Euroset

Euroset is a retail chain, whose primary activities are sales of mobile phones, audio devices, other portable gadgets and accessories, and provision of customer subscription and payment collection services for major telecommunication operators in Russia.

The Euroset joint venture is accounted for using the equity method in the consolidated financial statements. The primary reason for the investment in Euroset was to realise benefits from synergies related to a reduction of subscriber acquisition costs of the Group due to implementation of a revenue sharing model, procurement savings and the opportunity for prominent marketing of MegaFon services in Euroset outlets (Note 3.2.3).

The reconciliation of the summarised financial information of Euroset to the carrying amount of the Group’s interest in the joint venture is presented below:

The composition of the Group’s share of the loss of the joint venture accounted for using the equity method is as follows:

3.4.   Financial assets and liabilities

Accounting policies

Initial recognition and measurement

Financial assets and financial liabilities within the scope of IAS 39 are recognised initially at fair value plus transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial asset or financial liability, except for a financial asset or financial liability accounted for at fair value through profit or loss, in which case transaction costs are expensed.

Subsequent measurement of financial assets and liabilities

The subsequent measurement of financial assets and liabilities depends on their classification as described below:

· Fair value through profit or loss. Derivatives, including separated embedded derivatives, are classified as held for trading and accounted for at fair value through profit or loss unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments. Financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value through profit or loss are carried in the consolidated statement of financial position at fair value with changes in fair value being recognised in profit or loss, in the ‘foreign exchange gain/(loss)’, ‘finance costs’ or ‘gain/(loss) on financial instruments’ lines, depending on the nature of the changes.

· Loans and receivables (assets) and loans and borrowings (liabilities). Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. After initial measurement, loans and receivables and loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective

interest rate (“EIR”) method. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The amortisation based on EIR is included in profit or loss.

De-recognition of financial assets

A financial asset is de-recognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either (a) the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.

Impairment of financial assets

A financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired and impairment losses are incurred if there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of an event that occurred subsequent to the initial recognition of the asset. The Group assesses at each reporting date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group of assets may be impaired. For assets carried at amortised cost, the impairment loss is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows at the original EIR (excluding future expected credit losses that have not yet been incurred). The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account and the amount of the loss is recognised in profit or loss. Financial assets together with the associated allowance are written off when there is no realistic prospect of future recovery and all collateral has been realised or has been transferred to the Group. If, in a subsequent year, the amount of the estimated impairment loss increases or decreases because of an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is increased or reduced by adjusting the allowance account. If a write-off is later recovered, the recovery is credited to the relevant costs in profit or loss.

De-recognition of financial liabilities

A financial liability is de-recognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the de-recognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised within profit or loss.

Disclosures

Financial assets are as follows:

Other deposits 

Other deposits consist of cash advances received under certain contracts with customers and reserved in bank accounts as well as cash reserved for deferred and contingent consideration settlements under the sale and purchase agreement with the sellers of GARS (Note 5.3).

Financial liabilities are as follows:

Settlement of Scartel deferred consideration 

On 1 October 2015 the Group fully paid the deferred consideration for Scartel acquisition. The payment was in the amount of $120 million plus interest at 6% per annum accrued thereon from the closing date, 1 October 2013 (8,863 as of the payment date).

3.4.1.   Cash and cash equivalents

Accounting policies

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and deposits in banks with original maturities of three months or less.

Disclosures

Cash and cash equivalents are as follows:

3.4.2.    Loans and borrowings

Principal amounts outstanding under loans and borrowings are as follows:

Bank loans

In December 2015 the Group signed a new revolving credit loan for up to 30,000 for up to a five-year term. The facility can be used for general operating purposes. In December 2015 the Group drew down 15,000 for three years at a fixed rate. The amounts have been used to refinance more expensive loans.

In December 2015 the Group signed a new credit facility agreement for up to $300 million (21,865 at the exchange rate as of 31 December 2015). The credit facility must be used to refinance a portion of the Group’s existing debt, and is repayable in the period from December 2018 to December 2021. As of 31 December 2015 no amount has been drawn under this credit facility.

Equipment financing facilities

In March 2015 the Group drew down approximately $93.5 million (6,815 at the exchange rate as of 31 December 2015) under the $150 million agreement for equipment financing signed in February 2014. As of 31 December 2015, this credit facility has been fully drawn.

In June 2015 the Group signed a new credit facility agreement for up to Euro 150 million (11,955 at the exchange rate as of 31 December 2015). The credit facility must be used to finance purchases of equipment and related services and requires the Group to make semi-annual payments, including accrued interest, over the period from 2016 to 2024. As of 31 December 2015 no amount has been drawn under this credit facility.

In December 2015 the Group signed a new credit facility agreement for up to $300 million (21,865 at the exchange rate as of 31 December 2015) in total. The credit facility must be used to finance purchases of equipment and related services, and is for an eight-year term. As of 31 December 2015 no amount has been drawn under this credit facility.

In December 2015 the Group signed a new credit facility agreement for a Ruble equivalent of up to Euro 70 million (5,579 at the exchange rate as of 31 December 2015). The credit facility must be used to finance purchases of equipment and related services, and is repayable in the period from December 2017 to December 2025. As of 31 December 2015 no amount has been drawn under this credit facility.

In December 2015 the Group drew down approximately $40.9 million (2,981 at the exchange rate as of 31 December 2015) under $500 million (36,441 at the exchange rate as of 31 December 2015) agreement for equipment financing signed in June 2011. As of 31 December 2015 this credit facility has been fully drawn.

Ruble bonds

In April 2015 the Group decided to repay its Series BO-04 Ruble bonds in full on the second anniversary of the placement date. The payment of the principal amount of 15,000 was made in full in May 2015.

 

In October 2015 the Group placed its Series BO-05 Ruble denominated exchange bonds, in an aggregate principal amount of 15,000. The bonds have a term of 10 years following placement, subject to a put option exercisable by the bondholders on the second anniversary of the placement date. The coupon rate was set at 11.4% per annum, payable semiannually, and will be revised in two years from the bonds’ placement. Proceeds from the bonds will be used for general corporate purposes, including the refinancing of the Group’s existing liabilities.

Covenant requirements

The majority of the Company’s financing facilities contain restrictive covenants, which, among other things, with permitted exceptions, limit the Group’s ability to incur debt, encumber assets, undertake mergers and acquisitions and make material changes in the nature of the business without prior consent from the required majority of lenders. In addition, these financing facilities require the Group to meet various financial covenants.

3.4.3.   Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

Accounting policies

Derivative financial instruments which include currency and interest rate swaps are initially recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value.  Fair values are obtained from quoted market prices and discounted cash flow models as appropriate.  Derivatives are included within financial assets at fair value through profit or loss when fair value is positive and within financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss when fair value is negative. Certain derivatives embedded in other financial instruments are treated as separate derivatives when their economic risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of the host contract and the combined instrument is not measured at fair value, with changes in fair value being recognised in profit or loss.

The Group has derivatives which it designated as cash flow hedges and derivatives which it did not designate as hedges. At the inception of a hedge relationship, the Group formally designates and documents the hedge relationship to which the Group wishes to apply hedge accounting and the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. Such hedges are expected to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in cash flows and are assessed on an ongoing basis to determine that they actually have been highly effective throughout the financial reporting periods for which they were designated.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recognised in OCI. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss. For derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges or do not qualify as hedged transactions, the changes in the fair value are reported in the profit or loss.

The Group uses derivatives to manage interest rate and foreign currency risk exposures. The Group does not hold or issue derivatives for trading purposes.

Disclosures

The Group had the following outstanding interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps stated at their notional amounts:

Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk

The Group’s objective in using interest rate derivatives is to add certainty and stability to its interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Group primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy.

Interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Group making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying principal amount of long-term debt.

The interest rate swaps have been designated and qualified as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. There has been no ineffective portion in the reporting period.

Cross-currency swap designated as a cash flow hedge

At 31 December 2015 the Group had a fixed-to-fixed rate cross-currency swap agreement in place that limits the exposure from changes in US dollar exchange rates on certain long-term debt.

The swap has been designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge of foreign currency risk. There has been no ineffective portion in the reporting period.

The table below presents the effect of the Group’s derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended 31 December:

At 31 December 2015 the amount recorded in OCI which is expected to be reclassified to profit or loss in the next twelve months is 1,254 (gain), the remaining gain of 651 is expected to affect the earnings in 2017.

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

At 31 December 2015 the Group had two cross-currency swap agreements that limit the exposure from changes in US dollar exchange and interest rates on certain long-term debt.

In February 2015 the Group amended its cross-currency swap agreement with a remaining notional amount of $204 million (14,868 at the exchange rate as of 31 December 2015) by changing the swap rate for all the remaining swap payments.

The terms of the swap agreements did not meet the requirements for hedge accounting, therefore the Group has reported all gains and losses from the change in fair value of these derivative financial instruments directly in the consolidated profit or loss.

Gain/(loss) on financial instruments

Gains and losses on other financial intruments are recognised in profit or loss as follows:

3.4.4.   Fair values

Accounting policies

The fair value of financial instruments recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position and/or disclosed in the notes that are traded in active markets at each reporting date is determined by reference to quoted market prices or dealer price quotations, without any deduction for transaction costs. For financial instruments not traded in an active market, the fair value is determined using appropriate valuation techniques, which include using recent arm’s length market transactions; reference to the current fair value of another instrument that is substantially the same; a discounted cash flow analysis; or other valuation models.

The inputs to these models are taken from observable markets where possible, but where this is not feasible, a degree of judgment is required in establishing fair values. The judgments include considerations of inputs such as liquidity risk, credit risk and volatility. Changes in assumptions about these factors could affect the reported fair value of financial instruments.

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2:      other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the    recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly;

Level 3:      techniques which use inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair

    value that are not based on observable market data.

Disclosures

Set out below is a comparison by class of the carrying amounts and fair values of the Group’s financial instruments and certain non-financial assets that are carried in the consolidated financial statements:

Management has determined that cash, short-term deposits, trade receivables, trade payables, bank overdrafts and other current liabilities approximate their carrying amounts largely due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

The Group, using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies, where they exist, has determined the estimated fair values of its financial instruments. However, judgment is necessarily required to interpret market data to determine the estimated fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Group could realise in a current market exchange. While management has used available market information in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments, the market information may not be fully reflective of the value that could be realised in the current circumstances.

The GARS escrow account (included in ‘Other deposits’ in the above table) holds cash reserved for deferred and contingent consideration settlements under the sale and purchase agreement with the sellers of GARS (Note 5.3). The fair value of the account approximates its carrying value.

The fair value of the Group’s other deposits relating to cash received under certain contracts with customers is determined by using a discounted cash flow method using a discount rate that reflects the bank deposit rates the Group would get in the market as at the end of the reporting period.

The fair values of the Group’s loans and borrowings and other liabilities carried at amortised cost, except for market quoted bonds, are determined by using a discounted cash flow method using a discount rate that reflects the issuer’s borrowing rate as at the end of the reporting period. The own nonperformance risk as at 31 December 2015 and 2014 was assessed to be insignificant.

The Group, in connection with its current activities, is exposed to various financial risks, such as foreign currency risks, interest rate risks and credit risks. The Group manages these risks and monitors their exposure on a regular basis (Note 5.4).

Valuation techniques and assumptions

The fair values of interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps are based on a forward yield curve and represent the estimated amount the Group would receive or pay to terminate these agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates, foreign exchange spot and forward rates, creditworthiness, nonperformance risk, and liquidity risks associated with current market conditions.

The Group estimated the fair value of the GARS contingent consideration of 314 and the SMARTS deferred consideration of 240 using a probability-weighted cash flow model. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent a Level 3 measurement. The fair value of the Garden Ring deferred consideration approximates its carrying value.

The following tables summarise the valuation of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the fair value hierarchy:

During the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014 there were no transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy.

3.5.   Trade and other receivables

The ageing analysis of trade and other receivables that are not impaired is as follows:

The following table summarises the changes in the impairment allowance for trade and other receivables for the years ended 31 December:

3.6.   Inventory

Accounting policies

Inventory, which primarily consists of telephone handsets, portable electronic devices, accessories and USB modems, is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined using the weighted-average cost method. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

Disclosures

The amount of inventory write-down to net realisable value and other inventory losses recognised in ‘Cost of revenue’ line in the statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2015 is 2,004 (2014: 2,202).

3.7.   Non-financial assets and liabilities

Accounting policies

Value-added tax

Value added tax (“VAT”) related to revenues is generally payable to the tax authorities on an accrual basis when invoices are issued to customers. VAT incurred on purchases may be offset, subject to certain restrictions, against VAT related to revenues, or can be reclaimed in cash from the tax authorities under certain circumstances.

Management periodically reviews the recoverability of VAT receivables and believes the amount reflected in the consolidated financial statements is fully recoverable within one year.

Disclosures

Current non-financial assets are as follows:

Non-current non-financial assets are as follows:

Current non-financial liabilities are as follows:

Non-current non-financial liabilities are as follows:

3.8.   Provisions

Accounting policies

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation. Any increase in the provision due to passage of time is recognised as finance costs.

Decommissioning provision

The Group has certain legal obligations related to rented sites for base stations and masts, which include requirements to restore the real estate upon which the base stations and masts are located upon their being decommissioned. Decommissioning costs are determined by calculating the present value of the expected costs to settle the obligation using estimated cash flows, and are recognised as part of the cost of the particular asset. The cash flows are discounted at the current pre-tax rate that reflects the risks specific to the decommissioning liability. The unwinding of the discount is expensed in profit or loss as finance costs. The estimated future costs of decommissioning are reviewed annually and adjusted as appropriate. Changes in estimated liability resulting from revisions of the estimated future costs or in the discount rate applied are added to or deducted from the cost of the asset, except where a reduction in the provision is greater than the unamortised capitalised cost, in which case the capitalised cost is reduced to nil and the remaining adjustment is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

In determining the fair value of the provision, assumptions and estimates are made in relation to discount rates, the expected cost to dismantle and remove the asset from the site, including long-term inflation forecasts, and the expected timing of those costs.

Disclosures

The following table describes the changes to the decommissioning provision for the years ended 31 December:

Revisions in estimated cash flows during the years ended 31 December 2015 and 2014 in the table above mainly relate to a decrease in expected decommissioning costs per item, which reduced buildings and structures cost in property and equipment (Note 3.1) by 314 (2014: 889) anddepreciation expense in profit or loss by 783 (2014: 345).