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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

     
þ
  Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
 
   
o
  Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from               to

Commission File Number 000–21091


FIRST AVENUE NETWORKS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
  52-1869023
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

230 Court Square, Suite 202, Charlottesville, VA 22902
(Address of principal executive offices)

(434) 220-4988
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes þ No o.

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by the court: Yes þ No o.

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934):
Yes o No þ.

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court: Yes þ No o.

     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date: The registrant had 59,653,026 shares of its common stock outstanding as of April 15, 2005.

 
 

 


 

FIRST AVENUE NETWORKS, INC.

INDEX

             
        Page
  PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION        
 
           
Item 1.
  Financial Statements     3  
 
           
Item 2.
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     10  
 
           
Item 3.
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     16  
 
           
Item 4.
  Controls and Procedures     16  
 
           
  PART II. OTHER INFORMATION        
 
           
Item 6.
  Exhibits     16  
 
           
Signatures     17  
 
           
Exhibit Index     18  

2


 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FIRST AVENUE NETWORKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)

                 
    March 31, 2005     December 31, 2004  
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 78,736     $ 80,398  
Accounts receivable, net
    96       42  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    303       282  
 
           
Total current assets
    79,135       80,722  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
    1,960       298  
FCC licenses
    60,662       21,662  
Goodwill
    90,854        
Other assets
    1,039       899  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 233,650     $ 103,581  
 
           
 
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 636     $ 40  
Accrued compensation and benefits
    357       271  
Accrued taxes other than income taxes, current portion
    370       350  
Deferred revenue, current portion
    88       60  
Accrued lease liability, current portion
    269        
Other accrued liabilities
    393       220  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    2,113       941  
Deferred revenue, less current portion
    506       250  
Accrued lease liability, less current portion
    538        
Accrued taxes other than income taxes, less current portion
    3,760       3,760  
 
           
Total liabilities
    6,917       4,951  
 
           
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 59,604,026 and 34,158,016 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively
    60       34  
Additional paid-in capital
    275,034       145,029  
Accumulated deficit
    (48,361 )     (46,433 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    226,733       98,630  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 233,650     $ 103,581  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3


 

FIRST AVENUE NETWORKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)

                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Revenues
  $ 265     $ 25  
 
           
Costs and expenses:
               
Technical and network operations
    963       1  
Sales and marketing
    209       177  
General and administrative
    1,274       464  
Depreciation and amortization
    16       2  
 
           
Total costs and expenses
    2,462       644  
 
           
Loss from operations
    (2,197 )     (619 )
 
           
Interest and other:
               
Interest expense to shareholders
          (500 )
Interest income
    265       13  
Other
    4       9  
 
           
Total interest and other
    269       (478 )
 
           
Net loss
  $ (1,928 )   $ (1,097 )
 
           
 
               
Basic and diluted net loss per common share
  $ (0.03 )   $ (0.05 )
 
           
Weighted average common shares
    55,842       20,883  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4


 

FIRST AVENUE NETWORKS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)

                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2005     2004  
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net loss
  $ (1,928 )   $ (1,097 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    16       2  
Non-cash interest expense to shareholders
          500  
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense
    75       193  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition
    676       230  
 
           
Net cash used in operating activities
    (1,161 )     (172 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Acquisition of property and equipment
    (311 )      
Deposits toward equipment purchases
    (676 )      
Acquisition costs
    (441 )      
Cash from Teligent acquisition
    1,135        
Purchase of certificate of deposit
          (2,000 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (293 )     (2,000 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    35        
Transaction fees for sale of common stock
    (243 )      
Net proceeds from the sale of common stock
          4,264  
 
           
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (208 )     4,264  
 
           
 
               
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (1,662 )     2,092  
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    80,398       3,599  
 
           
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 78,736     $ 5,691  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
               
Non-cash financing and investing activities:
               
Issuance of senior secured notes to shareholders for paid-in-kind interest
  $     $ 296  
 
           
Amortization of original issue discount on senior secured notes issued to shareholders
  $     $ 204  
 
           
Issuance of common stock and warrants in connection with the acquisition of certain assets and assumption of certain liabilities of Teligent, Inc.
  $ 130,162     $  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5


 

First Avenue Networks, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1—The Company and Basis of Presentation

     First Avenue Networks, Inc. (OTCBB: FRNS) has assembled one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of millimeter wave spectrum in the U.S. We hold over 750 licenses for spectrum between 38.6 GHz and 40 GHz, commonly referred to as 39 GHz spectrum, granted by the Federal Communications Commission or “FCC”. Our licenses extend over virtually the entire United States, covering over 284 million in population, and represent over 1 billion channel pops, calculated as number of channels in a given area, as measured in the 2000 census, multiplied by the population covered by these channels. On January 14, 2005, we purchased substantially all of the assets of Teligent, Inc (“Teligent”). These assets include Teligent’s portfolio of 24 GHz licenses and its fixed wireless operations and radio inventories. As of March 31, 2005, our spectrum portfolio now includes, on average, over 740 MHz in the top 20 U.S. metropolitan areas and, in the aggregate, approximately 1.5 billion channel pops.

     Our fixed wireless activities include services ranging from leasing spectrum to a diverse mix of fixed wireless service operations. We expect these operations to further our long-term objectives of participating in and leading the growing fixed wireless markets such as backhauling mobile phone traffic and providing cost effective extensions to fiber optic networks.

     We operate a cellular backhaul network in New York City with over 65 links. We plan to use this network as a foundation for future construction in the New York area and as a reference account for future nationwide network construction. We anticipate building to order facilities that can support cellular traffic backhaul, metropolitan transport and fiber extensions to bridge critical network gaps.

     We also lease 39 GHz spectrum to facilitate the construction of high-speed wireless telecommunications networks. Our leasing products, Express Link and Express Net, offer a way for telecommunications carriers and enterprise customers to access interference-free, carrier class licensed spectrum on a capital and cost efficient basis.

     We are a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1993. We emerged from bankruptcy in December 2001. In February 2002, our shareholders approved an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to change our name from Advanced Radio Telecom Corp. to First Avenue Networks, Inc.

     The Company is subject to all of the risks inherent in an early-stage business in the telecommunication industry. These risks include, but are not limited to: limited operating history; management of a changing business; reliance on other third parties; competitive nature of the industry; development and maintenance of efficient technologies to support the business; employee turnover; and, operating cash requirements. Management expects operating losses and negative cash flows to continue for the near term. Failure to generate sufficient revenues could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. The recoverability of assets is highly dependent on the ability of management to execute its business plan.

     Interim financial statements - Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of Company management, these financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2004 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

     Use of estimates – Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Among the more significant estimates made by management include assigning fair values to acquired assets and liabilities, assessing impairment, if any, of long lived assets, accrued property and use taxes and realization of deferred tax assets.

     Reclassifications – Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to current period classifications.

6


 

     FCC licenses – The Company accounts for its FCC licenses in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”) which requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives not be amortized, but be tested annually or more frequently if indicators of impairments arise. Intangible assets that have finite lives continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company has determined that its FCC licenses have indefinite useful lives based on the following factors:

  o   FCC spectrum is a non-depleting asset;
 
  o   The licenses are integral to the business and the Company expects them to contribute to cash flows indefinitely;
 
  o   License renewal applications are generally authorized by the FCC subject to certain conditions, without substantial cost under a stable regulatory, legislative and legal environment;
 
  o   Maintenance expenditures required to obtain future cash flows are not significant; and,
 
  o   The Company intends to use these assets for the foreseeable future.

     To evaluate whether an impairment in valuation has occurred the Company considers a number of factors, including (i) the change in its public equity value; (ii) the change in the public equity value of companies providing similar services or holding similar FCC licenses; (iii) private purchases of similar licenses; and (iv) the results of FCC spectrum auction for similar spectrum. Recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s FCC licenses is dependent on successful deployment of networks and radio links or sales of such assets to a third party.

     Goodwill – The Company has one reporting unit. Goodwill is recorded when the price paid for an acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of the net identified tangible and intangible assets acquired. Annually in the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist, the Company performs a review to determine if the carrying value of the recorded goodwill is impaired. The first step of this process is to identify potential goodwill impairment by comparing the fair value of the single reporting entity to its carrying value. The Company estimates fair value using a combination of the market price of the Company’s common equity and discounted cash flows. If the carrying value is less than fair value, the Company would complete step two in the impairment review process which measures the amount of goodwill impairment. Management tests the reasonableness of the inputs and outcomes of the discounted cash flow analysis and the evaluation of the market price of its common equity against other available comparable market data. All of the goodwill is related to the Company’s January 2005 acquisition of substantially all of the assets and assumption of certain related liabilities of Teligent, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Teligent Services, Inc. (collectively, “Teligent”).

     Net loss per share – Calculation of net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2005 excludes the effect of warrants and options to purchase 10.3 million and 1.1 million, respectively, shares of common stock since inclusion in such calculation would have been antidilutive. Calculation of net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2004 excludes the effect of warrants and options to purchase 5.2 million and 1.3 million, respectively, shares of common stock since inclusion in such calculation would have been antidilutive.

     Stock options – Effective January 1, 2005, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123R”) using the modified prospective application method. Under the modified prospective application, SFAS 123R is applied to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after the effective date. Compensation cost for the portion of awards for which requisite service has not been rendered that are outstanding as of the effective date is recognized as the requisite service is rendered on or after the effective date. The compensation cost for that portion of awards is based on the grant date fair value of those awards as calculated for pro-forma disclosures under SFAS 123. In accordance with SFAS 123R, the Company has recorded a non-cash stock-based compensation charge of $75,000 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2005.

     Previously, the Company applied Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”), and related interpretations, including Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation” (“Interpretation No. 44”) for its stock-based compensation plan. In September 2003, the Company canceled 940,000 options to purchase common stock at a strike price of $3.96 which represented all of its outstanding options. The Company replaced these options with 1,388,717 options to purchase common stock at a strike price of $0.14. Of these options, 277,743 vested immediately and 277,743 vested on each of December 20, 2004 and 2003. The remainder vest equally on December 20, 2005 and 2006. The Company accounted for the reissued options using the variable method of accounting until its adoption of SFAS 123R. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a non-cash compensation charge of $193,000 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2004. If the Company had applied the provisions of APB 25 and Interpretation No. 44 in accounting for its stock-based compensation plan for the three month period ended March 31, 2005 net loss would have decreased by $4.3 million, earnings per share would have been $0.04 and there would have been no effect on cash flows.

7


 

     The following table summarizes relevant information for the three months ended March 31, 2004 as to reported results under the Company’s intrinsic value method of accounting for stock awards, with supplemental information as if the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation,” (SFAS 123) as amended by SFAS 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” (SFAS 148) had been applied (in thousands, except per share data):

         
    For the Three  
    Months Ended  
    March 31, 2004  
Net loss, as reported
  $ (1,097 )
Add: Stock based compensation expense included in reported net loss
    193  
Less: Stock based compensation determined under fair value based method for all awards
     
 
     
Pro-forma net loss
  $ (904 )
 
     
Basic and diluted loss per share, as reported
  $ (0.05 )
 
     
Basic and diluted loss per share, as adjusted
  $ (0.04 )
 
     

Note 2—Purchase of Teligent assets

     On January 14, 2005, the Company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets and assumption of certain related liabilities of Teligent. The acquisition was made pursuant to an Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2005. The assets acquired from Teligent included 24 GHz spectrum licenses, radio equipment and the infrastructure supporting the fixed wireless operations including an operational cellular backhaul network in New York City. In consideration for these assets, the Company issued 25.2 million shares of common stock and a warrant to purchase up to 2.5 million additional shares of common stock. The warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for and purchase from the Company shares of its common stock at the prices ranging from $1.98 to $2.40 per share depending upon the exercise date. The warrant terminates on June 28, 2009 unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms and conditions of the warrant. The Company has valued the acquisition at $131.2 million which consists of the following: (i) $121.0 million in common stock based upon the weighted average stock price of the Company’s common stock for the three days before and after the terms of the acquisition were agreed to and publicly announced; (ii) $9.1 million in warrants to acquire common stock valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model; and, (iii) $1.1 million in acquisition costs. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model were as follows: (i) no dividends; (ii) a one and one half year life; (iii) a risk free interest rate of 3.53%; and, (iv) a volatility of 131%. The holder of 12% of First Avenue’s common stock also held a controlling interest in Teligent at the time of closing. The acquisition is being accounted for using the purchase method of accounting with the assets acquired and liabilities assumed recorded at fair value.

     The Company purchased Teligent’s 24 GHz assets, in particular the spectrum licenses, in order to assemble what the Company considers to be the premier collection of millimeter wave spectrum in the United States. The combination of the Company’s 39 GHz spectrum with Teligent’s 24 GHz spectrum provides outstanding breadth of geographic coverage, depth in key markets and complementary technical and propagation characteristics. The acquisition of Teligent’s fixed wireless operations includes an operational cellular backhaul network in New York City which provides the Company with a foundation for future growth in New York and a reference account for future nationwide network construction.

     The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation (dollars in thousands):

             
    Amount     Lives
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,135     N.A.
Accounts receivable
    82     N.A.
Undeployed equipment
    1,243     N.A.
Property and equipment
    124     3 years
FCC licenses
    39,000     Indefinite
Goodwill
    90,854     Indefinite
Other assets
    56     N.A.
Current liabilities
    (388 )   N.A.
Accrued taxes other than income
    (20 )   N.A.
Other non-current liabilities
    (850 )   N.A.
 
         
Net assets acquired
  $ 131,236      
 
         

     The results of operations of the acquired fixed wireless business are included in the consolidated results of operations from the acquisition date. None of the goodwill is expected to be amortized for tax purposes.

8


 

     Pro forma financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 is not presented because Teligent did not maintain separate accounting records for its long distance business and its fixed wireless business. The Company did not acquire Teligent’s long distance business which represented 70% of Teligent’s historic revenue. As a result, Teligent’s historic financial statements would not provide meaningful information regarding the future operations of the business which the Company did acquire.

Note 3—Related Party Transactions

     A company controlled by a member of our Board of Directors periodically serves as a consultant to a holder of approximately 31.5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

Note 4—Commitments and Contingencies

     Contingencies – The Company is subject to certain claims and assessments and makes routine filings with the FCC and state regulatory authorities. Management believes that resolution of any such claims or matters arising from such filings, if any, will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position.

9


 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the section below titled “ Cautionary Statement,” our Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes, and other financial information appearing in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

  Executive Overview

     From its inception in 1993 through the first quarter of 2001, the Company acquired airwave capacity, or spectrum rights, through FCC auctions and purchase transactions, raised capital through public and private offerings of securities, acquired equipment and roof rights, and developed operating and support systems and networks. From 1996 to 2000, the Company utilized several strategies to provide broadband Internet services. It invested heavily in the testing and deployment of fixed wireless links and networks. In 1998, it began to sell a variety of Internet services to end-users in Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, and Phoenix, AZ. In late 1999, the Company’s strategy evolved to providing high-speed transmission services, including Internet access, to businesses. During 2000, it launched these services in ten markets. In the first quarter of 2001, the Company was unable to secure additional funding sources to continue to finance operations and service debt.

   Reorganization

     The Company sought reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Court”) on April 20, 2001 (the “Petition Date”). It terminated nearly all of its employees, terminated operation of its networks and eliminated customer support. A Joint Plan of Reorganization (“Plan”) was developed and was approved by the Court on October 31, 2001. On December 20, 2001 (the “Effective Date”), the Plan was effective and the Company emerged from the proceedings under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code pursuant to the terms of the Plan.

     Under the Plan, the Company issued 20 million shares of new-post Chapter 11 common stock (“New Common Stock”) to unsecured creditors and holders of Series A Preferred Stock (“Old Preferred Stock”). Each holder of an unsecured claim received its pro rata share of 19 million shares of New Common Stock. Each holder of Old Preferred Stock received its pro rata share of 1 million shares of New Common Stock. Holders of pre-Chapter 11 common stock (“Old Common Stock”) and holders of any other equity interest received no distributions under the Plan. All Old Common Stock, Old Preferred Stock and all other equity interests such as employee stock options and warrants were canceled on the Effective Date.

     Subsequent to the Effective Date, the Company’s product offering consisted of leasing its spectrum to others to construct high-speed wireless telecommunications networks. Its leasing products, Express Link and Express Net, provide a way for telecommunications carriers and enterprise customers to access interference-free, carrier class licensed spectrum. The Company’s leasing strategy allows it to utilize its FCC licenses to facilitate wireless telecommunications services in a capital efficient manner. It seeks to identify, contact and serve existing telecommunications carriers in a manner that does not require significant sales and marketing, operating and capital expenditures. The recoverability of the Company’s investment in its FCC licenses is dependent on the successful execution of its business plan as it evolves.

     The Company currently has over 40 leases for spectrum on a link-by-link basis primarily in the southwestern and eastern United States and has leased spectrum in two urban regions in the southwestern United States. Additionally, the Company has retained nine fixed transmission links originated by its predecessor which customers incorporate into their telecommunication networks and utilize to provide a primary telecommunication link or, in other cases, redundancy, back-up or diversity to other telecommunication services. In December 2003, the Company entered into an Express Net contract with a large national telecommunications carrier. Under the terms of this contract, the Company has leased a portion of its spectrum in two urban regions for seven years.

     On January 14, 2005, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and assumed certain related liabilities of Teligent, Inc. and its subsidiary, Teligent Services, Inc. (collectively, “Teligent”). The assets acquired from Teligent included 24 GHz spectrum licenses, radio equipment and the infrastructure supporting the fixed wireless operations including an operational cellular backhaul network in New York City. In consideration for these assets, the Company issued approximately 25.2 million shares of common stock and a warrant to purchase up to approximately 2.5 million additional shares of common stock.

     The Company reflects the assets of Teligent and the acquired operations in the Company’s financial statements as of the acquisition date. The assets are recorded at fair market value at the date of acquisition as required by purchase method accounting. The Company has allocated 29.71% and 69.28% of the $131.2 million purchase price to the 24 GHz spectrum and goodwill, respectively.

     Subsequent to the Teligent acquisition, the Company is generating revenue by providing cellular backhaul services in New York City. Since our inception, we have generated operating and net losses and we expect to continue to generate operating and net losses and negative cash flows for at least the next few years. We currently have only ten employees (including officers) and operate with limited resources. We are currently focused on developing our business opportunities. We plan to hire additional employees and build the infrastructure required to deliver our services once we have signed long-term contracts with customers.

10


 

  Results of Operations

   Three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to three months ended March 31, 2004

     Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 increased 960% to $265,000 from $25,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. This increase is the result of the acquisition of Teligent, Inc.’s (“Teligent”) fixed wireless operations in January 2005. The Company generates revenue by providing fixed wireless links, including a cellular backhaul network of more than 125 links in New York City. In addition, the Company recognizes revenue from its spectrum leasing program. Revenue under the spectrum leases is recognized prorata over the individual lease periods, which currently range from 12 to 84 months. At March 31, 2005, the Company had over 60 leases for its spectrum on a link-by-link basis and three leases for geographic areas.

     Technical and network operations costs and expenses are comprised primarily of equipment development cost, repair and maintenance costs for the fixed wireless business and compensation and related costs for engineering and maintenance personnel. Technical and network operations costs and expenses increased $962,000 from $1,000 to $963,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 as a result of costs incurred to support the fixed wireless business acquired from Teligent. Technical and network operations costs and expenses were 363% and 4% of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Company expects these expenses to increase in future periods as it executes its business plan to grow its fixed wireless operations.

     Sales and marketing costs and expenses are comprised primarily of compensation and related costs and professional fees. These costs increased 18% to $209,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $177,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. This increase is a result of a $66,000 increase in professional fees as a result of using consultants for business development activities and a $12,000 increase in public relations offset by a $67,000 decrease in compensation as a result of decreased sales commissions. Sales and marketing costs and expenses were 79% and 708% of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Company expects sales and marketing expenses to increase in future periods as a result of executing its business plan to grow its fixed wireless operations. Future reported sales and marketing expenses may be more than or less than those reported for the same period in 2004 as a result of 2004 reported expenses including amounts related to the Company’s options accounted for as variable. The non-cash stock-based compensation expense fluctuated significantly from quarter to quarter. As a result, increases in future sales and marketing expenses may not be as large as the previously reported 2004 quarterly increases. Since the Company has adopted SFAS 123R effective January 1, 2005, it no longer accounts for its options as variable.

     General and administrative costs and expenses increased 175% to $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $464,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. General and administrative costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 primarily consist of compensation, professional fees and insurance. The increase in general and administrative costs and expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2005 is result of (i) $349,000 paid for 2004 bonuses in excess of that accrued at December 31, 2004; (ii) an increase of $129,000 in legal fees as a result of regulatory and corporate activities; (iii) an increase of $215,000 in other professional fees as a result of corporate activities; and, (iv) $83,000 increase in insurance expense as a result of increased premiums for directors and officers insurance. General and administrative costs and expenses were 481% and 1856% of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Company expects general and administrative expenses to increase in future periods as a result of executing its business plan to grow its fixed wireless operations. Future reported general and administrative expenses may be more than or less than those reported for the same period in 2004 as a result of 2004 reported expenses including amounts related to the Company’s options accounted for as variable. The non-cash stock-based compensation expense fluctuated significantly from quarter to quarter. As a result, increases in future general and administrative expenses may not be as large as the previously reported 2004 quarterly increases. Since the Company has adopted SFAS 123R effective January 1, 2005, it no longer accounts for its options as variable.

     Depreciation and amortization expense increased by 700% to $16,000 from $2,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. This increase is a result of an increase in the Company’s property and equipment to support its fixed wireless operations and to support seven additional employees. Depreciation and amortization expense was 6% and 8% of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

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     Interest and other increased to income of $269,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from expense of $478,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. This change primarily is attributable to the elimination of interest expense of $500,000 as a result of the Company paying its debt in full in December 2004 and an increase of $252,000 in interest income, resulting from increased cash balances.

     During the three month period ended March 31, 2005, the Company increased its deferred tax valuation allowance to equal its deferred tax asset based upon management’s determination that the recognition criteria for realization had not been met.

     Liquidity and Capital Resources

     During the three months ended March 31, 2005, operating activities used cash of approximately $1.1 million as compared to $172,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2004. Cash used by operating activities resulted primarily from the Company’s net loss. This increase in cash used in operating activities is the result of the cash required to support the fixed wireless operations acquired from Teligent in January 2005 and to promote the Company’s organic growth.

     During the three months ended March 31, 2005, investing activities used cash of $293,000. This use of cash is a result of cash expenditures for (i) the acquisition of equipment to be deployed; (ii) making deposits for future equipment to be deployed; and, (iii) acquisition costs related to the Teligent acquisition offset by cash of $1.1 million received in the Teligent acquisition.

     During the three months ended March 31, 2005, financing activities used cash of $208,000 as a result of costs incurred in the quarter related to the registration of the common stock sold in December 2004. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, financing activities provided cash of approximately $4.3 million. In January 2004, the Company sold 1.2 million units, each unit comprised of one share of common stock and one warrant, for $3.60 per unit, yielding gross proceeds of $4.4 million. The Company incurred $86,000 of professional expenses as a result of this transaction.

     In connection with emerging from bankruptcy proceedings in December 2001, the Company issued $11.0 million of five-year senior secured notes (“Notes”) and 4 million fully-vested five-year New Class A Warrants with an exercise price of $0.01 to holders of Notes for aggregate consideration of $11.0 million. The Notes bore interest at the rate of 9% per annum, payable quarterly through the issuance of additional Notes at the Company’s option. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company issued $296,000 of additional Notes in lieu of interest. The Notes and accrued interest were repaid in December 2004.

     The Company recorded the original issuance of the Notes net of the estimated fair value of the New Class A Warrants at the issuance date. Amortization of debt discount of $204,000 has been determined utilizing the effective interest rate method and is a component of interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2004.

     The Company had cash and cash equivalents and certificates of deposit totaling $78.7 million at March 31, 2005. Since its inception, the Company has incurred losses from operations and expects to continue to incur losses and experience negative cash flows for at least the next few years. Subsequent to the Teligent acquisition, the Company is generating revenue by providing cellular backhaul services in New York City. The Company currently has only ten employees (including officers) and operates with limited resources. The Company is currently focused on developing its business opportunities. It does not plan to hire a significant number of additional employees or build the infrastructure required to deliver services until it has signed long-term contracts with customers. Based upon its current cash balance, limited operations and historic annual cash utilization, the Company believes that its cash resources are sufficient to fund its operations and capital requirements beyond 2005. The Company does not anticipate a significant increase in cash utilization to support the spectrum assets and existing operations acquired from Teligent. However, additional unforeseen expenditures may require the Company to obtain additional financing.

Critical Accounting Matters and Significant Estimates

     The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgments based upon estimates and assumptions that are inherently uncertain. Such judgments affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management continuously evaluates its estimates and assumptions, including those related to long-lived assets, inventories, income taxes, contingencies and litigation, and the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

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     A summary of our most critical accounting policies and significant estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is as follows:

•   FCC Licenses - The Company accounts for its FCC licenses in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”) which requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives not be amortized, but be tested annually or whenever indicators of impairments arise. Intangible assets that have finite lives continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company has determined that its FCC licenses have indefinite useful lives due to the following:

  o   FCC spectrum is a non-depleting asset;
 
  o   The licenses are integral to the business and the Company expects them to contribute to cash flows indefinitely;
 
  o   License renewal applications are generally authorized by the FCC subject to certain conditions, without substantial cost under a stable regulatory, legislative and legal environment;
 
  o   Maintenance expenditures required to obtain future cash flows are not significant; and,
 
  o   The Company intends to use these assets for the foreseeable future.

    Given the nature of the Company’s 24 and 39 GHz spectrum licenses, significant judgment is required in making an assessment as to whether the recorded carrying value of these assets exceeds the estimated fair market value. At December 31, 2004, the Company’s FCC licenses had a carrying value of $21.6 million. During 2004, the Company performed a valuation of its spectrum under SFAS No. 142 which resulted in an $89 million valuation for its 39 GHz spectrum. In connection with its acquisition of Teligent’s FCC spectrum, the Company performed a valuation of the 24 GHz spectrum under SFAS No. 142 which resulted in a $39 million valuation. In performing both of these evaluations, the Company identified a number of factors that are considered to be indicative of the value of its FCC licenses, including (i) the increase in its public equity value; (ii) private purchases of similar licenses; (iii) the increase in the public equity value of companies providing similar services or holding similar FCC licenses; and (iv) the results of recent FCC spectrum auctions for this or similar spectrum. Each of the factors was then quantified and weighted in deriving the estimated fair value. No impairment of the FCC license value occurred during the three month period ended March 31, 2005.
 
    Several key assumptions were included in performing these valuations: (i) the value of the FCC licenses directly correlates with public trading value of the Company’s stock and that of other public companies in the telecommunication industry; (ii) certain private purchases of similar licenses are reflective of the fair value of the underlying assets; (iii) the relative weights assigned to each factor represents the level of the factor’s relevance to the estimation of the fair value of the FCC licenses; and, (iv) the model used to perform such valuations captures relevant information impacting the fair value of these licenses. Any change in the above assumptions could lead to a different result. The Company will continue to evaluate the fair value of its FCC licenses for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be fully recoverable.
 
    Future declines in the Company’s license value could result in an impairment charge to earnings, increasing its operating loss in future periods. The Company’s stock price could decline as a result of such a charge to earnings.
 
    The Company faces various contingencies including the renewal of its FCC licenses during the period 2006 to 2011 and changing FCC regulations. The loss of some or all of the FCC licenses or the imposition of FCC usage restrictions could adversely affect the Company’s future business prospects and operations and result in an impairment to the carrying value of these intangible assets.
 
    The Company’s 39 GHz and 24 GHz licenses are granted for initial ten-year terms with renewal dates ranging from 2006 to 2011. In order for the licenses to be renewed, the Company must demonstrate that it has provided “substantial service” during the license term. The level of service that will be considered “substantial” may vary depending upon the type of product offering. The FCC has provided guidelines only for offerings that represent radio transmissions from one fixed point to another fixed point, where it has indicated that the licensee should have constructed four individual point-to-point radio transmission links per channel per million persons in the market area. While all service offering are on a point-to-point basis, the Company does not currently meet the substantial service guidance provided by the FCC and may not be able to meet this requirement before the expiration date of its licenses, or the FCC may modify its definition of substantial service and, in the future, the Company may offer products for which the FCC establishes more stringent substantial service requirements. The Company may be unable to meet the FCC’s renewal requirements and could lose its licenses. The loss of some of its licenses could limit the expansion of the Company’s business and harm its operating results.
 
    The Company’s licenses are integral to its business. As a result, the Company believes that it must focus on protecting this valuable asset as its business plan evolves. As a result of its recent sale of common stock which raised $93 million in gross proceeds, the Company believes it has the resources needed to grow its cellular backhaul business. The

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    Company also continues to lease spectrum utilizing a non-capital intensive method intended to put more of its FCC licenses to work. The Company plans to introduce new product offerings utilizing its spectrum. Under its current business plan, the Company believes that it will meet the FCC’s “substantial service” requirement prior to its various license renewal dates. The Company will continue to periodically assess its progress toward meeting this requirement. If at any time the Company determines that it will most likely not meet these requirements it will modify the life of the particular FCC licenses and begin amortizing the cost over the remaining license period.
 
•   Goodwill – The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of acquired companies is allocated to goodwill. Under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”), goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.
 
    The Company has one reporting unit for consideration in the application of the requirements of SFAS 142. When determining the fair value of this reporting unit, the Company considers a combination of the market price of the Company’s common equity and discounted cash flows. In assessing the recoverability of goodwill, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows, discount rates and other factors to determine if an impairment has occurred. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges. Future declines in the Company’s goodwill value could result in an impairment charge to earnings, increasing its operating loss in future periods. The Company’s stock price could decline as a result of such a charge to earnings.
 
•   Deferred taxes - The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize the deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax valuation allowance would be reported as (i) a direct addition to additional paid in capital to the extent that the adjustment arises from the use of net operating loss carryforwards acquired from its predecessor and (ii) an increase in income in the period such determination is made to the extent the adjustment arises for any other reason.
 
•   Accrued taxes other than income taxes - At March 31, 2005, other accrued taxes included accrued property tax and use tax liabilities of approximately $2.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively, that were incurred by the predecessor company. Such liabilities are expected to be released as the Company reaches settlement with the respective tax jurisdictions or at such time that a basis exists for the reversal of this liability. While management believes the amounts represent reasonable estimates of the amounts potentially owed by the Company, the amounts ultimately paid to the respective jurisdictions could differ from the accrued amounts. When the Company pays any amounts due, it will reduce the recorded liability and cash accordingly.
 
•   Fresh start accounting - In connection with its emergence from bankruptcy, the Company reflected terms of the Plan in its consolidated financial statements by adopting the fresh start accounting provisions of SOP 90-7 on December 31, 2001. Fresh start accounting creates a new reporting entity and the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities are adjusted to reflect their estimated fair values. In adopting fresh start accounting, the Company utilized the reorganization value or fair value of the entity. The reorganization value of a company is the amount of value available and to become available for the satisfaction of post-petition liabilities and allowed claims, as negotiated between the debtor-in-possession and the creditors and holders of equity interests. A committee of unsecured creditors together with the Company determined a reorganization value of approximately $53.7 million which was deemed fair value of the assets of the reorganized business, with FCC licenses comprising 86% of the reorganization value. The Company’s recoverability of its investment in FCC licenses is dependent upon its successful execution of its business plan.
 
•   Developmental stage - The Company is subject to all of the risks inherent in an early-stage business in the telecommunication industry. These risks include, but are not limited to: limited operating history; management of a changing business; reliance on other third parties; competitive nature of the industry; development and maintenance of efficient technologies to support the business; employee turnover; and, operating cash requirements. In 2004, the Company had less than $100,000 in revenues from its spectrum leasing business. In 2005, it began generating revenue by providing cellular backhaul services in New York City. From 2002 through December 2004, the Company has generated operating losses of $40.6 million and net losses of $46.4 million. It expects to generate operating and net losses and negative cash flows for at least the next few years. The Company currently has only ten employees (including officers) and operates with limited resources. Management is currently focused on developing the Company’s business opportunities. Management does not plan to hire a significant number of additional employees or build the infrastructure required to deliver services until the Company has signed long-term contracts with customers. Failure to generate sufficient revenues could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. The recoverability of these assets is highly dependent on the ability of management to execute on its business plan.

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     Cautionary Statement—This report includes “forward-looking” information, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases, regarding, among other things, our financial and business prospects, the deployment of our services, capital requirements and financing prospects. The Company cautions investors that any such statements are based on currently available operational, financial and competitive information, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors. Those factors include, among others, those matters disclosed as Risk Factors at the end of the business section of the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     At March 31, 2005, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $78.7 million that were held in bank accounts and in money market accounts yielding an average interest rate of 2.1% and original maturity of less than three months. The Company’s investment policy provides that funds in excess of current operating needs may be invested in cash equivalents, marketable securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and commercial paper of domestic corporations. Our policy prohibits investing in instruments with maturities that exceed 365 days without prior approval of the Board of Directors. The Company’s investment priorities are to minimize short-term risk and preserve capital. The Company has had no holdings of derivative financial or commodity instruments in the past and has no current plans to do so in the future. The Company has not conducted business in foreign currencies in the past and has no current plans to do so in the future.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

     As of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

     (b) Change in Internal Controls

     There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the period being reported on, which could materially affect, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. EXHIBITS

     
(a)
  Exhibits:
 
   
31.1
  Certification of Dean M. Johnson under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
 
   
31.2
  Certification of Sandra G. Thomas under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
 
   
32.1
  Certification of Dean M. Johnson under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
 
   
32.2
  Certification of Sandra G. Thomas under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

         
    First Avenue Networks, Inc.
 
       
May 11, 2005
  By:             /s/ Dean M. Johnson
 
       
Date
      Dean M. Johnson
      President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

     Pursuant to the requirements of the securities and exchange act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

         
Signature   Title   Date
/s/ Dean M. Johnson
  President, Chief Executive Officer and    May 11, 2005 
Dean M. Johnson
  Director    
 
       
/s/ Sandra G. Thomas
  Chief Financial Officer    May 11, 2005 
Sandra G. Thomas
  Principal Financial and Accounting Officer    

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EXHIBIT INDEX

         
Exhibit No.   Title    
31.1
  Certification of Dean M. Johnson under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.    
 
       
31.2
  Certification of Sandra G. Thomas under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.    
 
       
32.1
  Certification of Dean M. Johnson under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.    
 
       
32.2
  Certification of Sandra G. Thomas under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.    

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