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FORM 10-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996
Commission file number 0-23598
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 13-3735316
- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
249 Royal Palm Way, Suite 301, Palm Beach, Florida 33480
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(407) 822-9933
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
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 |X| No |_|
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statement
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. ____.
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant was approximately $32,300,000 of January 24, 1997 based upon the
last sales price per share of the Registrant's Common Stock, as reported on the
Nasdaq Small Cap Market on such date. As of January 24, 1997, 3,253,000 shares
of Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Registrant were outstanding.
Portions of Registrant's Proxy Statement for use in connection with the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held March 27, 1997 are
incorporated by reference into Part III of this report, to the extent set forth
therein, if such Proxy Statement is filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or before February 28, 1997. If such Proxy Statement is not filed by
such date, the information required to be presented in Part III will be filed as
an amendment to this report. The exhibits for this Form 10-K are listed on Page
29.
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
Part I
Item 1. Business 1
Item 2. Properties 19
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 19
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders 20
Part II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity 20
and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 21
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of
Operations 22
Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements 25
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 25
Part III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the
Registrant 26
Item 11. Executive Compensation 26
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management 26
Item 13. Certain Relations and Related Transactions 26
Part IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules,
and Reports on Form 8-K 27
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
The Company
National Wireless Holdings Inc. ("NWH" or the "Company") is a Delaware
corporation organized on August 31, 1993 to act as a holding and strategic
resource company for wireless cable systems. The Company has acquired rights to
build and operate a wireless cable system in Miami, Florida, as well as a
satellite programming uplink facility in the same area. The Company also seeks
to support, finance and acquire new technologies for the wireless cable industry
and to secure and assemble rights to frequencies in other markets.
The Company has also acquired interests in an educational programming
distribution company and an electronic medical billing system company and may
acquire or invest in other businesses.
In order to execute its business plan, the Company raised approximately $22
million through an initial public offering of two million shares of its Common
Stock on March 9, 1994.
The Company's executive offices are located at 249 Royal Palm Way, Suite
301, Palm Beach, Florida 33480, telephone: (407) 822- 9933.
Wireless Cable Business
- - Miami Market
The Company is actively developing a wireless cable system in the Miami,
Florida market. The Company believes that the terrain in Miami is suitable to
providing wireless cable transmission and that it has obtained rights to
sufficient frequencies in Miami, assuming the use of digital compression
technology and regulatory approvals, to compete in the multichannel video
program distribution marketplace. However, there can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to complete developments in technology in a timely or cost
effective manner or to resolve certain regulatory issues required to launch such
a system. The Company has entered into the following agreement to develop its
wireless cable system in Miami.
o On January 30, 1995, the Company and its subsidiary, South Florida TV
Inc. ("SFTV") entered into an agreement (the "WLRN Agreement") with
Friends of WLRN, Inc. ("Friends of WLRN") pursuant to which SFTV will
lease excess capacity on up to 20 Instructional Television Fixed
Service ("ITFS") channels licensed to Friends of WLRN, the School
Board of Dade County (the "School Board") and Southern Florida
Instructional Television, Inc. ("Southern Florida International
Television"). The WLRN Agreement contemplates that the Company
-1-
and SFTV will supply digital compression technology capable of
providing to Friends of WLRN, the School Board and Southern Florida
International Television 32 virtual television channels serving Dade
County. Upon successful testing and implementation of that digital
compression technology, SFTV will be entitled to utilize the remainder
of the capacity of the channels for the transmission of commercial
programming to subscribers in either a digital or analog format. The
Company and SFTV are obliged to invest approximately $2,000,000 to
develop these frequencies and will pay license fees based on the
number of subscribers to its wireless cable system. Federal
Communications Commission ("FCC") consent will have to be secured
prior to the relocation of the ITFS stations to the company's
transmission facility, to the use of digital compression technology
and to the use by the Company and SFTV of all of the excess capacity
on the channels after 32 virtual channels are created for use by
Friends of WLRN, the School Board and Southern Florida International
Television. Requests for the necessary FCC consent are pending, but
have been opposed by Wireless Broadcasting Systems of America, Inc.
("WBSA"), a company that is attempting to develop a wireless cable
system in the adjacent West Palm Beach market and by ITFS licensees,
some of whom are leasing excess capacity to WBSA. On November 8, 1995,
the Company and SFTV entered into a letter agreement with WBSA
providing that the parties will use their best efforts to settle the
dispute, including causing affiliated licensees to agree to the
execution of a formal settlement agreement by all of the ITFS and
Multipoint Distribution Service ("MDS") licensees and applicants that
will provide transmission capacity to the proposed Miami and West Palm
Beach wireless cable systems. There can be no assurance that such
formal settlement agreement will be entered into nor can there be any
assurance that the FCC will consent to the WLRN Agreement and the
facilities contemplated therein, or that the Company, acting through
SFTV, will be able to implement adequate digital compression
technology. Although the Company believes compression technology, when
developed, will expand the capacity of ITFS channels to make these
channels more useful for educational purposes while at the same time
make them available to the Company for commercial uses, there can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to use any of the Miami
ITFS channels to carry out its business plan. Accordingly there can be
no assurance that the Company will develop the Miami market.
o On December 28, 1994, the Company entered into a Multipoint
Distribution Service ("MDS") Agreement with Private Networks, Inc.
("PNI") to lease, for an initial 10-year term and three additional
renewal terms of five years each, four MDS wireless frequencies in the
Miami, Florida area and the right to lease four such frequencies in
each of the following markets: Decatur, Illinois, Ithaca, New York and
Glens Falls, New York. The lease, which was assigned to the Company's
subsidiary, SFTV, provides for initial payments of $550,000 (a $50,000
down payment was made in fiscal 1994, and $300,000 was paid in fiscal
1995), a monthly fee of $.50 per subscriber (subject to certain
minimum payments) and the costs of constructing (estimated to be
$260,000) transmitting stations for PNI in Miami, Decatur, Ithaca and
Glens Falls. SFTV will retain ownership of the transmitting equipment
in those
-2-
markets and will lease the equipment for nominal consideration over
their estimated useful life to PNI. If the Company is not the operator
of the frequencies in any of the markets, PNI will either purchase the
equipment in such market at its original cost less depreciation or
return it. The Company did not exercise its rights to lease the
frequencies in Decatur, Ithaca and Glens Falls.
o On November 7, 1994, the Company entered into an Agreement for the
Purchase of the Radio Station License for Channel with People's Choice
TV Corp. ("PCTV") and Alda Multichannels, Ltd. ("Alda"), providing for
the purchase by the Company of the license for MDS H-2 Channel in
Miami, subject to FCC approval of the transfer and a prior transfer to
Alda. Such transfers have both since been approved by the FCC and
consummated. As a condition of the purchase, PCTV negotiated a second
right of first refusal, subordinate to the right of first refusal held
by Preferred Entertainment, Inc. ("PEI"), to enter into any operating
agreements for the Miami wireless cable system in the event the
Company determines not to operate a system in Miami itself. The
Company has agreed to lease this Channel to its subsidiary, SFTV.
o On July 8, 1994, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase and Sale
Agreement and related MDS Service Order with Microband Corporation to
purchase the license for MDS Channel 1 in Miami, Florida for $700,000.
The FCC granted its consent to the assignment on December 28, 1994.
The Company has agreed to lease this Channel to its subsidiary, SFTV.
o On August 30, 1994, the Company entered into an MDS Airtime Agreement
with Via Net Companies for a lease, with an initial five year term and
an option for two additional five year terms, of the MDS H-1 Channel
for wireless cable broadcasting in Miami, Florida. Under the terms of
this agreement, which was assigned to the Company's subsidiary, SFTV,
the Company will pay a minimum monthly transmission fee of $1,000 plus
a connection fee of $.10 per subscriber, as defined in the agreement.
The Company has paid $5,000 as a deposit under this agreement as of
October 31, 1996.
Hard-wire cable systems in Miami currently pass approximately 1,120,000
homes, of which approximately 52% subscribe to hard- wire cable services, and
there are approximately 210,000 homes which are not passed by hard-wire cable.
The Company believes it can achieve positive cash flow in Miami after an
aggregate capital investment of approximately $20,000,000 to $30,000,000 over
the next two years with between 18,000 and 30,000 subscribers and with greater
growth possible if the Company can invest more capital.
Before the Company can make full use of the channels it will own or lease
in the Miami market, it must relocate the transmitting stations to a common site
and secure FCC consent to digital operation. The Company has identified the site
at which it will locate its transmission facilities, and applications are
pending before the FCC seeking consent to such relocation and digital operation.
As noted above, objections have been made to applications filed by the Company's
ITFS affiliates. There can be no assurance that the FCC will permit
-3-
the Company to relocate all of the transmitting stations to the site selected by
the Company and authorize them to operate utilizing digital technology. In the
event the Company cannot obtain such FCC consent, the Company may have to
curtail or modify operations in the Miami market, utilize a less optimal tower
location or reduce the height or power of the transmission facility, which could
have a material adverse effect on the number of subscribers the Company can
serve in that market.
The Company is continuing discussions with BellSouth Corporation
("BellSouth") for the sale of its subsidiary, SFTV, with all of its wireless
cable assets in the Miami area, to BellSouth for $48 million in BellSouth stock.
The transaction is subject to completion of due diligence and negotiation of
definitive agreements. There can be no assurance that such agreements will be
entered into or that the transaction can be completed as proposed. Further
details are not being disclosed at this time pending the outcome of talks
between the parties.
- - General
Wireless cable television is provided to subscribers by transmitting
microwave frequencies over the air on a direct "line-of-sight" from the
transmission facility to a small receiving antenna at each subscriber's
location. Local off-air VHF/UHF broadcasts can be provided to a subscriber by
retransmission of the broadcast over a wireless frequency or by installation of
an off-air antenna in conjunction with the wireless antenna located on the
subscriber's home or building.
Wireless cable technology eliminates the need for large networks of cable
and amplifiers utilized by hard-wire cable operators. To the subscriber a
wireless cable system generally operates in the same fashion as a hard-wire
cable system. Like the hard-wire cable systems, wireless cable systems, in
exchange for monthly fees, typically offer local off-air broadcast channels, as
well as programming such as HBO, ESPN, CNN, USA, WGN, WTBS, A&E, Nickelodeon,
Discovery, Disney, MTV and other programming services. A wireless cable system
utilizes microwave frequencies licensed by the FCC to transmit multiple channels
of video programming over the airwaves to small receiving antennas mounted at
the subscribers' locations. Additional pay-per-view programming, such as recent
movie releases and special sports events, is generally available for a
supplemental charge.
The Company believes wireless cable systems generally have more reliability
in picture quality than hard-wire cable systems. Since a wireless cable system
does not require an extensive network of cable and amplifiers, the capital cost
per installed wireless subscriber is substantially less than for a hard-wire
cable subscriber. As a result of their lower capital costs and lower operating
costs per subscriber, wireless cable operators have generally been able to
charge less than traditional franchise cable operators for comparable
programming and services. Although future changes in governmental regulations
may affect cable prices, the Company believes wireless cable operators will
continue to have a price advantage over hard-wire cable operators as a result of
wireless cable's generally lower capital cost per subscriber. Management
believes that wireless cable operators will be able to compete
-4-
effectively with hard-wire cable operators for subscribers on the basis of
picture quality and reliability, customer service, programming features and
price.
Primarily because of the generally lower capital cost structure of wireless
cable technology, many wireless cable systems have been able to charge
subscribers lower monthly fees than are charged by hard-wire cable systems
against which they compete. However, in some markets, especially those in rural
areas, wireless cable operators have chosen not to compete with hard-wire cable
operators on the basis of price and instead have chosen to maximize revenues by
setting rates at or above those charged by the local hard-wire cable systems and
targeting their marketing efforts at residents of areas that are not served by
hard-wire cable systems. In the urban areas, where the Company expects to focus
its efforts, such a strategy is unlikely to maximize revenues. Management
believes that in order to induce subscribers of hard-wire systems to switch to
the Company's wireless cable system, it would be beneficial to charge rates
below those charged by the hard-wire systems. The Company is unable to predict
what effect recent amendments to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, as
implemented by the FCC, regulating cable television rates will have on the price
competitiveness of wireless cable. Since wireless cable operations generally
have lower maintenance costs than those associated with hard-wire cable systems
(such as the maintenance of cable, fiber and amplification equipment), wireless
cable operations may utilize available funds for other purposes, such as
customer service and innovative service offerings. Accordingly, the Company
believes that wireless cable systems will be able to compete effectively against
hard-wire cable systems on the basis of generally superior picture quality and
reliability, and by providing better customer service and innovative service
offerings to subscribers.
- - Industry Background
Although the concept of wireless cable television was originally proposed
to the FCC in 1981, the wireless cable industry has been slow to emerge as a
viable competitor to hard- wire cable. Historically, developers of wireless
cable systems have been unable to obtain a sufficient number of frequencies in a
given market, adequate programming or adequate financing. While the 1992 Cable
Act improved access to programming, the Company believes that the complexity of
the FCC's licensing rules and the lack of equity or debt financing for start-up
systems are primarily responsible for the initial slow pace of wireless cable
system development. As of December 1996 there were approximately 200 systems
operating in the United States, serving slightly more than 1,000,000
subscribers. While some wireless cable systems have been developed in more urban
areas and are competing against hard-wire cable systems, the majority of the
wireless cable systems in operation today are located in rural areas, serving
consumers that lack access to a hard-wire cable system.
Of all of the communications industries utilizing the radio spectrum, the
Company believes that none faces as complex a FCC licensing process as the
wireless cable industry. Currently a maximum of 33 microwave channels in the
2150-2162 Megahertz ("MHz") and 2500-2690 MHz bands are available for use by
wireless cable operators. Due to the manner in which the FCC's policies
regarding the licensing and use of these channels has evolved, in most markets
the 33 available channels are licensed to between nine and 12 different
entities.
-5-
Channels not licensed to a wireless cable operator can be leased or acquired
from other licensees, subject to compliance with FCC rules and policies.
Although wireless cable systems have launched with fewer channels, the Company
believes that a wireless cable system in a major market must have access to more
than 20 channels in order to compete effectively. Thus, developers of wireless
cable systems face a major barrier to entry in that they must secure sufficient
channel capacity from the various channel license holders in any given market
through leases or acquisitions. Moreover, wireless cable system operators must
operate all of their channels from a single location with equipment meeting a
single set of technical specifications. In most major markets, because the
available channels were not initially licensed to operate from a single
location, wireless cable operators must also secure FCC consent to relocate all
of the transmission facilities for these channels to a single site and to use
equipment meeting a single set of technical standards. In order to secure such
FCC consent, wireless cable operators must demonstrate that the system will not
cause harmful electrical interference to other facilities in the same market or
to facilities in adjacent markets. Particularly in the more populous areas of
the country, this can be a formidable task. In markets such as these, stations
tend to be more well established and heavily used, which makes it more difficult
to obtain access to any excess capacity or to move operations of a given channel
to an optimum transmit site.
- - Wireless Cable Television Systems
Initially, almost all cable systems were "hard-wire" systems, generally
using coaxial cable to transmit television signals. Recently, wireless cable has
emerged as an alternative to the traditional hard-wire cable systems in the
provision of cable television programming. The factors contributing to the
increasing growth of wireless cable systems include: Congressional scrutiny of
the rates and practices of the hard- wire cable industry; improved technology,
particularly in signal encryption; regulatory reforms by the FCC to facilitate
the growth and competitive impact of the wireless cable industry and the
increasing availability of programming for wireless cable systems. Paul Kagan
Associates, Inc., a media research firm, estimates that wireless cable systems
served approximately 372,000 subscribers at October 31, 1993, approximately
528,000 subscribers at September 1, 1994, approximately 800,000 subscribers at
December 31, 1995 and approximately 1,015,000 subscribers at December 31, 1996.
To a subscriber viewing programs, a wireless cable system generally
operates the same way as a hard-wire cable system. Like a hard-wire cable
system, wireless cable operates from a "head- end," consisting of a satellite
receiver and other equipment necessary to receive the desired programs.
Programming is then transmitted by microwave transmitters from an antenna
located at a tower or the top of a building to a small receiving antenna located
at a subscriber's home or office. At the subscriber's location, the microwave
signals are converted to frequencies that can pass through conventional coaxial
cable into an addressable descrambling converter located on top of a television
set. Wireless cable requires a clear line-of-sight because the microwave
frequencies used will not pass through hills, tall buildings, tall trees or
other obstructions. However, many signal blockages can be overcome via use of
low power signal repeaters which retransmit an otherwise blocked signal over a
limited area. Because the current generation of low power repeaters increases
significantly
-6-
the cost of serving subscribers and may cause electrical interference to other
subscribers, the Company does not anticipate that the wireless cable systems in
which it invests will be materially dependent upon use of low power repeaters.
The Company anticipates that future technological developments, particularly
those involving digital technology, may improve the efficacy of low power
repeaters.
Wireless cable enjoys advantages over hard-wire cable because, unlike
hard-wire cable, a wireless cable system does not require a network of coaxial
cable and, due to the transmission of signals through the air rather than a
network of coaxial cable, a microwave cable signal does not require
amplification between the head-end and the subscriber. In part due to these
advantages, a wireless cable system rarely experiences outages, has a high
degree of reliability and, when problems do arise, they are generally easier to
diagnose and repair. Additionally, the quality of picture delivered by wireless
cable is as good as or better than the picture delivered by hard-wire cable.
This is particularly the case for a signal delivered over longer distances since
such a signal delivered via hard-wire cable requires amplification while the
wireless cable signal does not. Amplification of signals is disadvantageous in
that it leads to greater signal noise and, accordingly, a grainier picture for
some subscribers. Many hard-wire cable systems are currently being rebuilt with
fiber optic trunk lines to alleviate this problem. However, the rebuilding of
hard-wire systems with fiber optic lines requires significant capital
expenditures, thereby further enhancing the typical cost advantages of wireless
cable systems.
Wireless cable programming can be transmitted on the frequencies made
available for wireless cable by the FCC, which in major markets consists of 33
channels. Until digital compression technology becomes commercially viable, the
number of wireless cable channels that can be provided to subscribers will
remain limited to such 33 channels. However, in many markets it is possible for
the wireless cable operator to receive some or all of the local VHF/UHF
broadcast signals and deliver them to its subscribers by installing a standard
VHF/UHF reception antenna at the subscribers' rooftops. In such cases, the
wireless cable operator need not devote one of its wireless cable channels for
the retransmission of such local broadcast signals and thus has additional
channel capacity for more programming.
- - Strategic Alliances and Investments
Anagram International Communications Ltd. In September 1995 the Company
acquired 700 shares of Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per
share of Anagram International Communications Ltd. ("Anagram"), convertible into
70% of all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock on a fully diluted
basis for $250,000. Anagram was organized in Delaware on August 22, 1995 to
engage in, among other things, the business of acquiring European television
programming for U.S. distribution via wireless cable transmission. The majority
of Anagram's programming consists of educational series relating to science and
technology, natural history, history and world cultures and "how to" programs.
The Company believes that Anagram will provide valuable programming for ITFS
channel owners, including Friends of WLRN.
-7-
Preferred Entertainment Strategic Alliance Agreement. The Company has
entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement with Preferred Entertainment, Inc.,
a subsidiary of Peoples' Choice TV Corp., a national wireless cable system
operator, pursuant to which Preferred Entertainment will provide operational
expertise, a significant strategic resource, to the Company and will have the
right of first refusal to manage and invest in certain wireless cable systems in
markets where the Company accumulates channel capacity. The Company expects
Preferred Entertainment to provide additional technical support on a three
work-day per month basis. The Company anticipates that the strategic support
provided by Preferred Entertainment will enable the Company to evaluate and
advise wireless cable systems with greater efficiency and without the cost of
developing heavily staffed operations.
Spike Technologies. On June 20, 1996, the Company entered into an agreement
with Spike Technologies, Inc. ("Spike") for testing of Spike's bidirectional
multipoint microwave antenna technology. The Company expects to invest up to
$500,000 in such testing. The Company will have the exclusive right to use
Spike's technology in Florida, subject to certain royalties to Spike. The
Company will have the exclusive right to market Spike's technology to wireless
cable operators, including telephone companies, with a royalty of 5% payable to
the Company. In addition, the Company shall receive a warrant to purchase 5% of
Spike's common stock.
Developing Technology. The Company is reviewing on a preliminary basis
joint development and equipment purchase agreements with several manufacturers
of electronic equipment, including companies developing compression technology.
- - Industry Regulation
General. The wireless cable industry is subject to regulation by the FCC
pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the "Communications
Act"). The Communications Act empowers the FCC, among other things: to issue,
revoke, modify and renew licenses within the spectrum available to wireless
cable; to approve the assignment and/or transfer of control over such licenses;
to regulate the terms and conditions pursuant to which licensees lease or sell
their channels to wireless cable operators; to determine the location of
wireless cable systems; to regulate the kind, configuration and operation of
equipment used by wireless cable systems and to impose certain equal employment
opportunity requirements on wireless cable operators.
The FCC has determined that wireless cable systems are not "cable systems"
for purposes of the Communications Act. Under current law, a wireless cable
system does not require a local franchise and is subject to fewer local
regulations than a hard- wire cable system. Moreover, all transmission and
reception equipment associated with a wireless cable system can be located on
private property; hence, there is no need to make use of utility poles or
dedicated easements. Although wireless cable operators typically have to lease
the right to use wireless cable channels from the holders of channel licenses,
unlike hard-wire cable operators they do not generally have to pay local
franchise fees. Recently, legislation has been adopted in some states, including
Florida, to authorize state and local authorities to impose on all video program
distributors (including wireless cable distributors) a tax on the
-8-
distributor's gross receipts comparable to the franchise fees cable operators
pay. Similar legislation may be introduced in several other states. While the
proposals vary among states, the bills mandate that as much as 7.5% percent of
gross receipts to be paid by wireless distributors to local authorities. Efforts
are underway by the industry trade association to preempt and thereby prevent
such state taxes through federal legislation. In addition, the industry is
opposing the state bills and local ordinances as they are introduced. However,
it is not possible to predict whether or not new state laws will be enacted
which impose new taxes on wireless operators
Division of the Frequency Spectrum. The wireless cable industry faces a
very complex FCC licensing process. At present, wireless cable operators have
available a maximum of 33 microwave channels in the 2150-2162 MHz and 2500-2690
MHz bands. Of these 33 channels, 13 are allocated to the Multipoint Distribution
Services ("MDS") and can be licensed to commercial entities. Individual licenses
are issued for what are known as Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel H1, Channel H2
and Channel H3. Channels E1, E2, E3 and E4 are generally licensed in a block of
four, as are Channels F1, F2, F3 and F4. However, these channels are only
available where it can be demonstrated that their use will not cause harmful
electrical interference to ITFS stations that were proposed prior to the FCC's
1983 order establishing wireless cable. While the FCC had barred a single entity
from holding multiple licenses in one market when most MDS licenses were issued,
the FCC now permits a single entity to hold licenses for all 13 MDS channels. In
most markets the MDS channels are currently licensed to between four and seven
different entities. Under the FCC's rules, those channels not initially licensed
to wireless cable operators can be leased from the licensee or acquired, subject
to FCC consent and satisfaction of certain minimum holding periods.
The FCC recently adopted new rules and policies under which authorizations
to construct and operate new MDS facilities were auctioned on a geographic
basis. Under those rules, the auction winner for each geographic area will have
the exclusive right to apply for consent to construct new facilities within its
geographic area. Those new facilities, however, may not interfere with
pre-existing facilities or the rights of auction winners in adjacent geographic
areas.
The remaining 20 channels (as well as some or all of channels E1, E2, E3,
E4, F1, F2, F3 and F4 in markets where those channels were licensed for ITFS use
in 1983) are allocated to ITFS. ITFS channels are licensed, usually in five
groups of four channels each, to educational institutions that are either based
in the particular market or have entered into affiliation arrangements with
local educators. Excess capacity on these channels can be leased to wireless
cable operators for the transmission of commercial programming services, but
only after a FCC-established minimum amount of educational, instructional or
cultural programming is transmitted by the licensee. At present, the FCC
requires that each ITFS station be available to transmit educational,
instructional and cultural programming a minimum of 40 hours per channel each
week before excess capacity can be utilized and that the licensee actually
transmit 20 hours per channel each week of such programming. In order to address
such part-time availability of ITFS channels, the wireless cable industry has
developed a technology, called channel mapping, that permits a given commercial
programming service to be transmitted on different ITFS channels at different
times, while
-9-
the program is viewed on the same channel of the subscriber's television set at
all times. In addition, lessees of ITFS's "excess air time, " including the
Company, generally have the right to transmit to their customers the educational
programming provided by the lessor at no incremental cost. The FCC recently
amended its rules to permit "channel loading." Channel loading permits ITFS
license holders to consolidate their educational programming on one or more of
their ITFS channels thereby providing wireless cable operators leasing such
channels, including the Company, with greater flexibility in their use of ITFS
channels.
Although wireless cable systems have launched with fewer channels, the
Company believes that a major market wireless cable system must have access to
more than 20 channels in order to effectively compete. Thus, developers of a
wireless cable system face a major barrier to entry in securing sufficient
channel capacity from the various entities in any given market that hold the MDS
and ITFS channels. Moreover, the wireless cable system operator must operate all
of its channels from a single location with equipment meeting a single set of
technical specifications. In most major markets, the various MDS and ITFS
channels have not been initially licensed to operate from a single location, so
the prospective wireless cable operator must not only enter into leases for a
substantial number of channels, it must also secure FCC consent to relocate all
of the transmission facilities for these channels to a single site and to use
equipment meeting a single set of technical standards. In order to secure that
consent, the operator must demonstrate that the system will not cause harmful
electrical interference to facilities in the same market or to facilities in
adjacent markets. Particularly in the more populous areas of the country, where
numerous ITFS stations have been licensed, this can be a formidable task.
Granting of Licenses. Licenses for channels used by wireless cable systems
are awarded for a fixed term (e.g., ten years) with the potential for renewal in
accordance with FCC policies and procedures. Applications for renewal of
licenses must be filed within a certain period prior to expiration, and
petitions to deny applications for renewal may be filed during certain periods
following the filing of such applications. Licenses are subject to revocation or
cancellation for violation of the Communications Act or the FCC's rules and
policies. Conviction of certain criminal offenses may also render a licensee or
applicant unqualified to hold a license. The Company intends to monitor
compliance with FCC rules and regulations by the holders of licenses used in
wireless cable systems in which the Company has an interest, thereby reducing
the likelihood that a license would be revoked, cancelled or not renewed by the
FCC. In addition, the FCC reserves the right to reallocate spectrum for other
users and to force licensees to migrate to other spectrum or cease operations
altogether.
- - Availability of Programming
Once a wireless cable operator has obtained the right to transmit
programming over specified frequencies, the operator must then obtain the right
to use the programming to be transmitted.
General. Currently, with the exception of the retransmission of local
off-air VHF/UHF broadcast signals, programming is made available in accordance
with contracts with program suppliers under which the system operator pays a
royalty based on the number of subscribers
-10-
receiving service each month. Individual program pricing varies from supplier to
supplier; however, more favorable pricing for programming is afforded to
operators with larger subscriber bases. The likelihood that program material
will be unavailable to the Company has been significantly mitigated by the 1992
Cable Act which, among other things, imposes limits on exclusive programming
contracts and prohibits cable programmers in which a cable operator has an
attributable interest from discriminating against cable competitors with respect
to the price, terms and conditions of programming. Of the over 30 major cable
television programming services that the Company anticipates its systems will
carry, only three are not currently directly owned by vertically integrated
multiple cable systems operators; however, the Company does not expect to have
difficulty in arranging satisfactory contracts for these services.
Copyright. Under the federal copyright laws, permission from the copyright
holder generally must be secured before a video program may be retransmitted.
Under Section 111 of the Copyright Act, certain "cable systems" (including
wireless cable systems) are entitled to engage in the secondary transmission of
programming without the prior permission of the holders of copyrights in the
programming. In order to do so, a cable system must secure a compulsory
copyright license by filing certain reports and paying certain fees set by the
Copyright Royalty Tribunal.
Currently wireless and hard-wire cable operators are required to secure the
consent of certain local VHF/UHF broadcast stations in order to retransmit their
signals. Whether the Company's wireless cable system will be required to secure
retransmission consent will depend upon the manner in which the wireless cable
system provides its subscribers with access to local broadcast signals. The
Company's wireless cable system may require retransmission consent, and there
can be no assurance that such consent will be secured at reasonable cost, if at
all. However, wireless cable systems, unlike hard-wire cable systems, are not
required under the FCC's "must carry" rules to retransmit a specified number of
local commercial television or qualified low power television signals.
- - Cost Factors
Hard-wire cable systems typically cost significantly more to build than
wireless cable systems. The Company estimates that the current cost per market
for transmission (or "head-end") equipment for its wireless cable systems will
be approximately $1 to $3 million depending upon the type and sophistication of
the equipment. Although the head-end equipment costs for a comparable hard-wire
cable system would be similar to the Company's costs, hard-wire systems must
install a network of coaxial cable and amplifiers in order to deliver signals to
its subscribers. This considerable cost is not incurred by wireless cable
operators since wireless cable signals are delivered to subscribers through the
air via microwave frequencies and such cost saving is only partially offset by
the cost a wireless cable operator incurs to purchase and install the wireless
frequency receiving antenna and related equipment necessary at each subscriber's
location. Also wireless cable systems have additional capital costs only for
actual subscribers, while hard-wire cable systems have capital costs for each
potential subscriber passed. These lower system development costs
-11-
typically result in lower debt burdens per subscriber for wireless cable
operators as compared to comparably sized hard-wire systems.
The system operating costs for wireless cable systems also are generally
lower than those for comparable hard-wire systems. This is attributable to lower
system network maintenance and depreciation expense. Unlike hard-wire operators,
wireless cable operators have to lease the wireless cable channels on which they
transmit their programming from channel license holders. Although hard-wire
operators do not have to lease channels, they do have to pay franchise fees
generally on all gross revenues from cable system operations (as compared to
only subscription revenues in the case of wireless cable) typically in the range
of 3% to 5%, an expense that is not incurred by wireless cable operators.
Programming is generally available to hard-wire and wireless operators on
comparable terms, although operators that have a smaller number of subscribers
often are required to pay higher per subscriber fees. Accordingly, operators in
the initial operating stage generally pay higher programming fees on a per
subscriber basis.
- - Industry Trends
Pay-Per-View. Over recent years, the cable television industry has been
developing a service that enables customers to order, and pay for, one program
at a time. This "pay-per-view" service has been successful for specialty events
such as wrestling and heavyweight prize fights. The cable industry is also
promoting the pay-per-view concept for purchase of movies in competition with
video rental stores. The Company anticipates that most, if not all, of the
wireless cable systems in which it invests will provide subscribers access to
pay-per-view services.
Addressability. Beginning in the early 1980's, the cable industry began
promoting and installing addressable converters. These allow a cable company to
control what the subscriber watches without having to visit the subscriber's
location to change equipment. This substantially reduces transaction costs as
subscribers add and delete various aspects of basic and premium services. In
addition, it is essential for the offering of pay- per-view services. In order
for customers to most conveniently order pay-per-view events, however, an
addressable "impulse" pay- per-view converter is required. An addressable
impulse pay-per- view converter, which has a return line via phone or cable to
the cable operator's computer system, enables a subscriber to order pay-per-view
events by pushing a button on a remote control rather than requiring the
subscriber to make a telephone call to order an event. The Company anticipates
that most of the wireless cable systems in which it invests will provide
subscribers with access to impulse pay-per view. The Company is also exploring
technologies that would employ the airwaves, rather than telephone lines, for
the return path from the subscribers' premises.
Compression. Several equipment manufacturers are developing digital
compression technology, which would allow several programs to be carried in the
amount of bandwidth where only one program is carried now. Manufacturers have
projected varying compression ratios for future equipment, in some cases as high
as 16 to one. More conservative estimates are between six to one and ten to one,
which could increase the available channels for a
-12-
wireless system from 33 to between 198 to 330 channels. The Company has held
negotiations with converter manufacturers for the purchase of compression
converters when they become available. As a result of these discussions, the
Company believes that compression equipment will be available to wireless cable
operators approximately simultaneously with its availability to hard-wire cable
operators.
Interactivity. Several cable operators have recently publicized their
intended development efforts regarding developing interactive services, such as
shopping via video catalogs, playing video games with other subscribers and
Internet access. The Company believes the market for such services is highly
speculative. The Company further believes that the same manufacturers who
currently are developing digital compression converters for both hard-wire and
wireless cable will also make new developments in interactivity available to
both industry segments. The FCC has designated channels for return path for use
in connection with interactive services which may be offered by wireless cable
operators. The Company believes that, if it is economically feasible to do so,
wireless cable systems will be able to provide interactivity.
- - Competition
In addition to competition from traditional and established hard-wire cable
television systems, wireless cable television operators face competition from a
number of other sources, including potential competition from emerging trends
and technologies in the cable television industry, some of which are described
below.
C-Band Satellite Receivers. C-Band satellite receivers are generally seven
to 12 foot dishes mounted in the yards of homes to receive television signals
from orbiting satellites. Until the implementation of scrambling, these dishes
enabled reception of any and all signals without payment of fees. Having to
purchase decoders and pay for programming has reduced their popularity, although
the Company's wireless cable systems will to some degree compete with satellite
receivers in marketing its services.
Direct Broadcast Satellite ("DBS"). DBS involves the transmission of an
encoded signal direct from a satellite to the home user. Because the signal is
at a higher power level and frequency than most satellite transmitted signals,
its reception can be accomplished with a relatively small (18 inch to three
foot) dish mounted on a rooftop or in a yard. Five DBS services currently are
available nationwide. DBS currently has approximately 3,000,000 subscribers
nationwide. AT&T Corp. has announced plans to invest $137.5 million in DirecTV,
Inc., a leading provider of DBS service, in exchange for a 2.5% equity interest
and options to acquire up to a total of a 30.0% equity interest. MCI
Communications Corp. ("MCI") has announced that it has entered into a DBS joint
venture arrangement with News Corp., using a license that MCI recently won in an
FCC auction for which MCI will pay $682.5 million. DBS currently cannot, for
technical and legal reasons, provide local VHF/UHF broadcast channels as part of
its service, although many subscribers receive such channels from standard
off-air antennae. If a subscriber is unable to receive local network signals
off-air, due to such subscriber's geographic location, the subscriber would be
able to receive the network signals through DBS transmissions, but such
transmissions would be
-13-
limited to distant, rather than local, network signals. The cost to the
subscriber of a DBS system to service one television set is approximately $150
to $700, which may or may not include the cost of installation. DBS subscribers
also pay monthly subscription fees analogous to those paid by hard-wife cable
system subscribers. The Company believes that the price of DBS service will
remain higher than that for wireless cable and that wireless cable operators
will be able to compete against DBS services on the basis of price and the
ability to provide local services.
Telephone Companies. The 1996 Telecommunications Act permits local exchange
carriers ("LECs") to provide video programming directly to customers in their
respective telephone service areas. Under recently adopted FCC rules, LECs may
operate as open video service providers subject to streamlined regulations as
long as the LECs permit carriage of unaffiliated video programming providers on
a just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis which will permit end users to
access video program services provided by others. Several large telephone
companies have announced plans to acquire or merge with existing hard-wire cable
systems outside of the telephone company's service area.
In April 1995, Pacific Telesis Group ("PacTel"), a LEC based in California,
acquired Cross Country Wireless, Inc. ("Cross Country"), which operates a
wireless cable system and holds channel rights in southern California, for
approximately $175.0 million. PacTel announced that its acquisition of Cross
Country will allow PacTel to enter the market for subscriber video services on
an expedited basis. Bell Atlantic and NYNEX own a 10.0% equity interest in CS
Wireless Systems, Inc., which operates and is developing wireless cable systems
primarily in the midwestern United States but have suspended their operating
relationship with CAI Wireless Systems, Inc., another wireless cable system
operator. In May 1996, BellSouth Corp. announced it had secured rights to serve
the New Orleans, Louisiana market by successfully bidding $12.0 million for the
wireless cable system there. The competitive effect of the entry of telephone
companies into the subscription television business, including wireless cable,
is uncertain at this time.
Video Stores. Retail stores rent video cassette recorders ("VCRs") and/or
video tapes, and are a major participant in the television program delivery
industry. According to Paul Kagan Associates Inc., there are over 78.3 million
households with VCRs in the U.S.
Satellite Master Antenna Television ("SMATV"). SMATV is a multi-channel
television service offered through a wired plant very similar to a traditional
hard-wire cable system, only it operates without a franchise from a local
authority. SMATV operates under an agreement with a private landowner to service
a specific multiple dwelling unit ("MDU"), such as an apartment or condominium.
The FCC has amended its rules to provide point-to- point microwave delivery of
video programming by SMATV operators and other video delivery systems utilizing
the 18 gigahertz band.
Local Broadcasts. Local UHF/VHF broadcasts (such as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and
PBS) provide a free programming alternative to the public. Recent legislation
requires the prior consent of certain local UHF/VHF broadcasters for such
retransmission by wireless cable operators under certain circumstances. In
addition, the FCC has adopted new rules and
-14-
policies that will permit local broadcasters to utilize digital compression
technology on their channels, which rules and policies could allow local
broadcasters to provide a competitive multichannel subscription service.
Local Multi-Point Distribution Service. The FCC has proposed to reallocate
portions of the 28 gigahertz 31 GHz band to create a new service referred to as
local multipoint distribution service ("LMDS"). If adopted as proposed, the new
rules would allow for the entry into each market of at least one new wireless
video program distributor with access to upwards of 49 analog channels, although
LMDS channels likely can be used for services other than video programming. At
such time as the FCC releases final rules to govern the provision of LMDS, the
Company will determine whether LMDS can be utilized in connection with the
Company's business and, if so, may participate in the auctions the FCC is likely
to utilize to allocate LMDS spectrum.
- - Glossary
addressable descrambling down converter--a down converter that
incorporates the capability of descrambling a scrambled signal, which capability
can be individually controlled or addressed from the head-end. The use of such
down converters in a wireless cable system can eliminate the need for set-top
descramblers at cable-ready television sets.
channel--a 6 MHz wide portion of the spectrum.
compression--a generic term for various techniques by which multiple
video signals can be transmitted over a single channel.
down converter--a device that receives wireless cable transmissions,
converts those transmissions to the lower frequencies at which hard-wire cable
systems traditionally operate and relays those signals to the set-top converter.
Down converters are either attached to or integrated into the wireless cable
reception antenna.
dual band down converter--a down converter that can receive and
process wireless cable signals transmitted over both the 2150-2162 MHz band and
the 2500-2690 MHz band. Although a dual band down converter is somewhat more
costly than one capable of receiving and processing only a single band, it
permits the wireless cable operator to utilize all available channels.
frequency--a portion of the spectrum. The term is generally used
herein interchangeably with "channel" to refer to a 6 MHz wide portion of the
spectrum.
hard-wire cable--a traditional cable system that employs networks of
coaxial cable buried underground or strung from poles, along with associated
electronic equipment such as amplifiers, to relay programming to subscribers for
a fee.
head-end--the facility where the wireless cable operator receives
programming from program suppliers and retransmits that programming over MDS and
ITFS channels.
-15-
interactivity--the provision to television viewers of a communications
return path capable of transmitting information from the viewer to a centralized
data collection point.
ITFS--the Instructional Television Fixed Service, a microwave
communications service generally consisting of 20 channels licensed to
educational entities that are authorized by the FCC to lease excess capacity not
needed for educational purposes to wireless cable operators for the transmission
of commercial programming to subscribers.
line-of-sight--a direct path between the transmit and receive antennas
that is unobstructed by terrain, dense foliage, buildings or other obstructions.
LMDS--a new microwave communications service that the FCC is currently
contemplating creating in the 28 gigahertz band for the distribution of video
programming, data and telephony.
low power repeaters--devices that can be employed by a wireless cable
operator to relay its signals into areas that cannot be served directly because
of a lack of line-of-sight between the transmit and receive antennas.
MDS--the Multipoint Distribution Service, a microwave communications
service generally consisting of 13 channels that a wireless cable operator can
utilize on a full time basis for the transmission of programming to subscribers.
MDU--a multiple dwelling unit or building containing more than one
residence, such as a rental apartment, condominium, cooperative, or hotel.
MHz--megahertz, a unit of measurement applied to spectrum.
off-air antenna--a traditional rooftop antenna utilized to receive
local VHF/UHF television broadcast signals.
pay-per-view--a method of charging subscribers a separate fee for each
program viewed. Originally utilized exclusively for special events, such as
boxing or wrestling matches, it is now employed for a variety of programming,
including recent movie releases.
signal encryption--the process by which a wireless cable or hard-wire
cable operator encodes or scrambles a television signal so that it cannot be
viewed except after being decoded or descrambled at the subscribers' premises
utilizing a device supplied and controlled by the operator.
VHF/UHF--Very High Frequency and Ultra High Frequency, the traditional
advertising-supported television broadcast services that are available at no
charge to consumers.
wireless frequencies--the frequencies in the 2150-2162 MHz and
2500-2690 MHz bands that are reserved by the FCC for use by MDS and ITFS
licensees.
-16-
wireless cable--a subscription video programming service that is
similar in many respects to hard-wire cable, but utilizes channels allocated to
the MDS and the ITFS, rather than a network of cabling, to relay programming to
subscribers.
TLC Productions
On August 22, 1995, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the
outstanding capital stock of TLC Productions, Inc., ("TLC"), from its sole
shareholder. TLC is a full-service teleport and uplink facility located in North
Miami, Florida, that provides satellite uplink services to clients who then are
able to rebroadcast signals to video programming distributors. Additionally,
TLC's fully-equipped television studio is used for live teleconferencing and
special interviews for such networks as CNN and ESPN. The Company acquired the
capital stock of TLC for $1,225,000, payable in cash of $125,000 and a
promissory note of $1,100,000. The Company also paid $175,000 to TLC for use by
TLC to satisfy outstanding loans to the former owner of $125,000 and to purchase
a transmission tower for $50,000 and loaned TLC $110,000.
Electronic Data Submission Systems
On December 13, 1996, National Wireless Holdings Inc. (the "Company")
exercised a warrant and an option to purchase additional shares of the common
stock of Electronic Data Submission Systems, Inc. ("EDSS"), which when combined
with its existing share ownership represents 50% of the outstanding common stock
and, pursuant to the EDSS Shareholders Agreement, dated as of July 25, 1996,
control of EDSS. The aggregate purchase price for the purchase of EDSS shares
was approximately $1,887,500, of which an aggregate of $887,500 was paid to EDSS
and $1,000,000 was paid to Joseph D. Truscelli, a principal stockholder and
President of EDSS. With the proceeds received from the Company, EDSS acquired a
non-interest-bearing $1,000,000 note payable to a former stockholder for
$775,000. In addition, pursuant to a loan agreement between EDSS and the Company
dated June 9, 1995, as of December 31, 1996, the Company had outstanding loans
to EDSS of approximately $988,000.
EDSS is a provider of electronic data interchange services in the
healthcare billing field, providing services to healthcare providers in
Colorado, Florida and Illinois. EDSS's services enable direct electronic billing
of healthcare claims to 300 insurance companies in the U.S., and permit the
rapid exchange of time sensitive billing information.
EDSS was incorporated in Colorado on January 7, 1991. EDSS developed a
comprehensive software system, referred to as HECET SystemsTM, that enables
physicians, clinics, managed care organizations, HMOs, PPOs, and major insurance
companies, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicare, Medicaid and commercial
payors, to communicate electronically the information needed to process and pay
insurance claims, check patient eligibility, make claim status inquiries, and
provide comprehensive reporting on those claims. HECET SystemsTM enables health
care professionals throughout the country to reduce the need for paper claims
processing while enhancing the payment process. EDSS
-17-
has entered into various service agreements with several thousand health care
providers and many health insurance carriers/managed care organizations.
EDSS has incurred operating losses since 1994 of approximately $1,284,000
on a cumulative basis through September 30, 1996. Such losses have been financed
principally through a $300,000 loan from EDSS's President and a $1,000,000 line
of credit from the Company pursuant to a loan agreement described above, which
has been substantially utilized as of December 31, 1996. Based upon existing
contracts with physicians and providers and current expense levels, management
believes that EDSS would achieve positive cash flow from operations for fiscal
1997 without the need to obtain additional financing. EDSS, however, may seek to
obtain additional financing to accelerate its strategic business plan.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including,
without limitation, statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates,"
"expects" and words of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of
the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following:
the limited nature of the Company's operations and its history of net losses;
the uncertain acceptance of wireless cable services; competition; the risk of
the Company's failure to obtain adequate compression technology; existing
government regulations and changes in, or the failure to comply with, government
regulations; the risk of interference with neighboring wireless cable
operations; the risk of loss, non-renewal or fluctuation in value of the
Company's FCC licenses; the ability of the Company to sustain, manage or
forecast its growth; technological limitations with respect to wireless cable
technology; dependence on significant suppliers and marketers and the potential
loss thereof; the availability of additional wireless cable channels; the
changing nature of wireless cable services and the subscription television
industry; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the Company's
significant capital requirements and need for additional financing; retention of
earnings; and other factors referenced in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Certain of these factors are discussed in more detail elsewhere in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, including, without limitation, under the captions "Selected
Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and "Business" Given these uncertainties, undue
reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements. The Company
disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the
result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained or
incorporated by reference herein to reflect future events or developments.
-18-
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company generally leases the real estate where its business, offices
and wireless cable transmitters are located. The Company leases space for its
executive offices in Palm Beach, Florida at $680 a month pursuant to a lease
terminating May 31, 1997. In June 1994, a subsidiary of the Company entered into
an 8-year operating lease of office space for its offices in New York. The
Company and certain subsidiaries lease office space in Rantoul, Illinois from a
company which is owned by the Chairman of the Board of the Company, at an
aggregate rental of $2,050 per month. The lease agreement is on a month-to-month
basis based on the needs of the Company. The total lease payments for the year
ended October 31, 1996 were approximately $200,000, as compared to approximately
$188,000 for the year ended October 31, 1995. The Company believes its
properties are adequate for its current needs.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Not applicable.
-19-
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value is traded on the Nasdaq Small
Cap Market ("Nasdaq") under the symbol "NWIR". The following table sets forth
the range of high and ow bid information for the Common Stock for each full
fiscal quarterly period for the last two years as reported by Nasdaq.
1995 1996
Quarter High Low High Low
First 11-3/4 7-3/4 16-1/4 12-3/4
Second 13-1/4 8-1/2 18 13-1/4
Third 18-1/4 10-7/8 19-1/2 13-1/4
Fourth 15-7/8 11 16-1/4 11-1/2
As of January 24, 1997, there were approximately 1,000 beneficial holders
of Common Stock.
The Company has never paid cash dividends on the Common Stock and does not
anticipate paying cash dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
The payment of cash dividends on shares of Common Stock will be within the
discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend upon the earnings
of the Company, the Company's capital requirements and other financial factors
which are considered relevant by the Company's Board of Directors.
-20-
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected historical financial data for the Company presented below
under the captions "Operating Data" and "Balance Sheet Data" as of October 31,
1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 for the period August 31, 1993 (date of inception) to
October 31, 1993, and for the years ended October 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996 are
derived from the Company's consolidated financial statements. The selected
financial data should be read in conjunction with "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS."
-21-
For the Period
August 31, 1993
(date of inception)
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended to
October 31, 1996 October 31, 1995 October 31, 1994 October 31, 1993(1)
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------------
Operating Data:
Revenue ..................... $ 2,317,734 $ 2,100,289 $ 605,035 $ --
Expenses .................... 3,334,558 2,740,370 1,055,679 153,666
Net Loss .................... 1,016,824 640,081 450,644 153,666
Net loss per common share(2) 0.31 0.20 0.19 0.12
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding (2) 3,253,000 3,222,863 2,407,794 1,258,760
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and Cash equivalents ... $14,788,765 $ 4,888,240 $ 911,266 $ 464,530
U.S. treasury securities .... 0 11,964,634 19,782,512 0
Total assets ................ 21,583,552 22,981,237 22,245,332 522,353
Total liabilities ........... 1,391,064 1,771,925 395,939 177,989
Total stockholders' equity(3) 20,192,488 21,209,312 21,849,393 344,364
- ----------
(1) The Company was organized on August 31, 1993 to act as a holding and
strategic resource company for wireless cable systems.
(2) See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3) No cash dividends have been declared or paid on shares of Common Stock.
-22-
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Introduction
National Wireless Holdings Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in
Delaware on August 31, 1993. Since its inception, the Company has sought to
identify wireless systems for acquisition and development to acquire frequencies
and wireless cable technology. The Company's fiscal year ends on October 31.
The Company has acquired rights to build and operate a wireless cable
system in Miami, Florida, as well as a satellite programming uplink facility in
the same area. The Company also seeks to support, finance and acquire new
technologies for the wireless cable industry and to secure and assemble rights
to frequencies in other markets.
The Company has also acquired interests in an educational programming
distribution company and an electronic medical billing system company and may
acquire or invest in other businesses.
In order to execute its business plan, the Company raised approximately $22
million through an initial public offering of two million shares of its Common
Stock on March 9, 1994.
Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these
uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on such forward-looking statements. See "Business--Special Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements" and the Financial Statements.
Results of Operations
1996 As Compared to 1995:
Interest Income:
Interest income decreased from $1,154,673 in 1995 to $1,094,173 in 1996 as a
result of a reduction in funds invested in interest bearing instruments due to
investments in affiliates and subsidiaries and acquisitions of transmission
equipment.
Service Revenue:
Service revenue increased from $945,616 in 1995 to $1,223,561 in 1996 as a
result primarily of increased revenues of TLC in 1996.
-23-
Cost of Services:
Cost of services increased from $512,449 in 1995 to $799,045 in 1996 as a result
of increased costs of operation of TLC.
Market Development:
Market development expenses decreased from $835,560 in 1995 to $798,870 in 1996
as a result of lower activity in the development of the Miami market.
Technology Development:
Technology development expenses decreased from $39,776 in 1995 to $35,370 in
1996 as a result of lower activity in technology development in 1996.
Professional Fees:
Professional fees decreased from $294,547 in 1995 to $273,234 in 1996 as a
result of less acquisition activity in 1996.
General and Administrative:
General and administrative expense increased from $641,737 in 1995 to $790,511
in 1996 as the Company incurred additional costs while developing the Miami
market.
Depreciation and Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization increased from $363,232 in 1995 to $564,139 in
1996 as a result of certain equipment being placed in service during 1996 which
resulted in the commencement of depreciation and amortization.
Net Loss:
As a result of each of the foregoing events, net loss increased from $640,081 in
1995 to $1,016,824 in 1996.
1995 As Compared to 1994:
Interest Income:
Interest income increased from $545,077 in 1994 to $1,154,673 in 1995 as a
result of the investment of funds received for the initial offering in March,
1994 for a full year in 1995.
Service Revenue:
Service revenue increased from $59,958 in 1994 to $945,616 in 1995 as a result
primarily of the acquisition of TLC in 1995.
Cost of Services:
Cost of services increased to $512,449 in 1995 as a result of the acquisition of
TLC.
Market Development:
Market development expenses increased from $127,218 to $835,560 as a result of
greater activity in the development of the Miami market.
-24-
Technology Development:
Technology development expenses decreased from $167,114 in 1994 to $39,776 in
1995 as a result of significant investments in 1994 which did not recur in 1995.
Professional Fees:
Professional fees increased from $97,568 in 1994 to $294,547 in 1995 as a result
of increased activity based upon the development of the Miami market.
General and Administrative:
General and administrative expense decreased slightly from 1994 to 1995 as the
Company maintained control over expenses while developing the Miami market.
Depreciation and Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization increased from $15,914 in 1994 to $363,232 in 1995
as a result of certain equipment and licenses being placed in service during
1995 which resulted in the commencement of depreciation and amortization.
Net Loss:
As a result of each of the foregoing events, net loss increased from $450,644 in
1994 to $640,081 in 1995.
The Company did not have significant operations in the year ended October 31,
1993.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company has funded its operations with the net proceeds from a $500,000
private placement of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock and its initial
public offering of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock aggregating, after payment
of offering costs, approximately $22,000,000. The proceeds have been and will be
used to fund construction and development of wireless cable systems,
acquisitions of wireless cable frequency rights and development and acquisition
of new technologies. Such amount, with interest thereon, is expected to be
sufficient to implement the business plan of the Company through October 1998,
or for a shorter period if the Company determines to invest a substantial
portion of its assets in major acquisitions or equity investments. The
development of wireless cable systems entails substantial capital investment and
will require additional funding. The future availability and terms of equity and
debt financing and of strategic alliances cannot be predicted. The
unavailability or inadequacy of financing to meet future capital needs could
force the Company to modify, curtail, delay or suspend some or all aspects of
its planned operations.
The Company has obtained rights to a sufficient number of frequencies in
Miami, Florida to commence development of a wireless cable system when digital
technology becomes available on an economic basis. The Company believes that the
overall cost of developing such a system in Miami would be in excess of
$100,000,000, and the initial capital investment required, including acquisition
and early phase construction costs, is estimated to be from $10,000,000 to
$13,000,000. The actual capital investment requirements for developing any
markets may vary substantially from such estimates depending upon which
frequencies are actually acquired, the technical configuration
-25-
of the transmission systems, and regulatory issues. The balance of the required
capital will be invested as subscribers are added. There can be no assurance
that the Company can develop the Miami market, and, as discussed below, the
Company may seek to sell its rights to the Miami market.
The Company has capitalized the costs of obtaining the rights to wireless
frequencies in the Miami market. The recoverability of such costs is dependent
upon the successful development of a system in Miami or through the resale of
such frequency rights. Management estimates that it will recover the carrying
amount of these costs from cash flows generated by the system once it has been
developed. However, it is reasonably possible that such estimate will change in
the near term as a result of frequency availability, technology, regulatory or
other changes.
Development of markets in which the Company has already acquired rights,
including acquisition of the additional frequencies and other related assets
which may be necessary to make development feasible, would use substantially all
its capital. The Company also plans to acquire additional, as yet unidentified
wireless frequencies or assets; however, there can be no assurance it will be
able to acquire any of them. If it does not sell its interest in the Miami
market, as discussed below, the Company plans to use its assets to develop
Miami, the market which management considers most promising at present, and will
seek additional capital to develop Miami and other markets in which it may
acquire interests through equity or debt financing, joint ventures or other
arrangements. The Company does not currently have such financing or joint
venture partners in place. Based on the experience of its management in other
markets, the Company believes such financing will be available, especially for
the incremental capital needed as a system adds revenue producing subscribers;
however, there can be no assurance that it will be able to obtain such financing
or partners on a timely basis and on satisfactory terms and conditions, if at
all. In some cases, the Company may sell frequencies to finance development or
acquisition of other markets. The failure to obtain additional funds on a timely
basis could have a material adverse affect on the Company and its business and,
if such financing is not available, the Company may be obliged to modify or
curtail its operations. The Company believes it will be able to undertake
limited development of Miami (that is, with less rapid construction and less
extensive marketing) without such additional financing or partners and still
have available capital to finance local operators that wish to enter strategic
alliances with the Company and make other acquisitions or investments.
The Company is continuing discussions with BellSouth Corporation for the
sale of its subsidiary, SFTV, with all of the Company's wireless cable assets in
the Miami area, to BellSouth for $48 million in BellSouth stock. The transaction
is subject to completion of due diligence and negotiation of definitive
agreements. There can be no assurance that such agreements will be entered into
or that the transaction can be completed as proposed. Further details are not
being disclosed at this time pending the outcome of talks between the parties.
On December 13, 1996, National Wireless Holdings Inc. (the "Company")
exercised a warrant and an option to purchase additional shares of the common
stock of Electronic Data Submission Systems, Inc. ("EDSS"), which when combined
with its existing share ownership represents 50% of the outstanding common stock
and, pursuant to the EDSS Shareholders Agreement, dated as of July 25, 1996,
control of EDSS. The aggregate purchase price for the purchase of EDSS shares
was approximately $1,887,500 of which an aggregate of $887,500 was paid to EDSS
and $1,000,000
was paid to Joseph D. Truscelli, a principal stockholder and President of EDSS.
With the proceeds received from the Company, EDSS acquired a
non-interest-bearing $1,000,000 note payable to a former stockholder for
$775,000. In addition, pursuant to a loan agreement between EDSS and the Company
dated June 9, 1995, as of December 13, 1996, the Company had outstanding loans
to EDSS of approximately $988,000.
The Company may, when and if the opportunity arises, acquire or invest in
other businesses in the wireless cable industry or in unrelated areas. If such
an opportunity arises, the Company may use a portion of its funds for that
purpose. The Company has no specific arrangements with respect to any such
acquisitions or investments at the present time and is not currently involved in
any negotiations with respect to any such acquisition. There can be no assurance
that any such acquisitions or investments will be made.
ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Information with respect to this item is contained in the financial
statements appearing in Item 14 of this report. Such information is incorporated
by reference.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information required by this item with respect to the executive officers and
directors of the Company is incorporated herein by reference to the sections
entitled "Executive Officers of the Company and Election of Directors" in the
Company's definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to
be held in March 1997.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item with respect to executive compensation is
incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled "Executive
Compensation" in the Company's definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be held in March 1997.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information required by this item with respect to executive compensation is
incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled "Security Ownership of
Directors and Executive Officers" in the Company's definitive proxy statement
for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in March 1997.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the
section entitled "Certain Transactions" in the Company's definitive proxy
statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in March 1997.
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1. The financial statements:
The consolidated financial statements included in this item are
indexed on page F-1. "Index to Financial Statements".
2. Financial Statement schedules:
None
3. Exhibit list.
The following exhibits were previously filed as indicated or are
filed herewith.
3-1(1) Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of Registrant. See Exhibit
4-3-Exhibit A.
3.1(a)(12) Amendment, dated June 29, 1995, to the Company's By- Laws.
4-1(4) Specimen of Common Stock Certificate.
4-2(1) Form of Representative Warrant Agreement with form of
Representative's Warrant attached.
4-3(15) Rights Agreement, dated as of December 12, 1996, between National
Wireless Holdings Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer and Trust
Company, as Rights Agent, including:
- Exhibit A - Form of Certificate of Designations designating the
relative rights, preferences and limitations of the Series A Junior
Preferred Stock of National Wireless Holdings Inc.,
- Exhibit B - Form of Right Certificate, and
- Exhibit C - Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares.
10-1(1) Terrence S. Cassidy Employment Agreement, dated September 22, 1993.
10-2(1) Michael J. Specchio Consulting Agreement, dated September 22, 1993.
10-3(1) Paul Sinderbrand Consulting and Employment Agreement, dated
September 22, 1993.
10-4(1) Registrant's 1993 Stock Option Plan.
10-6(1) Strategic Alliance Agreement with Preferred Entertainment, Inc.,
dated November 11, 1993.
10-7(1) Form of Stock Option Agreement for Directors.
10-18(5) Agreement with PNI dated April 11, 1994.
10-19(6) Agreement with Wavelink Corporation, dated May 1994.
10-20(7) Assets Purchase and Sale Agreement and MDS Service Order entered
into with Microband Corporation.
10-21(7) MDS Airtime Agreement with Via-Net Companies.
10-22(8) MDS Service Agreement dated December 1994 by and between Private
Networks, Inc. and the Company.
10-23(8) Employment Agreement dated September 15, 1994 by and between the
Company and Timothy Mathews.
-29-
10-24(8) Amendment No. 1 dated January 30, 1995 to Consulting Agreement,
dated September 1, 1993 by and between the Company and Michael J.
Specchio.
10-25(8) Agreement for the Purchase of the Radio Station License for Channel
dated November 7, 1994 by and between the Company and People's
Choice TV Corp. and Alda Multi- Channels, Ltd.
10-26(8) Agreement, dated as of January 30, 1995, between the Company and
Friends of WLRN.
10-27(8) Preliminary Letter of Cooperation, dated December 19, 1994, between
the Company and Florida Atlantic University.
10.28(9) Stock Purchase Agreement dated April 6, 1995 by and among the
Registrant and E. Vernon Oliver.
10.29(9) $1,100,000 Promissory Note dated April 21, 1995 made by Registrant
in favor of E. Vernon Oliver.
10.30(9) Security Agreement dated April, 1995 by and among the Registrant and
TLC Productions, Inc.
10.31(9) Asset Purchase Agreement dated April 13, 1995 between Registrant,
Veltek Industries, Inc. and New Wave Industries, Inc.
10.32(9) OFS Private Carriage Agreement dated April 13, 1995 between
Registrant, Veltek Industries, Inc. and New Wave Industries, Inc.
10-33A(10) Commitment Letter, Note, Security Agreement and guaranty relating to
the Company's loan to EDSS.
10-33(11) Loan documentation relating to the EDSS credit facility, all dated
June 9, 1995
(a) Loan Agreement
(b) Borrower Security Agreement
(c) Individual Guaranty by Joseph Truscelli
(d) Form of Note
(e) Stock Pledge Agreement
(f) Stock Option Agreement with Joseph Truscelli
(g) Common Stock Purchase Warrant
(h)(15) Shareholders Agreement, dated as of July 25, 1996, among the
Company, Joseph D. Truscelli and EDSS.
10-34(13) Documentation relating to Acquisition of Anagram International
Communications Ltd. ("Anagram")
(a) Certificate of Incorporation of Anagram
(b) By-laws of Anagram
(c) Subscription Agreement re: Class A Convertible Preferred Stock
(d) Employment Agreement with Leonard Giarraputo
(e) Employment Agreement with Andrea Traubner
(f) Shareholders Agreement dated October 1, 1995 among the Company,
Leonard Giarraputo, Andrea Traubner and Anagram International
Communications Ltd.
10-35(13) Agreement dated November 8, 1995 between Registrant and Wireless
Broadcasting Systems of America, Inc.
10-36(14) Agreement with Spike Technologies.
10.37(15) (a) Severance Benefit Agreement, dated December 12, 1996, with
Terrence S. Cassidy.
(b) Severance Benefit Agreement, dated December 12, 1996, with
Michael J. Specchio.
11.1(16) Computation of Earnings per Share.
21(16) Subsidiaries of Registrant.
27(16) Financial Data Schedule.
-30-
(b) Reports on Form 8-K: The Company filed a Report on Form 8-K, dated December
12, 1996 with information under Item 2 and Item 5 of such Form during the
last quarter of the fiscal period covered by this report.
A Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
March 27, 1997 will be filed by amendment.
- ----------
(1) - Filed with the initial filing of the Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-1, File No. 33-7914.
(2) - Filed with Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement.
(3) - Filed with Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement.
(4) - Filed with Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement.
(5) - Filed with Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended January 31, 1994.
(6) - Filed with Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended April 30, 1994.
(7) - Filed with Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended July 31, 1994.
(8) - Filed with Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended October 31, 1994.
(9) - Filed with Form 8-K dated April 13, 1995.
(10) - Filed with Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended January 31, 1995 as Exhibit
10-28.
(11) - Filed with Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended April 30, 1995.
(12) - Filed with Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended July 31, 1995.
(13) - Filed with Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended October 31, 1995.
(14) - Filed with Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended July 31, 1996.
(15) - Filed with Form 8-K dated December 12, 1996.
(16) - Filed herewith.
-31-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
-----------------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: January 27, 1997 By: s/TERRENCE S. CASSIDY
-----------------------------------------
Terrence S. Cassidy, Principal Executive
Officer, Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
s/Terrence S. Cassidy Director January 27, 1997
- ------------------------
Terrence S. Cassidy
s/Thomas R. DiBenedetto Director January 27, 1997
- ------------------------
Thomas R. DiBenedetto
s/Louis B. Lloyd Director January 27, 1997
- ------------------------
Louis B. Lloyd
s/Michael A. McManus, Jr. Director January 27, 1997
- ------------------------
Michael A. McManus, Jr.
s/Michael J. Specchio Director January 27, 1997
- ------------------------
Michael J. Specchio
-32-
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
----
Report of Independent Accountants F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 1996 and 1995 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
October 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years
ended October 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
October 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7
F-1
[LETTERHEAD OF COOPERS & LYBRAND]
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
National Wireless Holdings Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NATIONAL
WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC. as of October 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the three years ended October 31, 1996. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of National Wireless
Holdings Inc. as of October 31, 1996 and 1995, and the consolidated results of
their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years ended October
31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
New York, New York
December 24, 1996
F-2
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of October 31, 1996 and 1995
ASSETS: 1996 1995
------------ ------------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 14,788,765 $ 4,888,240
U.S. treasury securities 11,964,634
Trade and other receivables 119,707 255,224
Due from related parties 73,000 47,350
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 47,777 85,408
------------ ------------
Total current assets 15,029,249 17,240,856
Notes receivable from EDSS 988,000 773,000
Wireless frequency license and acquisition costs, net of accumulated
amortization of $311,797 and $136,550 in 1996 and 1995, respectively 2,720,102 2,530,724
Transmission and related equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
of $226,577 and $56,474 in 1996 and 1995, respectively 1,175,521 1,050,735
Leasehold improvements, office equipment and service vehicles, net of
accumulated depreciation of $282,813 and $149,986 in 1996 and 1995,
respectively 394,088 527,181
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $102,251 and
$35,416 in 1996 and 1995, respectively 398,096 464,911
Investments 608,800
Deposits and other assets 269,696 393,830
------------ ------------
Total assets $ 21,583,552 $ 22,981,237
============ ============
LIABILITIES and STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 443,369 $ 448,830
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 715,448 650,074
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 1,158,817 1,098,904
------------ ------------
Long-term debt 232,247 673,021
------------ ------------
Commitments (Notes 3, 7, 8, and 13)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized;
no shares issued or outstanding -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 3,253,000 shares
issued and outstanding at October 31, 1996
and 1995, respectively 32,530 32,530
Additional paid-in capital 22,421,173 22,421,173
Accumulated deficit (2,261,215) (1,244,391)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 20,192,488 21,209,312
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 21,583,552 $ 22,981,237
============ ============
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-3
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the years ended October 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
1996 1995 1994
---------- ---------- ----------
Revenue:
Interest income $1,094,173 $1,154,673 $ 545,077
Service revenue 1,223,561 945,616 59,958
---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenue 2,317,734 2,100,289 605,035
---------- ---------- ----------
Expenses:
Cost of services 799,045 512,449 --
Market development 798,870 835,560 127,218
Technology development 35,370 39,776 167,114
Professional fees 273,234 294,547 97,568
General and administrative 790,511 641,737 644,078
Depreciation and amortization 564,139 363,232 15,914
Interest 73,389 53,069 3,787
---------- ---------- ----------
Total expenses 3,334,558 2,740,370 1,055,679
---------- ---------- ----------
Net loss $1,016,824 $ 640,081 $ 450,644
========== ========== ==========
Net loss per common share $ 0.31 $ 0.20 $ 0.19
========== ========== ==========
Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding 3,253,000 3,222,863 2,407,794
========== ========== ==========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-4
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
For the years ended October 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
Series A
Convertible Additional
Preferred Common Paid-In Accumulated
Stock Stock Capital Deficit Total
------- ------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Balance, November 1, 1993 $ 1,000 $11,530 $ 485,500 $ (153,666) $ 344,364
Issuance of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock for
cash on March 17, 1994, net of issuance
costs of $3,044,327 20,000 21,935,673 21,955,673
Net loss (450,644) (450,644)
------- ------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Balance, October 31, 1994 1,000 31,530 22,421,173 (604,310) 21,849,393
Conversion of preferred stock to 100,000 shares
of common stock (1,000) 1,000
Net loss (640,081) (640,081)
------- ------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Balance, October 31, 1995 -- 32,530 22,421,173 (1,244,391) 21,209,312
Net loss (1,016,824) (1,016,824)
------- ------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Balance, October 31, 1996 $ -- $32,530 $22,421,173 $(2,261,215) $ 20,192,488
======= ======= =========== =========== ============
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended October 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
1996 1995 1994
------------- ------------- --------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (1,016,824) $ (640,081) $ (450,644)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 564,139 363,232 15,914
Gain on sale of vehicle (1,352)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Receivables 109,867 (111,998) (64,892)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 37,631 (19,754) (59,124)
Deposits and other assets 88,767 (63,174) (42,919)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 65,374 (2,825) 64,452
------------- ------------- --------------
Net cash used in operating activities (152,398) (474,600) (537,213)
------------- ------------- --------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock, net of issuance costs 22,013,496
Principal payments of long-term debt (446,235) (262,731) (4,987)
------------- ------------- --------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (446,235) (262,731) 22,008,509
------------- ------------- --------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds on sale of vehicles 41,130
Wireless frequency license and acquisition costs (364,625) (1,414,121) (837,893)
Acquisition of transmission and related equipment (294,889) (307,000) (237,897)
Acquisition of leasehold improvements, office equipment and service (58,658) (204,651) (166,258)
vehicles
Purchases of U.S. treasury securities (63,347,270)
Proceeds from redemption of U.S. treasury securities 12,000,000 7,817,878 43,564,758
Acquisition of non-cash assets of TLC (330,201)
Increase in notes receivable from EDSS (215,000) (773,000)
Investments (608,800)
Increase in intangible assets (74,600)
------------- ------------- --------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 10,499,158 4,714,305 (21,024,560)
------------- ------------- --------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 9,900,525 3,976,974 446,736
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 4,888,240 911,266 464,530
------------- ------------- --------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 14,788,765 $ 4,888,240 $ 911,266
============= ============= ==============
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest $ 73,389 $ 53,069 $ 3,787
Non-cash financing and investing activities:
Purchase of service vehicles in exchange for long-term debt $ 158,485
In 1995, the Company acquired the common stock of TLC through the issuance of a
$1,100,000 note, $300,000 in cash and approximately $144,000 in capitalized
closing costs. Net assets of TLC acquired included cash of $113,520.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-6
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Formation of the Company and Basis of Presentation:
National Wireless Holdings Inc. (the "Company") was organized as a Delaware
Corporation on August 31, 1993 to act as a holding and strategic resource
company for wireless cable systems. The Company will organize and finance
local operating entities, generally through strategic alliances (including
joint ventures), to support, finance and acquire new technologies for the
wireless cable industries and to secure and assemble rights to frequencies
in other markets. A substantial portion of the Company's activities to date
relate to development of the Miami, Florida market (see Note 3) and
acquisitions of interests in an educational programming distribution
company and an electronic medical billing system company (see Notes 5, 6
and 17).
In order to execute its business plan, the Company raised approximately $22
million of net proceeds through an initial public offering of two million
shares of its common stock (see note 11). The Company has also entered into
several development agreements and formed strategic alliances with other
affiliated and unaffiliated companies, and invested in certain other
companies as part of its development activities.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
Cash Equivalents:
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities, when
purchased, of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents
consist primarily of investments in various money market funds.
U.S. Treasury Securities:
The Company's U.S. treasury securities have been classified as
"available-for-sale" and are stated at fair market value, which
approximates amortized cost, in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets. Unrealized holding gains or losses, if any, are reflected as a
separate component of stockholders' equity, net of income taxes, until
realized. Any decline in value below cost, which is considered to be other
than temporary, will be charged to income.
F-7
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Wireless Frequency License and Acquisition Costs:
Wireless frequency license and acquisition costs are capitalized and
amortized on the straight-line method over the life of the related
agreements, which range from 5 to 10 years. License and acquisition costs
are expensed when management determines that the related market will not be
developed and the costs cannot be recovered through resale.
Equipment and Leasehold Improvements:
Equipment is recorded at cost and depreciation expense is provided when the
assets are placed in service under the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from 5 to 10
years; leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of
the improvements or the related lease term.
Intangible Assets:
Intangible assets consist primarily of goodwill and a covenant not to
compete. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the net
assets of acquired companies and is being amortized on the straight-line
method over 10 years. The covenant not to compete, which is being amortized
on the straight-line method, expires on April 22, 1998.
Long-Lived Assets:
Based upon events or changes in circumstances, the Company assesses any
impairment in value of its long-lived assets, including intangible assets,
by making a comparison of the current and projected operating cash flows of
each of its assets over its remaining useful life, on an undiscounted
basis, to the carrying amount of the related assets. Such carrying amounts
would be adjusted, if necessary, to reflect any impairment in value.
Income Taxes:
The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method of
accounting. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based
on differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and
liabilities at enacted tax rates in effect in the year in which the
differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established,
when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be
realized.
Net Loss Per Share Data:
Net loss per share is computed based on the loss for the period divided by
the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents
outstanding during the period.
F-8
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Estimates:
The presentation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires the Company's management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
Other:
The Company has considered all recently issued accounting standards not
requiring immediate adoption, particularly Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123: Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and
has estimated that the effect of recently issued accounting standards when
adopted will not have a material impact on the Company's financial position
or results of operations.
3. Development Agreements and Strategic Alliances:
Miami Market Development:
On January 30, 1995, the Company and its subsidiary, South Florida
Television, Inc. ("SFTV") entered into an agreement (the "WLRN Agreement")
with Friends of WLRN, Inc. ("Friends of WLRN") pursuant to which SFTV will
lease excess capacity on up to 20 Instructional Television Fixed Service
("ITFS") channels licensed to Friends of WLRN, the School Board of Dade
County (the "School Board") and Southern Florida Instructional Television,
Inc. upon the Company's successful testing and implementation of digital
compression technology. The Company and SFTV are obliged to invest
approximately $2,000,000 to develop these frequencies and will pay license
fees based on the number of subscribers to its wireless cable system.
License fees are subject to certain minimum amounts upon commencement of
commercial service, initially $10,000 per month with escalations over the
term of the agreement. Commencing in August 1995 and ending when SFTV
starts paying license fees, SFTV is obligated to pay a system management
fee of $10,000 per month. SFTV has incurred $150,000 of system management
fees through October 31, 1996. SFTV's utilization of such excess capacity
on the ITFS channels in Dade County, for the transmission of commercial
programming to subscribers, is subject to FCC consent to the relocation of
the ITFS stations to SFTV's transmission facility, use of digital
compression technology and the use by SFTV of all of the excess capacity on
the channels after 32 virtual channels are created for use by Friends of
WLRN, the School Board and Southern Florida Instructional Television, Inc.
Requests for the necessary FCC consent are pending, but have been opposed
by a company that is attempting to develop a wireless cable system in the
adjacent West Palm Beach market and by ITFS licensees, some of whom are
leasing excess capacity to that system developer. The Company and SFTV have
entered into a letter agreement with that developer providing that the
parties will use their best efforts to settle the dispute, including
causing affiliated licensees to agree to the execution of a formal
settlement agreement by all of the ITFS and Multipoint Distribution Service
F-9
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
("MDS") licensees and applicants that will provide transmission capacity to
the proposed Miami and West Palm Beach wireless cable systems. There can be
no assurance that such formal settlement agreement will be entered into nor
can there be any assurance that the FCC will consent to the WLRN Agreement
and the facilities contemplated therein, or that the Company, acting
through SFTV, will be able to implement adequate digital compression
technology. Although the Company believes compression technology, when
developed, will expand the capacity of ITFS channels to make these channels
more useful for educational purposes, while at the same time make them
available to the Company for commercial uses, there can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to use any of the Miami ITFS channels to
carry out its business plan. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that
the Company will develop the Miami market.
On December 28, 1994, the Company entered into an MDS Agreement with
Private Networks, Inc. ("PNI") to lease, for an initial 10-year term and
three additional renewal terms of five years each, four MDS wireless
frequencies in the Miami, Florida, area and the right to lease four such
frequencies in each of the following markets: Decatur, Illinois; Ithaca,
New York; and, Glens Falls, New York. The lease, which was assigned to SFTV
shortly after December 29, 1994, provides for aggregate payments comprising
an initial payment of $550,000 ($350,000 had been paid as of October 31,
1996) a monthly fee of $.50 per subscriber (subject to certain minimum
payments which escalate over time and aggregated $107,000 through October
31, 1996) and the costs of constructing (estimated to be $260,000)
transmitting stations for PNI in Miami, Decatur, Ithaca and Glens Falls.
SFTV will retain ownership of the transmitting equipment in those stations
and will lease the equipment for nominal consideration over its estimated
useful life to PNI. If the Company is not the operator of the frequencies
in any of the markets, PNI will either purchase the equipment in such
market at its original cost less depreciation or return it. SFTV has
decided not to exercise its right to lease the frequencies in Decatur,
Ithaca and Glens Falls.
On July 8, 1994, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase and Sale
Agreement and related MDS Service Order with Microband Corporation to
purchase the license for MDS Channel 1 in Miami, Florida for $700,000. The
FCC granted its consent to the assignment on December 28, 1994. The Company
has agreed to lease this channel to SFTV.
On August 30, 1994, the Company entered into an MDS Airtime Agreement with
Via Net Companies for a lease, with an initial five-year term and an option
for two additional five-year terms, of the MDS H-1 Channel for wireless
cable broadcasting in Miami, Florida. Under the terms of this agreement,
which was assigned to SFTV shortly after August 30, 1994, SFTV will pay a
minimum monthly transmission fee of $1,000 plus a connection fee of $.10
per subscriber, as defined in the agreement. SFTV has paid $5,000 as a
deposit under this agreement as of October 31, 1996.
On November 7, 1994, the Company entered into an agreement with People's
Choice TV Corporation ("PCTV") and another party for the purchase of MDS
H-2 Channel, including all related transmission equipment in Miami,
Florida, for $10,000, plus certain acquisition costs of
F-10
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
$25,000. As a condition of the purchase, PCTV negotiated a second right of
first refusal, subordinate to the right of first refusal held by Preferred
Entertainment, Inc. ("PEI") (see Note 13), to enter into operating
agreements for the Miami wireless system in the event the Company
determines not to operate the system in Miami. The Company has agreed to
lease this channel to SFTV.
Before SFTV can make full use of the channels it will own or lease in the
Miami market, it must relocate the transmitting stations to a common site.
SFTV has identified the site at which it will locate its transmission
facilities, and applications are pending before the FCC seeking consent to
the relocation. As set forth above, applications filed for SFTV's ITFS
channels have been objected to. There can be no assurance that the FCC will
permit SFTV to relocate all of the transmitting stations to the site
selected or to permit SFTV to implement digital compression technology.
The Company believes that development of a wireless cable system in Miami
depends upon the acquisition of at least 20 frequencies, and, while SFTV
has obtained rights to an aggregate of more than 20 frequencies in Miami,
assuming use of compression technology, there can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to complete developments in technology or to resolve
certain regulatory issues required to launch such a system. The Company has
capitalized the costs of obtaining the rights to wireless frequencies in
the Miami market. The recoverability of such costs is dependent upon the
successful development of a system in Miami or through the resale of such
frequency rights (see Note 15). Management estimates that it will recover
the carrying amount of these costs from cash flows generated by the system
once it has been developed. However, it is reasonably possible that such
estimate will change in the near term as a result of frequency
availability, technology, regulatory or other changes.
Strategic Alliances
In November 1993, the Company entered into a strategic alliance agreement
with PEI (a subsidiary of PCTV), a related party (see Note 13) and national
wireless cable operator, pursuant to which PEI will provide operational
expertise over the three year period commencing March 17, 1994. The
alliance also provides that PEI will have the right of first refusal to
manage wireless cable systems in those markets where the Company
accumulates channel capacity and to participate as an entity investor with
the Company in certain financing of wireless cable systems. The Company
granted PEI a right for five years to purchase 300,000 shares of Common
Stock at a price of $15 (120% of the Company's initial public offering
price) on November 9, 1993. PEI may exercise its right to purchase the
shares of Common Stock for cash or to receive a reduced number of shares,
without payment of cash, equivalent to the value of the Common Stock at the
exercise date in excess of the exercise price.
4. Acquisition of TLC:
On April 20, 1995, the Company agreed to acquire all of the outstanding
capital stock of TLC Productions, Inc. ("TLC") from its sole shareholder.
TLC is a full service teleport and uplink
F-11
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
facility located in North Miami, Florida, that provides satellite uplink
services to clients who then are able to rebroadcast their signal to video
programming distributors, primarily in South America. The Company acquired
the capital stock of TLC for a purchase price of $1,225,000, payable in
cash of $125,000 and a $1,100,000 promissory note. The Company also paid
$175,000 to TLC to satisfy outstanding loans to a former owner of $125,000
and to purchase a transmission tower for $50,000. The Company also incurred
approximately $144,000 in capitalized closing costs. The acquisition has
been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. As a result of
this acquisition, the Company has recorded goodwill of approximately
$354,000. The accompanying consolidated financial statements for 1996 and
1995 reflect the effect of TLC from the date of acquisition, the effect of
which was not material.
5. Notes Receivable from EDSS:
On June 9, 1995, the Company entered into a loan agreement to provide a
$1,000,000 line of credit at an interest rate equal to the prime rate plus
2% to Electronic Data Submission Systems, Inc. ("EDSS"), an electronic
healthcare billing network operator serving doctors and insurance
companies. The loan agreement provides, among other matters, that the
Company will have an option to purchase 50% of EDSS's voting common stock
and that EDSS may extend the June 1997 expiration date of the loan to June
1998 (see Notes 6 and 17). The note is collateralized by all the assets and
common stock of EDSS. The Company loaned an aggregate of $998,000 to EDSS
as of October 31, 1996. The notes, which may be prepaid under certain
conditions, are to be repaid at the expiration of the term of the loan.
EDSS plans to use the proceeds to develop an electronic healthcare billing
network in Miami/South Florida corridor to facilitate healthcare providers
processing claims for reimbursement from third party payors. In the future,
the Company expects to be able to develop applications of the EDSS billing
network using the Company's wireless frequencies.
6. Investments:
In August 1996, the Company completed a partial exercise of its option to
acquire a 50% interest in EDSS by purchasing 11% of EDSS voting common
stock for $343,800 in cash (see Note 17). The investment is carried at cost
in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of October 31, 1996.
In September 1995, the Company acquired 700 shares of Class A Convertible
Preferred Stock of Anagram International Communications Ltd. ("Anagram"),
convertible into 70% of all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock
on a fully diluted basis for $250,000, payable in monthly instalments.
Anagram is in the business of acquiring European television programming for
U.S. distribution via wireless cable transmission. As of October 31, 1996,
the Company
F-12
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
fulfilled its obligation of $250,000 and loaned Anagram an additional
$15,000. The investment is carried at cost in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheet as of October 31, 1996.
7. Lease and Purchase Commitments:
The Company leases administrative facilities and office equipment under
operating leases that expire between 1999 and 2002. Certain of the leases
contain escalation clauses providing for increased rentals based on
operating expenses or the consumer price index. Rent expense under
operating leases was approximately $200,000, $188,000 and $40,000 for the
years ended October 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Future annual minimum rental payments as of October 31, 1996 under
noncancellable operating leases for the next five years and thereafter are:
1997 $ 191,000
1998 136,000
1999 124,000
2000 102,000
2001 102,000
Thereafter 26,000
Commitments relating to wireless frequency rights and technology
development as of October 31, 1996 are described in Note 3.
8. Employment and Consulting Contracts:
The Company has entered into employment and consulting agreements, as
amended in December 1996, with executive officers and directors which
expire between 1997 and 2001, aggregating approximately $502,000 annually.
Two of the officers and directors the Company were directors of PEI through
January 1995 and the third is associated with a law firm which is counsel
to PEI (see Note 3). In September 1994, the Company hired an executive vice
president under a three year employment agreement at an annual salary of
$120,000.
During the years ended October 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, salaries and
consulting fees of approximately $629,000, $629,000 and $332,000,
respectively, were incurred under these contracts.
F-13
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
9. Long-Term Debt:
1996 1995
---------- ----------
Long-term debt comprises:
8% note payable due in monthly principal and interest instalments of
$34,470, which matures on April 21, 1998 $ 582,851 $ 934,442
Various loans bearing interest at rates ranging from 7.95% to 14%
with maturities in 1998 and 1999 92,765 187,409
---------- ----------
675,616 1,121,851
Less, current maturities 443,369 448,830
---------- ----------
$ 232,247 $ 673,021
========== ==========
The aggregate scheduled principal payments under the long-term debt as of
October 31, 1996 are as follows:
1997 $ 443,369
1998 230,838
1999 1,409
------------
$ 675,616
============
10. Income Taxes:
As of October 31, 1996, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards
for income tax purposes of approximately $1,800,000, which will expire
between October 31, 2008 and 2011.
As of October 31, 1996 and 1995, deferred tax assets, principally
comprising the net operating loss carryforwards, have been offset in full
by a valuation allowance.
11. Capital Stock:
In March 1994, the Company completed an initial public offering of
2,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value .01 per share, at a price of
$12.50 per share, with aggregate net proceeds of approximately $22 million.
In connection with the offering, the Company issued and sold to the
underwriter, at the closing of its initial public offering, warrants for
five years to purchase 200,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $.001
per warrant (the "Warrants"). The Warrants are exercisable at any time
during a period of four years commencing at the beginning of the second
year after their issuance at a price of $20.625 (165% of the initial public
offering price).
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of Serial Preferred
Stock, par value $.01 per share with dividend and liquidation preferences
over the Common Stock. The Company
F-14
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
issued 100,000 shares of the Serial Preferred Stock, designated as Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred"), in a private
placement on October 21, 1993. Each share of Series A Preferred was
convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of Common Stock,
subject to certain anti-dilution provisions. On April 20, 1995, all the
outstanding Series A Preferred were converted to Common Stock.
As discussed in Note 3, the Company granted PEI a right, which expires on
March 17, 1999, to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock at $15 per share
(120% of the Company's initial public offering price). PEI may exercise its
right to purchase the shares of Common Stock for cash or to receive a
reduced number of shares, without payment of cash, equivalent to the value
of the Common Stock at the exercise date in excess of the exercise price.
12. Stock Option Plan:
The 1993 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), as amended, has participants which
include key employees (including officers), directors, advisors, and
independent consultants to the Company or to any of its subsidiaries. The
Company has reserved 80,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the
plan. Options granted to employees may be designated as incentive stock
options ("ISO's") or non-qualified stock options ("NQSO's"), as defined by
the Internal Revenue Service. Options granted to independent consultants
and other non-employees may only be designated NQSO's. Options granted
pursuant to the Plan which are ISO's will enjoy the attendant tax benefits
provided under Sections 421 and 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.
The exercise price of options granted under the Plan may not be less than
100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant,
provided that for the two years immediately following consummation of the
public offering, the option price would not be less than the greater of the
fair market value on the grant date or the initial public offering price
established by the offering ($12.50). Generally, options will be
exercisable for a term that will not exceed ten years from the date of
grant.
Information with respect to shares under options is summarized below:
Exercise
Price
ISO's NQSO's Per
Share
--------- ---------- ---------------
Balance at November 1, 1993 12,000 $6.50
Granted 1994 11,750 56,250 $8.25-$8.50(1)
--------- ----------
Outstanding at October 31, 1996 11,750 68,250
========= ==========
Exercisable at October 31, 1996 2,350 25,650 $6.50-$8.50
========= ==========
F-15
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(1) The exercise prices of these options are less than $12.50 and were
approved by the stockholders of the Company on June 29, 1995.
13. Related-Party Transactions:
In fiscal 1996 and 1995, the Company purchased new service vehicles from an
automobile dealership which is owned by the Chairman of the Company for
approximately $33,000 and 76,000, respectively.
Two of the directors of the Company were principal stockholders of PEI (see
Note 3), which was acquired by PCTV, until May 1994 and were directors of
PEI until January, 1995. Until May 1994, the Chairman of the Company was
also Chairman of PEI. The Chairman also currently beneficially owns
approximately 3.8% of PCTV.
In fiscal 1994, the Company purchased new service vehicles from an
automobile dealership which is owned by the Chairman of the Company for
$59,493 and purchased transmitters from a company owned by the Chairman for
$23,000.
The Company leases office space in Rantoul, Illinois, from a company (SDI)
which is owned jointly owned by the Chairman and an officer of the Company,
for $2,050 per month. The lease agreement is on a month-to-month basis
based on the needs of the Company. The Company also subleases office space
in New York to a company owned by a director of the Company for $800 per
month. The sublease, which commenced December 1, 1994, is on a
month-to-month basis based on the needs of the Company.
At October 31, 1996, amounts due from related parties of $73,000 relates to
a loan to a shareholder of EDSS which is due in January, 1997. At October
31, 1995, amounts due from related parties of $47,350 was comprised of
receivables from PEI, SDI and PCTV. At October 31, 1996, included in
accounts payable and accrued expenses is $50,000 due to related parties for
consulting fees (see Note 8).
14. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited):
Quarterly information for 1996, 1995 and 1994 is set forth in the table
below:
Quarter Ended
-------------------------------------------
January 31 April 30 July 31 October 31
---------- -------- --------- ----------
1996:
Revenue $ 560,218 $ 590,838 $ 624,068 $ 542,610
Net loss 225,600 227,961 264,657 298,606
Net loss per common share 0.08 0.07 0.08 0.08
F-16
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
1995:
Revenue $ 363,977 $ 413,813 $ 380,654 $ 941,845
Net loss 142,243 221,852 100,917 175,069
Net loss per common share 0.05 0.07 0.03 0.05
1994:
Revenue $ 2,084 $ 94,945 $ 221,608 $ 286,398
Net loss 108,204 79,243 10,994 252,203
Net loss per common share 0.09 0.04 - 0.08
The sum of the quarterly net loss per common share amounts for 1994 are not
equal to the full year amount primarily because the computations of the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each quarter and
the full year are made independently.
15. Potential Sale of SFTV (Unaudited):
The Company is continuing discussions with BellSouth Corporation for the
sale of SFTV (see Note 3), with all of its wireless cable assets in the
Miami area, to BellSouth for $48 million in stock. The transaction is
subject to completion of due diligence and negotiation of definitive
agreements. There can be no assurance that such agreements will be entered
into or that the transaction can be completed as proposed.
F-17
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
16. Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value
of each category of financial instruments:
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Cash equivalents comprise money market funds whose carrying amounts
approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments.
U.S. Treasury Securities:
U.S. treasury securities held at October 31, 1995 of $11,964,634 matured by
October 1996. The U.S. treasury securities are classified as
available-for-sale and are carried at fair market value on the balance
sheet as of October 31, 1995, which approximates amortized cost.
Long-Term Debt:
Long-term debt relates to service vehicle loans payable over four to five
years and a three year note payable. Interest rates on the loans
approximate the rates available at October 31, 1996 and the Company
believes that the carrying value of debt at October 31, 1996 approximates
fair value.
Notes Receivable:
The interest rate on the loan approximates the rates available at October
31, 1996 and the Company believes that the carrying value at October 31,
1996 approximates fair value.
17. Subsequent Events:
Acquisition of EDSS:
On December 13, 1996, the Company exercised a warrant and an option to
purchase additional shares of the common stock of EDSS (see Notes 5 and 6),
which when combined with its existing share ownership represents 50% of the
outstanding common stock and, pursuant to the EDSS Shareholders Agreement,
dated as of July 25, 1996, control of EDSS. The aggregate purchase price
for the purchase of EDSS shares was $1,887,500 of which an aggregate of
$887,500 was paid to EDSS and $1,000,000 was paid to the principal
stockholder of EDSS. With the proceeds received from the Company, EDSS
acquired a non-interest-bearing $1,000,000 note payable to a former
stockholder for $775,000. The acquisition will be accounted for under the
purchase method of acounting.
F-18
NATIONAL WIRELESS HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The unaudited consolidated results of operations on a pro forma basis as
though EDSS had been acquired as of the beginning of fiscal year 1995 are
as follows:
1996 1995
------------- --------------
Revenues $ 3,287,307 $ 2,382,828
Net loss 1,614,228 1,558,293
Net loss per weighted average number
of common shares outstanding 0.50 0.48
The pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes
only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would
have occurred had the acquisition been consummated as of the above date,
nor are they necessarily indicative of future operating results.
Stock Rights:
On December 12, 1996, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of one
preferred stock purchase right on each outstanding share of the Company's
Common Stock. The dividend was paid on December 24, 1996 to shareholders of
record on that date. The rights become exercisable only on the close of
business ten days following a public announcement that a person or group
has acquired 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company or a public announcement or commencement of a tender offer or
exchange offer which would result in the offeror's acquiring 20% or more of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company. Once exercisable,
each right would entitle a holder to buy 1/1,000 of a share of the
Company's Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise
price of $75.00. The Company may redeem the rights, which expire on
December 12, 2006, for $0.01 per right prior to the rights becoming
exercisable.
F-19