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Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

 

ý

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF

 

 

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002

 

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF

 

 

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the transition period from           to

 

Commission file number 0-28362

 

ClearComm, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

66-0514434

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

 

 

268 Muñoz Rivera Ave. Suite 2206
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico


00918-1929

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (787) 620-0140

 

 

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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   ý  No   o

 

 



 

ClearComm, L.P.

INDEX

 

PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Partners’ Deficit as of June 30, 2002 (unaudited) and December 31, 2001 (audited)

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Revenues and Expenses for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2002 and 2001 (unaudited).

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Deficit for the six-month period ended June 30, 2002 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2002 and 2001 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Item 2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

Item 3

Quantitative Disclosure About Market Risk.

 

 

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

 

 

 

Signatures.

 

 

 

Exhibit Index.

 

 

 

2



 

PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ClearComm, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES
AND PARTNERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Audited)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

17,246,750

 

$

10,241,902

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $17,083,935 and $18,341,025

 

17,319,848

 

19,099,986

 

Accounts receivable due from officer

 

391,314

 

102,000

 

Insurance claim receivable

 

1,496,680

 

1,496,324

 

Investment in Emilio’s

 

238,266

 

 

Inventories

 

11,097,074

 

10,305,254

 

Prepaid expenses

 

1,769,469

 

652,279

 

Total current assets

 

49,559,401

 

41,897,745

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS, net

 

 

906,731

 

PCS LICENSES, net

 

56,200,567

 

57,517,974

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

 

98,949,158

 

102,095,953

 

 

 

$

204,709,126

 

$

202,418,403

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNER’S DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

24,202,318

 

$

27,868,716

 

Note payable to Lucent Technologies

 

60,531,697

 

60,531,697

 

Bridge Loan Facility

 

60,000,000

 

60,000,000

 

Accounts payable to related parties

 

9,774,448

 

8,705,353

 

Note Payable to Alcatel

 

7,436,029

 

12,790,140

 

Accrued interest

 

2,658,916

 

3,517,319

 

Deferred income

 

1,281,400

 

1,550,665

 

Total current liabilities

 

165,884,808

 

174,963,890

 

LONG-TERM NOTES PAYABLE

 

92,475,463

 

81,723,962

 

MINORITY INTEREST

 

12,760,072

 

13,362,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARTNER’S DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

Limited partners’ capital (2,907.7 units, issued and outstanding)

 

73,039,616

 

73,039,616

 

General partner’s capital

 

100,000

 

100,000

 

Undistributed losses—

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated during development stage

 

(48,704,525

)

(48,704,525

)

Operations

 

(90,846,308

)

(92,067,478

)

Total partners’ deficit

 

(66,411,217

)

(67,632,388

)

 

 

$

204,709,126

 

$

202,418,403

 

 

The accompanying notes are integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

 

3



 

ClearComm, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND EXPENSES
(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three-Month Periods Ended June 30

 

Six-Month Periods Ended June 30

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service revenues

 

$

25,443,665

 

$

27,345,079

 

$

52,070,415

 

$

52,375,461

 

Handset and accessories sales

 

2,359,450

 

6,174,279

 

3,713,061

 

9,156,163

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,803,115

 

33,519,358

 

55,783,476

 

61,531,624

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Cost and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of handset and accessories

 

5,381,502

 

9,700,493

 

12,432,244

 

17,760,845

 

Interconnection expense

 

2,001,828

 

400,316

 

2,980,748

 

2,458,116

 

Sales and dealers commissions

 

791,209

 

589,815

 

2,259,509

 

2,349,408

 

Salaries and benefits

 

3,177,705

 

3,123,051

 

7,335,893

 

6,319,987

 

Advertising expense

 

3,240,163

 

4,852,781

 

4,891,333

 

7,170,080

 

Legal and professional services

 

2,203,500

 

3,309,562

 

4,697,892

 

6,250,680

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4,071,901

 

4,315,997

 

8,019,629

 

9,998,177

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

1,974,286

 

1,935,110

 

5,455,014

 

5,903,832

 

Rent expense

 

2,697,291

 

1,841,529

 

4,171,796

 

3,895,754

 

Taxes other than income

 

1,544,366

 

1,836,279

 

1,925,225

 

3,457,126

 

Other expenses

 

1,829,360

 

2,157,845

 

2,483,652

 

4,651,391

 

Management fee to General Partner

 

30,000

 

32,000

 

62,000

 

64,000

 

Services rendered by related parties

 

1,477,493

 

398,268

 

3,021,342

 

675,570

 

Gain on sale of Visalia-Porterville license

 

 

(4,814,337

)

 

(4,814,337

)

Gain on sale of NewComm’s Stock to Fleet

 

 

 

 

 

(12,569,784

)

 

 

 

 

30,420,604

 

29,678,709

 

47,166,489

 

66,140,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

 

(2,617,489

)

3,840,649

 

8,616,983

 

(4,609,005

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

189,931

 

122,329

 

305,462

 

307,015

 

Interest expense

 

(3,615,072

)

(4,653,842

)

(8,734,358

)

(9,357,808

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,425,141

)

(4,531,513

)

(8,428,896

)

(9,050,793

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) before Minority Interest

 

(6,042,630

)

(690,864

)

188,087

 

(13,659,798

)

Minority Interest

 

750,914

 

254,316

 

1,033,083

 

706,692

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

$

(5,291,716

)

$

(436,548

)

$

1,221,170

 

$

(12,953,106

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to General Partner

 

$

(1,322,929

)

$

(109,137

)

$

305,292

 

$

(3,238,277

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Limited Partners

 

$

(3,968,787

)

$

(327,411

)

$

915,887

 

$

(9,714,830

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

4



 

ClearComm, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ DEFICIT
(Unaudited)

FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2002

 

 

 

Limited Partners

 

General

 

 

 

 

 

Units

 

Amount

 

Partner

 

Total

 

Balance (deficit) at December 31, 2001

 

2,907.7

 

$

(50,724,291

)

(16,908,097

)

(67,632,388

)

Three-month period ended June 30, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

915,878

 

305,293

 

1,221,171

 

Balance (deficit) at June 30, 2002

 

2,907.7

 

$

(49,808,413

)

(16,602,804

)

(66,411,217

)

 

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

 

5



 

ClearComm, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Six-Month Periods Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net (Income)

 

$

1,221,170

 

$

(12,953,106

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (income) for the period to net cash used in  operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,019,629

 

9,998,177

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

5,455,014

 

5,903,832

 

Minority interest

 

(1,033,083

)

(706,692

)

Gain from sale of Visalia-Porterville license

 

 

 

Increase in accounts receivable

 

(3,674,876

)

(5,930,768

)

Increase in accounts receivable due from officer

 

(289,314

)

 

Increase in insurance claim receivable

 

(360

)

(946,494

)

Increase in inventories

 

(791,820

)

(2,863,383

)

Increase in prepaid expenses and deferred financing cost

 

(210,459

)

(274,571

)

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(3,666,397

)

4,215,794

 

Increase in accounts payable to related parties

 

1,069,095

 

2,646,249

 

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest

 

(3,890,126

)

1,785,588

 

(Decrease) increase in deferred incom

 

(269,265

)

121,758

 

Total adjustments

 

718,038

 

13,949,490

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,939,208

 

996,384

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of property and equipment

 

(3,555,427

)

(4,841,232

)

Gain on Sale of Stock to Fleet

 

(12,569,783

)

 

Investment in Emilio’s

 

(238,266

)

 

Net cash (used in) operating activities

 

(16,363,476

)

(4,841,232

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of Visalia-Porterville license

 

 

9,500,000

 

Proceeds from the sale Stock to NewComm

 

13,000,000

 

 

Capital contribution from minority interest

 

 

5,000,000

 

Proceeds from issuance of notes payable to TLD

 

13,783,225

 

4,990,000

 

Payment of Note Payable to Lucent

 

 

(8,298,808

)

Payment of Note Payable to Alcatel

 

(5,354,111

)

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

21,429,114

 

11,191,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

7,004,846

 

7,346,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

 

10,241,902

 

9,338,798

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

 

$

17,246,750

 

$

16,685,142

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

Network construction costs financed through note payable to Lucent and accounts payable

 

$

 

$

10,132,389

 

Accounts receivable written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

2,942,358

 

$

3,718,949

 

Interest paid

 

$

7,032,035

 

$

6,307,071

 

 

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

 

6



 

CLEARCOMM, L.P.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

1.                                       BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND INTRODUCTION

 

                The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements presented herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X pertaining to interim financial statements.  Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.  The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals which, in the opinion of management, are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Partnership’s financial position at  June 30, 2002 and results of operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended  June 30, 2002 and 2001.  The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the summary of significant accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.  Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

 

                ClearComm, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a limited partnership organized on January 24, 1995 under the laws of the State of Delaware.  The Partnership was formed to file applications with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) under personal communications service (“PCS”) frequency Block C, originally restricted to minorities, small businesses and designated entities, to become a provider of broadband PCS.  The Partnership will terminate on December 31, 2005, or earlier upon the occurrence of certain specified events as detailed in the Partnership Agreement.

 

                SuperTel Communications Corp. (“SuperTel”), a Puerto Rico corporation, is the General Partner.  Its total share of the income and losses of the Partnership is 25% in accordance with the Partnership Agreement.  Approximately 1,600 limited partners also invested in the Partnership through a private placement.

 

                On January 22, 1997, the Partnership was granted the PCS Block C licenses for Puerto Rico and certain cities in California.

 

                On February 4, 1999, the Partnership entered into a joint venture agreement (the “Joint Venture Agreement”) with Telefónica Larga Distancia De Puerto Rico, Inc. (“TLD”) to jointly develop and operate certain PCS licenses in Puerto Rico.  Among the most important provisions of the Joint Venture Agreement are the following:

 

                  The Partnership transferred all of its Puerto Rico PCS licenses including its related debt with the FCC to NewComm Wireless Services, Inc. (“NewComm”), a newly organized Puerto Rico corporation, in exchange for all of NewComm’s issued and outstanding common stock.

 

                  TLD loaned approximately $20 million to NewComm by means of a secured convertible promissory note payable (the “Promissory Note”).  The Promissory Note is secured by a security agreement pursuant to which a security interest is imposed upon NewComm’s assets, a Partnership guarantee and a pledge agreement, as defined.

 

                  Once certain regulatory and other requirements are met, the Promissory Note will be converted to NewComm’s common stock representing approximately 49.9% of NewComm’s equity at the time of the exchange.  Originally, TLD had the option to buy an additional .2%, which would have brought its ownership to 50.1%, subject to a third party valuation of NewComm’s stock and approval by the FCC.  On June 26, 2001, the Joint Venture Agreement was amended eliminating the TLD Option to buy the additional ..2%.  However, by means of a Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of March 12, 2002, and subject to certain conditions, the Partnership has agreed to sell an amount of shares equal to 0.2% of NewComm to TLD.

 

                  The new Sale Agreement provides that at any time after 14 months from the signing of the Stock Purchase Agreement with TLD, that is, any time after May 2003, ClearComm (or TLD), as the case may be, may trigger a shareholder obligation to sell NewComm.  Within 30 days of a notice of sale, TLD (or ClearComm as the case may be) would have the right to purchase ClearComm’s (or TLD’s) interest.  The purchase price to be paid at that time would be based on a valuation performed by the investment banking firm that prepared the one under the Stock Purchase Agreement.  If TLD does not exercise its right to buy out ClearComm’s interest, the shareholders will be bound to proceed with the sales

 

7



 

process to attempt a sale of NewComm.  All shareholders are bound to cooperate and undertake all that is necessary in that effort.  Further, the shareholders are bound to accept the highest price proposed by an interested buyer, which price must be payable in cash or freely tradable securities, or a combination thereof, and which must be for a price not less

 

                  than the valuation prepared by the investment  banker.  Some additional points are that at the closing of the sale of NewComm the Management Agreement and the Technology Transfer Agreement held by TLD will terminate.  Also, no premium for controlling interest or discount for holding a minority interest in NewComm will apply.  The Sale Agreement shall continue in full force and effect even if the Stock Purchase Agreement with TLD, for whatever reason, does not close.

 

                  NewComm and TLD entered into certain management and technology transfer agreements.

 

 

                In September 1999, NewComm commenced providing PCS services in Puerto Rico.

 

                In each of November 2000, December 2000, and March 2001, NewComm received $5,000,000, from Syndicated Communications Venture Partners IV, L.P. (Syncom), a third party, in exchange for approximately 4.92% ownership in NewComm. Syncom has committed to contribute up to $25 million to NewComm in exchange for an approximately 8.2% ownership interest in NewComm.

 

                On March 2, 2002, the Partnership sold approximately 4.08% of NewComm to a group of investors led by Fleet Development Ventures for $13 million.  The Partnership and TLD contributed approximately $9 million each to NewComm in the form of equity and convertible debt, respectively. The Partnership and TLD have committed an additional $7.5M each to close the Project Finance Facility.  The Partnership believes it has obtained sufficient funds, together with TLD, to provide NewComm with the capital necessary for the Project Finance Facility and to fully fund NewComm’s operations.

 

                On April 16, 2002, ClearComm, L.P. entered into a Shareholders’ Agreement to form a joint venture with eMilios International, L.L.C., a Florida Limited Liability Corporation, to promote and establish in Puerto Rico the eMilios concept.  The joint venture was formed under a Puerto Rico Corporation named Internet Surfing Stores of Puerto Rico, Inc. (“ISS”).  The Partnership owns 49% and eMilios International owns 51% of ISS.

 

                The eMilios concept involves internet communication galleries that are geared towards educating people in the use of computers and the internet, and acts as a communication and recreational center as well.  The broadband connectivity that is offered at eMilios allows the stores to efficiently offer internet communications and also access to a great variety of interactive content, such as cyber games, as well as software and tools for free lancers and small business entities.   The service is provided and collected with a proprietary smart card and software application.  The commitment of the Partnership to ISS is $1 Million and eMilios International has committed $500,000 in cash plus trade-name, systems, software, and technology know-how equivalent to $500,000.  The Partnership is responsible for the management and day-to-day operations of ISS.  ISS already has two (2) stores under construction and it expects to have a total of four (4) open by the first quarter of 2003.  The investment has the benefit of an exit mechanism.  At any time after 2003, ClearComm can force the acquisitions of its shares in ISS or the sale of the whole company.

 

2.             FINANCING REQUIREMENTS

 

                The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  The Partnership commenced operations in September 1999 and has realized a net income amounting to $1,221,174million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2002 and incurred operating losses of $12,953,106 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2001.  It also has working capital defining and partners’ capital deficits of $ 116.3 and $66.4 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2002.  The Partnership is likely to continue incurring losses until such time as its subscriber base generates revenue in excess of the Partnership’s expenses.  Development of a significant subscriber base is likely to take time, during which the Partnership must finance its operations by means other than its revenues.

 

                As part of the agreement with TLD, NewComm entered into a contract with Lucent Technologies, Inc. (“Lucent”) that requires Lucent to build a network that uses the Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) protocol.  It is expected that the total cost of this project will approximate $125 million.  During 2000, NewComm’s management and Lucent agreed on formally extending the

 

8



 

payment of up to $61.0 million of the total amount due under the contract under a formal financing agreement.  The financing agreement extends payments for an eight-month period (through June 2001) at an annual interest rate of 1.5% over 90-day LIBOR.  NewComm’s management and Lucent restructured this financing agreement, by means of a Promissory Note issued on September 26, 2001 for the principal sum of $60.5 million plus 8% interest.   The parties are currently under negotiating to make this part of a permanent debt facility.

 

During November 2000, NewComm entered into a $60 million bridge loan agreement (the “Bridge Loan Facility”) with ABN-AMRO and BBVA (the “Banks”) with interest at 1.5% over 90-day LIBOR, which expired on March 15, 2001, and was extended until March 13, 2002, with an interest rate at .75% over 90-day LIBOR.  The Bridge Loan is now guaranteed by Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (TISA), an affiliate of TLD.  On May 30, 2002, the Maturity date was amended to September 30, 2002. ClearComm and TLD continue to work towards securing a permanent financing facility, which will require the Partnership, through Syncom and TLD, to each contribute a total of approximately $25 million in equity and convertible debt.  As part of this commitment, during the second half of 2000, the first half of 2001, and second quarter of 2002, the Partnership, Syncom and TLD have contributed a total of $24 million in the form of equity and convertible debt, respectively.

 

                Each of the Partnership’s C-Block licenses is subject to a FCC requirement that the Partnership constructs network facilities that offer coverage to at least one-third of the population in the market covered by such license within five years following the grant of the applicable license and to at least two-thirds of the population within ten years following the grant.   The Partnership is in compliance with the FCC coverage requirements in Puerto Rico and the California Licenses.

 

                Management believes that the Partnership will comply with all the requirements for obtaining the financing and believes that cash and cash equivalents on hand, anticipated growth in revenues, vendor financing and the permanent financing will be adequate to fund its operations, at a minimum, through the end of 2002.  However, in the absence of improved operating results and cash flows, and without the closing of its contemplated permanent financing, the Partnership may face liquidity problems to fund its operations and meet its obligations.  As a result of these matters, substantial doubt exists about the Partnership’s ability to continue as a going concern.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

3.             OTHER ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

                In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”). SFAS 133 established accounting and reporting standards requiring that every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) be recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. SFAS 133 requires that changes in the derivative’s fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. In June 2000, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 138 (“SFAS 138”) which amends SFAS 133 for certain derivative instruments and certain hedging activities. SFAS 133, as amended, is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. The Partnership adopted SFAS 133 beginning January 1, 2001, but did not have any derivatives.

 

                In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations” (effective July 1, 2001) and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (effective for the Company on January 1, 2002). SFAS No. 141 prohibits pooling-of-interests accounting for acquisitions. SFAS No. 142 specifies that goodwill and some intangible assets will no longer be amortized but instead will be subject to periodic impairment testing. The Company is in the process of evaluating the financial statement impact of adoption of SFAS No. 142.

 

4.             LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

                The Partnership is subject to certain legal proceedings and an FCC proceeding, which were described in the Partnership’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

 

Sprint/Centennial

 

On September 21, 2001, NewComm Wireless Services, Inc. d/b/a MoviStar (“MoviStar”) filed a Complaint and Motion and Memorandum of Law Requesting Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction in the Federal District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, which alleged serious and unlawful interruptions, interferences and irreparable damages to MoviStar’s

 

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operations rising out of Sprint’s refusal to broadcast an SID for the Puerto Rico market that will not interfere with the services presently being offered by MoviStar to its subscribers.  During October 15th to 18th, 2001, the District Court held an evidentiary hearing related to the injunctive relief sought.  In its Opinion and Order of October 29, 2001, the District Court ordered Sprint to “immediately cease and desist from using SID 5142 and/or any other SID which similarly interferes with plaintiff’s operations in Puerto Rico.”

 

On October 30, 2001, Centennial filed a Motion of Intervention of Right in which it requested leave from the District Court to join the Sprint litigation.  Despite MoviStar’s opposition, the District Court granted Centennial’s motion on November 5, 2001.  Both Sprint and Centennial are currently appealing, in the First Circuit Court of Appeals, the injunctive relief granted by the District

 

Court of Puerto Rico.  On April 6, 2002, the First Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order reversing the injunction release.  On or about April 20, 2002, MoviStar filed a Petition for a Re-Hearing and the petition was denied.  However, MoviStar is continuing to pursue its damage claims.

 

 

PRAICO

 

This is a civil action for breach of contract and collection of moneys before the Superior Court of San Juan on September 17, 2001, wherein the NewComm Wireless Services, Inc. (“NewComm”) is suing the Puerto Rican American Insurance Company (“PRAICO”) demanding the payment of claims made by NewComm under insurance policies issued by PRAICO.  NewComm attempts to recover four million dollars ($4,000,000) against PRAICO to recover from PRAICO under an insurance policy issued by that company to cover theft and damages of handsets sold to the public.  The four million dollar claim covers approximately four thousand (4,000) phones reported as either lost or stolen.  The complaint has been filed but no answer has been filed to date.  The parties are currently in negotiations for a settlement of the subject claim.  PRAICO has offered the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) as settlement.  NewComm has made a counteroffer of $3,800,000. The parties are currently negotiating in good faith to settle this matter.

 

 

 

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

 

Forward-looking Statements

 

                This Form 10-Q and future filings by the Partnership on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K and future oral and written statements by the Partnership may include certain forward-looking statements, including (without limitation) statements with respect to anticipated future operating and financial performance, growth opportunities and growth rates, acquisition and divestitive opportunities, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation.  Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and “should,” and variations of these words and similar expressions, are intended to identify these forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements by the Partnership are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions of management and are not guarantees of future performance.  The Partnership disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement based on the occurrence of future events, the receipt of new information, or otherwise.

 

                Actual future performance, outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by the Partnership as a result of a number of important factors.  Examples of these factors include, without limitation, failure to develop the Partnership’s PCS licenses in California due to an inability to obtain satisfactory financing or partners capital; rapid technological developments and changes in the telecommunications industry; ongoing deregulation (and the resulting likelihood of significantly increased price and product/service competition) in the telecommunications industry as a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and other similar federal and state legislation and the federal and state rules and regulations enacted pursuant to that legislation; regulatory limitations on the Partnership’s ability to compete in the telecommunications services industry; and continuing consolidation in the telecommunications services industry.  In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes and results may differ materially because of other, more general factors including, without limitation, general industry and market conditions and growth rates, domestic and international economic conditions, governmental and public policy changes and the continued availability of financing in the amounts, at the terms and on the conditions necessary to support the Partnership’s future business.

 

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Introduction

 

                The information contained in this Part I, Item 2 updates, and should be read in conjunction with, information set forth in Part II, Items 7 and 8, in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, in addition to the interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes presented in Part 1, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

                The Partnership was formed in January 1995 and is managed by its General Partner, SuperTel Communications Corp.  The Partnership was organized to acquire, own, consult and operate personal communication services PCS licenses in the Block C band and to take advantage of the benefits that the FCC has set aside for entrepreneurs.  The Partnership owns the Puerto Rico Licenses, which consist of two 15 MHz PCS licenses covering Puerto Rico, and the California Licenses, which consist of four 15 MHz PCS licenses covering the California cities of Eureka, Redding, Modesto, and Merced. The license covering Visalia-Porterville, California, was sold and transferred to Leap Wireless on June 8, 2001 for $9,500,000.

 

 

                The Partnership commenced commercial operations of its PCS network in Puerto Rico on September 24, 1999 when it began offering wireless services in Puerto Rico to the public.  Prior to that date, its income had consisted of interest earnings only.  Since the Partnership commenced commercial operations in 1999 and during 2000 was still in the start-up process, the comparisons presented below may not be indicative of future operations.

 

                The Partnership established its Puerto Rico network by forming a wholly owned subsidiary, NewComm, on January 29, 1999.  On February 4, 1999, the Partnership and NewComm entered into an agreement with TLD, whereby the Partnership contributed its two Puerto Rico Licenses to NewComm and TLD provided NewComm a $19,960,000 loan to develop the Puerto Rico Licenses.  TLD’s loan is pursuant to a secured convertible promissory note (the “Note”) which is convertible into 49.9% of NewComm’s equity.  The Note however, cannot be converted until the FCC authorizes TLD to hold more than a 25% equity interest in NewComm.  By means of a Stock Purchase Agreement executed on March 12, 2002, the Partnership has agreed to sell shares equal to 0.2% in NewComm to TLD conditioned to obtaining permanent financing and a clear exit path for the Partnership.  The transaction is subject to FCC approval also.

 

                Since January 2002 the Partnership has been offering wireless DSL service in certain areas within the California Licenses in compliance with the FCC build out requirements.

 

Results of Operations

 

                Three-month period ended June 30, 2002 compared with three-month period ended June 30, 2001.

 

Revenues

 

                The Partnership’s revenues for the three-month period ended June 30 2002 totaled 27,803,115 as compared to $33,519,358 for the same period in 2001. Revenues for the three-month period ended June 30, 2002 included $25,443,665 in service revenues and $2,359,450 in handset and accessories sales generated from NewComm’s wireless operations, as compared to $27,345,079 and $6,174,279 respectively, for the same period in 2001.  The decrease in revenues is mainly due to lesser handset and accessories sales which were reduced significantly due to adjusting prices of the handset units.

 

Expenses

 

                Expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2002 totaled $30,420,604 as compared to $29,678,709 for the same period in 2001.  During the  second  quarter of  2002, the Partnership’s expenses included $5,381,502 ($9,700,493 as of June 30, 2001) in costs of handset and accessories, $3,177,705 ($3,123,051 as of June 30, 2001) for salaries and benefits, $2,203,500 ($3,309,562 as of June 30, 2001) for legal and professional services, $4,071,901($4,315,997 as of  June 30, 2001) in depreciation and amortization, $1,974,286 ($1,935,110 as of  June 30, 2001) in provision for doubtful accounts, $12,102,217 ($11,710,565 as of  June 30, 2001) in interconnection, sales and dealers commissions, advertising, rent, taxes other than income, other expenses and management fee to General Partner, and 1,477,493 ($398,268 as of  June 30, 2001) for services rendered by related parties.  However,  the Arthur Andersen firm closed  in the month of June of 2002 and the firm’s local office closed at approximately the same time.  Efforts by Deloitte & Touche  to contact former account managers and responsible partner have been unsuccessful.  Therefore, Deloitte & Touche has been unable to complete their review of the Partnership's financial statements presented herein.  Furthermore, without notes and documents of the former auditors, new expenses groupings have been created for this report.  Thus, a line by line

 

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comparison of the expenses for the three-month period that ended June 30, 2002 with the same period of expenses of 2001 may seem unclear.

 

                The overall decrease in expenses of $4 million dollars is mainly due to a reduction in the cost of handsets and accessories. The $29.7 million total expenses for the three months period ended June 30, 2001 included a gain on the sale of the Visalia Porterville License which resulted in a reduction of $4.8 million.  Therefore, actual expenses for that quarter were $34.5 as compared to $30.4 for the three month period ended June 30, 2002.

 

                The decrease in interest expense ($3,615,072 and $4,653,842 for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively) is attributable to the reduction of debt outstanding related to the Note Payable to Alcatel.

 

Six-month period ended June 30, 2002 compared with six-month period ended June 30, 2001

 

Revenues

 

The Partnership’s revenues for the six-month period ended June 30, 2002 totaled $55,783,476 as compared to $61,531,624 for the same period in 2001.  Revenues for the six-month period ended June 30, 2001 included $52,375,461 in service revenue and $9,156,163 in handset and accessories sales generated from NewComm’s wireless operations, as compared to $52,070,415, and $3,713,061 respectively, for the same period in 2002.  The decrease in revenues is mainly due the reduction in handset and accessories sales and a pricing adjustment to the handsets.

 

Expenses

 

Expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2002 totaled $47,166,489 as compared to $66,140,629 for the same period in 2001.  During the six-month period ended June 30, 2002, the Partnership’s expenses included $12,432,244 ($17,760,845 as of June 30, 2001) in costs of handset and accessories, $7,335,893 ($6,319,987 as of June 30, 2001) for salaries and benefits, $4,697,892 ($6,250,680 as of June 30, 2001) for legal and professional services, $8,019,629 ($9,998,177 as of June 30, 2001) in depreciation and amortization, $5,455,014 ($5,903,832 as of June 30, 2001) in provision for doubtful accounts, $------- ($24,045,875 as of June 30, 2001) in interconnection, sales and dealers commissions, advertising, rent, taxes other than income, other expenses and management fee to General Partner, $3,021,342 ($675,570 as of June 30, 2001) for services rendered by related parties and a one time gain of 12,569,788 on the sale of stock to Fleet for the six month period ended in June 2002 and a one time gain of $4,814,337 from the sale of the Visalia-Porterville, California, license.  However, the Arthur Andersen firm closed in the month of June of 2002 and the firm’s local office closed at approximately the same time. Efforts by Deloitte & Touche to contact former account managers and responsible partner have been unsuccessful. Therefore, Deloitte & Touche has been unable to complete their review of the Partnership's financial statements presented herein.  Furthermore, without notes and documents of the former auditors, new expenses groupings have been created for this report. And, a line by line comparison of the expenses for the six-month period that ended June 30, 2002 with the same period of expenses of 2001 may seem unclear.

The reduction in interest expense ($8,734,358 and $9,357,808 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively) is related to reduction in the Note Payable to Alcatel of $5.4 million.

Net profit of $1,221,174 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2001 includes a $12.6 million gain on the sale of the Partnership’s stock on NewComm to Fleet. Without such gain the Partnership incurred in operating losses of $ 13.8 million as compared to a net loss of $12,953,106 for the same period in 2001; the loss reflects the ongoing costs of meeting the competition of existing cellular and PCS operators in order to develop a subscriber base.  To meet competition, a significant subsidy is granted in the sale of handsets and accessories, on which a negative margin of $3,526,214 and $8,604,682 was generated during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively.   The Partnership’s net loss for the first half of 2001 was offset by the, one time, $4,814,337 gain on sale of Visalia-Porterville, California, license.

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

                As of June 30, 2002, the Partnership had cash and cash equivalents amounting to $17,246,750, which are mostly related to proceeds from the sale of the Visalia-Porterville, California, license in the second quarter, 2001, and the Fleet Transaction.

 

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                As part of the agreement with TLD, NewComm entered into a contract with Lucent Technologies, Inc. (“Lucent”) that required Lucent to build a network that uses the Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) protocol.  The total cost of the original network was approximately $125 million.  During 2000, NewComm’s management and Lucent agreed on formally extending the payment of up to $61.0 million of the total amount of network construction payable, at the time, under a formal financing agreement.  The financing agreement was restructured as a Promissory Note on September 26, 2001, with a principal sum of $60.5 million plus interest, due March 15, 2002.  The maturity date was extended to June 30, 2002 at annual interest rate of 8%, and NewComm is at the present negotiating a restructuring of this debt to a permanent facility.

 

                In addition, the Partnership owes the United States federal government approximately $51,339,555 (undiscounted) plus accrued interest at 6.5% in connection with the acquisition of its PCS licenses.  As of June 30, 2002, the notes payable to FCC are presented net of a discount.

 

                The Partnership has a secured promissory note payable to TLD, which bears interest at the floating rate of 90-day LIBOR plus 1.5% and is due in March, 2004.

 

                The Partnership estimates that the total cost to implement NewComm’s business plan will be approximately $200 million.  This consists of approximately $125 million in costs associated with building-out the Puerto Rico Network, and approximately $75 million to fund NewComm’s operations until these become profitable.  NewComm obtained a short term financing (“Bridge Loan”) of $60 million was subsequently extended until March 13, 2002, with an interest rate of .75% over 90-day LIBOR.  The Bridge Loan is now guaranteed by Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (TISA), an affiliate of TLD.  ClearComm and TLD continue to work towards securing a permanent financing facility.  The Partnership anticipates that banks, together with Lucent, will be willing to provide long term financing of approximately $150 million, provided that the Partnership and TLD contribute additional capital or convertible debt to NewComm.  The Partnership, through Syncom and TLD, contributed a total of $30 million of additional capital or convertible debt during the second half of 2000 and first half of 2001.  In the second quarter the Partnership and TLD each contributed an additional $9 million convertible debt and capital, respectively.  Syncom invested $15 million in NewComm in exchange for 4.92% of NewComm. ClearComm sold approximately 4.08% of its interest in NewComm in exchange of $13 Million during the first quarter of 2002.  The Partnership believes that the capital or convertible debt contributed by Syncom and TLD, along with the extended interim financing, will fully fund NewComm’s operations through the end of 2002.

 

                On March 2, 2002, the Partnership sold 4.08% of NewComm to a group of investors led by Fleet Development Ventures for $13 million.  During the second quarter of 2002, the Partnership and TLD contributed approximately $9 million each to NewComm in the form of equity and convertible debt, respectively.  The Partnership believes it has obtained sufficient funds, together with TLD, to provide NewComm with the capital necessary for the Project Finance Facility and to fully fund NewComm’s operations.

 

                As a result of the restructuring of its FCC debt in June 1998, the Partnership has no outstanding debt on its California Licenses, which consist of 15MHz of bandwidth covering an approximate population of 1.1 million people in Eureka, Redding, Merced, and Modesto, all within the state of California.  Holders of major C Block licenses covering areas surrounding the areas covered by the California Licenses are currently under bankruptcy court proceedings, which adversely affect the Partnership’s ability to enter into joint venture agreements to develop these licenses.  However, a re-auction of D, E, F and disaggregated C Block licenses was concluded on April 16, 1999.  Another re-auction was concluded in January 2001.  However, this re-auction was set aside by the Washington D.C. Court of Appeals on June 22, 2001.  The FCC has filed for an appeal of this ruling before the United States Supreme Court, and the Court has accepted to review the case.  Accordingly, there continues to be uncertainty regarding the ownership of the licenses surrounding the California Licenses.   The Partnership is actively pursuing alliances and possible funding mechanisms to develop its California Licenses.

 

                The Partnership anticipates that earnings and cash distributions derived from its Puerto Rico Network (once it is fully operational), interim and permanent financing and, if necessary, additional capital calls from its Investors or accessing the public capital markets, should provide it with the liquidity to meet its obligations.  The Partnership also expects that once it is able to develop its California Licenses, it will have additional sources of revenues and profits.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

                The Partnership’s exposure to market risk through derivative financial instruments and other financial instruments is not material because the Partnership does not use derivative financial instruments and does not have foreign currency exchange risks.  The Partnership invests cash balances in excess of operating requirements in short-term money market funds.  As of June 30, 2002, the

 

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Partnership had cash equivalents and short-term investments of approximately $17,246,750 consisting of cash and highly liquid, short-term investments in money market funds.

 

                The Partnership’s cash and cash equivalents will increase or decrease by an immaterial amount if market interest rates increase or decrease, and therefore, its exposure to interest rate changes has been immaterial.  The Partnership’s loans payable to the FCC have a fixed interest rate of 6.5% and therefore are not exposed to interest rate risks.  The TLD Note relating to indebtedness of NewComm bears interest at the floating rate of the 90-day LIBOR plus 1.5% and is due in March 2004.  The Partnership, TLD, and Lucent are currently under negotiations to restructure the approximately $61 million debt owed to Lucent.

 

 

 

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

 

Information regarding legal proceedings is disclosed in Part I, Item 1, Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited), Section 4, and is hereby incorporated into Part II, Item 1 by this reference.

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a)                                  List of Exhibits

 

Exhibit 99:  Certifications by the Chief Executive Office and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter b3 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

 

                (b)           The Partnership filed a Form 8-K on August 9, 2002.

 

ITEMS 2, 3, 4 and 5 are not applicable and have been omitted.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

 

ClearComm, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

SuperTel Communications Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  August 29, 2002

 

By:  /s/ Javier O. Lamoso

 

 

Name: Javier O. Lamoso

 

 

Title: President

 

 

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