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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

OR

o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

Commission File No. 0-29092

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

54-1708481

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1700 Old Meadow Road, Suite 300,
McLean, VA

 

22102

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

(703) 902-2800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

 

Outstanding as of
July 31, 2004

Common Stock $.01 par value

 

89,829,511

 

 




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

Page No.

Part I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations

1

 

 

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets

2

 

 

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

3

 

 

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

4

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

5

 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

27

 

Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK      

47

 

Item 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

48

Part II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

49

 

Item 2.

CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

50

 

Item 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

50

 

Item 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

50

 

Item 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

50

 

Item 6.

EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

50

SIGNATURES

51

EXHIBIT INDEX

52

 




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

NET REVENUE

 

$

331,615

 

$

320,240

 

$

679,638

 

$

620,683

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation included below)

 

199,035

 

196,363

 

408,692

 

386,386

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

95,407

 

89,241

 

189,724

 

166,866

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

23,140

 

21,218

 

46,647

 

41,553

 

Loss on sale of fixed assets

 

1,873

 

804

 

1,873

 

804

 

Asset impairment write-down

 

 

 

 

537

 

Total operating expenses

 

319,455

 

307,626

 

646,936

 

596,146

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

12,160

 

12,614

 

32,702

 

24,537

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

(11,579

)

(14,622

)

(26,658

)

(29,999

)

GAIN (LOSS) ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT

 

297

 

7,981

 

(13,896

)

14,634

 

INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

552

 

(82

)

1,288

 

200

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION GAIN
(LOSS)

 

(14,665

)

14,765

 

(15,797

)

24,818

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

(13,235

)

20,656

 

(22,361

)

34,190

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

(1,651

)

(620

)

(2,580

)

(2,953

)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

(14,886

)

20,036

 

(24,941

)

31,237

 

ACCRETED AND DEEMED DIVIDEND ON CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

 

(1,356

)

 

(1,678

)

INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

 

$

(14,886

)

$

18,680

 

$

(24,941

)

$

29,559

 

INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.17

)

$

0.21

 

$

(0.28

)

$

0.35

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.17

)

$

0.21

 

$

(0.28

)

$

0.34

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

89,611

 

87,774

 

89,190

 

85,332

 

Diluted

 

89,611

 

90,744

 

89,190

 

87,572

 

 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

1




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts)
(unaudited)

 

 

June 30,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

66,349

 

 

$

64,066

 

 

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts receivable of $17,671 and $20,975)

 

176,897

 

 

200,817

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

44,450

 

 

36,930

 

 

Total current assets

 

287,696

 

 

301,813

 

 

RESTRICTED CASH

 

12,012

 

 

12,463

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT—Net

 

314,688

 

 

341,167

 

 

GOODWILL

 

77,160

 

 

59,895

 

 

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS—Net

 

28,973

 

 

22,711

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

17,793

 

 

13,115

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

738,322

 

 

$

751,164

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

96,303

 

 

$

108,615

 

 

Accrued interconnection costs

 

76,203

 

 

89,993

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

70,198

 

 

69,456

 

 

Accrued income taxes

 

21,733

 

 

22,387

 

 

Accrued interest

 

14,376

 

 

12,852

 

 

Current portion of long-term obligations

 

21,347

 

 

24,385

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

300,160

 

 

327,688

 

 

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

 

560,366

 

 

518,066

 

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

 

1,420

 

 

1,776

 

 

Total liabilities

 

861,946

 

 

847,530

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, Series A and B, $0.01 par value—1,895,050 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding; Series C, $0.01 par value—559,950 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value—150,000,000 shares authorized; 89,776,219 and 88,472,546 shares issued and outstanding

 

898

 

 

885

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

658,248

 

 

651,159

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(710,018

)

 

(685,077

)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(72,752

)

 

(63,333

)

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

(123,624

)

 

(96,366

)

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

$

738,322

 

 

$

751,164

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

2




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(24,941

)

$

31,237

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for doubtful accounts receivable

 

7,483

 

12,210

 

Stock issuance—401(k) Plan and Restricted Stock Plan

 

 

258

 

Non-cash compensation expense

 

 

245

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

46,647

 

41,586

 

Loss on sale of fixed assets

 

1,873

 

804

 

Asset impairment write-down

 

 

537

 

Equity investment loss

 

34

 

649

 

(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

13,896

 

(14,634

)

Minority interest share of loss

 

(234

)

(210

)

Unrealized foreign currency transaction (gain) loss on intercompany and foreign debt

 

14,470

 

(26,488

)

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

 

10,178

 

(18,280

)

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets 

 

(6,912

)

7,429

 

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

 

(199

)

891

 

(Increase) decrease in other assets

 

(929

)

534

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

 

(10,705

)

2,094

 

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses, accrued income taxes, other current liabilities and other liabilities

 

(18,384

)

2,688

 

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest

 

1,549

 

(2,396

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

33,826

 

39,154

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(17,455

)

(9,677

)

Cash used for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(26,450

)

(1,129

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(43,905

)

(10,806

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term obligations, net

 

235,240

 

9,125

 

Purchase of the Company’s debt securities

 

(197,312

)

(42,549

)

Principal payments on capital leases, vendor financing and other long-term obligations

 

(19,611

)

(31,503

)

Proceeds from sale of convertible preferred stock, net

 

 

8,895

 

Proceeds from sale of common stock

 

1,029

 

231

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

19,346

 

(55,801

)

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(6,984

)

737

 

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

2,283

 

(26,716

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

64,066

 

92,492

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

 

$

66,349

 

$

65,776

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

24,089

 

$

31,367

 

Cash paid for taxes

 

$

907

 

$

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Leased fiber capacity additions

 

$

3,879

 

$

2,938

 

Common stock issued for business acquisitions

 

$

6,072

 

$

 

Acquisition of customer list, financed by long-term obligations

 

$

 

$

8,102

 

 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

3




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

(14,886

)

$

20,036

 

$

(24,941

)

$

31,237

 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(10,101

)

691

 

(9,419

)

(422

)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

(24,987

)

$

20,727

 

$

(34,360

)

$

30,815

 

 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

4




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated and subsidiaries (“the Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments (all of which are of a normal and recurring nature), which are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, cash flows and comprehensive income (loss) for the interim periods. The results for the six months ended June 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004.

The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s most recently filed Form 10-K.

2.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of ConsolidationThe consolidated condensed financial statements include the Company’s accounts, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and all other subsidiaries over which the Company exerts control. The Company owns 51% of the common stock of Matrix Internet, S.A. (“Matrix”) and 51% of CS Communications Systems GmbH and CS Network GmbH (“Citrus”), in all of which the Company has a controlling interest. Additionally, the Company has a controlling interest in Direct Internet Limited (“DIL”), pursuant to a convertible loan which can be converted at any time into equity of DIL in an amount as agreed upon between the Company and DIL and permitted under local law. The Company uses the equity method of accounting for its investment in Bekkoame Internet, Inc. (“Bekko”). All intercompany profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. All other investments in affiliates are carried at cost, as the Company does not have significant influence.

5




Stock-Based CompensationAt June 30, 2004, the Company had three stock-based employee compensation plans. The Company uses the intrinsic value method to account for those plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations. The following table illustrates the effect on income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and income (loss) per common share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee compensation (in thousands, except per share amounts, and unaudited):

 

 

For the three months ended
June 30,

 

For the six months ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, as reported

 

$

(14,886

)

 

$

18,680

 

 

$

(24,941

)

$

29,559

 

Deduct: Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of income taxes

 

(490

)

 

(753

)

 

(892

)

(1,471

)

Pro forma income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

 

$

(15,376

)

 

$

17,927

 

 

$

(25,833

)

$

28,088

 

Basic income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(0.17

)

 

$

0.21

 

 

$

(0.28

)

$

0.35

 

Pro forma

 

$

(0.17

)

 

$

0.20

 

 

$

(0.29

)

$

0.33

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(0.17

)

 

$

0.21

 

 

$

(0.28

)

$

0.34

 

Pro forma

 

$

(0.17

)

 

$

0.20

 

 

$

(0.29

)

$

0.32

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

89,611

 

 

87,774

 

 

89,190

 

85,332

 

Diluted

 

89,611

 

 

90,744

 

 

89,190

 

87,572

 

 

ReclassificationCertain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) approved Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue 03-6, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under SFAS 128.” EITF Issue 03-6 supersedes the guidance in Topic No. D-95, “Effect of Participating Convertible Securities on the Computation of Basic Earnings per Share,” and requires the use of the two-class method of participating securities. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared or accumulated and participation rights in undistributed earnings. EITF Issue 03-6 is effective for reporting periods beginning after March 31, 2004 and should be applied by restating previously reported earnings per share. As discussed in Note 9—“Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Common Share,” the adoption of EITF Issue 03-6 did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” FIN No. 46 clarifies the application of Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” to certain entities in which the equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to

6




finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN No. 46 applies immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, or in which the Company obtains an interest after that date. With respect to variable interest entities created prior to February 1, 2003, FIN No. 46 was effective March 31, 2004. The adoption of FIN No. 46 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

3.   ACQUISITIONS

In June 2004, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, 3082833 Nova Scotia Company (“Primus Canada”) acquired Onramp Network Services Inc. (“Onramp”), a provider of Internet services and solutions for businesses. Primus Canada acquired 100% of the issued stock of Onramp for a total consideration of $3.9 million (5.3 million Canadian dollars (CAD)), paid in cash.

In April 2004, Primus Canada acquired Magma Communications Ltd. (“Magma”), a provider of Internet solutions to corporate, government and residential customers in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Primus Canada acquired 100% of the issued stock of Magma for a total consideration of $11.2 million (15.1 million CAD), half of which was paid in cash and the balance in 734,018 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $6.1 million.

In February 2004, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia, Primus Telecommunications Pty Ltd (“Primus Telecom”) acquired the Internet service and interactive media businesses of AOL/7 Pty Ltd (“AOL/7”). AOL/7 was a joint venture between America Online Inc. (“AOL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AAPT Limited, a unit of the Telecom New Zealand Group, and Seven Network Limited. Primus Telecom acquired 100% of the issued stock of AOL/7 which provides the Company with the customer base, content, content development and online advertising businesses, as well as a license for the AOL brand in Australia, for a total consideration of approximately $19 million (25.3 million Australian dollars (AUD)), paid in cash.

The Company has accounted for these acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the net assets and results of operations of the acquired companies have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date. The initial purchase price, including direct costs, of the Company’s acquisition was allocated to the net assets acquired, including intangible assets, and liabilities assumed, based on their fair values at the acquisition date. As of June 30, 2004, the allocations have not been finalized in accordance with SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations,” due to the timing of the acquisitions. Had these companies been acquired on January 1, 2004, the results of their operations would not have materially impacted the consolidated financial statements of the Company, and therefore, pro forma financial information has not been presented.

4.   GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Acquired intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands and unaudited):

 

 

June 30, 2004

 

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
 Amortization 

 

Net
Book Value

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
 Amortization 

 

Net
Book Value

 

Customer lists

 

$

176,422

 

 

$

(151,271

)

 

 

$

25,151

 

 

$

166,446

 

 

$

(145,099

)

 

 

$

21,347

 

 

Other

 

5,715

 

 

(1,893

)

 

 

3,822

 

 

2,622

 

 

(1,258

)

 

 

1,364

 

 

Total

 

$

182,137

 

 

$

(153,164

)

 

 

$

28,973

 

 

$

169,068

 

 

$

(146,357

)

 

 

$

22,711

 

 

 

Amortization expense for customer lists and other intangible assets for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 was $5.3 million and $5.1 million, respectively. Amortization expense for customer

7




lists and other intangible assets for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 was $9.8 million and $10.2 million, respectively. The Company expects amortization expense for customer lists and other intangible assets for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 to be approximately $19.7 million, $12.3 million, $4.5 million, $1.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

Acquired intangible assets not subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands and unaudited):

 

 

June 30, 2004
Carrying
Amount

 

December 31, 2003
Carrying
Amount

 

Goodwill

 

 

$

77,160

 

 

 

$

59,895

 

 

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2004 are as follows (in thousands and unaudited):

 

 

North
America

 

Europe

 

Asia-Pacific

 

Total

 

Balance as of January 1, 2004

 

$

50,025

 

$

1,927

 

 

$

7,943

 

 

$

59,895

 

Goodwill acquired during period

 

10,568

 

 

 

8,827

 

 

19,395

 

Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates

 

(641

)

(72

)

 

(1,417

)

 

(2,130

)

Balance as of June 30, 2004

 

$

59,952

 

$

1,855

 

 

$

15,353

 

 

$

77,160

 

 

5.   LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

Long-term obligations consisted of the following (in thousands and unaudited):

 

 

June 30,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

Obligations under capital leases

 

$

2,256

 

 

$

4,040

 

 

Leased fiber capacity

 

37,415

 

 

40,509

 

 

Financing facility and other

 

13,168

 

 

22,626

 

 

Senior notes

 

325,755

 

 

272,157

 

 

Convertible senior notes

 

132,000

 

 

132,000

 

 

Convertible subordinated debentures

 

71,119

 

 

71,119

 

 

Subtotal

 

581,713

 

 

542,451

 

 

Less: Current portion of long-term obligations

 

(21,347

)

 

(24,385

)

 

Total long-term obligations

 

$

560,366

 

 

$

518,066

 

 

 

The indentures governing the senior notes, convertible senior notes and convertible subordinated debentures, as well as other credit arrangements, contain certain financial and other covenants that, among other things, will restrict the Company’s ability to incur further indebtedness and make certain payments, including the payment of dividends and repurchase of subordinated debt held by the Company’s subsidiaries.

Senior Notes, Convertible Senior Notes and Convertible Subordinated Debentures

In January 2004, Primus Telecommunications Holding, Inc. (PTHI), a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, completed the sale of $240 million in aggregate principal amount of 8% senior notes due 2014 (“2004 Senior Notes”) with semi-annual interest payments due on January 15th and July 15th, with the first payment due on July 15, 2004, with early redemption at a premium to par at PTHI’s option at any time

8




after January 15, 2009. The Company recorded $7.0 million in costs associated with the issuance of the 2004 Senior Notes, which have been recorded as deferred financing costs in other assets. The effective interest rate at June 30, 2004 was 8.4%. During specified periods, PTHI may redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings of the Company. During the three months ended June 30, 2004, the Company retired $5.0 million principal amount of the notes for $4.6 million in cash through open market purchases. See the table below for detail on debt repurchases since December 31, 2002.

In September 2003, the Company completed the sale of $132 million in aggregate principal amount of 33¤4% convertible senior notes due 2010 (“2003 Convertible Senior Notes”) with semi-annual interest payments due on March 15th and September 15th, with the first payment due on March 15, 2004. The Company recorded $5.2 million in costs associated with the issuance of the 2003 Convertible Senior Notes, which have been recorded as deferred costs in other assets. The effective interest rate at June 30, 2004 was 4.4%. Holders of these notes may convert their notes into the Company’s common stock at any time prior to maturity at an initial conversion price of $9.3234 per share, which is equivalent to an initial conversion rate of 107.257 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The notes are convertible in the aggregate into 14,157,925 shares of the Company’s common stock.

In February 2000, the Company completed the sale of $250 million in aggregate principal amount of 53¤4% convertible subordinated debentures due 2007 (“2000 Convertible Subordinated Debentures”) with semi-annual interest payments due on February 15th and August 15th. On March 13, 2000, the Company announced that the initial purchasers of the 2000 Convertible Subordinated Debentures had exercised their $50 million over-allotment option granted pursuant to a purchase agreement dated February 17, 2000. The debentures were convertible into approximately 6,025,170 shares of the Company’s common stock based on a conversion price of $49.7913 per share. During the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company reduced the principal balance of the debentures through $36.4 million of open market purchases and $192.5 million of conversions to its common stock. The principal that was converted to common stock was retired upon conversion and in February 2002, the Company retired all of the 2000 Convertible Subordinated Debentures that it had previously purchased in December 2000 and January 2001. The retired principal had been held by the Company as treasury bonds and had been recorded as a reduction of long-term obligations. See Note 11—”Subsequent Events.”

In October 1999, the Company completed the sale of $250 million in aggregate principal amount of 123¤4% senior notes due 2009 (“October 1999 Senior Notes”). The October 1999 Senior Notes are due October 15, 2009, with semi-annual interest payments due on October 15th and April 15th with early redemption at a premium to par at the Company’s option at any time after October 15, 2004. During the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, the Company reduced the principal balance of these senior notes through open market purchases. In June and September 2002, the Company retired all of the October 1999 Senior Notes that it had previously purchased in the principal amount of $134.3 million in aggregate. The retired principal had been held by the Company as treasury bonds and had been recorded as a reduction of long-term obligations. In February and March 2004, the Company retired $24.4 million principal amount of its October 1999 Senior Notes for $27.3 million in cash. In May 2004, the Company retired $0.5 million principal amount of its October 1999 Senior Notes for $0.6 million in cash. See the table below for detail on debt repurchases since December 31, 2002. See Note 11—”Subsequent Events.”

In January 1999, the Company completed the sale of $200 million in aggregate principal amount of 111¤4% senior notes due 2009 (“January 1999 Senior Notes”) with semi-annual interest payments due on January 15th and July 15th. The January 1999 Senior Notes are due January 15, 2009 with early redemption at a premium to par at the Company’s option at any time after January 15, 2004. In June 1999, in connection with the Telegroup acquisition, the Company issued $45.5 million in aggregate principal

9




amount of its 111¤4% senior notes due 2009 pursuant to the January 1999 Senior Notes indenture. During the six months ended June 30, 2003 and the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company reduced the principal balance of these senior notes through open market purchases. In June, November and December 2002 and April 2003, the Company retired all of the January 1999 Senior Notes that it had previously purchased in the principal amount of $135.6 million in aggregate. The retired principal had been held by the Company as treasury bonds and had been recorded as a reduction of long-term obligations. In February 2004, the Company satisfied and discharged the entire remaining principal balance of $109.9 million of its January 1999 Senior Notes. The January 1999 Senior Notes were redeemed at 105.625% of par together with accrued interest to the date of redemption. See the table below for detail on debt repurchases since December 31, 2002.

On May 19, 1998, the Company completed the sale of $150 million in aggregate principal amount of 97¤8% senior notes due 2008 (“1998 Senior Notes”) with semi-annual interest payments due on May 15th and November 15th. The 1998 Senior Notes are due May 15, 2008 with early redemption at a premium to par at the Company’s option any time after May 15, 2003. During the six months ended June 30, 2003 and the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company reduced the principal balance of these senior notes through open market purchases. In June, October and December 2002 and April 2003, the Company retired all of the 1998 Senior Notes that it had previously purchased in the principal amount of $103.4 million in aggregate. The retired principal had been held by the Company as treasury bonds and had been recorded as a reduction of long-term obligations. In February 2004, the Company satisfied and discharged the entire remaining principal balance of $46.6 million of its 1998 Senior Notes. The 1998 Senior Notes were redeemed at 104.938% of par together with accrued interest to the date of redemption. See the table below for detail on debt repurchases since December 31, 2002.

10




The following table shows the changes in the balances of the Company’s senior notes, convertible senior notes and convertible subordinated debentures for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and the year ended December 31, 2003 (unaudited):

For the six months ended June 30, 2004

 

 

Balance at
December 31,
2003 

 

Debt
Issuance 

 

Principal
Purchases 

 

Warrant
Amortization
and Write-off 

 

Balance at
June 30,
2004 

 

Cash Paid
for Purchase
of Principal 

 

2004 8% Senior Notes due 2014

 

$

 

$

240,000,000

 

$

(5,000,000

)

 

$

            —

 

 

$

235,000,000

 

$

4,500,000

 

2003 33¤4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2010

 

132,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

132,000,000

 

 

2000 53¤4% Convertible Debentures due 2007

 

71,119,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

71,119,000

 

 

October 1999 123¤4% Senior Notes due 2009

 

115,680,000

 

 

(24,925,000

)

 

 

 

90,755,000

 

27,852,850

 

January 1999 111¤4% Senior Notes due 2009

 

109,897,000

 

 

(109,897,000

)

 

 

 

 

116,078,706

 

1998 97¤8% Senior Notes due 2008

 

46,580,000

 

 

(46,580,000

)

 

 

 

 

48,880,120

 

Total

 

$

475,276,000

 

$

240,000,000

 

$

(186,402,000

)

 

$

            —

 

 

$

528,874,000

 

$

197,311,676

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003

 

 

Balance at
December 31,
2002

 

Debt
Issuance

 

Principal
Purchases

 

Warrant
Amortization
and Write-off

 

Balance at
December 31,
2003

 

Cash Paid
for Purchase
of Principal

 

2003 33¤4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2010

 

$

 

$

132,000,000

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

132,000,000

 

$

 

2000 53¤4% Convertible Debentures due 2007

 

71,119,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

71,119,000

 

 

October 1999 123¤4% Senior Notes due 2009

 

115,680,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

115,680,000

 

 

January 1999 111¤4% Senior Notes due 2009

 

116,420,000

 

 

(6,523,000

)

 

 

 

109,897,000

 

4,052,414

 

1998 97¤8% Senior Notes due 2008

 

50,220,000

 

 

(3,640,000

)

 

 

 

46,580,000

 

2,261,350

 

1997 113¤4% Senior Notes due 2004

 

86,997,727

 

 

(87,220,000

)

 

222,273

 

 

 

79,805,500

 

Total

 

$

440,436,727

 

$

132,000,000

 

$

(97,383,000

)

 

$

222,273

 

 

$

475,276,000

 

$

86,119,264

 

 

Capital Leases, Leased Fiber Capacity, Equipment Financing and Other Long-Term Obligations

During the three months ended September 30, 2001, the Company accepted delivery of fiber optic capacity on an indefeasible rights of use (“IRU”) basis from Southern Cross Cables Limited (“SCCL”). The Company and SCCL entered into an arrangement financing the capacity purchase. During the three months ended December 31, 2001, the Company renegotiated the payment terms with SCCL. Under the new terms, the payments for each capacity segment will be made over a five-year term ending in April 2008, which added two years to the original three-year term, and continues to bear interest at 6.0% above

11




LIBOR (7.37% at June 30, 2004). The Company further agreed to purchase $12.2 million of additional fiber optic capacity from SCCL under the IRU agreement. The Company has fulfilled the total purchase obligation. At June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the Company had a liability recorded under this agreement in the amount of $19.5 million and $18.6 million, respectively.

In December 2000, the Company entered into a financing arrangement to purchase fiber optic capacity on an IRU basis in Australia for $35.2 million (51.1 million AUD) from Optus Networks Pty. Limited. As of December 31, 2001, the Company had fulfilled the total purchase obligation. The Company signed a promissory note payable over a four-year term ending in April 2005 bearing interest at a rate of 14.31%. During the three months ended June 30, 2003, the Company renegotiated the payment terms extending the payment schedule through March 2007, and lowering the interest rate to 10.2%. At June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the Company had a liability recorded in the amount of $17.9 million (26.0 million AUD) and $21.9 million (29.2 million AUD), respectively.

Other Long-Term Obligations

In May 2004, the Company’s Australian subsidiary terminated a financing agreement, the (“Textron Agreement”), dated March 28, 2002, with Textron Financial Inc. (“Textron”), under which Textron agreed to finance eligible receivables from such subsidiary through March 31, 2005. Under the Textron Agreement, the subsidiary agreed to pay program fees based upon the Bloomberg BBSWIB rate plus 5.75% per annum (10.6% at June 30, 2004), plus an annual commitment fee of $150,000. The finance commitment amount for the Textron Agreement was $20.0 million. The Company had no accounts receivable balances pledged with no liability recorded at June 30, 2004, and $11.3 million pledged as collateral with a liability of $0.3 million, as of December 31, 2003, which is included in current portion of long-term obligations as the financing was payable on demand.

In April 2004, Primus Canada entered into a loan agreement with The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (“Manulife”). The agreement provides for a $31.2 million (42 million CAD) two-year non-revolving term loan credit facility, bearing an interest rate of 7.75%. The agreement allows the proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes and is secured by the assets of Primus Canada’s operations. As of June 30, 2004, the Company has no outstanding liability under this loan agreement.

In September 2002, the Company signed an agreement to acquire the United States-based retail switched voice services customer base of Cable & Wireless (“C&W”). The Company started acquiring the customer base during the three months ended December 31, 2002, which resulted in a customer list balance acquired of $15.4 million, of which a liability of $6.1 million and $7.6 million remained payable at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. The purchase price has been financed through a deferred payment arrangement over a two-year period, ending in December 2004, and bears no interest.

6.   OPERATING SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION

The Company has three reportable operating segments based on management’s organization of the enterprise into geographic areas—North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based upon net revenue and income (loss) from operations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Net revenue by reportable segment is reported on the basis of where services are provided. The Company has no single customer representing greater than 10% of its revenues. Operations and assets of the North America segment include shared corporate functions and assets.

12




Summary information with respect to the Company’s segments is as follows (in thousands and unaudited):

 

 

Three months ended
June 30,

 

Six months ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Net Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

58,709

 

$

68,210

 

$

130,801

 

$

140,812

 

Canada

 

57,981

 

50,946

 

119,711

 

95,164

 

Other

 

833

 

911

 

1,858

 

1,788

 

Total North America

 

117,523

 

120,067

 

252,370

 

237,764

 

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Kingdom

 

60,025

 

31,462

 

110,510

 

66,900

 

Germany

 

11,811

 

15,248

 

24,715

 

28,285

 

Netherlands

 

19,213

 

46,395

 

40,831

 

84,556

 

Other

 

21,829

 

20,551

 

42,870

 

39,444

 

Total Europe

 

112,878

 

113,656

 

218,926

 

219,185

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia

 

95,313

 

81,830

 

196,374

 

154,333

 

Other

 

5,901

 

4,687

 

11,968

 

9,401

 

Total Asia-Pacific

 

101,214

 

86,517

 

208,342

 

163,734

 

Total

 

$

331,615

 

$

320,240

 

$

679,638

 

$

620,683

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

(2,456

)

$

1,244

 

$

(190

)

$

3,890

 

Europe

 

4,986

 

941

 

10,151

 

2,759

 

Asia-Pacific

 

9,630

 

10,429

 

22,741

 

17,888

 

Total

 

$

12,160

 

$

12,614

 

$

32,702

 

$

24,537

 

 

 

 

June 30,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

177,229

 

 

$

190,527

 

 

Canada

 

128,245

 

 

124,789

 

 

Other

 

6,999

 

 

7,671

 

 

Total North America

 

312,473

 

 

322,987

 

 

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Kingdom

 

75,164

 

 

80,243

 

 

Germany

 

21,227

 

 

20,434

 

 

Netherlands

 

11,960

 

 

15,387

 

 

Other

 

58,024

 

 

57,138

 

 

Total Europe

 

166,375

 

 

173,202

 

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia

 

233,329

 

 

229,765

 

 

Other

 

26,145

 

 

25,210

 

 

Total Asia-Pacific

 

259,474

 

 

254,975

 

 

Total

 

$

738,322

 

 

$

751,164

 

 

 

13




The Company offers three main products—Voice, data/Internet, and voice-over-Internet protocol (VOIP) in all three segments. Summary net revenue information with respect to the Company’s products is as follows (in thousands and unaudited):

 

 

Three months ended
June 30,

 

Six months ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Voice

 

$

270,254

 

$

269,407

 

$

558,682

 

$

525,096

 

Data/Internet

 

43,799

 

32,225

 

84,321

 

60,461

 

VOIP

 

17,562

 

18,608

 

36,635

 

35,126

 

Total

 

$

331,615

 

$

320,240

 

$

679,638

 

$

620,683

 

 

7.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Future minimum lease payments under capital leases and leased fiber capacity financing (“vendor financing”), purchase obligations and non-cancelable operating leases as of June 30, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

Year Ending December 31, 

 

 

 

Vendor
 Financing 

 

Purchase
Obligations

 

 Operating 
Leases

 

2004 (as of June 30, 2004)

 

 

$

8,616

 

 

 

$

7,925

 

 

 

$

6,952

 

 

2005

 

 

15,518

 

 

 

24,675

 

 

 

10,086

 

 

2006

 

 

13,999

 

 

 

8,100

 

 

 

7,123

 

 

2007

 

 

4,994

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,671

 

 

2008

 

 

1,755

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,468

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

237

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,286

 

 

Total Minimum Principal & Interest Payments

 

 

45,119

 

 

 

40,700

 

 

 

35,586

 

 

Less: Amount Representing Interest

 

 

(5,448

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

39,671

 

 

 

$

40,700

 

 

 

$

35,586

 

 

 

The Company has contractual obligations to utilize network facilities from certain carriers with terms greater than one year. The Company does not purchase or commit to purchase quantities in excess of normal usage or amounts that cannot be used within the contract term or at rates below or above market value.

Rent expense under operating leases was $5.3 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Rent expense under operating leases was $10.1 million and $8.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and June 30, 2003, respectively.

The purchase price for Telesonic Communications, Inc. (“TCI”), a Canadian prepaid card company, may increase based on additional consideration to be paid, as provided by the terms of the acquisition agreement, if the acquired company’s adjusted revenues exceed certain targeted levels by May 2005.

The Company and certain of its executive officers were named as defendants in two separate securities lawsuits brought by stockholders (“Plaintiffs”) of Tutornet.com, Inc. (“Tutornet”) in the United States District Courts in Virginia and New Jersey. Plaintiffs sued Tutornet and several of its officers (collectively, the “Non-Primus Defendants”) for an undisclosed amount alleging fraud in the sale of Tutornet securities. Plaintiffs also named the Company and several of the Company’s executive officers (the “Primus Defendants”) as co-defendants. No officer of Primus has ever served as an officer or director of Tutornet or acquired any securities of Tutornet. Neither the Company nor any of the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates own, or have ever owned, any securities of Tutornet.

14




In the Virginia case, the Primus Defendants were dismissed before the case went to the jury. The case continued against the Non-Primus Defendants, and the jury rendered a verdict of $176 million in favor of Plaintiffs against the Non-Primus Defendants only. The Non-Primus Defendants filed post-trial motions seeking to reverse or reduce the jury’s award, and Plaintiffs sought a new trial involving the Primus Defendants. On April 2, 2003, the judge denied Plaintiffs’ motion for a new trial and/or to alter and amend the judgment, as well as their motion for directed verdicts involving the Primus Defendants. In May 2003, Plaintiffs filed an appeal in the 4th Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals (4th Circuit) regarding the Primus Defendants’ dismissal. Plaintiffs and the Primus Defendants briefed the 4th Circuit in 2003 and participated in oral arguments in May 2004. On July 16, 2004, the three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit affirmed the district court’s decision. Plaintiffs did not file a petition for rehearing before the three-judge panel or rehearing before all the judges on the 4th Circuit within the required 14-day period, which period expired on July 30, 2004.

The New Jersey case was filed on September 24, 2002 and included claims against the Primus Defendants. The Primus Defendants moved to dismiss, and the case was stayed pending further decision by the court in the Virginia case. After the April 2, 2003 decision in the Virginia case, the parties in the New Jersey case agreed to a dismissal without prejudice of the claims against the Primus Defendants, pending a decision in the appeal by the plaintiffs in the Virginia case. Plaintiffs have been notified of the 4th Circuit’s decision to affirm the district court decision in the Virginia case.

In December 2003, Primus Telecommunication Inc. (“PTI”), the Company’s principal United States operating subsidiary, was served with notice that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was conducting an inquiry regarding 96 alleged telephone calls made on behalf of PTI to residential telephone lines that were either (1) included on the Do-Not-Call Registry or (2) to consumers who directly requested not to receive telemarketing calls from PTI. PTI does not conduct outbound telemarketing to residential customers, but does use third-party telemarketers. PTI has reviewed the circumstances surrounding the subject matter of the inquiry and responded to the original inquiry. PTI also has supplemented its initial response with additional information requested by the FCC. The Do-Not-Call regulations are relatively new and little formal interpretive guidance exists regarding whether the matters identified in the inquiry represent violations of these regulations that are not covered by the “safe harbor” provisions. The FCC’s forfeiture guidelines do not establish a forfeiture amount for violating the Do-Not-Call Registry rules. However, based on the few publicly available cases that form the FCC’s enforcement history regarding Do-Not-Call violations, PTI believes that the maximum penalty would be in the range of $10,000 per violation. The Company has recorded an accrual for the amounts that the Company estimates to be the probable loss. The Company believes that this inquiry will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

On December 9, 1999, Empresa Hondurena de Telecomunicaciones, S.A. (“Plaintiff”), based in Honduras, filed suit in Florida State Court in Broward County against TresCom and one of TresCom’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, St. Thomas and San Juan Telephone Company, alleging that such entities failed to pay amounts due to Plaintiff pursuant to contracts for the exchange of telecommunications traffic during the period from December 1996 through September 1998. The Company acquired TresCom in June 1998, and TresCom is currently the Company’s subsidiary. Plaintiff is seeking approximately $14 million in damages, plus legal fees and costs. The Company filed an answer on January 25, 2000, and discovery has commenced. A trial date has not yet been set. The Company has recorded an accrual for the amounts that management estimates to be the probable loss. The Company’s legal and financial liability with respect to such legal proceeding would not be covered by insurance, and the Company’s ultimate liability, if any, cannot be estimated with certainty at this time. Accordingly, an adverse result for the full amount sought or some significant percentage thereof could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results. The Company intends to defend the case vigorously. The Company believes

15




that this suit will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company is subject to certain other claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities. Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties, and it is possible that some of these matters may be decided unfavorably to the Company. The Company believes that any aggregate liability that may ultimately result from the resolution of these other matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

8.   LOSS ON SALE OF FIXED ASSETS

The Company recorded a loss on sale of fixed assets of $1.9 million and $0.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The loss in 2004 was the result of a sale of network equipment which was decommissioned when it was replaced by newer technology during the three months ended June 30, 2004. The loss in 2003 was also the result of a sale of network equipment.

9.   BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

Basic income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Included in the basic weighted average common shares outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2003 are the effects of the Series C convertible preferred stock (the “Series C Preferred”) outstanding as those shares participated in the distribution of earnings in a manner consistent with common shares. Effective April 1, 2004, the Company adopted EITF Issue 03-6, which requires the Company to use the two-class method. The adoption had no impact on the calculation of basic and diluted income (loss) per common share. The Series C Preferred were issued in December 2002 and March 2003, and converted into common shares in November 2003.

Diluted income per common share adjusts basic income per common share for the effects of potentially dilutive common share equivalents. Potentially dilutive common shares include the dilutive effects of common shares issuable under the Company’s stock option compensation plans computed using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effects of shares issuable upon the conversion of its September 2003 Convertible Senior Notes and 2000 Convertible Subordinated Debentures and the warrants to purchase shares associated with the 1997 Senior Notes computed using the “if-converted” method. The warrants expired on August 1, 2004.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, the following could potentially dilute income per common share in the future but were excluded from the calculation of diluted income per common share due to their antidilutive effects:

·       8.3 million shares issuable under the Company’s stock option compensation plans,

·       14.2 million shares issuable from the September 2003 Convertible Senior Notes,

·       1.4 million shares issuable from the 2000 Convertible Subordinated Debentures, and

·       0.3 million shares from the warrants associated with the 1997 Senior Notes.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, the following could potentially dilute income per common share in the future but were excluded from the calculation of diluted income per common share due to their antidilutive effects:

·       0.3 million shares issuable under the Company’s stock option compensation plans,

·       1.4 million shares issuable from the 2000 Convertible Subordinated Debentures, and

16




·       0.4 million shares from the warrants associated with the 1997 Senior Notes.

A reconciliation of basic income (loss) per common share to diluted income (loss) per common share is below (in thousands, except per share amounts, and unaudited):

 

 

Three months ended
June 30,

 

Six months ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(14,886

)

$

20,036

 

$

(24,941

)

$

31,237

 

Accreted and deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock

 

 

(1,356

)

 

(1,678

)

Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted

 

$

(14,886

)

$

18,680

 

$

(24,941

)

$

29,559

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—
basic

 

89,611

 

87,774

 

89,190

 

85,332

 

In-the-money options exercisable under stock option compensation plans

 

 

2,970

 

 

2,240

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted

 

89,611

 

90,744

 

89,190

 

87,572

 

Income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.17

)

$

0.21

 

$

(0.28

)

$

0.35

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.17

)

$

0.21

 

$

(0.28

)

$

0.34

 

 

10.   GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PTHI’s 2004 Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (“PTGI”) on a senior and secured basis as of June 30, 2004. Accordingly, the following condensed consolidated financial information as of, and for the three-month and six-month periods ended, June 30, 2004 and June 30, 2003 are included for (a) PTGI on a stand-alone basis; (b) PTHI and its subsidiaries; and (c) PTGI on a consolidated basis.

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method for purposes of the consolidating presentation. The principal elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries, intercompany balances and intercompany transactions.

17




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands)
(unaudited

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2004

 

 

 

PTGI

 

PTHI

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

NET REVENUE

 

$

 

$

331,615

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

331,615

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation included below)

 

 

199,035

 

 

 

 

 

199,035

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

1,088

 

94,319

 

 

 

 

 

95,407

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

23,140

 

 

 

 

 

23,140

 

 

Loss on sale of fixed assets

 

 

1,873

 

 

 

 

 

1,873

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

1,088

 

318,367

 

 

 

 

 

319,455

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

 

(1,088

)

13,248

 

 

 

 

 

12,160

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

(5,382

)

(6,197

)

 

 

 

 

(11,579

)

 

GAIN (LOSS) ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT

 

(60

)

357

 

 

 

 

 

297

 

 

INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER INCOME

 

10

 

542

 

 

 

 

 

552

 

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION LOSS

 

(7,089

)

(7,576

)

 

 

 

 

(14,665

)

 

INTERCOMPANY INTEREST

 

1,983

 

(1,983

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY IN NET LOSS OF SUBSIDIARIES

 

(2,966

)

 

 

2,966

 

 

 

 

 

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

(14,592

)

(1,609

)

 

2,966

 

 

 

(13,235

)

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

(294

)

(1,357

)

 

 

 

 

(1,651

)

 

NET LOSS

 

$

(14,886

)

$

(2,966

)

 

$

2,966

 

 

 

$

(14,886

)

 

 

18




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands)
(unaudited

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2003

 

 

 

PTGI

 

PTHI

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

NET REVENUE

 

$

 

$

320,240

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

320,240

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation included below)

 

 

196,363

 

 

 

 

 

196,363

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

1,068

 

88,173

 

 

 

 

 

89,241

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

21,218

 

 

 

 

 

21,218

 

 

Loss on sale of fixed assets

 

 

804

 

 

 

 

 

804

 

 

Asset impairment write-down

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

1,068

 

306,558

 

 

 

 

 

307,626

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

 

(1,068

)

13,682

 

 

 

 

 

12,614

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

(10,686

)

(3,936

)

 

 

 

 

(14,622

)

 

GAIN ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT

 

3,639

 

4,342

 

 

 

 

 

7,981

 

 

INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER INCOME

 

18

 

(100

)

 

 

 

 

(82

)

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION GAIN

 

2,398

 

12,367

 

 

 

 

 

14,765

 

 

INTERCOMPANY INTEREST

 

511

 

(511

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

 

25,313

 

 

 

(25,313

)

 

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

20,125

 

25,844

 

 

(25,313

)

 

 

20,656

 

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

(89

)

(531

)

 

 

 

 

(620

)

 

NET INCOME

 

20,036

 

25,313

 

 

(25,313

)

 

 

20,036

 

 

ACCRETED AND DEEMED DIVIDEND ON CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

(1,356

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,356

)

 

INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

 

$

18,680

 

$

25,313

 

 

$

(25,313

)

 

 

$

18,680

 

 

 

19




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands)
(unaudited

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004

 

 

 

PTGI

 

PTHI

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

NET REVENUE

 

$

 

$

679,638

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

679,638

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation included below)

 

 

408,692

 

 

 

 

 

408,692

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

2,510

 

187,214

 

 

 

 

 

189,724

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

46,647

 

 

 

 

 

46,647

 

 

Loss on sale of fixed assets

 

 

1,873

 

 

 

 

 

1,873

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

2,510

 

644,426

 

 

 

 

 

646,936

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

 

(2,510

)

35,212

 

 

 

 

 

32,702

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

(13,660

)

(12,998

)

 

 

 

 

(26,658

)

 

LOSS ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT

 

(13,758

)

(138

)

 

 

 

 

(13,896

)

 

INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER INCOME

 

157

 

1,131

 

 

 

 

 

1,288

 

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION LOSS

 

(7,480

)

(8,317

)

 

 

 

 

(15,797

)

 

INTERCOMPANY INTEREST

 

3,775

 

(3,775

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

 

9,143

 

 

 

(9,143

)

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

(24,333

)

11,115

 

 

(9,143

)

 

 

(22,361

)

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

(608

)

(1,972

)

 

 

 

 

(2,580

)

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

(24,941

)

$

9,143

 

 

$

(9,143

)

 

 

$

(24,941

)

 

 

20




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands)
(unaudited

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

 

 

 

PTGI

 

PTHI

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

NET REVENUE

 

$

 

$

620,683

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

620,683

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation included below)

 

 

386,386

 

 

 

 

 

386,386

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

1,780

 

165,086

 

 

 

 

 

166,866

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

41,553

 

 

 

 

 

41,553

 

 

Loss on sale of fixed assets

 

 

804

 

 

 

 

 

804

 

 

Asset impairment write-down

 

 

537

 

 

 

 

 

537

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

1,780

 

594,366

 

 

 

 

 

596,146

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

 

(1,780

)

26,317

 

 

 

 

 

24,537

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

(22,468

)

(7,531

)

 

 

 

 

(29,999

)

 

GAIN ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT

 

10,292

 

4,342

 

 

 

 

 

14,634

 

 

INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER INCOME

 

40

 

160

 

 

 

 

 

200

 

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION GAIN

 

4,111

 

20,707

 

 

 

 

 

24,818

 

 

INTERCOMPANY INTEREST

 

1,859

 

(1,859

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

 

39,364

 

 

 

(39,364

)

 

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

31,418

 

42,136

 

 

(39,364

)

 

 

34,190

 

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

(181

)

(2,772

)

 

 

 

 

(2,953

)

 

NET INCOME

 

31,237

 

39,364

 

 

(39,364

)

 

 

31,237

 

 

ACCRETED AND DEEMED DIVIDEND ON CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

(1,678

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,678

)

 

INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

 

$

29,559

 

$

39,364

 

 

$

(39,364

)

 

 

$

29,559

 

 

 

21




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
(in thousands)
(unaudited

 

 

June 30, 2004

 

 

 

PTGI

 

PTHI

 

 Eliminations 

 

 Consolidated 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,101

 

$

65,248

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

66,349

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

176,897

 

 

 

 

 

176,897

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

830

 

43,620

 

 

 

 

 

44,450

 

 

Total current assets

 

1,931

 

285,765

 

 

 

 

 

287,696

 

 

INTERCOMPANY RECEIVABLES

 

703,615

 

 

 

(703,615

)

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

 

(462,004

)

 

 

462,004

 

 

 

 

 

RESTRICTED CASH

 

 

12,012

 

 

 

 

 

12,012

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT—Net

 

 

314,688

 

 

 

 

 

314,688

 

 

GOODWILL

 

 

77,160

 

 

 

 

 

77,160

 

 

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS—Net

 

 

28,973

 

 

 

 

 

28,973

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

6,988

 

10,805

 

 

 

 

 

17,793

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

250,530

 

$

729,403

 

 

$

(241,611

)

 

 

$

738,322

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

71

 

$

96,232

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

96,303

 

 

Accrued interconnection costs

 

 

76,203

 

 

 

 

 

76,203

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

506

 

69,692

 

 

 

 

 

70,198

 

 

Accrued income taxes

 

1,507

 

20,226

 

 

 

 

 

21,733

 

 

Accrued interest

 

5,445

 

8,931

 

 

 

 

 

14,376

 

 

Current portion of long-term obligations

 

 

21,347

 

 

 

 

 

21,347

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

7,529

 

292,631

 

 

 

 

 

300,160

 

 

INTERCOMPANY PAYABLES

 

 

703,615

 

 

(703,615

)

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

 

293,873

 

266,493

 

 

 

 

 

560,366

 

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

 

 

1,420

 

 

 

 

 

1,420

 

 

Total liabilities

 

301,402

 

1,264,159

 

 

(703,615

)

 

 

861,946

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

898

 

 

 

 

 

 

898

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

658,248

 

305,852

 

 

(305,852

)

 

 

658,248

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(710,018

)

(767,856

)

 

767,856

 

 

 

(710,018

)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(72,752

)

 

 

 

 

(72,752

)

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

(50,872

)

(534,756

)

 

462,004

 

 

 

(123,624

)

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

$

250,530

 

$

729,403

 

 

$

(241,611

)

 

 

$

738,322

 

 

 

22




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
(in thousands)
(unaudited

 

 

 

December 31, 2003

 

 

 

PTGI

 

PTHI

 

 Eliminations 

 

 Consolidated 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,786

 

$

62,280

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

64,066

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

200,817

 

 

 

 

 

200,817

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

1,411

 

35,519

 

 

 

 

 

36,930

 

 

Total current assets

 

3,197

 

298,616

 

 

 

 

 

301,813

 

 

INTERCOMPANY RECEIVABLES

 

916,214

 

 

 

 

(916,214

)

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

 

(471,147

)

 

 

471,147

 

 

 

 

 

RESTRICTED CASH

 

 

12,463

 

 

 

 

 

12,463

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT—Net

 

 

341,167

 

 

 

 

 

341,167

 

 

GOODWILL

 

 

59,895

 

 

 

 

 

59,895

 

 

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS—Net

 

 

22,711

 

 

 

 

 

22,711

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

10,033

 

3,082

 

 

 

 

 

13,115

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

458,297

 

$

737,934

 

 

$

(445,067

)

 

 

$

751,164

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,247

 

$

107,368

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

108,615

 

 

Accrued interconnection costs

 

 

89,993

 

 

 

 

 

89,993

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

463

 

68,993

 

 

 

 

 

69,456

 

 

Accrued income taxes

 

1,966

 

20,421

 

 

 

 

 

22,387

 

 

Accrued interest

 

12,363

 

489

 

 

 

 

 

12,852

 

 

Current portion of long-term obligations

 

 

24,385

 

 

 

 

 

24,385

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

16,039

 

311,649

 

 

 

 

 

327,688

 

 

INTERCOMPANY PAYABLES

 

 

916,214

 

 

(916,214

)

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

 

475,291

 

42,775

 

 

 

 

 

518,066

 

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

 

 

1,776

 

 

 

 

 

1,776

 

 

Total liabilities

 

491,330

 

1,272,414

 

 

(916,214

)

 

 

847,530

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

885

 

 

 

 

 

 

885

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

651,159

 

305,852

 

 

(305,852

)

 

 

651,159

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(685,077

)

(776,999

)

 

776,999

 

 

 

(685,077

)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(63,333

)

 

 

 

 

(63,333

)

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

(33,033

)

(534,480

)

 

471,147

 

 

 

(96,366

)

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

$

458,297

 

$

737,934

 

 

$

(445,067

)

 

 

$

751,164

 

 

 

23




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004

 

 

 

PTGI

 

PTHI

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(24,941

)

$

9,143

 

 

$

(9,143

)

 

 

$

(24,941

)

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for doubtful accounts receivable

 

 

7,483

 

 

 

 

 

7,483

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

46,647

 

 

 

 

 

46,647

 

 

Loss on sale of fixed assets

 

 

1,873

 

 

 

 

 

1,873

 

 

Equity in net income of subsidiary

 

(9,143

)

 

 

9,143

 

 

 

 

 

Equity investment loss

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

34

 

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

13,758

 

138

 

 

 

 

 

13,896

 

 

Minority interest share of loss

 

 

(234

)

 

 

 

 

(234

)

 

Unrealized foreign currency transaction loss on intercompany and foreign debt

 

7,256

 

7,214

 

 

 

 

 

14,470

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in accounts receivable

 

 

10,178

 

 

 

 

 

10,178

 

 

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

581

 

(7,493

)

 

 

 

 

(6,912

)

 

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

 

 

(199

)

 

 

 

 

(199

)

 

(Increase) decrease in other assets

 

696

 

(1,625

)

 

 

 

 

(929

)

 

(Increase) decrease in intercompany balance

 

211,400

 

(211,400

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

 

(1,177

)

(9,528

)

 

 

 

 

(10,705

)

 

Decrease in accrued expenses, other current liabilities, accrued income taxes and other liabilities

 

(415

)

(17,969

)

 

 

 

 

(18,384

)

 

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest

 

(6,918

)

8,467

 

 

 

 

 

1,549

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

191,097

 

(157,271

)

 

 

 

 

33,826

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

 

(17,455

)

 

 

 

 

(17,455

)

 

Cash used for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(26,450

)

 

 

 

 

(26,450

)

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(43,905

)

 

 

 

 

(43,905

)

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term obligations, net

 

 

235,240

 

 

 

 

 

235,240

 

 

Purchase of the Company’s debt securities

 

(192,812

)

(4,500

)

 

 

 

 

(197,312

)

 

Principal payments on capital leases, vendor financing and other long-term obligations

 

 

(19,611

)

 

 

 

 

(19,611

)

 

Proceeds from sale of common stock

 

1,029

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,029

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(191,783

)

211,129

 

 

 

 

 

19,346

 

 

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

(6,984

)

 

 

 

 

(6,984

)

 

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(686

)

2,969

 

 

 

 

 

2,283

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

1,786

 

62,280

 

 

 

 

 

64,066

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

 

$

1,100

 

$

65,249

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

66,349

 

 

 

24




PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

 

 

 

PTGI

 

PTHI

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

31,237

 

$

39,364

 

 

$

(39,364

)

 

 

$

31,237

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for doubtful accounts receivable

 

 

12,210

 

 

 

 

 

12,210

 

 

Stock issuance—401(k) Plan and Restricted Stock Plan

 

 

258

 

 

 

 

 

258

 

 

Non-cash compensation expense

 

 

245

 

 

 

 

 

245

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

 

41,586

 

 

 

 

 

41,586

 

 

Loss on sale of fixed assets

 

 

804

 

 

 

 

 

804

 

 

Asset impairment write-down

 

 

537

 

 

 

 

 

537

 

 

Equity in net income of subsidiary

 

(39,364

)

 

 

39,364

 

 

 

 

 

Equity investment loss

 

 

649

 

 

 

 

 

649

 

 

Gain on early extinguishment of debt

 

(10,292

)

(4,342

)

 

 

 

 

(14,634

)

 

Minority interest share of loss

 

 

(210

)

 

 

 

 

(210

)

 

Unrealized foreign currency transaction gain on intercompany and foreign debt

 

(10,867

)

(15,621

)

 

 

 

 

(26,488

)

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in accounts receivable

 

 

(18,280

)

 

 

 

 

(18,280

)

 

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other
current assets

 

(358

)

7,787

 

 

 

 

 

7,429

 

 

Decrease in restricted cash

 

 

891

 

 

 

 

 

891

 

 

Decrease in other assets

 

811

 

(277

)

 

 

 

 

534

 

 

(Increase) decrease in intercompany balance

 

157,978

 

(157,978

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in accounts payable

 

(463

)

2,557

 

 

 

 

 

2,094

 

 

Increase in accrued expenses, other current liabilities, accrued income taxes and other liabilities

 

215

 

2,473

 

 

 

 

 

2,688

 

 

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest

 

(2,508

)

112

 

 

 

 

 

(2,396

)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

126,389

 

(87,235

)

 

 

 

 

39,154

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

 

(9,677

)

 

 

 

 

(9,677

)

 

Cash used for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(1,129

)

 

 

 

 

(1,129

)

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(10,806

)

 

 

 

 

(10,806

)

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term obligations, net

 

 

9,125

 

 

 

 

 

9,125

 

 

Purchase of the Company’s debt securities

 

(42,549

)

 

 

 

 

 

(42,549

)

 

Principal payments on capital leases, vendor financing and other long-term obligations

 

(90,534

)

59,031

 

 

 

 

 

(31,503

)

 

Proceeds from sale of convertible preferred stock, net

 

8,895

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,895

 

 

Proceeds from sale of common stock

 

231

 

 

 

 

 

 

231

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(123,957

)

68,156

 

 

 

 

 

(55,801

)

 

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

737

 

 

 

 

 

737

 

 

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

2,432

 

(29,148

)

 

 

 

 

(26,716

)

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

590

 

91,902

 

 

 

 

 

92,492

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

 

$

3,022

 

$

62,754

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

65,776

 

 

 

 

25




11.   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In July 2004, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Primus Canada, entered into a purchase agreement with 3588599 Canada Inc., dba Sun Telecom Group (the “Seller”), a Canadian telecom provider, to purchase certain of the Seller’s customer contracts, access to a portion of the Seller’s customer base and certain related assets. Under the asset purchase agreement, the purchase price is expected to be approximately $2.0 million (2.6 million CAD), subject to post-closing adjustments, and has been paid in cash.

In August 2004, the Company retired $8.1 million principal amount of its October 1999 Senior Notes for $7.1 million in cash and $4.0 million principal amount of its 2000 Convertible Subordinated Debentures for $3.0 million in cash. These transactions resulted in a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $2.0 million, excluding the write-off of related deferred financing costs.

26




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

Overview

We are a global, facilities-based telecommunications services provider offering an integrated portfolio of international and domestic voice, cellular, Internet, voice-over-Internet protocol (VOIP), data and hosting services to business and residential retail customers and other carriers located primarily in the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe. Our focus is to service the demand for high quality, competitively priced international communications services that is being driven by the globalization of the world’s economies, the worldwide trend toward telecommunications deregulation and the growth of Internet, VOIP, cellular and data traffic.

Generally, we price our services competitively with the major carriers operating in our principal service regions. We expect to continue to generate net revenue from internal growth through sales and marketing efforts focused on customers with significant communications needs (international and domestic voice, cellular, Internet and data), including small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), multinational corporations, residential customers, particularly ethnic customers, and other telecommunications carriers and resellers, as well as from acquisitions.

Having completed our global network infrastructure deployment, our primary operational focus is on building scale in our core markets by adding new services, customers and traffic. The combination of network ownership and increasing scale provides us with the ability to reduce our cost structure, improve service quality and reliability, and introduce new products and services.

Prices in the long distance industry have declined in recent years, and as competition continues to increase in each of the service segments and each of the product lines, we believe that prices are likely to continue to decrease. Additionally, we believe that because deregulatory influences have begun to affect telecommunications markets outside the United States, the deregulatory trend will result in greater competition that could adversely affect our net revenue per minute.

As the portion of traffic transmitted over leased or owned facilities increases, cost of revenue increasingly is comprised of fixed costs. In order to manage such costs, we pursue a flexible approach with respect to the expansion of our network capacity. In most instances, we initially obtain transmission capacity on a variable-cost, per-minute leased basis, then acquire additional capacity on a fixed-cost basis when traffic volume makes such a commitment cost-effective, and ultimately purchase and operate our own facilities when traffic levels justify such investment. We also seek to lower the cost of revenue through:

·       optimizing the cost of traffic by using the least expensive cost routing;

·       negotiating lower variable usage based costs with domestic and foreign service providers and negotiating additional and lower cost foreign carrier agreements with the foreign incumbent carriers and others;

·       continuing to expand the capacity of our network when traffic volumes justify such investment; and

·       increasing use of the public Internet.

We believe the current network meets the near-term needs of our current and prospective customers and that capital expenditures will be in the range of $40 million to $45 million in 2004. We expect capital spending levels to remain consistent over the next few years.

In most countries, we generally realize a higher margin on our international long distance as compared to our domestic long distance services and a higher margin on our services to both business and residential customers compared to those realized on our services to other telecommunications carriers. At the current time, we generally realize a higher margin on long distance services as compared to those

27




realized on local switched and cellular services, many of which are resold. We also generally realize a higher margin on our Internet access, data services, and retail broadband VOIP services as compared to voice services. Carrier services over a fixed line network, which generate a lower margin than retail business and residential services, are an important part of net revenue because the additional traffic volume of such carrier customers improves the utilization of the network and allows us to obtain greater volume discounts from our suppliers than we otherwise would realize. Also, carrier services over IP have higher margins than carrier services over a fixed line network. Overall carrier revenue accounted for 19% and 20% of total revenue for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The provision of carrier services also allows us to connect our network to all major carriers, which enables us to provide global coverage. Our overall margin may fluctuate based on the relative volumes of international versus domestic long distance services, carrier services versus business and residential long distance services, Internet, VOIP and data services versus voice services, the amount of services that are resold and the proportion of traffic carried on our network versus resale of other carriers’ services.

Selling, general and administrative expenses are comprised primarily of salaries and benefits, commissions, occupancy costs, sales and marketing expenses, advertising and administrative costs. All selling, general and administrative expenses are expensed when incurred, with the exception of direct-response advertising, which is expensed in accordance with Statement of Position 93-7, “Reporting on Advertising Costs.” To further our new initiatives, we expect our sales and marketing expenses to increase as a percentage of net revenue to defend our existing customer base against competitive threats.

Our debt reduction and refinancing efforts have resulted in a trend of decreasing interest expense since such efforts began in December 2000. We will continue to reduce debt through regularly scheduled principal payments as well as other available means. We will also continue to seek opportunities to secure more favorable financing terms that will enhance liquidity by either extending the principal payment schedule or reducing interest rates.

Foreign currency can have a major impact on our financial results. Currently in excess of 75% of our net revenue is derived from sales and operations outside the United States. The reporting currency for our consolidated financial statements is the United States dollar (USD). The local currency of each country is the functional currency for each of our respective entities operating in that country. In the future, we expect to continue to derive the majority of our net revenue and incur a significant portion of our operating costs from outside the United States, and therefore changes in exchange rates have had and may continue to have a significant, and potentially adverse, effect on our results of operations. Our primary risk of loss regarding foreign currency exchange rate risk is caused primarily by fluctuations in the following exchange rates: USD/Australian dollar (AUD), USD/Canadian dollar (CAD), USD/Great Britain pound (GBP), and USD/Euro dollar (EUR). Due to the large percentage of our revenue derived outside of the United States, strengthening of the USD relative to one or more of the foregoing currencies, could have an adverse impact on our future results of operations. We have agreements with certain subsidiaries for repayment of a portion of the investments and advances made to these subsidiaries. As we anticipate repayment in the foreseeable future, we recognize the unrealized gains and losses in foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on the consolidated statements of operations. We historically have not engaged in hedging transactions and do not currently contemplate engaging in hedging transactions to mitigate foreign exchange risks. However, the exposure of our income from operations to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is reduced in part because a majority of the costs that we incur in connection with our foreign operations are also denominated in local currencies.

We are exposed to financial statement gains and losses as a result of translating the operating results and financial position of our international subsidiaries. We translate the local currency statements of operations of our foreign subsidiaries into USD using the average exchange rate during the reporting period. Changes in foreign exchange rates affect the reported profits and losses and cash flows and may distort comparisons from year to year. By way of example, when the USD strengthens compared to the

28




EUR, there is a negative effect on the reported results for Europe and takes more profits in EUR to generate the same amount of profits in USD. The opposite is also true. That is, when the USD weakens there is a positive effect on reported results for Europe.

In the three months and six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the three months and six months ended June 30, 2003, the USD was weaker on average as compared to the CAD, AUD, GBP and EUR. The following tables demonstrate the impact of currency fluctuations on our revenue for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands, except percentages):

Net Revenue by Location—in USD

 

 

For the three months
ended

 

 

 

 

 

For the six months
ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,
2004

 

June 30,
2003

 

Variance

 

Variance %

 

June 30,
2004

 

June 30,
2003

 

Variance

 

Variance %

 

Canada

 

57,981

 

50,946

 

7,035

 

 

14

%

 

119,711

 

95,164

 

24,547

 

 

26

%

 

Australia

 

95,313

 

81,830

 

13,483

 

 

16

%

 

196,375

 

154,333

 

42,042

 

 

27

%

 

United Kingdom(1)

 

60,025

 

31,462

 

28,563

 

 

91

%

 

110,510

 

66,900

 

43,610

 

 

65

%

 

Europe(2)

 

49,024

 

76,778

 

(27,754

)

 

(36

)%

 

100,130

 

142,025

 

(41,895

)

 

(29

)%

 

 

Net Revenue by Location—in Local Currencies

 

 

For the three months
ended

 

 

 

 

 

For the six months
ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,
2004

 

June 30,
2003

 

Variance

 

Variance %

 

June 30,
2004

 

June 30,
2003

 

Variance

 

Variance %

 

Canada (in CAD)

 

78,813

 

71,105

 

7,708

 

 

11

%

 

160,165

 

137,857

 

22,308

 

 

16

%

 

 

Australia (in AUD)

 

133,280

 

127,801

 

5,479

 

 

4

%

 

265,424

 

250,113

 

15,311

 

 

6

%

 

 

United Kingdom (in GBP)(1)

 

33,226

 

19,500

 

13,726

 

 

70

%

 

60,723

 

41,650

 

19,073

 

 

46

%

 

 

Europe (in EUR)(2)

 

40,692

 

67,637

 

(26,945

)

 

(40

)%

 

81,611

 

128,440

 

(46,829

)

 

(36

)%

 

 


(1)          Primary reason for increased revenue in United Kingdom and offsetting decrease in Europe is due to transition of a business unit from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom.

(2)          Includes operations with a functional currency of EUR.

Critical Accounting Policies

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 for a detailed discussion of our critical accounting policies. These policies include revenue recognition, determining our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, accounting for cost of revenue and valuation of long-lived assets. No significant changes in our critical accounting policies have occurred since December 31, 2003.

Recent Product Initiatives—Overview

We have selectively targeted opportunities for us to participate in major growth areas for telecommunications—local, cellular and broadband. Our approach in each of these areas has common elements: focus on bundling services to end-user customers with international calling patterns; leverage our existing global voice, data and Internet network; and utilize our established distribution channels and back office systems. The three months ended June 30, 2004 were highlighted by the accelerated implementation of our new strategic initiatives.

We also believe the local services market is a major opportunity for revenue growth for us, as regulatory environments promote more competition. We recently began offering local line service and cellular services in Canada on a resale basis. We plan to bundle these services with our other product

29




offerings of long distance and Internet access, in competition with the incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs). We are currently a local resale service provider in Australia, bundling the product with long distance, dial-up, Internet access and broadband digital subscriber line (DSL) services, and recently introduced a VOIP service over DSL to the business market. The ability to bundle local service for our existing customer base and attract new customers to our existing services presents future growth opportunities for us.

Our cellular initiative will target as potential new customers all cellular users in our existing major markets—Europe, United States, Canada, and Australia along with new areas in Asia—who wish to make international calls using their mobile phones (Virtual Mobile Network Services (VMNS)). Currently, many cellular users are blocked by their service provider from making international calls, and those that can make international calls are charged excessively high rates. Through a combination of reseller service initiatives, including “dial-around” services, prepaid services, special PIN (personal identification number) services, and PRIMUS-branded “intelligent” handsets, we will target the users of cellular carriers and offer substantially reduced international rates. Even with reduced rates, we believe our services would generate substantial margins. From the cellular customer’s perspective, there is no need to change their underlying cellular service provider—what we offer is a value-added service that will provide a customer substantial cost savings on international calls. The current high rates for international calls from cellular phones have artificially suppressed this potentially large market; we intend to make international calling easy and affordable for cellular users.

The target customers for our broadband VOIP products will ultimately be anyone who has a broadband connection anywhere in the world. We have been in the carrier VOIP market now for several years and carried over one billion minutes of international voice traffic in 2003 over the public Internet. We have launched our global VOIP reseller product and introduced retail VOIP products in Canada, Australia, the United States and around the globe. These services are expected to have higher profit potential than fixed line carrier services. We will leverage our already deployed VOIP network connecting approximately 150 countries and supported by state-of-the-art technology.

We anticipate that these three additional product lines—local, cellular and broadband—have the potential to become as large as our existing wireline products and drive future growth in our revenues.

Recent Competitive Developments; Our Integrated Product Response

Our operating results in the second quarter 2004 reflect increased competition from product bundling in virtually all of our markets, together with continued competitive pricing pressures. In addition, wireline long distance usage continued to decline due to increased use of cellular phones and Internet services. Our revenue growth and profitability have been strongly challenged by a changing industry environment throughout the first half of this year. During the first quarter 2004 we experienced pricing pressure on our core long distance and dial-up Internet service provider (ISP) products. In the second quarter, this competitive challenge became more intense when major incumbent carriers in our markets reduced pricing on long distance offerings to encourage customers to subscribe to their bundled local, cellular and broadband services.

Our response to this new competitive reality has been to take immediate steps to accelerate our transformation from being a long distance voice and ISP carrier into an integrated wireline, cellular and broadband services provider. This was a transformation we believe we had to make over time to remain competitive, and it was the basis for our new strategic initiatives in local, cellular and broadband VOIP services. Although the aggregate revenues are still modest in comparison to last year’s $1.3 billion revenue base, revenues from these initiatives more than doubled during the three months ended June 30, 2004 from the three months ended March 31, 2004. Given these early results and the ongoing competitive pressures in the marketplace, we have revised our prior plans for a measured roll-out of our new products and

30




services and will now be accelerating the implementation of these initiatives throughout the second half of the year. These efforts will enhance our bundled service capabilities, and as a result, we expect them to reduce the competitive vulnerability of our core, high margin, retail long distance and ISP businesses. They will also provide us with long-term growth potential in local, cellular and broadband markets where we have previously not been a significant provider.

Results of Operations

The following information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands and unaudited) is provided for informational purposes and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained elsewhere herein and the Consolidated Financial Statements presented with our most recently filed Form 10-K.

 

 

Three months ended June 30, 2004

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Minutes of Use

 

 

 

Revenue

 

%

 

International

 

Domestic

 

Total

 

North America

 

$

117,523

 

35

%

 

550,439

 

 

801,738

 

1,352,177

 

Europe

 

112,878

 

34

%

 

672,893

 

 

195,208

 

868,101

 

Asia-Pacific

 

101,214

 

31

%

 

41,748

 

 

204,597

 

246,345

 

Total

 

$

331,615

 

100

%

 

1,265,080

 

 

1,201,543

 

2,466,623

 

 

 

 

Three months ended June 30, 2003

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Minutes of Use

 

 

 

Revenue

 

%

 

International

 

Domestic

 

Total

 

North America

 

$

120,067

 

38

%

 

465,854

 

 

823,577

 

1,289,431

 

Europe

 

113,656

 

35

%

 

780,704

 

 

247,829

 

1,028,533

 

Asia-Pacific

 

86,517

 

27

%

 

43,300

 

 

206,791

 

250,091

 

Total

 

$

320,240

 

100

%

 

1,289,858

 

 

1,278,197

 

2,568,055

 

 

 

 

Six months ended June 30, 2004

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Minutes of Use

 

 

 

Revenue

 

%

 

International

 

Domestic

 

Total

 

North America

 

$

252,370

 

37

%

 

1,173,880

 

 

1,650,188

 

2,824,068

 

Europe

 

218,926

 

32

%

 

1,266,367

 

 

397,400

 

1,663,767

 

Asia-Pacific

 

208,342

 

31

%

 

84,833

 

 

422,426

 

507,259

 

Total

 

$

679,638

 

100

%

 

2,525,080

 

 

2,470,014

 

4,995,094

 

 

 

 

Six months ended June 30, 2003

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Minutes of Use

 

 

 

Revenue

 

%

 

International

 

Domestic

 

Total

 

North America

 

$

237,764

 

38

%

 

894,620

 

 

1,673,856

 

2,568,476

 

Europe

 

219,185

 

35

%

 

1,475,645

 

 

498,362

 

1,974,007

 

Asia-Pacific

 

163,734

 

27

%

 

91,415

 

 

397,228

 

488,643

 

Total

 

$

620,683

 

100

%

 

2,461,680

 

 

2,569,446

 

5,031,126

 

 

31




The following information reflects net revenue by product line for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively (in thousands, except percentages), and is provided for informational purposes and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and Notes:

 

 

Three months
ended
June 30, 2004

 

Three months
ended
June 30, 2003

 

Voice

 

270,254

 

 

82

%

 

269,407

 

 

84

%

 

Data and Internet

 

43,799

 

 

13

%

 

32,225

 

 

10

%

 

VOIP

 

17,562

 

 

5

%

 

18,608

 

 

6

%

 

Total

 

331,615

 

 

100

%

 

320,240

 

 

100

%

 

 

 

 

Six months
ended
June 30, 2004

 

Six months
ended
June 30, 2003

 

Voice

 

558,682

 

 

82

%

 

525,096

 

 

84

%

 

Data and Internet

 

84,322

 

 

13

%

 

60,461

 

 

10

%

 

VOIP

 

36,634

 

 

5

%

 

35,126

 

 

6

%

 

Total

 

679,638

 

 

100

%

 

620,683

 

 

100

%

 

 

Results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2003

Net revenue increased $11.4 million or 4% to $331.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $320.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003.

North America:   North American net revenue decreased $2.6 million or 2% to $117.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $120.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The decrease is primarily attributed to a decrease of $14.0 million in residential and business voice services in the United States, offset by an increase of $9.3 million in the usage of prepaid calling cards in Canada and the United States, and an increase of $2.8 million in Internet services in Canada. Offsetting the decrease in North America, foreign currency had a positive impact of $1.4 million due to the strengthening of the CAD against the USD when comparing the exchange rates for the three months ended June 30, 2004 to the three months ended June 30, 2003.

 

 

For the three months
ended
June 30, 2004

 

For the three months
ended
June 30, 2003

 

Quarter over Quarter

 

Revenue by Country

 

 

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
North
America

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
North
America

 

Variance

 

Variance %

 

United States

 

 

$

58,709

 

 

 

50

%

 

 

$

68,210

 

 

 

57

%

 

$

(9,501

)

 

(14

)%

 

Canada

 

 

57,981

 

 

 

49

%

 

 

50,946

 

 

 

42

%

 

7,035

 

 

14

%

 

Other

 

 

833

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

911

 

 

 

1

%

 

(78

)

 

(9

)%

 

North America Total

 

 

$

117,523

 

 

 

100

%

 

 

$

120,067

 

 

 

100

%

 

$

(2,544

)

 

(2

)%

 

 

Europe:   European net revenue was relatively stable with a decrease of $0.8 million or 1% to $112.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $113.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. There was an increase of $2.2 million in prepaid VMNS and calling cards, along with an increase of $2.9 million in cellular handsets and services, offset by decreases in carrier business, primarily in Germany, of $4.5 million, and business voice services of $1.4 million. A shift of revenues occurred as part of the prepaid VMNS and calling card business was moved out of the Netherlands’ operation to the United Kingdom’s operation. Offsetting the decrease in Europe, foreign currency had a positive impact of $3.7 million due to

32




the strengthening of the GBP against the USD when comparing exchange rates for the three months ended June 30, 2004 to the three months ended June 30, 2003.

 

 

For the three months
ended
June 30, 2004

 

For the three months
ended
June 30, 2003

 

Quarter over Quarter

 

Revenue by Country

 

 

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
Europe

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
Europe

 

Variance

 

Variance %

 

United Kingdom

 

 

$

60,025

 

 

 

53

%

 

 

$

31,462

 

 

 

28

%

 

$

28,563

 

 

91

%

 

Netherlands

 

 

19,213

 

 

 

17

%

 

 

46,395

 

 

 

41

%

 

(27,182

)

 

(59

)%

 

Germany

 

 

11,811

 

 

 

11

%

 

 

15,248

 

 

 

13

%

 

(3,437

)

 

(23

)%

 

France

 

 

5,982

 

 

 

5

%

 

 

4,983

 

 

 

4

%

 

999

 

 

20

%

 

Other

 

 

15,847

 

 

 

14

%

 

 

15,568

 

 

 

14

%

 

279

 

 

2

%

 

Europe Total

 

 

$

112,878

 

 

 

100

%

 

 

$

113,656

 

 

 

100

%

 

$

(778

)

 

(1

)%

 

 

Asia-Pacific:   Asia-Pacific net revenue increased $14.7 million or 17% to $101.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $86.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase is attributable to an increase of $13.5 million from our Australian operation, which was comprised of an increase in residential revenues of $3.3 million, business revenues of $1.6 million and Internet and hosting revenues of $8.0 million, including the acquisition of AOL/7 Pty Ltd (“AOL/7”) which contributed $5.4 million. Of the increase in Asia-Pacific, foreign currency had a positive impact of $9.6 million due to the strengthening of the AUD against the USD when comparing exchange rates for the three months ended June 30, 2004 to the three months ended June 30, 2003.

 

 

For the three months
ended
June 30, 2004

 

For the three months
ended
June 30, 2003

 

Quarter over Quarter

 

Revenue by Country

 

 

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
Asia-Pacific

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
Asia-Pacific

 

Variance

 

Variance %

 

Australia

 

 

$

95,313

 

 

 

94

%

 

 

$

81,830

 

 

 

95

%

 

$

13,483

 

 

16

%

 

Japan

 

 

3,121

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

2,618

 

 

 

3

%

 

503

 

 

19

%

 

Other

 

 

2,780

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

2,069

 

 

 

2

%

 

711

 

 

34

%

 

Asia-Pacific Total

 

 

$

101,214

 

 

 

100

%

 

 

$

86,517

 

 

 

100

%

 

$

14,697

 

 

17

%

 

 

Cost of revenue increased $2.6 million to $199.0 million, or 60.0% of net revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $196.4 million, or 61.3% of net revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The decrease in cost of revenue as a percentage of net revenue is primarily a result of a change in product mix from decreased low margin carrier revenue to other higher margin revenue products such as prepaid calling cards and Internet services. North American cost of revenue decreased $0.8 million primarily due to a decrease of $5.2 million in costs related to the reduced business and residential voice revenues, offset by an increase of $4.9 million associated with prepaid calling cards in Canada. European cost of revenue decreased by $3.8 million, which is mainly attributable to a decrease in carrier services in Germany. An increase of $7.2 million in cost of revenue in Asia-Pacific is attributable to a $6.5 million increase in Australia, mostly in the residential and business voice traffic, along with increased Internet service costs from the AOL/7 acquisition.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6.2 million to $95.4 million, or 28.8% of net revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $89.2 million, or 27.9% of net revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is attributable to an increase of $3.8 million in salaries and benefits which reflects additional spending for retail VOIP, local and cellular initiatives; $1.3 million in professional fees which includes efforts related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and strategic tax planning; and a $0.8 million increase in general and administrative expenses.

33




Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.9 million to $23.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $21.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase consists of an increase in depreciation expense of $1.8 million, primarily as a result of acquisitions in Australia and Canada.

Loss on sale of fixed assets increased $1.1 million to $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The loss in the three months ended June 30, 2004 was the result of a sale of network equipment which was decommissioned when it was replaced by newer technology during the three months ended June 30, 2004. The loss in 2003 was also the result of a sale of network equipment.

Interest expense decreased $3.0 million to $11.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $14.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The decrease is primarily a result of $9.0 million in interest saved from the reduction of senior debt and other financing arrangements in the past twelve months, partially offset by $6.0 million in interest expense from our debt offerings in September 2003 and January 2004.

Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt was a gain of $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and a gain of $8.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The gain of $0.3 million resulted from our purchase of $5.5 million in principal amount of our senior notes, prior to maturity, for $5.1 million in cash, slightly offset by the write-off of related deferred financing costs. The gain of $8.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2003 consisted of a $4.3 million gain related to the settlement of an outstanding vendor debt obligation in Europe of $14.9 million for approximately $10.6 million in cash, and a $3.6 million gain resulted from our purchase of $10.2 million in principal amount of our senior notes, prior to maturity, for $6.3 million in cash, slightly offset by the write-off of related deferred financing costs.

Foreign currency transaction gain (loss) decreased $29.5 million to a loss of $14.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from a gain of $14.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The decrease is attributable to the impact of period-end foreign currency exchange rate changes on intercompany debt balances and on receivables and payables denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currency.

Income tax expense increased to $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The expense for the three months ended June 30, 2004 consists primarily of $1.4 million of foreign withholding tax on intercompany interest and royalty fees owed to our United States subsidiaries by our Canadian and Australian subsidiaries. For the three months ended June 30, 2003, $0.4 million of the expense consists of foreign withholding tax on intercompany interest owed to our United States subsidiary by our Canadian and Australian subsidiaries, and $0.2 million of income tax recognized by our Canadian subsidiary.

Results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2003

Net revenue increased $58.9 million or 9% to $679.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $620.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

North America:   North American net revenue increased $14.6 million or 6% to $252.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $237.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase is primarily attributed to an increase of $14.0 million in carrier services in the United States. There was an increase in prepaid card revenue of $23.1 million, offset by a decrease in business and residential voice services of $23.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2003. Of the increase in North America, foreign currency had a positive impact of $9.2 million due to the

34




strengthening of the CAD against the USD when comparing the exchange rates for the six months ended June 30, 2004 to the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

 

For the six months
ended
June 30, 2004

 

For the six months
ended
June 30, 2003

 

Year-to-date over
Year-to-date

 

Revenue by Country

 

 

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
North
America

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
North
America

 

Variance

 

Variance %

 

United States

 

 

$

130,801

 

 

 

52

%

 

 

$

140,812

 

 

 

59

%

 

$

(10,011

)

 

(7

)%

 

Canada

 

 

119,711

 

 

 

47

%

 

 

95,164

 

 

 

40

%

 

24,547

 

 

26

%

 

Other

 

 

1,858

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

1,788

 

 

 

1

%

 

70

 

 

4

%

 

North America Total

 

 

$

252,370

 

 

 

100

%

 

 

$

237,764

 

 

 

100

%

 

$

14,606

 

 

6

%

 

 

Europe:   European net revenue was relatively stable with a decrease of $0.3 million to $218.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $219.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. There was an increase of $6.6 million in prepaid VMNS and calling cards, along with an increase of $4.1 million in cellular handsets and services, offset by decreases in the carrier business of $12.1 million. A shift of revenues occurred as part of the prepaid VMNS and calling card business was moved out of the Netherlands’ operation to the United Kingdom’s operation. Of the increase in Europe, foreign currency had a positive impact of $10.2 million due to the strengthening of the GBP against the USD when comparing the exchange rates for the six months ended June 30, 2004 to the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

 

For the six months
ended
June 30, 2004

 

For the six months
ended
June 30, 2003

 

Year-to-date over
Year-to-date

 

Revenue by Country

 

 

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
Europe

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
Europe

 

Variance

 

Variance %

 

United Kingdom

 

 

$

110,510

 

 

 

50

%

 

 

$

66,900

 

 

 

31

%

 

$

43,610

 

 

65

%

 

Netherlands

 

 

40,831

 

 

 

19

%

 

 

84,556

 

 

 

39

%

 

$

(43,725

)

 

(52

)%

 

Germany

 

 

24,715

 

 

 

12

%

 

 

28,285

 

 

 

12

%

 

$

(3,570

)

 

(13

)%

 

France

 

 

11,145

 

 

 

5

%

 

 

9,866

 

 

 

5

%

 

$

1,279

 

 

13

%

 

Other

 

 

31,725

 

 

 

14

%

 

 

29,578

 

 

 

13

%

 

$

2,147

 

 

7

%

 

Europe Total

 

 

$

218,926

 

 

 

100

%

 

 

$

219,185

 

 

 

100

%

 

$

(259

)

 

(0

)%

 

 

Asia-Pacific:   Asia-Pacific net revenue increased $44.6 million or 27% to $208.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $163.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase is attributable to an increase of $42.0 million from our Australian operation, which was comprised of an increase in residential voice services of $15.5 million, business voice services of $7.3 million and Internet business of $14.8 million including the acquisition of AOL/7 which contributed $7.5 million. Of the total increase, $32.4 million is associated with the positive impact of the strengthening AUD against the USD.

 

 

For the six months
ended
June 30, 2004

 

For the six months
ended
June 30, 2003

 

Year-to-date over
Year-to-date

 

Revenue by Country

 

 

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
Asia-Pacific

 

Net Revenue

 

% of
Asia-Pacific

 

Variance

 

Variance %

 

Australia

 

 

$

196,374

 

 

 

94

%

 

 

$

154,333

 

 

 

94

%

 

$

42,041

 

 

27

%

 

Japan

 

 

6,270

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

5,619

 

 

 

4

%

 

651

 

 

12

%

 

Other

 

 

5,698

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

3,782

 

 

 

2

%

 

1,916

 

 

51

%

 

Asia-Pacific Total

 

 

$

208,342

 

 

 

100

%

 

 

$

163,734

 

 

 

100

%

 

$

44,608

 

 

27

%

 

 

Cost of revenue increased $22.3 million to $408.7 million, or 60.1% of net revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $386.4 million, or 62.3% of net revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The decrease in cost of revenue as a percentage of net revenue is primarily a result of a change in product mix from decreased low margin carrier revenue to other higher margin revenue products such as prepaid

35




calling cards and Internet services. With the majority of cost of revenue being variable, based on minutes of use, the increase in cost of revenue is primarily attributable to the increase in traffic which is also reflected in the increase in net revenue. North American cost of revenue increased $8.2 million primarily due to an increase of $12.8 million associated with the increase in carrier services in the United States. This increase is partially offset by the decline in costs related to the revenue decrease in business and residential voice services. European cost of revenue decreased by $9.7 million. This decrease is a result of a shift in revenue mix from lower margin carrier business to higher margin retail business, primarily prepaid VMNS and calling cards, along with a decrease in wholesale revenue in Germany. An increase of $23.8 million in cost of revenue in Asia-Pacific is attributable to a $22.4 million increase in Australia, mostly in the residential and business voice traffic, along with the increase in Internet services costs from AOL/7.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $22.8 million to $189.7 million, or 27.9% of net revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $166.9 million, or 26.9% of net revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is attributable to a $6.1 million increase in sales and marketing expenses primarily as a result of increased commission expense for prepaid VMNS and calling card sales. The increase is further attributed to a $9.9 million increase in salaries and benefits which reflects additional spending for retail VOIP, local and cellular initiatives; $2.9 million in professional fees which includes efforts related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and strategic tax planning; and a $1.9 million increase in general and administrative expenses.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $5.0 million to $46.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $41.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase consists of an increase in depreciation expense of $5.5 million primarily as a result of acquisitions in Australia and Canada slightly offset by a decrease in amortization expense of $0.4 million as several customer lists became fully amortized in 2003.

Interest expense decreased $3.3 million to $26.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $30.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The decrease is a result of $14.5 million in interest saved from the reduction of senior debt and other financing arrangements in the past twelve months, offset by $11.2 million in interest expense from our debt offerings in September 2003 and January 2004, and a $0.9 million early termination penalty for reduction of debt.

Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt was a loss of $13.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, from a gain of $14.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The loss of $13.9 million resulted from our purchase of $186.4 million in principal amount of our senior notes, prior to maturity, for $197.3 in cash, and a $3.0 million write-off of related deferred financing costs. The gain in the six months ended June 30, 2003 consisted of a $10.3 million gain as a result of our purchase of $53.8 million in principal amount of senior notes, prior to maturity, for $42.5 million in cash, slightly offset by the write-off of deferred financing costs, and a $4.3 million gain related to the settlement of an outstanding vendor debt obligation of $14.9 million in Europe for approximately $10.6 million in cash.

Foreign currency transaction gain (loss) decreased $40.6 million to a loss of $15.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from a gain of $24.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The decrease is attributable to the impact of period-end foreign currency exchange rate changes on intercompany debt balances and on receivables and payables denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currency.

36




Income tax expense decreased to $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The expense for the six months ended June 30, 2004 primarily consists of  foreign withholding tax on intercompany interest and royalty fees owed to our United States subsidiaries by our Canadian and Australian subsidiaries. For the six months ended June 30, 2003, the expense primarily consists of $2.0 million of income tax recognized by our Canadian subsidiary and $0.9 million of foreign withholding tax on intercompany interest owed to our United States subsidiaries by our Canadian and Australian subsidiaries.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Changes in Cash Flows

Our principal liquidity requirements arise from cash used in operating activities, purchases of network equipment including switches, related transmission equipment and capacity, interest and principal payments on outstanding debt and other obligations, and acquisitions. We have financed our growth and operations to date through public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities, vendor financing, capital lease financing and other financing arrangements.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $33.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $39.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The overall decrease in operating cash generated was comprised of an increase of $22.3 million in cost of sales, an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $22.8 million, and additional funds used to pay down our current liabilities, including accounts payable and accrued interconnection costs in the amount of $29.1 million to improve our working capital position. The opposite was true in the first six months of 2003 as cash payments on accounts payable and other current liabilities slowed by $4.8 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, cash was also used to build our current asset base by $6.9 million, which increased our inventories and prepaid advertising balance. However, in the six months ended June 30, 2003, current assets decreased as those assets were depleted by $7.4 million. These decreases were offset by an increase in gross revenue of $54.2 million, a decrease in cash paid for interest of $7.3 million, and a decrease in accounts receivable of $10.2 million in the first six months of 2004 as compared to an increase in accounts receivable of $18.3 million in the first six months of 2003.

Net cash used by investing activities was $43.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to $10.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Net cash used by investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2004 included $17.5 million of capital expenditures primarily for our global network and back office support systems, along with cash used for business acquisitions in the amount of $26.4 million—mostly for AOL/7 in Australia and Magma Communications, Ltd. (“Magma”) in Canada. For the six months ended June 30, 2003, net cash used by investing activities consisted of $9.7 million for capital expenditures and the remainder was used for acquisitions.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $19.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to net cash used in financing activities of $55.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. During the six months ended June 30, 2004, cash provided by financing activities consisted of $233.0 million from the issuance of our 2004 Senior Notes and $2.2 million in other financing, offset by $197.3 million used for the purchase or redemption of certain of our debt securities and $19.6 million of principal payments on capital leases, vendor financing and other long-term obligations. During the six months ended June 30, 2003, cash used in financing activities consisted of $42.5 million for the purchase of certain of our debt securities, $31.5 million for principal payments on capital leases, vendor financing and other long-term obligations, partially offset by $8.9 million in proceeds from the sale of convertible preferred stock and $9.1 million in proceeds from the issuance of other long-term obligations.

37




Short- and Long-Term Liquidity Considerations and Risks

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents and internally generated funds from operating activities will be sufficient to fund our debt service requirements and other fixed obligations (such as capital leases, vendor financing and other long-term obligations), capital expenditures, and other cash needs for our operations through at least the next twelve months. Long-term funding may require the issuance of additional debt or equity. Based on historical results and our business forecasts, we believe our plan for short-term and long-term funding expectations are accurate and achievable. We believe the current network meets the near-term needs of our current and prospective customers and that capital expenditures will be in the range of $40 million to $45 million in 2004. We expect these spending levels to remain consistent over the next few years. These capital expenditures are expected to be funded in part through the proceeds of the January 2004 note issuance, and through existing cash and cash equivalents and/or internally generated funds. We will continue to have significant debt and debt service obligations during the next twelve months and on a long-term basis. However, there can be no assurance that changes in assumptions or conditions, including those referenced under “Legal Proceedings” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” will not adversely affect our financial condition or short-term or long-term liquidity position. As of June 30, 2004, we have $40.7 million in future minimum purchase obligations, $35.6 million in future operating lease payments and $581.7 million of indebtedness with payments of principal and interest due as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31,

 

 

 

Vendor
 Financing 

 

Senior
Notes

 

Senior
Convertible
Notes

 

Other
Long Term
Obligations

 

Convertible
Subordinated
Debentures

 

Purchase 
Obligations

 

Operating
Leases

 

Total

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

2004 (as of June 30)

 

 

$

8,616

 

 

$

15,186

 

 

$

2,475

 

 

 

$

8,366

 

 

 

$

2,045

 

 

 

$

7,925

 

 

 

$

6,952

 

 

$

51,565

 

2005

 

 

15,518

 

 

30,371

 

 

4,950

 

 

 

2,037

 

 

 

4,089

 

 

 

24,675

 

 

 

10,086

 

 

91,726

 

2006

 

 

13,999

 

 

30,371

 

 

4,950

 

 

 

2,798

 

 

 

4,089

 

 

 

8,100

 

 

 

7,123

 

 

71,430

 

2007

 

 

4,994

 

 

30,371

 

 

4,950

 

 

 

177

 

 

 

73,164

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,671

 

 

119,327

 

2008

 

 

1,755

 

 

30,371

 

 

4,950

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,468

 

 

40,598

 

Thereafter

 

 

237

 

 

440,727

 

 

141,900

 

 

 

203

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,286

 

 

585,353

 

Minimum Principal & Interest Payments

 

 

45,119

 

 

577,397

 

 

164,175

 

 

 

13,635

 

 

 

83,387

 

 

 

40,700

 

 

 

35,586

 

 

959,999

 

Less: Amount Representing Interest

 

 

(5,448

)

 

(251,642

)

 

(32,175

)

 

 

(467

)

 

 

(12,268

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(302,000

)

Total Principal Payments

 

 

$

39,671

 

 

$

325,755

 

 

$

132,000

 

 

 

$

13,168

 

 

 

$

71,119

 

 

 

$

40,700

 

 

 

$

35,586

 

 

$

657,999

 

 

The purchase price for Telesonic Communications, Inc. (“TCI”), a Canadian prepaid card company, may increase based on additional consideration to be paid, as provided by the terms of the acquisition agreement, if the acquired company’s adjusted revenues exceed certain targeted levels by May 2005.

We have contractual obligations to utilize network facilities from certain carriers with terms greater than one year. We do not purchase or commit to purchase quantities in excess of normal usage or amounts that cannot be used within the contract term. We have minimum annual purchase obligations of $40.7 million remaining in 2004, 2005 and 2006. 

In March 1999, we purchased the common stock of London Telecom Network, Inc. and certain related entities that provide long distance telecommunications services in Canada (the “LTN Companies”). In April 2001, the LTN Companies received a federal notice and, in May 2002, a provincial notice of income tax assessment disputing certain deductions from taxable income made by the LTN Companies, prior to our acquisition, in the aggregate amount of $5.9 million (8.0 million CAD), plus penalties and interest of $11.3 million (15.2 million CAD). As of June 30, 2004, we had paid $1.8 million (2.4 million CAD). On July 26th, 2004, we received written confirmation from the Canada Revenue Agency that their appeals division has agreed with our position and that the LTN assessment will be reversed except for one item that represents less than $0.2 million (0.3 million CAD).

38




Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our off balance sheet arrangements consist primarily of an investment in an unconsolidated affiliate, Bekkoame Internet, Inc. of which we own 37% and account for under the equity method. We have not entered into any transactions with special purpose entities, nor have we engaged in any derivative transactions. We do not guaranty financing obtained by our unconsolidated investment, nor are there any other provisions of our investment agreement with our unconsolidated investment which are unusual or subject us to risks to which we would not be subjected if we had full ownership of the investment. We provide indemnity insurance pursuant to which directors and officers are indemnified or insured against liability or loss under certain circumstances which may include liability or related loss under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Exchange Act of 1934.

From time to time, we maintain an active dialogue with potential debt and equity investors for raising capital for additional liquidity, debt reduction, refinancing of existing indebtedness and for additional working capital and growth opportunities. There can be no assurance we will be successful in these efforts to obtain new capital at acceptable terms. If we are successful in raising additional financing, securities comprising a significant percentage of our diluted capital may be issued in connection with the completion of such transactions. Additionally, if our plans or assumptions change, including those with respect to our debt levels or the development of the network and new products and services and the level of our operations and cash from operating activities, if our assumptions prove inaccurate, if we consummate additional investments or acquisitions, if we experience unexpected costs or competitive pressures or if existing cash and any other borrowings prove to be insufficient, we may need to obtain such financing and/or relief sooner than expected.

In light of the foregoing, we and/or our subsidiaries will evaluate and determine on a continuing basis, depending on market conditions and the outcome of events described herein under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,”  the most efficient use of our capital, including investment in our network and systems, lines of business, potential acquisitions, purchasing, refinancing, exchanging or retiring certain of our outstanding debt securities and other instruments in privately negotiated transactions, open market transactions or by other means directly or indirectly to the extent permitted by our existing covenant restrictions.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) approved Emerging Issue Task Force (“EITF”) Issue 03-6, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 128.” EITF Issue 03-6 supersedes the guidance in Topic No. D-95, “Effect of Participating Convertible Securities on the Computation of Basic Earnings per Share,” and requires the use of the two-class method of participating securities. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared or accumulated and participation rights in undistributed earnings. EITF Issue 03-6 is effective for reporting periods beginning after March 31, 2004 and should be applied by restating previously reported earnings per share. The adoption of EITF Issue 03-6 did not have an effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.”  FIN No. 46 clarifies the application of Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” to certain entities in which the equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN No. 46 applies immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, or in which the Company obtains an interest after that date. With respect to variable interest entities created prior to February 1,

39




2003, FIN No. 46 was effective March 31, 2004. The adoption of  FIN No. 46 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are based on current expectations, and are not strictly historical statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements set forth in this document and elsewhere regarding, among other things:

·        expectations of future growth, revenue, foreign revenue contributions and net income, as well as income from operations, earnings per share, cost reduction efforts, cash flow, working capital, network development, development of Internet, VOIP, cellular and local services, traffic development, capital expenditures, selling, general and administrative expenses, goodwill impairment charges, service introductions and cash requirements;

·        increased competitive pressures and response to accelerated new product initiatives and bundled service offerings;

·        financing, refinancing and/or debt repurchase, restructuring or exchange plans or initiatives;

·        liquidity and debt service forecasts;

·        assumptions regarding currency exchange rates;

·        management’s plans, goals, expectations, guidance, objectives, strategies, and timing for future operations, acquisitions, product plans and performance;

·        the impact of matters described under “BusinessLegal Proceedings;” and

·        management’s assessment of market factors.

Factors and risks, including certain of those described in greater detail herein, that could cause actual results or circumstances to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in forward-looking statements include, without limitation:

·        changes in business conditions;

·        accelerated competitive and pricing pressures in the markets in which we operate;

·        fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies, particularly any strengthening of the USD relative to foreign currencies of the countries where we conduct our foreign operations;

·        adverse interest rate developments;

·        difficulty in maintaining or increasing customer revenues through our new product initiatives and bundled service offerings;

·        fluctuations in prevailing trade credit terms or revenues due to the adverse impact of, among other things, further telecommunications carrier bankruptcies or adverse bankruptcy related developments affecting our large carrier customers;

·        the possible inability to raise additional capital when needed, or at all;

·        the inability to reduce, repurchase, exchange or restructure debt significantly, or in amounts sufficient to conduct regular ongoing operations;

40




·        further changes in the telecommunications or Internet industry, including rapid technological changes, regulatory changes in our principal markets and the degree of competitive pressure that we may face;

·        adverse tax rulings from applicable taxing authorities;

·        DSL, Internet, cellular and telecommunications competition;

·        changes in financial, capital market and economic conditions;

·        changes in service offerings or business strategies;

·        difficulty in migrating or retaining customers associated with recent acquisitions of customer bases, or integrating other assets;

·        difficulty in providing local, VOIP or cellular services;

·        changes in the regulatory schemes or requirements and regulatory enforcement in the markets in which we operate;

·        restrictions on our ability to follow certain strategies or complete certain transactions as a result of our inexperience with new product initiatives, our capital structure or debt covenants;

·        risks associated with our limited DSL, Internet, VOIP, Web hosting and cellular experience and expertise;

·        entry into developing markets;

·        the possible inability to hire and/or retain qualified sales, technical and other personnel, and to manage growth;

·        risks associated with international operations;

·        dependence on effective information systems;

·        dependence on third parties to enable us to expand and manage our global network and operations and to offer local and cellular services;

·        dependence on the implementation and performance of our global ATM+IP communications network;

·        adverse outcomes of outstanding litigation matters;

·        adverse FCC rulings or fines affecting our operations;

·        the potential elimination or limitation of a substantial amount or all of our United States or foreign operating loss carryforwards due to significant issuances of equity securities, changes in ownership or other circumstances, which carryforwards would otherwise be available to reduce future taxable income; and

·        the outbreak or escalation of hostilities or terrorist acts and adverse geopolitical developments.

As such, actual results or circumstances may vary materially from such forward-looking statements or expectations. Readers are also cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date these statements were made. We are not necessarily obligated to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Factors, which could cause results to differ from expectations, include risks described in greater detail below associated with:

41




Liquidity Restrictions; Possible Inability to Obtain Necessary Financing.   We believe that our existing cash and internally generated funds will be sufficient to fund our operations, debt service requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other cash needs for our operations at least through the next twelve months. However, there are substantial risks, uncertainties and changes that could cause actual results to differ from our current belief. See for instance information under “Liquidity and Capital Resources–Short- and Long-Term Liquidity Considerations and Risks” and in this “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”  If adverse events referenced therein were to occur, we may not be able to service our debt or other obligations and could, among other things, be required to seek protection under the bankruptcy laws of the United States or other similar laws in other countries.

Substantial Indebtedness; Liquidity.   We currently have substantial indebtedness and anticipate that we and our subsidiaries will incur additional indebtedness in the future. The level of our indebtedness (1) could make it difficult for us to make required payments of principal and interest on our outstanding debt, including the notes; (2) could limit our ability to obtain any necessary financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements or other purposes; (3) requires that a substantial portion of our cash flow, if any, be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on outstanding indebtedness and other obligations and, accordingly, such cash flow will not be available for use in our business; (4) could limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business; (5) results in our being more highly leveraged than many of our competitors, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage; and (6) will make us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in our business.

Limited Experience in Delivering New Product Initiatives and in Providing Bundled Local, Internet, Data and VOIP Services.   During 2004, we accelerated initiatives to provide cellular, broadband and local wireline services in certain markets where we operate. During the second quarter of 2004 we accelerated initiatives to become an integrated wireline, cellular and broadband service provider in order to counter competitive pricing pressures initiated by large incumbent providers in certain of the principal markets where we operate and to stem the migration of certain of our wireline and ISP customers to our competitors’ bundled cellular, wireline and broadband service offerings. Our experience in providing these new products in certain markets and in providing these bundled service offerings is limited. Our primary competitors include incumbent telecommunications providers, cable companies and other ISPs that have a significant national or international presence. Many of these operators have substantially greater resources, capital and operational experience than we do. We also expect that we will experience increased competition from traditional telecommunications carriers and cable companies that expand into the market for broadband and Internet services. Therefore, future operations involving these individual or bundled services may not succeed in this new competitive environment, we may not be able to expand successfully and we may experience margin pressure. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will maintain or increase revenues or that we will be able to generate income from operations or net income in the future or on any predictable basis.

Pricing Pressure.   The long distance telecommunications, Internet, data and cellular industry is significantly influenced by the marketing and pricing decisions of the larger long distance industry, Internet access and cellular business participants. Prices in the long distance industry have declined in recent years, and as competition continues to increase within each of our service segments and each of our product lines, we believe that prices are likely to continue to decrease. Our competitors in our core markets include, among others: AT&T, MCI, Sprint, the RBOCs and the major cellular carriers in the United States; Telstra, SingTel Optus and Telecom New Zealand in Australia; Telus, BCE, CallNet, Allstream (formerly AT&T Canada) and the major cellular companies in Canada; and BT, Cable & Wireless United Kingdom, MCI, Colt Telecom, Energis and the major cellular carriers in the United Kingdom. Customers frequently change long distance providers and ISPs in response to the offering of lower rates or promotional incentives by competitors. Generally, customers can switch carriers at any time. Competition in all of our markets is likely to remain intense, or even increase in intensity and, as

42




deregulatory influences are experienced in markets outside the United States, competition in non-United States markets is likely to become similar to the intense competition in the United States. Many of our competitors are significantly larger than we are and have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources, larger networks, a broader portfolio of service offerings, greater control over transmission lines, stronger name recognition and customer loyalty, long-standing relationships with our target customers, and lower leverage ratios. As a result, our ability to attract and retain customers may be adversely affected. Many of our competitors enjoy economies of scale that result in low cost structures for transmission and related costs that could cause significant pricing pressures within the industry. Several long distance carriers in the United States, Canada and Australia and the major cellular carriers and cable companies, have introduced pricing and product bundling strategies that provide for fixed, low rates for calls. This strategy could have a material adverse effect on our net revenue per minute, results of operations and financial condition if increases in telecommunications usage and potential cost declines do not result from, or are insufficient to offset the effects of, such price decreases. Many companies emerging out of bankruptcy might benefit from a lower cost structure and might apply pricing pressure within the industry to gain market share. We compete on the basis of price, particularly with respect to our sales to other carriers, and also on the basis of customer service and our ability to provide a variety of telecommunications products and services. If such price pressures and bundling strategies intensify, we may not be able to compete successfully in the future.

Managing Growth.   Our continued growth and expansion may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources, and increase demand on our systems and controls. To manage our growth effectively, we must continue to implement and improve our operational and financial systems and controls, purchase and utilize other transmission facilities, and expand, train and manage our employee base. If we inaccurately forecast the movement of traffic onto our network, we could have insufficient or excessive transmission facilities and disproportionate fixed expenses. As we proceed with our development, operational difficulties could arise from additional demand placed on customer support, billing and management information systems, on our support, sales and marketing and administrative resources and on our network infrastructure. For instance, we may encounter delays or cost-overruns or suffer other adverse consequences in implementing new systems when required. In addition, our operating and financial control systems and infrastructure could be inadequate to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.

Historical and Future Operating Losses and Net Losses.   As of June 30, 2004, we had an accumulated deficit of $(710.0) million. The Company incurred net losses of $(63.6) million in 1998, $(112.7) million in 1999, $(174.7) million in 2000, $(306.2) million in 2001 and $(34.6) million in 2002. During the year ended December 31, 2003, we recognized net income of $54.8 million, of which $39.4 million is the positive impact of foreign currency transaction gains. Our net income and net revenue growth should not necessarily be considered to be indicative of future net income and net revenue growth. We cannot assure you that our net income or net revenue will grow or be sustained in future periods. If we cannot sustain net income or operating profitability, we may not be able to meet our debt service or working capital requirements.

Integration of Acquired Businesses.   We strive to increase the volume of voice and data traffic that we carry over our existing global network in order to reduce transmission costs and other operating costs as a percentage of net revenue, improve margins, improve service quality and enhance our ability to introduce new products and services. Future acquisitions may be pursued to further our strategic objectives, including those described above. Acquisitions of businesses and customer lists, a key element of our historical growth strategy, involve operational risks, including the possibility that an acquisition does not ultimately provide the benefits originally anticipated by management. Moreover, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in identifying attractive acquisition candidates, completing and financing additional acquisitions on favorable terms, or integrating the acquired business or assets into our own.

43




There may be difficulty in integrating the service offerings, distribution channels and networks gained through acquisitions with our own. Successful integration of operations and technologies requires the dedication of management and other personnel, which may distract their attention from the day-to-day business, the development or acquisition of new technologies, and the pursuit of other business acquisition opportunities, and there can be no assurance that successful integration will occur in light of these factors.

Intense Competition in Telecommunications.   The local and long distance telecommunications, data, broadband and cellular industry is intensely competitive with relatively limited barriers to entry in the more deregulated countries we operate and with numerous entities competing for the same customers. Recent and pending deregulation in various countries may encourage new entrants to compete, including ISPs, cellular companies, cable television companies and utilities. For example, the United States and many other countries have committed to open their telecommunications markets to competition pursuant to an agreement under the World Trade Organization which began on January 1, 1998. Further, in the United States, as certain conditions have been met under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs) have been allowed to enter the long distance market, AT&T, MCI and other long distance carriers have been allowed to enter the local telephone services market, and any entities, including cable television companies and utilities, have been allowed to enter both the local service and long distance telecommunications markets. Moreover, the rapid enhancement of VOIP technology may result in increasing levels of traditional domestic and international voice long distance traffic being transmitted over the Internet, as opposed to traditional telecommunication networks such as ours. Currently, there are significant cost savings associated with carrying voice traffic employing VOIP technology, as compared to carrying calls over traditional networks. Thus, there exists the possibility that the price of traditional long distance voice services will decrease in order to be competitive with VOIP. Additionally, competition is expected to be intense to switch customers to VOIP product offerings, as is evidenced by numerous recent market announcements in the United States and internationally from industry leaders and competitive carriers concerning significant VOIP initiatives. Our ability effectively to retain our existing customer base and generate new customers, either through our network or our own VOIP offerings, may be adversely affected by accelerated competition arising as a result of VOIP initiatives. As competition intensifies as a result of deregulatory, market or technological developments, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Dependence on Transmission Facilities-Based Carriers.   We primarily connect our customers’ telephone calls through transmission lines that we lease under a variety of arrangements with other facilities-based long distance carriers. Many of these carriers are, or may become, our competitors. Our ability to maintain and expand our business depends on our ability to maintain favorable relationships with the facilities-based carriers from which we lease transmission lines. If our relationship with one or more of these carriers were to deteriorate or terminate, it could have a material adverse effect upon our cost structure, service quality, network diversity, results of operations and financial condition.

International Operations.   We have significant international operations and, as of June 30, 2004, derive more than 75% of our revenues by providing services outside of the United States. In international markets, we are smaller than the principal or incumbent telecommunications carrier that operates in each of the foreign jurisdictions where we operate. In these markets, incumbent carriers are likely to control access to, and pricing of, the local networks; enjoy better brand recognition and brand and customer loyalty; and have significant operational economies of scale, including a larger backbone network and more correspondent agreements. Moreover, the incumbent carrier may take many months to allow competitors, including us, to interconnect to its switches within its territory. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain the permits and operating licenses required for us to operate; obtain access to local transmission facilities on economically acceptable terms; or market services in international markets. In addition, operating in international markets generally involves additional risks, including unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs, customs, duties and other trade barriers, difficulties in staffing

44




and managing foreign operations, problems in collecting accounts receivable, political risks, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, restrictions associated with the repatriation of funds, technology export and import restrictions, and seasonal reductions in business activity. Our ability to operate and grow our international operations successfully could be adversely impacted by these risks and uncertainties particularly in light of the fact that we derive such a large percentage of our revenues from outside of the United States.

Foreign Exchange Risks.   A significant portion of our net revenue is derived from sales and operations outside the United States. The reporting currency for our consolidated financial statements is the USD. The local currency of each country is the functional currency for each of our respective entities operating in that country. In the future, we expect to continue to derive a significant portion of our net revenue and incur a significant portion of our operating costs outside the United States, and changes in exchange rates have had and may continue to have a significant, and potentially adverse, effect on our results of operations. Our primary risk of loss regarding foreign currency exchange rate risk is caused by fluctuations in the following exchange rates: USD/AUD, USD/CAD, USD/GBP, and USD/EUR. For the year ended December 31, 2003, our results were favorably impacted by a weakening of the USD compared to the foregoing currencies. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsQuantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.” Due to the large percentage of our operations conducted outside of the United States, strengthening of the USD relative to one or more of the foregoing currencies could have an adverse impact on future results of operations. We historically have not engaged in hedging transactions and do not currently contemplate engaging in hedging transactions to mitigate foreign exchange risks. In addition, the operations of affiliates and subsidiaries in foreign countries have been funded with investments and other advances denominated in foreign currencies. Historically, such investments and advances have been long-term in nature, and we accounted for any adjustments resulting from currency translation as a charge or credit to “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within the stockholders’ deficit section of our consolidated balance sheets. In 2002, agreements with certain subsidiaries were put in place for repayment of a portion of the investments and advances made to the subsidiaries. As we anticipate repayment in the foreseeable future of these amounts, we recognize the unrealized gains and losses in foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on the consolidated statements of operations, and depending upon changes in future currency rates, such gains or losses could have a significant, and potentially adverse, effect on our results of operations.

Industry Changes.   The telecommunications industry is changing rapidly due to deregulation, privatization, technological improvements, availability of alternative services such as cellular and VOIP, and the globalization of the world’s economies. In addition, alternative services to traditional fixed wireline services, such as cellular and VOIP services, are a substantial competitive threat. If we do not adjust our contemplated plan of development to meet changing market conditions, we may not be able to compete effectively. The telecommunications industry is marked by the introduction of new product and service offerings and technological improvements. Achieving successful financial results will depend on our ability to anticipate, assess and adapt to rapid technological changes, and offer, on a timely and cost-effective basis, services that meet evolving industry standards. If we do not anticipate, assess or adapt to such technological changes at a competitive price, maintain competitive services or obtain new technologies on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms, our financial results may be materially and adversely affected.

Network Development; Migration of Traffic.   Our long-term success depends on our ability to design, implement, operate, manage and maintain a reliable and cost-effective network. In addition, we rely on third parties to enable us to expand and manage our global network and to provide local and cellular services. If we fail to generate additional traffic on our network, if we experience technical or logistical impediments to our ability to migrate traffic onto our network, or if we experience difficulties with our third-party providers, we may not achieve desired economies of scale or otherwise be successful in growing our business.

45




Dependence on Key Personnel.   The loss of the services of K. Paul Singh, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, or the services of our other key personnel, or our inability to attract and retain additional key management, technical and sales personnel, could have a material adverse effect upon us.

Government Regulation.   Our operations are subject to constantly changing regulation. There can be no assurance that future regulatory changes will not have a material adverse effect on us, or that regulators or third parties will not raise material issues with regard to our compliance or noncompliance with applicable regulations, any of which could have a material adverse effect upon us. As a multinational telecommunications company, we are subject to varying degrees of regulation in each of the jurisdictions in which we provide our services. Local laws and regulations, and the interpretation of such laws and regulations, differ significantly among the jurisdictions in which we operate. Enforcement and interpretations of these laws and regulations can be unpredictable and are often subject to the informal views of government officials. Recent widespread regulatory changes in the United Kingdom and potential future regulatory, judicial, legislative and government policy changes in other jurisdictions where we operate could have a material adverse effect on us. Domestic or international regulators or third parties may raise material issues with regard to our compliance or noncompliance with applicable regulations, and therefore may have a material adverse impact on our competitive position, growth and financial performance. Regulatory considerations that affect or limit our business include (1) United States common carrier requirements not to discriminate unreasonably among customers and to charge just and reasonable rates; (2) general uncertainty regarding the future regulatory classification of and taxation of VOIP telephony; if regulators decide that VOIP is a regulated telecommunications service, our VOIP services may be subject to burdensome regulatory requirements and fees, we may be obligated to pay carriers additional interconnection fees and operating costs may increase; (3) general changes in access charges, universal service and regulatory fee payments would affect our cost of providing long distance services; and (4) general changes in access charges and contribution payments could adversely affect our cost of providing long distance, cellular and other services. Any adverse developments implicating the foregoing could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, result of operations and prospects.

Natural Disasters.   Many of the geographic areas where we conduct our business may be affected by natural disasters, including hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricanes, tropical storms and other natural disasters could have a material adverse effect on the business by damaging the network facilities or curtailing voice or data traffic as a result of the effects of such events, such as destruction of homes and businesses.

Terrorist Attacks.   We are a United States-based corporation with significant international operations. Terrorist attacks, such as the attacks that occurred in New York and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001, and subsequent worldwide terrorist actions, including apparent action against companies operating abroad, may negatively affect our operations. We cannot assure you that there will not be further terrorist attacks that impact our employees, network facilities or support systems, either in the United States or in any of the other countries in which we operate. Certain losses resulting from these types of events are uninsurable and others are not likely to be covered by our insurance. Terrorist attacks may directly impact our business operations through damage or harm to our employees, network facilities or support systems, increased security costs or the general curtailment of voice or data traffic. Any of these events could result in increased volatility in or damage to our business and the United States and worldwide financial markets and economies.

ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our primary market risk exposures relate to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and to changes in interest rates.

46




Foreign currencyA significant portion of net revenue is derived from sales and operations outside the United States. The reporting currency for our consolidated financial statements is the USD. The local currency of each country is the functional currency for each respective entity. In the future we expect to continue to derive a significant portion of our net revenue and incur a significant portion of our operating costs outside the United States, and changes in exchange rates have had and may continue to have a significant, and potentially adverse effect on our results of operations. Our primary risk of loss regarding foreign currency exchange rate risk is caused primarily by fluctuations in the following exchange rates: USD/AUD, USD/CAD, USD/GBP, and USD/EUR. Due to the large percentage of our revenues derived outside of the United States, strengthening of the USD relative to one or more of the foregoing currencies, could have an adverse impact on our future results of operations. In addition, the operations of affiliates and subsidiaries in foreign countries have been funded with investments and other advances. Prior to 2002, such investments and advances have been long-term in nature, and we accounted for any adjustments resulting from translation as a charge or credit to “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within the stockholders’ deficit section of the consolidated balance sheets. In 2002, agreements with certain subsidiaries were put in place for repayment of a portion of the investments and advances made to the subsidiaries. As we are anticipating repayment in the foreseeable future of these amounts, we recognize the unrealized gains and losses in foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on the consolidated statements of operations.

We are exposed to financial statement gains and losses as a result of translating the operating results and financial position of our international subsidiaries. We translate the local currency statements of operations of our foreign subsidiaries into USD using the average exchange rate during the reporting period. Changes in foreign exchange rates affect our reported profits and losses and cash flows and may distort comparisons from year to year. By way of example, when the USD strengthens compared to the EUR, there is a negative effect on our reported results for Europe. It takes more profits in EUR to generate the same amount of profits in stronger USD. The opposite is also true. That is, when the USD weakens there is a positive effect on our reported results for Europe.

In the six months ended June 30, 2004, the USD weakened compared to the AUD, CAD, GBP and EUR. As a result, our revenue of the subsidiaries whose local currency is the AUD, CAD, GBP and EUR increased (decreased) 6%, 16%, 46% and (36)% in local currency compared to the six months ended June 30, 2003, but increased (decreased) 27%, 26%, 65% and (29)% in USD, respectively.

47




Interest ratesA substantial majority of our long-term debt obligations are at fixed interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate risk as additional financing may be required and certain of our long-term obligations are at variable interest rates. Our primary exposure to market risk stems from fluctuations in interest rates. Our interest rate risk related to the variable interest rate long-term obligations results from changes in the United States LIBOR. We do not currently anticipate entering into interest rate swaps and/or similar instruments.

The interest rate sensitivity table below summarizes our market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates as of June 30, 2004 in USD, which is our reporting currency. The table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by year of expected maturity for our senior notes, convertible senior notes, convertible subordinated debentures, leased fiber capacity, equipment financing, and other long-term obligations in effect at June 30, 2004. In the case of the senior notes and Convertible Subordinated Debentures, the table excludes the potential exercise of the relevant redemption and conversion features.

 

 

Year of Maturity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

Interest Rate Sensitivity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Rate

 

$

12,330

 

$

9,136

 

$

9,710

 

$

73,099

 

$

45

 

$

457,935

 

$

562,255

 

$

529,685

 

Average Interest Rate

 

3%

 

8%

 

7%

 

6%

 

2%

 

8%

 

6%

 

 

 

Variable Rate

 

$

2,829

 

$

5,950

 

$

5,866

 

$

2,905

 

$

1,674

 

$

234

 

$

19,458

 

$

19,458

 

Average Interest Rate

 

7%

 

7%

 

7%

 

7%

 

7%

 

7%

 

7%

 

 

 

 

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Disclosure controls and procedures mean our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls over financial reporting, that occurred during the period covered by this report, nor subsequent to the date we carried out our evaluation, that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

48




PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We and certain of our executive officers were named as defendants in two separate securities lawsuits brought by stockholders (“Plaintiffs”) of Tutornet.com, Inc. (“Tutornet”) in the United States District Courts in Virginia and New Jersey. Plaintiffs sued Tutornet and several of its officers (collectively, the “Non-Primus Defendants”) for an undisclosed amount alleging fraud in the sale of Tutornet securities. Plaintiffs also named us and several of our executive officers (the “Primus Defendants”) as co-defendants. No officer of Primus has ever served as an officer or director of Tutornet or acquired any securities of Tutornet. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries or affiliates own, or have ever owned, any securities of Tutornet.

In the Virginia case, the Primus Defendants were dismissed before the case went to the jury. The case continued against the Non-Primus Defendants, and the jury rendered a verdict of $176 million in favor of Plaintiffs against the Non-Primus Defendants only. The Non-Primus Defendants filed post-trial motions seeking to reverse or reduce the jury’s award, and Plaintiffs sought a new trial involving the Primus Defendants. On April 2, 2003, the judge denied Plaintiffs’ motion for a new trial and/or to alter and amend the judgment, as well as their motion for directed verdicts involving the Primus Defendants. In May 2003, Plaintiffs filed an appeal in the 4th Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals (4th Circuit) regarding the Primus Defendants’ dismissal. Plaintiffs and the Primus Defendants briefed the 4th Circuit in 2003 and participated in oral arguments in May 2004. On July 16, 2004, the three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit affirmed the district court’s decision. Plaintiffs did not file a petition for rehearing before the three-judge panel or rehearing before all the judges on the 4th Circuit within the required 14-day period, which period expired on July 30, 2004.

The New Jersey case was filed on September 24, 2002 and included claims against the Primus Defendants. The Primus Defendants moved to dismiss, and the case was stayed pending further decision by the court in the Virginia case. After the April 2, 2003 decision in the Virginia case, the parties in the New Jersey case agreed to a dismissal without prejudice of the claims against the Primus Defendants, pending a decision in the appeal by the plaintiffs in the Virginia case. Plaintiffs have been notified of the 4th Circuit’s decision to affirm the district court decision in the Virginia case.

On December 9, 1999, Empresa Hondurena de Telecomunicaciones, S.A. (“Plaintiff”), based in Honduras, filed suit in Florida State Court in Broward County against TresCom and one of TresCom’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, St. Thomas and San Juan Telephone Company, alleging that such entities failed to pay amounts due to Plaintiff pursuant to contracts for the exchange of telecommunications traffic during the period from December 1996 through September 1998. We acquired TresCom in June 1998, and TresCom is currently our subsidiary. Plaintiff is seeking approximately $14 million in damages, plus legal fees and costs. We filed an answer on January 25, 2000, and discovery has commenced. A trial date has not yet been set. We have recorded an accrual for the amounts that management estimates to be the probable loss. Our legal and financial liability with respect to such legal proceeding would not be covered by insurance, and our ultimate liability, if any, cannot be estimated with certainty at this time. Accordingly, an adverse result for the full amount sought or some significant percentage thereof could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. We intend to defend the case vigorously. We believe that this suit will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

We are subject to certain other claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business activities. Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties, and it is possible that some of these matters may be decided unfavorably to us. We believe that any aggregate liability that may ultimately result from the resolution of these other matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

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ITEM 2.   CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3.   DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

At the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 16, 2004, the stockholders of the Company, holding 89,711,538 shares of record, (i) elected Mr. John G. Puente and Mr. Douglas M. Karp as directors of the Company for a three-year term, (ii) approved an amendment to the Company’s Employee Stock Option Plan to expand the form of awards, rename the Equity Incentive Plan and reflect a change in certain other terms, and (iii) approved an amendment to the Company’s Director Stock Option Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder and authorized the issuance of restricted stock in lieu of cash compensation. The voting results were as follows: 73,799,218 and 73,799,118 shares were in favor of Mr. Puente and Mr. Karp, respectively, 669,904 and 669,004 against Mr. Puente and Mr. Karp, respectively, and 309,382 shares were withheld for both Mr. Puente and Mr. Karp. The vote approving the amendment to the Company’s Employee Stock Option Plan was 43,551,896 for, 2,362,120 against, and 87,435 withheld. The vote approving the amendment to the Company’s Director Stock Option Plan was 42,627,067 for, 3,275,788 against, and 98,595 withheld. David E. Hershberg, Nick Earle, Pradman P. Kaul, K. Paul Singh, John F. DePodesta and Paul G. Pizzani continued as directors of the Company after the meeting, along with Messrs. Puente and Karp.

ITEM 5.   OTHER INFORMATION

Due to responsibilities with his new employment in Europe, Nick Earle resigned from the Board of Directors effective July 27, 2004.

ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)           Exhibits (see index on page 52)

(b)          Reports on Form 8-K

Form 8-K dated April 29, 2004 was filed to announce the Company’s results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.

Form 8-K dated April 29, 2004 was filed to announce the Company and PTHI filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “S-4 Registration Statement”) with respect to a registered exchange offer of $240 million aggregate principal amount of registered 8% senior notes due 2014 for $240 million aggregate principal amount of 8% senior notes due 2014 that were previously issued in an offering exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

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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.

Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated

Date:

August 9, 2004

 

By:

/s/ Neil L. Hazard

 

 

Neil L. Hazard

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Date:

August 9, 2004

 

By:

/s/ Tracy Book Lawson

 

 

Tracy Book Lawson

 

Vice President—Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting
Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

10.1

 

Loan agreement dated as of April 2, 2004 between the Manufactures Life Insurance Company and Primus Canada Inc. and 3082833 Nova Scotia Company.

31

 

Certifications.

32

 

Certifications*.


*                    This certification is being “furnished” and will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r) and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.

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