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UNITED STATES

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 Quarter ended September 30, 2004

 

OR

 

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

 

Commission File Number 0-19551

 


 

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

(exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   47-0728886

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

9719 Estate Thomas

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802

(340) 777-8000

 


 

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

 

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

 

As of October 31, 2004, the registrant had outstanding 5,014,567 shares of its common stock ($.01 par value).

 



Table of Contents

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC.

 

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

 

              PAGE No:

STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

   2

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   3
   

Item 1

   Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    3
         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004    3
         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2004    4
         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2004    5
         Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements    6
   

Item 2

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    14
   

Item 3

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    17
   

Item 4

   Controls and Procedures    18

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

   19
   

Items

   1 through 6    19

SIGNATURES

   20

CERTIFICATIONS

    


Table of Contents

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Some of the statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q are “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are or may be forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” or other similar words or phrases. Statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are or may be forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be different from any future results, performance and achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are further discussed in the first paragraph of Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the other sections referred to therein.

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1 Financial Statements

 

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     December 31,
2003


    September 30,
2004


 
CURRENT ASSETS:                 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 32,320     $ 44,815  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,168 and $2,846 at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, respectively

     9,223       7,237  

Materials and supplies

     3,624       3,821  

Prepayments and other current assets

     2,018       2,976  
    


 


Total current assets

     47,185       58,849  
    


 


FIXED ASSETS:                 

Property, plant, and equipment

     139,488       153,159  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (48,498 )     (59,638 )
    


 


Net fixed assets

     90,990       93,521  
    


 


GOODWILL, NET      1,593       1,593  
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET      300       148  
INVESTMENT IN AND ADVANCES TO BERMUDA DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS, LTD.      7,515       8,764  
OTHER ASSETS      4,390       5,705  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 151,973     $ 168,580  
    


 


CURRENT LIABILITIES:                 

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 1,081     $ 1,197  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     8,125       9,979  

Dividends payable

     1,271       1,390  

Accrued taxes

     6,352       10,766  

Advance payments and deposits

     2,691       2,852  

Other current liabilities

     1,143       1,493  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     20,663       27,677  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES      7,040       7,281  
LONG-TERM DEBT, excluding current portion      2,511       4,532  
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES      420       —    
    


 


Total liabilities

     30,634       39,490  
    


 


MINORITY INTERESTS      19,808       21,205  
    


 


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 7)                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:                 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $.01 par value per share; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 5,151,424 shares issued and 5,000,673 and 5,014,567 shares outstanding on December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, respectively

     52       52  

Treasury stock, at cost

     (1,839 )     (1,670 )

Additional paid-in capital

     56,019       55,910  

Retained earnings

     47,299       53,593  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     101,531       107,885  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 151,973     $ 168,580  
    


 


 

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

 

3


Table of Contents

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2004

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 
TELEPHONE OPERATIONS:                                 

Operating revenues:

                                

International long-distance revenues

   $ 10,428     $ 12,687     $ 29,770     $ 34,629  

Local exchange service revenues

     8,512       8,501       24,771       24,553  

Other revenues

     784       998       2,403       2,893  
    


 


 


 


Total telephone operating revenues

     19,724       22,186       56,944       62,075  
    


 


 


 


Operating expenses:

                                

International long-distance expenses

     1,665       1,294       5,441       3,930  

Telephone operating expenses

     7,520       7,978       21,745       23,570  

General and administrative expenses

     1,670       1,534       4,976       4,595  
    


 


 


 


Total telephone operating expenses

     10,855       10,806       32,162       32,095  
    


 


 


 


Income from telephone operations

     8,869       11,380       24,782       29,980  
    


 


 


 


OTHER OPERATIONS:                                 

Revenues of other operations

     1,284       1,328       3,562       3,937  

Expenses of other operations

     2,701       2,873       7,024       8,390  
    


 


 


 


Loss from other operations

     (1,417 )     (1,545 )     (3,462 )     (4,453 )
    


 


 


 


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                                 

Interest expense

     (73 )     (77 )     (245 )     (180 )

Interest income

     120       134       384       369  

Equity in earnings of Bermuda Digital Communications, Ltd.

     532       828       1,648       2,015  

Other

     152       (321 )     (194 )     1,197  
    


 


 


 


Other income, net

     731       564       1,593       3,401  
    


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND MINORITY INTERESTS      8,183       10,399       22,913       28,928  
INCOME TAXES      4,219       5,703       11,605       15,866  
    


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTERESTS      3,964       4,696       11,308       13,062  
MINORITY INTERESTS      (831 )     (1,065 )     (2,257 )     (2,897 )
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME    $ 3,133     $ 3,631     $ 9,051     $ 10,165  
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME PER SHARE:                                 

Basic

   $ 0.62     $ 0.72     $ 1.80     $ 2.02  
    


 


 


 


Diluted

   $ 0.62     $ 0.72     $ 1.80     $ 2.02  
    


 


 


 


WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:                                 

Basic

     5,024       5,026       5,016       5,025  
    


 


 


 


Diluted

     5,024       5,026       5,036       5,025  
    


 


 


 


DIVIDENDS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK    $ 0.25     $ 0.275     $ 0.70     $ 0.775  
    


 


 


 


 

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

 

4


Table of Contents

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2004

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended, September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                 

Net income

   $ 9,051     $ 10,165  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     9,039       11,292  

Write down of assets to fair market value

     —         500  

Deferred income taxes

     5,914       241  

Minority interests

     2,257       2,897  

Equity in earnings of Bermuda Digital Communications, Ltd.

     (1,648 )     (2,015 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable, net

     (548 )     1,986  

Materials and supplies, prepayments, and other current assets

     (2,534 )     (1,155 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (1,465 )     (14 )

Accrued taxes

     (457 )     4,414  

Other

     (119 )     767  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 19,490     $ 29,078  
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                 

Capital expenditures

     (7,954 )     (11,512 )

(Advances to) repayments by Bermuda Digital Communications, Ltd.

     (61 )     767  

Advances to Bridge International Communications, Inc. under credit facility

     —         (1,030 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (8,015 )     (11,775 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                 

Issuance of long-term debt

     —         3,000  

Repayment of long-term debt

     (1,619 )     (863 )

Proceeds from stock option exercise

     170       60  

Purchase of common stock

     (315 )     —    

Distribution to minority shareholders

     (2,000 )     (3,250 )

Dividends paid on common stock

     (3,395 )     (3,755 )
    


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (7,159 )     (4,808 )
    


 


NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS      4,316       12,495  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of the period      30,651       32,320  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of the period    $ 34,967     $ 44,815  
    


 


 

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

 

5


Table of Contents

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2004

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

 

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. (the “Company” or “ATN”), a Delaware corporation, is engaged principally through its 80%-owned subsidiary, Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company, Limited (“GT&T”), in providing telecommunications services, including local telephone service, long-distance services, and cellular service in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (“Guyana”) and international telecommunications service to and from Guyana. The Company wholly owns Choice Communications, LLC (hereinafter referred to as “Choice Communications” or “Choice” and formerly known as Wireless World), which holds Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (“MMDS”) and Local Multipoint Distribution Service (“LMDS”) licenses for the United States (“U.S.”) Virgin Islands and is engaged in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the internet service, wireless cable television, specialized mobile radio, and paging businesses. The Company owns an 80% interest in ATN (Haiti) S.A. (formerly Digicom S.A.) and an 80% interest in Transnet, S.A., Haitian corporations that have been principally engaged in dispatch radio, mobile telecommunications, paging, internet access and data services in Haiti and which the Company has previously written down. Atlantic Tele-Center, Inc. (“ATC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of ATN, operates a Web-enabled call center in Guyana and provides satellite based internet, intranet and VPN solutions to the Caribbean, Central and South America through its Atlantic Tele-Satellite business (acquired in February 2004.) Call Home Telecom, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ATN, provides collect calling services in Guyana to destinations worldwide. The Company owns a 44% interest in Bermuda Digital Communications, Ltd. (“BDC”), a Bermuda corporation that provides cellular service and operates under the name “Cellular One.” ATN provides management, technical, financial, regulatory, and marketing services for its subsidiaries and affiliates for a management fee equal to approximately 6% of their revenues.

 

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet of ATN and subsidiaries at December 31, 2003 has been taken from the audited financial statements at that date. All of the other accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the management of ATN in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures usually found in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of the management of the Company, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements have been included, and the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements present fairly the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC.

 

Reclassifications have been made to the prior year condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.

 

3. USE OF ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

4. NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and does not include any other potentially dilutive securities. Diluted net income per share gives effect to all potentially dilutive securities.

 

6


Table of Contents

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2004

 

A reconciliation of basic net income per share to diluted net income per share for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2004 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     For the Three Months Ended September 30,

     2003

   2004

    

Net

Income


  

Weighted

Average
Shares


  

Net
Income
per

share


  

Net

Income


  

Weighted

Average

Shares


  

Net
Income
per

share


Basic net income

   $ 3,133    5,024    $ 0.62    $ 3,631    5,026    $ 0.72

Dilutive securities:

                                     

Stock options

   $ —      —      $ —      $ —      —      $ —  
    

  
  

  

  
  

Diluted net income

   $ 3,133    5,024    $ 0.62    $ 3,631    5,026    $ 0.72
    

  
  

  

  
  

     For the Nine months Ended September 30,

     2003

   2004

     Net
Income


   Weighted
Average
Shares


   Net
Income
per
share


   Net
Income


   Weighted
Average
Shares


   Net
Income
per
share


Basic net income

   $ 9,051    5,016    $ 1.80    $ 10,165    5,025    $ 2.02

Dilutive securities:

                                     

Stock options

   $ —      20    $ —      $ —      —      $ —  
    

  
  

  

  
  

Diluted net income

   $ 9,051    5,036    $ 1.80    $ 10,165    5,025    $ 2.02
    

  
  

  

  
  

 

5. SEGMENT REPORTING

 

The Company manages and evaluates its operations in six segments: Telephone Operations which relates to GT&T, Internet and Wireless Cable Television which relates to Choice Communications, Cellular which relates to BDC, Call Center which relates to Atlantic Tele-Center, Inc., Collect Calling which relates to Call Home Telecom, and Corporate Operations which relates to ATN, Inc. The operating segments are managed separately because each offers different services and serves different markets. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, the Call Center, Collect Calling, Cellular, and Corporate Operations segments are not material for separate disclosure under SFAS No. 131, “Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” Results for the Corporate Operations segment are reported as a part of Telephone Operations under general and administrative expenses, results for the Internet and Wireless Cable Television, Call Center and Collect Calling segments are reported as part of other operations, and results for the Cellular segment are reported as part of other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. We own an approximately 44% interest in BDC, a Bermuda corporation. We account for the investment under the equity method. For management purposes we evaluate our Cellular segment based on our proportionate share of BDC’s results, accordingly, results for our Cellular segment reflect the proportional consolidation of 44% of BDC’s results.

 

7


Table of Contents

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2004

 

The following table provides information for each operating segment:

 

In thousands ($000’s)

 

  

For the

Three Months Ended
September 30,


   

For the

Nine months Ended
September 30,


 
   2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 
Telephone operations:                                 

External revenues

   $ 19,724     $ 22,186     $ 56,944     $ 62,075  

Intersegment revenues

     —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


Total segment revenues

     19,724       22,186       56,944       62,075  

Segment operating income

     8,181       10,441       22,817       27,423  

Segment net income

     4,157       5,324       11,287       14,484  

Depreciation and amortization

     3,790       4,220       11,181       12,764  

Interest income

     80       90       242       261  

Interest expense

     7       1       40       4  

Income tax expense

     3,970       5,212       10,848       14,164  
    


 


 


 


Internet and wireless cable television:                                 

External revenues

   $ 1,220     $ 1,283     $ 3,173     $ 3,789  

Intersegment revenues

     —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


Total segment revenues

     1,220       1,283       3,173       3,789  

Segment operating loss

     (921 )     (1,201 )     (2,253 )     (3,301 )

Segment net loss

     (1,150 )     (1,550 )     (2,897 )     (4,183 )

Depreciation and amortization

     377       599       874       1,395  

Interest income

     —         —         —         —    

Interest expense

     228       299       643       836  

Income tax expense

     —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 

Reconciliation to Consolidated Financial Information

 

    

For the

Three Months Ended
September 30,


   

For the

Nine months Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 
Operating revenues:                                 

Total reportable segments

   $ 20,944     $ 23,469     $ 60,117     $ 65,864  

Revenues from other operations

     2,565       2,892       6,783       7,803  

BDC proportional consolidation

     (2,501 )     (2,847 )     (6,394 )     (7,655 )
    


 


 


 


Total consolidated

   $ 21,008     $ 23,514     $ 60,506     $ 66,012  
    


 


 


 


Operating income:                                 

Total reportable segments

   $ 8,434     $ 10,382     $ 24,088     $ 27,550  

Other operations

     (87 )     609       (295 )     889  

BDC proportional consolidation

     (615 )     (832 )     (1,788 )     (2,037 )

Eliminations and adjustments

     (280 )     (324 )     (685 )     (875 )
    


 


 


 


Total consolidated

   $ 7,452     $ 9,835     $ 21,320     $ 25,527  
    


 


 


 


Net income:                                 

Total reportable segments

   $ 3,730     $ 4,478     $ 10,561     $ 12,414  

Other operations

     234       218       747       648  

Eliminations and adjustments

     (831 )     (1,065 )     (2,257 )     (2,897 )
    


 


 


 


Total consolidated

   $ 3,133     $ 3,631     $ 9,051     $ 10,165  
    


 


 


 


                

December 31,

2003


    September 30,
2004


 
Total Assets:                                 

Telephone operations

                   $ 117,308     $ 125,153  

Internet and wireless cable television

                     14,609       15,179  

Other operations

                     26,721       35,586  

BDC proportional consolidation

                     (6,665 )     (7,338 )
                    


 


Total consolidated

                   $ 151,973     $ 168,580  
                    


 


 

8


Table of Contents

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2004

 

Reconciling items are transactions or events that are included in the reported consolidated results but are excluded from segment results due to their nonrecurring or non-operational nature. The segment operating income from the telephone operations segment differs from the telephone operations as shown on the statement of operations due to the inclusion in the statement of operations, of corporate general and administrative expenses, and the elimination of inter-company management fees.

 

6. ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

 

At September 30, 2004, the Company continued to account for its stock-based compensation plan, which was described fully in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K, using the intrinsic value method and in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations. No stock- based employee compensation cost was reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure,” the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee compensation.

 

In thousands ($000’s) except per share data

 

  

For the

Three Months Ended
September 30,


  

For the

Nine months Ended
September 30,


   2003

   2004

   2003

   2004

Net income:                            

As reported—basic and diluted

   $ 3,133    $ 3,631    $ 9,051    $ 10,165

Total stock based employee compensation benefit (expense) determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     —        —        67      —  

Pro forma—basic and diluted

   $ 3,133    $ 3,631    $ 9,118    $ 10,165
    

  

  

  

Earnings per share:                            

As reported—basic

   $ 0.62    $ 0.72    $ 1.80    $ 2.02

As reported—diluted

   $ 0.62    $ 0.72    $ 1.80    $ 2.02

Pro forma—basic

   $ 0.62    $ 0.72    $ 1.82    $ 2.02

Pro forma—diluted

   $ 0.62    $ 0.72    $ 1.81    $ 2.02

 

7. CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

 

Regulatory Matters

 

GT&T is subject to regulation in Guyana under the provisions of its license and under the Guyana Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) Act of 1999 and the Guyana Telecommunications Act of 1990. GT&T also has certain significant rights and obligations under the agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired its interest in GT&T in 1991, and because of the large volume of traffic that GT&T has with the United States, GT&T can be significantly affected by orders of U.S. regulatory agencies.

 

GT&T launched its GSM service on September 25, 2004, after resolving a dispute with the Government concerning its right to use certain assigned frequencies. The Government has indicated, however, “an intention to review the principles for allocation of frequencies for cellular services with the aim of optimizing the efficient use of the frequency spectrum so as to foster competition in the sector in the interest of the Guyanese public.”

 

By complaint filed with the PUC and dated February 27, 2004, Celstar Guyana Inc. (“CSG”), a new competitor to GT&T in the cellular mobile radio business, sought an interim order of the PUC instructing GT&T to proceed to interconnect CSG on such terms as the PUC may require, in spite of the existence of an interconnection agreement between the parties dated April 4, 2003. GT&T suspended dealings with the de facto managers of CSG in respect of that agreement after being notified of the existence of litigation first in Florida and then Guyana, by another company, Celstar Caribbean Inc. (“Celstar Caribbean”), which asserted a competing right to own, control or represent CSG.

 

GT&T and CSG subsequently negotiated an agreement to implement the April 2003 interconnection agreement and to waive any monetary claims each may have against the other arising from the suspension of interconnection undertaken by GT&T as a result of the CSG/Celstar Caribbean litigation. The High Court of Guyana approved the negotiated agreement in September 2004. Celstar is planning to launch its service shortly but has not yet received PUC approval of its proposed rates.

 

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ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2004

 

In July 2002, an individual sued the Attorney General of Guyana in the Guyana courts asking, among other things, for a declaration that the section of the Company’s 1990 contract with the Government of Guyana granting to GT&T an exclusive right to operate a telecommunications system in Guyana was null and void as contrary to law and to the Constitution of Guyana. GT&T has joined the suit to contest these claims and this proceeding remains pending.

 

On December 31, 2001, GT&T filed an application with the PUC seeking $24.7 million of additional local revenues per year in light of the reduction in international settlement rates for U.S.–Guyana traffic. In connection with its application, GT&T proposed that it receive a temporary rate increase designed to generate $16.1 million per year of additional local revenues. On February 18, 2002, the PUC issued an order awarding GT&T interim rates designed to produce $2.7 million per year of additional local revenues. The PUC indicated that it would continue to hold hearings on the appropriate permanent increase in rates with the objective of establishing permanent rates by June 2002, but as of the date of this report no such permanent rates have been approved. In May 2003, the PUC provided to GT&T a staff report that recommended that the temporary rates currently in effect be made permanent. GT&T responded to the Commission asking for a review of this recommendation because in GT&T’s view the staff of the Commission was not correct in disallowing certain expenditures and assets from the calculation of its rate base. No hearing has yet been called by the Commission to examine GT&T’s response.

 

In 2001, the Government of Guyana announced its intention to introduce competition into Guyana’s telecommunications sector. The Company believes that the termination of the monopoly provisions of GT&T’s license would require appropriate compensation to GT&T and a rebalancing of rates so that the rates for each service represent the real economic cost of such services. The Company also believes that the government is considering shifting from rate of return regulation to incentive rate-cap regulation. In February 2002, GT&T began negotiations with the Government on these issues and all other outstanding issues between GT&T and the Government. After negotiations with the Government broke down, ATN and GT&T brought suit in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. against the Inter-American Development Bank (“IADB”), among others, to halt a proposed loan to the Government of Guyana on the grounds that the IADB is prohibited from lending to a country which has nullified the contractual rights of a U.S. investor. On March 7, 2003, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed the Company’s suit against the IADB on the grounds that the Company lacked standing and the Company decided not to appeal the decision. Upon the termination of this litigation in March of 2003, the Government invited the Company to resume negotiations and to prepare a summary of the February 2002 meeting. Subsequently the Government changed its outside counsel and sustained negotiations have not been held since. (See Litigation.)

 

In early 2000, Inet Communications, Inc., an internet service provider in Guyana, and the Guyana Consumers Association filed a suit in the High Court against the Attorney General of Guyana and GT&T. The suit claims that GT&T is not entitled to rate increases based on the agreement between the Government of Guyana and ATN and that the Civil Law of Guyana prohibits what is referred to as GT&T’s monopoly. Inet’s motion was struck down for non-appearance of counsel. However, Inet’s counsel has applied for the matter to be restored. The Court has not yet taken action on Inet’s application.

 

In October 1997, the PUC ordered GT&T to increase the number of telephone lines in service to a total of 69,278 lines by the end of 1998; 89,054 lines by the end of 1999; and 102,126 lines by the end of 2000; to allocate and connect an additional 9,331 telephone lines before the end of 1998; and to provide to subscribers who request them facilities for call diversion, call waiting, reminder call, and three-way calling by the end of 1998. In issuing this order, the PUC did not hear evidence or make any findings on the cost of providing these lines and services, the adjustment in telephone rates that may be necessary to give GT&T a fair return on its investment, or the ways and means of financing the requirements of the PUC’s order. GT&T has appealed the PUC’s order to the Guyana Court of Appeals, and that appeal is still pending. No stay of the PUC order currently exists.

 

In July 2004, the FCC released an order revising the rules and spectrum band plan applicable to the MMDS and ITFS services, which are the spectrum bands through which Choice offers its television and broadband data services. The new rules, to which many industry parties have objected, are subject to clarification and reconsideration before they become effective, and may have a material adverse effect on Choice operations if they remain unaltered and are applied to Choice.

 

Litigation

 

The Company is subject to lawsuits and claims that arise in the normal course of business, some of which involve claims for damages and taxes that are substantial in amount. The Company believes that, except for the items discussed below for which the Company is currently unable to predict the final outcome, the disposition of claims currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

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ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2004

 

Upon the acquisition of GT&T in January 1991, ATN entered into an agreement with the government of Guyana to significantly expand GT&T’s existing facilities and telecommunications operations and to improve service within a three-year period pursuant to an expansion and service improvement plan (the “Plan”). The government agreed to permit rate increases in the event of currency devaluation within the three-year period, but GT&T was unable to get timely increases when the Guyanese currency suffered a sharp decline in March 1991. The Plan was modified in certain respects, and the date for completion of the Plan was extended to February 1995. Since 1995, the PUC has had pending a proceeding initiated by the minister of telecommunications of Guyana with regard to the failure of GT&T to complete the Plan by February 1995. The PUC last held hearings on this matter in 1998. It is GT&T’s position that its failure to receive timely rate increases, to which GT&T was entitled to compensate for the devaluation of currency which occurred in 1991, provides legal justification for GT&T’s delay in completing the Plan. If the PUC were to find that GT&T was not excused from fulfilling the terms of the Plan by February 1995, GT&T could be subject to monetary penalties, cancellation of its license, or other action by the PUC or the government that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and prospects. The requirements of the Plan were substantially completed several years ago.

 

GT&T is contesting income tax assessments of approximately $8.3 million that it has received from the commissioner of Inland Revenue for the years 1991—1996 based on the disallowance as a deduction for income tax purposes of five-sixths of the advisory fees payable by GT&T to the Company. The deductibility of these advisory fees was upheld for one of these years by a decision of the High Court in August 1995. The Guyana Commission of Inland Revenue has filed a High Court Writ seeking an order setting aside that decision on the grounds that the Commissioner did not have a proper hearing. GT&T has contested that Writ. The assessments for the other years are being held in abeyance pending decision on the Writ and GT&T motions to strike. GT&T has received assessments for the years 1997—2000 in the aggregate amount of approximately $7.4 million raising the same issues. GT&T expects that proceedings on these assessments will also be held in abeyance pending the Court’s decision.

 

In November 1997, GT&T received assessments of the current equivalent of approximately $11 million from the commissioner of Inland Revenue for taxes for the years 1991 through 1996. It is GT&T’s understanding that these assessments stem from an audit that the Guyana High Court stayed before it was completed. Apparently, because the audit was cut short as a result of the High Court’s order, GT&T did not receive notice of, and an opportunity to respond to, the proposed assessments as is the customary practice in Guyana, and substantially all of the issues raised in the assessments appear to be based on mistaken facts. GT&T has applied to the Guyana High Court for an order prohibiting the commissioner of Inland Revenue from enforcing the assessments on the grounds that the origin of the audit with the Trade Minister and the failure to give GT&T notice of, and opportunity to respond to, the proposed assessments violated Guyanese law. The Guyana High Court has issued an order effectively prohibiting any action on the assessments pending the determination by the High Court of the merits of GT&T’s application. The issues involved in these matters are part of the negotiations referred to above between GT&T and the Government of Guyana and its tax representatives.

 

Should GT&T be held liable for any of the above tax liabilities the Company believes that the government of Guyana would be obligated to reimburse GT&T for any amounts that would reduce GT&T’s return on investment to less than 15% per annum for the relevant periods.

 

The Company’s chairman sued Innovative Communications Corporation (“ICC”), in Federal court in the U.S. Virgin Islands (the “Pension Action”) for approximately $775,000 in pension benefits due following the separation of the Company and Emerging Communications, Inc. (“ECI”), the predecessor to ICC. This case was argued on September 13, 2004. In an action filed in the Territorial Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands ECI asserted claims related to the closing adjustments from the separation and claimed that ATN was to indemnify ECI for any judgment in favor of the Company’s chairman in the Pension Action. ATN denied liability and filed counterclaims.

 

In November 2004, the Company and ECI agreed to dismiss the Territorial Court action, including any indemnification claims that either ECI or ICC may have against ATN arising out of the Pension Action. ATN will transfer to ECI stock in Eastern Caribbean Cellular (“ECC,” a St. Martin cellular company) amounting to 1.9% of ECC’s equity, which is valued on the Company’s books at $150,000. The Pension Action remains pending. The Chairman has notified the Board of Directors of the Company that he does not intend to seek compensation from ATN if he does not prevail in the Pension Action. See Part II “Other Information” filed as a part of this Report.

 

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ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2004

 

Lease Commitments and Other Obligations

 

The Company leases approximately 37,000 square feet of office space, and certain tower sites, under non-cancelable operating leases. The Company’s obligation for minimum rentals under these leases is approximately $290,000, $194,000, $191,000, $204,000, $210,000 in 2004 through 2008 and $495,000 thereafter.

 

At September 30, 2004, the Company had non-cancelable purchase commitments of approximately $2.2 million. The commitments primarily relate to purchases made by GT&T to enhance their network.

 

The Company maintains a $15.3 million credit facility that allows for borrowings of up to $10 million for external acquisitions and investments, provides a $5 million revolving line of credit for general corporate purposes, and a $300,000 revolving line of credit for corporate travel and expenses. The interest rate on the facility is LIBOR plus 2.25%. The facility is collateralized by, among other things, a pledge of all the GT&T stock owned by ATN, ATN’s right to management fees from its subsidiaries and affiliates and the assets of Choice. In June 2004, the Company borrowed $3.0 million under the $10 million facility and this amount remains outstanding at September 30, 2004. Under the terms of the credit facility, the Company is obligated to pay only interest during the first nineteen months of the loan after which time the loan converts to a 5-year term loan payable in equal monthly installments of principal and interest.

 

8. RETIREMENT PLANS

 

The following details pension costs accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions”. Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three and nine months ended September 30 were as follows:

 

In thousands ($000’s)

 

  

For the

Three Months
Ended September 30,


   

For the

Nine months
Ended September 30,


 
   2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 

Service cost

   $ 91     $ 99     $ 273     $ 297  

Interest cost

     81       81       243       243  

Expected return on plan assets

     (85 )     (93 )     (255 )     (279 )

Amortization of:

                                

Prior service cost

     3       3       9       9  

Net loss

     28       34       84       102  
    


 


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost (income)

   $ 118     $ 124     $ 354     $ 372  
    


 


 


 


 

Employer Contributions

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 the Company made contributions of $0 and $1,268,292 to our pension plans and anticipates additional funding for the remainder of 2004 of approximately $224,000.

 

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ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2004

 

9. BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.

 

On July 8, 2004, the Company entered into a Convertible Secured Note Purchase Agreement and certain related agreements (collectively, the “Agreement”) with Bridge International Communications Services, Inc. (“Bridge”), an early stage facilities-based provider of wholesale international long distance services using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology and managed network services for VoIP providers. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company will lend Bridge up to $4.0 million to fund working capital and certain other expenditures and has the right to convert the loan into 100% of the equity of Bridge. The loan has a three-year term and bears interest at 350 basis points over LIBOR. Additionally, ATN will issue up to 75,000 non-qualified stock options to the Bridge principals if Bridge attains certain EBITDA targets. The Company advanced approximately $1.0 million to Bridge under this loan in July 2004. As part of the Agreement, ATN purchased a Sonus Networks switch in July 2004, and leased the switch to Bridge under a 3-year operating lease. The switch is still in the acceptance phase and lease payments will commence when the switch has been installed and is fully operational. Additionally, related to the Bridge transaction, the Company expects to receive an option to acquire 51% of a nascent software business that has developed certain route analysis and other applications focused on the international long distance business. The acquisition cost of this business will not be significant although the Company may decide to market these applications to third parties, which would require additional working capital and other resources.

 

10. IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, and in accordance with SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long- Lived Assets”, the Company recorded a $500,000 ($350,000 net of associated income tax benefit) impairment loss as a component of other income (expense). The impairment charge is comprised of a $450,000 reduction in the market value of a corporate jet held by ATN and a $50,000 reduction in the value of certain unproductive assets at Choice that were no longer in service. In determining the proper value for the jet and the resulting impairment charge, the Company relied primarily on a quote from a third party who is principally engaged in buying and selling similar aircraft.

 

11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

In November 2004, ATN and ECI resolved claims related to the separation of ECI from ATN in 1998. The settlement agreement provides for dismissal of all of the parties claims and counterclaims and allows the pension suit filed by the Company’s chairman against ICC to continue with no possibility of a claim by ECI or ICC against the Company for indemnity or contribution. ATN is required to transfer to ECI shares of ECC valued at $150,000 on the Company’s books at the time of settlement. In conjunction with the settlement, the Company recorded a charge of $150,000 ($100,000 net of associated income tax benefit), the approximate value of the shares to be transferred. This litigation is more fully described in Note 7 to these financial statements and in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

This discussion should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Some of the statements in the discussion are “Forward Looking Statements” and are thus prospective. As further discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and at the beginning of this Report, these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

 

OVERVIEW

 

On October 28, 2004, the Company issued a press release announcing its earnings for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004. Subsequent to the earnings release but prior to the filing of this report, the Company agreed to settle an outstanding lawsuit and recorded a charge of $100,000, net of associated income tax benefit. See Notes 7 and 11 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report. Additionally, the Company recorded a deferred tax asset of $150,000 related to the impairment of certain corporate assets. See Note 10 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report. The adjustments had the effect of increasing other expenses by $150,000 and reducing the Company’s income tax expense by $200,000, which together resulted in a $0.01 per share increase in the reported earnings for the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2004.

 

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. is a holding company with the following operating subsidiaries and affiliates:

 

  Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company, Ltd. (“GT&T”) is the national and international telephone company in the Republic of Guyana. The Company has owned 80% of the stock of GT&T since January 1991.

 

  Choice Communications, LLC (hereinafter referred to as “Choice Communications” or “Choice”) is wholly owned by the Company. Choice Communications is the largest internet access service provider in the U.S. Virgin Islands and also provides wireless cable television services, wireless Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) services and certain other communications services. Choice acquired its internet business in 1999 and its television business in 2000.

 

  Atlantic Tele-Center, Inc. (“ATC”) is a wholly owned subsidiary established in 2000 in the Republic of Guyana providing call center services primarily to businesses located in the United States. In early 2004, ATC acquired a small early stage start-up business, operated as Atlantic Tele-Satellite (“ATS”), that provides very small aperture terminal (“VSAT”) satellite based internet and VPN solutions to the Caribbean and Central and South America.

 

  Bermuda Digital Communications, Ltd. (“BDC”) is the largest cellular telephone service provider in Bermuda, doing business under the name “Cellular One.” The Company acquired a 30% interest in BDC in 1998 and currently holds a 44% interest in BDC.

 

  ATN (Haiti) S.A. and Transnet, S.A. have provided dispatch radio, paging, internet access and data transmission services in Haiti. During 2001, the Company wrote-off its investment in ATN-Haiti. The Company has curtailed operations and funding of both of these entities and is exploring strategic alternatives for the use or disposition of the remaining assets, including support of ATS.

 

  Call Home Telecom, LLC, (“CHT”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary established in 2002 in the U.S. Virgin Islands to provide North American distribution and termination of international outbound collect calls from Guyana.

 

ATN provides management, technical, financial, regulatory, and marketing services for its subsidiaries and affiliates for a management fee equal to approximately 6% of their revenues.

 

The Company’s revenues and income from operations are derived principally from the operations of its telephone subsidiary, GT&T. Historically, GT&T has derived most of its revenues from international telephone services. Since mid-2001, in part as a result of revised tariffs for cellular service, an increasing proportion of the Company’s telephone operating revenues are derived from local exchange service, both wireless and wireline. The principal components of operating expenses for the Company are international long-distance expenses, telephone operating expenses, and general and administrative expenses. International long-distance expenses consist principally of charges from international carriers for outbound international calls from Guyana. Telephone operating expenses consist of plant specific operations, plant non-specific operations (which includes depreciation and amortization), customer operations, corporate operations expenses of GT&T, and taxes other than income taxes. General and administrative expenses consist principally of expenses of the parent company.

 

Cell Star Guyana (“CSG”), a competitor to GT&T in the cellular mobile radio business, intends to commence commercial service during 2004 and has substantially completed the initial build out of a network based on the GSM standard. Although GT&T

 

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signed an interconnection agreement with CSG in April 2003, GT&T has yet to physically interconnect to CSG’s network due to a dispute raised by a third party that claims title to the CSG cellular license. (See Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.)

 

Operating results for the Company’s internet and wireless cable television subsidiary, Choice, together with the Company’s other wholly-or majority-owned subsidiaries ATC, and CHT, are shown in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations as other operations. Revenues and expenses in this section principally represent the operations of Choice.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2004

 

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was $3.6 million, or $0.72 per share basic and diluted as compared to $3.1 million, or $0.62 per share basic and diluted, for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, an increase of 16%. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was $10.2 million, or $2.02 per share basic and diluted as compared to $9.1 million, or $1.80 per share basic and diluted, for the comparable nine months of 2003, an increase of 12%.

 

Total revenues from telephone operations for the three months ended September 30, 2004 were $22.2 million as compared to $19.7 million for the same period of 2003, an increase of $2.5 million, or 12%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, total revenues from telephone operations increased by $5.1 million or 9% over the comparable period of 2003. The increase in telephone operating revenues for these periods was principally attributable to a $2.3 million (22%) and $4.9 million (16%) increase in international long distance revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. The increase in long distance revenues primarily reflects an increase in the volume of inbound international voice traffic, with inbound international minutes rising 27% and 29% for the three and nine month periods, respectively, over the comparable periods of 2003. However, the increase in long distance revenues also reflects the payment to GT&T in the third quarter of 2004 of an approximately $1.0 million settlement from a large international carrier. The settlement was for traffic that was over one year past due and was fully reserved against. Excluding the effect of this settlement, total telephone operating revenues grew by 7% during the three and nine-month periods of 2004 and international long distance revenues grew by 12% and 13%, respectively, as compared to the year earlier periods. The settlement did not impact the traffic volumes noted above. Outbound traffic was essentially flat for the third quarter of 2004 but rose 8% for the first nine months of 2004. Outbound long distance revenue, which is primarily billed in Guyana dollars, has declined by approximately $1.3 million (13%) in the first nine months of 2004 due to a devaluation of the Guyana dollar and, to a lesser extent, price promotions aimed at stimulating volume.

 

Local exchange service revenues were essentially flat for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 when compared to the same periods of 2003. The lack of growth in these revenues comes despite continued growth in GT&T’s cellular subscribers and access lines. In the third quarter of 2004, GT&T’s cellular subscribers increased by 5% over the second quarter to approximately 144,000 at September 30, 2004, a 34% increase since September 30, 2003. Wireline subscribers (access lines) also increased by 10% to 98,390 compared to levels at September 30, 2003, and 2% since June 30, 2004. The increased lines and handsets in service contributed to the increase in inbound international long distance traffic and revenues for the three and nine-month periods of 2004, but, unlike the international carrier settlements, GT&T’s outbound international customers are billed and pay in local currency. Although the increased lines and handsets in service led to growth in local currency revenue from GT&T’s subscribers, the 14% decline in the value of the Guyana dollar compared to the comparable periods of 2003 offset this growth. (See Item 3 “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks” included in this Report.)

 

Despite the growth in total telephone operating revenue, total telephone operating expenses declined slightly for the three and nine month periods of 2004 due to cuts in international long distance expenses and general and administrative expenses and the positive impact of the decline in value of the Guyana dollar on GT&T’s local currency expenses. Total telephone operating expenses, which consist of telephone operating expenses, international long distance expenses and general and administrative expenses, were $10.8 million and $32.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $10.9 million and $32.2 million for the comparable periods of 2003. Telephone operating expenses increased by $458,000 (6%) and $1.8 million (8%) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, primarily due to increased depreciation expense related to the large increase in lines and cellular subscribers and despite the decline in the value of the Guyana dollar. International long distance expenses declined by $371,000 (22%) and $1.5 million (28%) during the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 due to lower average outbound termination rates. General and administrative expenses, which consist mainly of overhead expense of the parent company, declined by $136,000 (8%) and $381,000 (8%) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 due to lower salary and bonus expense at the parent company and the shifting of certain headquarters personnel to focus primarily on Choice, re-allocating the related salary expense to other operations.

 

Income from telephone operations was $11.4 million and $30.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $8.9 million and $24.8 million for the corresponding periods of 2003. This represents an increase of 28% and 21% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively.

 

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Losses from other operations (comprised of Choice, ATC, CHT) were $1.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $1.4 million for the corresponding quarter of 2003, as revenue growth did not keep pace with increased expenses, although the losses narrowed slightly compared to the second quarter of 2004. Losses from other operations were $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 29% over losses of $3.5 million for the same period of 2003. Revenues from other operations increased by 3% during the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and 11% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the same periods of 2003, and expenses from other operations increased 6% and 19%, respectively, over the same periods. A 35% increase in television service revenue at Choice was largely offset by a 14% decline in Choice’s other revenues as a result of increased internet services competition and other more minor factors. Expenses at Choice in the third quarter of 2004 increased by $339,000 (16%) due primarily to increased depreciation expense and programming costs resulting from increased investment in plant and the growth of television subscribers. However, actions taken by the Company at the end of the second quarter did contribute to a very slight decrease in Choice’s selling, general and administrative expenses in the third quarter when compared to the third quarter of 2003. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, selling general and administrative expenses rose by $685,000 primarily because of higher salary expense and legal expense.

 

In the third quarter of 2004, ATC successfully concluded a wholesale arrangement with another call center company, and management expects that this agreement will cover substantially all of the cash costs of running the call center business while it remains in place. This arrangement, combined with better expense management, contributed to a $418,000 reduction in call center losses at ATC, an improvement of 68% when compared to the third quarter of 2003. For the year to date, the reduction in losses amounted to $703,000 compared to the first nine months of 2003. The savings in both the three and nine month periods of 2004 were partly offset by losses associated with ATC’s Atlantic Tele-Satellite satellite internet business of $99,000 and $286,000. Operating losses at CHT increased by $171,000 and $398,000 during the three and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2004, respectively, due to lower revenues and increased bad debt expense.

 

Equity in the earnings of Bermuda Digital Communications, the Company’s cellular operator in Bermuda, was $828,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to $532,000 for the corresponding period of 2003, an increase of 56%. The increase in equity in earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 primarily reflects higher airtime, roaming and long distance revenues. An increase in subscribers from 17,514 at September 30, 2003 to 18,575, or 6%, contributed to the revenue increase. In addition, BDC entered into roaming agreements in late 2003 and early 2004 with the two largest US CDMA carriers, along with certain other carriers, and these agreements helped drive the increase in long distance and roaming revenues, from both BDC’s subscribers traveling abroad and visitors to Bermuda. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company’s equity in earnings of BDC rose 22% to $2.0 million compared to $1.6 million in the comparable nine-month period of 2003.

 

Excluding the effect of the Company’s equity in earnings of BDC, the Company recorded other expense of $264,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2004 and other income of $1.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared to other income of $199,000 and other expense of $55,000 during the comparable periods of 2003. In the third quarter of 2004, this item was negatively impacted by a charge of $500,000 the Company recorded to reflect the reduction in the carrying value of certain assets to their current market value and a charge of $150,000 related to the settlement of a lawsuit between ATN and ECI. Other income (expense) also reflects foreign exchange gains incurred by the Company of $6,000 and $968,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, as compared to foreign exchange losses of $127,000 and $884,000 for the same periods of 2003. The improvement in 2004 resulted from a decline in the value of the Guyana dollar in relation to the U.S. dollar, which decreased the value of GT&T’s Guyana dollar denominated net liabilities and resulted in a gain.

 

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 was 55%, compared to 52% and 51% in the comparable periods of 2003. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 relates primarily to the recording of a valuation allowance provided against certain tax assets generated by Choice during 2004.

 

Minority interest in earnings consists of the Guyana government’s 20% interest in GT&T.

 

Regulatory and Tax Issues

 

The Company is involved in a number of regulatory and tax proceedings. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC, and Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report. A material and adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and future operations.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of September 30, 2004, the Company had $44.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. This represents an increase of $12.5 million compared to December 31, 2003. Net cash provided by operating activities was $29.1 million for the nine months ended

 

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September 30, 2004 compared to $19.5 million for the first nine months of 2003. Principal uses of cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were $11.5 million for capital expenditures and $3.8 million for dividends paid to shareholders of the Company’s common stock. The capital expenditures to date were primarily made by GT&T and include GT&T’s purchase and installation of a new GSM/GPRS mobile wireless system, which is in addition to GT&T’s existing TDMA network. GT&T launched service on this network in the third quarter of 2004. GT&T’s capital expenditures for the year to date also include the purchase and installation of a new billing system for the GSM network and the build out of approximately 6,000 additional lines on its wireline network. Other capital expenditures or investments primarily consist of television and data network additions at Choice and ATC’s investment in the ATS internet satellite business. During 2004, the Company has received over $600,000 in dividends from its Bermuda affiliate.

 

The Company maintains a $15.3 million credit facility that allows for borrowings of up to $10.0 million for external acquisitions and investments, provides a $5 million revolving line of credit for general corporate purposes, and a $300,000 revolving line of credit for corporate travel and expenses. The interest rate on the facility is LIBOR plus 2.25%. The facility is collateralized by, among other things, a pledge of all the GT&T stock owned by ATN, ATN’s right to management fees from its subsidiaries and affiliates and the assets of Choice. The Company has a principal amount of $3.0 million outstanding under the $10 million facility.

 

The Company believes that its existing cash balances and other capital resources, including the un-drawn balance of the $15.3 million credit facility, are adequate to meet current operating and capital needs. The Company’s primary sources of funds at the parent company level are advisory fees and dividends from GT&T and BDC. The tax and regulatory issues discussed in Note 7 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report and Note 11 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC, could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s liquidity.

 

The continued expansion of GT&T’s network is dependent upon the ability of GT&T to purchase equipment with U.S. dollars. A portion of GT&T’s taxes in Guyana may be payable in U.S. dollars or other hard currencies. As a result of the growth of GT&T’s local and cellular business and the general trend toward lower international settlement rates, an increasing portion of the Company’s revenues are earned in Guyana dollars. While there are no legal restrictions on the conversion of Guyana currency into U.S. dollars or other hard currencies, or on the expatriation of Guyana currency or foreign currency from Guyana, there is currently little liquidity in the foreign currency markets in Guyana. While the Company believes that it has, and will continue to have, adequate cash flows denominated in hard currency to meet its current operating, debt service and capital requirements, there can be no assurance that GT&T will be able to convert its Guyana currency earnings into the hard currency needed to meet such obligations and no assurance that they will be able to convert such currency at prevailing market rates. As of September 30, 2004, approximately $6.8 million of the Company’s total cash balances consisted of balances held in Guyana dollars.

 

From time to time the Company explores opportunities to acquire communications properties or licenses in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Such acquisitions may require external financing. While there can be no assurance as to whether, when or on what terms the Company will be able to acquire any such businesses or licenses, such acquisitions may be accomplished through the issuance of shares, payment of cash or debt. In the second quarter, the Company was a final bidder for the assets in bankruptcy of a U.S.-based Company providing capacity and other network services to carriers and large corporate users. Another bidder purchased the assets in July 2004 and the Company received a partial reimbursement from the bankruptcy estate of its legal and other expenses in connection with its bid.

 

The Company anticipates making total capital expenditures on existing businesses of approximately $22.0 to $24.0 million during fiscal 2004, for, among other things, installation of a GSM/GPRS mobile wireless system in Guyana, wireline and cellular expansion, a new billing system for GT&T and coverage and service expansions at Choice Communications. During the third quarter of 2004, the Company advanced approximately $1.0 million to Bridge International Communications Services, Inc. in connection with the Convertible Secured Note Purchase Agreement. (See Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.) Additionally, the Company made an initial payment of approximately $541,000 to purchase a VoIP switch, which is being leased to Bridge. The VoIP switch is still in the acceptance phase and we expect to accept the switch and make an additional payment of approximately $500,000 during the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

Inflation

 

The effect of inflation on the Company’s financial results has not been significant in the periods presented.

 

Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks

 

Although a significant portion of GT&T’s revenues and expenditures continue to be transacted in U.S. dollars or other hard currencies, the results of future operations nevertheless may be affected by changes in the value of the Guyana dollar. The market for buyers and sellers of the Guyana dollar is small and therefore large purchases or sales of the Guyana dollar by GT&T may be made at prices that differ from publicly quoted exchange rates. In translating its Guyana dollar revenues, expenses, and balance sheet items from Guyana dollars to U.S. dollars, GT&T endeavors to use rates that reflect its actual experience in the foreign exchange market.

 

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From February 1991 until early 1994, the Guyana dollar remained relatively stable at the rate of approximately $125 to the U.S. dollar. In 1994 the Guyana dollar declined in value to approximately $142 to the U.S. dollar. From December 31, 1997, through December 31, 1998 the Guyana dollar further declined in value to approximately $180 to the U.S. dollar and it remained relatively stable until late 2003. In the fourth quarter 2003, the Guyana dollar declined in value to approximately $195 to the U.S. dollar and was trading near $205 at September 30, 2004. During the quarter ended March 31, 2004 the devaluation resulted in the recording of a foreign exchange gain of $924,000, as the value of GT&T’s Guyana dollar net liabilities was reduced resulting in a gain. There was not a comparable gain during the quarters ended June 30 or September 30, 2004. Additionally, the decline in the value of the Guyana dollar has slowed the growth of GT&T’s local exchange service revenues and outbound long distance revenues, which are billed and paid in Guyana dollars but are reflected in the Company’s financial statements in U.S. dollars. Local exchange revenues declined slightly during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, despite strong growth in subscribers while outbound long distance revenues declined in total and on a per minute basis. Flat local exchange service revenues were offset by corresponding reductions in the value of local operating costs in Guyana, which are also paid in Guyana dollars and declined in real terms before accounting for the costs associated with increased subscribers and network growth.

 

A substantial majority of the Company’s consolidated cash balances are kept in U.S. dollar denominated short term investments, and GT&T generally endeavors to maintain a balance between its Guyana dollar cash deposits and local receivables which are denominated in Guyana dollars, and its local tax and other payables which are also denominated in the Guyana dollar.

 

Under generally accepted international accounting principles, which, in the Company’s view, are statutorily applicable to the rate making process in Guyana, GT&T’s functional currency has been the U.S. dollar because a significant portion of GT&T’s revenues and expenditures have been transacted in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, in the Company’s view, GT&T is currently entitled to its agreed upon minimum 15% return on rate base computed in U.S. dollars on a U.S. dollar historical cost rate base and therefore devaluations of the Guyana dollar should have had no long-term impact on the value of GT&T’s earnings in U.S. dollars. The Guyana Public Utility Commission has neither approved nor disapproved this position of the Company. However, with the decline in international settlement rates and the increases that GT&T hopes to have in local revenue, the Guyana dollar may become GT&T’s functional currency at some time in the future.

 

Item 4 Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Company management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information the Company is required to disclose in reports that it files or submit under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There was no change in the internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the third fiscal quarter of the year covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

In November, ATN and ECI reached a settlement of all claims and counterclaims arising out of the separation of ECI from ATN in 1998, including ECI’s indemnification claim against ATN arising out of the chairman’s suit against ICC for pension benefits, and agreed to ask the court to dismiss all claims with prejudice. The chairman’s pension claim remains pending. See Note 7 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

  (a) Exhibits

 

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

  (b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

On July 29, 2004, the Company filed a Form 8-K containing a press release announcing the Company’s financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

On September 22, 2004 the Company filed a Form 8-K containing a press release announcing a 10% increase in the Company’s quarterly dividend and a stock buyback plan.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

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

 

    Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.
Date: November 15, 2004  

/s/ Cornelius B. Prior, Jr.


    Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Date: November 15, 2004  

/s/ Michael T. Prior


    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

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