Attached files

file filename
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INCv243310_ex32-1.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INCv243310_ex31-1.htm
EX-23.1 - EXHIBIT 23.1 - MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INCv243310_ex23-1.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INCv243310_ex32-2.htm
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INCFinancial_Report.xls
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INCv243310_ex31-2.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 
FORM 10-K
 

 
x
ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, or

¨
TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 For the transition period from _______________ to ___________________

Commission File No. 0-26053


MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
84-1342898
(State of Incorporation)
 
(IRS Employer ID. No.)

60-D Commerce Way, Totowa, New Jersey   07512
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Issuer's telephone number, including area code: (973) 237-9499


Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:

none

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  
Yes   ¨ No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   
Yes   ¨  No   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes  x No  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Sec. 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes   x No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of "large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer   ¨  Accelerated filer   ¨Non-accelerated filer   ¨ Smaller reporting company   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨ No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting and nonvoting common equity (based upon the closing price on the OTC Bulletin Board on March 31, 2011) held by non-affiliates was approximately $13.3 million.

The number of shares of common stock ($0.001 par value) outstanding as of December 23, 2011 was 5,511,759.

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
     
Page
PART I
     
ITEM 1.
Business
 
5
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
 
9
ITEM 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
 
14
ITEM 2.  
Properties
 
14
ITEM 3.  
Legal Proceedings
 
15
ITEM 4.  
Reserved
 
15
       
PART II  
     
ITEM 5.  
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
15
ITEM 6.
Selected Financial Data
 
16
ITEM 7.  
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
 
16
ITEM 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
26
ITEM 8.  
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
27
ITEM 9.  
Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
45
ITEM 9A.
Controls and Procedures
 
45
ITEM 9B.  
Other Information
 
46
       
PART III  
     
ITEM 10.  
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
46
ITEM 11.  
Executive Compensation
 
51
ITEM 12.  
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
55
ITEM 13.  
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
56
ITEM 14.  
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
56
       
PART IV 
     
ITEM 15.  
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules  
 
58

 
3

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Report”) contains certain forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and information relating to MDU Communications International, Inc. that is based on the beliefs of our management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. When used in this Report, the words “estimate,”  “project,”  “believe,”  “anticipate,”  “hope,”  “intend,”  “expect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words . The words “MDU Communications,”  “the Company,”  “we,”  “our,” and “us” refer to MDU Communications International, Inc. together with its subsidiaries, where appropriate.

Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include the risks described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report and, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions, both nationally, internationally, and in the regions in which we operate; catastrophic events, including acts of terrorism; relationships with and events affecting third parties like DIRECTV; demographic changes; existing government regulations, and changes in, or the failure to comply with, government regulations; competition; the loss of any significant numbers of subscribers or viewers; changes in business strategy or development plans; the cost of pursuing new business initiatives; integration of business initiatives such as acquisitions and mergers, technological developments and difficulties; the availability and terms of capital to fund the potential expansion of our businesses; and other factors referenced in this Report. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 
4

 

PART I
 
Item 1.
Business

OVERVIEW

MDU Communications International, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries mentioned below, the “Company”) is a national provider of digital satellite television, high-speed Internet, voice over IP (“VoIP”) and other information and communication services to residents living in the United States multi-dwelling unit (“MDU”) market—estimated to include 32 million residences. MDUs include apartment buildings, condominiums, gated communities, universities and other properties having multiple units located within a defined area. The Company negotiates long-term access agreements with the owners and managers of MDU properties allowing it the right to design, install, own and operate the infrastructure and systems required to provide digital satellite television, high-speed Internet, VoIP, and potentially other services, to their residents.

MDU properties present unique technological, management and marketing challenges to conventional providers of these services, as compared to single family homes. The Company’s proprietary delivery and design solutions and access agreements differentiate it from other multi-family service providers through a unique strategy of balancing the information and communication needs of today’s MDU residents with the technology concerns of property managers and owners and providing the best overall service to both. To accomplish this objective, the Company has partnered with DIRECTV, Inc. and has been working with large property owners and real estate investment trusts (REITs) such as AvalonBay Communities, Post Properties, Roseland Property Company, Related Companies, the U.S. Army, as well as many others, to understand and meet the technology and service needs of these groups. The Company operates in only one market segment.

CORPORATE HISTORY

Our Canadian operating company, MDU Communications Inc. (“MDU Canada”), was incorporated in March 1998. In April 1999, we incorporated MDU Communications International, Inc. in Delaware and MDU Canada became a wholly owned subsidiary that at its peak had over 15,000 subscribers and seven offices across Canada. In March 2000, we formed MDU Communications (USA) Inc., a Washington corporation (“MDU USA”), to conduct business in the United States.  In early 2001, we made a fundamental re-assessment of our business plan and determined that the most profitable markets lay in densely populated areas of the United States. The Company changed its corporate focus and business strategy from serving the entire North American MDU market, to several key U.S. markets. To further this change, in 2001 we completed an agreement with Star Choice Television Network, Inc. for the sale of our Canadian satellite television assets. As a result, by May 30, 2001 we relocated our operations and certain key employees to our New York Metro Area office in Totowa, New Jersey. MDU Communications International, Inc. operates essentially as a holding company with MDU Canada and MDU USA as its wholly owned operating subsidiaries. MDU Canada is now inactive. MDU USA operates in fourteen states with regional offices in the New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, Miami and Dallas greater metropolitan areas.
 
 REVENUE

The Company derives revenue through the sale of subscription services to owners and residents of MDUs resulting in monthly annuity-like revenue streams.  The Company offers two types of satellite television service, Direct to Home (“DTH”) and Private Cable (“PC”) programming. The DTH service uses a set-top digital receiver for residents to receive state-of-the-art digital satellite and local channel programming. For DTH, the Company exclusively offers DIRECTV® programming packages.  From the DTH offerings the Company receives the following revenue, (i) an upfront subscriber commission from DIRECTV for each new subscriber, (ii) a percentage of the fees charged by DIRECTV to the subscriber each month for programming, (iii) a per subscriber monthly digital access fee billed to subscribers for service, access and maintenance and connection to the property satellite network system, and (iv) occasional other marketing incentives or subsidies from DIRECTV. Secondly, the Company offers a Private Cable video service where analog or digital satellite television programming can be tailored to the needs of an individual MDU property and received through normal cable-ready televisions. In Private Cable deployed properties, a bundle of programming services is delivered to the resident’s cable-ready television without the requirement of a set-top digital receiver in the residence. Net revenues from Private Cable result from the difference between the wholesale prices charged by programming providers and the price charged by the Company to subscribers for the private cable programming package. The Company provides DTH, Private Cable, Internet services and VoIP on an individual subscriber basis, but in many properties it provides these services in bulk (100% of the units), directly to the property owner, resulting in one invoice and thus minimizing churn, collection and bad debt exposure. These subscribers are referred to in the Company’s periodic filings as Bulk DTH or Bulk Choice Advantage (“BCA”) type subscribers in DIRECTV deployed properties or Bulk PC type subscribers in Private Cable deployed properties. From subscribers to the Internet service, the Company earns a monthly Internet access service fee.  Again, in many properties, this service is provided in bulk and is referred to as Bulk ISP.

 
5

 

STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH DIRECTV

The Company has had a significant strategic relationship with DIRECTV since May of 2000.  Most recently, the Company entered into a new System Operator Agreement with DIRECTV (“Agreement”) effective June 1, 2007. This Agreement has an initial term of three years with two, two-year automatic renewal periods upon our achievement of certain subscriber growth goals, with an automatic extension of the entire Agreement to coincide with the expiration date of the Company’s latest property access agreement.  The Agreement is currently in its first two-year automatic renewal period.

Under this Agreement we receive monthly "residual" fees from DIRECTV based upon the programming revenue DIRECTV receives from subscribers within the Company's multi-dwelling unit properties. The Company also receives an "activation fee" for every new subscriber that activates a DIRECTV commissionable programming package. The activation fee is paid on a gross activation basis in our choice and exclusive properties and on a one-time basis in our bulk properties. Additionally, the Company and DIRECTV have agreed to terms allowing DIRECTV a "first option" to bid on subscribers at fair market value that the Company may wish to sell.

Under the DIRECTV Agreement, the Company may not solicit sales for any other DTH digital satellite television service in the United States. Consequently, the Company is primarily dependent on DIRECTV for its digital set-top programming in the United States. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, revenues from all DIRECTV services were approximately 65% of total revenues. DIRECTV is not required to use us on an exclusive basis and could either contract with others to install distribution systems and market programming in MDUs or undertake such activities directly itself or through retail stores, as it does for single-family television households.
 
 DIRECTV offers in excess of 800 entertainment channels of digital quality video and compact disc quality audio programming and currently transmits via ten high power satellites. DIRECTV is currently delivering 165 national HDTV channels giving DIRECTV the distinct edge in high definition programming. We believe that DIRECTV’s extensive line up of high definition programming, international programming, pay per view movies and events and sports packages, including the exclusive “NFL Sunday Ticket,” have enabled DIRECTV to capture a majority market share of existing DTH subscribers and will continue to drive strong subscriber growth for DIRECTV programming in the future.  Through our strategic relationship with DIRECTV, we expect to capitalize on the significant name recognition that DIRECTV creates and maintains as well as their immense advertising budget and advertised programming specials. Additionally, we benefit from the large-scale national marketing campaigns that are continuously run by DIRECTV.

MARKET

The United States MDU market represents a large niche market of potential telecommunications customers. There are over 32 million MDU television households out of a total of 130 million U.S. television households. Historically, the MDU market has been served by local franchised cable television operators and the relationship between the property owners and managers that control access to these MDU properties and the cable operator have been significantly strained over the past 20 years due to the monopolistic sentiment of the cable operator.

We believe that today’s MDU market offers us a very good business opportunity because: 
 
 
·
Advances in communication and information technology have created demand for new state-of-the-art services such as digital satellite television, high definition television, digital video recorders and bundled services.

 
6

 

 
·
Regulatory changes in the United States authorizing the provision of digital satellite television services and local channels has given television viewers the opportunity to choose the provider of their television programming based on quality of signal, cost and variety of programming.

 
·
Our marketing program focuses on the choice and benefits of using satellite television programming over cable programming, including cost savings.

 
·
To date, DIRECTV and other digital satellite television program providers have focused primarily on the single-family residence market because of the lower cost of deployment and fewer technical difficulties than those incurred in MDU properties and are now capitalizing on the MDU market.

COMPETITION

The home entertainment and video programming industry is competitive, and we expect competition to intensify in the future. We face our most significant competition from the franchised cable operators. In addition, our competition includes other satellite providers and telecom providers:

Franchised Cable Systems.    Cable companies currently dominate the market in terms of subscriber penetration, the number of programming services available, audience ratings and expenditures on programming. The traditional cable companies currently serve an estimated 68% of U.S. television households, down from approximately 72% five years ago. Satellite services are gaining market share and DTH providers like us have a window of opportunity in which to acquire and consolidate a significant subscriber base by providing a higher quality signal over a vast selection of video and audio channels at a comparable or reduced price to most cable operators’ current service.

Other Operators. Our next largest competition is other operators who build and operate communications systems such as satellite master antenna television systems, commonly known as SMATV, or private cable headend systems, which generally serve condominiums, apartment and office complexes and residential developments.  We also compete with other national DTH operators such as Echostar.

Traditional Telephone Companies.   Traditional telephone companies such as Verizon and AT&T have over the past few years diversified their service offerings to compete with traditional franchised cable companies in a triple play market. These phone companies have in the past also been resellers of DIRECTV and Echostar video programming, however, rarely in the MDU market. Video offerings from traditional phone companies are now becoming a significant competitor in the MDU market.

GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION

Federal Regulation. In February 1996, Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which substantially amended the Federal Communications Act of 1934, as amended (“Communications Act”). This legislation has altered and will continue to alter federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting the communications industry, including certain of the services we provide. On November 29, 1999, Congress enacted the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999 (“SHVIA”), which amended the Satellite Home Viewer Act. SHVIA permits Direct Broadcast Satellite (“DBS”) operators to transmit local television signals into local markets. In other important statutory amendments of significance to satellite carriers and television broadcasters, the law generally seeks to place satellite operators on an equal footing with cable television operators in regards to the availability of television broadcast programming. SHVIA amends the Copyright Act and the Communications Act in order to clarify the terms and conditions under which a DBS operator may retransmit local and distant broadcast television stations to subscribers. The law was intended to promote the ability of satellite services to compete with cable television systems and to resolve disputes that had arisen between broadcasters and satellite carriers regarding the delivery of broadcast television station programming to satellite service subscribers. As a result of SHVIA, television stations are generally entitled to seek carriage on any DBS operator’s system providing local service in their respective markets. SHVIA creates a statutory copyright license applicable to the retransmission of broadcast television stations to DBS subscribers located in their markets. Although there is no royalty payment obligation associated with this license, eligibility for the license is conditioned on the satellite carrier’s compliance with the applicable Communications Act provisions and Federal Communication Commission (“FCC”) rules governing the retransmission of such “local” broadcast television stations to satellite service subscribers. Noncompliance with the Communications Act and/or FCC requirements could subject a satellite carrier to liability for copyright infringement. We are subject to certain provisions of SHVIA. SHVIA was essentially extended and re-enacted by the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act (“SHVERA”) signed in December of 2004.

 
7

 

On October 31, 2007, the FCC banned the use of exclusivity clauses by franchised cable companies for the provision of video services to MDU properties. The FCC noted that 30% of Americans lived in MDU properties and that competition had been stymied due to these exclusivity clauses. The FCC maintains that prohibiting exclusivity will increase choice and competition for consumers residing in MDUs. Currently this Order only applies to cable companies subject to Section 628 of the Communications Act, which does not include DBS and private cable operators ("PCOs") that do not cross public rights-of-way, such as the Company. Although exempt from this Order, the FCC did reserve judgment on exclusivity clauses used by DBS companies and PCOs until further discussion and comment can be taken and evaluated. The IMCC “Independent Multi-Family Communications Council”, which is a trade association comprised of DBS, PCOs, MDU owners and the supporting industry, continued to lobby to keep DBS and PCOs, who do not cross public rights-of-way, exempt from the Order and in March, 2010 the FCC agreed with the IMCC and upheld the right of PCOs and DBS providers to maintain exclusivity clauses and enter into new exclusive contracts with properties.  The FCC reserved the right to review these matters and address them in the future due to their complexity.

We are not directly subject to rate regulation or certification requirements by the FCC, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 or state public utility commissions because our equipment installation and sales agent activities do not constitute the provision of common carrier or cable television services. As a resale agent for DIRECTV, we are not subject to regulation as a DBS provider, but rely upon DIRECTV to procure all necessary re-transmission consents and other programming rights under the Communications Act of 1934 and the Copyright Act. To the extent that we may also elect to provide our MDU customers with transmission of signals not currently available via satellite, our offering of these services may be subject to compulsory copyright filings with the U.S. Copyright Office, although we do not expect the licensing fees to have a material adverse effect on our business. Our systems do not use or traverse public rights-of-way and thus are exempt from the comprehensive regulation of cable systems under the Communications Act of 1934. Because we are subject to minimal federal regulation, have fewer programming restrictions, greater pricing freedom and are not required to serve any customer whom we do not choose to serve, we have significantly more competitive flexibility than do the franchised cable systems. We believe that these regulatory advantages help to make our satellite television systems competitive with larger franchised cable systems.

State and Local Cable System Regulation.    We do not anticipate that our deployment of satellite television services will be subject to state or local franchise laws primarily due to the fact that our facilities do not use or traverse public rights-of-way. Although we may be required to comply with state and local property tax, environmental laws and local zoning laws, we do not anticipate that compliance with these laws will have any material adverse impact on our business.

State Mandatory Access Laws.    A number of states have enacted mandatory access laws that generally require, in exchange for just compensation, the owners of rental apartments (and, in some instances, the owners of condominiums) to allow the local franchise cable television operator to have access to the property to install its equipment and provide cable service to residents of the MDU. Such state mandatory access laws effectively eliminate the ability of the property owner to enter into an exclusive right of entry with a provider of cable or other broadcast services. In addition, some states have anti-compensation statutes forbidding an owner of an MDU from accepting compensation from whomever the owner permits to provide cable or other broadcast services to the property. These statutes have been and are being challenged on constitutional grounds in various states. These state access laws may provide both benefits and detriments to our business plan should we expand significantly in any of these states.

 
8

 

Preferential Access Rights.    We generally negotiate exclusive rights (or exclusive rights to marketing or use inside wire) to provide services singularly, or in competition with competing cable providers, and also negotiate where possible “rights-of-first-refusal” to match price and terms of third-party offers to provide other communication services in buildings where we have negotiated broadcast access rights. We believe that these preferential rights of entry are generally enforceable under applicable law, however, current trends at state and federal level suggest that the future enforceability of these provisions may be uncertain. In addition to the October 2007 Order banning exclusive agreements, the FCC has also issued an order prohibiting telecommunications service providers from negotiating exclusive contracts with owners of commercial MDU properties. Although it is open to question whether the FCC has statutory and constitutional authority to compel mandatory access for other providers, there can be no assurance that it will not attempt to do so. There can be no assurance that future state or federal laws or regulations will not restrict our ability to offer access payments, limit MDU owners’ ability to receive access payments or prohibit MDU owners from entering into exclusive agreements, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Regulation of High-Speed Internet.    Information or Internet service providers (“ISPs”), including Internet access providers, are largely unregulated by the FCC or state public utility commissions at this time (apart from federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to business in general). However, there can be no assurance that this business will not become subject to regulatory restraints. Also, although the FCC has rejected proposals to impose additional costs and regulations on ISPs to the extent they use local exchange telephone network facilities, such change may affect demand for Internet related services. No assurance can be given that changes in current or future regulations adopted by the FCC or state regulators or other legislative or judicial initiatives relating to Internet services would not have a material adverse effect on our business.

EMPLOYEES

We had 133 employees, all full-time, as of September 30, 2011. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. The Company has experienced no work stoppages and believes that its employee relations are good.

INVESTOR INFORMATION

Our common stock trades under the symbol “MDTV” on the OTC Bulletin Board. Our principal executive offices are located at 60-D Commerce Way, Totowa, New Jersey 07512 and our telephone number is (973) 237-9499. Our website is located at www.mduc.com.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors

The Company faces a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company, or that are currently deemed to be immaterial, may also impair the Company’s business operations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the following:

The business of the Company may be adversely affected by the current economic recession.

The domestic and international economies are experiencing a significant recession. This recession has been magnified by the tightening of the credit markets. The domestic markets may remain depressed for an undeterminable period of time, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and profits.

The Company has incurred losses since inception and may incur future losses.

To date, the Company has not shown a profit in its operations. As of the Company’s year end September 30, 2011, it has accumulated losses of $68,308,114. It cannot assure that it will achieve or attain profitability beyond fiscal 2011. If it cannot achieve operating profitability, the Company may not be able to meet its working capital requirements, which could have a material adverse effect on its business and may impair its ability to continue as a going concern.  If we are unable to continue as a going concern, our stockholders could lose their entire investment in the Company.

 
9

 

The Company depends upon its relationship with DIRECTV.

The Company has entered into several agreements with DIRECTV since 2000. Under all of these agreements the Company may not market DTH services for any other provider. Consequently, the Company is primarily dependent upon DIRECTV for its set-top DTH programming service. During the year ended September 30, 2011, revenues from all DIRECTV services were approximately 65% of the Company’s total revenues. DIRECTV is not required to use the Company on an exclusive basis for marketing its programming to MDUs. The Company’s Agreement with DIRECTV can be terminated under various circumstances, including, in particular, an uncured material breach by the Company of the Agreement. Any such termination may have a material effect on the Company’s business.

Because the Company is an intermediary for DIRECTV, events the Company does not control at DIRECTV could adversely affect the Company. One of the most important of these is DIRECTV’s ability to provide programming that appeals to mass audiences. DIRECTV generally does not produce its own programming, but purchases programming from third parties. DIRECTV’s success, and accordingly the Company’s, depends in large part on DIRECTV’s ability to select popular programming sources and acquire access to this programming on favorable terms. The Company has no control or influence over this. If DIRECTV is unable to retain access to its current programming, the Company cannot be assured that DIRECTV would be able to obtain substitute programming, or that such substitute programming would be comparable in quality or cost to its existing programming. If DIRECTV is unable to continue to provide desirable programming, the Company would be placed at a competitive disadvantage and may lose subscribers and revenues.

The Company may be unable to meet its current and future capital requirements.

The Company had a net loss of $7.4 million, an accumulated deficit of $68 million and a working capital deficit of approximately $2.1 million at and for the year ended September 30, 2011.  The Company currently has access to its Credit Facility up to $30 million. Although the Company believes that it has sufficient liquidity to maintain existing operations of the business and meet its contractual obligations at least through September 30, 2012, the Company may seek to raise additional capital as necessary to meet certain capital and liquidity requirements in the future through equity or debt financings and/or the sale of certain assets. The Company’s current planned cash requirements for fiscal 2012 are based upon certain assumptions, including its ability to manage expenses and maintain and grow revenue.  These assumptions may vary from actual results.
 
Because of the uncertainties in raising additional capital, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain the necessary capital to finance its growth initiatives. Insufficient capital may require the Company to delay, scale back or stop its proposed development activities.

The Company’s management and operational systems might be inadequate to handle its potential growth.

Potential Company growth could place a significant strain upon its management and operational systems and resources. Failure to manage the Company’s growth effectively could have a material adverse effect upon its business, results of operations and financial condition and could force it to halt continued expansion, causing the Company to lose an opportunity to gain significant market share. The Company’s ability to compete effectively as a provider of digital satellite television and high-speed Internet products and services and to manage future growth will require the Company to continue to improve its operational systems, its organization and its financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures. The Company may fail to make these improvements effectively. Additionally, the Company’s efforts to make these improvements may divert the focus of its personnel.

The Company must integrate its key executives into a cohesive management team to expand its business. If new hires perform poorly, or if it is unsuccessful in hiring, training and integrating these new employees, or if it is not successful in retaining its existing employees, the Company’s business may be harmed. To manage the expected growth of the Company’s operations and personnel, the Company will need to increase its operational and financial systems, procedures and controls. The Company’s current and planned personnel, systems, procedures and controls may not be adequate to support its future operations. The Company may not be able to effectively manage such growth, and failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

 
10

 

The Company could face increased competition.

The Company faces competition from others who are competing for a share of the MDU subscriber base including other satellite companies, other DIRECTV system operators, cable companies and traditional phone companies. Also, DIRECTV itself could corporately focus on MDUs, which it has started to do. Other companies with substantially greater assets and operating histories could enter this market. The Company’s competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements and devote greater resources to develop, promote and sell their products or services. In addition, increased competition could result in reduced subscriber fees, reduced margins and loss of market share, any of which could harm the Company’s business.   The Company cannot assure that it can compete successfully against current or future competitors, many of which have substantially more capital, existing brand recognition, resources and access to additional financing. All these competitive pressures may result in increased marketing costs, or loss of market share or otherwise may materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Franchised cable television operators have a large, established subscriber base, and many cable operators have significant investments in, and access to, programming. One of the competitive advantages of DTH providers is their ability to provide subscribers with more channels and a better quality digital signal than traditional cable television systems. Many cable television operators have made significant investments to upgrade their systems, significantly increasing the number and variety of channels and the quality of the transmission they can provide to their subscribers. As a result of these upgrades, cable television operators have become better able to compete with DTH providers. If competition from cable television operators or traditional phone companies should increase in the future, the Company could experience a decrease in its number of subscribers or increased difficulty in obtaining new subscriptions.

The Company depends on key personnel to maintain its success.

The Company’s success depends substantially on the continued services of its executive officers and key employees, in particular Sheldon Nelson and certain other executive officers. The loss of the services of any of the Company’s key executive officers or key employees could harm its business. None of the Company’s key executive officers or key employees currently has a contract that guarantees their continued employment with the Company. There can be no assurance that any of these persons will remain employed by the Company or that these persons will not participate in businesses that compete with it in the future.

Corporate governance-related issues.

At present, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Sheldon Nelson, is also acting as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Because both the CEO and CFO positions are currently held by a single person, outside of the Board of Directors and the audit committee, no independent oversight of the CEO or the CFO function currently exist within the Company’s management structure.

System disruptions could affect the Company.

The Company’s ability to attract and retain subscribers depends on the performance, reliability and availability of its services and infrastructure. The Company may experience periodic service interruptions caused by temporary problems in its own systems or in the systems of third parties upon whom it relies to provide service or support. Fire, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins and similar events could damage these systems and interrupt the Company’s services. Service disruptions could adversely affect the Company’s revenue and, if they were prolonged, would seriously harm its business and reputation. The Company does not carry business interruption insurance to compensate for losses that may occur as a result of these interruptions. Any of these problems could adversely affect its business. If any of the DIRECTV satellites are damaged or stop working partially or completely, although DIRECTV has a contingency satellite plan, DIRECTV may not be able to continue to provide its subscribers with programming services. The Company would in turn likely lose subscribers, which could materially and adversely affect its operations and financial performance. DTH satellite technology is highly complex and is still evolving. As with any high technology product or system, it may not function as expected.

The market for the Company’s products and service are subject to technological change.

The market for digital satellite television and high-speed Internet products and services is characterized by rapid change, evolving industry standards and frequent introductions of new technological developments. These new standards and developments could make the Company’s existing or future products or services obsolete. Keeping pace with the introduction of new standards and technological developments could result in additional costs or prove difficult or impossible. The failure to keep pace with these changes and to continue to enhance and improve the responsiveness, functionality and features of the Company’s services could harm its ability to attract and retain users.

 
11

 

The Company may be affected by international terrorism or if the United States participates in wars or other military action.

Involvement in a war or other military action or acts of terrorism may cause significant disruption to commerce throughout the world. To the extent that such disruptions result in (i) delays or cancellations of customer orders, (ii) a general decrease in consumer spending on video broadcast and information technology, (iii) the Company’s inability to effectively market and distribute its products, or (iv) its inability to access capital markets, the Company’s business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. The Company is unable to predict whether the involvement in a war or other military action will result in any long-term commercial disruptions or if such involvement or responses will have any long-term material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, or financial condition.

The Company may issue preferred stock and common stock in the future.

The Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, of those shares without any vote or action by the Company’s common stockholders. The rights of the holders of the common stock will be subject to, and could be materially adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with corporate purposes, could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, discouraging tender offers for the common stock, and materially adversely affecting the voting rights and market price of the common stock.

The Company’s certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 35,000,000 shares of common stock. The future issuance of common stock may result in dilution in the percentage of the Company’s common stock held by its existing stockholders. Also, any stock the Company sells in the future may be valued on an arbitrary basis by it and the issuance of shares of common stock for future services, acquisitions or other corporate actions may have the effect of diluting the value of the shares held by existing stockholders.

Provisions in the Company’s charter documents and Delaware law could prevent or delay a change in control, which could reduce the market price of the Company’s common stock.

Provisions in the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in the Company’s management. Pursuant to the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the Company has a staggered Board of Directors whereby the directors are elected generally to serve three-year terms, are separated into three classes and each class is elected in a different year. The staggered Board of Directors may prevent or frustrate stockholder attempts to replace or remove current Board members as they will have to wait until each class of directors is up for election before the directors can be voted out of office. The Company’s certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with dividends, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the Company’s common stock. The ability of the Board to issue preferred stock may prevent or frustrate stockholder attempts to replace or remove current management. In addition, certain provisions of Delaware law may discourage, delay or prevent someone from acquiring or merging with the Company. These provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of the Company’s common stock.

Absence of dividends on common stock.

The Company has never declared nor paid any dividends on its common stock. The declaration and payment in the future of any cash or stock dividends on the common stock will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company and will depend upon a variety of factors, including the ability of the Company to service its outstanding indebtedness, if any, and to pay dividends on securities ranking senior to the common stock, the Company’s future earnings, if any, capital requirements, financial condition and such other factors as the Company’s Board of Directors may consider to be relevant from time to time. Earnings of the Company, if any, are expected to be retained for use in expanding the Company’s business. Accordingly, the Company does not expect to declare or pay any dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future.

 
12

 

The price of the Company’s securities may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations.

The market price of the Company’s securities may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. If the Company’s revenues do not grow or grow more slowly than it anticipates, or, if operating or capital expenditures exceed its expectations and cannot be adjusted accordingly, or if some other event adversely affects the Company, the market price of the Company’s securities could decline. If securities analysts alter their financial estimates of the Company’s financial condition it could affect the price of the Company’s securities. Some other factors that could affect the market price of the Company’s securities include announcements of new product or service offerings, technological innovations and competitive developments. In addition, if the market for stocks in the Company’s industry or the stock market in general experiences a loss in investor confidence or otherwise fails, the market price of the Company’s securities could fall for reasons unrelated to its business, results of operations and financial condition. The market price of the Company’s stock also might decline in reaction to conditions, trends or events that affect other companies in the market for digital satellite television and high-speed Internet products and services even if these conditions, trends or events do not directly affect the Company. In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been the subject of securities class action litigation. If the Company were to become the subject of securities class action litigation, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources.

The Company may default on its revolving line of credit.

On September 11, 2006, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with FCC, LLC, d/b/a First Capital, and Full Circle Funding, LP for a senior secured $20,000,000 credit facility (“Credit Facility”) to fund the Company’s subscriber growth. On June 30, 2008, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with FCC, LLC, d/b/a First Capital, and Full Circle Funding, LP for a senior secured $10 million increase to its original $20 million revolving five year Credit Facility for a total line of $30 million. There are several terms of default set forth in the Loan and Security Agreement. While the Company does not believe it a likely event, should the Company default on any of the terms, the balance owed under the Loan and Security Agreement may be accelerated and the Company may not have further access to the Credit Facility. In such a case, the Company may have to sell assets to repay the outstanding balance and scale back its growth considerably.

The Company’s common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board and is subject to the Penny Stock rules which makes transactions cumbersome and may reduce the value of an investment in the Company’s stock.

The Company’s common stock is a “penny stock” which is subject to Rule 15g-9 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. It is considered penny stock because it is not listed on a national exchange or NASDAQ and its bid price is below $5.00 per share. As a result, broker-dealers must comply with additional sales practices requirements. Broker-dealers must determine that the investment is suitable for the buyer and receive the buyer’s written agreement to the transaction before they can sell the Company’s common stock to buyers who are not the broker-dealer’s established customers or institutional accredited investors. In addition, broker-dealers must deliver to the buyer before the transaction a disclosure schedule which explains the penny stock market and its risks, discloses the commissions to be paid to the broker-dealer, discloses the stock’s bid and offer quotations, and discloses if the broker-dealer is the sole market maker in the stock. Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the "penny stock" rules. This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of the Company’s common stock and may cause a decline in the market value of the common stock.

The public trading market for the Company’s common stock is limited and may not be developed or sustained.

There is a limited trading market for the Company’s common stock. The common stock has been traded under the symbol “MDTV” on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board, a NASDAQ-sponsored and operated inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities. There can be no assurance that an active and liquid trading market will develop or, if developed, that it will be sustained.

 
13

 

If the Company fails to comply with requirements relating to internal controls over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, its business could be harmed and its stock price could decline.

Rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 require the Company to assess its internal controls over financial reporting annually. The rules governing the standards that must be met for management to assess its internal controls over financial reporting are complex. They require significant documentation, testing, and possible remediation of any significant deficiencies in and/or material weaknesses of its internal controls in order to meet the detailed standards under these rules. Although the Company has evaluated its internal controls over financial reporting as effective as of September 30, 2011, it may encounter unanticipated delays or problems in assessing its internal controls as effective or in completing assessments by required dates. In addition, the Company cannot assure that an audit of its internal controls by its independent registered public accountants, if and when required by Sarbanes-Oxley, will result in an unqualified opinion. If the Company cannot assess its internal controls as effective, investor confidence and share value may be negatively impacted.

Change of control may adversely affect certain contractual relationships.

Change in control of the Company, through ownership, beneficial ownership or majority representation on the Board of Directors, may have an adverse effect on certain contractual relationships, including those with our financing partners, programming partners, property owners and executive management.  For example, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Company’s amended financing agreement with FCC, LLC, d/b/a First Capital, and Full Circle Funding, LP, dated June 30, 2008, as set forth in Forms 8-K filed July 3, 2008 and July 11, 2008, a change in control is a condition of default.  Elements constituting a change of control can include a majority changeover in the directors comprising the Board or a beneficial shareholder (or group) acquiring an over 50% voting interest in the shares of stock of the Company.  Should this occur, the above lenders reserve the right, among other rights, to provide notice of default and call for immediate repayment of the borrowings outstanding on the credit facility.   Should such event occur, the Company may not be able to make such immediate payment.

Integration or performance of Company acquisitions, joint ventures or mergers may not be as expected.

Acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures entered into by the Company may have an adverse effect on its business. The Company expects to engage in acquisitions, mergers or joint ventures as part of its long-term business strategy. These transactions involve significant challenges and risks, including that the transaction does not advance business strategy, doesn’t realize a satisfactory return on investment, or difficulties may be experienced in the integration of new assets, employees, business systems, and technology, or diversion of management's attention from other businesses. These events could harm the operating results or financial condition of the Company.
 
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments

Not required under Regulation S-K for smaller reporting companies.

Item 2.
Properties

Our headquarters are in the greater New York City metropolitan area in Totowa, New Jersey, where we centralize our corporate administrative functions. The office houses our senior management, accounting and billing functions, call center, subscription management system and warehouse. We currently hold a lease in Totowa, New Jersey of 14,909 square feet at a current monthly cost of $17,394, expiring June 30, 2013. We believe that this space is adequate to suit our needs for the foreseeable future.

We currently hold a lease for office and warehouse space in Chicago, Illinois for approximately 4,100 square feet that runs through November 30, 2013 at a cost of $4,411 per month. This space is adequate to suit our needs for the foreseeable future in the Chicago metropolitan area.

 
14

 

We currently hold a lease for office and warehouse space in Pompano Beach, Florida for approximately 4,088 square feet that runs through December 31, 2012 at a cost of $2,793 per month. This space is adequate to suit our needs for the foreseeable future in the South Florida area.

We currently hold a lease for office and warehouse space in Rockville, Maryland for approximately 2,500 square feet that runs through April 30, 2012 at a cost of $2,300 per month. This space is adequate to suit our needs for the foreseeable future in the Mid-Atlantic area.

We currently hold a lease for office and warehouse space in Amherst, New York for approximately 1,710 square feet that runs through September 15, 2012 at a cost of $3,064 per month. This space is adequate to suit our needs for the foreseeable future.
 
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company may be subject to legal proceedings, which could have a material adverse effect on its business. As of September 30, 2011 and through the date of this filing, December 23, 2011, the Company is not involved in any litigation that would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Item 4.
Reserved.

PART II
 
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

The Company’s common stock is not traded on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market. The common stock has been quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “MDTV” since December 2, 1998. On December 14, 2010, the Company’s stock began trading on a 1-for-10 reverse-split basis. The range of high and low bid prices on the OTC Bulletin Board during each fiscal quarter for the past two years, as reported by Bloomberg L.P., is as follows:

Quarter Ended
 
High
   
Low
 
December 31, 2009
  $ 4.90     $ 2.90  
March 31, 2010
  $ 4.00     $ 2.60  
June 30, 2010
  $ 4.10     $ 2.50  
September 30, 2010
  $ 3.40     $ 2.20  
December 31, 2010
  $ 4.05     $ 2.50  
March 31, 2011
  $ 3.87     $ 2.68  
June 30, 2011
  $ 2.69     $ 2.00  
September 30, 2011
  $ 2.75     $ 1.02  

  Holders

On December 21, 2011, the closing price for the Company’s common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board was $1.80 per share. As of December 21, 2011, the Company had approximately 140 stockholders of record of its shares of common stock, with an approximate total of 900 stockholders of its common stock.

Dividends

The Company has not paid any cash dividends and does not anticipate that it will pay cash dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future.  Payment of cash dividends is within the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend, among other factors, upon earnings, financial condition and capital requirements.  There are no restrictions on the payment of dividends, except by the September 11, 2006 Credit Facility, as amended, described later in this Report.

 
15

 
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
(September 30, 2011)
 
  
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   
Weighted-
average exercise price
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
 
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under equity
compensation plans (2)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
285,230
(1)  
$
3.75
 
0
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
0
     
0
 
0

 
(1)
The 2001 Stock Option Plan was approved by the stockholders on May 10, 2001, see Note 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements, contained herein, with a total reservation of 560,000 shares of common stock. As of September 30, 2011, 274,770 options have been exercised.
(2)
Per the terms of the 2001 Stock Option Plan, it expired on of March 20, 2011, therefore no further grants from the 2001 Stock Option Plan can be made.
 
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data

Not required under Regulation S-K for smaller reporting companies.
 
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are included herein. This Report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. The discussion below should be read together with the risks to our business as described in Item 1A - “Risk Factors.”
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, the Company realized total revenue of $27,880,132, an 8% increase over the prior fiscal year’s revenue of $25,933,135. However, “recurring revenue” for the year ended September 30, 2011 (total revenue less the one-time HD upgrade subsidy received) increased by 10.5% over the recurring revenue from the prior fiscal year. Fiscal years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 included $0 and $708,650 in one-time HD upgrade subsidy revenue, respectively. EBITDA (as adjusted) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 was $3,758,862, or approximately 13.5% of revenue. EBITDA (as adjusted) for the prior fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 was $1,795,008 (inclusive of the $708,650 in one-time HD upgrade subsidy revenue). Net of the one-time HD upgrade subsidy revenue received in fiscal 2010, EBITDA (as adjusted) increased 246% during fiscal 2011.

The Company’s average revenue per unit (“ARPU”) was $29.88 at September 30, 2011, a 6% increase over $28.13, net of the one-time HD upgrade subsidy, for the year ended September 30, 2010. Inclusive of the one-time HD upgrade subsidy, ARPU was $29.82 for the year ended September 30, 2010. ARPU is calculated by dividing average monthly revenues for the period (total revenues during the period divided by the number of months in the period) by average subscribers for the period. The average subscribers for the period is calculated by adding the number of subscribers as of the beginning of the period and for each quarter end in the current year or period and dividing by the sum of the number of quarters in the period plus one. The Company believes that its ARPU will be positively impacted by (i) an increase in the total number of DIRECTV Choice and Exclusive subscribers that produce a higher ARPU relative to certain other types of subscribers, (ii) an increasing ARPU generated from the sale of incremental broadband services to the Company’s subscribers, (iii) a general increase in recurring revenue realized by the Company from the upgrade of properties to the new DIRECTV HD platform and the associated advanced services, and (iv) a shift in the Company’s strategy for certain subscribers whereby it purchases video programming on a wholesale basis and resells the service, along with equipment and other services, to these subscribers on a retail basis. The continued launch and advertising campaign for new DIRECTV HD programming and associated services will continue to provide visibility and incremental revenue from within Company properties.

 
16

 

A continued emphasis on reducing expenses resulted in lower, as a percent of revenue, sales expenses (2.7%), customer service expenses (1%), and general and administrative expenses (.8%), for the year ended September 30, 2011, compared to the year ended September 30, 2010. Collectively, operating expenses, net of depreciation and amortization, were 43.7% of total revenue in fiscal 2011, as compared to 48.2% during fiscal 2010. The fact that the Company’s expenses were lower as a percent of revenue, while serving an increased subscriber base, is evidence of the incremental financial benefit realized from subscriber growth and scale.
 
The Company’s operating income before depreciation and amortization was approximately 11% of total revenue (approximately $3.04 million) in fiscal 2011, a significant increase when compared to operating income of 5.3% of total revenue (approximately $1.37 million) in fiscal 2010. Depreciation and amortization expense remained relatively constant in dollar terms year-over-year, however, it declined as a percentage of revenue from 27.9% in fiscal 2010 to 26.4% in fiscal 2011. The Company reduced its loss per common share from $1.56 in fiscal 2010 to $1.35 in fiscal 2011.
 
The Company reports 78,725 subscribers at September 30, 2011, compared to 74,712 subscribers at September 30, 2010, a 5.4% increase. Additionally, as of September 30, 2011, the Company had 23 properties and 6,929 units in work-in-process, which will contribute to organic growth in the upcoming quarters.  The Company’s breakdown of total subscribers by type and kind as of September 30, 2011 is outlined below:
 
Service Type
 
Subscribers
as of
Sept. 30, 2010
   
Subscribers
as of
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Subscribers
as of
Mar. 31, 2011
   
Subscribers
as of
June 30, 2011
   
Subscribers
as of
Sept. 30, 2011
 
Bulk DTH 
    16,143       16,489       16,943       20,328       20,272  
Bulk BCA
    10,339       10,418       10,621       10,403       9,880  
DTH -Choice/Exclusive
    17,477       21,323       21,246       22,577       22,541  
Bulk Private Cable
    16,112       15,166       13,174       13,125       13,125  
Private Cable Choice/ Exclusive
    3,010       4,081       3,665       2,669       2,351  
Bulk ISP
    6,121       5,508       5,887       5,887       5,576  
ISP Choice or Exclusive
    5,484       5,534       5,356       4,818       4,966  
Voice
    26       26       22       18       14  
Total Subscribers
    74,712       78,545       76,914       79,825       78,725  
 
The Company successfully executed a plan in fiscal 2011 to expand its property service portfolio, generate new subscriber growth within properties, increase operating efficiency and improve EBITDA (as adjusted). In particular, the Company (i) concluded the transition of the remaining AT&T Video Services properties to its service platform, (ii) significantly increased its portfolio of digital Bulk DTH properties and subscribers, which provide guaranteed long-term revenue streams, (iii) increased its portfolio of digital DTH Choice and Exclusive properties and subscribers, which generate high ARPU and high gross profit margins, (iv) rolled out new premium priced broadband services and tiers to several of its broadband Internet properties, (v) reduced direct costs for broadband circuits while concurrently increasing significantly the bandwidth and connectivity speeds available to residents, (vi) continued to promote and enroll subscribers in its unique worry-free “Customer Protection Plan” service which requires the annual prepayment or monthly auto-payment of a recurring monthly fee, and (vii) expanded its presence into the South Central and West Coast markets.

The Company entered into a Construction Contractor Agreement with DIRECTV to be an authorized contractor to provide DIRECTV with system design and construction services to support DIRECTV’s multi-family Connected Properties™ program. The Company will utilize existing resources to fulfill project requirements. Additionally, the Company signed a DIRECTV MDU Referral and Right of Entry Acquisition Agreement whereby the Company is an authorized agent to negotiate “choice” right of entry agreements on behalf of DIRECTV for its multi-family Connected Properties™ program.

 
17

 

The Company continues negotiations with several companies that it deems significant strategic acquisition/merger prospects. To assist the Company in assessing its strategic plans, the Company has retained the investment advisory firm of Berkery, Noyes & Co. The Company makes no representations that these acquisition/merger negotiations will result in any closed transactions. The Company continues to assess its core and non-core service areas and has identified certain assets in non-core markets that are being considered for sale. To that end, the Company is engaged with several parties regarding interest for the sale of these assets at prices similar to what the Company has previously received. The Company makes no representations that these sale negotiations will result in any closed transactions.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses the performance gauge of EBITDA (as adjusted by the Company) to evidence earnings exclusive of mainly noncash events, as is common in the technology, and particularly the cable and telecommunications, industries. EBITDA (as adjusted) is an important gauge because the Company, as well as investors who follow this industry frequently, use it as a measure of financial performance. The most comparable GAAP reference is simply the removal from the Company’s net income (or loss) of interest, depreciation, amortization and noncash charges related to its shares, warrants and stock options. The Company adjusts EBITDA by then adding back any provision for bad debts and inventory reserves. EBITDA (as adjusted) is not, and should not be considered, an alternative to income from operations, net income, net cash provided by operating activities, or any other measure for determining our operating performance or liquidity, as determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. EBITDA (as adjusted) also does not necessarily indicate whether cash flow will be sufficient to fund working capital, capital expenditures or to react to changes in our industry or the economy generally. For the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company reported EBITDA (as adjusted) of $3,758,862 and $1,795,008, respectively. The year ended September 30, 2010 included $708,650 in non-recurring subsidy received from the HD upgrade program, whereas the year ended September 30, 2011 had $0. The following table reconciles the comparative EBITDA (as adjusted) of the Company to its consolidated net loss as computed under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America:

   
For The Years Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
EBITDA
  $ 3,758,862     $ 1,795,008  
Interest expense
    (2,668,097 )     (2,188,774 )
Deferred finance costs and debt discount amortization (interest expense)
    (358,093 )     (320,594 )
Provision for doubtful accounts
    (454,965 )     (317,569 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (7,370,275 )     (7,227,277 )
Share-based compensation expense - employees
    (54,131 )     (55,141 )
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock through Employee Stock Purchase Plan
    (29,884 )     (24,481 )
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock for employee bonuses
    (31,767 )      
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock for employee wages
    (59,790 )      
Compensation expense through the issuance of restricted common stock for services rendered
    (88,770 )     (28,000 )
Net Loss
  $ (7,356,910 )   $ (8,366,828 )

 
18

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 AND 2010

   
For The Year Ended
September 30, 2011
   
For The Year Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Change
($)
   
Change
(%)
 
REVENUE
  $ 27,880,132       100 %   $ 25,933,135       100 %   $ 1,946,997       8 %
Direct costs
    12,719,041       46 %     12,117,211       47 %     601,830       5 %
Sales expenses
    1,477,150       5 %     2,082,219       8 %     (605,069 )     -29 %
Customer service and operating expenses
    6,124,063       22 %     5,882,934       23 %     241,129       4 %
General and administrative expenses
    4,594,681       17 %     4,481,347       17 %     113,334       3 %
Depreciation and amortization
    7,370,275       26 %     7,227,277       28 %     142,998       2 %
Gain on sale of customers and property and equipment
    (74,106 )     0 %     -       0 %     (74,106 )        
OPERATING LOSS
    (4,330,972 )     -16 %     (5,857,853 )     -23 %     1,526,881       -26 %
Total other expense
    (3,025,938 )     -11 %     (2,508,975 )     -9 %     (516,963 )     21 %
NET LOSS
  $ (7,356,910 )     -27 %   $ (8,366,828 )     -32 %   $ 1,009,918       -12 %

Net Loss.      Primarily as a result of the matters discussed below, and noncash charges for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 of $8,447,675 and $7,973,062, respectively, the Company reported a net loss of $7,356,910 and $8,366,828 for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Revenues.    Revenue for the year ended September 30, 2011 increased 8% to $27,880,132, compared to revenue of $25,933,135 for the year ended September 30, 2010. The revenue for the year ended September 30, 2010 included $708,650 in one-time installation revenue from the DIRECTV HD upgrade subsidy compared to $0 corresponding HD upgrade subsidy revenue in the year ended September 30, 2011. Adjusted for this difference in HD upgrade subsidy, the Company actually realized 10.5% growth in “recurring revenue” during the periods. This increase in recurring revenue is mainly attributable to the increase in billable (and higher ARPU) subscribers, price increases and a higher percentage of customers subscribing to advanced services. Revenue (inclusive of the DIRECTV HD upgrade subsidy) has been derived, as a percent, from the following sources:

   
For The Year Ended
 September 30, 2011
   
For The Year Ended
September 30, 2010
 
Private cable programming revenue
  $ 4,027,567       15 %   $ 4,584,648       18 %
DTH programming revenue and subsidy
    18,103,003       65 %     15,315,692       59 %
Internet access fees
    3,180,439       11 %     3,351,395       13 %
Installation fees, wiring and other revenue
    2,569,123       9 %     2,681,400       10 %
Total Revenue
  $ 27,880,132       100 %   $ 25,933,135       100 %

The Company expects DTH programming revenue to continue to increase due to a larger subscriber base, an increase in revenue associated with advanced services, and the conversion of certain properties from low average revenue private cable subscribers to DIRECTV service subscribers, which conversely explains the decrease in private cable programming revenue. The decrease in installation fees, wiring and other revenue is due to the completion of the HD upgrade plan and loss of the subsidy referenced above. The Company expects revenues to increase as it concentrates on increasing the penetration of additional revenue streams obtained from subscribers.

Direct Costs.  Direct costs are comprised of programming costs, monthly recurring Internet broadband circuits and costs relating directly to installation services. Direct costs increased slightly to $12,719,041 for the year ended September 30, 2011, as compared to $12,117,211 for the year ended September 30, 2010, due to the 5.4% increase in subscriber base between the periods, however, as a percent of revenue, direct costs declined 1% between the periods. The Company expects a proportionate increase in direct costs as subscriber growth continues, however, direct costs are linked to the type of subscribers the Company adds. Choice and exclusive DTH DIRECTV subscribers have no associated programming cost and therefore little to no direct cost, while private cable and broadband subscribers have programming and circuit costs and therefore a higher direct cost. The Company expects direct costs to increase as subscribers are added and also expects that these costs may increase as a percent of revenue as the Company assumes the programming costs for a certain portion of its subscriber base, but which will be slightly offset by (i) the addition of other lower direct cost subscribers, and (ii) the continuing decrease of broadband circuits prices.

 
19

 

Sales Expenses.  Sales expenses were $1,477,150 and $2,082,219 for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, a 3% decrease as a percent of revenue. The decrease is attributable to cost cutting measures and a concentration of sales and marketing efforts primarily on newly acquired properties. The Company expects sales expenses to remain constant as sales and marketing efforts remain strictly focused, but should continue to decline as a percent of revenue as additional revenue is generated from new subscribers with no corresponding increase in sales and marketing resources. However, dependent on the Company’s involvement in DIRECTV’s Connected Properties program in 2012, sales expenses may increase in dollars and as a percent of revenue.

Customer Service and Operating Expenses.   Customer service and operating expenses are comprised of expenses related to the Company’s call center, technical support, project management and general operations. Customer service and operating expenses were $6,124,063 and $5,882,934 for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, a 1% reduction as a percent of revenue. These expenses are generally expected to increase in dollars in relative proportion with any increase in billable subscribers or any increase in customer service quality levels, however, the Company anticipates these expenses to continue to decrease slightly as a percent of revenue as efficiencies and scale are further realized. A breakdown of customer service and operating expenses is as follows:
 
   
Year Ended
September 30, 2011
   
Year Ended
September 30, 2010
 
Call center expenses
  $ 2,284,878       37 %   $ 2,049,654       35 %
General operating expenses
    979,332       16 %     1,225,666       21 %
Property system maintenance expenses
    2,859,853       47 %     2,607,614       44 %
Total customer service and operating expense
  $ 6,124,063       100 %   $ 5,882,934       100 %

Call center expenses are closely proportional to the number of subscribers the Company adds during any given period and increased relatively proportionally to subscriber growth between the two periods. General operating expenses decreased due to cost reductions and greater efficiencies. Property system maintenance is generally proportional to the number of properties the Company services (not necessarily the number of subscribers), so the increase between the periods was due primarily to the increased number of actual properties.
 
Additionally, the Company wrote-off obsolete fixed assets during the year ended September 30, 2011 in the amount of $63,662, which is reported in customer service and operating expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, remained fairly constant at $4,594,681 and $4,481,347, respectively. Of the general and administrative expenses for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had total noncash charges included of $705,165 and $425,191, respectively. Excluding the $705,165 and $425,191 in noncash charges from the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, general and administrative expenses were $3,889,516 (14% of revenue) compared to $4,056,156 (16% of revenue), respectively. General and administrative expenses are fairly fixed and, therefore, the Company expects these expenses to remain fairly constant, but continue to decline as a percent of revenue.
 
Gain on Sale of Customers and Property and Equipment.
 
During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company sold subscribers and certain related property and equipment to Comcast of California IX, Inc. The gain on the sale was $60,416 on total proceeds of $89,651. Additionally, as part of the Connected Properties transfer initiative with DIRECTV, the Company transferred one property for total proceeds of $22,650 and a gain of $13,690.

There was no gain on sale of customers and property and equipment for the year ended September 30, 2010.

 
20

 

Other Noncash Charges.   Depreciation and amortization expenses increased slightly from $7,227,277 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 to $7,370,275 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, but resulted in a 2% decrease as a percent of revenue. The dollar increase in depreciation and amortization is associated with additional equipment being deployed, including HD upgrade equipment, and other intangible assets that were acquired in prior periods. Interest expense during the year ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 included noncash charges of $358,093 and $320,594, respectively, for the amortization of deferred finance costs and debt discount.

Other Income, Net. During the year ended September 30, 2011, interest expense increased to $3,026,190 from interest expense of $2,509,368 for the year ended September 30, 2010, due mainly to increased Credit Facility borrowing.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

During the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded net losses of $7,356,910 and $8,366,828, respectively. Company operations used net cash of $235,063 and had positive cash flow from operating activities of $305,127 during the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. However, the cause for higher positive cash flow from operating activities for the year ended September 30, 2010 was primarily a result of $708,650 in DIRECTV HD upgrade subsidy with no upgrade revenue in the year ended September 30, 2011. At September 30, 2011, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $68,308,114.

On September 11, 2006, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with FCC, LLC, d/b/a First Capital, and Full Circle Funding, LP for a senior secured $20 million non-amortizing revolving five-year credit facility (“Credit Facility”) to fund the Company's subscriber growth. On June 30, 2008, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with the same parties for a $10 million increase to the Credit Facility and a new five-year term.
 
The Credit Facility requires interest payable monthly only on the principal outstanding and is specially tailored to the Company's needs by being divided into six $5 million increments. The Company is under no obligation to draw an entire increment at one time. The first $5 million increment carries an interest rate of prime plus 4.1%, the second $5 million at prime plus 3%, the third $5 million at prime plus 2%, the fourth $5 million at prime plus 1%, and the new $10 million in additional Credit Facility is also divided into two $5 million increments with the interest rate on these increments being prime plus 1% to 4%, depending on the Company's ratio of EBITDA to the total outstanding loan balance. As defined in the Credit Facility, “EBITDA” shall mean the Company’s net income (excluding extraordinary gains and non-cash charges) before provisions for interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization. As defined in the Credit Facility, “prime” shall be a minimum of 7.75%.
 
The Company borrowed $4,034,141 on its Credit Facility for the year ended September 30, 2011, and as of that date, the Company has borrowed a total of $27,215,966 (not including debt discount of $77,509), which is due on June 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2011, $2,784,034 remains available for borrowing under the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility is secured by the Company’s cash and temporary investments, accounts receivable, inventory, access agreements and certain property, plant and equipment. The Credit Facility contains covenants limiting the Company’s ability to, without the prior written consent of FCC, LLC, d/b/a First Capital, and Full Circle Funding, LP, among other things:

·
incur other indebtedness;
·
incur other liens;
·
undergo any fundamental changes;
·
engage in transactions with affiliates;
·
issue certain equity, grant dividends or repurchase shares;
·
change our fiscal periods;
·
enter into mergers or consolidations;
·
sell assets; and
·
prepay other debt.

 
21

 

The Credit Facility also includes certain events of default, including nonpayment of obligations, bankruptcy and change of control. Borrowings will generally be available subject to a borrowing base and to the accuracy of all representations and warranties, including the absence of a material adverse change and the absence of any default or event of default.

The Company did not incur or record a provision for income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 due to the net loss. The net operating loss carry forward expires on various dates through 2031, therefore, the Company should not incur cash needs for income taxes for the foreseeable future.

The Company believes, but cannot assure, that the combination of revenues, expected revenue increases, and the remaining available balance under the Credit Facility will provide it with the needed capital to maintain operations through September 30, 2012. Should the Company begin to significantly accelerate subscriber growth, it may have to sell assets or find alternative sources of capital funding.

Cash Position.  At September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $84,747 and $324,524, respectively. The Company maintains little cash, as revenues are deposited against the balance of the Credit Facility to reduce interest cost. During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company increased the amount borrowed against the Credit Facility by $4,034,141. As of September 30, 2011, the Company believes, but cannot assure, that the combination of cash, revenues, expected revenue growth and the remaining available balance under the Credit Facility will provide it with the needed funds to maintain operations at least through September 30, 2012.

Operating Activities.  Company operations used net cash of $235,063 and provided net cash of $305,127 for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net cash used in operations for the year ended September 30, 2011 included an increase in accounts receivables of $764,926, a decrease in prepaid expenses of $29,641, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $635,477 and an increase in deferred revenue of $55,378.

Net cash provided by operations for the year ended September 30, 2010 included a decrease in accounts receivables of $283,361, an increase in prepaid expenses of $26,878, an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $650,533 and a decrease in deferred revenue of $252,712. Additionally, the year ended September 30, 2010 included $708,650 in non-recurring subsidy received from the HD upgrade program, whereas the year ended September 30, 2011 had $0.

The Company’s net losses of $7,356,910 and $8,366,828 for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, are inclusive of net noncash charges associated primarily with depreciation and amortization, stock options and warrants, and other non-cash charges totaling $8,447,675 and $7,973,062 for the respective periods.

Investing Activities. During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company (i) purchased $3,288,559 of equipment relating to subscriber additions and HD upgrades for the fiscal year and to be used for future periods, (ii) paid $619,732 for the acquisition of intangible assets and related fees, (iii) received $89,651 in proceeds from the sale of subscribers and related property and equipment to Comcast, and (iv) received $22,650 in proceeds for the sale of subscribers and related property and equipment to DIRECTV.

During the year ended September 30, 2010, the Company (i) purchased $6,687,200 of equipment relating to subscriber additions and HD upgrades for the fiscal year and to be used for future periods, (ii) paid $853,667 for the acquisition of intangible assets and related fees, and (iii) received $5,000 in proceeds on the disposal of equipment.

Financing Activities.  During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company incurred $250,000 in deferred financing costs and increased the amount borrowed through the Credit Facility by $4,034,141. Equity financing activity provided $7,135 from 2,785 shares of common stock purchased by employees through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 
22

 

During the year ended September 30, 2010, the Company incurred $200,000 in deferred financing costs and increased the amount borrowed through the Credit Facility by $7,058,354. Equity financing activity provided $8,575 from 2,719 shares of common stock purchased by employees through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Working Capital.  The Company had negative working capital of $2,089,623 and $2,714,130 as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Credit Facility provided $4,034,141 and $7,058,354 in proceeds towards working capital for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. To minimize the draw on the Credit Facility, the Company expects to be at neutral or slightly negative working capital. The Company believes, but can not assure, that it will have sufficient funds to meet current operating activity obligations through current revenues, expected revenue growth and the funds available through the Credit Facility to maintain operations through at least September 30, 2012.

Capital Commitments and Contingencies.    The Company has access agreements with the owners of MDU properties to supply satellite television and Internet systems and services to the residents of those properties. However, the Company has no obligation to build out those properties and no penalties will accrue if it elects not to do so.

Future Capital Requirements.  The Company believes, but can not assure, that it has sufficient liquidity to fund operating expenses through September 30, 2012 and beyond. To fund future organic growth and acquisitions, the Company has been and will continue to (i) pursue opportunities to raise additional financing through private placements of both equity and debt securities, (ii) accelerate deployments and growth through DIRECTV and other programs that do not require significant capital outlay, and/or (iii) pursue negotiations with certain entities for the sale of Company non-core assets. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in the financing of this or any of the other above directives.
 
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

As of September 30, 2011, the resources required for scheduled payment of contractual obligations were as follows:

   
Total
   
Due in 1
year or less
   
Due after 1 year
through 3 years
   
Due after 3 years
through 5 years
 
Operating leases
  $ 613,423     $ 376,299     $ 237,124     $  
Credit Facility borrowing
    27,215,966             27,215,966        
Total contractual obligations
  $ 27,829,389     $ 376,299     $ 27,453,090     $  

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. This section summarizes the critical accounting policies and the related judgments involved in their application.

 
23

 

Revenue recognition with respect to initial service or connection:

On June 1, 2007, the Company signed a new System Operator Agreement with DIRECTV (the “DIRECTV Agreement"), which replaced an agreement dated September 29, 2003. Under the DIRECTV Agreement, the Company receives monthly residual fees from DIRECTV based upon the programming revenue DIRECTV receives from subscribers within the Company's multi-dwelling unit properties. The Company also receives an “Individual Subscriber PPC” (prepaid programming commission, also known as an “activation fee”) for every new subscriber that activates a DIRECTV commissionable programming package. The Individual Subscriber PPC is paid on a gross activation basis in choice and exclusive properties and on a one-time basis in bulk properties. The payment of the Individual Subscriber PPC requires an annual commitment for the individual services and is subject to a “charge back” if a subscriber disconnects within the annual commitment. The revenue from the Individual Subscriber PPC is recognized over one year in conjunction with the annual commitment. The DIRECTV Agreement also provides for an “Analog Commission” to the Company for the addition of a new Bulk Choice Advantage (“BCA”) subscriber. The Analog Commission is not subject to an annual commitment from a subscriber and there is no proportional “charge back” by DIRECTV if a subscriber disconnects at any time. Due to the fact that no portion of the Analog Commission is subject to the annual commitment or charge back provision, the Analog Commission is recognizable immediately upon the approval and acceptance of the subscriber by DIRECTV.

Deferred revenue:

The Company’s balance sheet line item of deferred revenue represents (i) payments by subscribers in advance of the delivery of services, and (ii) the Individual Subscriber PPC commission that DIRECTV pays the Company for obtaining subscribers with an annual commitment. The quarterly and annual advance payments made by some subscribers to the Company’s services (see (i) above) and the commissions paid to the Company from DIRECTV for certain DTH and BCA customers who sign an annual agreement (see (ii) above) are placed in the current portion of deferred revenue because such revenue is recognized within one year. The quarterly and annual advance payments are recognized in each month for which the payment is intended by the subscriber. The DIRECTV commissions are recognized equally over a twelve month period because DIRECTV has the ability to pro-rate a “charge-back” on the commission for any subscriber cancellation of an annual agreement during the first year of programming service.

Use of estimates:

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with United States GAAP 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 date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are used for, but not limited to, revenue recognition with respect to a new subscriber activation subsidy, allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives of property and equipment and amortizable intangible assets, fair value of equity instruments, and valuation of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Allowance for doubtful accounts:

The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts equal to the estimated collection losses based on historical experience coupled with a review of the current status of existing receivables. Any significant variations in historical experience or status of existing accounts receivable could have a material impact on the Company’s statement of operations.

Fair value of equity instruments (stock-based compensation):

The Company measures compensation expense based on estimated fair values of all stock-based awards, including, employee stock options, restricted stock awards and stock purchase rights. Stock-based compensation is recognized in the financial statements based on the portion of their grant date fair values expected to vest over the period during which the employees are required to provide their services in exchange for the equity instruments.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock-based awards. The Black-Scholes model requires the use of highly subjective and complex assumptions, including the option’s expected term and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The expected term of options is based on observed historical exercise patterns. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility over the expected life of the options.

All other issuances of common stock, stock options, warrants or other equity instruments to employees and non-employees as consideration for goods or services received were accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument, whichever is more readily measurable. Such fair value is measured at an appropriate date and capitalized or expensed as if the Company had paid cash for the goods or services.

 
24

 

For purposes of determining the fair values of options and warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the Company used the following assumptions in the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Expected volatility
    189 %     82 %
Risk-free interest rate
    1.86 %     2.20 %
Expected years of option life
    4.1       4.1  
Expected dividends
    0 %     0 %

Given an active trading market for its common stock, the Company estimated the volatility of stock based on week ending closing prices over a historical period of not less than one year. As a result, depending on how the market perceives any news regarding the Company or its earnings, as well as market conditions in general, it could have a material impact on the volatility used in computing the value we place on these equity instruments.

Valuation of deferred tax assets:

The Company regularly evaluates its ability to recover the reported amount of deferred income tax assets considering several factors, including an estimate of the likelihood that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in future years in which temporary differences reverse and net operating loss carry forwards may be used. Due to the uncertainties related to, among other things, the extent and timing of future taxable income, the Company offset its net deferred tax assets by an equivalent valuation allowance as of September 30, 2011 and 2010.

Valuation of long-lived assets:

The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived tangible and intangible assets whenever it determines that events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. This assessment is primarily based upon estimate of future cash flows associated with these assets. Accordingly, the Company has determined that there has not been an impairment of any of long-lived assets. However, should the Company’s operating results deteriorate, it may determine that some portions of long-lived tangible or intangible assets are impaired. Such determination could result in noncash charges to income that could materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations for that period.

Reporting segments:

Financial reporting for segments of a business enterprise establishes standards for the way that public entities report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires reporting of selected information about operating segments in interim financial statements regarding products and services, geographic areas and major customers. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performances.

The Company operates in one reported operating segment - communication services to the residential MDU industry. Within communication services there are three main communication products, (i) DTH digital satellite television programming, (ii) Private Cable television programming, and (iii) high-speed Internet services, all of which are provided and maintained through four Company regional offices. Performance of the Company, and its three main products, is evaluated by the Company's Chief Executive Officer based on total Company results. There are no segment or product managers. All of the products (in all geographic regions) are sold to common customers in multi-dwelling unit properties, are delivered over common wiring schemes and common equipment, by common technicians and installers trained in all three products, are thereafter maintained and serviced during common service visits, customers are billed for products on a common invoice and customer issues are handled through a common call center.

 
25

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In April 2011, accounting standards update on “Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements” was issued. The amendments in this update remove from the assessment of effective control (a) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and (b) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion. The guidance should be applied prospectively to transactions or modifications of existing transactions that occur on or after the effective date. The guidance is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company does not believe that this update will have a material impact on its operations.

In March 2011, accounting standards update on “Troubled Debt Restructuring” was issued. The update clarifies which loan modifications constitute troubled debt restructurings. It is intended to assist creditors in determining whether a modification of the terms of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a troubled debt restructuring, both for purposes of recording an impairment loss and for disclosure of troubled debt restructurings. In evaluating whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, a creditor must separately conclude that both of the following exist, (a) the restructuring constitutes a concession, and (b) the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. For public companies, the new guidance was effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The adoption of “Troubled Debt Restructuring” did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In October 2009, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements” was issued. This update provides amendments to the criteria for revenue recognition for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable arrangements. The amendments to this update establish a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements was effective for financial statements issued for years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The Company has evaluated the effect that the adoption of Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements has on its consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows, and concluded it did not have a material impact.

The FASB, the EITF and the SEC have issued certain other accounting pronouncements and regulations as of September 30, 2011 that will become effective in subsequent periods, however, management of the Company does not believe that any of those pronouncements would have significantly affected the Company’s financial accounting measurements or disclosures had they been in effect during 2011 and 2010, and it does not believe that any of those pronouncements will have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements at the time they become effective.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements:

None.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Not required under Regulation S-K for smaller reporting companies.


 
26

 

Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders
MDU Communications International, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MDU Communications International, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficiency) and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MDU Communications International, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and their results of operations and cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ J.H. Cohn LLP
Roseland, New Jersey
December 23, 2011

 
27

 

MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2011 and 2010

   
September 30,
2011
   
September 30,
2010
 
  
           
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 84,747     $ 324,524  
Accounts and other receivables, net of an allowance of $1,390,686 and $913,786
    1,780,362       1,470,401  
Prepaid expenses and deposits
    613,314       645,719  
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
    2,478,423       2,440,644  
  
               
Telecommunications equipment inventory
    554,515       843,082  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $32,941,454 and $28,240,886
    19,867,246       22,696,096  
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $8,212,000 and $7,417,568
    2,024,451       2,470,875  
Deposits, net of current portion
    67,214       64,450  
Deferred finance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,248,252 and $934,449
    275,197       339,000  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 25,267,046     $ 28,854,147  
  
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Accounts payable
  $ 2,511,776     $ 2,698,920  
Other accrued liabilities
    1,240,756       1,793,951  
Current portion of deferred revenue
    815,514       661,903  
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
    4,568,046       5,154,774  
  
               
Deferred revenue, net of current portion
    87,788       186,021  
Credit line borrowing, net of debt discount
    27,138,457       23,060,026  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    31,794,291       28,400,821  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
               
  
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
               
Preferred stock, par value $0.001; 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
           
Common stock, par value $0.001; 35,000,000 shares authorized, 5,503,111 and 5,395,886 shares issued and 5,485,669 and 5,378,444 shares outstanding
    5,504       5,396  
Additional paid-in capital
    61,843,689       61,467,458  
Accumulated deficit
    (68,308,114 )     (60,951,204 )
Less: Treasury stock; 17,442 shares
    (68,324 )     (68,324 )
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
    (6,527,245 )     453,326  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
  $ 25,267,046     $ 28,854,147  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 
28

 

MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
REVENUE
  $ 27,880,132     $ 25,933,135  
                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
               
Direct costs
    12,719,041       12,117,211  
Sales expenses
    1,477,150       2,082,219  
Customer service and operating expenses
    6,124,063       5,882,934  
General and administrative expenses
    4,594,681       4,481,347  
Depreciation and amortization
    7,370,275       7,227,277  
Gain on sale of customers and plant and equipment
    (74,106 )      
TOTALS
    32,211,104       31,790,988  
                 
OPERATING LOSS
    (4,330,972 )     (5,857,853 )
                 
Other income (expense)
               
Interest income
    252       393  
Interest expense
    (3,026,190 )     (2,509,368 )
NET LOSS
  $ (7,356,910 )   $ (8,366,828 )
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
  $ (1.35 )   $ (1.56 )
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
    5,436,767       5,365,632  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 
29

 

MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficiency)
Years Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

    
Common Stock
   
Treasury Stock
   
Additional
   
Accumulated
   
 
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
Balance, October 1, 2009
    5,349,900     $ 5,350       (17,442 )   $ (68,324 )   $ 61,237,866     $ (52,584,376 )   $ 8,590,516  
Issuance of common stock through employee stock purchase plan
    2,719       3                       10,078               10,081  
Issuance of common stock for employee bonuses
    40,291       40                       153,066               153,106  
Issuance of restricted common stock for compensation for services to be rendered
    2,976       3                       11,307               11,310  
Share-based compensation - employees
                                    55,141               55,141  
Net loss
                                            (8,366,828 )     (8,366,828 )
Balance, October 1, 2010
    5,395,886       5,396       (17,442 )     (68,324 )     61,467,458       (60,951,204 )     453,326  
Issuance of common stock through employee stock purchase plan
    2,785       3                       9,301               9,304  
Issuance of common stock for employee bonuses
    48,125       48                       153,797               153,845  
Issuance of common stock for employee wages
    23,315       24                       70,265               70,289  
Issuance of restricted common stock for compensation for services rendered
    33,000       33                       88,737               88,770  
Share-based compensation - employees
                                    54,131               54,131  
Net loss
                                            (7,356,910 )     (7,356,910 )
Balance, September 30, 2011
    5,503,111     $ 5,504       (17,442 )   $ (68,324 )   $ 61,843,689     $ (68,308,114 )   $ (6,527,245 )

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 
30

 

MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net loss
  $ (7,356,910 )   $ (8,366,828 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Bad debt provision
    454,965       317,569  
Depreciation and amortization
    7,370,275       7,227,277  
Share-based compensation expense - employees
    54,131       55,141  
Charge to interest expense for amortization of deferred finance costs and debt discount
    358,093       320,594  
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock through employee stock purchase plan
    29,884       24,481  
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock for employee bonuses
    31,767        
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock for employee services
    59,790        
Compensation expense for issuance of restricted common stock for compensation
    88,770       28,000  
Gain on sale of customers and property and equipment
    (74,106 )      
Loss on write-off of property and equipment
    63,662       44,589  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivables
    (764,926 )     283,361  
Prepaid expenses and deposits
    29,641       (26,878 )
Accounts payable
    (187,144 )     618,995  
Other accrued liabilities
    (448,333 )     31,538  
Deferred revenue
    55,378       (252,712 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (235,063 )     305,127  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Purchase of property and equipment
    (3,288,559 )     (6,687,200 )
Proceeds from the sale of customers and property and equipment
    112,301       5,000  
Acquisition of intangible assets
    (619,732 )     (853,667 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (3,795,990 )     (7,535,867 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Net proceeds from credit line borrowing
    4,034,141       7,058,354  
Deferred financing costs
    (250,000 )     (200,000 )
Proceeds from purchase of common stock through employee stock purchase plan
    7,135       8,575  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    3,791,276       6,866,929  
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (239,777 )     (363,811 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
    324,524       688,335  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR
  $ 84,747     $ 324,524  

 
31

 


   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
           
             
Issuance of 34,255 and 40,291 shares of common stock for employee bonuses
  $ 104,862     $ 130,121  
                 
Issuance of 2,976 shares of restricted common stock for services rendered
  $     $ 11,130  
                 
Accrued purchase of equipment not yet paid
  $     $ 185,684  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
               
                 
Interest paid
  $ 2,632,327     $ 2,125,637  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 
32

 

MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1.
BUSINESS

MDU Communications International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) provide delivery of digital satellite television programming, high-speed (broadband) Internet and Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) services to residents of multi-dwelling unit properties (“MDUs”) such as apartment buildings, condominiums, gated communities, hotels and universities. Management considers all of the Company’s operations to be in one industry segment.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis of accounting, which contemplates realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. As shown in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company had a net loss of $7.4 million, an accumulated deficit of $68 million and a working capital deficit of approximately $2.1 million at and for the year ended September 30, 2011.

The Company’s cost structure is somewhat variable and provides management some ability to manage costs as appropriate. Based upon an analysis of the anticipated working capital requirements and the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, current revenue levels, expected revenue growth, cost reductions and remaining funds available to it under the Credit Facility, management believes, but cannot assure, that the Company has sufficient liquidity to maintain operations of the business and meet its contractual obligations through at least September 30, 2012.
 
Although the Company believes that it has sufficient liquidity to maintain existing operations, the Company may seek to raise additional capital as necessary to meet certain capital and liquidity requirements in the future through equity or debt financings and/or the sale of certain assets. If any such activities were to become necessary, there can be no assurance that the Company would be successful in completing any of these activities on terms that would be favorable to the Company, if at all.

The Company's funding of capital commitments that contemplate accelerated growth will be dependent upon the Company’s ability to (i) raise additional funds through private placements of equity or debt securities, (ii) enter into material acquisitions utilizing debt and/or Company equity, (iii) accelerate deployment and growth under DIRECTV Programs, or others, that significantly decreases the Company’s capital requirements, and/or (iv) pursue negotiations with certain entities for the sale of Company non-core assets. The Company has been and will continue to pursue these above opportunities to fund current and future growth, however, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in these directives.

2.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and reflect the significant accounting polices described below:

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated 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 date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are used for, but not limited to, revenue recognition with respect to a new subscriber activation subsidy, allowance for doubtful accounts, purchase price allocation, useful lives of property and equipment, fair value of equity instruments and valuation of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 
33

 

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MDU Communications International, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, MDU Communications Inc. and MDU Communications (USA) Inc. All inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated.

Deferred Financing Costs and Debt Discount

Costs related to obtaining loans are presented as deferred finance costs on the consolidated balance sheets and amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method over the term of the related obligation. Debt discount is offset against the principal balance of the related loan and amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the related loan.
 
Telecommunications Equipment Inventory and Property and Equipment

Telecommunications equipment inventory consists of receivers and other supplies that will either be sold or installed by the Company under subscription agreements and, accordingly, is not depreciated. Such inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of inventory sold or transferred to telecommunications equipment upon installation in connection with subscription agreements is determined on a first-in, first-out basis.

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Direct costs of placing telecommunications equipment into service and major improvements are capitalized. Costs of connecting and disconnecting service are expensed. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as follows:
 
Installed telecommunications equipment
7 years
Computer equipment
5 years
Furniture and fixtures
5 years

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of acquired property access agreements and subscriber lists and their costs are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of five years using the straight-line method.

Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the assets. No impairment losses were identified by the Company for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue for satellite programming and other services to customers in the period the related services are provided and the amount of revenue is determinable and collection is reasonably assured.

The Company offers installation services to building owners and managers for the construction of wiring and installation of equipment to allow for telecommunications services, including the sale of related equipment. Revenue from the sale of equipment is recognized when title transfers, and installation revenue is recognized in the period that the services are performed, the amount of revenue is determinable and collection is reasonably assured.

In certain arrangements with suppliers of satellite programming or other services, the Company does not bear inventory or credit risk in connection with the service provided to the customer.  For those arrangements where the Company does not act as a principal in the transaction, such revenue is recorded on the net basis and, accordingly, the amount of revenue is equivalent to the contractual commission earned by the Company. Revenues from providing services under contracts where the Company acts as a principal in the transaction, exercises pricing control and bears the risk of collection are recorded based on the gross amount billed to the customer when the amount is determinable.

 
34

 

During the year ended September 30, 2010, the Company received an upgrade subsidy from DIRECTV when it completed a high definition satellite system upgrade (“HD upgrade subsidy”) on certain of the Company’s properties. This subsidy was treated as revenue; however, receipt of the funds was conditional on a minimum retention period of three years and may require a full refund of the subsidy by the Company to DIRECTV for properties that terminate DIRECTV service before expiration of the three year period.  Through the year ended September 30, 2010, every property that the Company completed the HD upgrade had a minimum term of three years. No HD upgrade subsidy was recognized in the year ended September 30, 2011.
 
Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue primarily represents (i) payments by subscribers in advance of the delivery of services, and (ii) the commission (Individual Subscriber PPC) that DIRECTV pays the Company for obtaining subscribers with an annual commitment. The quarterly and annual advance payments made by some subscribers to the Company’s services (see (i) above) and the commissions paid to the Company from DIRECTV for certain DTH customers who sign an annual agreement (see (ii) above) are placed in the current portion of deferred revenue because such revenue is recognized within one year. The quarterly and annual advance payments are recognized in each month for which the payment is intended by the subscriber. The DIRECTV commissions are recognized equally over a twelve month period because DIRECTV has the ability to pro-rate a “charge-back” on the commission for any subscriber cancellation of an annual commitment during the first year of programming service.

Accounts Receivable

The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts equal to the estimated collection losses based on historical experience coupled with a review of the current status of existing receivables.

Loss Per Common Share

The Company presents “basic” earnings (loss) per common share and, if applicable, “diluted” earnings per common share. Basic earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the net income or loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share is similar to that of basic earnings per common share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive common shares, such as those issueable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, were issued during the period and the treasury stock method was applied.

For the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, basic and diluted loss per common share are the same as the Company had net losses for these periods and the effect of the assumed exercise of options and warrants would be anti-dilutive. As of September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had potentially dilutive common shares attributable to options and warrants that were exercisable (or potentially exercisable) into shares of common stock as presented in the following table:

   
For The Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Warrants
    75,000       175,000  
Options
    285,230       227,600  
Potentially dilutive common shares
    360,230       402,600  

 
35

 
 
Foreign Exchange

The Company uses the United States dollar as its functional and reporting currency since the majority of the Company’s revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities are in the United States and the focus of the Company’s operations is in that country. Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange during the year. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions and translation for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and cumulative translation gains and losses as of September 30, 2011 and 2010 were not material.

 
Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures compensation expense based on estimated fair values of all stock-based awards, including employee stock options, restricted stock awards and stock purchase rights.  Stock-based compensation is recognized in the financial statements based on the portion of their grant date fair values expected to vest over the period during which the employees are required to provide their services in exchange for the equity instruments.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock-based awards. The Black-Scholes model requires the use of highly subjective and complex assumptions, including the option’s expected term and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The expected term of options is based on observed historical exercise patterns. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility over the expected life of the options.

All other issuances of common stock, stock options, warrants or other equity instruments to employees and non-employees as consideration for goods or services received were accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument, whichever is more readily measurable. Such fair value is measured at an appropriate date and capitalized or expensed as if the Company had paid cash for the goods or services.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank deposits and short-term notes with maturities at the date of acquisition of ninety days or less. The balances maintained in bank accounts may, at times, exceed Federally insured limits.  At September 30, 2011, the cash balances in bank accounts did not exceed Federally insured limits.
 
Concentrations

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.

Accounts receivable from DIRECTV (see Note 6) at September 30, 2011 and 2010, represented 34% and 27%, respectively, of total trade accounts receivable. Revenues realized directly from DIRECTV represented 24% and 25% of total revenues in the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Income Taxes

Deferred taxes arise due to temporary differences in the bases of assets and liabilities and from net operating losses and credit carry forwards. In general, deferred tax assets represent future tax benefits to be received when certain expenses previously recognized in the Company’s statement of operations become deductible expenses under applicable income tax laws or loss or credit carry forwards utilized. Accordingly, realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable income against which these deductions, losses and credits can be utilized. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management considers historical operating losses, scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. The income tax provision or credit is the tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 
36

 

 
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In March 2011, accounting standards update on “Troubled Debt Restructuring” was issued. The update clarifies which loan modifications constitute troubled debt restructurings. It is intended to assist creditors in determining whether a modification of the terms of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a troubled debt restructuring, both for purposes of recording an impairment loss and for disclosure of troubled debt restructurings. In evaluating whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, a creditor must separately conclude that both of the following exist, (a) the restructuring constitutes a concession, and (b) the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. For public companies, the new guidance was effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The adoption of Troubled Debt Restructuring did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In October 2009, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements” was issued. This update provides amendments to the criteria for revenue recognition for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable arrangements. The amendments to this update establish a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements was effective for financial statements issued for years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The Company has evaluated the effect that the adoption of Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements has on its consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows, and concluded it did not have a material impact.

Other Recently Issued and Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

In April 2011, accounting standards update on “Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements” was issued. The amendments in this update remove from the assessment of effective control (a) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and (b) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion. The guidance should be applied prospectively to transactions or modifications of existing transactions that occur on or after the effective date. The guidance is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company does not believe that this update will have a material impact on its operations.

The FASB, the EITF and the SEC have issued certain other accounting pronouncements and regulations as of September 30, 2011 that will become effective in subsequent periods, however, management of the Company does not believe that any of those pronouncements would have significantly affected the Company’s financial accounting measurements or disclosures had they been in effect during 2011 and 2010, and it does not believe that any of those pronouncements will have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements at the time they become effective.
 
3.
DEBT

Credit Facility

On September 11, 2006, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with FCC, LLC, d/b/a First Capital, and Full Circle Funding, LP for a senior secured $20 million credit facility (“Credit Facility”) to fund the Company’s subscriber growth. On June 30, 2008, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with these same parties for a senior secured $10 million increase to its original $20 million Credit Facility. The Credit Facility, up to $30 million, has a five-year term ending June 30, 2013 under which the Company will pay interest on actual principal drawn during the full term of the agreement.  The amount that the Company can draw from the Credit Facility is equal to the lesser of $30 million or the Company's borrowing base which, in large part, is determined by future revenues and costs accruing from the Company's access agreements. The borrowing base of the Company was approximately $31 million at September 30, 2011. The Credit Facility can be prepaid upon thirty days notice with a penalty of 0% to 2% of the outstanding principal balance depending on the prepayment timing.

The Credit Facility requires interest payable monthly only on the principal outstanding and was specially tailored to the Company's needs by being divided into six $5 million increments. The first $5 million increment carries an interest rate of prime plus 4.1%, the second $5 million at prime plus 3%, the third $5 million at prime plus 2%, the fourth $5 million at prime plus 1%, and the new $10 million in additional Credit Facility is also divided into two $5 million increments with the interest rate on these increments being prime plus 1% to 4%, depending on the Company's ratio of EBITDA to the total outstanding loan balance. As defined in the Credit Facility, “EBITDA” shall mean the Company’s net income (excluding extraordinary gains and non-cash charges) before provisions for interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization. As defined in the Credit Facility, “prime” shall be a minimum of 7.75%.

 
37

 

The Credit Facility is secured by the Company’s cash and temporary investments, accounts receivable, inventory, access agreements and certain property, plant and equipment. The Credit Facility contains covenants limiting the Company’s ability to, without the prior written consent of FCC, LLC, d/b/a First Capital, and Full Circle Funding, LP, among other things:

·
incur other indebtedness;
·
incur other liens;
·
undergo any fundamental changes;
·
engage in transactions with affiliates;
·
issue certain equity, grant dividends or repurchase shares;
·
change our fiscal periods;
·
enter into mergers or consolidations;
·
sell assets; and
·
prepay other debt.

The Credit Facility also includes certain events of default, including nonpayment of obligations, bankruptcy and change of control. Borrowings will generally be available subject to a borrowing base and to the accuracy of all representations and warranties, including the absence of a material adverse change and the absence of any default or event of default.

The Company borrowed $4,034,141 on the Credit Facility during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, with total borrowing at $27,215,966, which is reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, net of debt discount of $77,509. The outstanding principal is payable on June 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2011, $2,784,034 remains available for borrowing under the Credit Facility.

The Company is subject to annual costs when it accesses and continues to access a $5 million increment. In the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company incurred an annual deferred finance cost of $200,000 that is being amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method over twelve month periods ending in November 2011, February 2012, March 2012 and May 2012. Additionally, in July 2011, the Company exceeded $25 million and accessed the next $5 million increment. As a result, the Company incurred an additional annual deferred finance cost of $50,000 that is being amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method over twelve month periods ending in June 2012.

In connection with the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement executed on June 30, 2008, the Company issued to FCC, LLC, d/b/a First Capital, a five year warrant to purchase 37,500 shares of the Company's common stock and issued to Full Circle Funding, LP a five year warrant to purchase 37,500 shares of the Company's common stock, both at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. The warrants had a fair value of $45,000, as determined using the Black-Sholes pricing model, which is being amortized as debt discount over the remaining term of the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement.  The warrants are subject to customary registration rights set forth in a Registration Rights Agreement that provides for demand registration within one hundred and thirty five days and (i) a four (4%) percent share penalty if not effective within that time period, and (ii) a two (2%) percent share penalty thereafter for each thirty days until effectiveness or one year, whichever is earlier.   As of September 30, 2011, there has been no “demand” for registration pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

4.
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $.001 per share. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series with dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights and other terms and preferences to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, subject to certain limitations set forth in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation. There were no shares of preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2011 or 2010.

 
38

 
    
Stock-Based Compensation

The cost of stock-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on the portion of their grant date fair values expected to vest over the period during which the employees are required to provide services in exchange for the equity instruments. The Company uses the Black-Scholes method of valuation for stock-based compensation. During the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense for employees of $54,131 and $55,141, respectively, which was included in general and administrative expenses.

The fair values of options granted during the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the following weighted average assumptions:

   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Expected volatility
    189 %     82 %
Risk-free interest rate
    1.86 %     2.20 %
Expected years of option life
    4.1       4.1  
Expected dividends
    0 %     0 %

Employee Stock Option Plan

The 2001 Stock Option Plan (“2001 Option Plan”) was approved by the stockholders at the Annual General Meeting in 2001 with a reservation of 560,000 shares of common stock. Stock option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. The option awards vest quarterly over three years and have a five-year contractual life. The following table summarizes information about all of the Company’s stock option activity during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

   
Number of
shares
   
Weighted-average
exercise price ($)
 
Options outstanding at October 1, 2009
    217,750       6.50  
Options granted (weighted average fair value of $1.30 per share)
    62,850       4.00  
Options cancelled/expired
    (53,000 )     14.50  
Options exercised
           
Options outstanding at September 30, 2010
    227,600       4.00  
Options granted  (weighted average fair value of $2.75 per share)
    57,630 (1)     2.95  
Options cancelled/expired
           
Options exercised
           
Options outstanding at September 30, 2011 (2) (3)
    285,230       3.75  
Options exercisable at September 30, 2011 (3)
    205,289       4.15  
Options available for issuance at September 30, 2011 (4)
           


(1)
On November 17, 2010, the Board of Directors granted 5,000 five-year options each to two employees at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. On March 18, 2011, the Board of Directors granted 17,630 five-year options collectively to twelve employees and 30,000 five-year options to a consultant, all at an exercise of $2.94 per share.

(2)
The weighted average remaining contractual term of outstanding and exercisable options at September 30, 2011 and 2010 was 2.4 and 2.8 years, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding and exercisable options at September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $0 and $113,750, respectively. An additional charge of approximately $94,000 is expected to vest and be recognized subsequent to September 30, 2011 over a weighted average period of 20 months. The charge will be amortized to general and administrative expenses as the options vest in subsequent periods.
 
 
39

 

(3)
Of the 285,230 option grants outstanding as of September 30, 2011, 79,941 options were unvested and are expected to vest.

(4)
Per the terms of the 2001 Option Plan, it expired as of March 20, 2011 and no further grants can be made.

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

The following table summarizes all of the Company’s warrant activity during the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010: 

   
Number of
warrants
outstanding
   
Weighted-average
exercise price per
share ($)
 
Outstanding at October 1, 2009
    175,000       7.10  
Issued
           
Cancelled/expired
           
Exercised
           
Outstanding at September 30, 2010
    175,000       7.10  
Issued
           
Cancelled/expired
    (100,000 )     8.20  
Exercised
           
Outstanding at September 30, 2011
    75,000       5.69  

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

On April 23, 2009, the shareholders approved the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2009 ESPP”) and reserved 150,000 shares of common stock. The 2009 ESPP shall terminate on April 23, 2016 or (i) upon the maximum number of shares being issued, or (ii) sooner terminated per the discretion of the Board of Directors. The purchase price per share under the 2009 ESPP is equal to 85% of the fair market value of a share of Company common stock at the beginning of the purchase period or on the exercise date (the last day in a purchase period) whichever is lower.  As of September 30, 2011, there were 13,488 remaining shares reserved in the 2009 ESPP.
 
During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company issued to employees from the 2009 ESPP through payroll deduction, (i) 34,255 shares of common stock for 2010 year end bonus amounts of $99,060, which was accrued in the year ended September 30, 2010, but the shares were not issued until fiscal 2011, and the Company recognized expense for the full discount of $17,470, with $11,668 expensed in the year ended September 30, 2011 and $5,802 accrued in the year ended September 30, 2010; (ii) 13,870 shares of common stock for other bonus amounts of $31,767 and the Company recognized expense for the full discount of $5,548; (iii) 2,785 shares of common stock for proceeds of $7,135 from employees who purchased shares under the 2009 ESPP through accrued payroll deduction and the Company recognized expense for the full discount of $2,169; and (iv) 23,315 shares of common stock for $59,790 in lieu of wages deferred and the Company recognized expense for the full discount of $10,499.

During the year ended September 30, 2010, the Company issued to employees from the 2009 ESPP through payroll deduction, (i) 2,719 shares of common stock for accrued salary amounts of $10,081 and the Company recognized expense for the full discount of $1,506, and (ii) 40,291 shares of common stock for bonus amounts of $130,131, which was accrued in the year ended in September 30, 2009, but the shares were not issued until fiscal 2010, and the Company recognized expense for the full discount of $22,975.

 
40

 
 
Restricted Stock

During the year ended September 30, 2011, the three independent members of the Board of Directors were each granted (i) 9,000 shares of restricted common stock as part of their approved compensation for Board terms beginning in 2010 and ending in 2011, and (ii) 1,000 shares of restricted common stock as compensation in lieu of certain monthly cash payments. As a result, 30,000 shares of restricted stock were issued during the year ended September 30, 2011 with a fair value of $80,700 based on the quoted market price at the grant date.

During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company also issued 3,000 shares of restricted common stock to an executive. As a result, the Company recognized $8,070 as compensation expense based on the quoted market price at the grant date.

During the year ended September 30, 2010, the Company issued 2,976 shares of restricted common stock to an executive for services rendered in fiscal 2009 with a value of $11,310 based on the quoted market price at the grant date. The entire $11,310 amount was accrued in the year ended in September 30, 2009, but the shares were not issued until fiscal 2010.
  
Treasury Stock

On December 19, 2008, the Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase plan authorizing the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock, from time-to-time over a twelve month period. The plan expired according to its terms on December 19, 2009. As of September 30, 2011, the Company holds 17,442 shares of common stock as treasury stock.

Reverse Stock Split

On December 9, 2010, the Company effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split and a reduction in the number of authorized shares of common stock from 70 million to 35 million shares. Trading of the Company’s common stock on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board on a reverse split basis commenced on December 14, 2010. The Company has given retroactive effect to the change in capital structure in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto by adjusting all common stock share references to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse split.

5.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

From time to time, the Company may be subject to legal proceedings, which could have a material adverse effect on its business. As of September 30, 2011 and through December 21, 2011, the date of this filing, the Company is not involved in any litigation that would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Contracts

The Company had previously entered into an open ended management agreement with a senior executive that provides for annual compensation, excluding bonuses, of $275,000. The Company can terminate this agreement at any time upon reasonable notice and the payment of an amount equal to 24 months of salary. In the event of a change in control of the Company, either party may, during a period of 12 months from the date of the change of control, terminate the agreement upon reasonable notice and the payment by the Company of an amount equal to 36 months of salary.

Operating Leases  

The Company is obligated, under non-cancelable operating leases for its various facilities that expire through the year ending September 30, 2014, to make future minimum rental payments in each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2011 as summarized in the following table:

Year Ending September 30,
 
Minimal Rental Payments
 
2012
  $ 376,299  
2013
    228,302  
2014
    8,822  
Total minimum payments
  $ 613,423  
 
 
41

 

 
Rent expense under all operating leases amounted to $424,005 and $442,041, respectively, for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
  
6.
STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH DIRECTV

On June 1, 2007, the Company signed a new System Operator Agreement with DIRECTV (the “DIRECTV Agreement"), which replaced an agreement dated September 29, 2003. The DIRECTV Agreement has an initial term of three years with two, two-year automatic renewal periods upon achievement of certain subscriber growth goals, with an automatic extension of the entire DIRECTV Agreement to coincide with the expiration date of the Company’s latest property access agreement. The Agreement is currently in its first two-year automatic renewal period. Under the DIRECTV Agreement the Company receives monthly residual fees from DIRECTV based upon the programming revenue DIRECTV receives from subscribers within the Company's multi-dwelling unit properties. The Company also receives an “Individual Subscriber PPC” (prepaid programming commission, also known as an “activation fee”) for every new subscriber that activates a DIRECTV commissionable programming package. The Individual Subscriber PPC is paid on a gross activation basis in choice and exclusive properties and on a one-time basis in bulk properties. The payment of the Individual Subscriber PPC requires an annual commitment for the individual services and is subject to a “charge back” if a subscriber disconnects within the annual commitment. The revenue from the Individual Subscriber PPC is recognized over one year in conjunction with the annual commitment. The DIRECTV Agreement also provides for an “Analog Commission” to the Company for the addition of a new Bulk Choice Advantage (“BCA”) subscriber. The Analog Commission is not subject to an annual commitment from a subscriber and there is no proportional “charge back” by DIRECTV if a subscriber disconnects at any time. Due to the fact that no portion of the Analog Commission is subject to the annual commitment or charge back provision, the Analog Commission is recognizable immediately upon the approval and acceptance of the subscriber by DIRECTV. Additionally, the Company and DIRECTV have agreed to terms allowing DIRECTV a "first option" to bid on subscribers at fair market value that the Company may wish to sell.

During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company entered into a Construction Contractor Agreement with DIRECTV to be an authorized contractor to provide DIRECTV with system design and construction services to support DIRECTV’s multi-family Connected Properties™ program.  The Company will be compensated on a project by project basis as approved by DIRECTV. Additionally, the Company negotiated a DIRECTV MDU Referral and Right of Entry Acquisition Agreement whereby the Company is an authorized agent to negotiate “choice” right of entry agreements on behalf of DIRECTV for its multi-family Connected Properties™ program. Again, the Company will be compensated on a project by project basis as approved by DIRECTV. This latter agreement was executed on October 11, 2011.

7.
GAIN ON SALE OF CUSTOMERS AND PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company (i) sold subscribers and certain related property and equipment to Comcast of California IX, Inc. for total proceeds of $89,651 and a gain of $60,416, and (ii) as part of the Connected Properties initiative with DIRECTV, sold one property and certain related property and equipment for total proceeds of $22,650 and a gain of $13,690.

There was no gain on sale of customers and property and equipment for the year ended September 30, 2010.

8.
ACQUISITIONS OF SUBSCRIBERS AND EQUIPMENT

During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company acquired assets in multiple properties containing 32,100 units for the amount of $1,397,326, representing fixed assets and intangible assets, inclusive of access agreements.

During the year ended September 30, 2010, the Company acquired assets in multiple properties containing 24,462 units for the amount of $1,333,110, representing fixed assets and intangible assets, inclusive of access agreements.

The acquisition costs of all acquired access agreements and equipment for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were allocated to the fair value of the assets acquired, as set forth below:

 
42

 

   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Property and equipment
  $ 777,594     $ 479,443  
Amortizable intangible assets
    619,732       853,667  
Total acquisition cost and fees of all acquired access agreements and equipment
  $ 1,397,326     $ 1,333,110  

9.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The components of property and equipment are set forth below:

  
 
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Telecommunications equipment, installed
  $ 50,907,587     $ 49,058,316  
Computer equipment
    1,367,665       1,345,325  
Furniture and fixtures
    264,039       264,212  
Leasehold improvements
    193,480       193,480  
Other
    75,929       75,649  
      52,808,700       50,936,982  
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    (32,941,454 )     (28,240,886 )
Totals
  $ 19,867,246     $ 22,696,096  

Depreciation expense amounted to $6,304,119 and $6,221,850 for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company wrote off assets in the amount of $63,662, which is reported in customer service and operating expenses.

10.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The components of intangible assets are set forth below:

  
 
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Property access agreements, including subscriber lists
  $ 10,236,451     $ 9,888,443  
Less: Accumulated amortization
    (8,212,000 )     (7,417,568 )
Totals
  $ 2,024,451     $ 2,470,875  

Amortization expense amounted to $1,066,156 and $1,005,427 for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Amortization of intangibles in the years subsequent to September 30, 2011 is as follows:

   
Amortization Amount
 
2012
  $ 890,297  
2013
    491,064  
2014
    429,745  
2015
    172,216  
2016
    41,129  
Total
  $ 2,024,451  
 
 
43

 

11.
OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES
 
Other accrued liabilities consist of the following:

 
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Accrued costs and expenses:
           
Equipment
  $ 411     $ 185,684  
Employee stock purchases and employee compensation payable in common stock
    5,400       50,887  
Subcontractors maintenance and installation
    40,940       480,789  
Programming cost
    295,668       74,017  
Professional fees
    251,339       224,083  
Wages
    190,843       146,840  
Acquisition balance due
    369,498       373,582  
Sales, use and franchise tax
    873       187,319  
Other
    85,784       70,750  
Totals
  $ 1,240,756     $ 1,793,951  

12.
INCOME TAXES

The Company had pre-tax losses for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. The Company did not record Federal income tax benefits at the statutory rate of 34% and state income tax benefits because (i) it has incurred losses in each period since its inception, and (ii) although such losses, among other things, have generated future potential income tax benefits, there is significant uncertainty as to whether the Company will be able to generate income in the future to enable it to realize any of those benefits and, accordingly, it has recorded a full valuation allowance against those potential benefits as shown below.

 As of September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had net deferred tax assets, which generate potential future income tax benefits that consisted of the effects of temporary differences attributable to the following:

   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Benefits from net operating loss carry forwards:
           
United States
  $ 23,125,000     $ 20,644,000  
Canada
    155,000       279,000  
Other
    572,000       370,000  
Totals
    23,852,000       21,293,000  
Deferred tax liabilities—depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and intangible assets
    (2,562,000 )     (2,807,000 )
Net deferred tax assets
    21,290,000       18,486,000  
Less valuation allowance
    (21,290,000 )     (18,486,000 )
Totals
  $     $  

 
At September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had (i) net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $58,151,000 and $51,613,000, respectively, available to reduce future Federal and state taxable income, and (ii) net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $340,000 and $471,000, respectively, available to reduce future Canadian taxable income. As of September 30, 2011, the Federal tax loss carry forwards will expire from 2012 through 2031 and the Canadian tax loss carry forwards will expire from 2012 through 2015. However, the Company terminated substantially all of its Canadian operations in the year ended September 30, 2002.

 
44

 
 
Income Taxes – Uncertainty.  The Company maintains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefits as the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon effective settlement. The standards also provide guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, and other matters. Interest and penalties, if any, would be included in the income tax provision. As a result of the adoption, there was  no material effect on the financial statements of the Company and no uncertain tax position.  The tax years 2008 through 2010 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

13.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities for the year ended September 30, 2011 are estimated to approximate their carrying values due to the relative liquidity of these instruments. The Credit Facility carrying value for the year ended September 30, 2011 approximates fair value based on other rates and terms available for comparable companies in the marketplace for similar debt and risk.

14.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On October 15, 2006, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Howard Interests for business advisory services, the principal of which is the spouse of Board member Carolyn Howard. The consulting agreement is a month to month agreement with a monthly payment required initially of $5,000, which decreased to $3,500 per month as of July 2009, and then decreased to $2,000 per month as of October 2010.  During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company paid Howard Interests $24,000.

15.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 11, 2011, the Company executed a DIRECTV MDU Referral and Right of Entry Acquisition Agreement whereby the Company is an authorized agent to negotiate “choice” right of entry agreements on behalf of DIRECTV for its multi-family Connected Properties™ program.

On November 10, 2011, the Company issued 18,000 shares of restricted common stock to two directors for yearly compensation for Board service beginning in 2011 through 2012 and 8,090 shares of restricted common stock to three directors for deferred monthly compensation owed.

Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

We maintain "disclosure controls and procedures," as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, who is also our Chief Financial Officer, or our Vice President of Finance and Administration, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

 
45

 

 
As of September 30, 2011 (the end of the period covered by this Report), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, who is also our Chief Financial Officer, and our Vice President of Finance and Administration of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e). Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Vice President of Finance and Administration concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in our periodic reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified for each report and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on internal controls over financial reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal controls over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Internal controls over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

Our internal controls over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 
pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets;
 
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
 
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Management has conducted, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, who is also our Chief Financial Officer, and our Vice President of Finance and Administration, an assessment, including testing of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011. Management’s assessment of internal controls over financial reporting was based on the framework in Internal Control over Financial Reporting – Guidance for Smaller Public Companies issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our system of internal controls over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2011.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered independent public accounting firm regarding internal controls over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
   
Changes in internal controls over financial reporting

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the period ended September 30, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

Item 9B.
Other Information

None.

PART III
 
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The following table and the narrative below sets forth the information concerning the Company’s directors and officers for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011:

 
46

 

 
Directors and Executive
Officers
  
Age
  
Position(s)
Sheldon Nelson
 
50
 
President, CEO, CFO, Director
J.E. “Ted”  Boyle
 
64
 
Director, Chairman of the Board (served through July 14, 2011)
Carolyn Howard
 
48
 
Director
Richard Newman
 
59
 
Director
Patrick Cunningham
  
43
  
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Brad Holmstrom
  
46
  
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Carmen Ragusa, Jr.
  
63
  
Vice President, Finance and Administration

Sheldon B. Nelson, 50, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and a member of the Board of Directors, including a term as Chairman, since November 1998. From 1983 to 1998 he was President of 4-12 Electronics Corporation, a provider of products and services to the Canadian satellite, cable, broadcasting and SMATV industries. In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities during his tenure at 4-12 Electronics, Mr. Nelson developed that company into one of Canada’s largest private cable system operators. Mr. Nelson is a 1983 graduate of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington where he graduated from the School of Business Administration, Magna cum Laude, and was the recipient of the School of Business Administrations’ Award of Excellence. Mr. Nelson also sits on the board of Diamcor Mining, Inc. Mr. Nelson is not involved in any material legal proceedings.

Carolyn C. Howard, 48, was elected to the Board of Directors in July 2005.  Ms. Howard has been employed by Howard Interests since 1987, a venture capital firm, of which she is a co-founder and manager.  She has held positions in banking with a focus on Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac lending.  She has managed positions with securities firms trading and covering institutional accounts.  In 1992 through 1997, she acted as CEO and COO of one of New Hampshire’s largest food service and bottled water companies.  In 1997, she facilitated the sale of that company to Vermont Pure Springs, Inc., a publicly traded company.  Ms. Howard also sits on the board and chairs the audit committee of Video Display Corporation (VIDE), a publicly traded company.  Ms. Howard studied accounting and finance at both New Hampshire College and Franklin Pierce University.  Presently she serves as President to the Jaffrey Gilmore Foundation and Board Chair to the Sharon Arts Center, both non-profit educational and art organizations in New Hampshire. Ms. Howard is not involved in any material legal proceedings.

Richard Newman, 59, joined the Board of Directors in December 2007 and resides in New York City.  He is currently a Managing Partner of Atlantis Associates, a private equity firm he founded, that is mainly focused on business services, manufacturing, education and media investment opportunities.  Previously, he was Managing Director at Andlinger & Co., a private equity firm with investments in media, business services, and manufacturing.  Prior to joining Andlinger, Mr. Newman was a Managing Director at East Wind Advisors, a boutique investment banking firm and a partner at Hart Capital, a private equity firm.  In addition to the experience noted above, Mr. Newman has 20 years of experience in financial advisory and operating roles for both profitable and financially-challenged corporations.  He holds an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, an MA from the Stanford University School of Education and a BA from Brown University. Mr. Newman is not involved in any material legal proceedings.
 
Patrick Cunningham, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, 43, has been a Vice President with the Company since 2000.  He has over fifteen years of management experience focused on the telecommunications industry. Mr. Cunningham was formerly the Vice President of Distribution and Sales for SkyView World Media. At SkyView, he was responsible for the distribution, sales, marketing and technical service of the SkyView products. SkyView was one of the leading private providers of television services to the MDU and ethnic communities with over 100,000 subscribers nationwide. SkyView was the largest Master Systems Operator for DIRECTV and a leading producer and distributor of foreign language television programming. Prior to SkyView, and after some time as a maintenance manager with Schnieder National, Inc., Mr. Cunningham was an Officer in the U.S. Army where he served as a Battalion Communications Officer and an M1A1 Tank Platoon Leader. Mr. Cunningham has a Bachelor of Science from Union College in Schenectady, NY where he majored in Industrial Economics.
 
 
47

 

 
Brad Holmstrom, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, 46, has been with the Company since 2000. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Holmstrom was partner in the Kansas City, Missouri office of the law firm Shughart Thomson & Kilroy, PC.
 
Carmen Ragusa, Jr., Vice President of Finance and Administration, 63, has been with the Company since 2004. He is a CPA, holds an MBA and brought to the Company over twenty-five years of experience in both the public and private sectors of the manufacturing and construction industry, with the last ten years in a senior financial capacities of Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer in privately held corporations with $40 to $50 million in recurring annual revenue. Mr. Ragusa has experience not only in the management of all aspects of accounting and finance departments, but has made significant contributions in the areas of business development, financial stability and has assisted in the implementation of operational strategies that support business development and financial objectives.
 
Code of Ethics. The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all upper management, officers and directors of the Company. A copy of the Company’s Code of Ethics is posted on the Company’s website.
 
Board of Directors Meeting and Committees. All Board members are expected to attend the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders and to attend 75% of all regular Board and committee meetings. All of the then-current Board members attended the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, there were four regularly scheduled meetings and four additional conference calls of the Board of Directors. Each director attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and committees on which the director served. The Board of Directors has three standing committees; the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.
 
Audit Committee.    The Board of Directors has adopted a charter governing the duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee. The principal functions of the Audit Committee include: 
   
 
overseeing the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and compliance with related legal and regulatory requirements;

 
monitoring the adequacy of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting, and its internal controls, procedures and processes for financial reporting; and

 
overseeing the Company’s relationship with its independent auditors, including appointing, evaluating, and reviewing the compensation of the independent auditors.

Current members of the Audit Committee include Mr. Newman (Chair) and Ms. Howard. Both Mr. Newman and Ms. Howard qualify as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All members of the Audit Committee are “independent” as defined by Rule 4200 of the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”). Each member is an “outside director” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 for approval and filing of the Company's reports and other matters.

Compensation Committee.    The Board of Directors has adopted a charter governing the duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee. The principal functions of the Compensation Committee include:
 
 
reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding all forms of salary, bonus and stock compensation provided to executive officers;

 
the long-term strategy for employee compensation, including the types of stock and other compensation plans to be used by the Company; and

 
overseeing the overall administration of the Company’s equity-based compensation and stock option plans.
 
 
48

 

 
Current members of the Compensation Committee include Ms. Howard and Mr. Newman. All members of the Compensation Committee are "independent” as defined by Rule 4200 of the NASD. Each member is an “outside director” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, there are no Compensation Committee interlocks between the Company and other entities involving the Company's executive officers and directors who serve as executive officers of such entities. None of the Company’s executive officers have served as members of a compensation committee or as a director of any other entity that has an executive officer serving on the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors or as a member of our Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee met once during fiscal 2011.
 
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.  The Board of Directors has adopted a charter governing the duties and responsibilities of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee insures that the Company has the best management processes in place to run the Company legally, ethically and successfully in order to increase stockholder value. The principal functions of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are:
 
 
assisting the Board of Directors in identifying, evaluating, and nominating candidates to serve as members of the Board of Directors and as a qualified Audit Committee financial expert;

 
recommending to the Board of Directors any director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders;

 
reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the composition of the Board, the operations of the Board, and the continuing qualifications of incumbent directors, including any changes to a director's primary activity;

 
reviewing annually and making recommendations to the Board as to whether each non-management director is independent and otherwise qualified in accordance with applicable law or regulation; and

 
reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding corporate governance policies and ethical conduct.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee identifies potential director nominees based upon recommendations by directors, management, or stockholders, and then evaluates the candidates based upon various factors, including, but not limited to:
 
 
a reputation for honesty and integrity and a willingness and ability to spend the necessary time to function effectively as a director;

 
an understanding of business and financial affairs and the complexities of business organizations;

 
a general understanding of the Company’s specific business and industry;

 
strategic thinking and willingness to share ideas, network of contacts, and diversity of experience; and

 
a proven record of competence and accomplishments through leadership in industry, education, the professions or government.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers these and other criteria to evaluate potential nominees and does not evaluate proposed nominees differently depending upon who has made the proposal. To date, the Company has not paid any third-party fees to assist in this process.
 
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider and make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding any stockholder recommendations for candidates to serve on the Board of Directors. However, it has not adopted a formal process for that consideration because it believes that the informal consideration process has been adequate given the historical absence of those proposals. If a stockholder wishes to suggest a candidate for director consideration, the stockholder should send the name of the recommended candidate, together with pertinent biographical information, a document indicating the candidate’s willingness to serve if elected, and evidence of the nominating stockholder’s ownership of Company stock, to the attention of the Corporate Secretary, 60-D Commerce Way, Totowa, NJ 07512 at least five months prior to the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to ensure time for meaningful consideration.

 
49

 
 
Current members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are Ms. Howard (Chair), Mr. Newman and Mr. Nelson. All members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, except Mr. Nelson, are "independent” as defined by Rule 4200 of the NASD. Additionally, each member is an “outside director” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, both with the exception of Mr. Nelson. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee met once during fiscal 2011.
 
Compensation of Directors. Each director who is not an employee or full-time consultant of the Company receives compensation of $1,500 per month and an attendance fee of $2,000 per in-person meeting, plus out-of-pocket expenses for each Board or committee meeting attended. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional $5,000 per year. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee (who may also serve as the financial expert) receives an additional $4,000 per year and the Chairpersons of the Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees each receive an additional $2,000 per year in compensation.

Directors may also receive grants of restricted stock as additional compensation.  For Board terms beginning in the years 2005, 2006 and 2007, directors each received 2,000 shares of Company restricted common stock. For Board terms beginning in the years 2008 and 2009, directors each received 3,000 shares of Company restricted common stock. For Board terms beginning in the years 2010 and 2011, directors each received 9,000 shares of restricted common stock.
 
The table below sets forth, for each non-employee director, the amount of cash compensation paid and the number of stock options or shares of common stock received for his or her service during fiscal 2011:

Non-Employee Director
 
Fiscal
Year
 
Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)
   
Stock
Awards
($)
   
Option
Awards 
($) (4)
   
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Comp. ($)
   
All Other
Comp. ($)
   
Total ($)
 
J.E. “Ted” Boyle (1)
 
2011
    10,000 (2)     26,900 (3)     -       -       -       36,900  
   
2010
    22,000       -       6,500       -       -       28,500  
                                                     
Carolyn Howard
 
2011
    19,000 (2)     26,900 (3)     -       -       -       45,900  
   
2010
    27,000       -       -       -       -       27,000  
                                                     
Richard Newman
 
2011
    12,000 (2)     26,900 (3)     -       -       -       38,900  
   
2010
    22,000       -       -       -       -       22,000  
                                                     
James Wiberg (1)
 
2011
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
   
2010
    19,000       -       -       -       -       19,000  


 
(1)
Mr. Boyle was not re-elected to the Board as of July 14, 2011. Mr. Wiberg was not re-elected to the Board as of June 10, 2010.
 
(2)
During the year ended September 30, 2011, each Director received $1,000 per month cash for Board service and a deferral of $500 per month to be paid in restricted stock (the deferral was paid in fiscal 2012). Additionally, Ms. Howard received $7,000 for service as financial expert and committee chair for her Board term beginning in 2009 and ending in 2010. Mr. Newman’s and Ms. Howard’s committee chair fees are still outstanding for Board terms beginning in 2010 and ending in 2011.
 
(3)
During the year ended September 30, 2011, the three independent members of the Board of Directors were each granted (i) 9,000 shares of restricted common stock as part of their approved compensation for Board terms beginning in 2010 and ending in 2011, and (ii) 1,000 shares of restricted common stock as compensation in lieu of certain monthly cash payments. As a result, 30,000 shares of restricted stock were issued during the year ended September 30, 2011.

 
50

 

 
 
(4)
Represents the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes, in accordance with share based compensation. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount are included in Note 5 to the Company’s audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010. The Board will not realize the value of these awards in cash unless and until these awards vest, are exercised and the underlying shares subsequently sold.

Item 11.
Executive Compensation
 
Overview.  The Compensation Committee has responsibility for establishing, monitoring and implementing the Company’s compensation program. The Compensation Committee designs its policies to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified executives. It compensates executive officers (Mr. Sheldon Nelson, Mr. Patrick Cunningham, Mr. Brad Holmstrom and Mr. Carmen Ragusa, Jr. (collectively, “Executives”)) through a combination of base salary, incentive bonus payments and stock options and grants, designed to be competitive with comparable employers and to align each Executive’s compensation with the long-term interests of our stockholders.

What the Compensation Program is Designed to Reward.  The Compensation Committee focuses on the long-term goals of the Company and designs reward programs that recognize business achievements it believes are likely to promote sustainable growth. The Compensation Committee believes compensation programs should reward Executives who take actions that are best for the long-term performance of the Company while delivering positive annual operating results. Compensation decisions take into account performance by both the Company and the Executive. To supplement its decision making, the Compensation Committee has the authority to retain an independent compensation consultant to provide data, analysis and counsel as necessary.

Role of the President / Chief Executive Officer in Compensation Decisions.  The President / Chief Executive Officer is required to provide to the Compensation Committee annual reviews of the performance of each Executive, other than himself. The Compensation Committee considers these evaluations and the recommendations of the President/CEO in determining adjustments to base salaries, bonus and equity incentive awards for the Executives. The Compensation Committee considers the President/CEO’s recommendations regarding the compensation of Executives and a number of qualitative and quantitative factors, including the Company’s performance during the fiscal year and rates of compensation for similar public and private companies. The Compensation Committee itself reviews the performance of the President/CEO.
 
Elements of the Executive Compensation Plan and How it Relates to Company Objectives.  The Compensation Committee believes that compensation paid to Executives should be closely aligned with the performance of the Company on both a short-term and long-term basis and that such compensation should assist the Company in attracting and retaining key executives critical to long-term success. Currently, the Compensation Committee uses short-term compensation (base salary and incentive bonuses) and long-term equity compensation (stock options and/or stock grant incentive awards) to achieve its goal of driving sustainable growth. Specifically, the Compensation Committee considers: (i) overall financial, strategic and operational Company performance; (ii) individual performance; (iii) market data; and (iv) certain additional factors within the Committee’s discretion. The Compensation Committee may exercise its discretion in modifying any recommended adjustments or awards to Executives or determining the mix of compensation.
  
Employment Agreements. The Company has previously entered into Management Employment Agreements with each of the Executives described below:

Sheldon Nelson. The Company has a Management Employment Agreement with its President/Chief Executive Officer Sheldon Nelson, with a current annual salary of $275,000 terminable by the Company upon four (4) weeks notice and a termination payment equal to twenty four (24) months salary. Upon a change in control, either party may terminate the Agreement with the Company paying a termination payment equal to thirty-six (36) months salary.

Patrick Cunningham. The Company has a Management Employment Agreement with its Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Patrick Cunningham, with a current annual salary of $189,000 terminable by the Company upon four (4) weeks notice and a termination payment equal to twelve (12) months salary. Upon a change in control, either party may terminate the Agreement with the Company paying a termination payment equal to twenty four (24) months salary.

 
51

 

Brad Holmstrom. The Company has a Management Employment Agreement with its General Counsel, Brad Holmstrom, with a current annual salary of $175,000 terminable by the Company upon four (4) weeks notice and a termination payment equal to four (4) months salary. Upon a change in control, either party may terminate the Agreement with the Company paying a termination payment equal to twelve (12) months salary.

Carmen Ragusa, Jr. The Company has a Management Employment Agreement with its Vice President of Finance and Administration, Carmen Ragusa, Jr., with a current annual salary of $176,000 terminable by the Company upon four (4) weeks notice and a termination payment equal to four (4) months salary. Upon a change in control, either party may terminate the Agreement with the Company paying a termination payment equal to twelve (12) months salary.

Short-Term Compensation.
 
Base Salary. Base salary is negotiated into each Executive’s Management Employment Agreement. Increases are not preset and take into account the individual’s performance, responsibilities of the position, experience and the methods used to achieve results, as well as external market practices. At the end of the year, the President/CEO evaluates the Executive’s performance in light of Company objectives. Base salary compensates each Executive for the primary responsibilities of his position and level of experience and is set at levels that the Company believes enables it to attract and retain talent.

Management Incentive Bonus Plan 2011. Due to financial constraints, there was no 2011 Management Incentive Bonus Plan instituted for fiscal 2011.

Management Incentive Bonus Plan 2010. The Company utilizes quarterly and annual bonuses as an incentive to promote achievement of individual and Company performance goals. Bonus awards are determined and based primarily on Company performance and secondarily on individual performance. Company performance is determined at the end of the year (or quarter) based on actual business results compared to preset business objectives, annual financial performance goals and strategic performance initiatives.  The Compensation Committee may also take into account additional considerations that it deems fundamental.

Under the 2010 Management Incentive Bonus Plan, Executives could earn an equivalent amount of up to 35% of their annual salary (100% for the President/CEO) payable in Company common stock. The Compensation Committee reserved the right to award additional bonuses for extraordinary events related to performance during the year. The Bonus Plan was based and paid in accordance with the achievement of the business and operating goals of the Company, both quantitative and qualitative, as determined by the Compensation Committee. Quantitative goals were based on criteria such as subscriber growth, revenue growth, EBITDA growth, acquisition cost containment, upgrade completion and borrowing base capacity. This portion of the bonus was paid quarterly and based on a percentage of salary - 3% percent for each fiscal quarter for a total maximum quantitative bonus of 12% of salary. The qualitative bonus was worth up to 23% of the Executive’s base salary and was awarded at the year end. Fiscal 2010 qualitative performance criteria included HDTV property upgrade fulfillment, penetration rate increases, current property renewal success, accretive asset acquisitions, and other metrics such as strategic partner initiatives.  With respect to the President/CEO, similar quantitative and qualitative criteria applied with a 50% allocation for quantitative results and 50% for qualitative performance.

The Compensation Committee met and reviewed Executive performance for fiscal 2010 against performance goals using the fiscal 2010 actual results and the criteria set forth above. The Compensation Committee also took into consideration the President/CEO’s statement that he would decline up to 75% of any granted bonus for fiscal 2010. The Compensation Committee relied to a large extent on the President/CEO’s evaluations of each Executive’s performance. The Compensation Committee itself reviewed the performance of the President/CEO. The Compensation Committee did not award Executives the full annual incentive bonus, since only certain of the pre-established targets were met. The 2010 Management Incentive Bonus Plan payouts and the percentage of target opportunity for the President/CEO and top three highly compensated Executives earned for fiscal 2010 are set forth below:

 
52

 

 
 
-
For fiscal 2010, Mr. Nelson received a bonus of $23,718 (net of declined bonus of $71,156), which represented 34.5% of the 100% target potential opportunity less a 75% forfeiture, paid in shares of Company common stock.

 
-
For fiscal 2010, Mr. Cunningham received a bonus of $17,010, which represented 9% of the 35% target bonus opportunity of salary, paid in shares of Company common stock.

 
-
For fiscal 2010, Mr. Ragusa received a bonus of $15,840, which represented 9% of the 35% target bonus opportunity of salary, paid in shares of Company common stock.

 
-
For fiscal 2010, Mr. Holmstrom received a bonus of $15,750, which represented 9% of the 35% target bonus opportunity of salary, paid in shares of Company common stock.

The Company anticipates reinstituting the Management Incentive Bonus Plan for fiscal 2012.

Long-Term Compensation.
  
Long-term performance-based compensation for the Executives takes the form of stock option awards from the 2001 Stock Option Plan and occasional stock awards from the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan or of restricted shares of common stock. The Compensation Committee continues to believe in the importance of equity ownership for all Executives and certain management for purposes of incentive, retention and alignment with stockholders. The long-term incentive compensation is intended to motivate Executives to make stronger business decisions, improve financial performance, focus on both short-term and long-term objectives and encourage behavior that protects and enhances the long-term interests of stockholders.

Pursuant to the Management Employment Agreements mentioned above, Executives are entitled to receive stock options at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Stock options vest based on an Executive’s continued employment with the Company over a period of three years. In fiscal 2010, the Company granted 27,000 stock options to Executives at an exercise price of $4.00 per share. In fiscal 2011, the Company granted 13,630 stock options to Executives at an exercise price of $2.94 per share (see Outstanding Cumulative Equity Awards Table).

The 2001 Stock Option Plan expired on March 20, 2011 and has not been replaced. In 2011, the stockholders voted against an increase in the authorized number of shares for the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The Company also provides retirement benefits to all employees, including limited matching contributions, under the terms of its tax-qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan. The Executives participate in the 401(k) plan on the same terms as other participating employees.

 
Severance Benefits.
 
The Company provides severance in certain cases as a means to attract individuals with superior ability and managerial talent and to protect our competitive position.

The Management Employment Agreements, described above, may require the Company to make certain payments to certain Executives in the event of a termination of employment or a change of control. The following table summarizes the potential payments to each Executive assuming that one of the events listed in the tables below occurs.

Named Executive Officer 
 
Payments upon a
termination by the
Company without cause(1)
   
Payments upon a termination
by the Executive or Company without
cause during a change in control(1)
 
Sheldon Nelson
  $ 550,000     $ 825,000  
Patrick Cunningham
  $ 189,000     $ 378,000  
Bradley Holmstrom
  $ 58,333     $ 175,000  
Carmen Ragusa, Jr.
  $ 58,666     $ 176,000  
 
 
53

 


(1)
Does not assume any pro-rata portion of target bonus for a fiscal year.
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
 
The following summary compensation table sets forth certain information concerning compensation for services rendered in all capacities awarded to, earned by or paid to our Chief Executive Officer and our three other most highly compensated Executives, who were serving as executive officers at the end of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2011:

Name and Principal Position
 
Fiscal
Year (1)
 
Annual
Salary
   
Bonus
   
Stock
Awards
   
Option
Awards(2)
   
Total
 
Sheldon Nelson,
 
2011
  $ 275,000     $ 41,250 (3)   $ 8,070     $ 7,338     $ 331,658  
CEO
 
2010
  $ 275,000     $ 23,715 (4)   $ 11,310     $ 13,000     $ 323,025  
                                             
Patrick Cunningham,
 
2011
  $ 189,000     $ -     $ -     $ 6,138     $ 195,138  
Vice President Sales and Mktg.
 
2010
  $ 189,000     $ 17,010 (4)   $ -     $ 7,800     $ 213,810  
                                             
Brad Holmstrom,
 
2011
  $ 175,000     $ -     $ -     $ 6,138     $ 181,138  
General Counsel
 
2010
  $ 175,000     $ 15,540 (4)   $ -     $ 7,800     $ 198,340  
                                             
Carmen Ragusa,
 
2011
  $ 176,000     $ -     $ -     $ 6,138     $ 182,138  
Vice President Finance and Admin.
 
2010
  $ 176,000     $ 15,750 (4)   $ -     $ 6,500     $ 198,250  


 
(1)
The information is provided for each fiscal year referenced beginning October 1 and ending September 30 for compensation paid during or earned for each fiscal year.

 
(2)
Granted in the fiscal year. Represents the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes, in accordance with share based compensation. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount are included in Note 4 to the audited financial statements. Executive officers will not realize the value of these awards in cash unless and until these awards vest, are exercised, and the underlying shares subsequently sold.

 
(3)
The qualitative component to Mr. Nelson’s 2009 fiscal year end bonus was deferred pending the outcome of certain acquisitions and was discussed and approved by the Board in fiscal 2011. The amount indicated represents 50% of the bonus paid in cash.

 
(4)
Fiscal year end 2010 bonus, per the 2010 Management Incentive Bonus Plan, paid 100% in common stock at $2.89 per share.
 
OUTSTANDING CUMULATIVE EQUITY AWARDS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

The following table provides a summary of equity awards outstanding at September 30, 2011 for our CEO and top three highly compensated named Executives:

   
Option
Expiration
Date
 
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
   
Number of Securities
Underlying Options (#)
Exercisable
   
Number of Securities
Underlying Options (#)
Unexercisable
 
Sheldon Nelson,
 
10/20/2011
    7.50       5,000        
Chief Executive Officer
 
12/19/2013
    2.00       9,167       833  
   
12/29/2014
    4.00       5,833       4,167  
   
3/21/2016
    2.94       438       2,192  
                             
Patrick Cunningham,
 
10/20/2011
    7.50       2,500        
VP of Sales and Marketing
 
11/30/2012
    4.50       9,000        
   
12/19/2013
    2.00       8,250       750  
   
12/29/2014
    4.00       3,500       2,500  
   
3/21/2016
    2.94       366       1,834  
                             
Bradley Holmstrom,
 
10/20/2011
    7.50       2,500        
General Counsel
 
11/30/2012
    4.50       13,000        
   
12/19/2013
    2.00       8,250       750  
   
12/29/2014
    4.00       3,500       2,500  
   
3/21/2016
    2.94       366       1,834  
                             
Carmen Ragusa, Jr.,
 
10/20/2011
    7.50       8,500        
VP of Finance and Admin.
 
11/30/2012
    4.50       9,000        
   
12/19/2013
    2.00       9,625       875  
   
12/29/2014
    4.00       2,917       2,083  
   
3/21/2016
    2.94       366       1,834  
 
 
54

 

 
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The following table sets forth information (to the best of the Company’s knowledge) with respect to beneficial ownership of MDU Communications International, Inc. outstanding common stock as of December 5, 2011 by each person or group known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock based upon Schedules 13G and 13D (and amendments and Forms 4) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner of Common Stock 
 
Shares
   
Percent of Class
 
Jonathan Ordway
           
1868 Tucker Industrial Rd., Tucker, GA 30084
    611,684       11.28 %
                 
Ronald Ordway
               
1868 Tucker Industrial Rd., Tucker, GA 30084
    1,204,487       17.35 %
                 
SC Fundamental, et al.
               
747 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017
    256,101       4.67 %

The following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial ownership of our outstanding common stock (only outstanding voting security) as of September 30, 2011, including; (i) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and two other executive officers; (ii) each of the Company’s directors, and; (iii) all of the Company’s executive officers and directors as a group:

Name and of Beneficial Owner of Common Stock 
  
Amount and
Nature of Beneficial
Ownership (shares)
  
Percent of
Class
 
Sheldon Nelson 1
   
230,300
 
4.0
 
Patrick Cunningham 2
   
101,540
 
1.8
 
Brad Holmstrom 3
   
81,234
 
1.4
 
Carmen Ragusa, Jr. 4
   
57,043
 
1.0
 
Joe Nassau 5
   
50,919
 
0.9
 
Michael Stanway 6
   
20,786
 
0.3
 
Richard Newman 7
   
36,320
 
0.6
 
Carolyn Howard 8
   
52,810
 
0.9
 
All executive officers and directors as group (8 persons)
   
630,952
 
11.2
9
 
 
55

 
 

 
(1)
Includes 97,292 shares held of record by 567780 BC Ltd., a British Columbia Canada corporation wholly owned by the Sheldon Nelson Family Trust whose trustees are Sheldon Nelson and his sister, Nicole Nelson, 112,570 shares held personally and 20,438 exercisable options, within the next sixty days, to purchase shares of common stock.
 
(2)
Includes 77,924 shares of common stock and 23,616 exercisable options, within the next sixty days, to purchase shares of common stock.
 
(3)
Includes 53,618 shares of common stock and 27,616 exercisable options, within the next sixty days, to purchase shares of common stock.
 
(4)
Includes 26,635 shares of common stock and 30,408 exercisable options, within the next sixty days, to purchase shares of common stock.
 
(5)
Mr. Nassau is Vice President of Special Operations. Includes 27,374 shares of common stock and 23,575 exercisable options, within the next sixty days, to purchase shares of common stock.
 
(6)
Mr. Stanway is Vice President of Operations. Includes 17,502 shares of common stock and 3,284 exercisable options, within the next sixty days, to purchase shares of common stock.
 
(7)
Includes 33,270 shares of common stock owned directly, 2,050 beneficially owned through family members or trusts, and 1,000 beneficially owned through a wholly owned company.
 
(8)
Includes 45,310 shares of common stock and 7,500 exercisable options, within the next sixty days, to purchase shares of common stock.
 
(9)
Based on 5,639,548 shares, which includes 5,503,111 outstanding shares on September 30, 2011, and the above mentioned 136,437 options.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
Under the securities laws of the United States, the Company’s directors and officers, and any persons who own more than 10% of the Company’s common stock, are required under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Specific due dates have been established by the SEC, and the Company is required to disclose any failure to file by those dates. The Company files Section 16(a) reports on behalf of its directors and executive officers to report their initial and subsequent changes in beneficial ownership of common stock. Based solely upon its review of the copies of such reports for fiscal year 2011 as furnished to MDU Communications and representations from its directors and officers, the Company believes that all directors, officers, and greater-than-10% beneficial owners have made all required Section 16(a) filings on a timely basis for such fiscal year.
 
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for the review, approval, or ratification of “related-person transactions” between the Company or its subsidiaries and related persons. Under SEC rules, a related person is a director, officer, nominee for director, or 5% stockholder of the Company since the beginning of the last fiscal year, and the immediate family members of these persons. The Audit Committee determines whether any such transaction constitutes a “related-person transaction” and may approve, ratify, rescind, or take other action with respect to the transaction in its discretion. On October 15, 2006, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement with Howard Interests for business advisory services, the principal of which is the spouse of Board member Carolyn Howard. The Consulting Agreement is a month-to-month agreement with a monthly payment required initially of $5,000 that decreased to $3,500 per month in July of 2009 and decreased to $2,000 per month in October 2010. 
 
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
J.H. Cohn LLP has served as the Company's Principal Accountant since January 1, 2002. Their fees billed to the Company for the past two fiscal years are set forth below:

  
 
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2011
   
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2010
 
Audit Fees
  $ 157,806     $ 156,550  
Audit Related Fess
  $     $  
Tax Fees
  $ 17,190     $ 16,995  
All Other Fees
  $     $  
 
 
56

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
 
All audit and non-audit services to be performed for the Company by its independent auditor must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee, or a designated member of the Audit Committee, to assure that the provision of such services do not impair the auditor’s independence. The Audit Committee has delegated interim pre-approval authority to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Any interim pre-approval of service is required to be reported to the Audit Committee at the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting. The Audit Committee does not delegate its responsibility to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor to management.
 
The engagement terms and fees for annual audit services are subject to the pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions, and fees resulting from changes in audit scope or other matters. All other audit services not otherwise included in the annual audit services engagement must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
 
Audit-related services are services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements or traditionally performed by the independent auditor. Examples of audit-related services include employee benefit and compensation plan audits, due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions, attestations by the auditor that are not required by statute or regulation, and consulting on financial accounting/reporting standards. All audit-related services must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee may grant pre-approval of other services that are permissible under applicable laws and regulations and that would not impair the independence of the auditor. All of such permissible services must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
 
 
57

 
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

1.
Financial Statements: See Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

2.
Exhibits: The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
Exhibits
   
2.1
 
Acquisition Agreement dated November 2, 1998 between Alpha Beta Holdings, Ltd. and MDU Communications Inc. (1)
3.1
 
Certificate of Incorporation (1)
3.2
 
Amendment to Certification of Incorporation (3)
3.2
 
Amendment to Certification of Incorporation (4)
3.3
 
Bylaws (1)
3.4
 
Amendment to Bylaws (2)
10.1
 
Loan and Security Agreement for September 11, 2006 $20M credit facility (6)
21.1
 
Subsidiaries of the Company (5)
23.1
 
Consent of J.H. Cohn LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (7)
31.1
 
Certification by CEO pursuant to Sections 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (7)
31.2
 
Certification by Vice President of Finance pursuant to Sections 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (7)
32.1
 
Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (7)
32.2
 
Certification Vice President of Finance pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (7)
   
101.INS - XBRL Instance Document
   
101.SCH - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
   
101.CAL - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
   
101.DEF - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
   
101.LAB - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
   
101.PRE - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
  

   
(1)
Incorporated by reference from Form 10-SB filed on May 12, 1999
   
(2)
Incorporated by reference from Form 10-SB/A, Amendment No. 3 filed on April 14, 2000
   
(3)
Incorporated by reference from Report on Form 8-K, filed November 17, 2004
   
(4)
Incorporated by reference from Report on Form 8-K, filed December 9, 2010
   
(5)
Incorporated by reference from Report on Form 10-KSB, filed December 29, 2004
   
(6)
Incorporated by reference from Report on Form 8-K, filed September 15, 2006
   
(7)
Filed herewith
 
 
58

 
 
SIGNATURES
  
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this amended report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
   
By:  
/s/  SHELDON NELSON
 
Sheldon Nelson
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
December 23, 2011
 
MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
   
By:  
/s/  CARMEN RAGUSA, JR.
 
Carmen Ragusa, Jr.
 
Vice President of Finance
 
December 23, 2011
 
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
         
/s/  SHELDON B. NELSON
       
Sheldon B. Nelson
 
Principal Executive Officer and Director
 
December 23, 2011
         
/s/  CAROLYN C. HOWARD
       
Carolyn C. Howard
 
Director
 
December 23, 2011
         
/s/ RICHARD NEWMAN
       
Richard Newman
 
Director
 
December 23, 2011

 
59