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

FORM 10-Q
þ
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
 
or
¨
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the transition period from ____ to ____
 

Commission File Number 001-35965 
GTT Communications, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
 
20-2096338
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
 
 
 
7900 Tysons One Place
Suite 1450
McLean, Virginia 22102
(Address including zip code, and telephone number, including area
code of principal executive officers)

(703) 442-5500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ 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 (§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 þ No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 
Large Accelerated Filer ¨
 
Accelerated Filer ¨
 
 
 
Non-Accelerated Filer ¨
 
Smaller reporting company þ
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ
 
As of November 12, 2014, 29,124,824 shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share, of the registrant were outstanding.
 
 




 
Page
 

2



PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GTT Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data) 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Note 1)
ASSETS
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
41,610

 
$
5,785

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $546 and $702, respectively
23,658

 
22,305

Deferred contract costs
3,111

 
1,975

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,391

 
2,878

Total current assets
70,770

 
32,943

Property and equipment, net
16,269

 
20,450

Intangible assets, net
45,085

 
43,618

Other assets
8,164

 
7,726

Goodwill
71,082

 
67,019

 Total assets
$
211,370

 
$
171,756

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
18,941

 
$
20,983

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
22,718

 
26,999

Short-term debt
5,500

 
6,500

Deferred revenue
7,486

 
6,797

  Total current liabilities
54,645

 
61,279

Long-term debt
119,500

 
85,960

Deferred revenue
989

 
1,480

Warrant liability

 
12,295

Other long-term liabilities
1,902

 
1,232

  Total liabilities
177,036

 
162,246

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies


 


 
 
 
 
Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

Common stock, par value $.0001 per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 28,888,975, and 23,311,023 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
3

 
2

Additional paid-in capital
116,244

 
76,014

Accumulated deficit
(81,551
)
 
(66,226
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(362
)
 
(280
)
       Total stockholders' equity
34,334

 
9,510

       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
211,370

 
$
171,756

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3



GTT Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2014

September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue:
 

 
 

 


 


Telecommunications services sold
$
49,161

 
$
45,106

 
$
144,684

 
$
111,267




 


 


 


Operating expenses:

 


 


 


Cost of telecommunications services provided
29,891

 
29,538

 
89,233

 
73,421

Selling, general and administrative expense
11,001

 
8,391

 
31,349

 
22,409

Restructuring costs, employee termination and other items
3,342

 

 
3,342

 
7,677

Depreciation and amortization
5,878

 
5,157

 
16,911

 
11,902




 


 


 


Total operating expenses
50,112

 
43,086

 
140,835

 
115,409




 


 


 


Operating income (loss)
(951
)
 
2,020

 
3,849

 
(4,142
)



 


 


 


Other expense:


 


 


 


Interest expense, net
(1,761
)
 
(2,445
)
 
(6,755
)
 
(5,624
)
Loss on debt extinguishment
(3,104
)
 

 
(3,104
)
 
(706
)
Other expense, net
(215
)
 
(3,449
)
 
(8,504
)
 
(6,187
)


 

 

 

Total other expense, net
(5,080
)
 
(5,894
)
 
(18,363
)
 
(12,517
)

  

 
  

 
  

 
  

Loss before income taxes
(6,031
)

(3,874
)

(14,514
)

(16,659
)



 


 


 


Provision for income taxes
605

 
416

 
811

 
437


  

 
  

 
  

 
  

Net loss
$
(6,636
)
 
$
(4,290
)
 
$
(15,325
)
 
$
(17,096
)

  

 
  

 
  

 
  

Loss per share:


 


 


 


Basic
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.19
)
 
$
(0.59
)
 
$
(0.79
)
Diluted
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.19
)
 
$
(0.59
)
 
$
(0.79
)



 


 


 


Weighted average shares:


 


 


 


Basic
28,449,319

 
22,932,515

 
25,873,938

 
21,578,315

Diluted
28,449,319

 
22,932,515

 
25,873,938

 
21,578,315

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


4




GTT Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(6,636
)
 
$
(4,290
)
 
$
(15,325
)
 
$
(17,096
)



 


 


 


Other comprehensive income (loss):
 

 
 

 


 


Foreign currency translation
(334
)
 
262

 
(82
)
 
132

Comprehensive loss
$
(6,970
)
 
$
(4,028
)
 
$
(15,407
)
 
$
(16,964
)
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

5





GTT Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except for share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid -In
 
Accumulated
 
Other
Comprehensive
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Deficit
 
Loss
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2013
23,311,023

 
$
2

 
$
76,014

 
$
(66,226
)
 
$
(280
)
 
$
9,510

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation for options issued

 

 
660

 

 

 
660

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation for restricted stock issued
342,508

 

 
1,155

 

 

 
1,155

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax withholding related to the vesting of restricted stock units
(127,766
)
 

 
(1,347
)
 

 

 
(1,347
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares issued in connection with acquisition earn-out
306,122

 

 
3,704

 

 

 
3,704

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares issued in connection with acquisition
93,899

 

 
1,000

 

 

 
1,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares issued in connection with settlement of warrant liability
913,749

 

 
9,576

 

 

 
9,576

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock issued in offering, net of offering costs
3,450,000

 
1

 
24,580

 

 

 
24,581

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options exercised
599,440

 

 
902

 

 

 
902

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss

 

 

 
(15,325
)
 

 
(15,325
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 
(82
)
 
(82
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, September 30, 2014
28,888,975

 
$
3

 
$
116,244

 
$
(81,551
)
 
$
(362
)
 
$
34,334

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6



GTT Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
 

 
 

Net loss
$
(15,325
)
 
$
(17,096
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
16,911

 
11,902

Share-based compensation
1,815

 
893

Debt discount amortization
420

 
420

Change in fair value of warrant liability
6,857

 
4,548

Loss on debt extinguishment
3,104

 
706

Change in fair value of acquisition earn-out
1,554

 
1,300

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
 

 
 

Accounts receivable, net
(1,636
)
 
(3,425
)
Deferred contract costs
(1,213
)
 
(2,049
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
421

 
6,596

Other assets
(2,554
)
 
(2,358
)
Accounts payable
(4,321
)
 
7,089

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
(8,408
)
 
(7,262
)
Deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities
404

 
(328
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
(1,971
)
 
936

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
(7,827
)
 
(51,884
)
Purchases of customer lists

 
(1,502
)
Purchases of property and equipment
(3,058
)
 
(2,328
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities
(10,885
)
 
(55,714
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Repayment of promissory note

 
(237
)
Proceeds from line of credit
3,000

 
3,000

Repayment of line of credit
(6,000
)
 
(26,919
)
Proceeds from term loan
125,000

 
65,794

Repayment of term loan
(61,750
)
 

Proceeds from mezzanine debt
1,500

 
7,151

Repayment of mezzanine debt
(31,000
)
 

Settlement of warrant liability
(9,576
)
 

Repayment of subordinate notes payable

 
(63
)
Tax withholding related to the vesting of restricted stock units
(1,347
)
 
(117
)
Exercise of stock options
902

 
38

Stock issued in offering, net of offering costs
24,581

 
6,182

 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
45,310

 
54,829

 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
3,371

 
120

 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
35,825

 
171

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
5,785

 
4,726

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
41,610

 
$
4,897

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 

 
 

Cash paid for interest
$
6,554

 
$
4,824

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
 

 
 

Fair value of assets acquired
$
13,841

 
$
59,925

Fair value of liabilities assumed
$
4,035

 
$
34,814

Common stock issued in connection with the extinguishment of subordinated notes and accrued interest thereon
$

 
$
2,880

Shares issued in connection with acquisition earn-out
3,704

 
123

Shares issued in connection with acquisition
1,000

 

Shares issued in connection with settlement of warrant liability
9,576

 

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

7



GTT Communications, Inc. 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
 
Organization and Business
 
GTT Communications, Inc. (“GTT” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation which was incorporated on January 3, 2005. GTT operates a global Tier 1 IP network with one of the most interconnected Ethernet service platforms around the world. GTT provides highly reliable, scalable and secure cloud networking services. Our clients trust us to deliver solutions with simplicity, speed, and agility.
 
Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and footnotes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 18, 2014. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to prevent the information from being misleading. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position and the results of operations. The operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year 2014 or for any other interim period. The December 31, 2013 consolidated balance sheet has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.
 
There have been no changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies as of September 30, 2014 as compared to the significant accounting policies disclosed in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies” in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results can, and in many cases will, differ from those estimates. 
 
Accounting for Derivative Instruments

The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other financial instruments or contracts. The Company also considers the ASC 815 Subtopic 40, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, which provides criteria for determining whether freestanding contracts that are settled in a company’s own stock, including common stock warrants, should be designated as either an equity instrument, an asset or as a liability.
  
The Company also considers in ASC 815, the guidance for determining whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) issued by an entity is indexed to the entity’s stock, and therefore, qualifying for the first part of the scope exception. On August 6, 2014, the warrant liability of $19.2 million was extinguished. See Notes 4 and 6 for additional information.
  
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
In addition to net loss, comprehensive income (loss) includes charges or credits to equity occurring other than as a result of transactions with stockholders. For the Company, this consists of foreign currency translation adjustments.
 




8



NOTE 2 — RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
On May 28, 2014, the Federal Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASC 606, Revenue From Contracts With Customers. The guidance in ASC 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. ASC 606 states that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company is assessing the impact of ASC 606 and will adopt the guidance for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016.

On August 27, 2014, the FASB issued an Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which provides guidance on determining when and how reporting entities must disclose going-concern uncertainties in their financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date of issuance of the entity's financial statements (or within one year after the date on which the financial statements are available to be issued, when applicable). Further, an entity must provide certain disclosures if there is "substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern".
 
 
NOTE 3 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
During the third quarter of 2014, the Company completed its annual goodwill impairment testing. The Company performed a Step 1 fair value impairment test and determined that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount; therefore, the Company concluded that no impairment existed.

The Company recorded goodwill in the amount of $4.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 in connection with businesses added. Additionally, $11.0 million was preliminarily recorded for intangible assets related to customer relationships which are subject to straight-line amortization.

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but rather tested for impairment at least annually by comparing the estimated fair values to their carrying values. Acquired trade names are assessed as indefinite lived assets because there is no foreseeable limit on the period of time over which they are expected to contribute cash flows.

The following table summarizes the Company’s intangible assets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands):
  
 
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
Amortization
Period
 
Gross Asset
Cost
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Book
Value
Customer contracts
3-7 years
 
$
69,611

 
$
25,570

 
$
44,041

Carrier contracts
1 year
 
151

 
151

 

Non-compete agreements
3-5 years
 
4,331

 
4,087

 
244

Software
7 years
 
4,935

 
4,935

 

Trade name (non-amortizing)
N/A
 
800

 

 
800

 
 
 
$
79,828

 
$
34,743

 
$
45,085

 

9



 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
Amortization
Period
 
Gross Asset
Cost
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Book
Value
Customer contracts
3-7 years
 
$
58,611

 
$
16,218

 
$
42,393

Carrier contracts
1 year
 
151

 
151

 

Non-compete agreements
3-5 years
 
4,331

 
3,906

 
425

Software
7 years
 
4,935

 
4,935

 

Trade name (non-amortizing)
N/A
 
800

 

 
800

 
 
 
$
68,828

 
$
25,210

 
$
43,618

 
Amortization expense was $3.5 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amortization expense was $9.5 million and $7.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2014 in each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2014 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

2014 remaining
$
3,494

2015
12,739

2016
11,829

2017
10,254

2018 and beyond
5,969

Total
$
44,285

 

NOTE 4 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
The Company accounts for fair value measurements in accordance with the fair value accounting standard as it relates to financial assets and financial liabilities. The Company establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs).
 
The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets (Level 1); inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2); and unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which requires the Company to develop its own assumptions (Level 3). The following section describes the valuation methodologies that we used to measure financial instruments at fair value.
 
On April 30, 2014, the Company paid the sellers of nLayer Communications, Inc. the final earn-out payment of $3.7 million in equity and $0.8 million in cash.  

On August 6, 2014, the Company extinguished the entire balance of the warrant liability of $19.2 million. The Company paid $9.6 million in cash for 1,172,080 of the outstanding warrants (or 50% of the total outstanding warrants) and the remaining warrants of 1,172,080 were exercised on a cash-less basis into 913,749 common shares.
 
The following table presents the liabilities that are measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands):
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Acquisition earn-out
$

 
$

 
$
3,779

 
$
3,779




10




Rollforward of Level 3 liabilities are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Warrant Liability
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
12,295

Change in fair value of warrant liability
6,857

Warrant liability paid in cash
(9,576
)
Warrant liability settled in common stock
(9,576
)
Balance, September 30, 2014
$


Acquisition Earn-outs
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
2,900

Acquisition earn-out paid in cash on April 30, 2014
(750
)
Acquisition earn-out paid in equity on April 30, 2014
(3,704
)
Change in the fair value of the acquisition earn-out thru April 30, 2014
1,554

Acquisition earn-outs
3,779

Balance, September 30, 2014
$
3,779


The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of notes payable is determined using current applicable rates for similar instruments as of the condensed consolidated balance sheet date and approximates the carrying value of such debt.

Assets and liabilities measured at a fair value on a non-recurring basis include goodwill, tangible assets, and intangible assets. Such assets are reviewed quarterly for impairment indicators. If a triggering event has occurred, the assets are re-measured when the estimated fair value of the corresponding asset group is less than the carrying value. The fair value measurements, in such instances, are based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). There were no impairments recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
 
NOTE 5 — EMPLOYEE SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION BENEFITS
 
The Company adopted its 2006 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Plan (the “2006 Plan”) in October 2006. In addition to stock options, the Company may also grant restricted stock or other stock-based awards under the 2006 Plan. The maximum number of shares issuable over the term of the 2006 Plan is limited to 3,500,000 shares.
 
The Company adopted its 2011 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Plan (the “2011 Plan”) in June 2011.  In addition to stock options, the Company may also grant restricted stock or other stock-based awards under the 2011 Plan. The maximum number of shares issuable over the term of the 2011 Plan is limited to 3,000,000 shares.  The 2006 Plan will continue according to its terms.

The Plan permits the granting of stock options and restricted stock to employees (including employee directors and officers) and consultants of the Company, and non-employee directors of the Company. Options granted under the Plan have an exercise price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date and expire no later than ten years from the grant date. The options generally vest over four years with 25% of the option shares becoming exercisable one year from the date of grant and the remaining 75% annually or quarterly over the following three years. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, as administrator of the Plan, has the discretion to use a different vesting schedule.
 
Stock Options
 
The Company recognized compensation expense for stock options of approximately $249,000 and $103,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and stock options of approximately $660,000 and $254,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, related to stock options issued to employees and consultants, which is included in selling, general and administrative expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company granted to employees 16,000 and 121,000 stock options with a total fair value of $99,000 and $301,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company granted to

11



employees 425,000 and 472,000 stock options with a total fair value of $3.1 million and $961,000, respectively.
 
Restricted Stock
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, the Company granted to certain employees and members of its Board of Directors restricted stock. This includes shares issued to non-employee members of the Company’s Board of Directors who elected to be paid a portion of their annual fees in restricted stock. Total non-cash compensation expense is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.

The following tables summarize the Company’s restricted stock for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
 
Amounts in thousands
Employees
 
Non-Employee
Members of Board 
of Directors
 
Total
Three months ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock shares granted
20

 
41

 
61

Fair value of shares granted
$
212

 
$
435

 
$
647

Restricted stock compensation expense
$
343

 
$
77

 
$
420

 
Amounts in thousands
Employees
 
Non-Employee
Members of Board
of Directors
 
Total
Three months ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock shares granted
91

 
7

 
98

Fair value of shares granted
$
392

 
$
36

 
$
428

Restricted stock compensation expense
$
258

 
$
36

 
$
294


The following tables summarize the Company’s restricted stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
Amounts in thousands
Employees
 
Non-Employee
Members of Board 
of Directors
 
Total
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock shares granted
294

 
48

 
342

Fair value of shares granted
$
3,523

 
$
506

 
$
4,029

Restricted stock compensation expense
$
1,007

 
$
148

 
$
1,155

 
Amounts in thousands
Employees
 
Non-Employee
Members of Board
of Directors
 
Total
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock shares granted
587

 
131

 
718

Fair value of shares granted
$
2,037

 
$
509

 
$
2,546

Restricted stock compensation expense
$
507

 
$
131

 
$
638


  
NOTE 6 — DEBT
 
The following summarizes the debt activity of the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands):

12




 
Total Debt
 
Senior Term Loan
 
Delayed Draw Term Loan
 
Line of Credit
 
Mezzanine Notes
Debt obligation as of December 31, 2013
$
92,460

 
$
61,750

 
$

 
$
3,000

 
$
27,710

Issuance
129,500

 
110,000

 
15,000

 
3,000

 
1,500

Debt discount amortization
420

 

 

 

 
420

Debt discount extinguishment
1,370

 

 

 

 
1,370

Payments
(98,750
)
 
(61,750
)
 

 
(6,000
)
 
(31,000
)
Debt obligation as of September 30, 2014
$
125,000

 
$
110,000

 
$
15,000

 
$

 
$


Estimated annual commitments for debt maturities are as follows at September 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands):
 
Total Debt
2014 remaining
$
1,375

2015
5,500

2016
9,291

2017
9,069

2018 and beyond
99,765

Total
$
125,000


Senior Term Loan and Line of Credit

On August 6, 2014, the Company completed a refinancing transaction (the “Refinancing Transaction”), which included amendments to the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2013. The Credit Agreement, as amended, provides for $110.0 million in term loans; a $15.0 million revolving credit facility; an available $15.0 million delayed draw term loan and an available uncommitted $30.0 million incremental term loan. The maturity of the facilities under the Credit Agreement, as amended, were extended to August 6, 2019. The obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company’s tangible and intangible assets.

On September 30, 2014, the Company drew $15.0 million on the delayed draw term loan, no amounts had been drawn on the revolving credit facility nor the uncommitted incremental term loan. Additionally, the Company is in compliance with the reporting and financial covenants stated in the Credit Agreement.

In connection with the Refinancing Transaction, the Company accelerated the amortization of ratable portions of the deferred
financing costs associated with the prior term loan facilities and portions of the deferred financing costs of the Credit Agreement, as amended, that do not qualify for deferral of $1.4 million. These amounts are reflected in Loss on Debt Extinguishment, net in the three months ended September 30, 2014.

The interest rate on the Credit Agreement, as amended, is a LIBOR-based tiered pricing tied to our net leverage ratio. As of September 30, 2014, the interest rate was 4.5%.

Mezzanine Notes
 
The Company entered into an agreement on August 6, 2014 ("Mezzanine Credit Agreement") that used the proceeds from the Refinancing Transaction to repay the remaining $31.0 million of indebtedness payable to BIA Digital Partners SBIC II LP, Plexus Fund II, L.P., and BNY Mellon-Alcentra Mezzanine III, L.P. ("Note Holders"). In accordance with the terms of the Mezzanine Credit Agreement, the Company also paid a prepayment penalty of $0.3 million, which is included in Loss on Debt Extinguishment. The remaining original issue discount of the warrant of $1.5 million is included in Loss on Debt Extinguishment.
 
Warrants
 
On August 6, 2014, in conjunction with the Refinancing Transaction, the Company entered into an agreement with the Note Holders that extinguished the entire balance of the warrant liability of $19.2 million (the "Warrant Purchase and Exercise Agreement"). Under the Warrant Purchase and Exercise Agreement, the Note Holders agreed to sell 1,172,080 of their outstanding Warrants (or

13



50% of the total outstanding warrants) to the Company for $9.6 million. In addition the Mezzanine Note Holders agreed to exercise the remaining 1,172,080 warrants on a cash-less basis into 913,749 common shares of the Company.

NOTE 7 — INCOME TAXES
 
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are recorded against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which those temporary differences become deductible. The scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies are evaluated in determining whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized.
 
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s foreign jurisdictions are primarily in Italy and the United Kingdom.
 
A valuation allowance has been recorded against the Company’s deferred tax assets to the extent those assets are not offset by deferred tax liabilities which have a structural certainty of reversal or those assets that cannot be realized against prior period taxable income.

The Company recorded tax expense of $0.6 million and $0.4 million for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 the Company recorded tax expense of $0.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

NOTE 8 — LOSS PER SHARE
 
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflect, in periods with earnings and in which they have a dilutive effect, the effect of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants.

The table below details the calculations of loss per share (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts):

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS – loss available to common stockholders
$
(6,636
)
 
$
(4,290
)
 
$
(15,325
)
 
$
(17,096
)
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average shares
28,449,319

 
22,932,515

 
25,873,938

 
21,578,315

Effect of dilutive securities

 

 

 

Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average shares
28,449,319

 
22,932,515

 
25,873,938

 
21,578,315

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss per share: basic
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.19
)
 
$
(0.59
)
 
$
(0.79
)
Loss per share: diluted
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.19
)
 
$
(0.59
)
 
$
(0.79
)
 

14



The table below details the anti-dilutive items that were excluded in the computation of the loss per share (amounts in thousands):  
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
BIA warrant

 
1,055

 

 
1,055

Plexus warrant

 
960

 

 
960

Alcentra warrant

 
329

 

 
329

Stock options
1,096

 
1,711

 
1,096

 
1,711

Totals
1,096

 
4,055

 
1,096

 
4,055


NOTE 9 — CONTINGENCIES-LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, the Company is a party to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business. Aside from the matters discussed below, the Company does not believe that it is a party to any pending legal action that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its business or operating results, financial position or cash flows. 

The Company filed a civil complaint against Artel, LLC on June 15, 2012 in the Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, docket number CL2012-04735, alleging breach of contract with respect to telecommunication services provided by the Company. In response to the Company’s complaint, Artel, LLC filed a counterclaim against the Company based on allegations of breach of contract and certain business torts. On December 20, 2013, the Court entered a judgment against the Company in the amount of $3.3 million.  The Court suspended the judgment, subject to a letter of credit during GTT’s appeal, which is presently pending in the Supreme Court of Virginia.  On October 29, 2014 the Supreme Court of Virginia granted in part and denied in part the Company's petition for appeal and this decision was communicated to the Company on October 30, 2014. The Company is currently evaluating the options to contest further the judgment. As a consequence of the decision by the Supreme Court of Virginia, the Company has established an accrual equal to the full amount of the judgment for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.
  
NOTE 10 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 1, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement and plan of merger ("Merger Agreement") with United Network Services, Inc. ("UNSi"), a Delaware corporation.  UNSi is a communications company providing data services to large enterprise and carrier clients.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company paid UNSi an aggregate purchase price of $40.0 million, payable in a combination of cash and 231,539 shares of common stock of the Company, subject to a net working capital adjustment and other deductions for UNSi. As security for UNSi's indemnification obligations under the Merger Agreement, 10% of the purchase price is being withheld by the Company for one year following the closing of the Merger. The Company expects to incur a restructuring charge in the fourth quarter related to a reduction in headcount and the termination of leases and contracts.

    

15



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. In addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect plans, estimates and beliefs of management of the Company. When used in this document, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate” and “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of these risk factors, please see the Company’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Part II Item 1A of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
 
Overview
 
GTT Communications, Inc. is a Delaware corporation which was incorporated on January 3, 2005. GTT operates a global Tier 1 IP network with one of the most interconnected Ethernet service platforms around the world. We provide highly reliable, scalable and secure cloud networking services. Our clients trust us to deliver solutions with simplicity, speed, and agility. 
 
As of September 30, 2014, our customer base was comprised of over 2,000 businesses. Our five largest customers accounted for approximately 19% of consolidated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
 
Costs and Expenses
 
The Company’s cost of revenue consists of the costs for its core network consisting of a global IP/MPLS network with over 200 PoPs, and for procurement of services to extend to customers from the core network and for completely off-net services. The key off-net terms and conditions appearing in both supplier and customer agreements are substantially the same, with margin applied to the suppliers’ costs, and generally on back-to-back term lengths. There are no wages or overheads included in these costs. From time to time, the Company has agreed to certain special commitments with vendors in order to obtain better rates, terms and conditions for the procurement of services from those vendors. These commitments include volume purchase commitments and purchases on a longer-term basis than the term for which the applicable customer has committed.
 
Our supplier contracts do not have any market-related net settlement provisions. The Company has not entered into, and has no plans to enter into, any supplier contracts which involve financial or derivative instruments. The supplier contracts are entered into solely for the direct purchase of telecommunications capacity, which is resold by the Company in its normal course of business.
 
Other than cost of revenue, the Company’s most significant operating expenses are employment costs. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had 215 employees and full-time equivalents that comprised approximately 13% of total operating expenses.
 
Locations of Offices and Origins of Revenue
 
We are headquartered just outside of Washington, DC, in McLean, Virginia, and have offices in Chicago, Denver, New York, London, Belfast, Frankfurt, Milan, Cagliari, and Hong Kong.

The table below presents the components of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
  
Geographical Revenue
 
2014
 
2013
United States
 
54
%
 
59
%
Italy
 
29
%
 
23
%
United Kingdom
 
14
%
 
15
%
Other
 
3
%
 
3
%
Totals
 
100
%
 
100
%




16



Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. For information regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates, please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements contained therein. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies previously disclosed in that report.
 
Results of Operations
 
Three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to three months ended September 30, 2013
 
Overview. The financial information presented in the tables below is comprised of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information of the Company for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
49,161

 
$
45,106

Cost of revenue
29,891

 
29,538

 


 


Gross margin
19,270

 
15,568

 
39.2
%
 
34.5
%
Operating expenses, depreciation and amortization
20,221

 
13,548

 


 


Operating income (loss)
$
(951
)
 
$
2,020

 


 


Net loss
$
(6,636
)
 
$
(4,290
)
 
Revenue. Revenue was $49.2 million and $45.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase is primarily due to approximately 60 newly added customers with over 700 services from the customer lists added in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 and the businesses added during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
 
Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin. Cost of revenue and gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $29.9 million and $19.3 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, cost of revenue and gross margin were $29.5 million and $15.6 million, respectively. The cost of revenue increased due to the addition of clients, but were offset by network integration and cost-savings initiatives. Additionally, new sales and installations of services at higher gross margin percentages contributed to the growth in gross margin.
 
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses, exclusive of cost of revenue, were $20.2 million and $13.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase was due primarily to the employment costs resulting from the net increase of approximately 35 employees to support the additional new clients and expansion of the revenue base, as well as an increase in rent expense, travel costs, and professional fees to support the broader global organization. Additionally, the Company recorded an accrual for $3.3 million in the third quarter associated with an ongoing litigation case. See Note 9 for additional information. These changes are illustrated in the table below (amounts in thousands):
 

17



 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2014

2013
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding non-cash compensation)
$
10,332

 
$
8,005

Non-cash compensation
669

 
386

Restructuring costs, employee termination and other items
3,342

 

Amortization of intangible assets
3,508

 
3,029

Depreciation
2,370

 
2,128

Totals
$
20,221

 
$
13,548


Nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2013
 
Overview. The financial information presented in the tables below is comprised of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
144,684

 
$
111,267

Cost of revenue
89,233

 
73,421

 


 


Gross margin
55,451

 
37,846

 
38.3
%
 
34.0
%
Operating expenses, depreciation and amortization
51,602

 
41,988

 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
$
3,849

 
$
(4,142
)
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(15,325
)
 
$
(17,096
)
 
Revenue. Revenue was $144.7 million and $111.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase is primarily due to the acquisition of Tinet on April 30, 2013, which had over 1,000 customers. Additionally, the increase is due to approximately 60 newly added customers with over 700 services from the clients added in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 and the clients added during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin. Cost of revenue and gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $89.2 million and $55.5 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, cost of revenue and gross margin were $73.4 million and $37.8 million, respectively. The increase in both the cost of revenue and gross margin is primarily due to the Tinet acquisition, which had over 120 points of presence globally and operated one of the largest global Tier 1 IP networks. Additionally, the addition of clients' underlying cost of revenue also contributed to the increase.
 
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses, exclusive of cost of revenue, were $51.6 million and $42.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase was due primarily to the increase in employment costs resulting from the net increase of approximately 120 employees following the Tinet acquisition as well as additional employees to support other added clients, and an increase in rent expense, travel costs, and professional fees to support the broader global organization resulting from the Tinet acquisition. Additionally, the Company recorded an accrual for $3.3 million in the third quarter associated with an ongoing litigation case. See Note 9 for additional information. These changes are illustrated in the table below (amounts in thousands):
 

18



 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014

2013
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding non-cash compensation)
$
29,534

 
$
21,516

Non-cash compensation
1,815

 
893

Restructuring costs, employee termination and other items
3,342

 
7,677

Amortization of intangible assets
9,533

 
7,293

Depreciation
7,378

 
4,609

Totals
$
51,602

 
$
41,988

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
The following summarizes the debt activity of the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands):

 
Total Debt
 
Senior Term Loan
 
Delayed Draw Term Loan
 
Line of Credit
 
Mezzanine Notes
Debt obligation as of December 31, 2013
$
92,460

 
$
61,750

 
$

 
$
3,000

 
$
27,710

Issuance
129,500

 
110,000

 
15,000

 
3,000

 
1,500

Debt discount amortization
420

 

 

 

 
420

Debt discount extinguishment
1,370

 

 

 

 
1,370

Payments
(98,750
)
 
(61,750
)
 

 
(6,000
)
 
(31,000
)
Debt obligation as of September 30, 2014
$
125,000

 
$
110,000

 
$
15,000

 
$

 
$


Estimated annual commitments for debt maturities are as follows at September 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands):
 
Total Debt
2014 remaining
$
1,375

2015
5,500

2016
9,291

2017
9,069

2018 and beyond
99,765

Total
$
125,000


Senior Term Loan and Line of Credit

On August 6, 2014, the Company completed a refinancing transaction (the “Refinancing Transaction”), which included amendments to the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2013. The Credit Agreement, as amended, provides for $110.0 million in term loans; a $15.0 million revolving credit facility; an available $15.0 million delayed draw term loan and an available uncommitted $30.0 million incremental term loan. The maturity of the facilities under the Credit Agreement, as amended, were extended to August 6, 2019. The obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company’s tangible and intangible assets.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company drew $15.0 million on the delayed draw term loan, no amounts had been drawn on the revolving credit facility nor the uncommitted incremental term loan. Additionally, the Company is in compliance with the reporting and financial covenants stated in the Credit Agreement.

In connection with the Refinancing Transaction, the Company accelerated the amortization of ratable portions of the deferred financing costs associated with the prior term loan facilities and portions of the deferred financing costs of the Credit Agreement, as amended, that do not qualify for deferral of $1.4 million. These amounts are reflected in Loss on Debt Extinguishment, net in the three months ended September 30, 2014.


19



The interest rate on the Credit Agreement, as amended, is a LIBOR-based tiered pricing tied to our net leverage ratio. As of September 30, 2014, the interest rate was 4.5%.

Mezzanine Notes
 
The Company entered into an agreement on August 6, 2014 ("Mezzanine Credit Agreement") that used the proceeds from the Refinancing Transaction to repay the remaining $31.0 million of indebtedness payable to BIA Digital Partners SBIC II LP, Plexus Fund II, L.P., and BNY Mellon-Alcentra Mezzanine III, L.P. ("Note Holders"). In accordance with the terms of the Mezzanine Credit Agreement, the Company also paid a prepayment penalty of $0.3 million, which is included in Loss on Debt Extinguishment. The remaining original issue discount of the warrant of $1.5 million is included in Loss on Debt Extinguishment.
 
Warrants
 
On August 6, 2014, in conjunction with the Refinancing Transaction, the Company entered into an agreement with the Note Holders that extinguished the entire balance of the warrant liability of $19.2 million (the "Warrant Purchase and Exercise Agreement"). Under the Warrant Purchase and Exercise Agreement, the Note Holders agreed to sell 1,172,080 of their outstanding Warrants (or 50% of the total outstanding warrants) to the Company for $9.6 million. In addition the Mezzanine Note Holders agreed to exercise the remaining 1,172,080 warrants on a cash-less basis into 913,749 common shares of the Company.

Liquidity Assessment
 
Cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was approximately $2.0 million and cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was approximately $0.9 million.
 
Cash used in investing activities was approximately $10.9 million and $55.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $45.3 million and $54.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
Management monitors cash flow and liquidity requirements. Based on the Company’s cash, debt, and analysis of the anticipated working capital requirements, management believes the Company has sufficient liquidity to fund the business and meet its contractual obligations for the next 12 months. The Company’s current planned cash requirements for 2014 are based upon certain assumptions, including its ability to manage expenses and the growth of revenue from service arrangements. In connection with the activities associated with the services, the Company expects to incur expenses, including provider fees, employee compensation and consulting fees, professional fees, sales and marketing, insurance and interest expense. Should the expected cash flows not be available, management believes it would have the ability to revise its operating plan and make reductions in expenses.

Our operations or expansion efforts may require substantial additional financial, operational and managerial resources. As of September 30, 2014, we had approximately $41.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, and our current assets were $16.1 million greater than current liabilities. The Company believes that cash currently on hand, expected cash flows from future operations and existing borrowing capacity are sufficient to fund operations for at least the next twelve months, including the $5.5 million scheduled repayment of the senior term loan indebtedness. If our operating performance differs significantly from our forecasts, we may be required to reduce our operating expenses and curtail capital spending, and we may not remain in compliance with our debt covenants. In addition, if the Company were unable to fully fund its cash requirements through operations and current cash on hand, the Company would need to obtain additional financing through a combination of equity and subordinated debt financings and/or renegotiation of terms of its existing debt. If any such activities become necessary, there can be no assurance that the Company would be successful in obtaining additional financing or modifying its existing debt terms.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Interest Rate Sensitivity
 
Interest due on the Company’s loans is based upon the applicable stated fixed contractual rate with the lender. Interest earned on the Company’s bank accounts is linked to the applicable base interest rate. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred interest expense, net of interest income, of approximately $6.8 million and $5.6 million, respectively. The Company believes that its results of operations are not materially affected by changes in interest rates.
 

20



Exchange Rate Sensitivity
 
Approximately 46% of the Company’s revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are from services provided outside of the United States, with approximately 45% of services provided in Europe. As a consequence, a material percentage of the Company’s revenues are billed in British Pounds Sterling or Euros. Since we operate on a global basis, we are exposed to various foreign currency risks. First, our condensed consolidated financial statements are denominated in U.S. Dollars, but a significant portion of our revenue is generated in the local currency of our foreign subsidiaries. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates between the applicable foreign currency and the U.S. Dollar will affect the translation of each foreign subsidiary’s financial results into U.S. Dollars for purposes of reporting consolidated financial results.
 
In addition, because of the global nature of our business, we may from time to time be required to pay a supplier in one currency while receiving payments from the underlying customer of the service in another currency. Although it is the Company’s general policy to pay its suppliers in the same currency that it will receive cash from customers, where these circumstances arise with respect to supplier invoices in one currency and customer billings in another currency, the Company’s gross margins may increase or decrease based upon changes in the exchange rate. Such factors did not have a material impact on the Company’s results in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The Company’s management carried out an evaluation required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), under the supervision of and with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act (“Disclosure Controls”).
 
Based on our evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed at a reasonable assurance level and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose 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 CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
The CEO and the CFO, with assistance from other members of management, have reviewed the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2014, and based on their evaluation, have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Management, including our CEO and CFO, does not expect that disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls.
 
The design of any system of controls 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; over time, a control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may not be detected. 

21



PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
From time to time, the Company is a party to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business. Aside from the matters discussed below, the Company does not believe that it is a party to any pending legal action that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its business or operating results, financial position or cash flows. 

The Company filed a civil complaint against Artel, LLC on June 15, 2012 in the Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court, docket number CL2012-04735, alleging breach of contract with respect to telecommunication services provided by the Company. In response to the Company’s complaint, Artel, LLC filed a counterclaim against the Company based on allegations of breach of contract and certain business torts. On December 20, 2013, the Court entered a judgment against the Company in the amount of $3.3 million.  The Court suspended the judgment, subject to a letter of credit during GTT’s appeal, which is presently pending in the Supreme Court of Virginia.  On October 29, 2014 the Supreme Court of Virginia granted in part and denied in part the Company's petition for appeal and this decision was communicated to the Company on October 30, 2014. The Company is currently evaluating the options to contest further the judgment. As a consequence of the decision by the Supreme Court of Virginia, the Company has established an accrual equal to the full amount of the judgment for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.
  
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
We operate in a rapidly changing environment that involves a number of risks, some of which are beyond our control. Below are the risks and uncertainties we believe are most important for you to consider. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, which we currently deem immaterial or which are similar to those faced by other companies in our industry or telecommunications and/or technology companies in general, may also impair our business operations. If any of these risks or uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.
 
Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations
 
We depend on several large customers, and the loss of one or more of these customers, or a significant decrease in total revenue from any of these customers, would likely reduce our revenue and income.
 
For the period ended September 30, 2014, our five largest customers accounted for approximately 19% of our total service revenue. If we were to lose all of the underlying services from one or more of our large customers, or if one or more of our large customers were to significantly reduce the services purchased from us or otherwise renegotiate the terms on which services are purchased from us, our revenue could decline and our results of operations would suffer.
 
If our customers elect to terminate their agreements with us, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
 
Our services are sold under agreements that generally have initial terms of between one and three years. Following the initial terms, these agreements generally automatically renew for successive month-to-month, quarterly or annual periods, but can be terminated by the customer without cause with relatively little notice during a renewal period. In addition, certain government customers may have rights under federal law with respect to termination for convenience that can serve to minimize or eliminate altogether the liability payable by that customer in the event of early termination. Our customers may elect to terminate their agreements as a result of a number of factors, including their level of satisfaction with the services they are receiving, their ability to continue their operations due to budgetary or other concerns and the availability and pricing of competing services. If customers elect to terminate their agreements with us, our business, financial condition and results of operation may be adversely affected.

Competition in the industry in which we do business is intense and growing, and our failure to compete successfully could make it difficult for us to add and retain customers or increase or maintain revenue.
 
The markets in which we operate are rapidly evolving and highly competitive. We currently or potentially compete with a variety of companies, including some of our transport suppliers, with respect to their products and services, including global and regional telecommunications service providers such as AT&T, British Telecom, NTT, Level 3, and Verizon, among others.

The industry in which we operate is consolidating, which is increasing the size and scope of our competitors. Competitors could benefit from assets or businesses acquired from other carriers or from strategic alliances in the telecommunications industry. New entrants could enter the market with a business model similar to ours. Our target markets may support only a limited number of

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competitors. Operations in such markets with multiple competitive providers may be unprofitable for one or more of such providers. Prices in the data transmission and internet access business have declined in recent years and may continue to decline.
 
Many of our potential competitors have certain advantages over us, including:
 
substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, and other resources, including brand or corporate name recognition;

substantially lower cost structures, including cost structures of facility-based providers who have reduced debt and other obligations through bankruptcy or other restructuring proceedings;

larger client bases;

longer operating histories;

more established relationships in the industry; and

larger geographic presence.

Our competitors may be able to use these advantages to:
 
develop or adapt to new or emerging technologies and changes in client requirements more quickly;

take advantage of acquisitions and other opportunities more readily;

enter into strategic relationships to rapidly grow the reach of their networks and capacity;

devote greater resources to the marketing and sale of their services;

adopt more aggressive pricing and incentive policies, which could drive down margins; and

expand their offerings more quickly.

If we are unable to compete successfully against our current and future competitors, our revenue and gross margin could decline and we would lose market share, which could materially and adversely affect our business.
 
We might require additional capital to support business growth, and this capital might not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
 
Our operations or expansion efforts may require substantial additional financial, operational and managerial resources. As of September 30, 2014, we had approximately $41.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, and our current assets were $16.1 million greater than current liabilities. We may be required to raise additional funds to continue or expand our operations. If we are required to obtain additional funding in the future, we may have to sell assets, seek debt financing, or obtain additional equity capital. Our ability to sell assets or raise additional equity or debt capital will depend on the condition of the capital and credit markets and our financial condition at such time. Accordingly, additional capital may not be available to us, or may only be available on terms that adversely affect our existing stockholders, or that restrict our operations. For example, if we raise additional funds through issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, our existing stockholders could suffer dilution, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences, and privileges superior to those of holders of our common stock. Also, if we were forced to sell assets, there can be no assurance regarding the terms and conditions we could obtain for any such sale, and if we were required to sell assets that are important to our current or future business, our current and future results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We have granted security interests in substantially all of our assets to secure the repayment of our indebtedness maturing between 2014 and 2016, and if we are unable to satisfy our obligations, the lenders could foreclose on their security interests.
 
Because our business is dependent upon selling telecommunications network capacity purchased from third parties, the failure of our suppliers and other service providers to provide us with services, or disputes with those suppliers and service providers, could affect our ability to provide quality services to our customers and have an adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
 

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Much of our business consists of integrating and selling network capacity purchased from facility-based telecommunications carriers. Accordingly, we will be largely dependent on third parties to supply us with services. Occasionally in the past, our operating companies have experienced delays or other problems in receiving services from third party providers. Disputes also arise from time to time with suppliers with respect to billing or interpretation of contract terms. Any failure on the part of third parties to adequately supply us or to maintain the quality of their facilities and services in the future, or the termination of any significant contracts by a supplier, could cause customers to experience delays in service and lower levels of customer care, which could cause them to switch providers. Furthermore, disputes over billed amounts or interpretation of contract terms could lead to claims against us, some of which if resolved against us could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and/or financial condition. Suppliers may also attempt to impose onerous terms as part of purchase contract negotiations. Although we know of no pending or threatened claims with respect to past compliance with any such terms, claims asserting any past noncompliance, if successful, could have a material adverse effect on our operations and/or financial condition. Moreover, to the extent that key suppliers were to attempt to impose such provisions as part of future contract negotiations, such developments could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations. Finally, some of our suppliers are potential competitors. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain use of facilities or services in a timely manner or on terms acceptable and in quantities satisfactory to us.
 
Industry consolidation may affect our ability to obtain services from suppliers on a timely or cost-efficient basis.
 
A principal method of connecting with our customers is through local transport and last mile circuits we purchase from incumbent carriers such as AT&T and Verizon, or competitive carriers such as Time Warner Telecom, XO, or Level 3. In recent years, AT&T, Verizon, and Level 3 have acquired competitors with significant local and/or long-haul network assets. Industry consolidation has occurred on a lesser scale as well through mergers and acquisitions involving regional or smaller national or international competitors. Generally speaking, we believe that a marketplace with multiple supplier options for transport access is important to the long-term availability of competitive pricing, service quality, and carrier responsiveness. It is unclear at this time what the long-term impact of such consolidation will be, or whether it will continue at the same pace as it has in recent years; we cannot guarantee that we will continue to be able to obtain use of facilities or services in a timely manner or on terms acceptable and in quantities satisfactory to us from such suppliers.
 
We may occasionally have certain sales commitments to customers that extend beyond the Company’s commitments from its underlying suppliers.
 
The Company’s financial results could be adversely affected if the Company were unable to purchase extended service from a supplier at a cost sufficiently low to maintain the Company’s margin for the remaining term of its commitment to a customer. While the Company has not encountered material price increases from suppliers with respect to continuation or renewal of services after expiration of initial contract terms, the Company cannot be certain that it would be able to obtain similar terms and conditions from suppliers. In most cases where the Company has faced any price increase from a supplier following contract expiration, the Company has been able to locate another supplier to provide the service at a similar or reduced future cost; however, the Company’s suppliers may not provide services at such cost levels in the future.
 
We may make purchase commitments to vendors for longer terms or in excess of the volumes committed by our underlying customers.
 
The Company attempts to match its purchase of network capacity from its suppliers and its service commitments from its customers. However, from time to time, the Company has obligations to its suppliers that exceed the duration of the Company’s related customer contracts or that are for capacity in excess of the amount for which it has Customer commitments. This could arise based upon the terms and conditions available from the Company’s suppliers, from an expectation of the Company that we will be able to utilize the excess capacity, as a result of a breach of a customer’s commitment to us, or to support fixed elements of the Company’s network. Under any of these circumstances, the Company would incur the cost of the network capacity from its supplier without having corresponding revenue from its customers, which could result in a material and adverse impact on the Company’s operating results.
 
System disruptions, either in our network or in third party networks on which we depend, could cause delays or interruptions of our service, which could cause us to lose customers, or incur additional expenses.
 
Our customers depend on our ability to provide network availability with minimal interruption or degradation in services. The ability to provide this service depends in part on the networks of third party transport suppliers. The networks of transport suppliers may be interrupted as a result of various events, many of which they cannot control, including fire, human error, earthquakes and other natural disasters, power loss, telecommunications failures, terrorism, sabotage, vandalism, cyber-attacks, computer viruses or

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other infiltration by third parties or the financial distress or other events adversely affecting a supplier, such as bankruptcy or liquidation.
 
Although we have attempted to design our network services to minimize the possibility of service disruptions or other outages, in addition to risks associated with third party provider networks, our services may be disrupted by problems on our own systems, that affect our central offices, corporate headquarters, network operations centers, or network equipment. Our network, including our routers, may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, cyber-attacks, distributed denial of service ("DDOS"), and other security breaches. An attack on or security breach of our network could result in interruption or cessation of services, our inability to meet our service level commitments, and potentially compromise customer data transmitted over our network. There are certain locations through which a large amount of our Internet traffic passes. Examples are facilities in which we exchange traffic with other carriers, the facilities through which our transatlantic traffic passes, and certain of our network hub sites. If any of these facilities were destroyed or seriously damaged a significant amount of our network traffic could be disrupted. The continued threat of terrorist activity and other acts of war or hostility have had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on business, financial and general economic conditions internationally. We are also susceptible to other catastrophic events such as major natural disasters, extreme weather, fire or similar events that could affect our headquarters, other offices, our network, infrastructure or equipment, which could adversely affect our business.
 
Disruptions or degradations in our service could subject us to legal claims and liability for losses suffered by customers due to our inability to provide service. If our network failure rates are higher than permitted under the applicable customer contracts, we may incur significant expenses related to network outage credits, which would reduce our revenue and gross margin. In addition, customers may, under certain contracts, have the ability to terminate services in case of prolonged or severe service disruptions or other outages which would also adversely impact our results of operations. Our reputation could be harmed if we fail to provide a reasonably adequate level of network availability, and as a result we could find it more difficult to attract and retain customers.
 
If the products or services that we market or sell do not maintain market acceptance, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
 
Certain segments of the telecommunications industry are dependent on developing and marketing new products and services that respond to technological and competitive developments and changing customer needs. We cannot assure you that our products and services will gain or obtain increased market acceptance. Any significant delay or failure in developing new or enhanced technology, including new product and service offerings, could result in a loss of actual or potential market share and a decrease in revenue.
 
The communications market in which we operate is highly competitive; we could be forced to reduce prices, may lose customers to other providers that offer lower prices and have problems attracting new customers.
 
The communications industry is highly competitive and pricing for some of our key service offerings, such as our dedicated IP transport services, have been generally declining. If our costs of service, including the cost of leasing underlying facilities, do not decline in a similar fashion, we could experience significant margin compression, reduction of profitability and loss of business.
 
If carrier and enterprise connectivity demand does not continue to expand, we may experience a shortfall in revenue or earnings or otherwise fail to meet public market expectations.
 
The growth of our business will be dependent, in part, upon the increased use of carrier and enterprise connectivity services and our ability to capture a higher proportion of this market. Increased usage of enterprise connectivity services depends on numerous factors, including:
 
the willingness of enterprises to make additional information technology expenditures;

the availability of security products necessary to ensure data privacy over the public networks;

the quality, cost, and functionality of these services and competing services;

the increased adoption of wired and wireless broadband access methods;

the continued growth of broadband-intensive applications; and

the proliferation of electronic devices and related applications.

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Our long sales and service deployment cycles require us to incur substantial sales costs that may not result in related revenue.
 
Our business is characterized by long sales cycles between the time a potential customer is contacted and a customer contract is signed. The average sales cycle can be as little as two to six weeks for existing customers and three to six months or longer for new customers with complicated service requirements. Furthermore, once a customer contract is signed, there is typically an extended period of between 30 and 120 days before the customer actually begins to use the services, which is when we begin to realize revenue. As a result, we may invest a significant amount of time and effort in attempting to secure a customer, which investment may not result in near term, if any, revenue. Even if we enter into a contract, we will have incurred substantial sales-related expenses well before we recognize any related revenue. If the expenses associated with sales increase, if we are not successful in our sales efforts, or if we are unable to generate associated offsetting revenue in a timely manner, our operating results could be materially and adversely affected. 
 
Because much of our business is international, our financial results may be affected by foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
 
Approximately 46% of our revenue comes from countries outside of the United States. As such, other currencies, particularly the Euro and the British Pound Sterling can have an impact on the Company’s results (expressed in U.S. Dollars). Currency variations also contribute to variations in sales in impacted jurisdictions. Accordingly, fluctuations in foreign currency rates, most notably the strengthening of the dollar against the euro and the pound, could have a material impact on our revenue growth in future periods. In addition, currency variations can adversely affect margins on sales of our products in countries outside of the United States and margins on sales of products that include components obtained from suppliers located outside of the United States.
 
Because much of our business is international, we may be subject to local taxes, tariffs, statutory requirements, or other restrictions in foreign countries, which may reduce our profitability.
 
The Company is subject to various risks associated with conducting business worldwide. Revenue from our foreign subsidiaries, or other locations where we provide or procure services internationally, may be subject to additional taxes in some foreign jurisdictions. Additionally, some foreign jurisdictions may subject us to additional withholding tax requirements or the imposition of tariffs, exchange controls, or other restrictions on foreign earnings. The Company is also subject to foreign government employment standards, labor strikes and work stoppages. These risks and any other restrictions imposed on our foreign operations may increase our costs of business in those jurisdictions, which in turn may reduce our profitability.
 
If our goodwill or amortizable intangible assets become impaired we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings.
 
Under generally accepted accounting principles, we review our amortizable intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of our goodwill or amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable include reduced future cash flow estimates, a decline in stock price and market capitalization, and slower growth rates in our industry. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded no impairment to goodwill and amortizable intangible assets. We may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill or amortizable intangible assets is determined, negatively impacting our results of operations.
 
The ability to implement and maintain our databases and management information systems is a critical business requirement, and if we cannot obtain or maintain accurate data or maintain these systems, we might be unable to cost-effectively provide solutions to our customers.
 
To be successful, we must increase and update information in our databases about network pricing, capacity and availability. Our ability to provide cost-effective network availability and access cost management depends upon the information we collect from our transport suppliers regarding their networks. These suppliers are not obligated to provide this information and could decide to stop providing it to us at any time. Moreover, we cannot be certain that the information that these suppliers share with us is accurate. If we cannot continue to maintain and expand the existing databases, we may be unable to increase revenue or to facilitate the supply of services in a cost-effective manner.

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If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, competitors may be able to use our technology or trademarks, which could weaken our competitive position.
 
We own certain proprietary programs, software and technology. However, we do not have any patented technology that would preclude competitors from replicating our business model; instead, we rely upon a combination of know-how, trade secret laws, contractual restrictions, and copyright, trademark and service mark laws to establish and protect our intellectual property. Our success will depend in part on our ability to maintain or obtain (as applicable) and enforce intellectual property rights for those assets, both in the United States and in other countries. Although our U.S. operating company has registered some of its service marks in the United States, we have not otherwise applied for registration of any marks in any other jurisdiction. Instead, with the exception of the few registered service marks in the United States, we rely exclusively on common law trademark rights in the countries in which we operate.
 
We may file applications for patents, copyrights and trademarks as our management deems appropriate. We cannot assure you that these applications, if filed, will be approved or that we will have the financial and other resources necessary to enforce our proprietary rights against infringement by others. Additionally, we cannot assure you that any patent, trademark, or copyright obtained by us will not be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented, and the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States or the member states of the European Union. Finally, although we intend to undertake reasonable measures to protect the proprietary assets of our combined operations, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful in all cases in protecting the trade secret status of certain significant intellectual property assets. If these assets should be misappropriated, if our intellectual property rights are otherwise infringed, or if a competitor should independently develop similar intellectual property, this could harm our ability to attract new clients, retain existing customers and generate revenue.
 
Intellectual property and proprietary rights of others could prevent us from using necessary technology to provide our services or otherwise operate our business.
 
We utilize data and processing capabilities available through commercially available third-party software tools and databases to assist in the efficient analysis of network engineering and pricing options. Where such technology is held under patent or other intellectual property rights by third parties, we are required to negotiate license agreements in order to use that technology. In the future, we may not be able to negotiate such license agreements at acceptable prices or on acceptable terms. If an adequate substitute is not available on acceptable terms and at an acceptable price from another software licensor, we could be compelled to undertake additional efforts to obtain the relevant network and pricing data independently from other, disparate sources, which, if available at all, could involve significant time and expense and adversely affect our ability to deliver network services to customers in an efficient manner.
 
Furthermore, to the extent that we are subject to litigation regarding the ownership of our intellectual property or the licensing and use of others’ intellectual property, this litigation could:
 
be time-consuming and expensive;

divert attention and resources away from our daily business;

impede or prevent delivery of our products and services; and

require us to pay significant royalties, licensing fees, and damages.

Parties making claims of infringement may be able to obtain injunctive or other equitable relief that could effectively block our ability to provide our services and could cause us to pay substantial damages. In the event of a successful claim of infringement, we may need to obtain one or more licenses from third parties, which may not be available at a reasonable cost, if at all. The defense of any lawsuit could result in time-consuming and expensive litigation, regardless of the merits of such claims, and could also result in damages, license fees, royalty payments, and restrictions on our ability to provide our services, any of which could harm our business.
  
We continue to evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities and may purchase additional companies in the future, and the failure to integrate them successfully with our existing business may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.


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We continue to explore merger and acquisition opportunities and we may face difficulties if we acquire other businesses in the future including:
 
integrating the management personnel, services, products, systems and technologies of the acquired businesses into our existing operations;

retaining key personnel of the acquired businesses;

failing to adequately identify or assess liabilities of acquired businesses;

retaining existing customers and/or vendors of both companies;

failing to achieve the synergies, revenue growth and other expected benefits we used to determine the purchase price of the acquired businesses;

failing to realize the anticipated benefits of a particular merger and acquisition;

incurring significant transaction and acquisition-related costs;

incurring unanticipated problems or legal liabilities;

being subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while an acquisition is pending that could adversely affect our business; and

diverting our management’s attention from the day-to-day operation of our business.

These difficulties could disrupt our ongoing business and increase our expenses.

In addition, our ability to complete acquisitions may depend, in part, on our ability to finance these acquisitions, including both the costs of the acquisition and the cost of the subsequent integration activities. Our ability may be constrained by our cash flow, the level of our indebtedness, restrictive covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness, conditions in the securities and credit markets and other factors, most of which are generally beyond our control. If we proceed with one or more acquisitions in which the consideration consists of cash, we may use a substantial portion of our available cash to complete such acquisitions, thereby reducing our liquidity. If we finance one or more acquisitions with the proceeds of indebtedness, our interest expense and debt service requirements could increase materially. Thus, the financial impact of future acquisitions, including the costs to pursue acquisitions that do not ultimately close, could materially affect our business and could cause substantial fluctuations in our quarterly and yearly operating results.
 
Our efforts to develop new service offerings may not be successful, in which case our revenue may not grow as we anticipate or may decline.
 
The market for telecommunications services is characterized by rapid change, as new technologies are developed and introduced, often rendering established technologies obsolete. For our business to remain competitive, we must continually update our service offerings to make new technologies available to our customers and prospects. To do so, we may have to expend significant management and sales resources, which may increase our operating costs. The success of our potential new service offerings is uncertain and would depend on a number of factors, including the acceptance by end-user customers of the telecommunications technologies which would underlie these new service offerings, the compatibility of these technologies with existing customer information technology systems and processes, the compatibility of these technologies with our then-existing systems and processes, and our ability to find third-party vendors that would be willing to provide these new technologies to us for delivery to our users. If we are unsuccessful in developing and selling new service offerings, our revenue may not grow as we anticipate, or may decline.
  
If we do not continue to train, manage and retain employees, clients may reduce purchases of services.
 
Our employees are responsible for providing clients with technical and operational support, and for identifying and developing opportunities to provide additional services to existing clients. In order to perform these activities, our employees must have expertise in areas such as telecommunications network technologies, network design, network implementation and network management, including the ability to integrate services offered by multiple telecommunications carriers. They must also accept and incorporate training on our systems and databases developed to support our operations and business model. Employees with this level of expertise

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tend to be in high demand in the telecommunications industry, which may make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified employees. If we fail to train, manage, and retain our employees, we may be limited in our ability to gain more business from existing clients, and we may be unable to obtain or maintain current information regarding our clients’ and suppliers’ communications networks, which could limit our ability to provide future services.

The regulatory framework under which we operate could require substantial time and resources for compliance, which could make it difficult and costly for us to operate the businesses.
 
In providing certain interstate and international telecommunications services, we must comply, or cause our customers or carriers to comply, with applicable telecommunications laws and regulations prescribed by the FCC and applicable foreign regulatory authorities. In offering services on an intrastate basis, we may also be subject to state laws and to regulation by state public utility commissions. Our international services may also be subject to regulation by foreign authorities and, in some markets, multinational authorities, such as the European Union. The costs of compliance with these regulations, including legal, operational and administrative expenses, may be substantial. In addition, delays in receiving or failure to obtain required regulatory approvals or the enactment of new or adverse legislation, regulations or regulatory requirements may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
 
If we fail to obtain required authorizations from the FCC or other applicable authorities, or if we are found to have failed to comply, or are alleged to have failed to comply, with the rules of the FCC or other authorities, our right to offer certain services could be challenged and/or fines or other penalties could be imposed on us. Any such challenges or fines could be substantial and could cause us to incur substantial legal and administrative expenses as well; these costs in the forms of fines, penalties, and legal and administrative expenses could have a material adverse impact on our business and operations. Furthermore, we are dependent in certain cases on the services other carriers provide, and therefore on other carriers’ abilities to retain their respective licenses in the regions of the world in which they operate. We are also dependent, in some circumstances, on our customers’ abilities to obtain and retain the necessary licenses. The failure of a customer or carrier to obtain or retain any necessary license could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct operations.
 
Future changes in regulatory requirement, new interpretations of existing regulatory requirements, or determinations that we violated existing regulatory requirements may impair our ability to provide services, result in financial losses or otherwise reduce our profitability.
 
Many of the laws and regulations that apply to providers of telecommunications services are subject to frequent changes and different interpretations and may vary between jurisdictions. Changes to existing legislation or regulations in particular markets may limit the opportunities that are available to enter into markets, may increase the legal, administrative, or operational costs of operating in those markets, or may constrain other activities, including our ability to complete subsequent acquisitions, or purchase services or products, in ways that we cannot anticipate. Because we purchase telecommunications services from other carriers, our costs and manner of doing business can also be adversely affected by changes in regulatory policies affecting these other carriers.
 
In addition, any determination that we, including companies that we have acquired, have violated applicable regulatory requirements could result in material fines, penalties, forfeitures, interest or retroactive assessments. For example, a determination that we have not paid all required universal service fund contributions could result in substantial retroactive assessment of universal service fund contributions, together with applicable interest, penalties, fines or forfeitures.
  
We depend on key personnel to manage our businesses effectively in a rapidly changing market, and our ability to generate revenue will suffer if we are unable to retain key personnel and hire additional personnel.
 
The future success, strategic development and execution of our business will depend upon the continued services of our executive officers and other key sales, marketing and support personnel. We do not maintain “key person” life insurance policies with respect to any of our employees, nor are we certain if any such policies will be obtained or maintained in the future. We may need to hire additional personnel in the future and we believe the success of the combined business depends, in large part, upon our ability to attract and retain key employees. The loss of the services of any key employees, the inability to attract or retain qualified personnel in the future, or delays in hiring required personnel could limit our ability to generate revenue and to operate our business.

Our business and operations are growing rapidly and we may not be able to efficiently manage our growth.
We have rapidly grown our company through network expansion and obtaining new customers through our sales efforts. Our expansion places significant strains on our management, operational and financial infrastructure. Our ability to manage our growth will be particularly dependent upon our ability to:

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expand, develop and retain an effective sales force and qualified personnel;

maintain the quality of our operations and our service offerings;

maintain and enhance our system of internal controls to ensure timely and accurate compliance with our financial and regulatory reporting requirements; and

expand our accounting and operational information systems in order to support our growth.
If we fail to implement these measures successfully, our ability to manage our growth will be impaired.

Interruption or failure of our information technology and communications systems could hurt our ability to effectively provide our products and services, which could damage our reputation and harm our operating results.
 
The availability of our products and services depends on the continuing operation of our information technology and communications systems. Our systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from earthquakes, terrorist attacks, floods, fires, power loss, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, computer denial of service attacks or other attempts to harm our systems. Some of our systems are not fully redundant and our disaster recovery planning cannot account for all eventualities. The occurrence of a natural disaster, a decision to close a facility we are using without adequate notice for financial reasons, or other unanticipated problems at our data centers could result in lengthy interruptions in our service.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results. As a result, current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our common stock.

As of September 30, 2014, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on criteria created by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO") set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992). However, if material weaknesses are identified in our internal control over financial reporting in the future, our management will be unable to report favorably as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and/or our disclosure controls and procedures, and we could be required to implement remedial measures.  A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Such remedial measures could be expensive and time consuming and could potentially cause investors to lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could have an adverse effect on our stock price and potentially subject us to litigation.

 
Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness
 
Our failure to comply with covenants in our loan agreements could result in our indebtedness being immediately due and payable and the loss of our assets.

Pursuant to the terms of our loan agreements, we have pledged substantially all of our assets to the lenders as security for our payment obligations under the loan agreements. If we fail to pay any of our indebtedness under the loan agreements when due, or if we breach any of the other covenants in the loan agreements, it may result in one or more events of default. An event of default under our loan agreements would permit the lenders to declare all amounts owing to be immediately due and payable and, if we were unable to repay any indebtedness owed, the lenders could proceed against the collateral securing that indebtedness.
 
Covenants in our loan agreements and outstanding notes, and in any future debt agreements, may restrict our future operations.
 
The loan agreements related to our outstanding senior and mezzanine indebtedness impose financial restrictions that limit our discretion on some business matters, which could make it more difficult for us to expand our business, finance our operations and engage in other business activities that may be in our interest. These restrictions include compliance with, or maintenance of, certain financial tests and ratios and restrictions that limit our ability and that of our subsidiaries to, among other things:
 
incur additional indebtedness or place additional liens on our assets;


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pay dividends or make other distributions on, redeem or repurchase our capital stock;

make investments or repay subordinated indebtedness;

enter into transactions with affiliates;

sell assets;

engage in a merger, consolidation or other business combination; or

change the nature of our businesses.

Any additional indebtedness we may incur in the future may subject us to similar or even more restrictive conditions.
 
Our substantial level of indebtedness and debt service obligations could impair our financial condition, hinder our growth and put us at a competitive disadvantage.
 
As of September 30, 2014, our indebtedness was substantial in comparison to our available cash and our net loss. Our substantial level of indebtedness could have important consequences for our business, results of operations and financial condition. For example, a high level of indebtedness could, among other things:
 
make it more difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations;

increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, including interest rate fluctuations;

increase the risk that a substantial decrease in cash flows from operating activities or an increase in expenses will make it difficult for us to meet our debt service requirements and will require us to modify our operations;

require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund future business opportunities, working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;

limit our ability to borrow additional funds to expand our business or ease liquidity constraints;

limit our ability to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity;

limit our ability to pursue future acquisitions;

limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and

place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to competitors that have less indebtedness.


Risks Related to our Common Stock and the Securities Markets
 
Because we do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock, stockholders will benefit from an investment in our common stock only if it appreciates in value.
 
We do not currently anticipate paying any dividends on shares of our common stock. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be made by our Board of Directors and will depend upon results of operations, financial conditions, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our Board of Directors deems relevant. Accordingly, realization of a gain on stockholders’ investments will depend on the appreciation of the price of our common stock. There is no guarantee that our common stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which stockholders purchased their shares.
 
The concentration of our capital stock ownership will likely limit a stockholder’s ability to influence corporate matters, and could discourage a takeover that stockholders may consider favorable and make it more difficult for a stockholder to elect directors of its choosing.
 

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H. Brian Thompson, the Company’s Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Universal Telecommunications, Inc., his own private equity investment and advisory firm, owned 6,757,185 shares of our common stock at September 30, 2014. Based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding on September 30, 2014, Mr. Thompson and Universal Telecommunication, Inc. would beneficially own approximately 23% of our common stock. We believe that, as of September 30, 2014, funds associated with Cannell Capital LLC owned 2,741,286 shares of our common stock. Based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding on September 30, 2014, these funds would beneficially own approximately 9% of our common stock. In addition, as of September 30, 2014, our executive officers, directors and affiliated entities, excluding H. Brian Thompson and Universal Telecommunications, together beneficially owned common stock, without taking into account their unexercised options, representing approximately 10% of our common stock. As a result, these stockholders have the ability to exert significant control over matters that require approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. The interests of these stockholders might conflict with your interests as a holder of our securities, and it may cause us to pursue transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance their equity investments, even though such transactions may involve significant risks to you as a security holder. The large concentration of ownership in a small group of stockholders might also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company that other stockholders may view as beneficial.
 
It may be difficult for you to resell shares of our common stock if an active market for our common stock does not develop.
 
Our common stock has only recently been listed on the NYSE MKT, and prior to this listing the common stock was thinly traded on the OTC Markets.  If a liquid market for the common stock does not develop on the NYSE MKT, then, in addition to the concentrated ownership of our capital stock, this may further impair your ability to sell your shares when you want to do so and could depress our stock price. As a result, you may find it difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations of the price of, our securities because smaller quantities of shares could be bought and sold, transactions could be delayed, and security analyst and news coverage of the Company may be limited.  These factors could result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for our shares.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
 
The following exhibits, which are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K, are filed herewith or, as noted, incorporated by reference herein:
 
Exhibit
 
Number
Description of Document
 
 
31.1*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-15e and 15d-15e – page 34 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
31.2*
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-15e and 15d-15e – page 34 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
32.1*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2*
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
101.INS**
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
*
Filed herewith
**
XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
  


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
GTT Communications, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Richard D. Calder, Jr.
 
 
 
Richard D. Calder, Jr.
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael R. Bauer
 
 
 
Michael R. Bauer
Date:
November 12, 2014
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 

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