FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

OR

 

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

Commission File No. 0-29092

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   54-1708481

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

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

7901 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 900,

McLean, VA

  22102
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(703) 902-2800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated  filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller  reporting company  x

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.    Yes  x    No  ¨

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

 

Class

 

Outstanding as of October 31, 2010

Common Stock $0.001 par value   9,743,157

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

 

               Page No.  

Part I.

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
   Item 1.   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

  
     

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations

     1   
     

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets

     3   
     

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

     4   
     

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     5   
     

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

     7   
   Item 2.   

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

     42   
   Item 3.   

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     58   
   Item 4.   

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     59   

Part II.

  

OTHER INFORMATION

  
   Item 1.   

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     61   
   Item 1A.   

RISK FACTORS

     61   
   Item 2.   

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

     78   
   Item 3.   

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

     78   
   Item 4.   

(REMOVED AND RESERVED)

     78   
   Item 5.   

OTHER INFORMATION

     78   
   Item 6.   

EXHIBITS

     78   

SIGNATURES

     79   

EXHIBIT INDEX

     80   


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     Successor            Predecessor  
     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
           July 1,
2009
 

NET REVENUE

   $ 188,199      $ 194,946           $ —     

OPERATING EXPENSES

           

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation included below)

     120,858        126,889             —     

Selling, general and administrative

     51,576        47,132             —     

Depreciation and amortization

     13,641        18,740             —     

(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets

     —          36             —     
                             

Total operating expenses

     186,075        192,797             —     
                             

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

     2,124        2,149             —     

INTEREST EXPENSE

     (8,602     (8,747          —     

(ACCRETION) AMORTIZATION ON DEBT PREMIUM/DISCOUNT, net

     (46     —               —     

GAIN (LOSS) FROM EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT

     —          —               —     

GAIN (LOSS) FROM CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS VALUATION

     33        (4,229          —     

INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), net

     254        160             —     

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION GAIN (LOSS)

     14,006        13,448             —     
                             

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE REORGANIZATION ITEMS AND INCOME TAXES

     7,769        2,781             —     

REORGANIZATION ITEMS, net

     —          (307 )          431,797   
                             

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     7,769        2,474             431,797   

INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)

     3,238        2,121             —     
                             

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     11,007        4,595             431,797   

INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

     (5,464     (2,110          —     

GAIN (LOSS) FROM SALE OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

     (389     (110          —     
                             

NET INCOME (LOSS)

     5,154        2,375             431,797   

Less: Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     (74     (210          —     
                             

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

   $ 5,080      $ 2,165           $ 431,797   
                             

BASIC INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:

           

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated

   $ 1.12      $ 0.46           $ 3.03   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (0.56     (0.22          —     

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

     (0.04     (0.01          —     
                             

Net income (loss) attributable to Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated

   $ 0.52      $ 0.23           $ 3.03   
                             

DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:

           

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated

   $ 1.12      $ 0.46           $ 2.49   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (0.56     (0.22          —     

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

     (0.04     (0.01          —     
                             

Net income (loss) attributable to Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated

   $ 0.52      $ 0.23           $ 2.49   
                             

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

           

Basic

     9,743        9,600             142,695   
                             

Diluted

     9,743        9,600             173,117   
                             

AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS OF PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

           

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax

   $ 10,933      $ 4,385           $ 431,797   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (5,464     (2,110          —     

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

     (389     (110          —     
                             

Net income (loss)

   $ 5,080      $ 2,165           $ 431,797   
                             

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

1


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     Successor            Predecessor  
     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
           Six Months
Ended
July  1,

2009
 

NET REVENUE

   $ 575,809      $ 194,946           $ 365,245   

OPERATING EXPENSES

           

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation included below)

     366,809        126,889             236,925   

Selling, general and administrative

     149,549        47,132             88,585   

Depreciation and amortization

     49,703        18,740             11,545   

(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets

     (179     36             (43
                             

Total operating expenses

     565,882        192,797             337,012   
                             

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

     9,927        2,149             28,233   

INTEREST EXPENSE

     (26,661     (8,747          (14,093

(ACCRETION) AMORTIZATION ON DEBT PREMIUM/DISCOUNT, net

     (135     —               189   

GAIN (LOSS) FROM EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT

     164        —               —     

GAIN (LOSS) FROM CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS VALUATION

     (2,392     (4,229          —     

INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), net

     617        160             378   

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION GAIN (LOSS)

     10,212        13,448             20,332   
                             

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE REORGANIZATION ITEMS AND INCOME TAXES

     (8,268     2,781             35,039   

REORGANIZATION ITEMS, net

     1        (307 )          424,825   
                             

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     (8,267     2,474             459,864   

INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)

     7,291        2,121             (3,988
                             

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     (976     4,595             455,876   

INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

     (7,681     (2,110          14,995   

GAIN (LOSS) FROM SALE OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

     (196     (110          251   
                             

NET INCOME (LOSS)

     (8,853     2,375             471,122   

Less: Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     (104     (210          32   
                             

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

   $ (8,957   $ 2,165           $ 471,154   
                             

BASIC INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:

           

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated

   $ (0.11   $ 0.46           $ 3.19   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (0.79     (0.22          0.11   

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

     (0.02     (0.01          —     
                             

Net income (loss) attributable to Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated

   $ (0.92   $ 0.23           $ 3.30   
                             

DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:

           

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated

   $ (0.11   $ 0.46           $ 2.63   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (0.79     (0.22          0.09  

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

     (0.02     (0.01          —     
                             

Net income (loss) attributable to Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated

   $ (0.92   $ 0.23           $ 2.72   
                             

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

           

Basic

     9,711        9,600             142,695   
                             

Diluted

     9,711        9,600             173,117   
                             

AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS OF PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

           

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax

   $ (1,080   $ 4,385           $ 455,908   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (7,681     (2,110          14,995   

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

     (196     (110          251   
                             

Net income (loss)

   $ (8,957   $ 2,165           $ 471,154   
                             

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 49,599      $ 42,538   

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts receivable of $5,350 and $8,163)

     74,139        89,342   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     15,795        15,147   

Current assets held for sale

     7,799        —     
                

Total current assets

     147,332        147,027   

RESTRICTED CASH

     10,947        10,438   

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT—Net

     134,556        147,606   

GOODWILL

     62,740        64,220   

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS—Net

     150,748        178,807   

OTHER ASSETS

     9,425        10,816   

NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

     7,124        —     
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 522,872      $ 558,914   
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 35,861      $ 45,819   

Accrued interconnection costs

     31,021        37,561   

Deferred revenue

     12,461        13,882   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     45,562        49,704   

Accrued income taxes

     9,751        10,629   

Accrued interest

     10,458        1,985   

Current portion of long-term obligations

     1,162        4,274   

Current liabilities held for sale

     10,420        —     
                

Total current liabilities

     156,696        163,854   

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

     242,947        253,242   

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY

     25,715        36,052   

OTHER LIABILITIES

     8,257        5,857   

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE

     11        —     
                

Total liabilities

     433,626        459,005   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See Note 6.)

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value—20,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

     —          —     

Common stock, $0.001 par value—80,000,000 shares authorized; 9,743,157 and 9,600,000 shares issued and outstanding

     10        10   

Additional paid-in capital

     85,381        85,533   

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

     (2,225     6,732   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     2,336        4,064   
                

Total stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interest

     85,502        96,339   
                

Noncontrolling interest

     3,744        3,570   
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     89,246        99,909   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 522,872      $ 558,914   
                

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Successor            Predecessor  
     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
           Six Months
Ended
July 1,
2009
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

           

Net income (loss)

   $ (8,853   $ 2,375           $ 471,122   

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

           

Reorganization items, net

     (1     307             (440,094

Provision for doubtful accounts receivable

     5,722        2,593             5,140   

Stock compensation expense

     192        308             27   

Depreciation and amortization

     52,714        20,029             12,346   

Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets

     6,161        —               —     

(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets

     16        193             (294

Accretion (amortization) of debt premium/discount, net

     135        —               (189

Change in fair value of Contingent Value Rights

     2,392        —               —     

Deferred income taxes

     (7,183     —               —     

(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt

     (164     —               —     

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

     (9,843     (14,130          (20,702

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

           

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

     3,785        2,634             7,798   

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (650     2,150             461   

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     626        (3,339          2,454   

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

     (6,872     (9,949          (12,794

Increase (decrease) in accrued interconnection costs

     (5,768     3,719             (5,361

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses, deferred revenue, other current liabilities and other liabilities, net

     (2,379     5,426             1,313   

Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes

     (1,037     (3,734          2,113   

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest

     8,466        4,410             (1,600
                             

Net cash provided by operating activities before cash reorganization items

     37,459        12,992             21,740   

Cash effect of reorganization items

     (137     (6,121          (4,595
                             

Net cash provided by operating activities

     37,322        6,871             17,145   
                             

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

           

Purchase of property and equipment

     (17,147     (3,886          (5,660

Sale of property and equipment and intangible assets

     716        12             179   

Cash from disposition of business, net of cash disposed

     275        (110          232   

Cash used in business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     —          —               (199

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

     (86     17             (146
                             

Net cash used in investing activities

     (16,242     (3,967          (5,594
                             

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

           

Principal payments on long-term obligations

     (13,577     (4,598          (8,292
                             

Net cash used in financing activities

     (13,577     (4,598          (8,292
                             

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (442     2,083             1,202   
                             

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     7,061        389             4,461   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     42,538        41,461             37,000   
                             

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 49,599      $ 41,850           $ 41,461   
                             

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

           

Cash paid for interest

   $ 18,378      $ 3,977           $ 14,909   

Cash paid for taxes

   $ 2,428      $ 2,810           $ 962   

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

           

Capital lease additions

   $ 51      $ 321           $ 1,882   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Successor            Predecessor  
     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
           July 1,
2009
 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 5,154      $ 2,375           $ 431,797   
 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

           

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (581     3,341             —     

Fresh-start adjustment

     —          —               89,216   
                             
 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

     4,573        5,716             521,013   

Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     (141     (399          —     
                             

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

   $ 4,432      $ 5,317           $ 521,013   
                             

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Successor     Successor            Predecessor  
     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
           Six Months
Ended

July 1,
2009
 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ (8,853   $ 2,375           $ 471,122   
 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

           

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (1,658     3,341             (6,954

Fresh-start adjustment

     —          —               89,216   
                             
 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

     (10,511     5,716             553,384   

Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     (174     (399          (117
                             

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

   $ (10,685   $ 5,317           $ 553,267   
                             

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Primus” or “Group”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such principles and regulations. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments (all of which are of a normal and recurring nature), which are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, cash flows and comprehensive income (loss) for the interim periods. The results for the Company’s three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010.

As of July 1, 2009, the Company adopted fresh-start accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 852, “Reorganizations”. The adoption of fresh-start accounting resulted in the Company becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the financial statements on or prior to July 1, 2009 are not comparable with the financial statements for periods after July 1, 2009. The consolidated condensed statements of operations, cash flows, comprehensive income (loss) and any references to “Successor” or “Successor Company” for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, show the operations of the reorganized Company. References to “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Company” refer to the operations of the Company prior to July 1, 2009, except for Predecessor’s July 1, 2009 statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss), which reflect only the effect of the plan adjustments and fresh-start accounting as of such date and do not reflect any operating results. See Note 3—“Fresh Start Accounting” in the notes to these Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for further details.

The results for all periods presented in this quarterly Form 10-Q reflect the activities of certain operations as discontinued operations (see Note 11“Discontinued Operations”).

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

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and all other subsidiaries over which the Company exerts control. The Company owns 45.6% of Globility Communications Corporations (“GCC”) through direct and indirect ownership structures. The results of GCC and its subsidiary are consolidated with the Company’s results based on guidance from ASC 810, “Consolidation.” All intercompany profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

7


Table of Contents

 

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC No. 810, “Consolidation.” This statement changed the presentation of outstanding noncontrolling interests in one or more subsidiaries. Reconciliations at the beginning and the end of the period of the total equity, equity attributable to the Company and equity attributable to the noncontrolling interest for Successor’s nine months ended September 30, 2010 and three months ended September 30, 2009 and Predecessor’s six months ended July 1, 2009 are as follows (in thousands):

 

    Successor  
          As of September 30, 2010        
          Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated
Shareholders
       
          Common Stock           Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
       
    Total     Shares     Amount     Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
      Noncontrolling
Interest
 

Balance as of January 1, 2010

  $ 99,909        9,600      $ 10      $ 85,533      $ 6,732      $ 4,064      $ 3,570   

Stock Option Compensation Expense

    192        —          —          192        —          —          —     

Common shares issued for restricted stock units

    (344     143        —          (344     —          —          —     

Comprehensive Income

      —          —          —          —          —          —     

Net income (loss)

    (8,853     —          —          —          (8,957     —          104   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    (1,658     —          —          —          —          (1,728     70   
                   

Comprehensive Income

    (10,511            
                                                       

Balance as of September 30, 2010

  $ 89,246        9,743      $ 10      $ 85,381      $ (2,225   $ 2,336      $ 3,744   
                                                       
    Predecessor  
          As of July 1, 2009        
          Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated
Shareholders
       
          Common Stock           Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
       
    Total     Shares     Amount     Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
      Noncontrolling
Interest
 

Balance as of January 1, 2009

  $ (458,725     142,695      $ 1,427      $ 718,956      $ (1,099,809   $ (82,113   $ 2,814   

Stock Option Compensation Expense

    27        —          —          27        —          —          —     

Comprehensive Income

             

Net income (loss)

    39,325        —          —          —          39,357        —          (32

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    (6,954     —          —          —          —          (7,103     149   
                   

Comprehensive Income

    32,371               
                                                       

Balance as of June 30, 2009

  $ (426,327     142,695      $ 1,427      $ 718,983      $ (1,060,452   $ (89,216   $ 2,931   

Plan and fresh-start adjustments

    513,650        (133,095     (1,417     (634,601     1,060,452        89,216        —     
                                                       

Balance as of July 1, 2009

  $ (87,323     9,600      $ 10      $ 84,382      $ —        $ —        $ 2,931   
                                                       

 

8


Table of Contents

 

    Successor  
          As of September 30, 2009        
          Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated
Shareholders
       
          Common Stock           Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
       
    Total     Shares     Amount     Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
      Noncontrolling
Interest
 

Balance as of July 1, 2009

  $ 87,323        9,600      $ 10      $ 84,382      $ —        $ —        $ 2,931   

Stock Option Compensation Expense

    308        —          —          308        —          —          —     

Comprehensive Income

             

Net income (loss)

    2,375        —          —          —          2,165        —          210   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    3,341        —          —          —          —          3,152        189   
                   

Comprehensive Income

    5,716               
                                                       

Balance as of September 30, 2009

  $ 93,347        9,600      $ 10      $ 84,690      $ 2,165      $ 3,152      $ 3,330   
                                                       

Discontinued Operations—During the first quarter 2010, the Company initiated the sale of certain assets of its Spain and European agent serviced retail operations; and, therefore, has reported such operations as discontinued operations. In the second quarter of 2010 the Company completed the sale of certain assets of its Spanish operations. In the third quarter of 2010 the company completed the sale of its Belgian operations and classified its entire European retail segment as discontinued operations.

In October 2010 the Company completed the sale of its Italian and United Kingdom retail operations. See Note 15, “Subsequent Events”.

In the first quarter 2009, the Company sold certain assets of its Japan retail operations. Therefore, the Company reported Japan retail operations as a discontinued operation. During the second quarter of 2008, the Company intended and had the authority to sell certain assets of its German retail operations, and therefore, reported this unit as a discontinued operation. However, buyers were not found; therefore the Company decided it would cease operations of the German retail business effective the first quarter of 2009.

Reorganization Costs—In accordance with ASC No. 852, “Reorganizations,” for periods including and subsequent to the filing of the Chapter 11 petition through the bankruptcy emergence date of July 1, 2009, all revenues, expenses, realized gains and losses, and provisions for losses that result from the reorganization are reported separately as reorganization items, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net cash used for reorganization items is disclosed separately in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Presentation of Taxes Collected—The Company reports any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between the Company and a customer (including sales, use, value-added and some excise taxes) on a net basis (excluded from revenues).

Stock-Based Compensation—The Company uses a Black-Scholes option valuation model to determine the fair value of stock-based compensation under ASC No. 718, “CompensationStock Compensation”. The Black-Scholes model incorporates various assumptions including the expected term of awards, volatility of stock price, risk-free rates of return and dividend yield. The expected term of an award is no less than the option vesting period and is based on the Company’s historical experience. Expected volatility is based upon the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. Because of the short trading history of the Successor Company’s common stock, the Company calculates the expected volatility by averaging the historical volatility of the stock price of the Successor Company’s common stock and historical volatility of a peer group in the telecommunication industry with similar market capitalization. The risk-free interest rate is approximated using

 

9


Table of Contents

rates available on U.S. Treasury securities with a remaining term similar to the option’s expected life. The Company uses a dividend yield of zero in the Black-Scholes option valuation model as it does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Significant estimates include allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, accrued interconnection cost disputes, the fair value of derivatives, market assumptions used in estimating the fair values of certain assets and liabilities, the calculation used in determining the fair value of the Company’s stock options required by ASC No. 718 and various tax contingencies.

Under fresh-start accounting as of July 1, 2009, the Company’s asset values were remeasured and allocated in conformity with ASC No. 805, “Business Combinations.” Deferred taxes are reported in conformity with ASC No. 740, “Income Taxes.”

Upon emergence from bankruptcy on July 1, 2009, the Company entered into an arrangement for issuing Contingent Value Rights (CVRs) that contained derivative features. The Company accounted for the arrangement in accordance with ASC No. 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” The Company determined these CVRs to be derivative instruments to be accounted for as liabilities and marked to fair value at each balance sheet date. Upon issuance, the Company recorded CVRs as a liability in its balance sheet at their estimated fair value. Changes in their estimated fair value are recognized in earnings during the period of change.

Estimates of fair value represent the Company’s best estimates developed with the assistance of independent appraisals or various valuation techniques including Black-Scholes and, where the foregoing have not yet been completed or are not available, industry data and trends and by reference to relevant market rates and transactions. The estimates and assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, the Company cannot provide assurance that the estimates, assumptions, and values reflected in the valuations will be realized, and actual results could vary materially. Any adjustments to the recorded fair values of these assets and liabilities may impact the amount of recorded goodwill.

Property, Plant and Equipment—Property and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation, which was provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Cost includes major expenditures for improvements and replacements which extend useful lives or increase capacity of the assets as well as expenditures necessary to place assets into readiness for use. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows: network equipment—5 to 8 years, fiber optic and submarine cable—8 to 25 years, furniture and equipment—5 years, leasehold improvements and leased equipment—shorter of lease or useful life. In accordance with ASC No. 350, “Intangible—Goodwill and Other,” costs for internal use software that were incurred in the preliminary project stage and in the post-implementation stage are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred during the application development stage were capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the software.

New Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by FASB and are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements that are not discussed will not have a material impact on consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, or do not apply to our operations.

 

10


Table of Contents

 

Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-12 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Accounting for Certain Tax effects of the 2010 Health Care Reform Acts” (“ASU No. 2010-12”)

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Accounting for Certain Tax Effects of the 2010 Health Care Reform Acts, which contains an SEC staff announcement addressing a potential accounting issue specific to companies with period ends between March 23 and March 30, 2010. On March 30, 2010, the President signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, which is a reconciliation bill that amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that was signed by the President on March 23, 2010 (collectively the “Acts”). This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (“ASU No. 2010-06”)

We adopted certain provisions of ASU No. 2010-06 in the first quarter of 2010. These provisions of ASU No. 2010-06 amended Subtopic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures—Overall,” by requiring additional disclosures for transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, as well as requiring fair value measurement disclosures for each “class” of assets and liabilities, a subset of the captions disclosed in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements or our disclosures, as we did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and did not have material classes of assets and liabilities that required additional disclosure.

Certain provisions of ASU No. 2010-06 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, which for us will be our 2011 first quarter. These provisions of ASU No. 2010-06, which amended Subtopic 820-10, will require us to present as separate line items all purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements of financial instruments valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements, whereas currently these are presented in aggregate as one line item. Although this may change the appearance of our reconciliation, we do not believe the adoption will have a material impact on our financial statements or disclosures.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-09 “Subsequent Events (Topic 855): Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements” (“ASU No. 2010-09”)

We adopted ASU No. 2010-09 in the first quarter of 2010. ASU No. 2010-09 amended Subtopic 855-10, “Subsequent Events—Overall” by removing the requirement for a United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registrant to disclose a date, in both issued and revised financial statements, through which that filer had evaluated subsequent events. Accordingly, we removed the related disclosure from Footnote No. 1, “Basis of Presentation.” The adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-17 “Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities” (“ASU No. 2009-17”)

We adopted ASU No. 2009-17 in the first quarter of 2010. The provisions of ASU No. 2009-17 replace the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which reporting entity, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”) with an approach focused on identifying which reporting entity has the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impacts the entity’s economic performance and (1) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or (2) the right to receive benefits from the entity. An approach that is expected to be primarily qualitative will be more effective for identifying which reporting entity has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. In addition, ASU No. 2009-17 amends the Consolidation Topic of the ASC regarding when and how to determine, or re-determine,

 

11


Table of Contents

whether an entity is a VIE, which could require consolidation. Furthermore, ASU No. 2009-17 requires ongoing assessments of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. The provisions in this update also require additional disclosures about a reporting entity’s involvement in variable interest entities, which will enhance the information provided to users of financial statements. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or comprehensive income.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13 “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements” (“ASU 2009-13”)

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)—Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements: a consensus of the FASB EITF (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 establishes a selling-price hierarchy for determining the selling price of each element within a multiple-deliverable arrangement. Specifically, the selling price assigned to each deliverable is to be based on vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), if available, third-party evidence, if VSOE is unavailable, and estimated selling price if neither VSOE nor third-party evidence is available. In addition, ASU 2009-13 eliminates the residual method of allocating arrangement consideration and instead requires allocation using the relative selling price method. ASU 2009-13 is effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted at the beginning of a company’s fiscal year. The Company plans to implement this guidance on January 1, 2011 and is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2009-13 on the Company’s financial statements.

 

3. FRESH START ACCOUNTING

On July 1, 2009, the Company adopted fresh-start accounting in accordance with ASC No. 852, “Reorganizations”. Fresh-start accounting results in the Company becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the Successor Company’s consolidated financial statements are not comparable to consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor Company.

Under ASC No. 852, the Successor Company must determine a value to be assigned to the equity of the emerging company as of the date of adoption of fresh-start accounting. To facilitate this calculation the Company first determined the enterprise value of the Successor Company. The valuation methods included (i) a discounted cash flow analysis, considering a range of the weighted average cost of capital between 14.0% and 16.0% and multiples of projected earnings of between 4.5 and 5.0 times for its terminal value, and (ii) a market multiples analysis. This analysis resulted in an estimated enterprise value of between $320 million and $360 million, and with the midpoint of $340 million chosen for purposes of applying fresh-start accounting.

The estimated enterprise value, and corresponding equity value, is highly dependent upon achieving the future financial results set forth in the financial projections included in the Company’s Plan, as filed with the Bankruptcy Court. These projections were limited by the information available to the Company as of the date of the preparation of the projections and reflected numerous assumptions concerning anticipated future performance and prevailing and anticipated market and economic conditions that were and continue to be beyond the Company’s control and that may not materialize. Projections are inherently subject to uncertainties and to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks. Therefore variations from the projections may be material.

Fresh-start accounting reflects the value of the Company as determined in the confirmed Plan. Under fresh-start accounting, the Company’s asset values are remeasured and allocated in conformity with ASC No. 805, “Business Combinations.” The excess of reorganization value over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets is recorded as goodwill in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Fresh-start accounting also requires that all liabilities, other than deferred taxes and pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, should be stated at fair value.

Estimates of fair value included in the Successor Company financial statements, in conformity with ASC No. 820, “Fair Value Measurements,” represent the Company’s best estimates and valuations developed with the

 

12


Table of Contents

assistance of independent appraisers and, where the foregoing have not yet been completed or are not available, represent industry data and trends by reference to relevant market rates and transactions. The foregoing estimates and assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, the Company cannot provide assurance that the estimates, assumptions, and values reflected in the valuations will be realized, and actual results could vary materially. In accordance with ASC No. 805, the allocation of the reorganization value is subject to additional adjustment until the Company has completed its analysis, but not to exceed one year after emergence from bankruptcy. As of March 31, 2010 the Company had completed the valuation of its assets and liabilities and has completed its adoption of fresh-start accounting in accordance with ASC No. 852, “Reorganizations.”

The following fresh-start Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet presents the financial effects on the Company of the implementation of the Plan and the adoption of fresh-start accounting.

 

13


Table of Contents

 

The effects of the Plan and fresh-start reporting on the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet are as follows:

 

    Predecessor                       Successor  
    July 1, 2009     Plan of
Reorganization
Adjustments
          Fresh-Start
Accounting
Adjustments
    July 1, 2009  

ASSETS

               

CURRENT ASSETS:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 41,461      $ —              $ —          $ 41,461   

Accounts receivable

    93,826        —                —            93,826   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    16,955        —                —            16,955   
                                       

Total current assets

    152,242        —                —            152,242   

RESTRICTED CASH

    9,467        —                —            9,467   

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT—Net

    117,840        —                32,298        d        150,138   

GOODWILL

    35,351        —                25,947        d, h        61,298   

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS—Net

    482        —                184,318        d        184,800   

OTHER ASSETS

    19,155        —                1,461        d, h        20,616   
                                       

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 334,537      $ —              $ 244,024        $ 578,561   
                                       

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

               

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

               

Accounts payable

  $ 50,890      $ —              $ —          $ 50,890   

Accrued interconnection costs

    38,778        —                —            38,778   

Deferred revenue

    12,322        —                —            12,322   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    53,982        —                (1,767     d        52,215   

Accrued income taxes

    20,986        —                —            20,986   

Accrued interest

    19        —                —            19   

Current portion of long-term obligations

    107,097        (91,100     g            —            15,997   
                                       

Total current liabilities

    284,074        (91,100           (1,767       191,207   

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

    25,740        214,572        e, g            —            240,312   

OTHER LIABILITIES

    —          2,557        b            57,162        h        59,719   
                                       

Total liabilities not subject to compromise

    309,814        126,029              55,395          491,238   

LIABILITIES SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE

    451,050        (451,050     a            —            —     
                                       

Total Liabilities

    760,864        (325,021           55,395          491,238   
                                       

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

               
 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT):

               

Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):

               

Predecessor Common stock, $0.01 par value—300,000,000 shares authorized; 142,695,390 shares issued and outstanding

    1,427        (1,427     c            —            —     

Successor Common stock, $0.001 par value—80,000,000 shares authorized; 9,600,000 shares issued or outstanding

    —          10        a            —            10   

Predecessor Additional paid-in capital

    718,983        (1,129     c, b            (717,854     f        —     

Successor Additional paid-in capital

    —          84,382        a            —            84,382   

Accumulated income (deficit)

    (1,060,452     243,185        a            817,267        d, f        —     

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    (89,216     —                89,216        f        —     
                                       

Total Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated stockholders’ income (deficit)

    (429,258     325,021              188,629          84,392   
                                       

Noncontrolling interest

    2,931        —                —            2,931   
                                       

Total stockholders’ income (deficit)

    (426,327     325,021              188,629          87,323   
                                       

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

  $ 334,537      $ —              $ 244,024        $ 578,561   
                                       

 

14


Table of Contents

 

Notes to Plan of Reorganization and fresh-start accounting adjustments:

 

  (a) This adjustment reflects the discharge of $451.1 million of liabilities subject to compromise (see “Liabilities Subject to Compromise” below), of which includes $123.5 million Senior Subordinated Secured Notes reclassed to long-term obligations, in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the issuance of 4.8 million shares of Successor Company common stock to the holders of each of the Senior Subordinated Secured Notes and the Holding Senior Notes.

 

  (b) To record the issuance of Contingent Value Rights to the holders of the Old Common Stock.

 

  (c) To record the cancellation of the Old Common Stock.

 

  (d) To record assets and liabilities at their estimated fair values per fresh-start accounting. These amounts include adjustments to the estimated fair values from what was originally reported in the quarter ending September 30, 2009.

 

  (e) To reclass Term Loan from current portion of long-term obligations to long-term obligations and record the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Secured Notes.

 

  (f) To reset additional paid-in capital, accumulated other comprehensive loss and accumulated deficit to zero.

 

  (g) To reclass long-term portion of the Term Loan to long-term obligations.

 

  (h) To record the deferred tax attributes related to fresh-start accounting.

In the first nine months of 2010, the Company made no further fresh-start accounting adjustments to the fair value of its assets or liabilities.

 

4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill reflects the excess of the reorganization value of the Successor over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets as determined upon the adoption of fresh-start accounting. The Company recorded goodwill of $61.3 million upon emergence from bankruptcy as well as intangible assets of $184.8 million, which includes $81.6 million of indefinite-lived trade names, $99.2 million of amortizable customer relationships, and $4.0 million of amortizable trade names.

Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States require the Company to perform a goodwill impairment test, a two-step test, annually and more frequently when negative conditions or a triggering event arise. The Company completes its annual goodwill impairment test using October 1 as the measurement date for each of its reporting units.

In step one, the estimated fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value. The Company estimates the fair values of each reporting unit by a combination of (i) estimation of the discounted cash flows of each of the reporting units based on projected earnings in the future (the income approach) and (ii) a comparative analysis of revenue and EBITDA multiples of public companies in similar markets (the market approach). If there is a deficiency (the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value), a step two test is required. In step two, the amount of any goodwill impairment is measured by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value of goodwill, with the resulting impairment reflected in operations. The implied fair value is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination.

Estimating the fair value of a reporting unit requires various assumptions including projections of future cash flows, perpetual growth rates and discount rates. The assumptions about future cash flows and growth rates are based on management’s assessment of a number of factors including the reporting unit’s recent performance against budget, performance in the market that the reporting unit serves, as well as industry and general

 

15


Table of Contents

economic data from third party sources. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in those future cash flows. Changes to the underlying businesses could affect the future cash flows, which in turn could affect the fair value of the reporting unit.

During the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company and its Board of Directors ratified a plan to proceed with the disposition of its European retail operations; see Note 11, Discontinued Operations. This triggering event prompted the Company to perform a goodwill impairment test, a two-step test, for the Europe reporting unit. Based on the results of the step one test, the Company determined that the carrying value of the Europe reporting unit was in excess of its respective fair value and a step two test was required for the reporting unit.

In completing the step two test to determine the implied fair value of goodwill and therefore the amount of impairment, management first estimated the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities. Based on the testing performed, the Company determined that the carrying value of goodwill exceeded its implied fair value for the Europe reporting unit and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $1.4 million. The impairment charge is included in the line item “Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax,” on the Company’s Statement of Operations.

The primary driver for the decline in the estimated fair value of the Europe reporting unit compared to the prior year is the decline in its overall outlook stemming from its poor performance.

In addition, the Company evaluated the European trade name and long-lived assets, which primarily consisted of the network equipment and customer relationships, for impairment. In performing the impairment test for the European trade name and long-lived assets, the Company estimated the fair value less cost to sell for the asset groups based on executed and pending purchase offers and compared that to the carrying value of the asset groups. The company recorded a total of $4.7 million impairment charges; $4.2 million related to the European trade name, $0.4 million related to customer relationships and $0.1 million related to long-lived assets during the three months ended September 30, 2010. The impairment charge is included in the line item “Loss from Discontinued Operations, net of tax,” on the Company’s Statement of Operations.

The intangible assets not subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2010
     December 31,
2009
 

Trade names

   $ 76,200       $ 81,372   

Goodwill

   $ 62,740       $ 64,220   

The Company allocated goodwill to all of its reporting units as part of fresh-start accounting, excluding the wholesale reporting unit which had nominal value relative to the total value of the Company. The changes in the carrying amount of trade names and goodwill, for continuing operations and assets held for sale, combined, by reporting unit for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

Goodwill

 

     United States      Canada      Australia      Europe     Brazil      Total  

Balance as of January 1, 2010

   $ 29,960       $ 30,285       $ 1,714       $ 2,217      $ 44       $ 64,220   

Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates

     —           588         148         (109     1         628   

Disposition of business

     —           —           —           (662     —           (662

Accumulated impairment loss

     —           —           —           (1,446     —           (1,446
                                                    

Balance as of September 30, 2010

   $ 29,960       $ 30,873       $ 1,862       $ —        $ 45       $ 62,740   
                                                    

 

16


Table of Contents

 

Trade Names

 

     United States      Canada      Australia      Europe     Brazil      Total  

Balance as of January 1, 2010

   $ 76,200       $ —         $ —         $ 5,172      $ —         $ 81,372   

Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates

     —           —           —           (100 )     —           (100

Disposition of business

     —           —           —           (836     —           (836

Accumulated impairment loss

     —           —           —           (4,236     —           (4,236
                                                    

Balance as of September 30, 2010

   $ 76,200       $ —         $ —         $ —        $ —         $ 76,200   
                                                    

The Company’s other intangible assets consist of trade names and customer relationships; $5.8 million of the customer relationships were classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2010. Intangible assets subject to amortization, including those classified as held for sale, consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2010      December 31, 2009  
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Book
Value
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Book
Value
 

Trade names

   $ 4,070       $ (490   $ 3,580       $ 4,057       $ (203   $ 3,854   

Customer relationships

     108,101         (31,329     76,772         107,612         (14,032     93,580   
                                                   

Total

   $ 112,171       $ (31,819   $ 80,352       $ 111,669       $ (14,235   $ 97,434   
                                                   

Amortization expense for trade names and customer relationships for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $5.9 million and $17.7 million, respectively.

Amortization expense for trade names and customer relationships for Successor’s three months ended September 30, 2009 was $7.0 million.

The Company expects amortization expense for trade names and customer relationships for the remainder of 2010, the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and thereafter to be approximately $5.5 million, $17.5 million, $12.3 million, $9.0 million, $6.7 million and $23.4 million, respectively. The customer relationships identified above as held for sale will not be amortized while they are classified as such.

 

5. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

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

 

     September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Obligations under capital leases and other

   $ 1,915     $ 3,178   

Leased fiber capacity

     —          2,809   

Senior secured notes

     130,000        130,000   

Senior subordinated secured notes

     114,015        123,472   
                

Subtotal

     245,930        259,459   

Original issue discount on senior secured notes

     (1,821     (1,943
                

Subtotal

     244,109        257,516   

Less: Current portion of long-term obligations

     (1,162     (4,274
                

Total long-term obligations

   $ 242,947      $ 253,242   
                

 

17


Table of Contents

 

The following table reflects the contractual payments of principal and interest for the Company’s long-term obligations as of September 30, 2010 as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31,

   Capital Leases
and Other
    13% Senior
Secured Notes
    14 1/4% Senior
Subordinated
Secured  Notes
    Total  

2010 (as of September 30, 2010)

   $ 417     $ 8,450      $ 8,124      $ 16,991   

2011

     1,218       16,900        16,247        34,365  

2012

     309       16,900        16,247        33,456  

2013

     87       16,900        122,139        139,126  

2014

     4       16,900        —          16,904  

Thereafter

     —          163,847        —          163,847  
                                

Total Minimum Principal & Interest Payments

     2,035       239,897        162,757        404,689  

Less: Amount Representing Interest

     (120     (109,897     (48,742     (158,759
                                

Total Long Term Obligations

   $ 1,915      $ 130,000      $ 114,015      $ 245,930   
                                

The foregoing table assumes that the 14 1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes are refinanced before January 21, 2013. In the event the 14 1/4% Senior Secured Notes have not been refinanced in accordance with the terms of the 13% Senior Secured Notes indenture by January 21, 2013, then the Issuers will be required to redeem the full principal of the 13% Senior Secured Notes at a price equal to the then applicable optional redemption price on such date. In addition, the table assumes that the holders of 13% Senior Secured Notes do not accept any Excess Cash Flow Offer to purchase 13% Senior Secured Notes. In this regard, the Company must extend an offer annually to the holders of the 13% Senior Secured Notes to repurchase an applicable amount, (equal to 50% of Excess Cash Flow), of the 13% Senior Secured Notes at par, in the event the Company and certain subsidiaries have excess cash flow for any fiscal year commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.

In May 2010, the Company paid $9.4 million in cash and retired $9.5 million in principal of its 14  1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes. As a result, the Company recognized a $0.1 million gain from the early extinguishment of debt in its statement of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2010.

 

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Future minimum lease payments under capital leases and other (“Vendor Financing”), purchase obligations and non-cancellable operating leases as of September 30, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

 

Year Ending December 31,

   Capital Leases
and Other
    Purchase
Obligations
     Operating
Leases
 

2010 (as of September 30, 2010)

   $ 417     $ 8,723      $ 4,753  

2011

     1,218       19,903        15,151  

2012

     309       6,498        13,292  

2013

     87       3,162        10,255  

2014

     4       1,162        5,440  

Thereafter

     —          54        16,237  
                         

Total minimum lease payments

     2,035       39,502        65,128  

Less: Amount representing interest

     (120 )     —           —     
                         
   $ 1,915     $ 39,502      $ 65,128  
                         

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

 

18


Table of Contents

 

Successor

Purchases made under purchase commitments were $8.7 million and $24.1 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Purchases made under purchase commitments were $7.0 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Rent expense under operating leases was $3.8 million and $11.3 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Rent expense under operating leases was $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Predecessor

Purchases made under purchase commitments were $12.8 million for the six months ended July 1, 2009.

Rent expense under operating leases was $6.4 million for the six months ended July 1, 2009.

Litigation

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

 

7. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Successor

The Management Compensation Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other stock-based or cash-based performance awards (collectively, “awards”).

Restricted Stock Units (RSU)

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company’s stock compensation expense related to the RSU was fully offset by credits related to forfeitures and cancellations of RSU awards due to termination of employees.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized $0.2 million of stock compensation expense related to the RSU.

 

19


Table of Contents

 

Stock Options

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
 
     Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

Outstanding—December 31, 2009

     478,199      $ 12.22   

Granted

     30,000     $ 7.60  

Exercised

     —        $ —     

Forfeitures

     (205,587   $ 12.22   
          

Outstanding—September 30, 2010

     302,612      $ 11.76   
          

Eligible for exercise

     214,039      $ 12.00   

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s stock options outstanding at September 30, 2010:

 

     Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  

Range of Option Prices

   Total
Outstanding
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life in
Years
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Intrinsic
Value
     Total
Exercisable
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life in
Years
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Intrinsic
Value
 

$7.60–$12.22

     302,612         8.86       $ 11.76       $ —           214,039         8.80       $ 12.00       $ —     
                                                                       

For Emergence Performance Option and RSU compensation expense calculation, the Company assumed that it will meet the specified Adjusted EBITDA Target in 2010; therefore, according to the Plan, the remaining Performance Option and RSUs will vest in 2010.

As of September 30, 2010, the Company had 0.2 million unvested awards outstanding of which $0.1 million of compensation expense is expected to be recognized over the weighted average remaining period of 0.8 years.

The number of unvested awards expected to vest is 0.2 million shares, with a weighted average remaining life of 8.9 years, a weighted average exercise price of $11.79, and an intrinsic value of $0.

Predecessor

Under the Plan of Reorganization, all stock options granted under the Predecessor’s Equity Incentive Plan were cancelled as of July 1, 2009. The Predecessor Company recorded $64 thousand of stock-based compensation expenses for the six months ended July 1, 2009, due to the accelerated recognition of the cancelled options.

 

8. INCOME TAXES

The Company conducts business globally, and as a result, the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world.

 

20


Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes the open tax years for each major jurisdiction:

 

Jurisdiction

  

Open Tax Years                                

United States Federal

   2000, 2002 – 2009

Australia

   2002 – 2009

Canada

   2003 – 2009

United Kingdom

   2004 – 2009

Netherlands

   2007 – 2009

The Company is currently under examination in Canada and certain other non-material foreign tax jurisdictions not listed above, none of which are individually material.

The Company adopted the uncertain tax position related provisions of ASC No. 740, “Income Taxes,” on January 1, 2007. It is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits, reflected in the Company’s financial statements, will change in the next twelve months; however, the Company does not expect the change to have a significant impact on the results of operations or the financial position of the Company. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $2.0 million of gross unrecognized tax benefit which includes $0.1 million of unrecognized tax benefit which impacted the rate including $0.1 of penalties and interest. As of September 30, 2010, the gross unrecognized tax benefit on the balance sheet was $91.8 million.

The Company monitors actual results and updated projections of our subsidiaries on a quarterly basis to determine the appropriateness of valuation allowance reserves on deferred tax assets. When and if the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset balances a subsidiary or a tax consolidated group of subsidiaries would be recoverable, the Company will release the related valuation allowance reserve. During the quarter ending September 30, 2010 the Company determined that Australian consolidated tax group of subsidiaries had enough positive factors that it was more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset would be recoverable and released the valuation allowance on all non capital items in the deferred tax inventory. The company did not release valuation reserves on the capital items as the Company currently does not have sufficient capital gain sources or projected sources of capital gain items to justify a release of this portion of the tax deferred asset. The net benefit of the release during the quarter ending September 30, 2010 was $3.3 million.

Pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company believes that it underwent an ownership change for tax purposes (i.e., a more than 50% change in stock ownership) on the July 1, 2009 emergence date. As a result, the use of any of the Company’s federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits generated prior to the ownership change that are not reduced due to attribute reduction will be subject to an annual limitation under IRC Section 382(l)(6). The federal limitation is approximately $1.7 million.

The Company has reviewed 13-G filings concerning Company common stock, as filed with the United States Securities Exchange Commission, subsequent to emergence from bankruptcy, and the Company believes that a change in ownership has not occurred during this period of July 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010.

 

21


Table of Contents

 

9. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND DERIVATIVES

In 2008 and 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of ASC No. 820, “Fair Value Measurements.” The valuation techniques required by ASC No. 820 are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

Level 3: Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to relatively short periods to maturity. The estimated aggregate fair value of the Successor Company’s 13% Senior Secured Notes and 14 1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes, based on quoted market prices, was $241.4 million and $244.7 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

See table below for summary of the Company’s financial instruments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

     September 30,
2010
     Fair Value as of September 30, 2010, using:  
        Quoted prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Liabilities:

           

Contingent Value Rights (CVR)

   $ 7,754         —         $ 7,754         —     
                                   

Total

   $ 7,754         —         $ 7,754         —     
                                   

The CVRs are marked to fair value at each balance sheet date. The change in value is reflected in our Statements of Operations. Estimates of fair value represent the Company’s best estimates based on a Black-Scholes pricing model. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized $33 thousand and $2.4 million, respectively, of expense as a result of marking the CVRs to their fair value.

 

10. OPERATING SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION

The Company has five reportable operating segments based on management’s organization of the enterprise into geographic areas—United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil and the wholesale business from the United States and Europe managed as a separate global segment. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based upon net revenue and income (loss) from operations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Corporate assets, capital expenditures and property and equipment-net are included in the United States segment, while corporate expenses are presented separately in Income (loss) from operations. The wholesale business’ assets are indistinguishable from the respective geographic segments. Therefore, any reporting related to the wholesale business for assets, capital expenditures or other balance sheet items is impractical.

During the third quarter of 2010 the company discontinued its Europe segment, which is also known as European retail operations and has presented the results of the Europe segment as discontinued operations. Accordingly the Europe segment has been excluded, where appropriate, from segment reporting for all periods presented, see Note 11, Discontinued Operations, for further information.

 

22


Table of Contents

 

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

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
 

Net Revenue by Segment

    

United States

   $ 12,072      $ 16,238   

Canada

     56,876        57,367   

Australia

     68,360        63,665   

Wholesale

     41,870        53,571   

Brazil

     9,021        4,105   
                

Total

   $ 188,199      $ 194,946   
                

Provision for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

    

United States

   $ 556      $ 589   

Canada

     497        548   

Australia

     522        999   

Wholesale

     255        164   

Brazil

     120        81   
                

Total

   $ 1,950      $ 2,381   
                

Income (Loss) from Operations

    

United States

   $ (376   $ 1,113   

Canada

     3,204        1,256   

Australia

     4,498        1,612   

Wholesale

     519        554   

Brazil

     185        (110
                

Total From Operating Segments

     8,030        4,425   

Corporate

     (5,906     (2,276
                

Total

   $ 2,124      $ 2,149   
                

Capital Expenditures

    

United States

   $ 246      $ 196   

Canada

     2,393        2,328   

Europe

     251        79   

Australia

     3,290        1,193   

Brazil

     230        90   
                

Total

   $ 6,410      $ 3,886   
                

 

23


Table of Contents

 

     Successor            Predecessor  
     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
           Six Months
Ended
July 1,
2009
 

Net Revenue by Segment

           

United States

   $ 38,778      $ 16,238           $ 35,709   

Canada

     172,376        57,367             108,306   

Australia

     205,745        63,665             110,502   

Wholesale

     137,569        53,571             104,482   

Brazil

     21,341        4,105             6,246   
                             

Total

   $ 575,809      $ 194,946           $ 365,245   
                             

Provision for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

           

United States

   $ 1,670      $ 589           $ 1,469   

Canada

     1,965        548             1,107   

Australia

     1,884        999             1,737   

Wholesale

     (734     164             516   

Brazil

     313        81             115   
                             

Total

   $ 5,098      $ 2,381           $ 4,944   
                             

Income (Loss) from Operations

           

United States

   $ (286   $ 1,113           $ 4,399   

Canada

     9,187        1,256             18,738   

Australia

     9,694        1,612             10,123   

Wholesale

     3,164        554             1,372   

Brazil

     686        (110          230   
                             

Total From Operating Segments

     22,445        4,425             34,862   

Corporate

     (12,518     (2,276          (6,629
                             

Total

   $ 9,927      $ 2,149           $ 28,233   
                             

Capital Expenditures

           

United States

   $ 864      $ 196           $ 74   

Canada

     7,341        2,328             3,127   

Europe

     535        79             174   

Australia

     7,601        1,193             1,997   

Brazil

     806        90             288   
                             

Total

   $ 17,147      $ 3,886           $ 5,660   
                             

The above capital expenditures exclude assets acquired under terms of capital lease and vendor financing obligations.

 

     September 30,
2010
     December 31,
2009
 

Property and Equipment—Net

     

United States

   $ 8,553       $ 10,760   

Canada

     55,451         58,927   

Europe

     1,938         4,955   

Australia

     66,699         71,682   

Brazil

     1,915         1,282   
                 

Total

   $ 134,556       $ 147,606   
                 

 

24


Table of Contents
     September 30,
2010
     December 31,
2009
 

Assets

     

United States

   $ 139,552       $ 133,276   

Canada

     174,864         194,600   

Europe (including assets held for sale)

     62,132         84,587   

Australia

     136,347         138,988   

Brazil

     9,977         7,463   
                 

Total

   $ 522,872       $ 558,914   
                 

 

11. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In the third quarter 2010, the Company sold its Belgian operations for a sale price of $1.3 million, as a result, the Company recorded a $40 thousand gain from sale of these retail operations during the third quarter 2010. Also during the third quarter of 2010 the Company committed to dispose of and is actively soliciting the disposition of its remaining European retail operations. Accordingly, the Company presented these European retail operations as discontinued operations and the related assets and liabilities as held for sale as of September 30, 2010. In October 2010 the Company sold its United Kingdom retail operations customer base and certain of its assets, the sale price was approximately $6.6 million, and sold its Italian retail operations for approximately $0.2 million. The Company intends to dispose of and is actively soliciting the disposition of its remaining European retail operations. See Note 15, “Subsequent Events,” for additional information.

In the second quarter 2010, the Company sold certain assets of its Spain retail operations. The sale price was $0.3 million. The Company recorded a $0.2 million gain from sale of these retail operations during the second quarter 2010.

In the first quarter of 2010, the Company initiated the sale of certain assets of its retail operations in Spain, which was completed in the second quarter 2010, and the sale of its European agent serviced retail operations.

In the first quarter 2009, the Company sold certain assets of its Japan retail operations. The sale price was $0.4 million (40 million Japanese yen), which included $0.2 million (20 million Japanese yen) in cash and $0.2 million (20 million Japanese yen) receivable. The Company recorded a $0.3 million gain from sale of assets.

In the second quarter 2008, the Company determined it would sell its German retail operations. However, buyers were not found; therefore the Company decided to cease operations of the German retail business during the first quarter of 2009.

As a result of these events, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for all periods presented reflect the European retail operations which includes operations in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands, and European agent serviced retail operations, the Japan retail operations and German retail operations as discontinued operations. Accordingly, revenue, costs, and expenses of the discontinued operations have been excluded from the respective captions in the consolidated statements of operations. The net operating results of the discontinued operations have been reported, net of applicable income taxes as loss from discontinued operations.

 

25


Table of Contents

 

Summarized operating results of the discontinued operations are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
 

Net revenue

   $ 11,027      $ 13,001   

Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets

     6,161        —     

Operating expenses

     11,813        14,530   
                

Loss from operations

     (6,947     (1,529

Interest expense

     (11     (16

Interest income and other income

     1        4   

Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)

     (440     (533
                

Income (loss) before income tax

     (7,397     (2,074

Income tax expense

     (1,933     36   
                

Loss from discontinued operations

   $ (5,464   $ (2,110
                

 

     Successor     Successor            Predecessor  
     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
           Six Months
Ended

July 1,
2009
 

Net revenue

   $ 35,430      $ 13,001           $ 26,271   

Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets

     6,161        —               —     

Operating expenses

     38,386        14,530             27,408   
                             

Loss from operations

     (9,117     (1,529          (1,137

Interest expense

     (35     (16          (42

Interest income and other income

     239        4             37   

Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)

     (639     (533          788   

Reorganization items, net

     —          —               15,269   
                             

Income (loss) before income tax

     (9,552     (2,074          14,915   

Income tax expense

     (1,871     36             (80
                             

Loss from discontinued operations

   $ (7,681   $ (2,110        $ 14,995   
                             

 

26


Table of Contents

 

Summarized balance sheet balances of the assets and liabilities held for sale are as follows (in thousands):

 

    September 30,
2010
 

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts receivable of $272)

    5,552   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    2,247   
       

Current assets held for sale

  $ 7,799   
       

Restricted cash

    234   

Property and equipment—net

    923   

Other intangible assets—net

    5,804   

Other assets

    163   
       

Non-current assets held for sale

  $ 7,124   
       

Accounts payable

  $ 3,702   

Accrued interconnection costs

    1,129   

Deferred revenue

    51   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    5,453   

Accrued income taxes

    85   
       

Current liabilities held for sale

  $ 10,420   
       

Deferred tax liability

    11   
       

Non-current liabilities held for sale

  $ 11   
       

 

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

Basic income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per common share adjusts basic income per common share for the effects of potentially dilutive common share equivalents.

Successor

Potentially dilutive common shares for Successor include the dilutive effects of common shares issuable through stock options, restricted stock units, stock warrants and contingent value rights using the treasury stock method.

For Successor’s three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the following could potentially dilute income per common share in the future but was excluded from the calculation of diluted income per common share due to its antidilutive effect:

 

   

0.4 million shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and RSUs,

 

   

4.5 million shares issuable upon exercise of stock warrants, and

 

   

2.7 million shares issuable upon exercise of CVRs.

For Successor’s three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the following could potentially dilute income per common share in the future but was excluded from the calculation of diluted income per common share due to its antidilutive effect:

 

   

0.9 million shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and RSUs,

 

   

4.5 million shares issuable upon exercise of stock warrants, and

 

   

2.7 million shares issuable upon exercise of CVRs.

 

27


Table of Contents

 

Predecessor

Potentially dilutive common shares for Predecessor primarily included the dilutive effects of common shares issuable through stock options computed using the treasury stock method and the dilutive effects of shares issuable upon conversion of its 5% Exchangeable Senior Notes, the Step Up Convertible Subordinated Debentures, the 3 3/4% Convertible Senior Notes and the 2000 Convertible Subordinated Debentures.

For the six months ended July 1, 2009, the following could potentially dilute income per common share in the future but were excluded from the calculation of diluted income per common share due to their antidilutive effect:

 

   

7.8 million shares issuable upon exercise of stock options.

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

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010
    Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 10,933      $ 4,385   

Income (loss) from discontinuing operations, net of tax

     (5,464     (2,110

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

     (389     (110
                

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

   $ 5,080      $ 2,165   
                

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic and diluted

     9,743        9,600   
                

Basic income (loss) per common share:

    

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders

   $ 1.12      $ 0.46   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (0.56     (0.22

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

     (0.04     (0.01
                

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

   $ 0.52      $ 0.23   
                

Diluted income (loss) per common share:

    

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders

   $ 1.12      $ 0.46   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (0.56     (0.22

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

     (0.04     (0.01
                

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

   $ 0.52      $ 0.23   
                

 

28


Table of Contents

 

    Successor           Predecessor  
    Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
    Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
          Six Months Ended
July 1, 2009
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $ (1,080   $ 4,385          $ 455,908   

Income (loss) from discontinuing operations, net of tax

    (7,681     (2,110         14,995   

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

    (196     (110         251   
                           

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders—basic

    (8,957     2,165            471,154   

Adjustment for interest expense on Step Up Convertible Subordinated Debentures

    —          —              210   

Adjustment for interest expense on Step Up Convertible Subordinated Debentures

    —          —              332   
                           

Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders—diluted

  $ (8,957   $ 2,165          $ 471,696   
                           

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic

    9,711        9,600            142,695   

5% Exchangeable Senior Notes

    —          —              19,474   

Step Up Convertible Subordinated Debentures

    —          —              7,280   

 33/4% Convertible Senior Notes

    —          —              3,668   
                           

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted

    9,711        9,600            173,117   
                           

Basic income (loss) per common share:

         

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders

  $ (0.11   $ 0.46          $ 3.19   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    (0.79     (0.22         0.11   

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

    (0.02     (0.01         —     
                           

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

  $ (0.92   $ 0.23          $ 3.30   
                           

Diluted income (loss) per common share:

         

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders

  $ (0.11   $ 0.46          $ 2.63   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    (0.79     (0.22         0.09   

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

    (0.02     (0.01         —     
                           

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

  $ (0.92   $ 0.23          $ 2.72   
                           

 

13. REORGANIZATION ITEMS, NET

Reorganization items, net, represents amounts incurred, for both continuing and discontinued operations combined, as a direct result of the bankruptcy filings and is presented separately in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations. The following describes the components of reorganization items, net (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended  
     September 30,
2010
            September 30,
2009
 

Professional Fees

   $ —              $ (307
                      

Reorganization Items, net

   $ —              $ (307
                      

 

29


Table of Contents

 

     Successor            Predecessor  
     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
           Six Months
Ended
July 1,

2009
 

Professional Fees

   $ 1       $ (307        $ (12,067

Gain on Extinguishment of debt

     —           —               243,185   

Revaluation of assets and liabilities

     —           —               188,612   

Debt Premium, Discount and Deferred Financing Costs Write-off

     —           —               (91

Reversal of Future Interest Payments Recorded as Long Term Obligations

     —           —               20,453   

Interest Income

     —           —               2   
                              

Reorganization Items, net

   $ 1       $ (307        $ 440,094   
                              

Professional fees include financial, legal and other services directly associated with the reorganization process.

Successor

Payments for reorganization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 were $6.1 million.

Predecessor

Payments for reorganization expense for the six months ended July 1, 2009 were $4.6 million. In accordance with ASC No. 852, the Company ceased amortization of debt premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs related to the liabilities subject to compromise on the Petition Date. The $3.5 million of unamortized debt premiums and discounts has been written off and recorded as a gain, offset by the expensing of $3.6 million of unamortized deferred financing costs, as an adjustment to the net carrying value of the pre-petition debt. Long term debt was further reduced by $20.5 million of future interest payable that previously had been recorded as a portion of long-term obligations for the 14 1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes and 5% Exchangeable Senior Notes as the issuance of these notes had been deemed troubled debt restructurings. Upon emergence from bankruptcy, Predecessor debt in the amount of $439.6 million was written off along with the accrued interest related to this debt in the amount of $11.5 million.

 

14. GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Primus Telecommunications IHC, Inc.’s 14 1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes were fully, unconditionally, jointly and severally guaranteed by Group on a senior basis and by Primus Telecommunications Holding, Inc., (“Holding”), Primus Telecommunications, Inc., TresCom International Inc., Least Cost Routing, Inc., TresCom U.S.A., Inc., iPRIMUS USA, Inc., and iPRIMUS.com, Inc., all 100% indirectly owned subsidiaries of Group (collectively, the “Other Guarantors”). Group has a 100% ownership in Holding and no direct subsidiaries other than Holding.

On the Effective Date, IHC, each of the Grantors party and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent, entered into a First Amendment to the Collateral Agreement (the “Amended Collateral Agreement”), to provide that the obligations of both IHC and Primus Telecommunications International, Inc. (“PTII”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Group, were secured by PTII’s assets, including 65% of the voting stock of foreign subsidiaries owned by PTII. In addition, on the Effective Date, Group and Holding entered into an Assumption Agreement in favor of U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent, pursuant to which each of Group and Holding became party to the Amended Collateral Agreement. As a result, Group and Holding’s existing guarantees of the 14 1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes are secured by a lien on the property of Group and Holding, respectively.

 

30


Table of Contents

 

Accordingly, the following consolidating condensed financial information for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 for Successor, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 for Successor and the three months and six months ended July 1, 2009 for Predecessor are included for (a) Group on a stand-alone basis; (b) Primus Telecommunications IHC, Inc. (IHC) on a stand-alone basis; (c) the Other Guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis; (d) Group’s indirect non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis and (e) Group on a consolidated basis. The plan and fresh-start accounting adjustments reflected in Predecessor’s Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations on July 1, 2009 are not presented separately in this presentation.

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

 

31


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

 

    Successor  
    For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  
    PTGI     IHC     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

NET REVENUE

  $ —        $ —        $ 23,019     $ 165,180     $ —        $ 188,199  

OPERATING EXPENSES

           

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation included below)

    —          —          18,988       101,870       —          120,858  

Selling, general and administrative

    542       1       9,496       41,537       —          51,576  

Depreciation and amortization

    —          —          1,155       12,486       —          13,641  

(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets

    —          —          —          —          —          —     
                                               

Total operating expenses

    542       1       29,639       155,893       —          186,075  
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

    (542 )     (1 )     (6,620 )     9,287       —          2,124  

INTEREST EXPENSE

    —          (4,062 )     (2,922     (1,618 )     —          (8,602 )

(ACCRETION) AMORTIZATION ON DEBT PREMIUM/DISCOUNT, NET

    —          —          (46     —          —          (46 )

GAIN ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OR RESTRUCTURING OF DEBT

    —          —          —          —          —          —     

GAIN (LOSS) FROM CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS VALUATION

    33       —          —          —          —          33  

INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME

    2       (1     (7 )     260       —          254  

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION GAIN (LOSS)

    —          785       (5 )     13,226       —          14,006  

INTERCOMPANY INTEREST

    (180 )     3,766       (2,433 )     (1,153 )     —          —     

MANAGEMENT FEE

    —          —          773       (773 )     —          —     

ROYALTY FEE

    —          3,149       —          (3,149 )     —          —     
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE REORGANIZATION ITEMS, INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (687 )     3,636       (11,260 )     16,080       —          7,769  

REORGANIZATION ITEMS—NET

    —          —          —          —          —          —     
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX AND EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (687 )     3,636       (11,260 )     16,080       —          7,769  

INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)

    —          (224 )     1,163       2,299       —          3,238  
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (687 )     3,412       (10,097 )     18,379       —          11,007  

EQUITY IN NET INCOME (LOSS) OF SUBSIDIARIES

    5,767        —          15,864        —          (21,631     —     
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

    5,080        3,412        5,767        18,379        (21,631     11,007   

INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

    —          —          —          (5,464     —          (5,464

GAIN (LOSS) FROM SALE OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

    —          —          —          (389     —          (389
                                               

NET INCOME (LOSS)

    5,080        3,412        5,767        12,526        (21,631     5,154   

Less: Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

    —          —          —          (74     —          (74
                                               

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

  $ 5,080      $ 3,412      $ 5,767      $ 12,452      $ (21,631   $ 5,080   
                                               

AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS OF PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

           

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax

  $ 5,080      $ 3,412      $ 5,767      $ 18,305      $ (21,631   $ 10,933   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    —          —          —          (5,464     —          (5,464

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

    —          —          —          (389     —          (389
                                               

Net income (loss)

  $ 5,080      $ 3,412      $ 5,767      $ 12,452      $ (21,631   $ 5,080   
                                               

 

32


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

 

    Successor  
    For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
    PTGI     IHC     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

NET REVENUE

  $ —        $ —        $ 31,287      $ 163,659      $ —        $ 194,946   

OPERATING EXPENSES

           

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation included below)

    —          —          25,260        101,629        —          126,889   

Selling, general and administrative

    612        1        6,428        40,091        —          47,132   

Depreciation and amortization

    —          —          1,541        17,199        —          18,740   

Loss on sale or disposal of assets

    —          —          11        25        —          36   
                                               

Total operating expenses

    612        1        33,240        158,944        —          192,797   
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

    (612     (1     (1,953     4,715        —          2,149   

INTEREST EXPENSE

    —          (4,399     (3,121     (1,227     —          (8,747

(ACCRETION) AMORTIZATION ON DEBT PREMIUM/DISCOUNT, net

    (4,229     —          —          —          —          (4,229

INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

    (1     —          —          161        —          160   

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION GAIN (LOSS)

    (2     6,282        2        7,166        —          13,448   

INTERCOMPANY INTEREST

    (2,114     7,507        (4,446     (947     —          —     

MANAGEMENT FEE

    —          —          984        (984     —          —     

ROYALTY FEE

    —          3,134        —          (3,134     —          —     
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE REORGANIZATION ITEMS, INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (6,958     12,523        (8,534     5,750        —          2,781   

REORGANIZATION ITEMS—NET

    (413     —          106        —          —          (307
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX AND EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (7,371     12,523        (8,428     5,750        —          2,474   

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

    —          441        236        1,444        —          2,121   
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (7,371     12,964        (8,192     7,194        —          4,595   

EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    9,536        —          17,663        —          (27,199     —     
                                               

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

    2,165        12,964        9,471        7,194        (27,199     4,595   

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

    —          —          —          (2,110     —          (2,110

GAIN FROM SALE OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

    —          —          —          (110     —          (110
                                               

NET INCOME

    2,165        12,964        9,471        4,974        (27,199     2,375   

Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

    —          —          —          (210     —          (210
                                               

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

  $ 2,165      $ 12,964      $ 9,471      $ 4,764      $ (27,199   $ 2,165   
                                               

AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS OF PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

           

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax

  $ 2,165      $ 12,964      $ 9,471      $ 6,984      $ (27,199   $ 4,385   

Loss from of discontinued operations

    —          —          —          (2,110     —          (2,110

Loss from sale of discontinued operations

    —          —          —          (110     —          (110
                                               

Net income (loss)

  $ 2,165      $ 12,964      $ 9,471      $ 4,764      $ (27,199   $ 2,165   
                                               

 

33


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

 

    Predecessor  
    For the Six Months Ended July 1, 2009  
    PTGI     IHC     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

NET REVENUE

  $ —        $ —        $ 65,361      $ 299,884      $ —        $ 365,245   

OPERATING EXPENSES

           

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation included below)

    —          —          52,058        184,867        —          236,925   

Selling, general and administrative

    4,638        23        12,587        71,337        —          88,585   

Depreciation and amortization

    —          —          1,317        10,228        —          11,545   

(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets

    —          —          (177     134        —          (43
                                               

Total operating expenses

    4,638        23        65,785        266,566        —          337,012   
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

    (4,638     (23     (424     33,318        —          28,233   

INTEREST EXPENSE

    (794     (3,331     (7,867     (2,101     —          (14,093

(ACCRETION) AMORTIZATION ON DEBT PREMIUM/DISCOUNT, net

    (129     318        —          —          —          189   

INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

    —          —          8        370        —          378   

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION GAIN (LOSS)

    2,632        8,349        (705     10,056        —          20,332   

INTERCOMPANY INTEREST

    (4,169     14,549        (8,764     (1,616     —          —     

MANAGEMENT FEE

    —          —          4,152        (4,152     —          —     

ROYALTY FEE

    —          5,277        —          (5,277     —          —     
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE REORGANIZATION ITEMS, INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (7,098     25,139        (13,600     30,598        —          35,039   

REORGANIZATION ITEMS—NET

    (34,650     79,592        286,279        93,604        —          424,825   
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX AND EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (41,748     104,731        272,679        124,202        —          459,864   

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

    —          (380     (53     (3,555     —          (3,988
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (41,748     104,351        272,626        120,647        —          455,876   

EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    512,902        —          321,743        —          (834,645     —     
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

    471,154        104,351        594,369        120,647        (834,645     455,876   

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

    —          —          —          14,995        —          14,995   

GAIN FROM SALE OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

    —          —          —          251        —          251   
                                               

NET INCOME

    471,154        104,351        594,369        135,893        (834,645     471,122   

Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

    —          —          —          32        —          32   
                                               

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

  $ 471,154      $ 104,351      $ 594,369      $ 135,925      $ (834,645   $ 471,154   
                                               

AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS OF PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

           

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

  $ 471,154      $ 104,351      $ 594,369      $ 120,679      $ (834,645   $ 455,908   

Income from discontinued operations

    —          —          —          14,995        —          14,995   

Gain from sale of discontinued operations

    —          —          —          251        —          251   
                                               

Net income

  $ 471,154      $ 104,351      $ 594,369      $ 135,925      $ (834,645   $ 471,154   
                                               

 

34


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

 

    Successor  
    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
    PTGI     IHC     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

NET REVENUE

  $ —        $ —        $ 69,337     $ 506,472     $ —        $ 575,809  

OPERATING EXPENSES

           

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation included below)

    —          —          53,750       313,059       —          366,809  

Selling, general and administrative

    2,809       7       24,232       122,501       —          149,549  

Depreciation and amortization

    —          —          3,953       45,750       —          49,703  

(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets

    —          —          (196 )     17       —          (179 )
                                               

Total operating expenses

    2,809       7       81,739       481,327       —          565,882  
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

    (2,809 )     (7 )     (12,402 )     25,145       —          9,927  

INTEREST EXPENSE

    —          (12,648 )     (8,873 )     (5,140 )     —          (26,661 )

(ACCRETION) AMORTIZATION ON DEBT PREMIUM/DISCOUNT, net

    —          —          (103 )     (32 )     —          (135 )

GAIN ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OR RESTRUCTURING OF DEBT

    —          90       73       1       —          164  

GAIN (LOSS) FROM CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS VALUATION

    (2,392 )     —          —          —          —          (2,392 )

INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

    2       —          146        469       —          617  

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTION GAIN (LOSS)

    —          1,125       10       9,077       —          10,212  

INTERCOMPANY INTEREST

    (744 )     11,568       (7,426 )     (3,398 )     —          —     

MANAGEMENT FEE

    —          —          3,312       (3,312 )     —          —     

ROYALTY FEE

    —          9,710       —          (9,710 )     —          —     
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE REORGANIZATION ITEMS, INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (5,943 )     9,838       (25,263 )     13,100       —          (8,268 )

REORGANIZATION ITEMS—NET

    1       —          —            —          1  
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX AND EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (5,942 )     9,838       (25,263 )     13,100       —          (8,267 )

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

    —          (691 )     732       7,250       —          7,291  
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (5,942 )     9,147       (24,531 )     20,350       —          (976 )

EQUITY IN NET INCOME (LOSS) OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (3,015     —          21,516        —          (18,501     —     
                                               

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

    (8,957     9,147        (3,015     20,350        (18,501     (976

INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

    —          —          —          (7,681     —          (7,681

GAIN (LOSS) FROM SALE OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

    —          —          —          (196     —          (196
                                               

NET INCOME (LOSS)

    (8,957     9,147        (3,015     12,473        (18,501     (8,853

Less: Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

    —          —          —          (104     —          (104
                                               

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

  $ (8,957   $ 9,147      $ (3,015   $ 12,369      $ (18,501   $ (8,957
                                               

AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS OF PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

           

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax

  $ (8,957   $ 9,147      $ (3,015   $ 20,246      $ (18,501   $ (1,080

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    —          —          —          (7,681     —          (7,681

Gain (loss) from sale of discontinued operations

    —          —          —          (196     —          (196
                                               

Net income (loss)

  $ (8,957   $ 9,147      $ (3,015   $ 12,369      $ (18,501   $ (8,957
                                               

 

35


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands)

 

    Successor  
    September 30, 2010  
    PTGI     IHC     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

ASSETS

           

CURRENT ASSETS:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 11,523      $ 5,395      $ 3,049     $ 29,632      $ —        $ 49,599  

Accounts receivable

    —          —          9,793       64,346        —          74,139  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    342       —          6,225       9,228        —          15,795  

Current assets held for sale

    —          —          —          7,799        —          7,799  
                                               

Total current assets

    11,865       5,395        19,067       111,005        —          147,332  

INTERCOMPANY RECEIVABLES

    —          226,588        561,515        50,811        (838,914     —     

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

    468,958        —          180,234        —          (649,192     —     

RESTRICTED CASH

    —          —          253        10,694        —          10,947   

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT—Net

    —          —          8,435        126,121        —          134,556   

GOODWILL

    —          29,642        318        32,780        —          62,740   

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS—Net

    —          76,200        2,639        71,909        —          150,748   

OTHER ASSETS

    —          —          4,133       5,293        —          9,425   

NON CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

    —          —          —          7,124        —          7,124   
                                               

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 480,823      $ 337,825      $ 776,594      $ 415,736      $ (1,488,106   $ 522,872   
                                               

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

           

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

           

Accounts payable

  $ 43     $ —        $ 2,503     $ 33,315     $ —        $ 35,861  

Accrued interconnection costs

    —          —          9,425       21,596       —          31,021  

Deferred revenue

    —          —          1,546       10,915       —          12,461  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    604       —          13,355       31,603       —          45,562  

Accrued income taxes

    19       3,041       (25 )     6,716       —          9,751  

Accrued interest

    —          5,416       3,284       1,758       —          10,458  

Current portion of long-term obligations

    —          —          —          1,162       —          1,162  

Current liabilities held for sale

    —          —          —          10,420        —          10,420   
                                               

Total current liabilities

    666       8,457       30,088       117,485       —          156,696  

INTERCOMPANY PAYABLES

    386,901        —          193,653        258,360        (838,914     —     

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

    —          114,015       83,828        45,104        —          242,947   

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY

    —          29,642       560        (4,487 )     —          25,715  

OTHER LIABILITIES

    7,754        —          (493     996       —          8,257  

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE

    —          —          —          11        —          11   
                                               

Total liabilities

    395,321        152,114        307,636        417,469        (838,914     433,626   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

           

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT):

           

Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):

           

Common stock

    10       —          —          —          —          10   

Additional paid-in capital

    85,381        161,445        458,781        (31,661     (588,565     85,381   

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

    (2,225     24,266        7,841        23,514        (55,621     (2,225

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    2,336        —          2,336        2,670        (5,006     2,336   
                                               

Total Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    85,502        185,711        468,958        (5,477     (649,192     85,502   
                                               

Noncontrolling interest

    —          —          —          3,744        —          3,744   
                                               

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    85,502        185,711        468,958        (1,733     (649,192     89,246   
                                               

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

  $ 480,823      $ 337,825      $ 776,594      $ 415,736      $ (1,488,106   $ 522,872   
                                               

 

36


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands)

 

    Successor  
    December 31, 2009  
    PTGI     IHC     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

ASSETS

           

CURRENT ASSETS:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 6,736      $ —        $ 1,672      $ 34,130      $ —        $ 42,538   

Accounts receivable

    —          —          9,831        79,511        —          89,342   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    324        —          5,666        9,157        —          15,147   
                                               

Total current assets

    7,060        —          17,169        122,798        —          147,027   

INTERCOMPANY RECEIVABLES

    —          227,973        557,151        55,390        (840,514     —     

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

    473,703        —          80,922        —          (554,625     —     

RESTRICTED CASH

    —          —          253        10,185        —          10,438   

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT—Net

    —          —          10,356        137,250        —          147,606   

GOODWILL

    —          29,642        318        34,260        —          64,220   

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS—Net

    —          —          83,497        95,310        —          178,807   

OTHER ASSETS

    —          —          4,615        6,201        —          10,816   
                                               

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 480,763      $ 257,615      $ 754,281      $ 461,394      $ (1,395,139   $ 558,914   
                                               

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

           

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

           

Accounts payable

  $ 57      $ —        $ 3,784      $ 41,978      $ —        $ 45,819   

Accrued interconnection costs

    —          —          10,427        27,134        —          37,561   

Deferred revenue

    —          —          1,860        12,022        —          13,882   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    1,251        —          7,827        40,626        —          49,704   

Accrued income taxes

    —          2,622        78        7,929        —          10,629   

Accrued interest

    —          1,515        307        163        —          1,985   

Current portion of long-term obligations

    —          —          62        4,212        —          4,274   
                                               

Total current liabilities

    1,308        4,137        24,345        134,064        —          163,854   

INTERCOMPANY PAYABLES

    377,754        —          171,457        291,303        (840,514     —     

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

    —          123,472        83,874        45,896        —          253,242   

DEFFERED TAX LIABILITY

    —          29,642        —          6,410        —          36,052   

OTHER LIABILITIES

    5,362        —          495        —          —          5,857   
                                               

Total liabilities

    384,424        157,251        280,171        477,673        (840,514     459,005   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

           

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT):

           

Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):

           

Common stock

    10        —          —          —          —          10   

Additional paid-in capital

    85,533        85,245        458,783        (35,161     (508,867     85,533   

Accumulated deficit

    6,732        15,119        11,263        11,145        (37,527     6,732   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    4,064        —          4,064        4,167        (8,231     4,064   
                                               

Total Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    96,339        100,364        474,110        (19,849     (554,625     96,339   
                                               

Noncontrolling interest

    —          —          —          3,570        —          3,570   
                                               

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    96,339        100,364        474,110        (16,279     (554,625     99,909   
                                               

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

  $ 480,763      $ 257,615      $ 754,281      $ 461,394      $ (1,395,139   $ 558,914   
                                               

 

37


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

    Successor  
    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
    PTGI     IHC     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

           

Net income

  $ (8,957   $ 9,147      $ (3,015   $ 12,473      $ (18,501   $ (8,853

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

           

Reorganization items, net

    (1     —          —          —          —          (1

Provision for doubtful accounts receivable

    —          —          1,072       4,650       —          5,722   

Stock compensation expense

    —          —          192       —          —          192   

Depreciation and amortization

    —          —          3,954       48,760       —          52,714   

Impairment

          6,161          6,161   

Gain on sale or disposal of assets

    —          —          (196 )     212        —          16   

Accretion of debt (premium) discount

    —          —          57       78       —          135   

Equity in net income of subsidiary

    3,015        —          (21,516     —          18,501        —     

Change in fair value of Contingent Value Rights

    2,392       —          —          —          —          2,392   

Deferred income taxes

    —          —          —          (7,183 )     —          (7,183

Gain on early extinguishment or restructuring of debt

    —          (91 )     (73 )     —          —          (164

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

    —          (449 )     —          (9,394 )     —          (9,843

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

           

Decrease in accounts receivable

    —          —          (1,034 )     4,819       —          3,785   

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (18 )     —          (557 )     (75 )     —          (650

Decrease in other assets

    —          —          516       110       —          626   

(Increase) decrease in intercompany balance

    —          19,997       3,260       (23,257 )     —          —     

Decrease in accounts payable

    (14 )     —          (1,281 )     (5,577 )     —          (6,872

Decrease in accrued interconnection costs

    —          —          (1,002 )     (4,766 )     —          (5,768

Increase (decrease), net, in deferred revenue, accrued expenses, other current liabilities and other liabilities

    (509 )     —          3,913       (5,783 )     —          (2,379

Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes

    —          308       658       (2,003 )     —          (1,037

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest

    —          3,901       3,898       667       —          8,466   
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities before reorganization items

    (4,092 )     32,813       (11,154 )     19,892       —          37,459   

Cash effect of reorganization items

    (137 )     —          —          —          —          (137
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    (4,229 )     32,813       (11,154 )     19,892       —          37,322   
                                               

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

           

Purchase of property and equipment

    —          —          (679 )     (16,468 )     —          (17,147 )

Sale of property and equipment and intangible assets

    —          —          196       520       —          716  

Cash from disposition of business, net of cash disposed

    —          —          —          275       —          275  

Cash used for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    —          —          —          —          —          —     

Increase in restricted cash

    —          —          —          (86 )     —          (86 )

Proceeds from intercompany balance

    9,016        —          31,617        —          (40,633     —     
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    9,016        —          31,134        (15,759     (40,633     (16,242
                                               

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

           

Proceeds from issuance of long-term obligations

    —          —          97        (97 )     —          —     

Deferred financing costs

    —          —          —          —          —          —     

Principal payments on other long-term obligations

    —          (9,415 )     (195     (3,967 )     —          (13,577

Proceeds from (payments on) intercompany balance

    —          (18,003     (18,086     (4,544     40,633        —     
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    —          (27,418     (18,184     (8,608     40,633        (13,577
                                               

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    —          —          (419     (23     —          (442
                                               

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    4,787        5,395       1,377       (4,498     —          7,061   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

    6,736        —          1,672       34,130        —          42,538   
                                               

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

  $ 11,523      $ 5,395     $ 3,049     $ 29,632      $ —        $ 49,599   
                                               

 

38


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

    Successor  
    For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
    PTGI     IHC     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

           

Net income

  $ 2,165      $ 12,964      $ 9,471      $ 4,974      $ (27,199   $ 2,375   

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

           

Reorganization items, net

    413        —          (106     —          —          307   

Provision for doubtful accounts receivable

    —          —          310        2,283        —          2,593   

Stock compensation expense

    —          —          308        —          —          308   

Depreciation and amortization

    —          —          1,541        18,488        —          20,029   

Gain on sale or disposal of assets

    —          —          11        182        —          193   

Accretion of debt (premium) discount

    —          —          —          —          —          —     

Equity in net income of subsidiary

    (9,536     —          (17,663     —          27,199        —     

intercompany and foreign debt

    —          (6,603     (42     (7,485     —          (14,130

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

           

Decrease in accounts receivable

    —          —          (1,761     4,395        —          2,634   

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (265     —          41        2,374        —          2,150   

Decrease in other assets

    —          —          183        (3,522     —          (3,339

(Increase) decrease in intercompany balance

      174        172,473        (172,647     —          —     

Decrease in accounts payable

    (110     —          (2,034     (7,805     —          (9,949

Decrease in accrued interconnection costs

    —          —          (239     3,958        —          3,719   

Increase (decrease), net, in deferred revenue, accrued expenses, other current liabilities and other liabilities

    4,556        —          2,688        (1,818     —          5,426   

Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes

    5        (539     —          (3,200     —          (3,734

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest

    —          4,398        (86     98        —          4,410   
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities before reorganization items

    (2,772     10,394        165,095        (159,725     —          12,992   

Cash effect of reorganization items

    (6,121     —          106        (106     —          (6,121
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    (8,893     10,394        165,201        (159,831     —          6,871   
                                               

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

           

Purchase of property and equipment

    —          —          —          (3,886     —          (3,886

Sale of property and equipment and intangible assets

    —          —          —          12        —          12   

Cash from disposition of business, net of cash disposed

    —          —          —          (110     —          (110

Increase in restricted cash

    —          —          —          17        —          17   

Proceeds from intercompany balance

    10,505        —          80,733        —          (91,238     —     
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    10,505        —          80,733        (3,967     (91,238     (3,967
                                               

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

           

Principal payments on other long-term obligations

    —          —          (932     (3,666     —          (4,598

Proceeds from (payments on) intercompany balance

    —          (10,394     (254,236     173,392        91,238        —     
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    —          (10,394     (255,168     169,726        91,238        (4,598
                                               

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    —          —          —          2,083        —          2,083   
                                               

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    1,612        —          (9,234     8,011        —          389   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

    31        —          10,709        30,721        —          41,461   
                                               

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

  $ 1,643      $ —        $ 1,475      $ 38,732      $ —        $ 41,850   
                                               

 

39


Table of Contents

 

PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

    Predecessor  
    For the Six Months Ended July 1, 2009  
    PTGI     IHC     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

           

Net income

  $ 471,154      $ 104,351      $ 594,369      $ 135,893      $ (834,645   $ 471,122   

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

           

Reorganization items, net

    30,186        (79,592     (287,970     (102,718     —          (440,094

Provision for doubtful accounts receivable

    —          —          937        4,203        —          5,140   

Stock compensation expense

    —          —          27        —          —          27   

Depreciation and amortization

    —          —          1,317        11,029        —          12,346   

Gain on sale or disposal of assets

    —          —          (177     (117     —          (294

Accretion of debt (premium) discount

    129        (318     —          —          —          (189

Equity in net income of subsidiary

    (512,902     —          (321,743     —          834,645        —     

Deferred income taxes

    —          —          141        (141     —          —     

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

    (2,636     (8,668     778        (10,176     —          (20,702

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

        —          —         

Decrease in accounts receivable

    —          —          3,628        4,170        —          7,798   

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets

    183        —          327        (49     —          461   

Decrease in other assets

    52        17        1,036        1,349        —          2,454   

(Increase) decrease in intercompany balance

    —          (6,885     15,765        (8,880     —          —     

Decrease in accounts payable

    (1,411     —          (500     (10,883     —          (12,794

Decrease in accrued interconnection costs

    —          —          (1,768     (3,593     —          (5,361

Increase (decrease), net, in deferred revenue, accrued expenses, other current liabilities and other liabilities

    8,885        —          (1,910     (5,662     —          1,313   

Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes

    4        699        (649     2,059        —          2,113   

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest

    397        3,314        (5,174     (137     —          (1,600
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities before reorganization items

    (5,959     12,918        (1,566     16,347        —          21,740   

Cash effect of reorganization items

    (3,528     —          (2,384     1,317        —          (4,595
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    (9,487     12,918        (3,950     17,664        —          17,145   
                                               

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

           

Purchase of property and equipment

    —          —          (115     (5,545     —          (5,660

Sale of property and equipment and intangible assets

    —          —          177        2        —          179   

Cash from disposition of business, net of cash disposed

    —          —          —          232        —          232   

Cash used for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    —          —          —          (199     —          (199

Increase in restricted cash

    —          —          61        (207     —          (146

Proceeds from intercompany balance

    9,366        —          7,992        —          (17,358     —     
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    9,366        —          8,115        (5,717     (17,358     (5,594
                                               

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

           

Principal payments on other long-term obligations

    —          —          (517     (7,775     —          (8,292

Proceeds from (payments on) intercompany balance

    —          (12,918     3,510        (7,950     17,358        —     
                                               

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    —          (12,918     2,993        (15,725     17,358        (8,292
                                               

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    —          —          —          1,202        —          1,202   
                                               

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    (121     —          7,158        (2,576     —          4,461   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

    152        —          3,551        33,297        —          37,000   
                                               

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

  $ 31      $ —        $ 10,709      $ 30,721      $ —        $ 41,461   
                                               

 

40


Table of Contents

 

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

During October 2010, the Company completed the sale of its United Kingdom customer base and certain of its assets and Italian retail operations for sales prices of approximately $6.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively. These operations were presented as discontinued operations as of September 30, 2010, see Note 11 – “Discontinued Operations”.

The Company announced on November 11, 2010, that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Arbinet Corporation, a leading provider of wholesale telecom exchange services to carriers, in an all-stock transaction. The Boards of Directors of both companies have approved the merger, which is subject to regulatory approvals, the approval of the stockholders of both companies and certain other conditions. One of the Company’s and Arbinet’s principal stockholders has entered into share support agreements to vote its shares of both the Company and Arbinet in favor of the merger. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011.

 

41


Table of Contents

 

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

Introduction and Overview of Operations

We are a global provider of advanced facilities-based communication solutions, including traditional and internet based voice, Internet broadband, data, mobile, collocation/hosting, and outsourced managed services to business and residential customers in the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, the United Kingdom and certain countries in western Europe, and to telecommunications carriers worldwide. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company and its Board of Directors ratified a plan to proceed with the disposition of its European retail operations due to a decline in its outlook which stems from its poor performance; see Note 11, Discontinued Operations. Accordingly, the Company presented these European retail operations as discontinued operations and the related assets and liabilities as held for sale as of September 30, 2010. We own and operate a global network of next generation IP soft switches, media gateways, hosted IP/SIP platforms, broadband infrastructure, fiber capacity, and data centers located in Canada, Australia, Brazil and the United States. Our primary markets are Australia and Canada where we have deployed significant network infrastructure. We classify our services into three categories: Growth Services, Traditional Services and Wholesale Services. Our focus is on expanding our Growth Services, which includes our broadband, IP-based voice, local, wireless, data and data center services, to fulfill the demand for high quality, competitively priced communications services. This demand is being driven, in part, by the globalization of the world’s economies, the global trend toward telecommunications deregulation and the migration of communication traffic to the Internet. We manage our Traditional Services, which includes our domestic and international long-distance voice, prepaid cards, dial-up Internet services and Australian off-network local services, for cash flow generation that we reinvest to develop and market our Growth Services, particularly in our primary markets of Australia and Canada. We provide our wholesale voice termination services to other telecommunications carriers and resellers requiring IP or time-division multiplexing access.

Generally, we price our services competitively with the major carriers and service providers operating in our principal service regions. We seek to generate net revenue through sales and marketing efforts focused on customers with significant communications needs, including small and medium enterprises, multinational corporations, residential customers, and other telecommunications carriers and resellers.

Industry trends have shown that the overall market for domestic and international long-distance voice, prepaid phone cards and dial-up Internet services has declined in favor of Internet-based, wireless and broadband communications. Our challenge concerning net revenue in recent years has been to overcome declines in long-distance voice minutes of use per customer as more customers are using wireless devices and the Internet as alternatives to the use of wireline phones. Also, product substitution (e.g., wireless/Internet for fixed line voice) has resulted in revenue declines in our long-distance voice services. Additionally, we believe that because deregulatory influences have begun to affect telecommunications markets outside the United States, the deregulatory trend is resulting in greater competition from the existing wireline and wireless competitors and from more recent entrants, such as cable companies and companies offering voice over Internet protocol (“VoIP”), which could continue to adversely affect our net revenue per minute, as well as minutes of use. More recently, adverse global economic conditions have resulted in a contraction of spending by business and residential customers generally which, we believe, has had an adverse affect on our net revenues.

In order to manage our network transmission costs, we pursue a flexible approach with respect to our network capacity. In most instances, we (1) optimize the cost of traffic by using the least expensive cost routing, (2) negotiate lower variable usage based costs with domestic and foreign service providers, (3) negotiate new agreements with foreign incumbent carriers and others which provides lower costs, and (4) continue to expand/reduce the capacity of our network when traffic volumes justify such actions.

Our overall margin may fluctuate based on the relative volumes of international versus domestic long-distance services; carrier services versus business and residential long-distance services; prepaid services versus traditional post-paid voice services; Internet, VoIP and data services versus fixed line voice services; the amount

 

42


Table of Contents

of services that are resold; and the proportion of traffic carried on our network versus resale of other carriers’ services. Our margin is also affected by customer transfer and migration fees. We generally pay a charge to install and transfer a new customer onto our network and to migrate broadband and local customers. However, installing and migrating customers to our network infrastructure, enables us to increase our margin on such services as compared to resale of services using other carriers’ networks.

Selling, general and administrative expenses are comprised primarily of salaries and benefits, commissions, occupancy costs, sales and marketing expenses, advertising, professional fees, and other administrative costs. All selling, general and administrative expenses are expensed when incurred. Emphasis on cost containment and the shift of expenditures from non-revenue producing expenses to sales and marketing expenses has been heightened since growth in net revenue has been under pressure.

Recent Developments

Primus announced on November 11, 2010, that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Arbinet Corporation, a leading provider of wholesale telecom exchange services to carriers, in an all-stock transaction. The Boards of Directors of both companies have approved the merger, which is subject to regulatory approvals, the approval of the stockholders of both companies and certain other conditions. One of Primus’ and Arbinet’s principal stockholders has entered into share support agreements to vote its shares of both Primus and Arbinet in favor of the merger. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011.

Foreign Currency

Foreign currency can have a major impact on our financial results. Currently approximately 85% of our net revenue is derived from sales and operations outside the United States. The reporting currency for our consolidated financial statements is the United States dollar (USD). The local currency of each country is the functional currency for each of our respective entities operating in that country. In the future, we expect to continue to derive the majority of our net revenue and incur a significant portion of our operating costs from outside the United States, and therefore changes in exchange rates have had and may continue to have a significant, and potentially adverse, effect on our results of operations. Our primary risk of loss regarding foreign currency exchange rate risk is caused by fluctuations in the following exchange rates: USD/Canadian dollar (CAD), USD/Australian dollar (AUD), USD/British pound (GBP), USD/Euro (EUR), and USD/Brazilian Real (BRL). Due to the large percentage of our revenue derived outside of the United States, changes in the USD relative to one or more of the foregoing currencies could have an adverse impact on our future results of operations. We have agreements with certain subsidiaries for repayment of a portion of the investments and advances made to these subsidiaries. As we anticipate repayment in the foreseeable future, we recognize the unrealized gains and losses in foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on the consolidated statements of operations. The exposure of our income from operations to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is reduced in part because a majority of the costs that we incur in connection with our foreign operations are also denominated in local currencies.

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

 

43


Table of Contents

 

In the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, the USD was weaker on average as compared to the CAD, AUD, and BRL and stronger on average as compared to the GBP and Euro. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the USD was weaker on average as compared to the CAD, AUD, EUR and BRL and stronger on average as compared to the GBP. The following tables demonstrate the impact of currency fluctuations on our net revenue for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands, except percentages):

Net Revenue by Location, including Discontinued Operations—in USD

 

    For the Three Months Ended September 30,     For the Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     2009                 2010     2009              
    Net Revenue     Net Revenue     Variance     Variance %     Net Revenue     Net Revenue     Variance     Variance %  

Canada

  $ 56,876      $ 57,367      $ (491     (0.9 )%    $ 172,376      $ 165,673      $ 6,703        4.0

Australia

  $ 68,360      $ 63,665      $ 4,695        7.4   $ 205,745      $ 174,167      $ 31,578        18.1

United Kingdom2

  $ 24,776      $ 22,807      $ 1,969        8.6   $ 70,530      $ 72,039      $ (1,509     (2.1 )% 

Europe1, 2

  $ 1,507      $ 9,616      $ (8,109     (84.3 )%    $ 21,389      $ 21,459      $ (70     (0.3 )% 

Brazil

  $ 9,021      $ 4,105      $ 4,917        119.8   $ 21,341      $ 10,351      $ 10,991        106.2

Net Revenue by Location, including Discontinued Operations—in Local Currencies

 

    For the Three Months Ended September 30,     For the Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     2009                 2010     2009              
    Net Revenue     Net Revenue     Variance     Variance %     Net Revenue     Net Revenue     Variance     Variance %  

Canada

    59,144        63,063        (3,919     (6.2 )%      178,619        193,597        (14,977     (7.7 )% 

Australia

    75,787        76,509        (722     (0.9 )%      229,531        232,150        (2,619     (1.1 )% 

United Kingdom2

    16,019        13,902        2,117        15.2     46,143        47,023        (880     (1.9 )% 

Europe1,2

    5,968        14,833        (8,865     (59.8 )%      36,850        40,936        (4,086     (10.0 )% 

Brazil

    15,909        7,673        8,236        107.3     38,114        21,482        16,632        77.4

 

1

Europe includes only subsidiaries whose functional currency is the Euro.

2

Table includes revenues from discontinued operations which are subject to currency risk.

Critical Accounting Policies

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a detailed discussion of our critical accounting policies. These policies include revenue recognition, determining our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, accounting for cost of revenue, valuation of long-lived assets and goodwill and accounting for income taxes.

After the emergence from bankruptcy on July 1, 2009 (the “Effective Date”), the amounts reported on our subsequent financial statements materially changed. We adopted the “fresh start” provisions of ASC No. 852, which requires that all assets and liabilities except deferred taxes be restated to their fair value. Deferred tax balances have been established as a result of the differences in the basis adjustments from fresh-start accounting. Certain of these fair values differ materially from the values recorded on the Predecessor Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. Our emergence from reorganization resulted in a new reporting entity that had no retained earnings or accumulated deficit as of the Effective Date. Additionally, we must also adopt any changes in GAAP that it is otherwise required to adopt within twelve months of such date. For these reasons, our Successor’s financial statements are not comparable to our Predecessor’s.

No significant changes in our critical accounting policies have occurred since December 31, 2009.

 

44


Table of Contents

 

Financial Presentation Background

July 1, 2009 Emergence From Voluntary Reorganization under Chapter 11 Proceedings. On March 16, 2009, Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (“Group”) and three of its subsidiaries, Primus Telecommunications Holding, Inc. (“Holding”), Primus Telecommunications International, Inc. (“PTII”) and Primus Telecommunications IHC, Inc., (“IHC” and together with Group, Holding and PTII, collectively, the “Debtors”) each filed a voluntary petition (the “Chapter 11 Cases”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) for reorganization relief (“Reorganization”). On April 27, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Debtors’ use of a disclosure statement dated April 27, 2009 (the “Disclosure Statement”) to solicit votes on the Joint Plan of Reorganization of Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated and its Affiliate Debtors attached thereto (the “Plan”). The Plan was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court on June 12, 2009. On July 1, 2009 (the “Effective Date”), the Debtors consummated their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and the Plan became effective. As a result of this, attention should be given to the Successor and Predecessor presentations and Fresh Start Accounting principles adopted by the Company, as described below.

Successor and Predecessor Presentations. In the following presentations and narratives within this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, we compare, pursuant to SEC disclosure rules, Successor’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 to the three months ended September 30, 2009 (the “Successor Period”) and the three months ended September 30, 2009 plus the Predecessor’s results of operations for the six months ended July 1, 2009 (the “Predecessor Period”).

Fresh Start Accounting. As of July 1, 2009, the Company adopted fresh-start accounting in accordance with ASC No. 852. The adoption of fresh-start accounting resulted in the Company becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the financial statements on or prior to July 1, 2009 are not comparable with the financial statements for periods after July 1, 2009. The consolidated condensed statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and any references to “Successor” or “Successor Company” for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and the three months ended September 30, 2009, show the operations of the reorganized Company. References to “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Company” refer to the operations of the Company prior to July 1, 2009. See Note 3—“Fresh-Start Accounting” in the notes to these Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for further details.

Factors That Could Impact Reported Future Results

In reviewing the results and narratives below, it is important to note that there were significant changes resulting from the adoption of fresh-start accounting that affected our historical presentations and that will impact future results compared to pre-Reorganization results, including significant changes in:

 

   

debt balances and associated interest expense;

 

   

taxes and the potential adverse cash flow effects of our obligation to pay additional taxes compared to prior periods, given the termination of significant net operating loss carry-forward credits in connection with the Reorganization; and

 

   

depreciation and amortization, as triggered by our requirement to institute a new capital structure and fully re-measure our tangible and identifiable intangible assets.

In light of the foregoing, past Predecessor results should not be considered comparable and are not indicative of results for corresponding future Successor periods, and material differences in results of operations and liquidity may arise in the future as a result of these factors, in addition to the factors that could affect our business, as described in “—Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” and in “Part II. Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”

We also present detailed changes in results, excluding currency impacts, since a large portion of our revenues are derived outside of the U.S., and currency changes can influence or mask underlying changes in foreign operating unit performance. For purposes of calculating constant currency rates between periods in

 

45


Table of Contents

connection with presentations that describe changes in values “excluding currency effects” herein, we have taken results from foreign operations for a given year (that were computed in accordance with GAAP using local currency) and converted such amounts utilizing the same U.S. dollar to applicable local currency exchange rates that were used for purposes of calculating corresponding preceding year GAAP presentations. Future changes in currency exchange rates could have a material effect on our future results of operations and liquidity. See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”

Results of Operations

Results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009

Net revenue: Net revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $13.8 million, or 7.1%, to $181.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $194.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for an increase of $7.1 million, net revenue decreased $6.7 million to $188.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $194.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

 

     Exclusive of Currency Effect           Inclusive of
Currency Effect
 
     Three Months Ended     Quarter-over-Quarter       Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010
 
     September 30, 2010     September 30, 2009        
(in thousands)    Net
Revenue
     % of
Total
    Net
Revenue
     % of
Total
    Variance     Variance %     Currency
Effect
    Net
Revenue
     % of
Total
 

Canada

   $ 53,803         29.7   $ 57,367         29.4   $ (3,564     (6.2 )%    $ 3,073      $ 56,876         30.2

Australia

     63,054         34.8     63,665         32.7     (611     (1.0 )%      5,305        68,360         36.3

Wholesale

     43,716         24.1     53,571         27.5     (9,855     (18.4 )%      (1,846     41,870         22.2

United States

     12,072         6.7     16,238         8.3     (4,166     (25.7 )%      —          12,072         6.4

Brazil

     8,441         4.7     4,105         2.1     4,336        105.6     580        9,021         4.9
                                        

Total Revenue

   $ 181,086         100.0   $ 194,946         100.0   ($ 13,859     (7.1 )%    $ 7,112      $ 188,199         100.0
                                        

Canada: Canada net revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $3.6 million, or 6.2%, to $53.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $57.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The net revenue decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease of $3.3 million in retail voice services, a decrease of $1.5 million in prepaid voice services and a decrease of $0.2 million in wireless services offset, in part, by an increase of $0.5 million in local services and an increase of $0.8 million in Internet, data and hosting services. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $3.1 million increase, net revenue decreased $0.5 million to $56.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $57.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Australia: Australia net revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $0.6 million, or 1.0%, to $63.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $63.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The net revenue decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease of $1.4 million in residential voice and a decrease of $1.0 million in Internet services offset, in part, by increases of $1.2 million in business voice services, $0.4 million in wireless services and an increase of $0.2 million other services. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $5.3 million increase, net revenue increased $4.7 million to $68.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $63.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Wholesale: Wholesale net revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $9.9 million, or 18.4%, to $43.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $53.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The net revenue decrease is due to an effort to target higher margin traffic and avoid high volume, lower margin traffic. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $1.8 million decrease, net revenue decreased $11.7 million to $41.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, from $53.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

 

46


Table of Contents

 

United States: United States net revenue decreased $4.1 million, or 25.7%, to $12.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $16.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease of $2.4 million in retail voice services, a decrease of $1.5 million in VoIP services and a decrease of $0.2 million in Internet services.

Brazil: Brazil net revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, increased $4.3 million, or 105.6%, to $8.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The revenue increase is due primarily to an increase in reseller voice services. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $0.6 million increase, net revenue increased $4.9 million to $9.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Cost of revenue: Cost of revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $9.5 million to $117.4 million, or 64.8% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $126.9 million, or 65.1 % of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $3.4 million increase, cost of revenue decreased $6.1 million to $120.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $126.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Canada: Canada cost of revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $1.2 million to $24.1 million, or 44.8 % of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $25.3 million, or 44.1% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to the decrease in net revenue and product mix shift. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $1.3 million increase, cost of revenue increased $0.2 million to $25.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $25.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Australia: Australia cost of revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $1.0 million to $38.8 million, or 61.6% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $39.8 million, or 62.5% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to the decrease in net revenue. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $3.3 million increase, cost of revenue increased $2.3 million to $42.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $39.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Wholesale: Wholesale cost of revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $10.0 million to $41.4 million, or 94.8% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $51.4 million, or 95.9% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to the decrease in net revenues. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $1.7 million decrease, cost of revenues decreased $11.7 million to $39.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $51.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

United States: United States cost of revenue decreased $1.5 million to $5.8 million, or 48.0% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $7.3 million, or 45.3% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to a corresponding decrease in net revenue.

Brazil: Brazil cost of revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, increased $4.2 million to $7.3 million, or 85.9% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $3.1 million, or 74.9% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase is primarily attributable to the increase in net revenue and a shift in the revenue product mix to lower margin reseller voice products. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $0.5 million increase, cost of revenue increased $4.7 million to $7.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

 

47


Table of Contents

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of the currency effect, increased $2.3 million to $49.1 million, or 27.1% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $46.8 million, or 24.0 % of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $2.5 million increase, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4.8 million to $51.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $46.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Canada: Canada selling, general and administrative expense, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $1.5 million to $19.0 million, or 35.2 % of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $20.5 million, or 35.7% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is attributable to a decrease of $1.4 million in advertising, a decrease of $0.9 million in sales and marketing expenses, and a decrease of $0.5 million in general and administrative expenses offset, in part, by an increase of $1.2 million in salaries and benefits, an increase of $0.1 million in all occupancy expenses. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $1.0 million increase, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.5 million to $20.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $20.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Australia: Australia selling, general and administrative expense, exclusive of the currency effect, increased $0.2 million to $15.9 million, or 25.2% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $15.7 million, or 24.6% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase is attributable to an increase of $0.5 million in advertising expense offset, in part, by a decrease of $0.3 million in sales and marketing expense. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $1.3 million increase, selling, general and administrative expense increased $1.5 million to $17.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $15.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Wholesale: Wholesale selling, general and administrative expense, exclusive of the currency effect, remained constant at $1.7 million, or 3.8% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $1.6 million, or 3.0% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a minimal decrease, selling, general and administrative expense remained constant at $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

United States: United States selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $1.0 million to $5.4 million, or 44.6% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $6.4 million, or 39.3% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is attributable to a decrease of $0.5 million in salaries and benefits, a decrease of $0.2 million in sales and marketing expense, a decrease of $0.2 million in advertising expense, and a decrease of $0.1 million in general and administrative expense.

Brazil: Brazil selling, general and administrative, exclusive of the currency effect, remained constant at $0.8 million, or 9.3% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $0.8 million, or 19.5% of net revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a minimal increase, selling, general and administrative expense remained constant at $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Corporate: Corporate selling, general and administrative expense increased $3.9 million to $5.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase is primarily due to a severance accrual recorded as a result of personnel changes occurring within the corporate executive management team.

 

48


Table of Contents

 

Depreciation and amortization expense: Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $5.1 million to $13.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $18.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in the third quarter of 2010 was primarily the result of a decline in the value of certain assets which had been revalued at the time of fresh start accounting and assigned and depreciated over a one year life which ended on June 30, 2010.

Interest expense: Interest expense was $8.6 million and $8.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and three months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. The decline is due to the early retirement of $9.5 million of 14 1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes in the second quarter of 2010.

Gain (loss) from contingent value rights valuation: The fair value of the contingent value rights was $8.0 million as of September 30, 2010 as compared to $6.8 million as of September 30, 2009. Gains and losses are recognized due to the change of the fair market value of the contingent value rights. The Company determined these contingent value rights to be derivative instruments to be accounted for as liabilities and were marked to fair value, and in future periods will be marked to fair value, at each balance sheet date.

Foreign currency transaction gain (loss): Foreign currency transaction gain was $14.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to a gain of $13.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The gains are attributable to the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes on intercompany debt balances and on receivables and payables denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currency.

Income tax benefit (expense): Income tax benefit was $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a $2.1 million expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The benefit includes the release of the valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets of our Australian subsidiary of $3.3 million. We continue to carry a full valuation allowance on net operating loss carry forwards and other deferred tax assets in jurisdictions in which the Company is in an overall net deferred tax asset position with the exception of Australia which was released the quarter ending September 30, 2010. As it relates to this conclusion, we will monitor actual results and updated projections of our subsidiaries on a quarterly basis. When and if they realize or realistically anticipate sustainable profitability, we will assess the appropriateness of releasing the valuation allowance in whole or in part.

Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009

Net revenue: Net revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $39.0 million, or 7.0%, to $521.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $560.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for an increase of $54.6 million, net revenue increased $15.6 million to $575.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $560.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

     Exclusive of Currency Effect           Inclusive of
Currency Effect
 
     Nine Months Ended     Year-over-Year       Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
 
     September 30, 2010     September 30, 2009        
(in thousands)    Net
Revenue
     % of
Total
    Net
Revenue
     % of
Total
    Variance     Variance %     Currency
Effect
    Net
Revenue
     % of
Total
 

Canada

   $ 152,981         29.4   $ 165,673         29.6   $ (12,692     (7.7 )%    $ 19,395      $ 172,376         29.9

Australia

     172,275         33.0     174,167         31.1     (1,892     (1.1 )%      33,471        205,745         35.7

Wholesale

     138,488         26.6     158,053         28.2     (19,565     (12.4 )%      (919     137,569         23.9

United States

     38,778         7.4     51,947         9.3     (13,169     (25.4 )%      —          38,778         6.7

Brazil

     18,658         3.6     10,351         1.8     8,307        80.3     2,682        21,341         3.8
                                        

Total Revenue

   $ 521,180         100.0   $ 560,191         100.0   $ (39,011     (7.0 )%    $ 54,629      $ 575,809         100.0
                                        

 

49


Table of Contents

 

Canada: Canada net revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $12.7 million, or 7.7%, to $153.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $165.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The net revenue decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease of $10.5 million in retail voice services, a decrease of $5.6 million in prepaid voice services and a decrease of $0.7 million in wireless services offset, in part, by an increase of $1.5 million in local services, an increase of $2.2 million in Internet, data and hosting services, and a $0.4 million increase in VoIP services. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $19.4 million increase, net revenue increased $6.7 million to $172.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $165.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Australia: Australia net revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $1.9 million, or 1.1%, to $172.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $174.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The net revenue decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease of $4.4 million in residential voice services and a decrease of $2.3 million in Internet services offset, in part, by increases of $2.5 million in business voice services, $0.8 million in wireless services, $0.6 million in DSL services, and an increase of $0.1 million all other services. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $33.5 million increase, net revenue increased $31.5 million to $205.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $174.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Wholesale: Wholesale net revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $19.6 million, or 12.4%, to $138.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $158.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The net revenue decrease is a result of our continued focus on profitability rather than revenue, targeting higher margin traffic and avoiding high volume lower margin traffic. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $1.0 million decrease, net revenue decreased $20.5 million to $137.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, from $158.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

United States: United States net revenue decreased $13.2 million, or 25.4%, to $38.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $52.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease of $7.7 million in retail voice services, a decrease of $4.6 million in VoIP services and a decrease of $0.9 million in Internet services.

Brazil: Brazil net revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, increased $8.3 million, or 80.3%, to $18.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $10.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The revenue increase is due primarily to an increase in reseller voice services. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $2.7 million increase, net revenue increased $11.0 million to $21.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $10.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Cost of revenue: Cost of revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $27.3 million to $336.5 million, or 64.6% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $363.8 million, or 64.9 % of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $30.3 million increase, cost of revenue increased $3.0 million to $366.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $363.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Canada: Canada cost of revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $3.6 million to $68.9 million, or 45.1% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $72.5 million, or 43.7% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in net revenue, partially offset by product mix where the higher margin retail voice revenue is a smaller percentage of total revenue. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for an $8.7 million increase, cost of revenue increased $5.2 million to $77.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $72.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Australia: Australia cost of revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $4.4 million to $104.8 million, or 60.9% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $109.2 million, or 62.7%

 

50


Table of Contents

of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to the corresponding decrease in net revenue. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $20.2 million increase, cost of revenue increased $15.8 million to $125.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $109.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Wholesale: Wholesale cost of revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $20.8 million to $130.3 million, or 94.1% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $151.1 million, or 95.6% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to the corresponding decrease in net revenue and partially offset by improved bad debt experience. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $0.8 million decrease, cost of revenues decreased $21.6 million to $129.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $151.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

United States: United States cost of revenue decreased $6.4 million to $17.0 million, or 43.7% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $23.4 million, or 45.1% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to the corresponding decrease in net revenue.

Brazil: Brazil cost of revenue, exclusive of the currency effect, increased $7.9 million to $15.5 million, or 83.0% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $7.6 million, or 73.1% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in net revenue of $8.3 million and a shift in the revenue product mix to reseller voice products. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $2.2 million increase, cost of revenue increased $10.1 million to $17.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $7.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Selling, general and administrative expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $1.3 million to $134.1 million, or 25.7% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $135.4 million, or 24.2% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for an $15.2 million increase, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $14.0 million to $149.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $135.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Canada: Canada selling, general and administrative expense, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $4.6 million to $53.2 million, or 34.8% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $57.8 million, or 34.9% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is attributable to a decrease of $2.3 million in sales and marketing expenses, a decrease of $1.6 million in advertising expense, decrease of $0.9 million in general and administrative expense, and a decrease of $0.7 million in professional fees offset, in part, by an increase of $0.4 million in salaries and benefits, and a $0.3 million increase in occupancy expenses. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $6.6 million increase, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2.0 million to $59.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $57.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Australia: Australia selling, general and administrative expense, exclusive of the currency effect, increased $0.6 million to $42.7 million, or 24.8% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $42.1 million, or 24.2% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase is attributable to an increase of $1.2 million in advertising expense and a $0.4 million increase in all other expenses, offset, in part, by a decrease of $0.8 million in sales and marketing expense, and a decrease of $0.2 million in general and administrative expense. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $8.2 million increase, selling, general and administrative expense increased $8.8 million to $50.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $42.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

51


Table of Contents

 

Wholesale: Wholesale selling, general and administrative expense, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $0.1 million to $4.9 million, or 3.6% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $5.0 million, or 3.2% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a minimal increase, selling, general and administrative expense decreased $0.1 million to $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $5.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

United States: United States selling, general and administrative expense decreased $2.1 million to $17.7 million, or 45.7% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $19.8 million, or 38.1% of net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is attributable to a decrease of $1.2 million in salaries and benefits, a decrease of $0.3 million in advertising expense, a decrease of $0.5 million in sales and marketing expenses, a decrease of $0.5 million in professional fees, and a decrease of $0.1 million in travel and entertainment expense offset, in part, by an increase of $0.5 million in general and administrative expense.

Brazil: Brazil selling, general and administrative, exclusive of the currency effect, decreased $0.2 million to $2.1, or 11.1% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $2.3 million, or 21.8% of net revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Inclusive of the currency effect, which accounted for a $0.3 million increase, selling, general and administrative expense increased $0.1 million to $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Corporate: Corporate selling, general and administrative expense increased $3.7 million to $12.3 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $8.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase is primarily due to a severance accrual.

Depreciation and amortization expense: Depreciation and amortization expense increased $19.4 million to $49.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $30.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase was the result of valuing tangible and intangible assets to the fair values per Fresh-Start accounting which was implemented effective July 1, 2009. See “Financial Presentation Background.”

Interest expense: Interest expense and accretion (amortization) on debt discount/premium, net increased $4.1 million to $26.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $22.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase was due to the cessation of interest accruals, during the 2009 period, for the liabilities subject to compromise as a result of the Chapter 11 cases instituted on March 16, 2009.

Gain (loss) from contingent value rights valuation: The fair value of the contingent value rights was $7.8 million as of September 30, 2010 as compared to $6.8 million as of September 30, 2009. Gains and losses are recognized due to the change of the fair market value of the contingent value rights. The Company determined these contingent value rights to be derivative instruments to be accounted for as liabilities and were marked to fair value, (and in future periods will be marked to fair value), at each balance sheet date.

Foreign currency transaction gain (loss): Foreign currency transaction gain decreased $23.6 million to a gain of $10.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from a gain of $33.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The gains are attributable to the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes on intercompany debt balances and on receivables and payables denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currency.

 

52


Table of Contents

 

Reorganization items, net: Reorganization items, net were a $424.5 million gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. In accordance with ASC 852, “Reorganizations,” the Company ceased amortization of debt premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs related to the liabilities subject to compromise on the Petition Date. The $3.5 million of unamortized debt premiums and discounts has been written off and recorded as a gain, offset by the expensing of $3.6 million of unamortized deferred financing costs, as an adjustment to the net carrying value of the pre-petition debt, and the incurrence of professional fees regarding the bankruptcy filing. Long term debt was further reduced by $20.5 million of future interest payable that previously had been recorded as a portion of long-term obligations for the 14  1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes and 5% Exchangeable Senior Notes as the issuance of these notes had been deemed troubled debt restructurings. Professional fees and other expenses related to the reorganization were $12.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Income tax benefit (expense): Income tax benefit was $7.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a $1.9 million expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The benefit includes the release of deferred tax liabilities related to amortization of certain fresh-start adjustments to fixed and intangible assets, the release of the valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets of our Australia subsidiary, and the release of withholding tax on interest payable on a cross-border intercompany loan. We continue to carry a full valuation allowance on net operating loss carry forwards and other deferred tax assets in jurisdictions in which the Company is in an overall net deferred tax asset position with the exception of Australia which was released the Quarter ending September 30, 2010. As it relates to this conclusion, we will monitor actual results and updated projections of our subsidiaries on a quarterly basis. When and if they realize or realistically anticipate sustainable profitability, we will assess the appropriateness of releasing the valuation allowance in whole or in part.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Changes in Cash Flows

Our principal liquidity requirements arise from cash used in operating activities, purchases of network equipment including switches, related transmission equipment and capacity, development of back-office systems, expansion of data center facilities, interest and principal payments on outstanding debt and other obligations and taxes. We have financed our historical growth and operations to date through, cash provided by operations, public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities, vendor financing, capital lease financing and other financing arrangements.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $37.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, net income, net of non-cash operating activity, provided $41.3 million of cash. Net cash provided by operating activities was also impacted by an increase in accrued interest of $8.5 million as payments of interest on long term debt occur in the second and fourth quarters of each calendar year, net collections of accounts receivable of $3.8 million and a reduction in other assets of $0.6 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, $6.9 million was used to reduce accounts payable, $5.8 million was used to reduce accrued interconnection costs, $2.4 million was used to reduce accrued expenses, deferred revenue and other liabilities, $1.0 million was used to reduce the Company’s accrued income taxes, net, $0.7 million was to obtain prepaid expenses and other current assets, and the cash used for reorganization items was $0.1 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was $16.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, which included $17.1 million for capital expenditures and $0.1 million for restricted cash, partially offset by $0.7 million of asset dispositions and $0.3 million, net received for the disposition of the Company’s Belgian operations.

Net cash used in financing activities was $13.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and reflects the retirement of $9.5 million of 14 1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes and the $4.1 million repayment of capital leases.

 

53


Table of Contents

 

Short- and Long-Term Liquidity Considerations and Risks

As of September 30, 2010 we had $49.6 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our debt service requirements, other fixed obligations (such as capital leases), and other cash needs for our operations for at least the next twelve months. The Company will evaluate and determine on a continuing basis the most efficient use of the Company’s capital and resources, including investment in the Company’s network, systems and product initiatives and to strengthen its balance sheet through debt repurchases or other means.

As of September 30, 2010, we have $39.5 million in future minimum purchase obligations, $65.1 million in future operating lease payments and $245.9 million of indebtedness. At September 30, 2010, approximately $91.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits have been recorded as liabilities in accordance with ASC No. 740; however, we are uncertain as to if or when such amounts may be settled, so we have not included these amounts in the table below. Included in the unrecognized tax benefits not included in the table below, we have recorded a liability for potential penalties and interest of $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

The obligations reflected in the table below reflect the contractual payments of principal and interest that existed as of September 30, 2010:

 

Year Ending December 31,

  Capital
Leases
and Other
    13%
Senior Secured
Notes
    14 1/4%  Senior
Subordinated
Secured
Notes
    Purchase
Obligations
    Operating
Leases
    Total  

2010 (as of September 30, 2010)

  $ 417      $ 8,450      $ 8,124      $ 8,723      $ 4,753      $ 30,467   

2011

    1,218        16,900        16,247        19,903        15,151        69,419   

2012

    309        16,900        16,247        6,498        13,292        53,246   

2013

    87        16,900        122,139        3,162        10,255        152,543   

2014

    4        16,900        —          1,162        5,440        23,506   

Thereafter

    —          163,847        —          54        16,237        180,138   
                                               

Total Minimum Principal & Interest Payments

    2,035        239,897        162,757        39,502        65,128        509,319   

Less: Amount

           

Representing Interest

    (120     (109,897     (48,742     —          —          (158,759
                                               

Total Long-Term Obligations

  $ 1,915      $ 130,000      $ 114,015      $ 39,502      $ 65,128      $ 350,560   
                                               

The foregoing table assumes that the 14 1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes are refinanced before January 21, 2013. In the event the 14 1/4 % Senior Subordinated Secured Notes have not been refinanced in accordance with the terms of the 13% Senior Secured Notes indenture by January 21, 2013, then the Issuers will be required to redeem the full principal of the 13% Senior Secured Notes at a price equal to the then applicable optional redemption price on such date. In addition, the table assumes that the holders of 13% Senior Secured Notes do not accept any Excess Cash Flow Offer to purchase 13% Senior Secured Notes. In this regard, the Company must extend an offer annually to the holders of the 13% Senior Secured Notes to repurchase an applicable amount, (equal to 50% of Excess Cash Flow), of the 13% Senior Secured Notes at par, in the event the Company and certain subsidiaries have excess cash flow for any fiscal year commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010. See Item 1A. “Risks Associated with our Liquidity Needs and Debt Securities,” for certain risks and uncertainties related thereto.

We have contractual obligations to utilize network facilities from certain carriers with terms greater than one year. We generally do not purchase or commit to purchase quantities in excess of normal usage or amounts that cannot be used within the contract term.

 

54


Table of Contents

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by FASB and are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements that are not discussed will not have a material impact on consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, or do not apply to our operations.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (“ASU No. 2010-06”)

We adopted certain provisions of ASU No. 2010-06 in the first quarter of 2010. These provisions of ASU No. 2010-06 amended Subtopic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures—Overall,” by requiring additional disclosures for transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, as well as requiring fair value measurement disclosures for each “class” of assets and liabilities, a subset of the captions disclosed in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements or our disclosures, as we did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and did not have material classes of assets and liabilities that required additional disclosure.

Certain provisions of ASU No. 2010-06 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, which for us will be our 2011 first quarter. These provisions of ASU No. 2010-06, which amended Subtopic 820-10, will require us to present as separate line items all purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements of financial instruments valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements, whereas currently these are presented in aggregate as one line item. Although this may change the appearance of our reconciliation, we do not believe the adoption will have a material impact on our financial statements or disclosures.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13 “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements” (“ASU 2009-13”)

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) – Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements: a consensus of the FASB EITF (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 establishes a selling-price hierarchy for determining the selling price of each element within a multiple-deliverable arrangement. Specifically, the selling price assigned to each deliverable is to be based on vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), if available, third-party evidence, if VSOE is unavailable, and estimated selling price if neither VSOE nor third-party evidence is available. In addition, ASU 2009-13 eliminates the residual method of allocating arrangement consideration and instead requires allocation using the relative selling price method. ASU 2009-13 is effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted at the beginning of a company’s fiscal year. The Company plans to implement this guidance on January 1, 2011 and is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2009-13 on the Company’s financial statements.

Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and elsewhere concerning our agreement to acquire Arbinet Corporation, strategic objectives, European disposition efforts, prospects, future liquidity, cost savings initiatives and related matters constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are based on current expectations, and are not strictly historical statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “if,” “may,” “should,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “future,” “forward,” “potential,” “estimate,” “reinstate,” “opportunity,” “goal,” “objective,” “exchange,” “growth,” “outcome,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “strategy,” “provide,” “commitment,” “result,” “seek,” “pursue,” “ongoing,” “include” or in the negative of such terms or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements inherently involve certain risks and uncertainties,

 

55


Table of Contents

although they are based on our current plans or assessments which are believed to be reasonable as of the date of this filing. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements set forth in this document and elsewhere regarding, among other things:

 

   

our financial condition, financing requirements, prospects and cash flow;

 

   

expectations of future growth, creation of shareholder value, revenue, foreign revenue contributions and net income, as well as income from operations, margins, earnings per share, cash flow and cash sufficiency levels, working capital, network development, customer migration and related costs, spending on and success with growth products, including broadband Internet, VOIP, wireless, local, data and hosting services, traffic development, capital expenditures, selling, general and administrative expenses, income tax and withholding tax expense, fixed asset and goodwill impairment charges, service introductions, cash requirements and potential asset sales;

 

   

increased competitive pressures, declining usage patterns, and our growth products, bundled service offerings, the pace and cost of customer migration onto our networks, the effectiveness and profitability of the growth products;

 

   

financing, refinancing, debt extension, de-leveraging, restructuring, exchange or tender plans or initiatives, and potential dilution of existing equity holders from such initiatives;

 

   

liquidity and debt service forecast;

 

   

assumptions regarding currency exchange rates;

 

   

timing, extent and effectiveness of cost reduction initiatives and management’s ability to moderate or control discretionary spending;

 

   

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

 

   

management’s assessment of market factors and competitive developments, including pricing actions and regulatory rulings; and

 

   

ability to generate net cash proceeds from the disposition of selective assets without material impairment to profitability.

Factors and risks that could cause actual results or circumstances to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in forward looking statements include those set forth in “Risk Factors” as well as, without limitation:

 

   

the occurrence of a default or event of default under our indentures or other financing agreements;

 

   

an inability to fully fund and repurchase holder acceptances of offers to repurchase 13% Notes that we are obligated to make annually, subject to certain limitations, in connection with Excess Cash Flow Offers;

 

   

an inability to fully fund and repurchase holder acceptances of offers to repurchase debt securities that we may be obligated to make following certain change in control developments affecting the Company and certain of its subsidiaries;

 

   

customer, vendor, carrier and third-party responses to our completed Reorganization;

 

   

changes in business conditions causing changes in the business direction and strategy by management;

 

   

heightened competitive pricing and bundling pressures in the markets in which we operate;

 

   

the ability to service substantial indebtedness;

 

56


Table of Contents

 

   

accelerated decrease in minutes of use on wireline phones;

 

   

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

 

   

difficulty in maintaining or increasing customer revenues and margins through our product initiatives and bundled service offerings, and difficulties in migrating and provisioning broadband and local customers to digital subscriber line (DSL) networks;

 

   

inadequate financial resources to promote and to market product initiatives, whether due to acceptance of Excess Cash Flow Offers or otherwise;

 

   

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

 

   

the possible inability to raise additional capital when needed, on attractive terms, or at all;

 

   

possible claims under our existing debt instruments which could impose constraints and limit our flexibility;

 

   

the inability to service substantial indebtedness and to reduce, refinance, extend, exchange, tender for or restructure debt significantly, or in amounts sufficient to conduct regular ongoing operations;

 

   

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

 

   

adverse tax or regulatory rulings from applicable authorities;

 

   

enhanced broadband, DSL, Internet, wireless, VOIP, date and hosting and local and long distance voice telecommunications competition;

 

   

changes in financial, capital market and economic conditions;

 

   

changes in service offerings or business strategies, including the need to modify business models if performance is below expectations;

 

   

difficulty in retaining existing long distance wireline and dial-up ISP customers;

 

   

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

 

   

difficulty in selling new services in the marketplace;

 

   

difficulty in providing broadband, DSL, local, VOIP, data and hosting or wireless services;

 

   

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

 

   

restrictions on our ability to execute certain strategies or complete certain transactions as a result of our inexperience with new products, or limitations imposed by available cash resources, our capital structure or debt covenants;

 

   

risks associated with our limited DSL, Internet, VOIP, data and hosting and wireless experience and expertise, including effectively utilizing new marketing channels such as interactive marketing employing the Internet;

 

   

entry into developing markets;

 

   

aggregate margin contribution from the new products is not sufficient in amount or timing to offset the margin decline in our legacy long distance voice and dial-up ISP businesses;

 

   

the possible inability to hire and/or retain qualified executive management, sales, technical and other personnel;

 

57


Table of Contents

 

   

risks and costs associated with our effort to locate certain activities and functions off-shore;

 

   

risks associated with international operations;

 

   

dependence on effective information and billing systems;

 

   

possible claims for patent infringement on products or processes employed in providing our services;

 

   

dependence on third parties for access to their networks to enable us to expand and manage our global network and operations and to offer broadband, DSL, local, VOIP and wireless services, including dependence upon the cooperation of incumbent carriers relating to the migration of customers;

 

   

dependence on the performance of our global standard asynchronous transfer mode and Internet-based protocol (ATM+IP) communications network; risks associated with maintaining and upgrading networks; and

 

   

adverse regulatory rulings or actions affecting our operations, including the imposition of taxes and fees, the imposition of obligations upon VOIP providers to provide enhanced 911 (E911) services and restricting access to broadband networks owned and operated by others, including the development of a national broadband network in Australia.

As such, actual results or circumstances may vary materially from such forward looking statements or expectations. Readers are also cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements which speak only as of the date these statements were made. We are not obligated to update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

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

Foreign currency can have a major impact on our financial results. Approximately 85% of our net revenue is derived from sales and operations outside the United States. The reporting currency for our consolidated financial statements is the USD. The local currency of each country is the functional currency for each of our respective entities operating in that country. In the future, we expect to continue to derive the majority of our net revenue and incur a significant portion of our operating costs from outside the United States, and therefore changes in exchange rates have had and may continue to have a significant, and potentially adverse, effect on our results of operations. Our primary risk of loss regarding foreign currency exchange rate risk is caused primarily by fluctuations in the following exchange rates: USD/CAD, USD/AUD, USD/GBP, USD/EUR and USD/BRL. Due to the large percentage of our revenue derived outside of the United States, changes in the USD relative to one or more of the foregoing currencies could have an adverse impact on our future results of operations. We have agreements with certain subsidiaries for repayment of a portion of the investments and advances made to these subsidiaries. As we anticipate repayment in the foreseeable future, we recognize the unrealized gains and losses in foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on the consolidated statements of operations. We historically have not engaged in hedging transactions.

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

 

58


Table of Contents

 

In the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, the USD was weaker on average as compared to the CAD, AUD, and BRL and stronger on average as compared to the GBP and Euro. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the USD was weaker on average as compared to the CAD, AUD, EUR, and BRL and stronger on average as compared to the GBP. As a result, our revenue of the subsidiaries whose local currency is CAD, AUD,GBP, EUR and BRL, increased (decreased) (6.2)%, (0.9) %, 15.2%, (59.8) % and 107.3 % in local currency compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, but increased (decreased) (0.9) %, 7.4 %, 8.6 %, (84.3) % and 119.8 % in USD, respectively. Our revenue of the subsidiaries whose local currency is CAD, AUD,GBP, EUR and BRL, increased (decreased) (7.7)%, (1.1) %, (1.9)%, (10.0) % and 77.4 % in local currency compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, but increased (decreased) 4.0%, 18.1 %, (2.1) %, (0.3) % and 106.2 % in USD, respectively.

Interest rates—Our Senior Secured Notes and Senior Subordinated Secured Notes are at a fixed interest rate of 13.00% and 14 1/4%, respectively. We are exposed to interest rate risk as debt refinancing may be required. Our primary exposure to market risk stems from fluctuations in interest rates.

The interest rate sensitivity table below summarizes our market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 in USD, which is our reporting currency. The table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by year of expected maturity for our 13% Senior Secured Notes, 14  1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes, and other long-term obligations in effect at September 30, 2010.

 

     Year of Maturity     Total     Fair Value  
     2010     2011     2012     2013     2014     Thereafter      
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Fixed Rate

   $ 385      $ 1,139      $ 301      $ 114,101      $ 4      $ 130,000      $ 245,929      $ 243,324   

Average Interest Rate

     12.7     11.0     9.3     14.2     9.9     13.0     13.6  

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, as a result of the material weakness described below, our Principal Executive Officer and our acting Principal Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2009 and as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. Disclosure controls and procedures mean our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As part of our compliance efforts relative to Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, management assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on the assessment, management identified a material weakness in our internal control over accounting for foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on inter-company balances.

 

59


Table of Contents

 

In March 2010, the Company determined that an error existed relating to accounting for foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on certain intercompany balances. Specifically, this error related to activity in the third quarter 2009 resulting in the Company amending its form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. As a result of the error described above, management concluded that as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, a material weakness existed with respect to its determination of the completeness and accuracy and monitoring of foreign currency transaction gain (loss) related to certain intercompany balances and therefore our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective based upon the criteria set forth by COSO. A material weakness is a control deficiency or combination of control deficiencies that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. Additionally, this material weakness could result in a misstatement of net income (loss) that could result in a material misstatement of the interim or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected if not remediated.

Changes in Internal Control.

Our Principal Executive Officer and our acting Principal Financial Officer have concluded that there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2010, that have materially affected or is reasonably likely to affect materially, our internal control over financial reporting, except for the items noted below.

As a result of the Company’s determination that the controls in place over the process of translating certain intercompany balances did not operate effectively during the third quarter of 2009, the Company has designed procedures and is implementing new controls to address the control failure that occurred, including: a) performing additional recalculations and analysis of the foreign currency transaction gain (loss) recorded on intercompany balances; b) implementing an improved process for assessing the reasonableness of foreign currency transaction gain (loss) recorded on intercompany balances; and c) confirming settlements related to intercompany balances at a transactional level. Management believes that these corrective actions, taken as a whole, will successfully mitigate the material weakness described above, and the Company will continue to perform the enhanced procedures as part of the normal accounting process.

 

60


Table of Contents

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

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

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

A wide range of factors could materially affect our performance. In addition to factors affecting specific business operations and the financial results of those operations identified elsewhere in this report, the following factors, among others could adversely affect our operations:

The following is not intended as, and should not be construed as, an exhaustive list of relevant risk factors. There may be other risks that are relevant to its own particular circumstances or generally.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

Continuing global economic conditions could adversely affect our business.

The global economy and capital and credit markets have been experiencing exceptional turmoil and upheaval. Many major economies worldwide entered significant economic recessions in 2007 and continue to experience economic weakness even though economies have begun to show signs of recovery. Ongoing concerns about the systemic impact of potential long-term and widespread recession and potentially prolonged economic recovery, volatile energy costs, geopolitical issues, the availability, cost and terms of credit, consumer and business confidence, substantially increased and increasing unemployment rates and the crisis in the global housing and mortgage markets have all contributed to increased market volatility and diminished expectations for both established and emerging economies, including those in which we operate. In the second half of 2008, added concerns fueled by government interventions in financial systems led to increased market uncertainty and instability in both U.S. and international capital and credit markets. These conditions have contributed to economic uncertainty of unprecedented levels. The availability, cost and terms of credit also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by illiquid markets and wider credit spreads. Concern about the stability of the markets generally and the strength of counterparties specifically has led many lenders and institutional investors to reduce, and in many cases cease to provide, credit to businesses and consumers. These factors have led to a substantial and continuing decrease in spending by businesses and consumers over the past two years, and a corresponding decrease in global infrastructure spending. Continued turbulence in the U.S. and international markets and economies and prolonged declines in business and consumer spending may adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition, and the liquidity and financial condition of our customers, including our ability to refinance maturing debt instruments and to access the capital markets and obtain capital lease financing to meet liquidity needs. This financial crisis may have an impact on our business and financial condition in the following ways as well as in other ways that we currently cannot predict.

 

   

Potential risk in refinancing outstanding debts: Although none of our major debt instruments are scheduled to mature before 2013, at the earliest, if the volatility in the global capital markets were to continue, our ability to refinance our existing indebtedness when due could be severely constrained. See “—Risks Associated with Our Liquidity Needs and Debt Securities.” Any such refinancing could require significantly more expensive interest rates and covenants that restrict our operations to a significantly greater extent.

 

   

Negative impacts from increased financial pressures on customers: Uncertainty about current and future global economic conditions and credit markets may cause consumers, business and governments to defer purchases in response to tighter credit, decreased availability of cash and credit, and declining

 

61


Table of Contents
 

business and consumer confidence, any of which may affect the usage of our services by the customers and the ability of those customers to pay for our services. Accordingly, future demand for our products and services could differ from our current expectations. Similarly, our customers may experience liquidity issues of their own that adversely affect our ability to collect amounts due from them in a timely fashion or at all. In addition, if the global economy and credit markets continue to deteriorate or cease to recover and our future net revenues decline, our financial condition and results of operations would be adversely impacted.

Strengthening of the United States Dollar (“USD”) against certain foreign currencies reduces the amount of USDs generated from foreign currency payments from our foreign operating subsidiaries and may adversely affect our results of operations and our ability to service our debt.

A significant portion of our net revenue (approximately 85% for the quarter ended September 30, 2010) is derived from sales and operations outside the U.S. The reporting currency for our consolidated financial statements is the USD. Our foreign operating subsidiaries, including our largest operating subsidiaries in Canada and Australia, generate cash in their respective local currencies and fluctuations in exchange rates can have a material adverse impact on amounts of USDs transferred to U.S. parent entities. In the future, we expect to continue to derive a significant portion of our net revenue (which is a substantial source for servicing our significant debt obligations at the parent entity level, as well as a source for making principal payments) and incur a significant portion of our operating costs outside the U.S.

Due to the large percentage of our operations conducted outside of the U.S., and the cash transfers from these foreign operating subsidiaries to the U.S. parent, a strengthening of the USD relative to one or more of the foregoing foreign currencies could have an adverse impact on future results of operations and could adversely affect our ability to service or repay our consolidated indebtedness and obligations.

We historically have not typically engaged in hedging transactions. The exposure of our income from operations to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is reduced in part because a majority of the costs that we incur in connection with our foreign operations are also denominated in local currencies. In addition, the operations of affiliates and subsidiaries in foreign countries have been funded with investments and other advances denominated in foreign currencies. Historically, such investments and advances have been long-term in nature, and we accounted for any adjustments resulting from currency translation as a charge or credit to accumulate other comprehensive loss within the stockholders’ deficit section of our consolidated balance sheets. In 2002, agreements with certain subsidiaries were put in place for repayment of a portion of the investments and advances made to those subsidiaries. As we anticipate repayment in the foreseeable future of these amounts, we recognize the unrealized gains and losses in foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on the consolidated statements of operations, and depending upon changes in future currency rates, such gains or losses could have a significant, and potentially adverse, effect on our results of operations.

We are substantially smaller than our major competitors, whose marketing and pricing decisions, and relative size advantage could adversely affect our ability to attract and to retain customers and are likely to continue to cause significant pricing pressures that could adversely affect our net revenues, results of operations and financial condition.

The local, long-distance, Internet, broadband, digital subscriber lines (“DSL”), data and hosting and wireless telecommunications industry is significantly influenced by the marketing and pricing decisions of the larger business participants. Prices in the long-distance industry have continued to decline in recent years and, as competition continues to increase within each of our service segments and each of our product lines, we believe that prices are likely to continue to decrease. The most significant competitors in our primary markets include:

 

   

United States: AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., Qwest Communications International Inc. and other incumbent carriers, cable companies, including Comcast Corporation, Time Warner Cable Inc., Cablevision Systems Corporation and Charter Communications, Inc., other competitive local

 

62


Table of Contents
 

exchange carriers, including PaeTec Communications, Inc., Time Warner Telecom Inc., XO Communications Services, Inc. and Frontier Communications Corp., independent VoIP providers, including Vonage Holdings Corp and Cbeyond, Inc., wireless carriers in the U.S., including Verizon Communications Inc., AT&T Inc., Sprint Corp., T-Mobile USA Inc., MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Leap Wireless International, Inc., and web-based companies, including Skype Technologies S.A. and Google Inc.;

 

   

Australia: Telstra Corporation Limited (“Telstra”), SingTel Optus Pty Limited, Telecom New Zealand Limited, iiNet Limited, SP Telemedia Limited (known as TPG), Macquarie Telecom Group Ltd. and other smaller national and regional service providers and resellers.; and

 

   

Canada: TELUS Corporation (“TELUS”), BCE Inc. (“Bell Canada”), MTS Allstream, Inc., Saskatchewan Telecommunications, wireless providers, including Rogers Communications Inc. (“Rogers”), TELUS, Bell Canada, Bragg Communications Inc., COGECO Inc., Quebecor Inc. and Shaw Communications, Inc., cable companies, and other service providers and resellers including Globalive Communications Corp. in Canada.

Customers frequently change local, long-distance, wireless, broadband providers, and ISPs in response to the offering of lower rates or promotional incentives, increasingly as a result of bundling of various services by competitors. Moreover, competitors’ VoIP and broadband product rollouts have added further customer choice and pricing pressure. As a result, customers generally can switch carriers and service offerings at their discretion with little notice to us. Competition in all of our markets is likely to remain intense, or increase in intensity and, as deregulatory influences affect markets outside the U.S., competition in non-U.S. markets is increasing to a level similar to the intense competition in the U.S.

Many of our competitors are significantly larger than us and have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources, larger networks, a broader portfolio of service offerings, greater control over network and transmission lines, stronger name recognition and customer loyalty, long-standing relationships with our target customers and lower debt-leverage ratios. As a result, our ability to attract and retain customers may be adversely affected. Many of our competitors enjoy economies of scale that result in low cost structures for transmission and related costs that could cause significant pricing pressures within the industry.

Several long-distance carriers in the U.S., Canada and Australia and the major wireless carriers and cable companies have introduced pricing and product bundling strategies that provide for fixed, low rates or unlimited plans for domestic and international calls. This strategy could have a material adverse effect on our net revenue per minute, results of operations and financial condition if our pricing, which we set to remain competitive, is not offset by similar declines in our costs. We compete on the basis of price, particularly with respect to our sales to other carriers, and also on the basis of customer service and our ability to provide a variety of telecommunications products and services. If such price pressures and bundling strategies intensify, we may not be able to compete successfully in the future, may face quarterly revenue and operating results variability, and may have heightened difficulty in estimating future revenues or results.

Given strong competition in delivering individual and bundled local, wireless, broadband, DSL, VoIP services, we may not be able to operate successfully or expand these parts of our business.

We have accelerated initiatives to become an integrated wireline, wireless and broadband service provider in order to counter competitive pricing pressures initiated by large incumbent providers in certain of the principal markets where we operate and to stem the loss of certain of our wireline voice and dial-up ISP customers to our competitors’ bundled wireline, wireless and broadband service offerings. Our primary competitors include incumbent telecommunications providers, cable companies and other ISPs that have a significant national or international presence. Many of these operators have substantially greater resources, capital and operational experience than we do. We are experiencing increased competition from traditional telecommunications carriers, cable companies and other new entrants that have expanded into the market for broadband, VoIP, Internet

 

63


Table of Contents

services, data and hosting and traditional voice services. In addition, regulatory developments may impair our ability to compete. Therefore, future operations involving these individual or bundled services may not succeed in the competitive environment, and we (1) may not be able to expand successfully; (2) may experience margin pressure; (3) may face quarterly revenue and operating results variability; (4) may have limited resources to develop and to market the new services; and (5) have heightened difficulty in establishing future revenues or results. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will reverse revenue declines in our traditional long-distance voice and dial-up ISP services or maintain or increase revenues or be able to generate sufficient income from operations or net income in the future or on any predictable or timely basis.

Our repositioning in the marketplace and intense domestic and international competition in these services places a significant strain on our resources, and if not managed effectively, could result in operational inefficiencies and other difficulties.

Our repositioning in the marketplace to focus on Growth Services segments of the telecom market, including broadband, IP-based voice, local, wireless, data and data center solutions may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and increase demand on our systems and controls. However, the local and long-distance telecommunications, data, broadband, Internet, VoIP, data and hosting and wireless industries are intensely competitive, present relatively limited barriers to entry in the more deregulated countries in which we operate and involve numerous entities competing for the same customers. Recent and pending deregulation in various countries may encourage new entrants to compete, including ISPs, wireless companies, and cable television companies, who could offer voice, broadband, Internet access and television services, and electric power utilities, who could offer voice and broadband Internet access. For example, the U.S. and many other countries have committed to open their telecommunications markets to competition pursuant to an agreement under the World Trade Organization which began on January 1, 1998. Further, in the U.S., the major landline incumbent carriers (including AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc.) have for many years also provided long-distance services, and previously independent long-distance providers (including AT&T Inc. and MCI Inc.) have been acquired by the landline incumbents. In addition, many entities, including large cable television companies (including Comcast Corporation, Time Warner Cable Inc., Cablevision Systems Corporation and Charter Communications, Inc.) and utilities have been allowed to enter both the local service and long-distance telecommunications markets.

To manage our repositioning effectively, we must continue to implement and improve our operational and financial systems and controls, invest in critical network infrastructure to expand its coverage and capacity including the data centers expansion, maintain or improve our service quality levels, purchase and utilize other transmission facilities, evolve our support and billing systems and train and manage our employee base. If we inaccurately forecast the movement of traffic onto our network, we could have insufficient or excessive transmission facilities and disproportionate fixed expenses. As we proceed with our development, operational difficulties could arise from additional demand placed on customer provisioning and support, billing and management information systems, product delivery and fulfillment, support, sales and marketing, administrative resources, network infrastructure, maintenance and upgrading. For instance, we may encounter delays or cost-overruns or suffer other adverse consequences in implementing new systems when required, such as our need to off-shore certain functions. In addition, our operating and financial control systems and infrastructure could be inadequate to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting, which could impact debt covenant compliance.

We have experienced significant historical, and may experience significant future, operating losses and net losses which may hinder our ability to meet our debt service or working capital requirements.

As of July 1, 2009, Predecessor had an accumulated deficit of $1.06 billion. Predecessor incurred net losses of $10.6 million in 2004, $149.2 million in 2005, $238.0 million in 2006 and $25.0 million in 2008. During the year ended December 31, 2007, Predecessor recognized net income of $15.7 million, of which $32.7 million of revenue was related to the positive impact of foreign currency transaction gains, and during the Successor’s six-month period ended December 31 2009, Successor recognized net income of $6.7 million, of which $18.3 million was related to the positive impact of foreign currency transaction gains. For the first nine months of 2010,

 

64


Table of Contents

Successor incurred net losses of $9.0 million. Even with the elimination of our significant accumulated deficit and the reduction in indebtedness through our recent reorganization under Chapter 11, future losses may continue. We cannot make assurances that we will recognize net income in future periods. If we cannot generate net income or sufficient operating profitability, we may not be able to meet our debt service or working capital requirements.

A deterioration in our relationships with facilities-based carriers could have a material adverse effect upon our business.

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

Uncertainties and risks associated with international markets and regulatory requirements could adversely impact our international operations.

We have significant international operations and, for the three months ended September 30, 2010, derived approximately 85% of our net revenues by providing services outside of the U.S. In international markets, we are smaller than the principal or incumbent telecommunications carrier that operates in each of the foreign jurisdictions where we operate. In these markets, incumbent carriers: (1) are likely to modify and/or control access to, and pricing of, the local networks; (2) enjoy better brand recognition and brand and customer loyalty; (3) generally offer a wider range of product and services; and (4) have significant operational economies of scale, including a larger backbone network and longer term customer and supplier agreements on preferred and better terms. Moreover, the incumbent carrier may take many months to allow competitors, including us, to interconnect to their switches within our territory, and we are dependent upon their cooperation in migrating customers onto our network. There can be no assurance that we will be able to: (1) obtain the permits and operating licenses required for us to operate in the new service areas; (2) obtain access to local transmission facilities on economically acceptable terms; or (3) market services in international markets.

In addition, operating in international markets generally involves additional risks, including unexpected changes or uncertainties in regulatory requirements, taxes, tariffs, customs and duties. Given the nature of our operations and uncertainties in, or the absence of definitive regulations or interpretations concerning, the taxation of (including value added tax of) certain aspects of our business in certain international jurisdictions in which we conduct (or may be construed by such authorities as conducting or deriving taxable) operations or revenue, we may become subject to assessments for taxes (which may include penalties and interest) which are either unexpected, or have not been accrued for in our historical results of operations or both. This circumstance occurred during March 2008, when we concluded it was probable that assessments would be forthcoming concerning past European prepaid calling services operations, and it is possible that tax uncertainties concerning our international operations could arise in the future. Such developments, in addition to the other uncertainties and risks described above, could have adverse consequences that might result in restatement of prior period results of operations and unanticipated liquidity demands. Additional operating risks and uncertainties in operating in international markets include trade barriers, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, problems in collecting accounts receivable, political risks, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, restrictions associated with the repatriation of funds, technology export and import restrictions, and seasonal reductions in business activity. Our ability to operate and grow our international operations successfully could be adversely impacted by these risks and uncertainties particularly in light of the fact that we derive such a large percentage of our revenues from outside of the U.S.

 

65


Table of Contents

 

The telecommunications industry is rapidly changing, and if we are not able to adjust our strategy and resources effectively in the future to meet changing market conditions, we may not be able to compete effectively.

The telecommunications industry is changing rapidly due to deregulation, privatization, consolidation, technological improvements, availability of alternative services such as wireless, broadband, DSL, Internet, VoIP, data and hosting and wireless broadband through use of the fixed wireless spectrum, and the globalization of the world’s economies. In addition, alternative services to traditional fixed wireline services, such as wireless, broadband, Internet and VoIP services, are a substantial competitive threat. As the overall market for domestic and international long-distance and dial-up Internet services continues to decline in favor of Internet-based, wireless, and broadband communications, revenue contribution from our Traditional Services has been consequently declining. If we do not adjust to meet changing market conditions or do not have adequate resources, we may not be able to compete effectively. The telecommunications industry is marked by the introduction of new product and service offerings and technological improvements. Achieving successful financial results will depend on our ability to anticipate, assess and adapt to rapid technological changes, and offer, on a timely and cost-effective basis, services, including the bundling of multiple services that meet evolving industry standards. If we do not anticipate, assess or adapt to such technological changes at a competitive price, maintain competitive services or obtain new technologies on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms, our financial results may be materially and adversely affected.

The rapid enhancement of VoIP and Internet technology may result in increasing levels of traditional domestic and international voice long-distance traffic being transmitted over the Internet, as opposed to traditional telecommunication networks. Currently, there are significant capital investment savings and cost savings associated with carrying voice traffic employing VoIP technology, as compared to carrying calls over traditional networks. Thus, there exists the possibility that the price of traditional long-distance voice services will decrease in order to be competitive with VoIP. Additionally, competition is expected to be intense to switch customers to VoIP product offerings, as is evidenced by numerous recent market announcements in the U.S. and internationally from industry leaders and competitive carriers concerning significant VoIP initiatives. Our ability effectively to retain our existing customer base and generate new customers, either through our traditional network or our own VoIP offerings, may be adversely affected by accelerated competition arising as a result of VoIP initiatives, as well as regulatory developments that may impede our ability to compete, such as restrictions on access to broadband networks owned and operated by others and the requirements to provide enhanced 911 emergency services (“E911”). As competition intensifies as a result of deregulatory, market or technological developments, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

If we are not able to operate a cost-effective network, we may not be able to grow our business successfully.

Our long-term success depends on our ability to design, implement, operate, manage, maintain and upgrade a reliable and cost-effective network infrastructure, including data hosting centers. In addition, we rely on third party equipment and service vendors to enable us to expand and manage our global network and to provide local, broadband Internet, data and hosting and wireless services. If we fail to generate additional traffic on our network, if we experience technical or logistical impediments to our ability to develop necessary aspects of our network or to migrate traffic and customers onto our network, or if we experience difficulties with our third-party providers, we may not achieve desired economies of scale or otherwise be successful in growing our business.

If we are not able to use and protect intellectual property domestically and internationally, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our ability to compete depends, in part, on our ability to use intellectual property in the U.S. and internationally. We rely on a combination of trade secrets, trademarks and licenses to protect our intellectual property. We are also subject to the risks of claims and litigation alleging infringement of the intellectual property rights of others. The telecommunications industry is subject to frequent litigation regarding patent and

 

66


Table of Contents

other intellectual property rights. We rely upon certain technology, including hardware and software, licensed from third parties. There can be no assurance that the technology licensed by us will continue to provide competitive features and functionality or that licenses for technology currently used by us or other technology that we may seek to license in the future will be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Although our existing intellectual property licenses are on standard commercial terms made generally available by the companies providing the licenses and, individually, their costs and terms are not material to our business, the loss of, or our inability to maintain existing licenses, could result in shipment delays or reductions until equivalent technology or suitable alternative products could be developed, identified, licensed and integrated and could cause service disruption to our customers. Such delays or reductions in the aggregate could harm our business. We also generally rely on indemnification provisions in licensing contracts to protect against claims of infringement regarding the licensed technology, which indemnification could be affected by, among other things, the financial strength of the licensor.

The loss of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The loss of the services of our President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, or the services of our other key personnel, or our inability to attract and retain additional key management, technical and sales personnel, could have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition and results of operations.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting were determined not to be effective as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 (due to a material weakness that existed in our internal control over accounting for income taxes) and, as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, (due to a material weakness that existed in our internal control over accounting for foreign currency transaction gain (loss)). If we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, investor confidence in our business and the trading prices of our securities.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. In evaluating the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, our management identified as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 a control deficiency in our controls and procedures over accounting for income taxes and, as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, a control deficiency over accounting for foreign currency transaction gain (loss), and management concluded in each case that the control deficiency in our internal controls over financial reporting constituted a material weakness. These deficiencies represented a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting on the basis that there is more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement in our interim or annual financial statements could occur and would not be prevented or detected by our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Specifically, management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 identified a material weakness in internal control related to a lack of documentation, insufficient historical analysis and ineffective reconciliation procedures, primarily caused by lack of personnel with adequate expertise in income tax accounting matters. Since identifying the material weakness concerning accounting for income taxes, we have undertaken the following initiatives to remediate the material weakness – hired a new Corporate Tax Director and a Manager of Taxation in our Canadian operating unit; established functioning procedures for foreign finance personnel to communicate regularly any tax concerns with the Corporate Tax Director; purchased and implemented tax provision preparation software; and developed quarterly tax documentation formats. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2009, our management concluded the controls surrounding accounting for income taxes are effective.

 

67


Table of Contents

 

In March 2010, the Company determined that an error existed related to accounting for foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on certain inter-company balances. Specifically, this error related to activity in the third quarter 2009 resulting in the Company amending its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. This amendment restated our financial statements in order to correct a non-cash error relating to accounting for unrealized foreign currency transaction losses associated with certain inter-company balances that were permanent in nature and, therefore, should have been recorded as currency translation adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the equity section of the balance sheet. Since identifying this, we have undertaken initiatives to remediate this material weakness by (a) performing additional recalculations and analysis of the foreign currency transaction gain (loss) recorded on these intercompany balances; (b) implementing an improved process for assessing the reasonableness of foreign currency transaction gain (loss) recorded on these intercompany balances; and (c) confirming intercompany settlements related to these balances at a transactional level. Notwithstanding such efforts, the material weakness concerning currency transaction will not be remediated until the new controls operate for a sufficient period of time and are tested to enable management to conclude that the controls are effective. As a result, as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010 management concluded that the control deficiency concerning foreign currency transactions represented a material weakness. See “Part I. Item 4 Controls and Procedures” herein.

Our management will consider the design and operating effectiveness of our controls and necessary changes to such controls. However, we can not make assurances that additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future. Any failure to maintain or implement required new or improved controls, or any difficulties we encounter in their implementation, could result in additional material weaknesses, and cause us to fail to timely meet our periodic reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our financial statements. The existence of a material weakness could result in future errors in our financial statements that could result in a restatement of financial statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information.

Financial information in our future financial statements will not be comparable to our financial information from periods before July 1, 2009 due to our Reorganization and the application of fresh-start accounting to our financial statements.

Upon emergence from Chapter 11 on July 1, 2009, we adopted fresh-start accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 852, Reorganizations, pursuant to which our reorganization value, which represents the fair value of the entity before considering liabilities and approximates the amount a willing buyer would pay for the assets of the entity immediately after the Reorganization, has been allocated to the fair value of assets in conformity with ASC 805, Business Combinations, using the purchase method of accounting for business combinations. We stated liabilities, other than deferred taxes, at a present value of amounts expected to be paid. The amount remaining after allocation of the reorganization value to the fair value of identified tangible and intangible assets is reflected as goodwill, which is subject to periodic evaluation for impairment. In addition, under fresh-start accounting, our accumulated deficit ($1.06 billion at July 1, 2009) has been eliminated. In addition to fresh-start accounting, our consolidated financial statements reflect all effects of the transactions contemplated by the Plan of Reorganization. Thus, our future consolidated balance sheets and consolidated condensed statements of operations data will not be comparable in many respects to our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated condensed statements of operations data for periods prior to our adoption of fresh-start accounting and prior to accounting for the effects of the Reorganization.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR LIQUIDITY NEEDS AND DEBT SECURITIES

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness that may not be successful.

Our ability to satisfy our debt obligations will depend upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We cannot make assurances that our

 

68


Table of Contents

business will generate cash flow from operations in an amount sufficient to fund our liquidity needs. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to service our indebtedness, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt agreements may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions for fair market value or at all. Furthermore, any proceeds that we could realize from any such disposition may not be adequate to meet our debt service obligations then due.

A significant portion of our future cash flow may need to be committed to repurchasing or redeeming certain outstanding debt prior to its stated maturity, rather than for use in our business operations.

If Primus and its “restricted subsidiaries” have Excess Cash Flow (as defined below) for any fiscal year commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, then the issuers (the “Issuers”) of the 13% Senior Secured Notes (the “13% Notes”) are obligated to jointly apply an amount equal to 50% of such Excess Cash Flow for such period (the “Excess Cash Flow Offer Amount”) and to make a joint offer to the holders of the 13% Notes to repurchase all or a portion of such notes as Units with an aggregate repurchase price in cash equal to the Excess Cash Flow Offer Amount (an “Excess Cash Flow Offer”). Excess Cash Flow means for any such fiscal year (a) the excess of (1) consolidated EBITDA over (2) the sum, subject to certain exceptions, represented by: (i) capital expenditures; (ii) consolidated interest expense paid in cash; (iii) income and franchise taxes paid in cash; and (iv) reductions in certain indebtedness minus (b) the absolute value of negative Excess Cash Flow, if any.

Within 110 days after the end of any fiscal year with respect to which an Excess Cash Flow Offer is required, an offer must be sent to each holder of 13% Notes stating the repurchase date, which must be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed. With respect to each Excess Cash Flow Offer, the Issuers are entitled to reduce the applicable Excess Cash Flow Offer Amount by an amount equal to the sum of (x) the aggregate repurchase price paid for any 13% Notes repurchased by the Issuers in the open market or privately negotiated transaction (and, in each case, cancelled by the Issuers) and (y) the aggregate redemption price paid for any 13% Notes redeemed pursuant to one or more optional redemptions, subject to certain limitations.

If our outstanding 14 1/4% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes due May 2013 (the “14 1/4% Notes”) have not been refinanced on or prior to January 21, 2013, then the Issuers will be required to redeem the 13% Notes in advance of the 14 1/4% Notes scheduled maturity at a price equal to the then applicable optional redemption price.

If such early redemption of the 13% Notes are required or an Excess Cash Flow Offer is made, there can be no assurance that the Issuers will have available funds sufficient to pay for such redemption or for the Excess Cash Flow purchase price for all the 13% Notes that might be delivered by holders seeking to accept the Excess Cash Flow Offer. Any such failure could have a material adverse effect on us.

We must repay or refinance the 14  1/4% Notes prior to the maturity of the 13% Notes. Failure to do so could have a material adverse effect upon us.

The scheduled maturity of the 14 1/4% Notes is earlier than the scheduled maturity of the 13% Notes. While we expect to refinance the 14 1/4% Notes, we may not be able to do so or refinancing may not be available on commercially reasonable terms. Our ability to complete a refinancing of the 14 1/4% Notes prior to their maturity is subject to a number of conditions beyond our control. For example, if disruption in the financial markets were

 

69


Table of Contents

to occur at the time that we intended to refinance the 14 1/4% Notes, we might be restricted in our ability to refinance that indebtedness. If we are unable to refinance the 14 1/4% Notes our alternatives would consist of negotiating an extension of such indebtedness with the holders and seeking or raising new capital. If we were unsuccessful, the holders of the 14 1/4% Notes could demand repayment of the indebtedness owed to them on May 20, 2013. As a result, our ability to pay the principal of and interest on such indebtedness would be adversely affected.

We may not be able to repurchase the 14 1/4% Notes or 13% Notes upon a change of control.

Upon the occurrence of certain specific kinds of change of control events, we (or our subsidiaries) will be required to jointly offer to repurchase all outstanding notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof plus, without duplication, accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. However, it is possible that they will not have sufficient funds at the time of the change of control to make the required repurchase of all notes delivered by holders seeking to exercise their repurchase rights, particularly as that change of control may trigger a similar repurchase requirement for, or result in an event of a default under a debt indenture and may also constitute a cross-default on other indebtedness existing at that time. In addition, certain important corporate events, such as leveraged recapitalization that would increase the level of our indebtedness, would not constitute a “Change of Control” under the indenture.

Our indentures governing our 14  1/4% Notes and 13% Notes contain significant operating and financial restrictions which may limit our ability and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to operate their business.

The indentures governing our 14 1/4% Notes and 13% Notes contain significant operating and financial restrictions on us and our subsidiaries. These restrictions limit the ability of us and our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things:

 

   

incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares;

 

   

create liens on certain assets to secure debt;

 

   

pay dividends or make other equity distributions;

 

   

purchase or redeem capital stock;

 

   

make certain investments;

 

   

transfer or sell assets;

 

   

agree to restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to us or the issuers;

 

   

consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our or an issuer’s assets; and

 

   

engage in transactions with affiliates.

These restrictions could limit the ability of us and our subsidiaries to finance future operations or capital needs, make acquisitions or pursue available business opportunities. We may be required to take action to reduce their debt or act in a manner contrary to our business objectives to satisfy these covenants. Events beyond our control, including changes in economic and business conditions in the markets in which we operate, may affect our ability to do so. We may not be able to satisfy these covenants. A breach of any of the covenants in our debt could result in a default under such debt, which could lead to that debt becoming immediately due and payable and, if such debt is secured, foreclosure on our assets that secure that obligation. A default under a debt instrument could, in turn, result in a default under other obligations and result in other creditors accelerating the payment of other obligations and foreclosing on asset security such debt, if any. Any such defaults could materially impair our financial conditions and liquidity.

 

70


Table of Contents

 

Despite current indebtedness levels and restrictive covenants, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantial additional debt, which could exacerbate the risks described above.

We may be able to incur additional debt in the future, including debt secured by the collateral that secures our 14   1/4% Notes and 13% Notes, as well as other assets that do not secure such notes. Although the terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness contain restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, those restrictions are subject to a number of exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with those restrictions could be substantial. In addition, if we are able to designate some of the restricted subsidiaries under the indenture governing the notes as unrestricted subsidiaries, those unrestricted subsidiaries would be permitted to borrow beyond the limitations specified in the indenture and engage in other activities in which restricted subsidiaries may not engage. If we incur any additional secured debt that ranks equally with the 13% Notes, the holders of that debt will be entitled to share ratably with the holders of the 13% Notes in any proceeds distributed in connection with any bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or similar proceedings. Adding new debt to current debt levels could intensify the related risks that we now face.

The issuance of the 13% Notes may subject us to additional currency exchange risks.

The 13% Notes were issued and paid for, and the interest to be paid on those notes will be paid, in U.S. dollars. However, the Canadian issuer of such notes receives revenues primarily in Canadian dollars (“CAD”). As a result, the financial condition of the Canadian issuer might be materially adversely affected if the U.S. dollar appreciates against the CAD. From time to time, if we determine it is appropriate and advisable to do so, we may seek to lessen the effect of exchange rate fluctuations through the use of derivative financial instruments. However, we cannot make assurances that we will be successful in these efforts.

ADDITIONAL RISKS RELATED TO REGULATION

We are subject to constantly changing regulation, both in the U.S. and abroad, including the imposition of fees and taxes, the potential adverse effects which may have a material adverse impact on our competitive position, growth and financial performance.

Our operations are subject to constantly changing regulation. There can be no assurance that future regulatory changes will not have a material adverse effect on us, or that domestic, foreign or international regulators or third parties will not raise material issues with regard to our compliance or noncompliance with applicable regulations, any of which could have a material adverse effect upon our competitive position, growth and financial performance. As a multinational telecommunications company, we are subject to varying degrees of regulation in each of the jurisdictions in which we provide our services. Local laws and regulations, and the interpretation of such laws and regulations, differ significantly among the jurisdictions in which we operate. Enforcement and interpretations of these laws and regulations can be unpredictable and are often subject to the informal views of government officials. Potential future regulatory, judicial, legislative, and government policy changes in jurisdictions where we operate could have a material adverse effect on us. Many regulatory actions are underway or are being contemplated by governmental agencies. For example, in connection with the promulgation of the “National Broadband Plan” announced in March 2010, in April 2010 the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) stated its intention to initiate dozens of new proceedings to impose new requirements, or modify existing requirements, affecting essentially all entities involved in the provision of communications services. It is impossible to predict at this time what specific rules or requirements the FCC will propose or adopt, or how any such rules or requirements would affect our business or financial results.

The Federal Communications Commission or Congress may revise how companies like us contribute to certain federal programs that could increase our costs, reduce our profitability, or make our services less competitive in the communications marketplace.

In the U.S., the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”), and associated FCC regulations, require that every provider of interstate telecommunications carrier contribute, on an equitable and non-discriminatory basis, to federal universal service mechanisms established by the FCC, which affects our

 

71


Table of Contents

cost of providing services. At present, these contributions are calculated based on contributors’ interstate and international revenue derived from U.S. end users for telecommunications or telecommunications services, as those terms are defined under FCC regulations. On April 21, 2010, the FCC issued certain specific new proposals regarding contributions to the universal service fund that, if adopted, could materially affect our own contributions to the fund. These new proposals would affect most of our competitors, but not all of our competitors would be affected in the same way or to the same degree as we would be. The FCC has also announced its intention to propose new rules regarding the universal service program during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2010 or the first quarter of 2011. It is impossible to predict the impact of these new proposals, if adopted, on our operations and financial results. In addition, AT&T Inc. filed a “Petition for Immediate Commission Action” on July 10, 2009, requesting that the FCC adopt a new mechanism for calculating federal universal service fund contribution that would be applicable to all contributors, including us. The specific proposal, which has been pending at the FCC for some time, is to determine contributions to the Universal Service Fund (“USF”) based on “assessable telephone numbers” rather than interstate and international revenues. This AT&T proposal remains pending. We cannot predict whether the FCC will adopt this or some other contribution methodology, nor can we predict the potential impact on our business at this time. But a revised contribution methodology could increase our contribution obligation, including increasing our contribution disproportionately compared to some of our competitors. In such event, we may need to either raise the total amount of our consumer’s bills, potentially making us less competitive with other providers of communications services, or reduce our profit margins.

In the United States and Canada there is increasing regulation of Voice over Internet Protocol service offerings. Increased regulation may increase our costs, reduce our profit margins, or make our services less competitive in the communications marketplace.

Increasingly, laws, regulations or rulings that apply to traditional telephone services are being extended to commerce and communications services that utilize Internet Protocol, including VoIP. The increasing growth of the VoIP market and popularity of VoIP products and services heighten the risk that governmental agencies will continue to increase the level of regulation applied to VoIP and the Internet.

We are unable to predict the impact, if any, that future legislation, judicial decisions or regulations concerning Internet Protocol products and services may have on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Regulation may be targeted towards, among other things, fees, charges, surcharges, and taxation of VoIP services, liability for information retrieved from or transmitted over the Internet, online content regulation, user privacy, data protection, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, electronic contracts and other communications, filing requirements, consumer protection, public safety issues like E911, the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (“CALEA”), the provision of online payment services, broadband residential Internet access, and the characteristics and quality of products and services, any of which could restrict our business or increase our cost of doing business. The rules that the FCC has already extended to interconnected VoIP providers include:

 

   

Rules with respect to the use of customer proprietary network information (“CPNI”) requiring VoIP providers to adhere to particular customer approval processes when using CPNI outside of pre-defined limits and when using CPNI for marketing purposes, and requiring VoIP providers to take certain steps to verify a customer’s identity before releasing any CPNI over the telephone or the Internet, and to report unauthorized disclosures of CPNI.

 

   

In April 2010, the FCC adopted a Notice of Inquiry regarding the possible establishment of a voluntary “cyber security” certification program. At present it is not possible to predict whether any new formal or informal requirements will arise from this proceeding or how any such requirements might affect our business.

 

   

The disability access requirements of Sections 225 and 255 of the Communications Act, which have been interpreted by the FCC to require interconnected VoIP providers to contribute to the telecommunications relay services fund and offer 711 abbreviated dialing access to relay services, and

 

72


Table of Contents
 

to ensure that VoIP services are accessible to persons with disabilities, if reasonably achievable. In April 2010 the FCC announced plans to adopt a further order with respect to hearing aid compatibility requirements applicable to various services. We cannot predict at this time what new requirements the FCC will establish, if any, or how any such new requirements may affect us.

 

   

Rules requiring VoIP providers to configure VoIP networks in a manner that facilitates lawful surveillance under CALEA.

 

   

Rules requiring VoIP providers to permit customers to retain their assigned telephone numbers when changing carriers including newly established requirements to process customer carrier changes on an expedited basis.

 

   

Rules requiring VoIP providers to provide access to E911 emergency services on terms generally similar to those provided by traditional landline carriers.

 

   

In April 2010, the FCC adopted a Notice of Inquiry regarding the survivability of broadband infrastructure, including in the case of damage due to natural or human-caused disasters or public emergencies.

 

   

In April 2010, the FCC announced its intention to initiate, during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2010, a Notice of Inquiry regarding “Next Generation 911” service. It is uncertain whether the FCC will adopt specific requirements arising from these proceedings or, if it does, how and whether any such requirements will affect us.

 

   

Rules requiring VoIP providers to pay regulatory fees based on reported interstate and international revenues, including universal service fees.

In Canada the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (“CRTC”) has extended rules to interconnected VoIP providers that are similar to certain of those described above for the U.S., which rules are also subject to change from time to time. In addition, the CRTC is currently conducting public proceedings on whether to recover its operating fees from all telecommunications service providers, including resellers such as us, rather than only from Canadian carriers; and on whether and how to redefine the Basic Service Objectives, for whose subsidization we and other telecom service providers are required to contribute a proportion of our Canadian telecom service revenues.

We may become subject to increased obligations with regard to accessibility obligations for people with disabilities and we more of our service offerings may become subject to disabilities access obligations

In October, 2010, the “Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act” was signed into law. The new law requires the FCC to initiate a proceeding to determine what services should be required to offer access for people with disabilities and what those accessibility requirements should entail. The FCC has initiated a rulemaking but it is the proceeding is in its infacy. At this time we cannot predict whether we will be subject to additional accessibility requirements or whether any of our service offerings that are not currently subject to disabilities access requirements will be subject to such obligations.

Proposed future U.S. federal income tax legislation could impact the Company’s effective tax rate.

In May 2009, President Obama’s administration announced proposed future tax legislation that could substantially modify the rules governing the U.S. taxation of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries. These potential changes include, but are not limited to: (1) limitations on the deferral of U.S. taxation of foreign earnings; (2) limitations on the ability to claim and utilize foreign tax credits; and (3) deferral of various tax deductions until non-U.S. earnings are repatriated to the U.S. Each of these proposals would be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. Many details of the proposal remain unknown, although if any of these proposals are enacted into law they could materially impact our effective tax rate.

 

73


Table of Contents

 

The applicability of changes in tax policy to our services will increase their cost to consumers thereby decreasing our competitive price advantage over the competing alternatives available to the customer. Further, we may be subject to liabilities for past taxes, surcharges, fees, penalties and interest.

Unlike those of our competitors who offer traditional landline or wireless services, with respect to our VoIP services, we currently do not collect or remit state or municipal taxes, fees or surcharges on the retail charges we collect from our customers, except where we have determined we are required to do so based on tax law. In some jurisdictions we also did not collect and remit 911 surcharges. In some instances, we have received inquiries or demands from state and municipalities for taxes, fees or surcharges, including, in some instances, 911 fees. Depending on the state, statute or municipal code, we have maintained that these taxes, fees, or surcharges, including 911 fees, do not apply to us. However, recent changes in the law, at the federal, state and local level, may change our legal obligations. Accordingly, some taxes, fees or surcharges, including 911 fees, could apply to us retroactively and we could be subject to penalties and interest.

Other international governmental regulation could limit our ability to provide our services, make them more expensive and may have a material adverse impact on our competitive position, growth and financial performance.

Our international operations are also subject to regulatory risks, including the risk that regulations in some jurisdictions will prohibit us from providing our services cost-effectively or at all, which could limit our growth. We cannot make assurances that these conditions will not have a material effect on our revenues and growth in the future. International regulatory considerations that affect or limit our business include:

 

   

ongoing regulatory proceedings regarding efforts by Telstra in Australia to increase prices and charges and to deny access to essential facilities and services needed by us to compete;

 

   

the ultimate outcome of the process launched by the Australian government to help fund the construction of a new national broadband network, including whether and the terms upon which (a) we will have access to such network, and (b) the duration for which the copper wire based last mile infrastructure we use to furnish broadband services using our DSLAM network infrastructure will be continued;

 

   

a regulatory reform package recently announced by the Australian government that, if enacted, will (a) separate Telstra’s retail arm from its wholesale business (via either functional or structural separation); and (b) provide the ACCC with greater powers to set access prices;

 

   

general changes in access charges and contribution payments could adversely affect our cost of providing long-distance, wireless, broadband, VoIP, local and other services; and

 

   

regulatory proceedings in Canada determining whether and the extent to which regulation should mandate access to networks and interconnection including intra-exchange transport services which we use to interconnect our DSLAM collocation sites and high speed access to residential and business services.

Any adverse developments implicating the foregoing could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, result of operations and prospects.

We may be exposed to significant liability resulting from our noncompliance with FCC orders regarding E911 services.

FCC rules require VoIP providers interconnected to the public switched telephone network to provide E911 service in a manner similar to traditional wireline carriers. This requirement took effect as of November 2005. Like many interconnected VoIP providers, Lingo, Inc. (“Lingo”), a subsidiary of ours which sells such services, was able to meet this deadline for some but not all of its customers. We sought a waiver from the FCC asking for additional time to complete deploying our E911 service. The FCC has not yet addressed our waiver petition. As of September 30, 2010, approximately 99% of our Lingo customers were equipped with E911 service as required

 

74


Table of Contents

by the FCC’s rules. If and to the extent that we are determined to be out of compliance with the FCC order regarding E911 services we may be subject to fines, penalties, cease and desist orders prohibiting Lingo from providing service on the federal and state levels or any combination of the foregoing.

The FCC rules also require interconnected VoIP providers to distribute stickers and labels informing customers of the limitations on their emergency services as compared with traditional landline E911 service, as well as to notify and obtain affirmative acknowledgement from customers that they are aware of those limitations. The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released an order providing that the Enforcement Bureau will not pursue enforcement against interconnected VoIP providers that have received affirmative acknowledgement from at least 90% of their subscribers. We have received affirmative acknowledgement from substantially all of our customers, and, therefore, believe that we have effectively satisfied this requirement.

We may be exposed to significant liability based on the differences between our E911 services and those delivered by traditional providers of telephony services.

Lingo’s current E911 services, like those offered by other providers of VoIP services, are more limited than the 911 services offered by traditional wireline telephone companies. These limitations may cause significant delays, or even failures, in callers’ receipt of emergency assistance. Despite the fact that we have notified our customers and received affirmative acknowledgement from substantially all of our customers that they understand the differences between the access Lingo provides to emergency services as compared to those available through traditional wireline telephony providers, affected parties may attempt to hold us responsible for any loss, damage, personal injury or death suffered as a result of certain failures to comply with the FCC mandated E911 service for interconnected VoIP providers. Our resulting liability could be significant.

In July 2008, the “New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008” was signed into law. Previously, interconnected VoIP providers, like us, did not have the same protection from potential liability as applied wireline or wireless 911 emergency calling services. This law provides public safety entities, interconnected VoIP providers and others involved in handling 911 calls the same liability protections when handling 911 calls from interconnected VoIP users as from mobile or wired telephone service users. In October 2008, the FCC issued regulations implementing the provisions of the new law that require other entities involved in the provision of E911 services to make the technical capabilities used in such services available to VoIP providers, like us, on reasonable terms. The applicability of the liability protection to 911 calling services that do not conform to the FCC’s rules is unclear. Additionally, any liability associated with 911 call placement and handling prior to the enactment of this new law would not be covered. Therefore, while this law provides significant liability protection to interconnected VoIP providers such as us, we may still face significant and material liability with respect to any past, present or future failures of our E911 service to function properly.

We may be similarly exposed to liability in Canada in connection with emergency services associated with our VoIP services. A description of our regulatory obligations associated with our VoIP services in Canada is set forth under “Regulation.”

The Federal Communications Commission may impose additional E911 obligations on VoIP providers, like us, that may increase our cost, decrease our profits, or make our services less competitive with other providers of calling services.

On June 1, 2007, the FCC released Notice of Proposed Rulemaking considering the imposition of additional E911 obligations on interconnected VoIP providers. Specifically, the FCC is considering requiring interconnected VoIP providers to determine automatically the physical location of their customer rather than allowing customers to manually register their location. Moreover, the notice includes a tentative conclusion that all interconnected VoIP service providers that allow customers to use their service in more than one location (nomadic VoIP service providers such as us) must utilize automatic location technology that meets the same accuracy standards applicable to providers of mobile phone service providers. At this time, we are unable to predict the outcome of this proceeding or its impact on us.

 

75


Table of Contents

 

In September 2010, the FCC released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking additional comments on a number of issues including, but not limited to, whether nomadic interconnected VoIP providers, like us, should be required to offer automatic location information of their users without customers providing location information. The FCC also seeks comment on how far it can extend E911 obligations to other type of companies including device manufacturers, software developers and others. At this time we cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding nor can we predict its potential impact on our business.

The rates we pay to interconnected telecommunications carriers in the U.S. may increase, which may reduce our profitability or increase the retail price of our service.

The FCC is considering reform of the methodology that regulated telecommunications carriers use to determine the appropriate payments for the exchange of traffic that is necessary to complete telephone calls to the traditional telephone network. In April 2010 the FCC announced its intention to issue a ruling, during the third quarter of calendar year 2010, clarifying network operators’ interconnection obligations. The FCC also announced its intention to issue, during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2010, proposed new rules governing the payments carriers make and receive in connection with the exchange of telecommunications traffic. The result of these actions, as well as any action the FCC may take in currently pending proceedings bearing on these issues, may be an increase in the rates we pay to such carriers to send traffic to or receive traffic from the traditional telephone network, which would increase our costs. Such a cost increase may result in us increasing the retail price of our service, which may make us less competitive in the communications marketplace, or may reduce our profitability. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding.

We may not be able to comply with recent FCC requirements regarding the transfer of telephone numbers to other providers when customers change providers.

In 2008, the FCC clarified that interconnected VoIP providers, such as us, are subject to its rules regarding transferring the telephone numbers of customers that choose to obtain service from other providers, including both interconnected VoIP providers and traditional carriers. In 2009, the FCC released an order that reduces the amount of time within which voice service providers must transfer a telephone number to a new provider. We, along with other VoIP providers, are now required to transfer telephone numbers in the shortened timeframe. We rely on our underlying, third party carriers to comply with these rules. Our third party, underlying carriers are currently in compliance with the FCC’s rules and we expect that they will remain in compliance. But should our underlying carriers fail to comply with the FCC rules, we may be subject to fines, penalties, or cease and desist orders.

The FCC or federal courts may allow states in the U.S. to subject our service to state universal service fund obligations.

Several states have attempted to require nomadic interconnected VoIP providers to contribute to state universal service funds. One state, Nebraska, engaged in litigation with a provider of interconnected VoIP services similar to ours. The U.S. District Court for Nebraska issued a preliminary injunction on March 3, 2008, finding that the Nebraska Public Service Commission did not have jurisdiction to require universal service fund contributions from nomadic interconnected VoIP providers. A panel of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed the U.S. District court ruling on May 1, 2009. Subsequently, the Nebraska Public Service Commission requested a rehearing that the Court denied on June 5, 2009. On the basis of this litigation, we do not believe that existing law allows states to subject us to state universal service fund contribution obligations.

On July 16, 2009, Kansas and Nebraska filed a petition with the FCC requesting a declaratory ruling that states are not preempted from requiring nomadic interconnected VoIP providers to contribute to state universal service funds. The petition also seeks a retroactive ruling finding that states have been able to collect such contributions for a time period that is not clearly defined in the petition. We also cannot predict whether other states will attempt to collect state USF fees retroactively should the FCC grant the relief sought in the petition. If

 

76


Table of Contents

we were required to pay retroactively into state-level universal service funds, that could have a material negative impact on our earnings. Moreover, allowing states to collect state USF may also result in increased state regulation of our service increasing the costs associated with our service offering that may result in either low profits or a less competitively priced service. Typically, state USF fees would be passed-through to consumers. But if we are subject to retroactive state USF we would likely not have the ability to collect such fees from our customers. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding nor its impact on our business.

We may become subject to state regulation for certain service offerings

A number of states have adopted the position that offerings by VoIP companies like us are subject to state regulation. These states generally base their jurisdiction to regulate such offerings based on whether a VoIP company is able to determine the beginning and end points of communications and whether such communications occur entirely within the boundaries of the respective state. We believe that the Federal Communications Commission has preempted states from regulating VoIP offerings. We cannot predict how this issue will be resolved nor its impact on our business at this time but we could be subject to increased costs, reduced profitability, and fines or penalties.

We require access to the Internet by us and our users in order to offer our services. If Internet access providers or other companies involved in handling Internet traffic are able to block, degrade or charge us so that we can offer quality services, we could incur additional costs or lose customers.

Our service offerings require that customers have acess to broadband Internet access at a sufficient bandwidth in order to support call quality and other related services. We and our customers rely on service providers that have significant market power in the broadband Internet access marketplace including incumbent providers of wireline telephone services, cable companies and wireless companies. It is possible that some of these providers could take measures to degrade or disrupt our services, or increase the cost to us or our users to obtain access to certain levels of bandwidth necessary to make our service offerings. The FCC’s jurisdiction to prohibit or regulate these activities is unclear due to a recent ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. While interference with access to our products and services seems unlikely such broadband Internet access provider interference has occurred, in very limited circumstances in the U.S., and could result in a loss of existing users and increased costs, and could impair our ability to attract new users, thereby harming our revenue and growth.

We are subject to the requirements of the Federal Trade Commission’s new “Red Flag” identity theft rules.

We must comply with Section 114 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (“FACTA”) and rules of the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) that require “creditors” to develop and effectuate written internal programs to detect, prevent, and mitigate identity theft in connection with their accounts. The rules are scheduled to become effective on December 31, 2010, and we likely would be deemed to be a “creditor” as defined in the FACTA. We are taking steps to ensure compliance with the FTC’s rules, but if and to the extent that we are determined to be out of compliance with the rules we may be subject to fines, penalties, compliance orders or any combination of the foregoing.

 

77


Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

ITEM 4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

(a) Exhibits (see index)

 

78


Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

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

 

  PRIMUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED
Date: November 15, 2010   By:   

/S/    JAMES C. KEELEY        

    James C. Keeley
    Vice President – Corporate Controller and Acting Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

79


Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 Exhibit

 Number

  

Description

2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 11, 2010 (the “Merger”) by and among Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (“Group”), PTG Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Group, and Arbinet Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Arbinet”). (1)
3.1    Amended and Restated By-laws, as amended, of Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (2)
10.1    Employment Agreement of Peter D. Aquino, dated as of October 12, 2010 (3)
10.2    Restricted Stock Agreement of Peter D. Aquino, dated as of October 12, 2010 (3)
10.3    Termination Agreement dated September 17, 2010 by and between Thomas R. Kloster and Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated and Primus Telecommunications, Inc. (4)
10.4    Agreement for Professional Services dated September 17, 2010 by and between Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated and Thomas R. Kloster (5)
10.5    Termination Agreement dated October 6, 2010 by and between K. Paul Singh and Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated and Primus Telecommunications, Inc (6)
99.1    Group Shareholder Support Agreement concerning the Merger.(1)
31    Certifications
32    Certifications*

 

(1)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 2.1 and 99.1 to Group’s 8-K filed with the SEC on November 12, 2010.

 

(2)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed as an exhibit to Group’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 10, 2010

 

(3)

Incorporated by reference to the same Exhibit number filed as an exhibit to Group’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 13, 2010

 

(4)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as an exhibit to Group’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 23, 2010

 

(5)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed as an exhibit to Group’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 23, 2010

 

(6)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as an exhibit to Group’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 8, 2010

 

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

 

80