ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
We are a holding company that, through our operating subsidiaries, (i) provides wireless and wireline telecommunications services in North America, Bermuda and the Caribbean, (ii) owns and operates commercial distributed generation solar power systems in the United States, and (iii) owns and operates terrestrial and submarine fiber optic transport systems in the United States and the Caribbean, respectively. We were incorporated in Delaware in 1987 and began trading publicly in 1991. Since that time, we have engaged in strategic acquisitions and investments to grow our operations. We continue to actively evaluate additional domestic and international acquisition and investment opportunities and other strategic transactions in the telecommunications, energy-related and other industries that meet our return-on-investment and other acquisition criteria. For a discussion of our investment strategy and risks involved, see "Risk Factors-We are actively evaluating investment, acquisition and other strategic opportunities, which may affect our long-term growth prospects."
We offer the following principal services:
• Wireless. In the United States, we offer wholesale wireless voice and data roaming services to national, regional, local and selected international wireless carriers in rural markets located principally in the Southwest and Midwest United States. We also offer wireless voice and data services to retail customers in Guyana, Bermuda, and in other smaller markets in the Caribbean and the United States.
• Wireline. Our local telephone and data services include our operations in Guyana and the mainland United States. We are the exclusive licensed provider of domestic wireline local and long-distance telephone services in Guyana and international voice and data communications into and out of Guyana. We also offer facilities-based integrated voice and data communications services and wholesale transport services to enterprise and residential customers in New England, primarily in Vermont and New York State. In addition, we offer wholesale long-distance voice services to telecommunications carriers.
• Renewable Energy. In the United States, we provide distributed generation solar power to corporate, utility and municipal customers in Massachusetts, California and New Jersey.
We provide management, technical, financial, regulatory, and marketing services to our subsidiaries and typically receive a management fee equal to a percentage of their revenues, which is eliminated in consolidation. For information about our financial segments and geographical information about our operating revenues and assets, see Notes 1 and 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.
Our principal corporate offices are located at 600 Cummings Center, Beverly, Massachusetts, 01915. The telephone number at our principal corporate offices is (978) 619-1300.
Strategy
The key elements of our strategy consist of the following:
• Target Under-served Markets or Industries Where We Can Compete Successfully. We operate our telecommunications businesses primarily in smaller, rural or under-served markets where we believe we are or will be one of the leading providers of telecommunications services. Our recent investment in our solar company has afforded us entry into an emerging industry in which we believe there are attractive investment return opportunities and potential to expand our business. Our businesses typically have strong local brand identities and market positions. By
leveraging these attributes, along with our lower cost of capital and our senior management expertise at the holding company level, we seek to improve and expand available products and services in our targeted markets to better meet the needs of our customers and expand our customer base and revenues. We are particularly interested in investing in businesses that have the potential to provide a platform for future organic and strategic growth.
• Collaborate with Local Management. We believe that strong local management enhances our close relationship with customers and reduces risk. Wherever feasible, we seek to partner with local investors, owners or management teams who have demonstrated a successful track record or have extensive knowledge of the industry. We seek to enhance our strong market position by maintaining these relationships and by leveraging our comprehensive management experience and technical and financial expertise to assist them in further improving operations.
• Maintain a Disciplined Earnings-Oriented Approach. We carefully assess the potential for earnings stability and growth when we evaluate the performance of our subsidiaries, new investment opportunities and prospective acquisitions or dispositions. In managing our more mature businesses, we seek to solidify our brands, improve customer satisfaction, add new services, control costs and preserve cash flow. In managing newer, early- stage businesses, we seek to invest capital to improve our competitive position, increase market share and generate strong revenue and cash flow potential. We consider new investments, acquisitions and dispositions on a disciplined, return-on-investment basis.
Our Services
Wireless Services
We provide mobile wireless voice and data communications services in the United States, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Currently, the U.S. portion of our business constitutes a significant portion of our consolidated revenue. Our revenues from U.S. wireless services were approximately 37% of our consolidated revenues for each of fiscal years 2012 and 2013, and approximately 46% of our consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2014. Our U.S. wireless service revenues have historically had high operating margins and therefore contributed a large percentage of operating income.
U.S. Wireless Segment
In the United States, we provide wholesale wireless voice and data roaming services in rural markets to national, regional, local and selected international wireless carriers. Our largest wholesale networks are located principally in the western United States. We also offer wireless voice and data services to retail customers in much smaller markets in the United States.
Services. The revenue and profits of our U.S. wholesale wireless business are primarily driven by the number of sites and base stations in operation, the amount of voice and data traffic that each of these sites generates, and the rates we receive from our carrier customers on that traffic. Many of our sites are located in popular tourist and seasonal visitor areas, which has resulted in higher wholesale revenues in those areas during the summer months.
We currently have roaming agreements with approximately 60 United States- based wireless service providers and, as of December 31, 2014, had long- term roaming agreements with each of the four U.S. national wireless network operators: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. Our standard roaming agreements are usually terminable within 30 days. Occasionally, we may agree or strategically decide to build a new mobile network at a specified location as part of a long-term roaming agreement to offer our roaming partner pricing certainty in exchange for priority designation with respect to their customers' wireless traffic. Once we complete building a rural network, we then benefit from the use of that network under existing roaming agreements with other international, national, regional, and local
carriers to supplement our initial revenues. In 2014, the four national wireless service providers together accounted for a substantial portion of our wholesale wireless revenues, with AT&T and Verizon accounting for 26% and 16%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue for the year.
Network and Operations. Our roaming network uses GSM/GPRS technology that often will be deployed at a single cell site location along with CDMA coverage in order to maximize revenue opportunities. The majority of our GSM/GPRS sites are equipped with EDGE data technologies. In 2015, we plan to continue the efforts we began in the 2013 fiscal year to install UMTS and other advanced mobile technologies in many areas. Our networks comprise base stations and radio transceivers located on owned or leased towers and buildings, telecommunications switches and leased transport facilities.
As of December 31, 2014, we owned and operated a total of approximately 760 base stations on nearly 500 owned and leased sites, a Network Operations Center (or "NOC") and a switching center. Our switching center routes calls, supervises call originations and terminations at cell sites and manages call handoffs. This location also houses platforms that enable our customers to use a variety of services, including text messaging, picture messaging, voice mail and data services. Our NOC provides dedicated, 24-hour, year-round monitoring of our network to ensure quality and reliable service to our customers. In 2014, we continued to expand and improve our network, adding nearly 175 new base stations and approximately 115 new sites and upgrading more than 75 sites to more advanced mobile data technologies.
Competition. We compete with wireless service providers that operate networks in our markets and offer wholesale roaming services. However, the most significant competitive challenge we face in our U.S. wholesale wireless business is the extent to which our carrier customers choose not to roam on our networks or elect to build or acquire their own infrastructure in a market in which we operate, reducing or eliminating their need for our services in those markets.
Occasionally, we have entered into buildout projects with existing carrier customers to help the customer accelerate the buildout of a given area. Pursuant to these arrangements, we agree to incur the cost of building and operating a network in a newly designated area meeting specified conditions. In exchange, the carrier agrees to license us spectrum in that area and enter into a contract with specific pricing and term. These arrangements typically include a right, or "call option", in favor of the carrier to purchase that portion of the network and receive back the spectrum for a predetermined price, depending on when the call option is exercised. For example, as previously disclosed, in December 2012, we sold a portion of our network to a carrier customer pursuant to a call option contained in a roaming and buildout agreement with that carrier. We currently have one buildout arrangement of approximately 100 newly built cell sites that provides the carrier with a call option to purchase such sites exercisable beginning no earlier than 2018. This portion of network accounted for approximately $6.5 million in wholesale revenue during the three months ended December 31, 2014. At this time, we cannot predict the level of roaming traffic that we will receive on this newly built network or whether the call option will be exercised.
Our ability to maintain appropriate capacity and relevant technology to respond to our roaming partners' needs also shapes our competitive profile in the markets in which we operate.
Island Wireless Segment
We provide wireless voice and data service to retail and business customers in Bermuda. In May 2011, we merged our Bermuda operations with that of another wireless provider in Bermuda, bringing our combined market share to just over a majority of subscribers in Bermuda. As a result of the merger, our 58% ownership interest was reduced to a controlling 43% interest in the combined entity, which we continue to control through majority board membership. We also provide wireless voice and
data service in Turks and Caicos, the U.S. Virgin Islands and in Aruba under different brand names. We provide roaming services for many of the largest U.S providers' customers visiting these islands.
Products and Services. In Bermuda, a majority of our customers subscribe to one of our postpaid plans, which allow customers to select a plan with a given amount of voice minutes, text messaging, data and other features that recur on a monthly basis. A substantial majority of our customers in other markets in our Island Wireless segment subscribe to our prepaid plans, which require customers to purchase an amount of voice minutes, text messages or data prior to use. In the U.S. Virgin Islands and other island markets, we also provide Internet access services via a variety of wireless broadband technologies. At December 31, 2014, we had approximately 66,000 retail subscribers in our Island Wireless segment.
Network. We currently operate multiple advanced wireless voice and data technologies in our island markets in the 850 and 1900 MHz frequency bands, including GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+ and CDMA/EVDO. We have extensive backbone facilities linking our sites, switching facilities and international interconnection points. Off-island connectivity is provided by leased, fiber-based interconnections.
Sales and Marketing. We maintain retail stores in our markets and allow customers to pay their bills and "top up", or add additional minutes to their prepaid plans, through payment terminals at local stores or our website. We advertise frequently through print and electronic media, radio station spots and sponsor various events and initiatives.
Handsets and Accessories. We offer a diverse line-up of wireless devices and accessories designed to meet both the personal and professional needs of our customers. Our device assortment includes a wide range of smartphones featuring the Android operating system in addition to a full line of feature phones, wireless hot spots and various wireless solutions for small businesses. To complement our phone offerings, we sell a complete range of original equipment manufacturer and after-market accessories that allow our customers to personalize their wireless experience, including phone protection, battery charging solutions and Bluetooth hands-free kits.
Competition. We believe we compete for wireless retail customers in our island properties based on features, price, technology deployed, network coverage (including through roaming arrangements), quality of service and customer care. We compete against Digicel, which is a large mobile telecommunications company in the Caribbean region, and in some markets, against the wireless division of the incumbent telephone companies.
On February 12, 2015, we signed an agreement to sell certain assets of our retail wireless business in the Turks and Caicos islands to Cable & Wireless (TCI) Limited. We expect this transaction will be completed in the first quarter of 2015. For additional information, see Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.
International Integrated Telephony Segment
A portion of our International Integrated Telephony segment includes wireless telephone service we offer in Guyana. We offer these services in the vast majority of populated areas, including Georgetown (Guyana's capital and largest city) and the surrounding area and substantially all of the country's coastal plain where the majority of its population is concentrated. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 258,000 wireless subscribers, down 2% from approximately 263,000 subscribers as of December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2014, more than 96% of our wireless subscribers in Guyana were on prepaid plans.
Network. Our GSM network operates in approximately 12 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz band and 36 MHz of spectrum in the 1800 MHz band. We estimate that substantially all of the country's population resides in areas covered by our wireless network.
Sales and Marketing. We actively market our wireless services through widespread radio, television and outdoor advertising, sponsored events, and merchandise giveaways as well as through our close, promotional relationships with leading disc jockeys and radio personalities and other local celebrities. In November 2011, we launched BlackBerry service in Guyana and opened a new flagship retail store to facilitate sales. We offer our wireless postpaid subscribers various calling plans and charge monthly fees plus airtime based on the selected plan. In addition to our retail store in Georgetown, our customers may set up accounts at one of our six business centers. Our handsets, prepaid cards and prepaid accounts are sold primarily through independent dealers that we pay on a commission basis. Payments by our prepaid customers can be made by the purchase of disposable prepaid calling cards, which come in fixed Guyanese dollar amounts, or by recharging an account via our "C-Point" electronic terminals available at authorized vendors.
Competition. We provide wireless services in Guyana pursuant to a non-exclusive license. Digicel, our competitor, entered the market in late 2006 and has used an aggressive marketing approach to acquire, and now retain, market share. However, our continued investments in our network and customer offerings have enabled us to retain substantially all of our market share of customers. We believe we compete for customers primarily based on price, promotions, coverage and quality of service.
Wireline Services
Our wireline services include operations in Guyana and the mainland United States. Our revenues from wireline services were approximately 31%, 29% and 25% for fiscal years 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, of our consolidated revenues.
International Integrated Telephony Segment
A portion of our International Integrated Telephony segment consists of wireline services we provide in Guyana, where we are the exclusive licensed provider of domestic wireline local and long-distance telephone services into and out of the country. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 160,000 access lines in service, which represent both residential and commercial subscribers. This represents an increase of approximately 2%, or 3,000 net new lines, compared to lines in service at December 31, 2013. Of all fixed lines in service, the majority are in the largest urban areas, including Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Diamond and Beterverwagting. As a result of our continued network expansion into smaller communities, and more recently, newly developed housing areas and residential parks, residential customers now account for approximately two -thirds of the wireline local telephone service revenue while commercial customers account for approximately one -third. We also provide high-speed DSL Internet service in Guyana, which accounted for 14% of our revenues in our International Integrated Telephony segment in 2014. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 34,000 Internet customers, a decrease of 8% from approximately 37,000 customers at the end of 2013.
With respect to our international long-distance business, we collect a payment from foreign carriers for handling international long-distance calls originating from the foreign carriers' country and terminating in Guyana. We also make payments to foreign carriers for international calls from Guyana terminating in the foreign carrier's country and are entitled to collect from our subscribers (and from competing wireless carriers) a rate that is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission ("PUC") of Guyana.
Network. All of our fixed access lines are digitally switched from our switching center in Georgetown, Guyana. Our switching center provides dedicated monitoring of our network to ensure quality and reliable service to our customers.
Our international long-distance network is linked with the rest of the world principally through our fiber-optic submarine cable into Guyana, through our ownership of a portion of the Americas II undersea fiber-optic cable and by leasing capacity on several other cables. The Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System, which we co-own with Telesur, the government-owned telecommunications provider in Suriname, provides us with more robust redundancy, the capacity to meet growing data demands in Guyana, and the opportunity to provide new and enhanced IP centric services such as Internet service. We also lease capacity on Intelsat satellites and have two Standard B earth stations, which provide both international and local backhaul services.
Sales and Marketing. Our revenues for fixed access domestic service are derived from installation charges for new lines, monthly line rental charges, monthly measured service charges based on the number and duration of calls and other charges for maintenance and other customer services. For each category of revenues, rates differ for residential and commercial customers and are set by regulatory authorities. We employ a minimal sales force for our basic wireline offering, as wireline sales are primarily driven by network expansion and availability of service. Customers can pay their bills at any one of our six business centers, any Western Union branch, commercial banks and post offices.
Competition. We have the exclusive right to provide domestic fixed and international voice and data services in Guyana. As the initial term of our license was scheduled to expire in December 2010, we notified the Government of Guyana of our election to renew our exclusive license for an additional 20 years and received return correspondence from the Government that our exclusive license had been renewed until such time that new legislation is in place with regard to the Government's intention to introduce competition into the sector. We believe, however, our exclusive license continues to be valid unless and until such time as we enter into a negotiated settlement with the Government. See "-Guyana Regulation-Regulatory Developments" and "Risk Factors-Our exclusive license to provide local exchange and international voice and data services in Guyana is subject to significant political and regulatory risk."
U.S. Wireline Segment
We are a leading provider of competitive integrated voice and broadband data communications and wholesale transport services in Vermont, New York and New Hampshire.
Network. We provide voice and data services using a network comprising telecommunications switching and related equipment that we own and telecommunications lines that we typically lease from the incumbent telephone company. We operate high capacity fiber-optic ring networks in Vermont and New York State that we use to connect our enterprise markets and to provide wholesale data transport services to other carriers. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 192,000 business and 4,000 residential access line equivalents ("ALEs"), in billing. ALEs are calculated by determining the number of individual voice or data lines, in 64 kbps segments, that generate a monthly recurring charge within an end user circuit or circuits. As of December 31, 2014, we also provided broadband services to approximately 4,000 accounts in Vermont and western New Hampshire.
In 2010, we received two grants from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce to expand our existing network by constructing ten new segments of a 1,300 mile fiber-optic, middle-mile broadband infrastructure in upstate New York and to construct and operate a 773 mile fiber-optic middle mile network in Vermont. Our New York project was completed in 2013 and our Vermont project was completed in 2014.
Sales and Marketing. We sell our services primarily through a direct sales force that assists customers in choosing tailored solutions for their specific communication needs. Our direct sales staff focuses on selling integrated voice and data to small and medium-sized businesses and other organizations, while residential services are largely sold through advertising and word of mouth. We advertise on television and radio through cooperative arrangements and engage in other promotional activities from time to time.
Our wholesale transport and capacity customers are predominately telecommunications carriers such as local exchange carriers, wireless carriers and interstate integrated providers, which are served by our direct sales force. We expect to expand our customer base in New York State to include more large-scale end users such as large enterprises, governmental agencies and educational institutions, and with the completion of our Vermont stimulus project build in the fourth quarter of 2014, to add wholesale transport and capacity customers in Vermont.
Competition. We compete for retail customers by offering customized voice and data solutions designed to meet the specific needs of our two targeted subsets of customers by providing superior customer service and competitive pricing. Our primary retail competitor is Fairpoint Communications, which acquired the incumbent local exchange business of Verizon Communications in northern New England. We also compete with cable companies, such as Comcast, and other competitive service providers who target small and medium sized businesses. Our wholesale competitors include Level3 and Verizon Communications, other regional wholesale providers and cable television companies that operate fiber-optic networks.
Renewable Energy Services
On December 24, 2014, we acquired a provider of distributed generation solar power services in the United States, specifically, in Massachusetts, California and New Jersey (the "Ahana Acquisition"). As of December 31, 2014, we owned and operated 28 commercial solar projects at 59 sites (each, a "Facility") with an aggregate 45.7 megawatts DC ("MWs") of electricity generating capacity. We own the Facilities through various indirect subsidiaries that were formed for the purpose of financing the development of, and owning and operating, the Facilities (the "Special Purpose Entities").
Services. Generally, our solar projects are in the "commercial and industrial" (C&I) sector of the solar market, which is distinguished from utilities and residential customers. Our customers or "offtakers" include high-credit quality corporates, utilities, schools, and municipalities, which purchase electricity from us under the terms of long-term power purchase agreements ("PPAs"). Each Facility is built on the customer's owned or leased site and reduces the customer's dependence on traditional energy suppliers, thereby mitigating the price volatility often associated with traditional energy suppliers and transmissions systems. Our PPA terms range from ten to twenty-five years in duration and are typically priced at or below local retail electricity rates, allowing the customer to secure electricity at predictable and stable prices over the duration of their long-term contract. As such, the PPAs provide us with high-quality contracted cash flows, which will continue over their average remaining life, weighted by MWs, of 14.4 years as of December 31, 2014. Certain of our PPAs provide for early termination for a variety of reasons, including in the event that (a) an offtaker is unable to appropriate funds from state and local governments, (b) there is a change of law that substantially reduces the value of utility credits, (c) termination for convenience, or (d) the Facility causes damage to the premises or roof and our customer fails to repair or causes the customer to be in violation of law, or
the customer ceases to hold tenancy or fee interest in the premises. All of our Facilities have been in commercial operation for at least a year and are located as follows:
In developing each solar project, we facilitate the project's design, development and construction and obtain project-level financing, and we take a controlling interest in the Special Purpose Entity that owns the project Facility in exchange for a PPA. Our solar projects may be financed using a combination of tax equity, bank financing that we secure and our cash on hand. A substantial majority of our acquired Facilities received tax equity financing, pursuant to which third party investors hold equity in the Special Purpose Entities that were formed to finance the development of, and own and operate, such Facilities. In return, the tax equity investors receive a preferred return on their investment up to a contractually agreed amount and the benefits of various tax credits those Facilities generate. In addition, the Facilities located in California receive revenue from performance based incentive payments ("PBIs") and those located in Massachusetts and New Jersey receive revenue from the sale of solar renewable energy credit ("SREC") contracts, which revenue we retain as the Facilities' operator. In the future, we intend to focus on growing our project portfolio through additional investments with high credit quality offtakers in markets that offer favorable government policies to encourage renewable energy projects and where our projects can generate electricity at a cost that is less than or equal to the price of purchasing power from traditional energy sources.
We contract with utilities through an interconnection agreement to export excess energy generated by our Facilities to another offtaker and/or the utility electrical grid.
Infrastructure.
Our existing Facilities are comprised of rooftop, ground-mounted and elevated solar support structure photovoltaic ("PV") installations. Our Facilities are located on our customers' buildings, parking structures, landfill sites and other locations pursuant to leases or easements granted to us by our customers. These Facilities use crystalline silicon PV modules mounted in ballasted, tracking or roof penetrating fixed-tilt configurations. All of our existing Facilities were designed, engineered and constructed by Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. ("Borrego"), a former sister company of our acquired solar operations, pursuant to engineering, procurement and construction, or "EPC", agreements. Borrego now also maintains our Facilities at a committed fee through long-term Operations and Maintenance Agreements ("O&M Agreements"). Each O&M Agreement commits Borrego to provide maintenance of a Facility for ten years after such Facility is placed in service, including systems monitoring and troubleshooting, inspection, preventative maintenance and any other services on an as-needed basis at our request at an additional cost.
We are dependent on a limited number of key suppliers for the PV modules that we purchase for installation at our Facilities, with the majority of Facilities constructed with PV modules supplied by Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited, a Chinese company that sources cells from Taiwanese manufactures and assembles them in China. Typically, the PV modules carry materials and workmanship warranties from 5-10 years in duration, with power warranties for a 25-year useful life.
Competition.
We compete within the traditional electric power industry, as well as with larger solar energy companies that may have greater financial resources or brand name recognition than we do, disadvantaging our ability to attract new customers. The solar energy industry is highly competitive and continually evolving and as such, we expect to compete for future project opportunities with new entrants in the distribution solar energy generation industry as well. We believe that we compete with the traditional utilities primarily based on price and the predictability of that price, while we compete with other solar energy providers based on our ability to structure the development and financing of a project for our potential customers or developers on favorable terms.
Employees
As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 1,000 employees, of whom approximately 400 were employed in the United States (including in the U.S. Virgin Islands). At the holding company level, we employ our executive management team and staff. More than half of our Guyana full-time work force is represented by the Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union. We do not have any other union employees. We believe we have good relations with our employees.
Regulation
Our telecommunications operations are subject to extensive governmental regulation in each of the jurisdictions in which we provide services. The following summary of regulatory developments and legislation does not purport to describe all present and proposed federal, state, local, and foreign regulation and legislation that may affect our businesses. Legislative or regulatory requirements currently applicable to our businesses may change in the future and legislative or regulatory requirements may be adopted by those jurisdictions that currently have none. Any such changes could impose new obligations on us that would adversely affect our operating results.
U.S. Federal Regulation
Our wireless and wireline operations in the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands are governed by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (or "Communications Act"), the implementing regulations adopted thereunder by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), judicial and regulatory decisions interpreting and implementing the Communications Act, and other federal statutes. Our solar operations are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") and the mandatory reliability requirements imposed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.
Wireless Services
The FCC regulates, among other things; the licensed and unlicensed use of radio spectrum; the ownership, lease, transfer of control and assignment of wireless licenses; the ongoing technical, operational and service requirements applicable to such licenses; the timing, nature and scope of network construction; the provision of certain services, such as E-911; and the interconnection of communications networks in the United States.
Licenses. We provide our wireless services under various commercial mobile radio services (or "CMRS") licenses, such as cellular, broadband Personal Communications Services (or "PCS") or 700 MHz licenses, and broadband radio service (or "BRS") licenses granted by the FCC and pursuant to leases of spectrum from FCC-licensed operators. Some of these licenses are site- based while others cover specified geographic market areas, typically Cellular Market Areas (or "CMAs") and Basic Trading Areas (or "BTAs"), as defined by the FCC. The technical and service rules, the specific radio frequencies and the authorized spectrum amounts vary depending on the licensed service. The FCC generally allocates CMRS and BRS licenses through periodic auctions, after determining how many
licenses to make available in particular frequency ranges, the applicable service rules, and the terms on which the license auction will be conducted. Such licenses are also available via secondary market mechanisms, using procedures and regulations set forth by the FCC. There is no certainty as to whether or not such additional spectrum will be made available for wireless broadband services, the amount of spectrum that might ultimately be made available, the timing of the auction of any such spectrum, the likely configuration of any such additional spectrum and conditions that might apply to it, or the usability of any of this spectrum for wireless services competitive with our services or by us.
Construction Obligations. The FCC conditions licenses on the satisfaction of certain obligations to construct networks covering a specified geographic area or population by specific dates. The obligations vary depending on the licensed service. Failure to satisfy an applicable construction requirement can result in the assessment of fines and forfeitures by the FCC, a reduced license term, or automatic license cancellation. We are in compliance with the applicable construction requirements that have arisen for the licenses we currently hold and expect to meet our future construction requirements as well. If we do not meet initial construction requirements in December of 2016 for our 700 MHz licenses, or obtain a waiver of the construction requirements, the license term for such licenses will be shortened to June of 2017, and, we may be subject to fines and forfeitures and/or a reduction of our licensed service area. If we fail to meet the build out requirements by the end of the license term for our 700 MHz licenses, we will lose our authority to serve any unserved area within our 700 MHz licensed area and also could be subject to fines and forfeitures, including a revocation of our 700 MHz licenses. We currently expect to meet the build out or waiver requirements with respect to our 700 MHz licenses.
With respect to some of our licenses, if we were to discontinue operation of a wireless system for a period of time, (at least 90 consecutive days for cellular licenses), our license for that area would be automatically forfeited.
License Renewals. Our FCC licenses generally expire between 2015 and 2019 and are renewable upon application to the FCC. License renewal applications may be denied if the FCC determines, after appropriate notice and hearing, that renewal would not serve the public interest, convenience, or necessity. At the time of renewal, if we can demonstrate that we have provided "substantial" service during the past license term and have complied with the Communications Act and applicable FCC rules and policies, then the FCC will award a renewal expectancy to us and will generally renew our existing licenses without considering any competing applications. The FCC defines "substantial" service as service that is sound, favorable and substantially above a level of mediocre service that might only minimally warrant renewal. If we do not receive a renewal expectancy, then the FCC will accept competing applications for the license and conduct a comparative hearing. In that situation, the FCC may award the license to another applicant. While our licenses have been renewed regularly by the FCC in the past, there can be no assurance that all of our licenses will be renewed in the future.
In 2011, the FCC, in a Notice of Proposed Rule Making ("NPRM"), proposed to establish more consistent requirements for renewal of licenses, uniform policies governing discontinuances of service, and to clarify certain construction obligations across all of the wireless service bands. The proposed changes to the applicable renewal and discontinuance of service requirements may be applied to existing licenses that will be renewed in the future. We are unable to predict with any certainty the likely timing or outcome of this wireless renewal standards proceeding.
The FCC may deny license applications and, in extreme cases, revoke licenses if it finds that an entity lacks the requisite qualifications to be a licensee. In making that determination, the FCC considers whether an applicant or licensee has been the subject of adverse findings in a judicial or administrative proceeding involving felonies, the possession or sale of unlawful drugs, fraud, antitrust violations, or unfair competition, employment discrimination, misrepresentations to the FCC or other government agencies, or serious violations of the Communications Act or FCC regulations. To our
knowledge, there are no activities and no judicial or administrative proceedings involving either us or the licensees in which we hold a controlling interest that would warrant such a finding by the FCC.
License Acquisitions. Prior FCC approval typically is required for transfers or assignments of a controlling interest in any license or construction permit, or of any rights thereunder. The FCC may approve or prohibit such transactions altogether, or approve subject to certain conditions such as divestitures or other requirements. Non-controlling minority interests in an entity that holds an FCC license generally may be bought or sold without FCC approval, subject to any applicable FCC notification requirements. The FCC permits licensees to lease spectrum to third parties under certain conditions, subject to prior FCC approval, or in some instances, notification to the FCC. These mechanisms provide additional flexibility for wireless providers to structure transactions and create additional business and investment opportunities.
The FCC no longer caps the amount of CMRS spectrum in which an entity may hold an attributable interest and now engages in a case-by-case review of proposed wireless transactions, including spectrum acquired via auction, to ensure that the proposed transaction serves the public interest and would not result in a rule violation or an undue concentration of market power.
In reviewing proposed transactions that involve the transfer or assignment of mobile wireless spectrum, the FCC utilizes a spectrum aggregation screen to determine whether the transaction requires additional scrutiny. The FCC in June 2014 adopted an Order which updated the spectrum screen that the FCC uses in order to conduct its competitive review of proposed secondary market transactions. The FCC's Order continued the FCC's policy of conducting a case-by-case analysis of a combined entity's spectrum screen holdings for proposed transactions, revised its existing spectrum screen to reflect the current suitability and availability of spectrum for mobile wireless services, and adopted certain limitations with respect to the purchase and transfer of 600 MHz spectrum. A transaction will trigger additional FCC scrutiny if it will result in the geographic overlap of CMRS spectrum in a given area that is equal to or in excess of 141 MHz, 163.5 MHz, 171 MHz, or 194 MHz, depending on the availability of BRS and Advanced Wireless Services (or "AWS") spectrum in an overlap area. A transaction will also be reviewed by the FCC with heightened scrutiny if it will result in the resulting entity having over 45 MHz of spectrum under 1 GHz. The FCC's additional scrutiny would also be triggered if a proposed transaction results in a material change in the post-transaction market share in a particular market as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. We are well below the spectrum aggregation screen in the geographic areas in which we hold or have access to licenses, and thus we may be able to acquire additional spectrum either from the FCC in an auction or from third parties in private transactions. Similarly, our competitors may be able to strengthen their operations by making additional acquisitions of spectrum in our markets or by further consolidating the industry. Various parties have filed petitions for reconsideration of the FCC Order revising the spectrum screen, and we are unable to predict with any certainty the likely timing or outcome of these petitions.
Other Requirements. The Communications Act and the FCC's rules impose a number of additional requirements upon wireless service providers. A failure to meet or maintain compliance with the Communications Act and/or the FCC's rules may subject us to fines, forfeitures, penalties or other sanctions.
Wireless licensees must satisfy a variety of FCC requirements relating to technical and reporting matters. Licensees must often coordinate frequency usage with adjacent licensees and permittees to avoid interference between adjacent systems. In addition, the height and power of transmitting facilities and the type of signals emitted must fall within specified parameters. For certain licensed services, a variety of incumbent government and non-government operations may have to be relocated before a licensee may commence operations, which may trigger the payment of relocation costs by the incoming licensee.
The radio systems towers that we own and lease are subject to Federal Aviation Administration and FCC regulations that govern the location, marking, lighting, and construction of towers and are subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and other environmental statutes enforced by the FCC. The FCC has also adopted guidelines and methods for evaluating human exposure to radio frequency emissions from radio equipment. We believe that all of our radio systems on towers that we own or lease comply in all material respects with these requirements, guidelines, and methods.
The FCC has adopted requirements for cellular, PCS and other CMRS providers to implement basic and enhanced 911, or E-911, services. These services provide state and local emergency service providers with the ability to better identify and locate 911 callers using wireless services, including callers using special devices for the hearing impaired. Because the implementation of these obligations requires that the local emergency services provider have certain facilities available, our specific obligations are set on a market-by- market basis as emergency service providers request the implementation of E- 911 services within their locales. As part of its E-911 initiatives, the FCC recently adopted stronger rules regarding E-911 location accuracy. The extent to which we are required to deploy E-911 services will affect our capital spending obligations. Federal law limits our liability for uncompleted 911 calls to a degree commensurate with wireline carriers in our markets.
In 2013, the FCC adopted rules requiring wireless carriers, such as ourselves, and certain other text messaging service providers to send an automatic 'bounce-back' text message to consumers who try to text 911 where text-to-911 is not available, indicating the unavailability of such services. In August 2014, the FCC required all wireless carriers, such as ourselves, as well as other providers of interconnected text messaging applications, to be capable of supporting text-to-911 service by December 31, 2014, and to provide such service to requesting PSAPs by June 30, 2015 or six months after a request from a PSAP, whichever is later. The FCC has also sought further comment regarding additional regulations pertaining to the provision of text-to-911 service.
Under certain circumstances, federal law also requires telecommunications carriers to provide law enforcement agencies with capacity and technical capabilities to support lawful wiretaps pursuant to the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (or "CALEA"). Federal law also requires compliance with wiretap-related record-keeping and personnel-related obligations. We are in compliance with all such requirements currently applicable to us. The FCC has adopted rules that apply CALEA obligations to high speed Internet access and voice-over Internet protocol (or "VoIP") services. Maintaining compliance with these law enforcement requirements may impose additional capital spending obligations on us to make necessary system upgrades.
The FCC has long required CMRS providers to permit customers of other carriers to roam "manually" on their networks, for example, by supplying a credit card number, provided that the roaming customer's handset is technically capable of accessing the roamed-on network. The FCC has also ruled that automatic voice roaming is a common carrier obligation for CMRS carriers. This ruling requires CMRS carriers to provide automatic voice roaming services to other CMRS carriers upon reasonable request and on a just, reasonable, and non-discriminatory basis pursuant to Sections 201 and 202 of the Communications Act. This automatic voice roaming obligation extends to services such as ours that are real-time, two-way switched voice or data services that are interconnected with the public switched network and utilize an in- network switching facility that enables the provider to reuse frequencies and accomplish seamless hand-off of subscriber calls. The FCC has held that the automatic voice roaming obligations of broadband CMRS providers extend to both in-market and out-of-market automatic voice roaming provided that the request is reasonable. In assessing whether a particular roaming request is reasonable, the FCC will consider the totality of the circumstances and may consider a number of factors, including the technical compatibility of the roamer, the extent of the requesting carrier's build-out where it holds spectrum, and whether alternative roaming partners are available. In 2011, the FCC found that the automatic roaming obligation should be extended to services that are
classified as information services (such as high speed wireless Internet access services) or to services that are not CMRS. The FCC found that such automatic data roaming, while not a common carrier service, should be offered by the providers of such services on a commercially reasonable basis, when technologically compatible and technologically feasible. The FCC may use a number of factors to determine commercial reasonableness of a particular request for such automatic data roaming services, including the technical compatibility of the roamer, the extent of the requesting carrier's build-out where it holds spectrum, and whether alternative roaming partners are available.
We are obligated to pay certain annual regulatory fees and assessments to support FCC wireless industry regulation, as well as fees supporting federal universal service programs, number portability, regional database costs, centralized telephone numbering administration, telecommunications relay service for the hearing-impaired and application filing fees. These fees are subject to change periodically by the FCC and the manner in which carriers may recoup these fees from customers is subject to various restrictions.
Wireless and Wireline Services
Universal Service. In general, all telecommunications providers are obligated to contribute to the federal Universal Service Fund (or "USF"), which is used to promote the availability of wireline and wireless telephone service to individuals and families qualifying for federal assistance, households located in rural and high-cost areas, and to schools, libraries and rural health care providers. Contributions to the federal USF are based on end user interstate telecommunications revenue and some states have similar programs that also require contribution. The FCC is examining the way in which it collects carrier contributions to the USF, including a proposal to base collections on the number of telephone numbers or network connections in use by each carrier. We contribute to the USF as required by the rules throughout the U.S., and receive funds from the USF for providing service in rural areas of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The collection of USF fees and distribution of USF support is under continual review by state and federal legislative and regulatory bodies and we are subject to audit by the Universal Service Administration Corporation (or "USAC"). We believe we are substantially compliant with all FCC and state regulations related to the receipt and collection of universal service support.
In November 2011, the FCC released an order reforming the USF program to phase out the current level of high-cost USF support for wireless carriers over a period of five years, beginning in 2012. The scheduled phase out, however, was suspended in 2013 as the FCC addresses a delay in implementing phase two of its Mobility Fund program. Although we cannot predict the impact of such changes on the amounts we pay or receive in USF funds, we believe the changes are likely to impact our USF funding negatively, and consequently, our efforts to build and maintain networks in certain rural markets and our ability to provide services currently offered to very low income consumers supported by USF funds. The FCC's overhaul of the rules governing the distribution of USF currently are subject to various petitions before the United States Supreme Court and various petitions for reconsideration before the FCC. We cannot predict the likely timing or outcome of such petitions. As part of the USF reforms, the FCC created two new replacement funds, the Connect America Fund and the Mobility Fund, both of which allow for the use of USF funds for broadband services, in addition to voice services. The new funds are intended to provide targeted financial support to areas that are unserved or under-served by voice and broadband service providers and will be initiated during the phase out of USF support.
During this five year phase-out period, the FCC began distributing funds through new mechanisms associated with the Connect America Fund and the Mobility Fund. In July 2012, the FCC initiated the application process for the Mobility Fund I program, a reverse auction for a one-time distribution of up to $300 million intended to stimulate third- and fourth-generation wireless coverage in unserved and under-served geographic areas. A number of our subsidiaries participated in the Mobility Fund I
reverse auction on September 27, 2012 and bid successfully for approximately $21.7 million in one-time support to expand voice and broadband networks in certain geographic areas in order to offer either 3G or 4G coverage. As part of the receipt of these funds, we committed to comply with certain additional FCC construction and other requirements.
Intercarrier Compensation. Under federal and state law, telecommunications providers are generally required to compensate one another for originating and terminating traffic for other carriers. Consistent with these provisions, we currently receive compensation from other carriers and also pay compensation to other carriers. The FCC, in October 2011, significantly revised its intercarrier compensation regime. Under the revised intercarrier compensation regime, where there is no pre-existing agreement between a CMRS carrier and a local exchange carrier (or "LEC") for the exchange of local traffic, such traffic between CMRS providers and most LECs is to be compensated pursuant to a default bill-and-keep regime, in which each carrier agrees to terminate calls from the other at no charge. The FCC's new intercarrier compensation regime also sets forth a transition schedule that will eventually result in the exchange of traffic between telecommunications carriers being exchanged on a bill-and-keep basis. The FCC's new intercarrier compensation rules may affect the manner in which we are charged or compensated for the exchange of traffic. We cannot predict the impact of any changes to these requirements on the amounts that we pay or receive. The FCC's overhaul of the rules governing intercarrier compensation currently are subject to various petitions before the United States Supreme Court and various petitions for reconsideration before the FCC. We cannot predict the likely timing or outcome of such petitions.
Local Competition. The Communications Act encourages competition in local telecommunications markets by removing barriers to market entry and imposing on non-rural incumbent local exchange carriers (or "ILECs"), among other things, duties to do the following:
• negotiate interconnection agreements at any technically feasible point on just, reasonable, and non-discriminatory rates, terms, and conditions;
• provide access to certain unbundled network elements (or "UNEs"), such as local loops and interoffice transport, or combinations of UNEs at nondiscriminatory, cost-based rates in certain circumstances;
• provide physical collocation, which allows competitive local exchange carriers (or "CLECs") to install and maintain its network termination equipment in an ILEC's central office or to obtain functionally equivalent forms of interconnection under certain circumstances;
• provide access to poles, ducts, conduits, and rights-of-way on a reasonable, non-discriminatory basis;
• offer retail local telephone services to resellers at discounted wholesale rates;
• when a call originates on its network, compensate other telephone companies for terminating or transporting the call;
• provide dialing parity, which ensures that customers are able to route their calls to telecommunications service providers without having to dial additional digits;
• provide notice of changes in information needed for another carrier to transmit and route services using its facilities; and
• provide telephone number portability, so customers may keep the same telephone number if they switch service providers.
In addition, under Section 271 of the Communications Act, the Bell Operating Companies (or "BOCs") have an obligation to provide certain network elements, including elements (for example, local switching) that have been removed from the mandatory list of network elements that must be
unbundled under Section 251 of the Communications Act. The BOCs are required to provide Section 271 network elements under a "just and reasonable" pricing standard. Over time, the FCC has removed the BOCs' obligation to provide certain network elements under Section 271. There can be no assurance that the FCC will not continue to exercise its authority to remove other Section 271 network element obligations in the future. Any such action by the FCC may have an adverse effect on the financial condition or operations of our U.S. Wireline segment. We operate in a region where the ILEC is required to comply with the above-mentioned statutory provisions, and, accordingly, we have benefited from the reduced costs in acquiring required communication services, such as ILEC interconnection, and have benefited from the right to receive compensation for the termination of traffic. Provisions relating to interconnection, telephone number portability, equal access, and resale could, however, subject us to increased competition and additional economic and regulatory burdens. The FCC recently initiated a proceeding to gather information regarding a potential future transition from TDM to IP. The FCC has explicitly stated that it will consider the regulatory obligations that would apply to any transition of services from TDM to IP at a later time. We cannot predict with any certainty the FCC's approach regarding the application of particular regulations in an IP-based regime.
We provide Internet access services as an Internet service provider (or "ISP"). The FCC currently has classified such services as information services, so they are not subject to various regulatory obligations that are imposed on common carriers, such as paying access charges or contributing to the Universal Service Fund, however, the FCC is examining whether to reclassify such services as telecommunications services, as noted in further detail below. The FCC generally preempts state and local regulation of information services. While the FCC to date has declined to classify interconnected VoIP service as a telecommunications service or information service, it has imposed a number of consumer protection and public safety obligations on interconnected VoIP providers, relying in large part on its general ancillary jurisdiction powers. To the extent that we provide interconnected VoIP service we will be subject to a number of these obligations.
In December 2010, the FCC adopted network neutrality regulations that would apply to broadband Internet access services, including those offered by us. The transparency rule, which applies to both fixed and mobile wireless Internet access service providers, requires providers to make available relevant information regarding network management practices to the consumers who purchase their services and to content, application and service providers who seek access to a carrier's network. Mobile wireless broadband Internet providers also would not be able to block consumers from accessing lawful websites, nor block applications that compete with the provider's voice or video telephony services, subject to a reasonable network management exception. In early 2014, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated all of the network neutrality regulations as currently constituted, with the exception of the transparency rule, as exceeding the FCC's authority. The FCC adopted revised net neutrality rules in February 2015. The rules consist of stricter regulations on wireless providers than were adopted in 2010, as well as the reclassification of broadband Internet access as a Title II telecommunications service, among other additional regulations. When available for public review, we intend to evaluate these additional rules, which could potentially require capital expenditures to comply with the additional FCC regulatory mandates. We expect the rules to be challenged in court by a number of parties, but we cannot predict with any certainty the likely timing or outcome of any such appeals.
Obligations Due to Economic Stimulus Grants
Three of our subsidiaries have received awards from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program ("BTOP") of the U.S. Department of Commerce ("DOC") pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA"). As a BTOP awardee, we are subject to the various terms and conditions included in the agency's Notice of Funds Availability published in the Federal Register on July 9, 2009. Among these requirements are Interconnection and Non- Discrimination
requirements by which any awardee must comply with the following requirements: (i) adhere to the principles contained in the FCC's Internet Policy Statement (FCC 05-151, adopted August 5, 2005) or any subsequent ruling or statement; (ii) not favor any lawful Internet applications and content over others; (iii) display network management policies in a prominent location on its web page and provide notice to customers of changes to these policies; (iv) connect to the public Internet directly or indirectly, so that the project is not an entirely private closed network; and (v) offer interconnection, where technically feasible without exceeding current or reasonably anticipated capacity limitations, at reasonable rates and terms to be negotiated with requesting parties. While FCC rules regarding these issues may apply to all our operations, these particular requirements apply only to our BTOP-funded projects.
As a BTOP awardee, we are also required to comply with other terms and conditions of the individual DOC grants, including reporting, transparency and audit requirements pursuant to Section 1512 of the ARRA, and notification and reporting obligations set forth in the Office of Management and Budget Memorandum, Implementing Guidance for Reports on Use of Funds Pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (OMB M-09-21, June 22, 2009). We believe we are currently in material compliance with all BTOP and DOC requirements applicable to our grants.
Renewable Energy Services
All of our currently owned projects in operation are solar "qualifying facilities" under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, as amended ("PURPA"). As such, the projects and the respective project company that own the projects are exempt from ratemaking and certain other regulatory provisions of the Federal Power Act, as amended ("FPA"), and from state organizational and financial regulation of electric utilities.
Our projects are also subject to compliance with the applicable mandatory reliability standards developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and approved by FERC under the FPA.
Additionally, certain of the project companies that own projects or the "offtakers" of the electricity from the projects have entered into interconnection agreements with the local utility that allows the project companies or the offtakers to deliver excess electricity to the utility distribution system. In almost all cases, interconnection agreements are standard form agreements that have been preapproved by the local public utility commission or other state regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over interconnection agreements.
U.S. State Regulation (Telecommunications)
Federal law preempts state and local regulation of the entry of, or the rates charged by, any CMRS provider. As a practical matter, we are free to establish rates and offer new products and service with a minimum of regulatory requirements. The states in which we operate maintain nominal oversight jurisdiction. For example, although states do not have the authority to regulate the entry or the rates charged by CMRS providers, states may regulate the "other terms and conditions" of a CMRS provider's service. Most states still maintain some form of jurisdiction over complaints as to the nature or quality of services and as to billing issues. Since states may continue to regulate "other terms and conditions" of wireless service, and a number of state authorities have initiated actions or investigations of various wireless carrier practices, the outcome of these proceedings is uncertain and could require us to change certain of our practices and ultimately increase state regulatory authority over the wireless industry. States and localities assess on wireless carriers taxes and fees that may equal or even exceed federal obligations.
The location and construction of our wireless transmitter towers and antennas are subject to state and local environmental regulation, as well as state or local zoning, land use and other regulation.
Before we can put a system into commercial operation, we must obtain all necessary zoning and building permit approvals for the cell site and tower locations. The time needed to obtain zoning approvals and requisite state permits varies from market to market and state to state. Likewise, variations exist in local zoning processes. If zoning approval or requisite state permits cannot be obtained, or if environmental rules make construction impossible or infeasible on a particular site, our network design might be adversely affected, network design costs could increase and the service provided to our customers might be reduced.
The FCC has adopted a declaratory ruling establishing presumptive timeframes in which states and localities must resolve tower siting applications before the applicant may seek judicial review-90 days for collocations and 150 days for all other siting applications. This ruling will expedite our ability to seek legal redress, and thus mitigate tower construction delays, in the event a state or locality does not timely act on our zoning applications.
Guyana Regulation
Our subsidiary, Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Limited ("GT&T"), in which we hold an 80% interest, is subject to regulation in Guyana under the provisions of GT&T's License from the Government of Guyana, the Guyana Public Utilities Commission Act of 1999 as amended (or "PUC Law") and the Guyana Telecommunications Act 1990 (or "Telecommunications Law"). The Public Utilities Commission of Guyana (or "PUC") is an independent statutory body with the principal responsibility for regulating telecommunications rates and services in Guyana. The Ministry of Telecommunications, an agency of the Government of Guyana, has formal authority over telecommunications licensing and related issues.
Licenses. GT&T provides domestic fixed (both wireline and wireless) and international voice and data services in Guyana pursuant to a License from the Government of Guyana granting GT&T the exclusive right to provide the following: public telephone, radio telephone, and pay telephone services; domestic fixed services (both wireline and wireless); international voice and data services; sale of advertising in any telephone directories; and switched or non- switched private line service. The License, which was issued in December 1990, had an initial 20-year term. Pursuant to the License, GT&T also provides mobile wireless telephone service in Guyana on a non-exclusive basis pursuant to an initial twenty-year term. This License is renewable at GT&T's sole option for an additional term of 20 years. In November 2009, GT&T notified the Government of its election to renew both the exclusive and non- exclusive license grants for an additional period of 20 years. In exercising this option, GT&T reiterated to the Government that GT&T and the Company would be willing to voluntarily relinquish the exclusivity aspect of GT&T's licenses, but only as part of an overall negotiated settlement with the Government. On December 15, 2010, the Government, through the Office of the President, sent a letter to GT&T indicating that GT&T's License was renewed until such time as a new legislative and regulatory regime to reform the telecommunications sector in Guyana is brought into force; however, GT&T formally notified the Government that it is entitled to an unconditional renewal of both the exclusive and non-exclusive license grants for an additional period of twenty years or until such time as GT&T and the Company enter into a negotiated settlement with the Government.
PUC Law and Telecommunications Law. The PUC Law and the Telecommunications Law provide the general framework for the regulation of telecommunications services in Guyana. As a general matter, the PUC has authority to regulate GT&T's domestic and international telecommunications services and rates and to require GT&T to supply certain technical, administrative and financial information as it may request. The PUC claims broad authority to review and amend any of GT&T's programs for development and expansion of facilities or services, although GT&T has challenged the PUC's view on the scope of its authority. For a description of recent actions of the PUC, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.
Regulatory Developments. Since 2001, the Government of Guyana has stated its intention to introduce additional competition into Guyana's telecommunications sector. Since that time, we have met on many occasions with officials of the Government of Guyana to discuss potential modifications of our exclusivity and other rights under the existing agreement. In 2012, the Government of Guyana introduced a bill into Parliament containing draft legislation, regulations, and licenses that, if enacted, would have the effect of terminating our exclusive license by permitting other telecommunications carriers to receive licenses to provide domestic fixed services and international voice and data services in Guyana. This proposed legislation would also introduce material changes to many other features of Guyana's existing telecommunications regulatory regime. While no action has been taken on the proposed legislation since 2012, we cannot predict when or if the proposed legislation will be adopted by Parliament or, if adopted and then signed into law by the President, the manner in which it would be implemented by the Minister of Telecommunications and the PUC. Although we believe that we would be entitled to damages or other compensation for any involuntary termination of our contractual exclusivity rights, we cannot guarantee that we would prevail in a proceeding to enforce our rights or that such actions would effectively halt any unilateral action by the Government.
FCC Rule-Making and International Long-Distance Rates. The actions of foreign telecommunications regulators, especially the FCC in the United States, can affect the settlement or termination rate payable by foreign carriers to GT&T for incoming international voice calls. While the FCC continues to monitor and evaluate termination rate levels and benchmarks, the Company cannot predict when and if the FCC will further reduce settlement rates or the effect lower rates will have on revenue in the Company's International Integrated Telephony segment.
Caribbean and Bermuda Regulation
In Bermuda, we were historically subject to Bermuda's Telecommunications Act of 1986 that authorized it to use spectrum to deliver services under its "Class B" license. Beginning in 2013, the Regulatory Authority continued its implementation of the Electronic Communications Act of 2011, which allows communications service providers to enter new lines of business and introduces competition in the sector. As the government of Bermuda reforms the local telecommunications market it has adopted new and amended regulations that establish regulatory and other fees, additional regulation and result in other circumstances that could increase our regulatory costs or otherwise impact our operations. For instance, in December 2014, the Bermuda Regulatory Authority adopted a decision that, if implemented, would prevent us from using a portion of existing spectrum held by us in Bermuda reserved for the launch of next generation services in accordance with our plans and demands of our customers in Bermuda. While we have appealed the decision, if it is implemented, it could damage the competitive position of our Bermuda business and limit its ability to grow.
The term of the Company's telecommunications license to operate in Aruba expired on January 15, 2014. The government of Aruba informed the Company earlier in January 2014 that a renewed license would be issued only upon payment by the Company of a fee in the amount of Afl 7.2 million (or approximately US$4 million). The Company is continuing to operate as it is actively contesting the assessment of such fee.
Our Turks and Caicos operations are subject to the Turks and Caicos Islands Telecommunications Ordinance of 2004.
Available Information
Our website address is www.atni.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Report and you should not consider information provided on our website to be part of this Report. Investors may access, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, plus amendments to such reports as filed or furnished
pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, through the "Financial Information" portion of the "Investor Relations" section of our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, paper copies of these documents may be obtained free of charge upon request by writing to us at 600 Cummings Center, Beverly, Massachusetts 01915, Attention: Investor Relations, by calling us at (978) 619-1300 or by emailing us at ir@atni.com.
We have adopted a written Code of Ethics that applies to all of our employees and directors, including, but not limited to, our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Our Code of Ethics, along with our Compensation Committee Charter, Audit Committee Charter and Nominating Committee Charter, are available at the Corporate Governance section of our website. We intend to make any disclosure required under the SEC rules regarding amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Ethics on our website.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Report, you should carefully consider the risks described below that could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. These risks are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.
We are actively evaluating investment, acquisition and other strategic opportunities, which may affect our long-term growth prospects.
We are actively evaluating acquisition, investment and other strategic opportunities, both domestic and international, in telecommunications, energy-related and other industries, including in areas that may not be seen by the broader market as timely today. We may focus on opportunities that we believe have potential for long-term organic and strategic growth or that may otherwise satisfy our return and other investment criteria. Any acquisition or investment that we might make outside of the telecommunications industry would pose the risk inherent in us entering into a new, unrelated business, including the ability of our holding company management team to effectively oversee the management team of such operations. There can be no assurance as to whether, when or on what terms we will be able to invest in, acquire or divest any businesses or assets or that we will be able to successfully integrate the business or realize the perceived benefits of any acquisition. Any such transactions may be accomplished through the payment of cash, issuance of shares of our capital stock or incurrence of additional debt, or a combination thereof. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately $370 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash primarily as a result of the proceeds from our Alltel Sale, and only approximately $33 million of long-term debt. How and when we deploy our balance sheet capacity will figure prominently in our longer-term growth prospects and stockholder returns.
Following the Alltel Sale, our reliance on revenues derived from services in our International Integrated Telephony and Island Wireless segments has substantially increased.
Revenues derived from our Alltel business generated approximately 50% of our wholesale revenues and approximately 63% of our total consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 38% of our wholesale revenues and approximately 58% of our total consolidated revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. Following the Alltel Sale, our U.S. wireless wholesale revenues have substantially decreased, and approximately 46% of our total consolidated revenues are derived from our U.S. wholesale wireless business, 26% from our International Integrated Telephony segment in Guyana and 28% from all other segments as of December 31, 2014. As a result,
our exposure to political and regulatory uncertainty in Guyana and the Caribbean will have a greater impact on our revenues as a whole. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to find growth or expansion opportunities in the United States or other jurisdictions that provide more regulatory or political certainty to our investors.
Risks Related to our Wireless Businesses
A significant portion of our U.S. wholesale wireless revenue is derived from a small number of customers.
A substantial portion of our U.S. Wireless revenue is generated from four national wireless service providers. Our U.S. Wireless revenues accounted for approximately 46% of our consolidated revenue and approximately 97% of our operating income in 2014.
Our relationships with our roaming customers generally are much more financially significant for us than for our customers. Typically, our relationships with our roaming customers do not require them to "prefer" our networks or require them to send us a minimum amount of traffic. Instead, roaming customers may choose to utilize other networks, if available, for their subscribers' roaming use. If our markets currently included in our roaming partners' home calling areas are instead subject to the imposition of additional roaming charges or if we fail to keep any of our roaming customers satisfied with our service offerings or economic terms, we could lose their business, experience less roaming traffic or be unable to renew or enter into new agreements with these customers on beneficial terms (including pricing), resulting in a substantial loss of revenue, which would have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if these customers build or acquire wireless networks in our service areas we may lose revenue. Should any of these customers take such actions over a significant portion of the areas we serve, it may have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We may have difficulty meeting the growing demand for data services.
Demand for smartphones and data services continues to grow across all of our wireless markets and our value to our customers in some markets depends in part on our network's ability to provide high-quality and high capacity network service to smartphone devices. Indeed, much of the revenue growth in our U.S. Wireless segment in 2014 was attributable to increased demand for data services. However, if data usage increases faster than we anticipate and exceeds the then-available capacity of any of our networks, our costs to deliver roaming services may be higher than we anticipate or the quality of our service may be negatively affected. In addition, the dearth of available spectrum in our industry means that we cannot guarantee that we will be able to acquire additional spectrum at a reasonable cost or at all to ensure our ability to maintain or grow our business and traffic volumes. As demand for advanced mobile data services continues to grow, we may have difficulty satisfying our wholesale roaming partners' demand for these services without substantial upgrades and additional capital expenditures, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Relating to Our Wireline Services in Guyana
Our exclusive license to provide local exchange and international voice and data services in Guyana is subject to significant political and regulatory risk.
Since 1991, our subsidiary Guyana Telephone and Telegraph, Ltd. ("GT&T") has operated in Guyana pursuant to a license from the Government of Guyana to be the exclusive provider of domestic fixed and international voice and data services pursuant to a license with an initial term ending in December 2010, which was renewable at our sole option for an additional 20 year term. In November 2009, we notified the Government of Guyana of our election to renew our exclusive license for an additional 20 years. On December 15, 2010, we received correspondence from the Government of
Guyana indicating that our license had been renewed until such time that new legislation is in place with regard to the Government's intention to expand competition within the sector; however, we believe our exclusive license continues to be valid unless and until such time as we enter into a negotiated settlement with the Government.
Since 2001, the Government of Guyana has stated its intention to introduce additional competition into Guyana's telecommunications sector. Since that time, we have met on many occasions with officials of the Government of Guyana to discuss potential modifications of our exclusivity and other rights under the existing agreement. In 2012, the Government of Guyana introduced a bill into Parliament containing draft legislation, regulations, and licenses that, if enacted, would have the effect of terminating our exclusive license by permitting other telecommunications carriers to receive licenses to provide domestic fixed services and international voice and data services in Guyana. The proposed legislation would also introduce material changes to many other features of Guyana's existing telecommunications regulatory regime. We cannot predict when or if the proposed legislation will be adopted by Parliament or, if adopted and then signed into law by the President, the manner in which it would be implemented by the Minister of Telecommunications and the PUC. Although we believe that we would be entitled to damages or other compensation for any involuntary termination of our contractual exclusivity rights, we cannot guarantee that we would prevail in a proceeding to enforce our rights or that such actions would effectively halt any unilateral action by the Government.
In addition, since 2009, we have been engaged in lawsuits in Guyana challenging the legality of GT&T's exclusive license rights under Guyana's constitution. As recently as 2012, a trial court made findings calling into question the validity of our exclusive license, prompting Digicel, our main competitor in Guyana, to begin connecting its own international traffic out of Guyana without receiving an international license and at rates which had not been approved by the Guyana PUC. In response, the Guyana PUC ordered Digicel to cease providing service at such rates, and the government of Guyana notified us that they have undertaken to advise Digicel that its activities are in contravention of Guyana law. The Guyana courts also granted GT&T an interim injunction restraining Digicel from bypassing GT&T's network. GT&T has also appealed the case, not only with respect to the contract claim, but also as to the court's findings regarding the exclusivity of GT&T's license and its application to VoIP services.
We are dependent on GT&T for approximately 32% of our total consolidated revenues. A loss of exclusivity on international voice and data service would result in a reduction in the international call traffic and as a result, a loss in that portion of our wireline revenue. Any modification, early termination or other revocation of the exclusive domestic fixed and international voice and data license could adversely affect our revenues and profits and diminish the value of our investment in Guyana.
Other Risks Relating to Our Telecommunications Businesses
The loss of certain licenses could adversely affect our ability to provide wireless and broadband services.
In the United States, wireless, PCS and microwave licenses are valid for ten years from the effective date of the license. Licensees may renew their licenses for additional ten-year periods by filing renewal applications with the FCC. Our wireless licenses in the U.S. expire between 2015 and 2019. While we intend to renew our licenses expiring this year, the renewal applications are subject to FCC review and are put out for public comment to ensure that the licensees meet their licensing requirements and comply with other applicable FCC mandates. Failure to file for renewal of these licenses or failure to meet any licensing requirements could lead to a denial of the renewal application and thus adversely affect our ability to continue to provide service in that license area. Furthermore, our compliance with regulatory requirements such as enhanced 911 and CALEA requirements may depend on the availability of necessary equipment or software.
In our international markets, telecommunications licenses are typically issued and regulated by the applicable telecommunications ministry. The application and renewal process for these licenses may be lengthy, require us to expend substantial renewal fees, and/or be subject to regulatory uncertainty, such as we are experiencing in Guyana, as described above. Failure to comply with these regulatory requirements may have an adverse effect on our licenses or operations and could result in sanctions, fines or other penalties.
Rapid and significant technological changes in the telecommunications industry may adversely affect us.
Our industry faces rapid and significant changes in technology that directly impact our business, including the following:
• evolving industry standards;
• requirements resulting from changing regulatory regimes;
• the allocation of radio frequency spectrum in which to license and operate advanced wireless services;
• ongoing improvements in the capacity and quality of digital technology;
• changes in end-user requirements and preferences;
• convergence between video and data services;
• development of data and broadband capabilities and rapidly expanding demand for those capabilities; and
• migration to new-generation services such as LTE or "4G" network technology.
For us to keep up with these technological changes and remain competitive, at a minimum we will be required to continue to make significant capital expenditures to add to our networks' capacity, coverage and technical capability. For example, we have spent considerable amounts adding higher speed, higher capacity mobile data services to many of our networks in recent years and we think it likely that more such expenditures, including adding LTE mobile data technologies, will be needed over the next few years.
We cannot predict the effect of technological changes on our business. Alternative or new technologies may be developed that provide communications services superior to those available from us, which may adversely affect our business. For example, to accommodate the demand by our wireless customers for next-generation advanced wireless products such as high-speed data and streaming video, we may be required to purchase additional spectrum, however, we have had difficulty finding spectrum for sale or on terms that are acceptable to us. In our Bermuda market, the action taken by the Regulatory Authority to recapture spectrum we currently hold will, if implemented, have an impact on our ability to deploy next generation mobile technologies. In addition, usage of wireless voice or broadband services in excess of our expectations could strain our capacity, causing service disruptions and result in higher operating costs and capital expenditures. In each of our markets, providing more and higher speed data services through our wireless or wireline networks may require us to make substantial investments in additional telecommunications transport capacity connecting our networks to the Internet, and in some cases such capacity may not be available to us on attractive terms or at all. Failure to provide these services or to upgrade to new technologies on a timely basis and at an acceptable cost could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete with carriers in our markets.
Risks Related to Our Renewable Energy Business
Our Facilities have a limited operating history.
All of our Facilities are newly constructed and consequently have limited operating histories. Our expectations about the performance of these Facilities are based on assumptions and estimates made without the benefit of operating history. There can be no assurance that our Facilities will perform as anticipated or projected and the failure of these Facilities to perform as we expect could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of our Renewable Energy segment.
Our revenues are dependent on the performance and effectiveness of our PPAs.
The cash flow from the PPAs, PBIs and SRECs is significantly affected by our ability to collect payments from offtakers under our PPAs. While all of our current customers are high-quality credit entities, if for any reason these customers are unable or unwilling to fulfill their related contractual obligations or if they refuse to accept delivery of power or otherwise terminate such agreements, this non-payment or our inability to perform our obligations under the PPAs could have a material adverse effect on our revenues. For instance, our inability to meet certain operating thresholds or performance measures under certain of our PPAs within specified time periods exposes us to the risk of covering the cost of any shortfall or early termination by such customer.
Certain of our PPAs provide for early termination for a variety of reasons, including in the event that (a) an offtaker is unable to appropriate funds from state and local governments, (b) there is a change of law that substantially reduces the value of utility credits, (c) termination for convenience, or (d) the Facility causes damage to the premises or roof and our customer fails to repair or causes the customer to be in violation of law, or the customer ceases to hold tenancy or fee interest in the premises. While we would be entitled to a termination fee (typically set at the terminal value of the PPA) in most cases, the termination fee might not be a sufficient substitute for the payments otherwise due under the PPAs. There can be no assurances that such appropriations will be made or timely made in any given year or that tax or other incentives continued to be available for the purchase of solar energy. In the event a PPA for one or more of our projects is terminated or payments are not made (or not made in a timely manner) pursuant to such provisions, it could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. We cannot provide any assurance that PPAs containing such provisions will not be terminated or, in the event of termination, we will be able to enter into a replacement PPA. Moreover, any replacement PPA may be on terms less favorable to us than the PPA that was terminated.
Our revenue may be exposed to inflation-based price increases or other external factors.
Certain of our PPAs do not contain inflation based price increases, resulting in an average, weighted by MW, escalator on our PPAs of 1.11%. To the extent that we experience high rates of inflation we may experience increased operation costs and decreased revenues. In addition, a portion of the revenues under certain of the PPAs for our solar energy projects are subject to price adjustments triggered by a decrease in the market price of electricity over time. This would also have a negative impact on our ability to attract new customers and increase our portfolio, as we believe that an offtaker's decision to develop our solar projects is primarily driven by a desire to decrease their traditional energy costs. If we are unable to negotiate more favorable pricing, it could have a material adverse impact on the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of our Renewable Energy segment. We also believe the solar industry will continue to experience periods of structural imbalance between supply and demand (i.e., where production capacity exceeds global demand), and that such periods will put pressure on pricing, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
We are reliant on a key vendor for operation, maintenance and interconnection of our Facilities.
Pursuant to our O&M Agreements, our O&M vendor is required to operate and maintain our Facilities. While this vendor is obligated to indemnify us to the extent it fails to perform under our O&M Agreements, any such failure could cause a delay or reduction in payments under our PPAs. Additionally, we contract with utilities through an interconnection agreement to export excess energy generated by our Facilities to an offtaker and/or the utility electrical grid. Our O&M vendor is required to perform our obligations under the interconnection agreement. If our O&M vendor fails to so perform and interconnection is lost, our offtakers will not receive any energy or net metering credits from such Facility nor a bill credit for energy that would otherwise have been exported to the utility and we may be required to cover these amounts under our PPAs.
The growth of our solar business is dependent on our ability to identify and acquire additional solar projects on favorable terms.
Our business strategy for our Renewable Energy segment is to grow via acquisition and development of additional energy generation assets, with a current focus on solar distributed generation. In order to do so, we are reliant on management to effectively identify and consummate acquisition or new project opportunities on a timely basis and on favorable terms. The number of acquisition and development opportunities is limited, and we compete with some organizations with greater size, scale and resources. In addition, the design, construction and operation of solar energy projects are highly regulated, require various governmental approvals and permits, including environmental approvals and permits, and may be subject to the imposition of related conditions that vary by jurisdiction. We cannot predict whether all permits required for a given project will be granted or granted on terms that are favorable to our business plans. If we are unable to grow our Renewable Energy segment, we may not be able to succeed with our overall business growth strategy.
Other Risks Related to Our Businesses
We rely on a limited number of key suppliers and vendors for timely supply of handsets, accessories, equipment and services relating to our network or Facility infrastructure. If these suppliers or vendors experience problems or favor our competitors, we could fail to obtain sufficient quantities of the products and services we require to operate our businesses successfully.
We depend on a limited number of suppliers and vendors for equipment and services relating to our handset lineup, network infrastructure, solar equipment and our back-office IT systems infrastructure. If these suppliers experience interruptions or other problems delivering these network components on a timely basis, our subscriber or revenue growth and operating results could suffer significantly.
We source wireless devices for our retail wireless businesses from a small number of handset resellers and to a lesser extent, equipment manufacturers and depend on access to compelling devices at reasonable prices on primary and secondary markets for these devices, as well as timely delivery of devices to meet market demands. The inability to provide a competitive device lineup could materially impact our ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers. We are also reliant upon a limited number of network equipment manufacturers, including Ericsson, Motorola, Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia and a limited number of solar equipment manufacturers, including Yingli and Inventec for photovoltaic modules and SMA and Satcon for inverters.
We are also dependent on the ability of our solar equipment manufacturers to fulfill the warranties on our solar equipment, which typically range from 5 to 25 years in length, in the event of equipment malfunction. If these suppliers cease operations or for some reason default on their warranties, we would have to bear the expense our repairing or replacing the faulty equipment. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected if we cannot make
claims under warranties covering our Facilities. If it becomes necessary to seek alternative suppliers and vendors, we may be unable to obtain satisfactory replacement suppliers or vendors on economically attractive terms on a timely basis.
Regulatory changes may impose restrictions that adversely affect us or cause us to incur significant unplanned costs in modifying our business plans or operations.
We are subject to U.S. federal, state and local regulations and foreign government regulations, all of which are subject to change. As new laws and regulations are issued, we may be required to modify our business plans or operations. We cannot be certain that we can do so in a cost-effective manner. For example, a portion of our revenues in our Renewable Energy segment from PPAs is dependent on the ongoing availability of tax credits for clean energy. In addition, the failure to comply with applicable governmental regulations could result in the loss of our licenses or authorizations to operate, inability to perform under our PPAs, the assessment of penalties or fines or otherwise may have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations.
Our operations in the United States are subject to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (or "1996 Act"). The interpretation and implementation of the provisions of the 1996 Act and the FCC rules implementing the 1996 Act continue to be heavily debated and may have a material adverse effect on our business. Also, although legislation has not yet been introduced, there have been indications that Congress may substantially revise the 1996 Act and other regulation in the next few years. While we believe we are in compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements, our interpretation of our obligations may differ from those of regulatory authorities. Both federal and state regulators require us to pay various fees and assessments, file periodic reports and comply with various rules regarding our consumer marketing practices and the contents of our bills, on an on-going basis. If we fail to comply with these requirements, we may be subject to fines or potentially be asked to show cause as to why our licenses to provide service should not be revoked.
Increased competition may adversely affect growth, require increased capital expenditures, result in the loss of existing customers and decrease our revenues.
We face competition in the markets in which we operate. For example:
• In the United States, our greatest competitive risk to our telecommunications businesses is the possibility that our current roaming customers may elect to build or enhance their own networks within the rural market in which we currently provide service, which is commonly known as "over-building." If our roaming customers, who generally have greater financial resources and access to capital than we do, determine to over-build our network, their need for our roaming services will be significantly reduced or eliminated.
• In Guyana, we have faced competition from Digicel, a wireless service provider operating across the region that has been very aggressive in acquiring a substantial share of the market.
• In Bermuda and the Caribbean, we compete against Digicel and in Turks and Caicos, we compete with the incumbent wireless service provider as well.
• In New England and New York State, in addition to other competitive voice and data communications service providers, we compete with much larger regional carriers, each of which has greater financial and other resources.
• In our solar power business, we face competition from traditional utilities and renewable energy companies. Additionally, our competitors generally have increased size and resources and are less dependent on third parties for the sourcing of equipment or operation and maintenance of their solar facilities.
Over the last several years, an increase in competition in the telecommunications industry has contributed to a decline in prices for communication services, including local and long-distance telephone service, data services and mobile wireless services. Increased competition in the industry may decrease prices further. In addition, increased competition in the telecommunications and renewable energy industries could reduce our customer base, require us to invest in new facilities and capabilities and reduce revenues, margins and returns.
General economic factors, domestically and internationally, may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
General economic factors could adversely affect demand for our products and services, require a change in the services we sell or have a significant impact in our operating costs. Energy costs are historically volatile and are subject to fluctuations arising from changes in domestic and international supply and demand, labor costs, competition, market speculation, government regulations, or weather conditions. Rapid and significant changes in these and other commodity prices may affect our sales and profit margins. General economic conditions can also be affected by the outbreak of war, acts of terrorism, or other significant national or international events.
• In addition, an economic downturn in our markets or the global market may lead to slower economic activity, increased unemployment, concerns about inflation, decreased consumer confidence and other adverse business conditions that could have an impact on our businesses. For example, among other things:
• A decrease in tourism could negatively affect revenues and growth opportunities from operations in the islands and in a number of areas covered by U.S. rural and wholesale wireless operations that serve tourist destinations.
• An increase in "bad debt", or the amounts that we have to write off of our accounts receivable could result from our inability to collect subscription fees from our subscribers.
• We rely on the population of Guyanese living abroad who initiate calls to Guyana or are responsible for remittances to relatives living in Guyana. A prolonged economic downturn in the U.S. or Canadian economies could affect inbound calling and, therefore, our revenue in Guyana.
The impact, if any, that these events might have on us and our business, is uncertain.
Failure of network or information technology systems, including as a result of security breaches, could have an adverse effect on our business.
We are highly dependent on our information technology (IT) systems for the operation of our network, or Facilities delivery of services to our customers and compilation of our financial results. Failure of these IT systems, through cyberattacks, breaches of security, or otherwise, may cause disruptions to our operations. Our inability to operate our network, Facilities and backoffice systems as a result of such events, even for a limited period of time, may result in significant expenses and/ impact the timely and accurate delivery of our services or other information. Other risks that may also cause interruptions in service or reduced capacity for our telecommunications customers include power loss, capacity limitations, software defects and breaches of security by computer viruses, break-ins or otherwise. Disruptions in our networks and the unavailability of our services or our inability to efficiently and effectively complete necessary technology or systems upgrades or conversions could lead to a loss of customers, damage to our reputation and violation of the terms of our licenses and contracts with customers. These failures could also lead to significant negative publicity, regulatory problems and litigation.
Our foreign operations are subject to economic, political and other risks that could adversely affect our revenues or financial position.
Our operations in Bermuda and the Caribbean may face adverse financial consequences and operational problems due to foreign political or economic changes, such as changes in national or regional political or economic conditions, laws and regulations that restrict repatriation of earnings or other funds, or changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Any of these changes could adversely affect our revenues or financial position.
Our ability to recruit and retain experienced management and technical personnel could adversely affect our results of operations and ability to maintain internal controls.
The success of our business is largely dependent on our executive officers and the officers of our operating units, as well as on our ability to attract and retain other highly qualified technical and management personnel. We believe that there is, and will continue to be, strong competition for qualified personnel in the communications industry and in our markets, and we cannot be certain that we will be able to attract and retain the personnel necessary for the development of our business. We rely heavily on local management to run our operating units. Many of the markets we operate in are small and remote, making it difficult to attract and retain talented and qualified managers and staff in those markets. The loss of key personnel or the failure to attract or retain personnel with the sophistication to run complicated telecommunications equipment, networks and systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not currently maintain "key person" life insurance on any of our key employees and none of the executives at our parent company are under employment agreements.
In addition, cultural differences abroad and local practices of conducting business in our foreign operations may not be in line with the business practices, recordkeeping and ethics standards in the United States. In order to continue to ensure compliance with foreign and U.S. laws, accounting standards and our own corporate policies, we have implemented financial and operational controls, created an internal audit team responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with our internal accounting controls, and routinely train our employees, vendors and consultants. However, having substantial foreign operations also increases the complexity and difficulty of developing, implementing and monitoring these internal controls and procedures. For example, in 2012, we identified violations of certain of the Company's policies and procedures at our GT&T subsidiary, which we remedied by, among other things, replacing certain GT&T senior personnel. In 2013, we identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting resulting from the implementation of a new billing system in Guyana and the accounting personnel in our GT&T subsidiary possessing insufficient accounting knowledge, experience and training. We were able to remedy such controls by, among other things, enhancing the oversight and training of such personnel. If we are unable to manage these risks effectively, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in meteorological conditions may materially disrupt our operations.
Many of the areas in which we operate have experienced severe weather conditions over the years including hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, damaging storms and floods. Some areas in which we operate may also be at risk of earthquakes. Such events may materially disrupt and adversely affect our business operations. A major hurricane passed directly over Bermuda in 2003 causing major damage to our network and to the island's infrastructure. In 2008, a hurricane caused extensive damage on a small portion of the U.S. Virgin Islands and a separate hurricane negatively affected operations in the Turks and Caicos. Guyana has suffered from severe rains and flooding in the past as well. While these events have not had a significant negative impact on the operating results or financial condition of the affected businesses or our overall business, we cannot be sure that these types of events will not have
such an impact in the future or that the insurance coverage we maintain for these risks will adequately compensate us for all damage and economic losses resulting from natural catastrophes.
The electricity produced and revenues generated by a solar electric generation facility is highly dependent on suitable solar and associated weather conditions and our solar panels and inverters could be damaged by severe weather, such as hailstorms, blizzards or tornadoes. In addition, replacement and spare parts for key components may be difficult or costly to acquire or may be unavailable. Unfavorable weather and atmospheric conditions could reduce the output of our Facilities and lead to a loss of revenue from our offtakers.
Risks Related to Our Capital Structure
Our debt instruments include restrictive and financial covenants that limit our operating flexibility.
Our credit facility requires us to maintain a ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA and contains certain covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to take specific actions, even if we believe such actions are in our best interest. These include restrictions on our ability to do the following:
• incur additional debt;
• create liens or negative pledges with respect to our assets;
• pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, our capital stock;
• make investments, loans or advances or other forms of payments;
• issue, sell or allow distributions on capital stock of specified subsidiaries;
• enter into transactions with affiliates; or
• merge, consolidate or sell our assets.
Any failure to comply with the restrictions of the credit facility or any subsequent financing agreements may result in an event of default. Such default may allow our creditors to accelerate the repayment of the related debt and may result in the acceleration of the repayment of any other debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In addition, these creditors may be able to terminate any commitments they had made to provide us with further funds.
Our Chairman is our largest stockholder and will continue to exert significant influence over us.
Cornelius B. Prior, Jr., our Chairman and the father of our Chief Executive Officer, beneficially owns, together with related entities, affiliates and family members (including our Chief Executive Officer), approximately 40% of our outstanding Common Stock. As a result, he is able to exert significant influence over all matters presented to our stockholders for approval, including election and removal of our directors and change of control transactions. In addition, as our Chairman, he has the ability to exert significant influence over other matters brought before our Board of Directors, such as proposed changes in our strategy or business plans and our major financing decisions. His interests may not always coincide with the interests of other holders of our Common Stock.
Low trading volume of our stock may limit our shareholders ability to sell shares and/or result in lower sale prices.
For the three months prior to March 1, 2015, the average daily trading volume of our Common Stock was approximately 50,000 shares. As a result, shareholders may have difficulty selling a large number of shares of our Common Stock in the manner or at a price that might be attainable if our Common Stock were more actively traded. In addition, the market price of our Common Stock may not be reflective of its underlying value.
We may not pay dividends in the future.
Our stockholders may receive dividends out of legally available funds if, and when, they are declared by our Board of Directors. We have consistently paid quarterly dividends in the past, but may cease to do so at any time. Our credit facility sets certain limitations on our ability to pay dividends on, or repurchase, our capital stock. We may incur additional indebtedness in the future that may further restrict our ability to declare and pay dividends. We may also be restricted from paying dividends in the future due to restrictions imposed by applicable state laws, our financial condition and results of operations, capital requirements, covenants contained in our financing agreements, management's assessment of future capital needs and other factors considered by our Board of Directors.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We lease approximately 18,000 square feet of office space at 600 Cummings Center, Beverly, MA 01915 for our corporate headquarters. Worldwide, we utilize the following approximate square footage of space for our operations:
All of the above locations are leased except for the office and technical space within our International Integrated Telephony segment, which we own. As of December 31, 2014, we operated three retail stores in our U.S. Wireless segment, eight retail stores in our International Integrated Telephony segment and eleven retail stores in our Island Wireless segment.
Our offices and technical operations are in the following locations:
U.S. Wireless
International Integrated
Telephony
Island Wireless
Renewable Energy
U.S. Wireline
Little Rock, AR
Georgetown, Guyana
Bermuda
San Francisco, CA
Bellows Falls, VT
Castle Rock, CO
Turks & Caicos
Albany, NY
Atlanta, GA
U.S. Virgin Islands
Aruba
Within our telecommunications operations, we globally own 231 towers, lease an additional 453 towers and have five switch locations within rented locations. In addition, our renewable energy operations owns 28 commercial solar projects at 59 sites. We consider our owned and leased properties to be suitable and adequate for our business operations.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Currently, our Guyana subsidiary, Guyana Telephone & Telegraph, Ltd. ("GT&T") holds an exclusive license to provide domestic fixed services and international voice and data services in Guyana. The license, whose initial term of twenty years was scheduled to expire at the end of 2010, allowed for GT&T, at its sole option, to extend the term for an additional twenty years, until December 2030. GT&T exercised its extension right, in accordance with the terms of its License and its agreement with the Government of Guyana, in November 2009.
Since 2001, the Government of Guyana has stated its intention to introduce additional competition into Guyana's telecommunications sector. Since that time, we have met on several occasions with officials of the Government of Guyana to discuss potential modifications of GT&T's exclusivity and other rights under the existing agreement and License. In 2012, the Government of Guyana introduced draft legislation in Parliament that, if enacted, would have the effect of terminating our exclusive license rights by permitting other telecommunications carriers to receive licenses to provide domestic fixed services and international voice and data services in Guyana. Along with the draft legislation, the Government also released drafts of new regulations and licenses (collectively, the "Draft Laws"). These Draft Laws would also introduce material changes to many other features of Guyana's existing telecommunications regulatory regime. While little or no substantive actions have been taken on the Draft Laws since 2012, we cannot predict when or if the proposed legislation will be adopted by Parliament or, if adopted and then signed into law by the President, the manner in which it would be implemented by the Minister of Telecommunications and the PUC. Although we believe that we would be entitled to damages or other compensation for any involuntary termination of its contractual exclusivity rights, we cannot guarantee that we would prevail in a proceeding to enforce our rights or that our actions would effectively halt any unilateral action by the Government.
In November 2007, Caribbean Telecommunications Limited ("CTL") filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against GT&T and ATN claiming breach of an interconnection agreement for domestic cellular services in Guyana and related claims. CTL asserted over $200 million in damages. GT&T and ATN moved to dismiss the complaint on procedural and jurisdictional grounds. On January 26, 2009, the court granted the motions to dismiss the complaint on the grounds asserted. On November 7, 2009 and again on April 4, 2013, CTL filed a similar claim against GT&T and the PUC in the High Court of Guyana. The Company believes these claims are without merit and are duplicative of a previous claim filed by CTL in Guyana that was dismissed. There has been no action on these matters since the April 2013 filing.
On May 8, 2009, Digicel filed a lawsuit in Guyana challenging the legality of GT&T's exclusive license rights under Guyana's constitution. Digicel initially filed this lawsuit against the Attorney General of Guyana in the High Court. On May 13, 2009, GT&T petitioned to intervene in the suit in order to oppose Digicel's claims and that petition was granted on May 18, 2009. GT&T filed an answer to the charge on June 22, 2009, and the case is pending. We believe that any legal challenge to GT&T's exclusive license rights granted in 1990 is without merit, and we intend to vigorously defend against such a legal challenge.
On February 17, 2010, GT&T filed a lawsuit in the High Court of Guyana asserting that, despite its denials, Digicel is engaged in international bypass in violation of GT&T's exclusive license rights, the interconnection agreement between the parties, and the laws of Guyana. GT&T is seeking, among other things, injunctive relief to stop the illegal bypass activity, actual damages in excess of US$9 million and punitive damages of approximately US$5 million. Digicel filed counterclaims alleging that GT&T has violated the terms of the interconnection agreement and Guyana laws. GT&T intends to vigorously prosecute this suit.
On July 20, 2012 a trial court in Guyana made findings calling into question the validity of GT&T's exclusive license to provide international voice and data service in Guyana and the applicability of that license to telecommunications services using Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP"). The findings were made in a breach of contract case brought originally in 2007 against GT&T by a subscriber to its Internet service and are now temporarily stayed pending further court proceedings. Digicel, our main competitor in Guyana, in response to the trial court's findings, began connecting its own international traffic out of Guyana without receiving an international license and at rates which had not been approved by the Guyana PUC. In response, the Guyana PUC ordered Digicel to cease providing service at these rates and the government of Guyana notified us that they have undertaken to advise Digicel that its activities are in contravention of Guyana law. The Guyana courts also granted
GT&T an interim injunction restraining Digicel from bypassing GT&T's network and GT&T has sued Digicel to recover damages that it incurred as a result of Digicel's bypass during this time period. GT&T has also appealed the original breach of contract case, not only with respect to the contract claim, but also as to the court's findings regarding the exclusivity of GT&T's license and its application to VoIP services.
GT&T is also involved in several legal claims regarding its tax filings with the Guyana Revenue Authority dating back to 1991 regarding the deductibility of intercompany advisory fees as well as other tax assessments. Should GT&T be held liable for any of the disputed tax assessments, totaling $33.2 million, the Company believes that the Government of Guyana would then be obligated to reimburse GT&T for any amounts necessary to ensure that GT&T's return on investment was no less than 15% per annum for the relevant periods.
In Bermuda, the Regulatory Authority continued its implementation of the Electronic Communications Act of 2011, which allows communications service providers to enter new lines of business and introduces competition in the sector. As the government of Bermuda reforms the local telecommunications market, it has adopted new and amended regulations that establish regulatory and other fees, additional regulation and result in other circumstances that could increase our regulatory costs or otherwise impact our operations. For instance, in December 2014, the Bermuda Regulatory Authority adopted a decision that, if implemented, would prevent us from using a portion of existing spectrum held by us in Bermuda reserved for the launch of next generation services in accordance with our plans and demands of our customers in Bermuda. While the Company has appealed the decision, if it is implemented, it could damage the competitive position of our Bermuda business and limit its ability to grow. Although the Company believes that the Regulatory Authority's decision to recapture and re-assign some of its spectrum rights in Bermuda is misplaced, it cannot be sure that it would prevail in the appeal proceeding or that such actions would effectively halt any unilateral action by the Regulatory Authority.
The term of the Company's telecommunications license to operate in Aruba expired on January 15, 2014. The government of Aruba informed the Company earlier in January 2014 that a renewed license would be issued only upon payment by the Company of a fee in the amount of Afl 7.2 million (or approximately US$4 million). The Company is continuing to operate as it is actively contesting the assessment of such fee.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our Common Stock, $.01 par value, is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "ATNI." The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our Common Stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market:
The approximate number of holders of record of Common Stock as of March 10, 2015 was 82.
Dividends
The following table sets forth the quarterly dividends per share declared by us over the past two fiscal years ended December 31, 2014:
The declaration and payment of dividends on our Common Stock is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and is subject to a number of factors. Our credit facility restricts our ability to declare or pay dividends on our Common Stock. Because we are a holding company, our ability to declare dividends is effectively limited to the amount of dividends, if any, our subsidiaries and other equity holdings may distribute to us. We have paid quarterly dividends on our Common Stock since January 1999, and have increased the amount of our dividend in each of the years since then. The present Board of Directors believes in returning a significant portion of profits, where possible, to stockholders and, subject to prudent resource management and strategic development needs, would expect to continue to increase the amount of our dividend if earnings continue to increase, although not necessarily proportionally. In 2013 and 2014, we declared a total annual dividend of $1.04 and $1.12 per share, respectively. The continuation or modification of our current dividend policy will be dependent upon strategic opportunities or developments, future results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions (such as those under our existing credit facility), regulatory actions, and other factors deemed relevant at that time by the Board of Directors.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities in the Fourth Quarter of 2014
(1)In September 2004, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $5.0 million of our Common Stock (the "Plan"). The repurchase authorizations do not have a fixed termination date and the timing of the buyback amounts and exact number of shares purchased will depend on market conditions.
(2)Represents shares purchased on October 21, 2014 from our executive officers and other employees who tendered these shares to the Company to satisfy their tax withholding and stock options exercise obligations incurred in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards and exercise of stock options at such dates. These shares were not purchased under the plan discussed above. The price paid per share was the closing price per share of our Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the date those shares were purchased.
(3)Represents shares purchased on November 18, 2014 from our executive officers and other employees who tendered these shares to the Company to satisfy their tax withholding and stock options exercise obligations incurred in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards and exercise of stock options at such date. These shares were not purchased under the plan discussed above. The price paid per share was the closing price per share of our Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the date those shares were purchased.
(4)Represents shares purchased on December 14, 2014 from our executive officers and other employees who tendered these shares to the Company to satisfy their tax withholding and stock options exercise obligations incurred in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards and exercise of stock options at such date. These shares were not purchased under the plan discussed above. The price paid per share was the closing price per share of our Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the date those shares were purchased.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
You should read the selected financial data in conjunction with our "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and the related Notes to those Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report. The historical results set forth below are not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations. Period to period comparisons are also significantly affected by our significant acquisitions. See Notes 3 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for a more detailed discussion of our recent acquisitions and discontinued operations.
(1)The Company recognized an impairment charge on Goodwill and on its telecommunications licenses during the year ended December 31, 2012. See Note 7 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(2)During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized an unrealized loss on interest rate derivative contracts. See Note 9 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(3)During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized a gain on the Alltel Sale. See Note 4 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
We are a holding company that, through our operating subsidiaries, (i) provides wireless and wireline telecommunications services in North America, Bermuda and the Caribbean, (ii) owns and operates commercial distributed generation solar power systems in the United States, and (iii) owns and operates terrestrial and submarine fiber optic transport systems in the United States and the Caribbean, respectively. We were incorporated in Delaware in 1987 and began trading publicly in 1991. Since that time, we have engaged in strategic acquisitions and investments to grow our operations. We continue to actively evaluate additional domestic and international acquisition, divesture, and investment opportunities and other strategic transactions in the telecommunications, energy-related and other industries that meet our return-on-investment and other acquisition criteria. For a discussion of our investment strategy and risks involved, see "Risk Factors-We are actively evaluating investment, acquisition and other strategic opportunities, which may affect our long-term growth prospects."
We offer the following principal services:
• Wireless. In the United States, we offer wholesale wireless voice and data roaming services to national, regional, local and selected international wireless carriers in rural markets located principally in the Southwest and Midwest United States. We also offer wireless voice and data services to retail customers in Guyana, Bermuda, and in other smaller markets in the Caribbean and the United States.
• Wireline. Our local telephone and data services include our operations in Guyana and the mainland United States. We are the exclusive licensed provider of domestic wireline local and long-distance telephone services in Guyana and international voice and data communications into and out of Guyana. We also offer facilities-based integrated voice and data communications services and wholesale transport services to enterprise and residential customers in New England, primarily in Vermont and New York State. In addition, we offer wholesale long-distance voice services to telecommunications carriers.
• Renewable Energy. In the United States, we provide distributed generation solar power to corporate, utility and municipal customers in Massachusetts, California and New Jersey.
The following chart summarizes the operating activities of our principal subsidiaries, the segments in which we report our revenue and the markets we served as of December 31, 2014:
Services
Segment
Markets
Tradenames
Wireless
U.S. Wireless
United States (rural markets)
Commnet, Choice
Island Wireless
Aruba, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, U.S. Virgin Islands
Mio, CellOne, Islandcom, Choice
International Integrated Telephony
Guyana
Cellink
Wireline
International Integrated Telephony
Guyana
GT&T
U.S. Wireline
United States (New England and New York State)
Sovernet, ION, Essextel
Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy
United States (Massachusetts, California and New Jersey)
Ahana Renewables
We provide management, technical, financial, regulatory, and marketing services to our subsidiaries and typically receive a management fee equal to a percentage of their respective revenue. Management fees from our subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation.
Discontinued Operations-Sale of U.S. Retail Wireless Business
On September 20, 2013, the Federal Communications Commission announced its approval of our previously announced proposed sale of our U.S. retail wireless business operated under the Alltel name to AT&T Mobility LLC for approximately $796.8 million in cash that included a sale price adjustment for the working capital of the business of $16.8 million (the "Alltel Sale"). As a result of that approval, we completed the sale of certain U.S. retail wireless assets on that date.
The operations of the Alltel business, which were previously included in our U.S. Wireless segment, have been classified as discontinued operations in all periods presented. Unless indicated otherwise, the information in this Management's Discussion and Analysis relates only to our continuing operations.
Stimulus Grants
We were awarded several federal stimulus grants in 2009 and 2010 by the U.S. Government under provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 intended to stimulate the deployment of broadband infrastructure and services to rural, unserved and underserved areas. As of December 31, 2014, we have spent (i) $35.8 million in capital expenditures (of which $27.5 million has been funded by the federal stimulus grant) in connection with our build of ten new segments of fiber-optic, middle-mile broadband infrastructure in upstate New York and parts of Pennsylvania and Vermont; (ii) $7.6 million in capital expenditures (of which $5.3 million has been funded by the federal stimulus grant) in connection with our last-mile broadband infrastructure buildout in the Navajo Nation across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah; and (iii) $47.9 million in capital expenditures (of which $33.0 million has been or will be funded by the federal stimulus grant) in connection with our fiber-optic middle mile network buildout to provide broadband and transport services to over 340 community anchor institutions in Vermont. The results of our New York and Vermont stimulus projects are included in our "U.S. Wireline" segment and the results of our Navajo stimulus project are included in our "U.S. Wireless" segment. The New York and Navajo Stimulus projects were completed during 2013. The Vermont stimulus project was completed during the fourth quarter of 2014.
Mobility Fund
As part of the Federal Communications Commission's ("FCC") reform of its Universal Service Fund ("USF") program, which previously provided support to carriers seeking to offer telecommunications services in high-cost areas and to low-income households, the FCC created two new funds, including the Mobility Fund, a one-time award meant to support wireless coverage in underserved geographic areas in the United States. In August 2013, the Company received FCC final approval for approximately $47.0 million of Mobility Fund support to its Alltel business (the "Alltel Mobility Funds") and $21.7 million of Mobility Fund support to its wholesale wireless business (the "Wholesale Mobility Funds" and collectively with the Alltel Mobility Funds, the "Mobility Funds"), to expand voice and broadband networks in certain geographic areas in order to offer either 3G or 4G coverage. As part of the receipt of the Mobility Funds, the Company committed to comply with certain additional FCC construction and other requirements. A portion of these funds will be used to offset network capital costs and a portion is used to offset the costs of supporting the networks for a period of five years. In connection with the Company's application for the Mobility Funds, the Company issued approximately $29.8 million in letters of credit to the Universal Service Administrative Company ("USAC") in June 2013 to secure these obligations. If the Company fails to comply with any of the terms and conditions upon which the Mobility Funds were granted, or if it loses eligibility for the Mobility Funds, USAC will be entitled to draw the entire amount of the letter of credit applicable to the affected project plus penalties and may disqualify the Company from the receipt of additional Mobility Fund support.
In connection with the Company's sale of its Alltel business on September 20, 2013, it notified the FCC and USAC that it would no longer be eligible to perform under the terms and conditions of the Alltel Mobility Funds. At that time, USAC chose not to draw any amounts under our letter of credit securing the Alltel Mobility Funds and the Company made a cash payment of approximately $4.6 million in penalty fees to USAC. The Company was reimbursed for these penalty fees by AT&T Mobility in January 2014. The Company terminated $19.9 million of letters of credit securing the Alltel Mobility Funds on November 13, 2013.
The Company began the construction of its Wholesale Mobility Funds projects during the third quarter of 2013 and its results are included in the Company's "U.S. Wireless" segment. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately $7.3 million in Wholesale Mobility Funds. Of these funds, $1.2 million was recorded as an offset to the cost of the property, plant, and equipment associated with these projects and, consequentially, a reduction of future depreciation expense and $2.3 million is recorded within other current liabilities while the remaining $3.8 million is recorded within other long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014. The balance sheet presentation is based on the timing of the expected usage of the funds which will reduce future operations expenses.
Results of Operations:
Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2014
U.S. wireless revenue. The substantial majority of U.S. wireless revenue consists of wholesale revenue. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, wholesale revenue represented 97% and 96% of total U.S. wireless revenue, respectively. In addition, U.S. wireless revenue also includes a small amount of retail revenues generated by our operations in certain smaller rural markets already covered by our wholesale network in the western United States. Wholesale revenue is generated from providing mobile voice or data services to the customers of other wireless carriers, the provision of network switching services and certain transport services using our wireless networks. Wholesale wireless revenue is primarily driven by the number of sites and base stations we operate, the amount of voice and data traffic from the subscribers of other carriers that each of these sites generates, and the rates we are paid from our carrier customers for carrying that traffic.
The most significant competitive factor we face in our wholesale wireless business is the extent to which our carrier customers choose to roam on our networks or elect to build or acquire their own infrastructure in a market, reducing or eliminating their need for our services in those markets. Occasionally, we have entered into buildout projects with existing carrier customers to help the customer accelerate the buildout of a given area. Pursuant to these arrangements, we agree to incur the cost of building and operating a network in a newly designated area meeting specified conditions. In exchange, the carrier agrees to license us spectrum in that area and enter into a contract with specific pricing and terms. These arrangements typically include a right, or "call option", in favor of the carrier to purchase that portion of the network and receive back the spectrum for a predetermined price, depending on when such call option is exercised. For example, as previously disclosed, in December 2012, we sold a portion of our network to a carrier customer pursuant to a call option contained in our roaming and buildout agreement with that carrier. We currently have one buildout arrangement of approximately 100 newly built cell sites, which provides the carrier with a call option to purchase such sites exercisable beginning no earlier than 2018. At this time, we cannot predict the level of roaming traffic that will develop on this newly built network or whether the call option will be exercised.
Our U.S. wireless revenue increased to $153.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $107.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $45.1 million or 41.8%. The revenue growth was a result of an increase in the demand for data services and an increase in our base stations from approximately 600 as of December 31, 2013 to approximately 760 as of December 31, 2014. Revenue growth was also enhanced as we upgraded our network capacities and data speeds at many of our cell sites, enabling higher data volumes as compared to 2013.
While we will continue to expand our coverage with additional and upgraded base stations in 2015, it will be at a slower rate than our 2014 expansion. As a result, we expect that data volumes will continue to increase during 2015. However, we expect to experience a decline in revenues as we agreed in the first quarter of 2015 to significantly reduce the rates we offer to a major customer in exchange for a longer-term contract. Our U.S. wireless revenues may also be impacted by our expanded network capabilities, reach and capacity, continued declines in overall voice traffic on our networks or decisions by our roaming partners to no longer roam on our networks or to continue to expand their networks in areas where we operate. We believe that this new model has much lower risk in that the extended term and reduced pricing create a long-lived shared infrastructure solution that increases the ultimate value of our wholesale business.
International wireless revenue. International wireless revenue includes retail and wholesale voice and data wireless revenue from our operations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, including the U.S. Virgin Islands.
International wireless revenue decreased by $2.8 million, or 3.0%, to $88.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, from $91.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This decrease was mainly due to a decrease in market share within our International Integrated Telephony segment which resulted in a $3.5 million decrease in wireless revenue as well as a decline in roaming revenue in
Bermuda and the Caribbean. This decrease was partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in our Island wireless segment as a result of increased subscribers.
In total, our international wireless subscribers decreased slightly from approximately 325,000 as of December 31, 2013 to 324,000 as of December 31, 2014. However, while lower revenue generating subscribers in our International Integrated Telephony segment decreased by 1.9% from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014, our higher revenue generating subscribers in our Island Wireless segment increased 6.4% from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014, respectively. While we have experienced subscriber growth in a number of our international markets, competition remains strong, and the high proportion of prepaid subscribers means that subscribers and revenue could shift relatively quickly in future periods.
We expect international wireless revenues from our retail operations to continue to grow in future periods as a result of continued subscriber growth. However, we anticipate that wholesale roaming revenues in Bermuda and the Caribbean will continue to decline in future periods because certain carriers in these markets continue to charge their customers unusually high rates for roaming services, resulting in lowered overall roaming traffic in these markets. Wholesale roaming revenues in these markets are also subject to seasonality and can fluctuate between quarters.
Additionally, international wireless revenue from our wireless voice and data services in Bermuda may be negatively impacted, principally through the loss of market share, if the Bermuda Regulatory Authority implements its decision to reallocate to our competitors a portion of existing spectrum held by our Bermuda subsidiary reserved for the launch of next generation wireless and data services. We currently cannot predict when or if the Bermuda Regulatory Authority will implement such decision. See "Business-Caribbean and Bermuda Regulation".
Wireline revenue. Wireline revenue is generated by our wireline operations in Guyana, including international telephone calls into and out of that country, our integrated voice and data operations in New England, our wholesale transport operations in New York State and our wholesale long-distance voice services to telecommunications carriers. This revenue includes basic service fees, measured service revenue, and internet access fees, as well as installation charges for new lines, monthly line rental charges, long-distance or toll charges, and maintenance and equipment sales.
Wireline revenue increased by $0.7 million, or 0.8%, to $85.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $84.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was primarily the result of increases from both our fiber network expansion in New York State and in our wholesale transport operations, both of which operate within our U.S. Wireline segment which accounted for an increase of $3.1 million. This increase, however, was partially offset by a $2.4 million decline in wireline revenues in Guyana where increases in high speed data services were more than offset by decreases in local landline telephone revenue and international calls into Guyana.
We anticipate that wireline revenue from our international long-distance business in Guyana will continue to be negatively impacted, principally through the loss of market share, should we cease to be the exclusive provider of domestic fixed and international long-distance service in Guyana, whether by reason of the Government of Guyana enacting legislation to such effect or a modification, revocation or lack of enforcement of our exclusive rights. While the loss of our exclusive rights will likely cause an immediate reduction in our wireline revenue, over the longer term such declines may be offset by increased revenue from data services to consumers and enterprises in Guyana, an increase in regulated local calling rates in Guyana, and increased wholesale transport services and large enterprise and agency sales in the United States.
We currently cannot predict when or if the Government of Guyana will enact such legislation or take, or fail to take, any action that would otherwise affect our exclusive rights in Guyana. See "Business-Guyana Regulation".
Equipment and other revenue. Equipment and other revenue represent revenue from wireless equipment sales, primarily handsets, to retail telecommunications customers and revenue from our newly acquired renewable energy investment and other miscellaneous revenue items.
Equipment and other revenue increased by $0.5 million, or 5.6%, from $8.9 million to $9.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Equipment and other revenue increased in our U.S. Wireless segment's retail operations and in our Island Wireless segment, by $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively, as a result of increased demand for handsets. These increases, however, were offset by a $0.7 million decrease in our International Integrated Telephony segment as a result of a decrease in subscribers. Our Renewable Energy segment reported $0.4 million of revenue which represents revenue generated subsequent to Ahana Acquisition on December 24, 2014.
We believe that equipment and other revenue could continue to increase as a result of gross subscriber additions, more aggressive subsidies driving demand for devices and the continued growth in smartphone penetration and from increases from a full year of revenue from our Renewable Energy segment.
Termination and access fee expenses. Termination and access fee expenses are charges that we pay for voice and data transport circuits (in particular, the circuits between our wireless sites and our switches), internet capacity and other access fees we pay to terminate our calls, as well as customer bad debt expense.
Termination and access fees increased by $8.5 million, or 15.3%, from $55.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $64.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our U.S. Wireless segment reported an increase in its termination and access fees of $5.4 million as a result of its network expansion which increased traffic volume. Our fiber network expansion in New York State and an increase in our wholesale transport operations resulted in an increase in termination and access fees within our U.S. Wireline segment of $2.9 million. The remaining increase was generated by our Island Wireless segment as a result of increased roaming costs, partially offset by a decrease in our International Integrated Telephony segment as a result of decreased traffic volume.
Termination and access fees are expected to continue to increase in future periods with expected growth in volume, but remain fairly proportionate to their related revenue as our networks expand.
Engineering and operations expenses. Engineering and operations expenses include the expenses associated with developing, operating and supporting our expanding telecommunications networks and renewable energy operations, including the salaries and benefits paid to employees directly involved in the development and operation of our networks.
Engineering and operations expenses increased by $1.4 million, or 3.6%, from $38.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $40.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of the continued implementation of our new billing system in our International Integrated Telephony segment.
Engineering and operations expenses are expected to increase as a result of the costs required to support the increased capacity and geographic expansion of our telecommunications network as well as to support our Renewable Energy segment.
Sales and marketing expenses. Sales and marketing expenses include salaries and benefits we pay to sales personnel, customer service expenses, sales commissions and the costs associated with the development and implementation of our promotion and marketing campaigns.
Sales and marketing expenses increased by $3.2 million, or 18%, from $17.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $21.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Sales and marketing
expenses increased within all of our segments but primarily in our U.S. Wireless segment's retail operations, where expanded marketing and advertising campaigns in the latter half of 2013 led to an increase of $2.3 million in these costs.
We expect that sales, marketing and customer service expenses will remain fairly consistent as a percentage of revenues in future periods.
Equipment expenses. Equipment expenses include the costs of our handset and customer resale equipment in our retail wireless businesses.
Equipment expenses increased by $0.4 million, or 3.1%, from $12.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in equipment expenses is primarily the result of increased demand for handset devices in our U.S. Wireless segment's retail operations which resulted in an increase of $1.3 million partially offset by decreased costs in our International Integrated Telephony segment as a result of fewer subscribers.
We believe that equipment expenses could continue to increase as a result of the increase in demand for smartphones by our subscribers.
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses include salaries, benefits and related costs for general corporate functions including executive management, finance and administration, legal and regulatory, facilities, information technology and human resources. General and administrative expenses also include internal costs associated with our performance of due-diligence on our pending or completed acquisitions.
General and administrative expenses increased by $4.7 million, or 8.9%, from $53.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $57.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 as a result of an increase in overhead costs within primarily all of our operating segments as well as the parent company which absorbed additional costs that were shared with the Alltel business which was sold in September 2013.
We expect that these general and administrative expenses will remain fairly consistent as a percentage of revenues in future periods.
Transaction- related charges. Transaction-related charges include the external costs, such as legal, tax and accounting, and consulting fees directly associated with acquisition and disposition-related activities, which are expensed as incurred. Transaction related charges do not include internal costs, such as employee salary and travel-related expenses, incurred in connection with acquisition or disposition-related activities or any integration-related costs.
We incurred $2.7 million and $3.0 million of transaction-related charges during the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The 2013 charges primarily related to the sale of our Alltel business while the 2014 charges primarily related to our Ahana Acquisition.
We expect that transaction related expenses will continue to be incurred from time to time as we continue to explore additional acquisition opportunities.
Depreciation and amortization expenses. Depreciation and amortization expenses represent the depreciation and amortization charges we record on our property and equipment and on certain intangible assets.
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $2.5 million, or 5.1%, from $48.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $51.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase is the result of network expansions within all of our reporting segments partially offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in our International Telephony segment as certain assets in that segment became fully depreciated in 2014.
We expect depreciation expense to increase due to the assets acquired as part of our Renewable Energy segment business and as we acquire more tangible assets to expand or upgrade our networks.
Gain on disposition of long-lived assets. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we sold certain network assets and telecommunications licenses in our U.S. Wireless segment for proceeds of $1.5 million and recognized a gain on such disposition of $1.1 million.
Interest income (expense), net. Interest income (expense), net represents commitment fees and interest incurred on our outstanding credit facilities, including our interest rate derivatives, net of interest income.
Interest income (expense), net decreased $11.5 million from $11.9 million of expense to $0.4 million of expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The decrease was primarily a result of the repayment of our long-term debt and the termination of our interest rate derivative contracts on September 20, 2013. The year ended December 31, 2013 also included a $4.7 million charge relating to the expensing of deferred financing costs upon the repayment of our term loans.
We expect that interest income (expense), net will increase in future periods as a result of our increased long-term debt which was assumed in our Ahana Acquisition.
Unrealized loss on interest rate derivative contracts. As a result of the repayment of our variable-rate term loans on September 20, 2013, our interest rate derivatives were terminated. Accordingly, we recognized a loss on our interest rate derivative contracts of $5.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2013.
Other income (expense), net. Other income (expense), net represents miscellaneous non-operational income we earned or expenses we incurred. Other income (expense), net was $0.3 million of expense and $1.0 million of income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, other income (expense), net includes a $1.1 million foreign currency exchange gain.
Income taxes. Our effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 were 20.5% and 32.7%, respectively. The year ended December 31, 2013 includes a tax benefit of $8.6 million related to the non-recurring write-down of an intercompany note receivable. This item had an 18.1% benefit to our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our consolidated tax rate will continue to be impacted by the mix of income generated among the jurisdictions in which we operate.
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax was $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This amount relates to the operations of our Alltel business which was sold on September 20, 2013.
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax. Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax of $307.1 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, relates to the gain on our sale of our Alltel business which was sold on September 20, 2013.
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests. Net income attributable to non-controlling interests reflected an allocation of $37.5 million and $11.0 million of income generated by our less than wholly-owned subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $0.6 million of net income attributable to non-controlling interests relating to our discontinued operations and $28.9 million of net income attributable to non-controlling interests relating to the gain on the sale of discontinued operations.
Net income attributable to Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. stockholders. Net income attributable to Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. stockholders decreased from $311.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $48.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, net income attributable to Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. stockholders included a gain on the sale of discontinued operations of $278.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively, net of tax and non-controlling interests. The year ended December 31, 2013 also includes $4.6 million of income from discontinued operations, net of tax and non-controlling interests.
On a per share basis, net income decreased from $19.71 per diluted share to $3.01 per diluted share for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 include net income per diluted share of $17.59 and $0.07, respectively, relating to the gain, net of tax, on the sale of our discontinued operations. The year ended December 31, 2013 also includes $0.29 of income from discontinued operations, net of tax and non-controlling interests.
Results of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2013
U.S. wireless revenue. Our U.S. wireless revenue increased to $107.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $102.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of
$5.1 million or 5.0%. The revenue growth was a result of an increase in the demand for data services and an increase in our base stations from 569 as of December 31, 2012 to 598 as of December 31, 2013. Revenue growth was also enhanced as we upgraded our network capacities and data speeds at many of our cell sites, generating higher data volumes as compared to 2012.
International wireless revenue. International wireless revenue increased by $9.9 million, or 12.0%, to $91.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, from $81.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This increase was mainly due to subscriber growth in our Island Wireless segment as well as increased roaming revenues in Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Wireline revenue. Wireline revenue decreased by $1.0 million, or 1.1%, to $84.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, from $85.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2012. Declines in local landline revenue and international calls into Guyana resulted in a decrease of $3.5 million in wireline revenue within our International Integrated Telephony segment. These decreases were partially offset by a $2.6 million increase in revenue from our wholesale long-distance voice service business in the United States.
Equipment and other revenue. Equipment and other revenue increased by $0.9 million, or 11.3% to $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, from $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Equipment revenue primarily increased as the result of an increase in subscribers in our Island Wireless segment.
Termination and access fee expenses. Termination and access fees decreased by $1.1 million, or 1.9%, from $56.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $55.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our U.S. Wireless segment reported a decrease in termination and access fees of $0.5 million as a result of the sale of certain network assets in late 2012. While the sale of the assets reduced the U.S. Wireless segment's termination and access fees by $4.8 million, the segment incurred an offsetting increase of $5.3 million in these costs as the result of an increase in the number of base stations and data traffic volumes. The remaining $0.6 million reduction in our termination and access fees were incurred across all of our other segments as increased operational synergies, primarily in Bermuda, offset the increase in traffic volume costs.
Engineering and operations expenses. Engineering and operations expenses decreased by $1.1 million, or 2.8%, from $40.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $38.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily as a result of the realization of operational synergies following our 2011 merger in Bermuda.
Sales and marketing expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $1.2 million, or 6.3%, from $19.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $17.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Sales and marketing expenses in our International Integrated Telephony segment decreased by $2.7 million, primarily as a result of a reduction in advertising and promotional costs. This decrease was partially offset by an increase of $1.6 million in such costs in our U.S. Wireless segment's retail operations which incurred only nominal sales and marketing costs during 2012.
Equipment expenses. Equipment expenses decreased by $0.5 million, or 3.8%, from $13.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $12.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in equipment expenses is the result of decreased costs for handset devices in our International Integrated Telephony segment partially offset by higher demand in our Island Wireless segment and our U.S. Wireless segment's retail operations.
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by $3.5 million, or 7.0% from $49.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $53.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as a result of an increase in overhead costs within all of our operating
segments as well as the parent company absorbing additional costs that were shared with the Alltel business.
Transaction related charges. We incurred $2.7 million of transaction related charges for the year ended December 31, 2013 and a nominal amount during the year ended December 31, 2012.
Depreciation and amortization expenses. Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased by $1.9 million, or 3.7%, from $50.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $48.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease was primarily due to certain assets in our U.S. Wireless, International Integrated Telephony and Island Wireless segments becoming fully depreciated. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses in our U.S. Wireless segment was also reduced by $0.7 million as a result of the sale of certain network assets in late 2012.
Impairment of intangible assets. We performed our annual impairment assessments of our telecommunications licenses as of December 31, 2012 and 2013. As a result of our assessment completed as of December 31, 2012, we determined that one of our telecommunications licenses used in our Island Wireless segment was impaired. As a result, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge for the entire $3.4 million net book value of the license during the year ended December 31, 2012. No impairment charge was recorded during 2013 as a result of the assessment that we made as of December 31, 2013.
Gain on disposition of long-lived assets. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we sold certain network assets and spectrum in the Midwestern United States and used in our wholesale U.S. Wireless business for proceeds of $15.6 million and recognized a gain on such disposition of $11.6 million. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2013, we sold certain network assets and telecommunications licenses in our U.S. Wireless segment for proceeds of $1.5 million and recognized a gain on such disposition of $1.1 million.
Interest income (expense), net. Interest income (expense), net decreased $1.8 million from $13.7 million of expense to $11.9 million of expense for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The decrease was primarily a result of the repayment of our long-term debt on September 20, 2013. This decrease was partially offset by a $4.7 million charge relating to the expensing of deferred financing costs to interest expense upon the repayment of our term loans.
Unrealized loss on interest rate derivative contracts. As a result of the repayment of our variable-rate term loans on September 20, 2013, our interest rate derivatives were terminated. As a result, we recognized an unrealized loss on our interest rate derivative contracts of $5.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2013.
Other income (expense), net. Other income (expense), net represents miscellaneous non-operational income we earned or expenses we incurred. Other income (expense), net was $1.9 million of income and $0.3 million of expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and the change is primarily driven by a correction of prior period errors booked in the quarter ended September 30, 2013 as described in Note 2.
Income taxes. Our effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013 were 46.5% and 20.5%, respectively. The year ended December 31, 2013 includes a tax benefit of $8.6 million related to the non-recurring write-down in the US of an intercompany note receivable. Excluding this item our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 38.6%. The year ended December 31, 2012 includes a tax benefit of $1.0 million related to certain non-recurring tax credits. Excluding those tax credits, our effective tax rate declined in 2013 as the result of increased income in lower taxed jurisdictions, such as Bermuda, as compared to 2012. Our effective tax rate in 2012 was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% (plus applicable statutory state income tax rates) due primarily to (i) the portion of our earnings that are taxed in Guyana at 45%, and
(ii) a portion of our earnings that include losses generated in foreign jurisdictions for which we receive no tax benefit because they are non-tax jurisdictions. Our consolidated tax rate will continue to be impacted by the mix of income generated among the jurisdictions in which we operate.
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax was $29.2 million and $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in income generated by the Alltel business was primarily the result of declines in high margin wholesale revenues and attrition of higher revenue postpaid subscribers during the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared with the prior year.
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax. Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax of $307.1 million relates to the gain on our Alltel sale.
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests. Net income attributable to non-controlling interests reflected an allocation of $4.2 million and $37.5 million of income generated by our less than wholly-owned subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Included within these amounts was $3.1 million and $8.0 million relating to our continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. In addition, we recorded $1.1 million and $0.6 million relating to our discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013 and $28.9 million relating to the gain on the Alltel sale.
Net income attributable to Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. stockholders. Net income attributable to Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. stockholders increased to $311.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $48.9 million for the year ended December, 2012. Included within these amounts was $4.6 million and $28.1 million, net of non-controlling interests, relating to discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2013, net income attributable to Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. stockholders also included a gain on the sale of discontinued operations of $278.2 million, net of tax and non-controlling interests.
On a per share basis, net income increased to $19.71 per diluted share from $3.13 per diluted share for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Included within net income per diluted share was $0.29 and $1.80 of net income per diluted share of discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The year ended December 31, 2013 also includes net income per diluted share of $17.59 relating to the gain on the sale of our discontinued operations.
Regulatory and Tax Issues
We are involved in a number of regulatory and tax proceedings. A material and adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and future operations. For a discussion of ongoing proceedings, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, we have met our operational liquidity needs through a combination of cash on hand and internally generated funds and have funded capital expenditures and acquisitions with a combination of internally generated funds, cash on hand, proceeds from dispositions and borrowings under our credit facilities. We believe our current cash, cash equivalents and availability under our current credit facility will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for at least the next twelve months for working capital and capital expenditures.
Uses of Cash
Capital expenditures. A significant use of our cash has been for capital expenditures to expand and upgrade our telecommunications networks as well as for acquisitions.
For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, we spent approximately $69.3 million and $58.3 million, respectively, on capital expenditures related to our continuing operations. The following details our capital expenditures from our continuing operations, by operating segment, for these periods (in thousands):
We are continuing to invest in upgrading and expanding our telecommunications networks in many of our markets, along with upgrading our operating and business support systems. We currently anticipate that capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2015 will be between $65 million and $70 million.
We expect to fund our current capital expenditures primarily from our current cash balances and cash generated from our operations.
Acquisitions and investments. Historically, we have funded our acquisitions with a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under our credit facilities.
We funded our Ahana Acquisition by using $50.4 million of our cash and assuming $38.9 million of long-term debt. As of December 31, 2014, we have accrued an additional $16.0 million of purchase price related to the Ahana Acquisition which we expect to pay during the first half of 2015.
We continue to explore opportunities to expand our businesses or acquire new businesses and licenses in the United States, the Caribbean and elsewhere. Such acquisitions, including acquisitions of renewable energy assets, may require external financing. While there can be no assurance as to whether, when or on what terms we will be able to acquire any such businesses or licenses or make such investments, such acquisitions may be accomplished through the issuance of shares of our capital stock, payment of cash or incurrence of additional debt. From time to time, we may raise capital ahead of any definitive use of proceeds to allow us to move more quickly and opportunistically if an attractive investment materializes.
As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately $326.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, $39.0 million of restricted cash from the sale of our Alltel business which is scheduled to be released to us in late March 2015 and $5.9 million of restricted cash obtained in our Ahana Acquisition. Of the $326.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, $94.3 million is held by foreign subsidiaries. How and when we deploy our balance sheet capacity will figure prominently in our longer-term growth prospects and stockholder returns.
Income taxes. We have historically used cash-on-hand to make payments for income taxes.
Dividends. We use cash-on-hand to make dividend payments to our common stockholders when declared by our Board of Directors. For the year ended December 31, 2014, dividends to our stockholders were approximately $17.8 million, which reflects dividends declared on December 8, 2014 and paid on January 9, 2015. We have paid quarterly dividends for the last 65 fiscal quarters.
Stock repurchase plan. Our Board of Directors approved a $5.0 million stock buyback plan in September 2004 pursuant to which we have spent approximately $2.1 million through December 31,
2014. Our last repurchase of our common stock under this plan was in 2007. We may repurchase shares at any time depending on market conditions, our available cash and our cash needs.
Debt Service and Other Contractual Commitments Table. The following table discloses aggregate information about our debt, lease and other obligations as of December 31, 2014 and the periods in which payments are due:
Sources of Cash
Total liquidity at December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately $371.4 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, a decrease of $63.2 million from the December 31, 2013 balance of $434.6 million. This decrease was primarily the result of our Ahana Acquisition for $50.4 million, our capital expenditures of $58.3 million, dividends paid to our stockholders of $17.5 million and distributions to our non-controlling interests of $16.3 million. These amounts were offset by our net cash provided by continuing operations of $82.7 million.
Cash provided by operations. Cash provided by operating activities was $78.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2014; an increase of $190.0 million from the $112.0 million used by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in net income, net of the gain on the disposal of discontinued operations, of $17.0 million and a reduction in the changes to our prepaid, accrued and deferred income taxes of $210.0 million. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in the cash provided by our discontinued operations of $24.1 million and a reduction in the changes in our operating assets and liabilities of $14.0 million.
Cash used in investing activities. Cash used in investing activities was $74.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 which primarily included $54.4 million used to fund our Ahana Acquisition and $58.3 million used for capital expenditures. These uses were partially offset by a decrease in restricted cash of $38.7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2013, cash provided by investing activities was $643.1 million which included $718.8 million in proceeds from the sale of our Alltel business (net of escrowed proceeds of $78.0 million) and $1.5 million in proceeds from the sale of certain network assets partially offset by our capital expenditures from our continuing operations of $69.3 million and capital expenditures within our discontinued operations.
Cash used in financing activities. Cash used in financing activities decreased by $276.6 million, from $310.5 million of cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $33.9 million of cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2014. The year ending December 31, 2013 included $272.1 million of term loan repayments funded with a portion of the proceeds from our Alltel sale. The remaining decrease of $4.5 million was primarily the result of a decrease in distributions to minority stockholders of $9.8 million, partially offset by an increase in dividends paid on our common stock of $5.4 million.
On May 18, 2012, we amended and restated our existing credit facility with CoBank, ACB and a syndicate of other lenders (the "Credit Facility") providing for $275.0 million in two term loans and a
revolver loan of up to $100.0 million (which includes a $10.0 million swingline sub-facility) and the capacity for additional term loans up to an aggregate of $100.0 million, subject to lender approval.
On June 17, 2013, we issued approximately $29.8 million in letters of credit to the Universal Service Administrative Company to secure a portion of the pending awards of approximately $68.8 million of Mobility Fund Grants to certain of our subsidiaries. In connection with our Alltel Sale on September 20, 2013, we notified the FCC and USAC that we would no longer be eligible to perform under the terms and conditions of the Alltel Mobility Funds. At that time, USAC chose not to draw any amounts under our letter of credit securing the Alltel Mobility Funds and we terminated $19.9 million in letters of credit on November 14, 2013. As of December 31, 2014, approximately $10.6 million of letters of credit were issued, outstanding and undrawn.
On September 20, 2013 we repaid the two term loans under our Credit Facility in full. We incurred nominal fees for the breakage of the term loans that were incurring interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). In addition, we recorded approximately $4.7 million in interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2013 related to accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the term loans.
On December 19, 2014, we amended and restated the Credit Facility to provide for a $225.0 million revolving credit facility (the "Amended Credit Facility") that includes (i) up to $10.0 million under the Amended Credit Facility for standby or trade letters of credit, (ii) up to $25.0 million under the Amended Credit Facility for letters of credit that are necessary or desirable to qualify for disbursements from the FCC's mobility fund and (iii) up to $10 million under a swingline sub-facility.
Amounts we may borrow under the Amended Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an applicable margin ranging between 1.50% to 1.75% or (ii) a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.50% to 0.75%. Swingline loans will bear interest at the base rate plus the applicable margin for base rate loans. The base rate is equal to the higher of (i) 1.00% plus the higher of (x) the one-week LIBOR and (y) the one-month LIBOR; (ii) the federal funds effective rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 0.50% per annum; and (iii) the prime rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The applicable margin is determined based on the ratio (as further defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) of the Company's indebtedness to EBITDA. Under the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement, we must also pay a fee ranging from 0.175% to 0.250% of the average daily unused portion of the Amended Credit Facility over each calendar quarter.
The Amended Credit Facility contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including a financial covenant that imposes a maximum ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA as well as covenants by us limiting additional indebtedness, liens, guaranties, mergers and consolidations, substantial asset sales, investments and loans, sale and leasebacks, transactions with affiliates and fundamental changes. As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants of the Amended Credit Facility.
Acquisition of Green Lake Capital, LLC Assets
In connection with the acquisition of certain assets of Green Lake Capital, LLC on December 24, 2014, the Company assumed $38.9 million in long-term debt (the "Ahana Debt"). The Ahana Debt includes multiple loan agreements with banks that bear interest at rates between 5.125% and 6.0%, mature at various times between 2018 and 2023 and are secured by certain solar facilities. Repayment of the Ahana Debt with the banks is made on a monthly basis until maturity.
The Ahana Debt also includes a loan from Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G). The note payable to PSE&G bears interest at 11.3%, matures in 2027, and is secured by certain solar facilities. Repayment of the Ahana Debt with PSE&G can be made in either cash or SRECs, at the Company's discretion, with the value of the SRECs being the current market value as of the date of repayment.
Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity
Internally generated funds. The key factors affecting our internally generated funds are demand for our services, competition, regulatory developments, economic conditions in the markets where we operate our businesses and industry trends within the telecommunications industry.
Restrictions under Amended Credit Facility. Our Amended Credit Facility contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including covenants by us limiting additional indebtedness, liens, guaranties, mergers and consolidations, substantial asset sales, investments and loans, sale and leasebacks, transactions with affiliates and fundamental changes. In addition, the Amended Credit Facility contains a financial covenant by us that imposes a maximum ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA. As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants of the Amended Credit Facility.
Capital markets. Our ability to raise funds in the capital markets depends on, among other things, general economic conditions, the conditions of the telecommunications and renewable energy industries, our financial performance, the state of the capital markets and our compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") requirements for the offering of securities. On June 6, 2014, the SEC declared effective our "universal" shelf registration statement. This filing registered potential future offering of our securities.
Inflation
We do not believe that inflation has had a significant impact on our consolidated operations in any of the periods presented in the Report.
We have based our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (or GAAP). We base our estimates on our operating experience and on various conditions existing in the market and we believe them to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We have identified the critical accounting estimates that we believe require significant judgment in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. We consider these accounting estimates to be critical because changes in the assumptions or estimates we have selected have the potential of materially impacting our financial statements.
Revenue Recognition. In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to recognize for a particular transaction, we apply the criteria established by the authoritative guidance for revenue recognition and defer those items that do not meet the recognition criteria. As a result of the cutoff times of our billing cycles, we are often required to estimate the amount of revenues earned but not billed from the end of each billing cycle to the end of each reporting period. These estimates are based primarily on rate plans in effect and historical evidence with each customer or carrier. Adjustments affecting revenue can and occasionally do occur in periods subsequent to the period when the services
were provided, billed and recorded as revenue, however historically these adjustments have not been material.
We apply judgment when assessing the ultimate realization of receivables, including assessing the probability of collection and the current credit-worthiness of customers. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts sufficient to cover probable and reasonably estimable losses. Our estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts considers collection experience, aging of the accounts receivable, the credit quality of customer and, where necessary, other macro-economic factors.
Long-Lived and Intangible Assets. In accordance with the authoritative guidance regarding the accounting for impairments or disposals of long-lived assets and the authoritative guidance for the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets, we evaluate the carrying value of our long-lived assets, including property and equipment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss exists when estimated undiscounted cash flows attributable to non-current assets subject to depreciation and amortization and discounted cash flows for intangible assets not subject to amortization are less than their carrying amount. If an asset is deemed to be impaired, the amount of the impairment loss recognized represents the excess of the asset's carrying value as compared to its estimated fair value, based on management's assumptions and projections.
Our estimates of the future cash flows attributable to our long-lived assets and the fair value of our businesses involve significant uncertainty. Those estimates are based on management's assumptions of future results, growth trends and industry conditions. If those estimates are not met, we could have additional impairment charges in the future, and the amounts may be material. As noted in Note 7, reporting units with fair values not significantly higher than their carrying values have goodwill of $7.5 million. In the future, some portion of this goodwill could be impaired.
We also assess the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. The carrying value of each reporting unit, including goodwill assigned to that reporting unit, is compared to its fair value. If the fair value of the reporting unit does not exceed the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, an analysis is performed to determine if an impairment charge should be recorded.
We assess the recoverability of the value of our telecommunications licenses using a market approach. We believe that our telecommunications licenses generally have an indefinite life based on historical ability to renew such licenses, that such renewals may be obtained indefinitely and at little cost, and that the related technology used is not expected to be replaced in the foreseeable future. If the value of these assets was impaired by some factor, such as an adverse change in the subsidiary's operating market, we may be required to record an impairment charge. We test the impairment of our telecommunications licenses annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of telecommunications licenses with their carrying amount on a license by license basis.
We performed our annual impairment assessment of our telecommunications licenses as of December 31, 2014 and it was determined that no impairment of any of our telecommunications licenses existed during the year ended December 31, 2014.
Contingencies. We are subject to proceedings, lawsuits, tax audits and other claims related to lawsuits and other legal and regulatory proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business as further described in Note 14 to the Financial Statements. We are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of loss accruals required, if any, for these contingencies are made after careful analysis of each individual issue. We consult with legal counsel and other experts where
necessary in connection with our assessment of any contingencies. The required accrual for any such contingency may change materially in the future due to new developments or changes in each matter. We estimate these contingencies amount to approximately $39.9 million at December 31, 2014, the majority of which are not recorded on our books as we do not believe that an adverse outcome is probable. Adverse developments in these matters may result in the recording of liabilities to satisfy all or a portion of these claims. Of the matters discussed in this Report, we believe some adverse outcome is probable and have accordingly accrued $5.0 million as of December 31, 2014.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern . ASU 2014-15 will explicitly require management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide related footnote disclosure in certain circumstances. The new standard will be effective for all entities in the first annual period ending after December 15, 2016. Earlier adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect ASU No. 2014-15 to have a material impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In June 2014, the FASB issued a standards update on accounting for share-based payments when the terms of the award provide that a performance target could be achieved after a requisite service period. The standard is effective beginning January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2014, the FASB issued a standard on revenue recognition providing a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. The revenue standard is based on the principle that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with no early adoption permitted. The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the adoption method options and the impact of the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." ASU 2014-08 provides guidance on determining when disposals can be presented as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 requires that only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. A strategic shift may include a disposal of a major line of business, major equity method investment or a major part of an entity. Additionally, ASU 2014-08 requires expanded disclosures regarding discontinued operations. This standard is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, "Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity." ASU 2013-05 provides clarification regarding whether ASC 810-10, "Consolidation-Overall" or ASC 830-30, "Foreign Currency Matters-Translation of Financial Statements," applies to the release of cumulative translation adjustments into net income when a reporting entity either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that constitute a business within a foreign entity. The revised standard is effective for
reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this amendment did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)," which states that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. If a company does not have: (i) a net operating loss carryforward; (ii) a similar tax loss; or (iii) a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The authoritative guidance is effective for fiscal years and the interim periods within those fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2013 and was applied on a prospective basis. The adoption of this authoritative guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Foreign Currency Exchange Sensitivity. The only foreign currency for which we have a material exposure is the Guyanese dollar, because a significant portion of our Guyana revenues and expenditures are transacted in Guyanese dollars. The Guyanese exchange rate remained relatively constant at approximately 205 Guyana dollars to 1 U.S. dollar from 2004 through May 2013. Beginning in May 2013, the exchange rate began to increase and ended at a rate of approximately $210 to 1 U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2014. The results of future operations may be affected by changes in the value of the Guyana dollar.
Interest Rate Sensitivity. As of December 31, 2014, we did not have any outstanding variable rate debt and as a result, we believe that we do not have an exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. We may have an exposure to fluctuations in interest rates if we again borrow amounts under our revolver loan within our Amended Credit Facility.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The response to this item is submitted as a separate section to this Report. See "Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules."
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014. Disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") rules and forms.
Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
• Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
• Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
• Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO") in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on its assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears on page.
Remediation of Material Weaknesses
As previously disclosed in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting included in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, our management identified two material weaknesses: Ineffective Controls Surrounding the New Customer Billing System at our GT&T Subsidiary and Insufficient Training and Complement of Resources at our GT&T Subsidiary. To remediate these material weaknesses, management (1) hired resources to improve the reporting of information from the billing system to our financial reporting systems, (2) provided additional enhanced local and centralized oversight and management of Information Technology at
GT&T, (3) assigned resources to provide additional enhanced oversight and management of GT&T's financial closing processes and (4) provided additional training to our GT&T personnel.
The Company tested the newly implemented controls and found them to be effective. As a result, the Company has concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, the material weaknesses had been remediated.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Executive Officers
Our executive officers and their respective ages and positions as of March 16, 2015, as well as a brief description of the recent business experience of each, are set forth below:
Michael T. Prior is our President and Chief Executive Officer and serves as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Prior joined the company in 2003 as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and became the company's Chief Executive Officer in 2005. Before joining the company, Mr. Prior was a partner with Q Advisors LLC, a Denver based investment banking and financial advisory firm focused on the technology and telecommunications sectors. Mr. Prior began his career as a corporate attorney with Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in London and New York. He received a B.A. degree from Vassar College and a J.D. degree summa cum laude from Brooklyn Law School. Mr. Prior currently serves as Secretary and a member of the board of directors of the Competitive Carriers Association. Michael is also an active member of the Board of Trustees of Essex County Community Foundation, an area non-profit organization which serves to promote philanthropy and support charitable activities in the community.
Justin D. Benincasa is our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Prior to joining us in May 2006, Mr. Benincasa was a Principal at Windover Development, LLC since 2004. From 1998 to 2004, he was Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration at American Tower Corporation, a leading wireless and broadcast communications infrastructure company, where he managed finance and accounting, treasury, IT, tax, lease administration and property management. Prior to that, he was Vice President and Corporate Controller at American Radio Systems Corporation and held accounting and finance positions at American Cablesystems Corporation. Mr. Benincasa holds an M.B.A. degree from Bentley University and a B.A. degree from the University of Massachusetts.
Barry C. Fougere is our Senior Vice President, Business Operations. Prior to joining us in 2014, Mr. Fougere served as a Partner in multiple advisory services firms (A.T.Kearney, Heidrick & Struggles, Cambridge Strategic Management Group and Sunapee Advisors,) where he focused on telecommunications, high tech, and other technology-enabled client companies. Mr. Fougere has also served as Chief Executive Officer of several smaller information- and technology-intensive companies (Colubris Networks, BigBelly Solar and BroadStar Energy Solutions). Mr. Fougere serves on the Boards of a number of industry and nonprofit organizations, including the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council. He holds an M.B.A. degree from the Kellogg School and an M.E.M. degree from the McCormick School of Northwestern University, an M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
William F. Kreisher is our Senior Vice President, Corporate Development. Prior to joining us in 2007, Mr. Kreisher was Vice President-Corporate Development at Cingular Wireless (now AT&T Mobility) since 2004. He was part of the corporate development team at Cingular since its formation and spent five years at Bell South before that as a Director of Finance, the acting Chief Financial Officer at its broadband and video division, and as a senior manager in its mergers and acquisitions
group. Mr. Kreisher is a twenty-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, having also worked with MCI Telecommunications and Equant. Mr. Kreisher holds a Masters in Business Administration from Fordham University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Catholic University of America.
Leonard Q. Slap is our Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Prior to joining us in May 2010, Mr. Slap was a partner at the law firm of Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP, where for twenty-five years he represented investors and companies in a variety of U.S. and international business transactions, including venture capital and private equity investments, mergers and acquisitions, debt financings and workouts. Mr. Slap focused on transactions involving U.S. and international communications businesses, including broadcast, wireline, wireless broadband telecommunications, information technology and other media. Mr. Slap received a B.S. degree, magna cum laude, from Boston College and a J.D. degree, with honors, from George Washington University School of Law.
Additional information required by this Item regarding our directors and executive officers will be set forth in our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (or "2015 Proxy Statement") under "Election of Directors" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" and is incorporated herein by reference. Required information regarding our audit committee financial experts and identification of the audit committee of our Board of Directors will be set forth in our 2015 Proxy Statement under "Corporate Governance" and is incorporated herein by reference.
Information regarding our Code of Ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, our controller and other senior financial officers appears in Item 1 of this Report under the caption "Business-Available Information."
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information required by this Item regarding executive and director compensation will be set forth in our 2015 Proxy Statement under "Executive Officer Compensation" and "Director Compensation" and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information required by this Item regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners, directors and executive officers will be set forth in our 2015 Proxy Statement under "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" and is incorporated herein by reference.
Information required by this Item regarding our equity compensation plans will be set forth in our 2015 Proxy Statement under "Executive Officer Compensation-Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans" and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information required by this Item regarding certain relationships and related transactions will be set forth in our 2015 Proxy Statement under "Related Person Transactions" and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Information required by this Item regarding auditor fees and services will be set forth in our 2015 Proxy Statement under "Independent Auditor" and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)The following documents are filed as part of this Report: (1) Financial Statements. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, which appears on page hereof. The financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements are filed herewith in response to this Item.
(2) Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.
(3) Exhibits. See Index to Exhibits. The exhibits listed in the Index to Exhibits immediately preceding the exhibits are filed herewith in response to this Item.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Beverly, Massachusetts on the 16th day of March, 2015.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC.
By:
/s/ MICHAEL T. PRIOR
Michael T. Prior
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 16th day of March, 2015.
Signature
Title
/s/ MICHAEL T. PRIOR
Michael T. Prior
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ JUSTIN D. BENINCASA
Justin D. Benincasa
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ CORNELIUS B. PRIOR, JR.
Cornelius B. Prior, Jr.
Chairman
/s/ MARTIN L. BUDD
Martin L. Budd
Director
/s/ MICHAEL T. FLYNN
Michael T. Flynn
Director
/s/ LIANE J. PELLETIER
Liane J. Pelletier
Director
/s/ CHARLES J. ROESSLEIN
Charles J. Roesslein
Director
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014
INDEX
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 and December 31 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 16, 2015
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2013 and 2014
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2013, and
(in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014
(In Thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
The Company is a holding company that, through its operating subsidiaries, (i) provides wireless and wireline telecommunications services in North America, Bermuda and the Caribbean, (ii) owns and operates commercial distributed generation solar power systems in the United States, and (iii) owns and operates terrestrial and submarine fiber optic transport systems in the United States and the Caribbean, respectively.
The Company offers the following principal services:
• Wireless. In the United States, the Company offers wholesale wireless voice and data roaming services to national, regional, local and selected international wireless carriers in rural markets located principally in the Southwest and Midwest United States. The Company also offers wireless voice and data services to retail customers in Guyana, Bermuda, and in other smaller markets in the Caribbean and the United States.
• Wireline. The Company's local telephone and data services include its operations in Guyana and the mainland United States. The Company is the exclusive licensed provider of domestic wireline local and long-distance telephone services in Guyana and international voice and data communications into and out of Guyana. The Company also offers facilities-based integrated voice and data communications services and wholesale transport services to enterprise and residential customers in New England, primarily in Vermont, and in New York State. In addition, the Company offers wholesale long-distance voice services to telecommunications carriers.
• Renewable Energy. In the United States, the Company provides distributed generation solar power to corporate, utility and municipal customers in Massachusetts, California and New Jersey.
The following chart summarizes the operating activities of the Company's principal subsidiaries, the segments in which it reports its revenue and the markets it served as of December 31, 2014:
Services
Segment
Markets
Tradenames
Wireless
U.S. Wireless
United States (rural markets)
Commnet, Choice
Island Wireless
Aruba, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, U.S. Virgin Islands
Mio, CellOne, Islandcom, Choice
International Integrated Telephony
Guyana
Cellink
Wireline
International Integrated Telephony
Guyana
GT&T
U.S. Wireline
United States (New England and New York State)
Sovernet, ION, Essextel
Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy
United States (Massachusetts, California and New Jersey)
Ahana Renewables
The Company is actively evaluating potential acquisitions, investment opportunities and other strategic transactions, both domestic and international, that meet its return-on-investment and other criteria. The Company provides management, technical, financial, regulatory, and marketing services to its subsidiaries and typically receives a management fee equal to a percentage of their respective revenue. Management fees from subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation. For information about the
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS (Continued)
Company's business segments and geographical information about its revenue, operating income and long-lived assets, see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its majority-owned subsidiaries and certain entities, which are consolidated in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") authoritative guidance on the consolidation of variable interest entities since it is determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of these entities.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized approximately $0.7 million in general and administrative expenses to correct for an understatement of transactional tax liabilities generated during 2013 and $1.1 million in other income to correct for an understatement of foreign exchange gains generated during 2013. The Company determined that the impact of these errors was not material, individually or in the aggregate, to the current or any prior period financial statements.
On September 20, 2013, the Federal Communications Commission announced its approval of the previously announced proposed sale of the Company's U.S. retail wireless business operated under the Alltel name to AT&T for approximately $780.0 million in cash plus $16.8 million in working capital. The Company previously reported the operations of this business within its U.S. Wireless segment. As a result of that approval, the Company completed the sale of certain U.S. retail wireless assets on that date and recorded a gain of approximately $307.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 and $1.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2014.
The operations of the Alltel business, which were previously included in the Company's U.S. Wireless segment, have been classified as discontinued operations in all periods presented. The gain on the sale of the Alltel business is also included in discontinued operations. See Note 4 for additional information. Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements relates only to our continuing operations.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. The most significant estimates relate to the allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives of the Company's fixed and finite-lived intangible assets, allocation of purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in purchase business combinations, fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets, goodwill, the gain on sale of discontinued operations and income taxes. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all investments with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and temporary investments with banks and other institutions that it believes have a high credit quality. At December 31, 2014, the Company
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
had deposits with banks in excess of FDIC insured limits and $88.2 million of its cash is on deposit with non-insured institutions such as corporate money market issuers and cash held in foreign banks. The Company's cash and cash equivalents are not subject to any restrictions (see Note 8). As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company held $36.9 million and $57.0 million, respectively, of its cash in Guyanese dollars. While there are risks associated with the conversion of Guyana dollars to U.S. dollars due to limited liquidity in the Guyana foreign currency markets, to date it has not prevented the Company from converting Guyana dollars into U.S. dollars within a given three month period or from converting at a price that reasonably approximates the reported exchange rate.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for the estimated probable losses on uncollectible accounts receivable. The allowance is based upon a number of factors including the credit worthiness of customers, the Company's historical experience with customers, the age of the receivable and current market and economic conditions. Such factors are reviewed and updated by the Company on a quarterly basis. Uncollectible amounts are charged against the allowance account.
Materials and Supplies
Materials and supplies primarily include handsets, customer premise equipment, cables and poles and are recorded at the lower of cost or market cost being determined on the basis of specific identification and market determined using replacement cost.
Fixed Assets
The Company's fixed assets are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method generally between 3 and 39 years. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments that extend the useful lives of fixed assets are capitalized. Repairs and replacements of minor items of property are charged to maintenance expense as incurred. The cost of fixed assets in service and under construction includes an allocation of indirect costs applicable to construction. Grants received for the construction of assets are recognized as a reduction of the cost of fixed assets, a reduction of depreciation expense over the useful lives of the assets and as a reduction of capital expenditures in the statements of cash flows.
The fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation is recorded in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. In periods subsequent to initial measurement, period-to-period changes in the liability for an asset retirement obligation resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows are recognized. The increase in the carrying value of the associated long-lived asset is depreciated over the corresponding estimated economic life. The consolidated balance sheets include accruals of $2.2 million and $2.7 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, for estimated costs associated with asset retirement obligations.
In accordance with the authoritative guidance for the accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, the Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets, including property and equipment, in relation to the operating performance and future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying business whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss exists when estimated undiscounted cash flows
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
attributable to an asset are less than its carrying amount. If an asset is deemed to be impaired, the amount of the impairment loss recognized represents the excess of the asset's carrying value as compared to its estimated fair value, based on management's assumptions and projections.
Management's estimate of the future cash flows attributable to its long-lived assets and the fair value of its businesses involve significant uncertainty. Those estimates are based on management's assumptions of future results, growth trends and industry conditions. If those estimates are not met, the Company could have additional impairment charges in the future, and the amounts may be material.
The Company determined that there was no impairment of its fixed assets in any of the three years ending December 31, 2014.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill is the amount by which the cost of acquired net assets exceeded the fair value of those net assets on the date of acquisition. The Company allocates goodwill to reporting units at the time of acquisition and bases that allocation on which reporting units will benefit from the acquired assets and liabilities. Reporting units are defined as operating segments or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. The Company has determined that its reporting units are components of its multiple operating segments. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter or more frequently when events and circumstances occur indicating that the recorded goodwill may be impaired. If the book value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the implied fair value of goodwill is compared with the carrying amount of goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recorded equal to that excess.
A significant majority of the Company's telecommunications licenses are not amortized and are carried at their historical costs. The Company believes that telecommunications licenses generally have an indefinite life based on the historical ability to renew such licenses, that such renewals may be obtained indefinitely and at little cost, and that the related technology used is not expected to be replaced in the foreseeable future. The Company has elected to perform its annual testing of its telecommunications licenses in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more often if events or circumstances indicate that there may be impairment. If the value of these assets were impaired by some factor, such as an adverse change in the subsidiary's operating market, the Company may be required to record an impairment charge. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of telecommunications licenses with their carrying amount on a license by license basis and as a part of the test the Company assesses the appropriateness of the application of the indefinite-lived assertion.
As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company performed its annual impairment assessment of its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets (telecommunications licenses) and determined that no impairment charge was required. See Note 7 for further details.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets resulting from the acquisitions of entities accounted for using the purchase method of accounting are estimated by management based on the fair value of assets acquired. These include acquired customer relationships and trade names. Customer relationships are amortized over their estimated lives of 12 years, which are based on the pattern in which economic benefit of the customer relationship is estimated to be realized.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Interest Rate Derivatives
As required by the authoritative guidance on accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities, the Company recorded all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company managed economic risks related to interest rates primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company entered into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arose from business activities that resulted in the payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which were determined by interest rates. The Company's derivative financial instruments were used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company's borrowings. As a result of the repayment of its variable rate debt on September 20, 2013, the Company terminated its derivative financial instruments during 2013. See Note 9 for further details.
Debt
Debt is measured at amortized cost. Debt discounts, representing the difference between the proceeds and the principal amount of debt, are amortized as interest expense in the consolidated income statements over the period of the debt on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs are capitalized as part of other assets in the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized as interest expense in the consolidated income statements over the period of the debt on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective interest method. Except for interest costs incurred for the construction of a qualifying asset which are capitalized during the period the assets are prepared for their intended use, interest costs are expensed.
Non-Controlling Interests
The non-controlling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets reflect the original investments by the minority stockholders in GT&T, Commnet's consolidated subsidiaries, Bermuda Digital Communications, Islandcom, Sovernet and its consolidated subsidiaries and Ahana Renewables, along with their proportional share of the earnings or losses, net of any distributions.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), by component, were as follows (in thousands):
Revenue Recognition-Telecommunications
Service revenues are primarily derived from providing access to and usage of the Company's networks and facilities. Access revenues from postpaid customers are generally billed one month in advance and are recognized over the period that the corresponding service is rendered to customers. Revenues derived from usage of the Company's networks, including airtime, roaming, long-distance and Universal Service Fund revenues, are recognized when the services are provided and are included in unbilled revenues until billed to the customer. Prepaid airtime sold to customers is recorded as deferred revenue prior to the commencement of services and is recognized when the airtime is used or expires. The Company offers enhanced services including caller identification, call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, voice mail, and text and picture messaging, as well as downloadable wireless data applications, including ringtones, music, games, and other informational content. Generally, these enhanced features generate additional service revenues through monthly subscription fees or increased usage through utilization of the features. Other optional services such as roadside assistance and other equipment protection plans may also be provided for a monthly fee and are either sold separately or bundled and included in packaged rate plans. Revenues from enhanced features and optional services are recognized when earned. Access and usage-based services are billed throughout the month based on the bill cycle assigned to a particular customer. As a result of billing cycle cut-off times, management must estimate service revenues earned but not yet billed at the end of each reporting period.
Sales of communications products including wireless handsets and accessories represent a separate earnings process and are recognized when the products are delivered to and accepted by customers. The Company accounts for transactions involving both the activation of service and the sale of equipment in accordance with the authoritative guidance for the accounting for revenue arrangements
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
with multiple deliverables. Fees assessed to communications customers to activate service are not a separate unit of accounting and are allocated to the delivered item (equipment) and recognized as product sales to the extent that the aggregate proceeds received from the customer for the equipment and activation fee do not exceed the relative fair value of the equipment.
Wholesale revenues are those revenues generated from providing voice or data services to the customers of other wireless carriers principally through "roaming" agreements, and the revenue is recognized over the period that the service is rendered to customers.
Sales and use and state excise taxes collected from customers that are remitted to the governmental authorities are reported on a net basis and excluded from the revenues and sales.
Revenue Recognition-Renewable Energy
Revenue from the Company's Renewable Energy segment is generated from the sale of electricity through long-term power purchase agreements ("PPA's") with various customers, or hosts, that range from 10 to 25 years. The Company, which is required to sell all generated power to the hosts, recognizes revenue from the PPA's as electricity is generated and sold at contractual rates as defined within the respective PPA.
The Company's Renewable Energy segment also generates revenue from the sale of Solar Renewable Energy Credits ("SRECs"). Revenue is recognized as SRECs are sold through long-term purchase agreeements at the contractual rate specified in the agreement.
Accounting for Grants
The Company has received funding from the U.S. Government and its agencies under Stimulus and Universal Service Fund programs. These funding programs are generally designed to fund telecommunications infrastructure expansion into rural or underserved areas of the United States. The funding programs are evaluated to determine if they represent funding related to capital expenditures (capital grants) or operating activities (income grants).
Funding received from Stimulus programs is on a cost-reimbursement basis for capital expenditures incurred by the Company to expand its network and is considered a capital grant. Accordingly, reimbursements for eligible expenditures under the Stimulus programs are recorded as a reduction to property, plant and equipment on the Company's consolidated balance sheets, an investing cash inflow and a future reduction in depreciation expense in the consolidated income statements. The depreciable period for the grant is commensurate with the related assets which typically range from 5 to 20 years. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has spent $92.5 million in capital expenditures of which $67.0 million has been or will be funded by the Stimulus programs. Accordingly, funding received for capital expenditures from the Stimulus Programs is recorded as a reduction to property, plant and equipment on the Company's consolidated balance sheets, an investing cash inflow within capital expenditures and a future reduction in depreciation expense in the consolidated income statements. Funding received for operating costs is recorded as a reduction to the Company's operating expenses in its consolidated statements of income and an operating cash inflow.
Funding received from Universal Service Fund programs is received over time for operating the Company's network in certain rural geographical areas and is considered an income grant. Accordingly, such funding is recognized as operating cash inflows. Once services are provided, revenue is recognized
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
in the Company's consolidated income statements. During the year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 the Company received approximately $2.4 million and $3.9 million, respectively, from the Universal Service Fund programs. Of these amounts, $1.6 million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014, respectively, were to support our U.S. Wireless business relating to high cost areas.
Funding received from the Mobility Fund, as further described in Note 10, is for the use of both capital expenditures and operating costs incurred by the Company. Accordingly, funding received for capital expenditures from the Mobility Fund is recorded as a reduction to property, plant and equipment on the Company's consolidated balance sheets, an investing cash inflow within capital expenditures and a future reduction in depreciation expense in the consolidated income statements. Funding received for operating costs is recorded as a reduction to the Company's operating expenses in its consolidated income statements and an operating cash inflow.
Compliance with grant requirements is reviewed as of December 31 of each year to ensure that conditions related to grants have been met and there is reasonable assurance that the Company will be able to retain the grant proceeds and to ensure that any contingencies that may arise from not meeting the conditions are appropriately recognized.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that the Company believes these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If the Company determines that it would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, the Company would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related authority. It is possible that the ultimate resolution of these uncertain matters may be greater or less than the amount that the Company estimated. If payment of these amounts proves to be unnecessary, the reversal of the liabilities would result in tax benefits being recognized in the period in which it is determined that the liabilities are no longer necessary. If the estimate of tax liabilities proves to be more than the ultimate assessment, a further charge to expense would result.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company does not provide for United States income taxes on earnings of foreign subsidiaries as such earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested.
In September 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released final regulations relating to guidance on applying tax rules to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible personal property as well as rules for materials and supplies effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. The Company has reviewed the regulations and has determined that its current method of accounting is appropriate under the regulations with no change required.
Credit Concentrations and Significant Customers
The Company has been historically dependent on a limited amount of customers for its wholesale roaming business. The following table indicates the percentage of revenues generated from a single customer that exceeds 10% of the Company's consolidated revenue in any of the past three years:
No other customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenue in any of the past three years.
The following table indicates the percentage of accounts receivable, from customers that exceed 10% of the Company's consolidated accounts receivable, net of allowances, as of December 31, 2013 and 2014:
Foreign Currency Gains and Losses
With regard to the Company's Guyana operations, for which the Guyanese dollar is the functional currency, foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in determining net income. At each balance sheet date, balances denominated in foreign currencies are adjusted to reflect the current exchange rate. For 2012, the value of the Guyana dollar remained relatively constant at approximately G$205 to one U.S. dollar and, as a result, no foreign currency gains or losses were recorded. Beginning in 2013, the value increased to approximately G$210 to one U.S. Dollar. Accordingly, the Company recognized a nominal foreign currency loss during the year ended December 31, 2013 and $1.1 million gain on foreign currency exchanges during the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the exchange rate was G$210 to one U.S. Dollar.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
In accordance with the provisions of fair value accounting, a fair value measurement assumes that a transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability and defines fair value based upon an exit price model.
The fair value measurement guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset and liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 assets and liabilities include money market funds, debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market.
Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes corporate obligations and non-exchange traded derivative contracts.
Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments and intangible assets that have been impaired whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
Assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are summarized as follows:
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2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Certificate of Deposit
As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014, this asset class consisted of a time deposit at a financial institution denominated in U.S. dollars. The asset class is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because the fair value was based on observable market data.
Money Market Funds
As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014, this asset class consisted of a money market portfolio that comprises Federal government and U.S. Treasury securities. The asset class is classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because its underlying investments are valued using quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets
Derivatives
The Company was exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. When deemed appropriate, the Company manages economic risks related to interest rates primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company entered into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arose from business activities that resulted in the payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which were determined by interest rates. The Company's derivative financial instruments were used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company's borrowings. The principal market in which the Company executes its foreign currency contracts is the institutional market in an over-the-counter environment with a relatively high level of price transparency. The market participants usually are large commercial banks.
Net Income Per Share
Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Company's stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period and does not include any other potentially dilutive securities. Diluted net income per share gives effect to all potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The reconciliation from basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding is as follows (in thousands):
The following notes the number of potential common shares not included in the above calculation because the effects of such were anti-dilutive (in thousands of shares):
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company applies the fair value recognition provisions of the authoritative guidance for the accounting for stock-based compensation and is expensing the fair value of the grants of options to purchase common stock over their vesting period of four years. The Company has not granted options since 2012. Relating to grants of options, the Company recognized $1.8 million, $1.4 million and $0.9 million of non-cash, share-based compensation expense during 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. See Note 11 for assumptions used to calculate the fair value of the options granted.
The Company also issued 72,083 restricted shares of common stock in 2012; 100,902 restricted shares of common stock in 2013 and 109,318 restricted shares of common stock in 2014. These shares are being charged to income based upon their fair values over their vesting period of four years. Non-cash equity-based compensation expense, related to the vesting of restricted shares issued was $1.8 million, $3.1 million and $3.4 million in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Stock-based compensation expense is recognized within general and administrative expenses within the consolidated income statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern . ASU 2014-15 will explicitly require management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide related footnote disclosure in certain circumstances. The new standard will be effective for all entities in the first annual period ending after December 15, 2016. Earlier adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect ASU No. 2014-15 to have a material impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
In June 2014, the FASB issued a standards update on accounting for share-based payments when the terms of the award provide that a performance target could be achieved after a requisite service period. The standard is effective beginning January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2014, the FASB issued a standard on revenue recognition providing a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. The revenue standard is based on the principle that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with no early adoption permitted. The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the adoption method options and the impact of the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." ASU 2014-08 provides guidance on determining when disposals can be presented as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 requires that only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. A strategic shift may include a disposal of a major line of business, major equity method investment or a major part of an entity. Additionally, ASU 2014-08 requires expanded disclosures regarding discontinued operations. This standard is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, "Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity." ASU 2013-05 provides clarification regarding whether ASC 810-10, "Consolidation-Overall" or ASC 830-30, "Foreign Currency Matters-Translation of Financial Statements," applies to the release of cumulative translation adjustments into net income when a reporting entity either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that constitute a business within a foreign entity. The revised standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this amendment did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)," which states that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. If a company does not have: (i) a net operating loss carryforward; (ii) a similar tax loss; or (iii) a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The authoritative guidance is effective for fiscal years and the interim periods within those fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2013 and was applied on a prospective basis. The adoption of this authoritative guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
3. ACQUISITIONS
On December 24, 2014, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Green Lake Capital, LLC and certain of its affiliates (collectively, "Green Lake"), an owner and operator of commercial distributed generation solar power systems in Massachusetts, California and New Jersey (the "Ahana Acquisition"). The Company acquired these assets as part of a total transaction valued at approximately $117.7 million which is comprised of approximately $78.8 million of cash consideration and the assumption of $38.9 million of debt. The acquisition was performed through the Company's newly formed subsidiary, Ahana Renewables, LLC ("Ahana Renewables"). Certain subsidiaries of Ahana Renewables have been partially capitalized by a third-party tax equity investor. Profits and losses of these subsidiaries will be allocated 99% to the tax equity investor and 1% to the Company up until a certain date (the "Flip Date"), which is the later of a) the five-year anniversary of the placed in service date for the solar assets owned by the subsidiary or, b) the date that the tax equity investor receives a certain return on their original investment in that subsidiary. This date occurs approximate 2 - 4 years from the acquisition date. After the Flip Date, profits and losses of these subsidiaries will be allocated 5% to the tax equity investor and 95% to the Company, and Ahana Renewables has the option to buy-out the non-controlling interests at 10 - 15% of their initial contribution to Green Lake.
The Ahana Acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method, and Ahana Renewables' results of operations since December 24, 2014 have been included in the Company's new Renewable Energy segment as reported in Note 16. The total purchase consideration of $78.8 million cash was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition as determined by management. The table below represents the preliminary assessment of the total acquisition cost to the net assets of Ahana Renewables based on their acquisition date fair values:
The non-controlling interests were valued using an income approach which included the estimated cash flows to the non-controlling interests in the form of distributions and buy-outs. The cash flows
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
were tax affected using a weighted average tax rate of 40% and were discounted at a rate of 11.75% to determine their acquisition date fair value.
The acquired plant and equipment is comprised of the commercial distributed solar power systems and was valued using an income approach. The assets were assigned an economic life of 25 years, and expected income from the assets was based forecast production and the related sale of energy and solar renewable energy credits, forecast operating expenses, net working capital requirements and tax expense from cash flows and benefits from depreciation of the acquired assets. Cash flows were discounted at an approximate 8% discount rate to determine the plant and equipment acquisition date fair value.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Ahana Acquisition accounted for $0.4 million of the Company's revenue and $2.5 million of the Company's transaction-related charges pertaining to legal, accounting and consulting services. If the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the current financial reporting period, its impact on the historical revenue and earnings of the Company would not be material.
4. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS-SALE OF U.S. RETAIL WIRELESS BUSINESS
On September 20, 2013, the Federal Communications Commission announced its approval of the previously announced proposed sale of the Company's U.S. retail wireless business operated under the Alltel name to AT&T Mobility LLC for approximately $780.0 million in cash plus $16.8 million in working capital. The Company previously reported the operations of this business within its U.S. Wireless segment. As a result of that approval, the Company completed the sale of certain U.S. retail
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4. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS-SALE OF U.S. RETAIL WIRELESS BUSINESS (Continued)
wireless assets on that date and recorded a gain in 2013 of approximately $307.1 million calculated as follows (in thousands):
During 2014, the Company recognized an additional $1.1 of gain relating to changes in certain estimates.
The $796.8 million in cash proceeds included $78.0 million of cash held in a general indemnity escrow account. The Company recorded the $78.0 million as restricted cash on its December 31, 2013 balance sheet with $39.0 million classified as a current asset and the remaining $39.0 million classified as long-term based on the timing of the expected cash proceeds. Subject to the terms and conditions of the purchase agreement governing the sale between AT&T Mobility LLC and the Company, $39.0 million was released to the Company during 2014 with the remaining $39.0 million to be released in March 2015. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has recorded the $39.0 million of restricted cash, due to be released to the Company in 2015, as a current asset.
The Alltel trade name was not sold to AT&T Mobility LLC. Due to trade name assignment restrictions, and no planned use through continuing operations, the trade name was fully impaired. As a result, an impairment of $11.9 million was recorded as a part of the disposal and included in the 2013 net gain calculation.
Upon the sale, the Company recorded $28.9 million for the minority shareholders' interests in the sold operation which was based on the estimated final distribution to the minority shareholders. In 2013 and 2014, $18.9 million and $5.8 million, respectively, was distributed to minority shareholders. The Company has included $10.0 million and $4.5 million in non-controlling interests on its December 31, 2013 and 2014 balance sheet, respectively.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS-SALE OF U.S. RETAIL WIRELESS BUSINESS (Continued)
The Company has reclassified the assets, which include prepayments and other current assets, and liabilities, which include accounts payable and accrued liabilities, of its Alltel operations to assets of discontinued operations and liabilities of discontinued operations within its December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 balance sheets.
Revenues and income from discontinued operations related to the Alltel business for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:
As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, accounts receivable consist of the following (in thousands):
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
6. FIXED ASSETS:
As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets, using the straight-line method over the assets' estimated useful life, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was $50.0 million, $48.3 million and $50.3 million, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, amounts of capital expenditures were offset by grants of $30.6 million, $31.6 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, which has been determined to be as of December 31 of each fiscal year. The Company also tests goodwill between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value.
The Company employs both qualitative and quantitative tests of its goodwill. For some of the Company's reporting units, the Company performed a qualitative assessment on goodwill to determine whether a quantitative assessment was necessary and determined there were no indicators of potential impairment. For other reporting units the Company evaluated goodwill using a quantitative model. The quantitative test for goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process. The first step involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. In performing the first step, the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit using a discounted cash flow ("DCF") analysis. Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)
judgment, including judgments about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. Discount rates are based on a weighted-average cost of capital ("WACC"), which represents the average rate a business must pay its providers of debt and equity. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis were derived from internal earnings and forecasts and external market forecasts. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, then the second step of the goodwill impairment test must be performed.
The second step of our quantitative test for goodwill impairment compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill with its carrying amount of goodwill to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination, whereby the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
The Company performed its annual impairment assessments of its goodwill as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 and determined that no impairment charges were required, as the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its book value. Accordingly, there were no changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill during these years. With the exception of one reporting unit which had fair value 24% higher than its carrying value, all tests yielded a significant cushion. For this reporting unit, key dependencies in the assessment include the timing of a fiber-optic network build-out and customer migration to the network. Variations in the future could result in an impairment of some portion of the reporting unit's goodwill balance which is $7.5 million.
Telecommunications Licenses
The Company tests those telecommunications licenses that are indefinite lived for impairment on an annual basis, which has been determined to be as of December 31 of each fiscal year. The Company also tests telecommunication licenses that are indefinite lived between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value.
Indefinite lived telecommunications licenses are tested for impairment on a subsidiary by subsidiary basis using both quantitative and qualitative assessments. As of December 31, 2012 the Company performed a quantitative assessment using a discounted cash flow model (the Greenfield Approach). The Greenfield Approach assumes a company initially owns only the indefinite lived telecommunications licenses, and then makes investments required to build an operation comparable to the one that currently utilizes the licenses. The projected cash flows are based on certain financial factors, including revenue growth rates, margins, and churn rates.
This model then incorporates cash flow assumptions regarding investment in the network, development of distribution channels and the subscriber base, and other inputs for making the business operational. The Company based the assumptions, which underlie the development of the network, subscriber base and other critical inputs of the discounted cash flow model on a combination of
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7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)
average marketplace participant data and our historical results, trends and business plans. The Company also used operating metrics such as capital investment per subscriber, acquisition costs per subscriber, minutes of use per subscriber, etc., to the indefinite lived telecommunications licenses. The terminal value of the subsidiary, which incorporates an assumed sustainable growth rate, is also discounted and is likewise attributed to the indefinite lived licenses. We used a discount rate based on the optimal long-term capital structure of a market participant and its associated cost of debt and equity, to calculate the present value of the projected cash flows.
The Company performed its annual impairment assessment of its indefinite lived telecommunications licenses as of December 31, 2012, and it was determined that no impairment of any of the Company's telecommunications licenses existed during the year ended December 31, 2012 except for one of the Company's reporting units in the Island Wireless segment. The impairment arose from a culmination of factors arising from poor economic conditions in the geographic region which resulted in a fair value determination that was below the book value of the reporting unit's telecommunications license. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $3.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2012.
The Company performed a qualitative assessment for its annual impairment assessment of substantially all of its indefinite lived telecommunications licenses as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 and determined that there were no indications of potential impairments, except for one which was tested on a basis in line with the 2012 tests described above. No impairment was identified.
The changes in the carrying amount of the Company's telecommunications licenses, by operating segment, for the three years ended December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
The licenses acquired during 2013 and 2014 were acquired in all cash transactions from various parties and related to licenses expected to be available for use into perpetuity. The Company's Island Wireless segment is amortizing one of its telecommunications licenses through its expiration date of June 2020.
Customer Relationships
The customer relationships, all of which are included in the Island Wireless segment, are being amortized on an accelerated basis, over the expected period during which their economic benefits are to be realized. The Company recorded $0.4 million of amortization related to customer relationships during each of the three years ended December 31, 2014.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)
Future amortization of customer relationships, in our Island Wireless segment, is as follows (in thousands):
8. LONG-TERM DEBT
On May 18, 2012, the Company amended and restated its existing credit facility with CoBank, ACB and a syndicate of other lenders (the "Credit Facility") providing for $275.0 million in two term loans and a revolver loan of up to $100.0 million (which includes a $10.0 million swingline sub-facility) and the capacity for additional term loans up to an aggregate of $100.0 million, subject to lender approval.
On June 17, 2013, the Company issued approximately $29.8 million in letters of credit to the Universal Service Administrative Company to secure a portion of the pending awards of approximately $68.8 million of Mobility Fund Grants to certain of its subsidiaries. In connection with the Company's Alltel Sale on September 20, 2013, it notified the FCC and USAC that it would no longer be eligible to perform under the terms and conditions of the Alltel Mobility Funds. At that time, USAC chose not to draw any amounts under the Company's letter of credit securing the Alltel Mobility Funds and the Company terminated $19.9 million in letters of credit on November 14, 2013.
On September 20, 2013, the Company repaid the two term loans under its Credit Facility in full. The Company incurred nominal fees for the breakage of the term loans that were incurring interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). In addition, the Company recorded approximately $4.7 million in interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2013 related to accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the term loans.
Amounts the Company borrowed under the term loans bore interest through September 20, 2013 at a rate equal to, at its option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging between 2.00% to 4.00% or (ii) a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.00% to 3.00%. The base rate was equal to the higher of (i) 1.50% plus the higher of (x) the one-week LIBOR and (y) the one-month LIBOR; or (ii) the prime rate (as defined in the Credit Facility). The applicable margin was determined based on the ratio of the Company's indebtedness (as defined in the Credit Facility) to its EBITDA (as defined in the Amended Credit Facility).
Amounts borrowed under the revolver loan bore interest at a rate equal to, at the Company's option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging between 2.00% to 3.50% or (ii) a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.00% to 2.50% (or, in the case of amounts borrowed under the swing-line sub-facility, an applicable margin ranging from 0.50% to 2.00%). The Company also paid a fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.50% of the average daily unused portion of the revolver loan over each calendar quarter, which fee was payable in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)
On December 19, 2014, the Company amended and restated the Credit Facility to provide for a $225 million revolving credit facility (the "Amended Credit Facility") that includes (i) up to $10 million under the Amended Credit Facility for standby or trade letters of credit, (ii) up to $25 million under the Amended Credit Facility for letters of credit that are necessary or desirable to qualify for disbursements from the FCC's mobility fund and (iii) up to $10 million under a swingline sub-facility.
Amounts the Company may borrow under the Amended Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at its option, either (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an applicable margin ranging between 1.50% to 1.75% or (ii) a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.50% to 0.75%. Swingline loans will bear interest at the base rate plus the applicable margin for base rate loans. The base rate is equal to the higher of (i) 1.00% plus the higher of (x) the one-week LIBOR and (y) the one-month LIBOR; (ii) the federal funds effective rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 0.50% per annum; and (iii) the prime rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The applicable margin is determined based on the ratio (as further defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) of the Company's indebtedness to EBITDA. Under the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company must also pay a fee ranging from 0.175% to 0.250% of the average daily unused portion of the Amended Credit Facility over each calendar quarter.
The Amended Credit Facility contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including a financial covenant that imposes a maximum ration of indebtedness to EBITDA as well as covenants by the Company limiting additional indebtedness, liens, guaranties, mergers and consolidations, substantial asset sales, investments and loans, sale and leasebacks, transactions with affiliates and fundamental changes. In addition, the Amended Credit Facility contains a financial covenant by us that imposes a maximum ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA. As of December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants of the Amended Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had no borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility and approximately $10.6 million of outstanding letters of credit.
Acquisition of Green Lake Capital, LLC
In connection with the Ahana Acquisition on December 24, 2014, the Company assumed $38.9 million in long-term debt (the "Ahana Debt"). The Ahana Debt includes multiple loan agreements with banks that bear interest at rates between 4.5% and 6.0%, mature at various times between 2018 and 2023 and are secured by certain solar facilities. Repayment of the Ahana Debt with the banks is made on a monthly basis until maturity.
The Ahana Debt also includes a loan from Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G). The note payable to PSE&G bears interest at 11.3%, matures in 2027, and is secured by certain solar facilities. Repayment of the Ahana Debt with PSE&G can be made in either cash or SRECs, at the Company's discretion, with the value of the SRECs being the current market value as of the date of repayment.
9. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The Company's objective in using interest rate derivatives was to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to the interest rate movements of its variable-rate debt. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily used interest rate derivatives as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges involved the receipt of
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9. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)
variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of interest rate derivatives designated and that qualified as cash flow hedges was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and was subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affected earnings.
As a result of the repayment of its variable-rate debt on September 20, 2013, the Company terminated its interest rate derivatives and paid $5.4 million, the net fair value of those derivatives, to its counterparties. The Company recognized this amount as an expense during the year ended December 31, 2013 and as a separate line in the consolidated income statements.
Amounts previously reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to the interest rate derivatives were reclassified to "Unrealized loss on interest rate derivative contracts" as of the date of the prepayment of the Company's outstanding term notes.
The table below presents the effect of the Company's derivative financial instruments on the consolidated income statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
10. MOBILITY FUND GRANTS
As part of the Federal Communications Commission's ("FCC") reform of its Universal Service Fund ("USF") program, which previously provided support to carriers seeking to offer telecommunications services in high-cost areas and to low-income households, the FCC created two new funds, including the Mobility Fund, a one-time award meant to support wireless coverage in underserved geographic areas in the United States. In August 2013, the Company received FCC final approval for approximately $47.0 million of Mobility Fund support to its Alltel business (the "Alltel Mobility Funds") and $21.7 million of Mobility Fund support to its wholesale wireless business (the "Wholesale Mobility Funds" and collectively with the Alltel Mobility Funds, the "Mobility Funds"), to expand voice and broadband networks in certain geographic areas in order to offer either 3G or 4G coverage. As part of the receipt of the Mobility Funds, the Company committed to comply with certain additional FCC construction and other requirements. A portion of these funds will be used to offset network capital costs and a portion is used to offset the costs of supporting the networks for a period of five years. In connection with the Company's application for the Mobility Funds, the Company issued approximately $29.8 million in letters of credit to the Universal Service Administrative Company ("USAC") in June 2013 to secure these obligations. If the Company fails to comply with any of the terms and conditions upon which the Mobility Funds were granted, or if it loses eligibility for the Mobility Funds, USAC will be entitled to draw the entire amount of the letter of credit applicable to
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
10. MOBILITY FUND GRANTS (Continued)
the affected project plus penalties and may disqualify the Company from the receipt of additional Mobility Fund support.
In connection with the Company's sale of its Alltel business on September 20, 2013, it notified the FCC and USAC that it would no longer be eligible to perform under the terms and conditions of the Alltel Mobility Funds. At that time, USAC chose not to draw any amounts under our letter of credit securing the Alltel Mobility Funds and the Company made a cash payment of approximately $4.6 million in penalty fees to USAC. The Company was reimbursed for these penalty fees by AT&T Mobility in January 2014. The Company terminated $19.9 million of letters of credit securing the Alltel Mobility Funds on November 13, 2013.
The Company began the construction of its Wholesale Mobility Funds projects during the third quarter of 2013 and its results are included in the Company's "U.S. Wireless" segment. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately $7.3 million in Wholesale Mobility Funds. Of these funds, $1.2 million was recorded as an offset to the cost of the property, plant, and equipment associated with these projects and, consequentially, a reduction of future depreciation expense and $2.3 million is recorded within other current liabilities while the remaining $3.8 million is recorded within other long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014. The balance sheet presentation is based on the timing of the expected usage of the funds which will reduce future operations expenses.
11. EQUITY
Common Stock
The Company has paid quarterly dividends on its common stock since January 1999.
Treasury Stock
During 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Company repurchased the following shares from employees to satisfy tax withholding and stock options exercise obligations incurred in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards and the exercise of stock options:
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has 2,000,000 shares reserved for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock equivalents and awards of shares of common stock that are not subject to restrictions or forfeiture.
Stock Options
Stock options have a term of ten years and vest annually and ratably over a period of four years.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. EQUITY (Continued)
The following table summarizes stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014:
The unvested options as of December 31, 2014 represent $0.4 million in unamortized stock-based compensation which will be recognized over a weighted average term of 1.0 years.
The following table summarizes information relating to options granted and exercised during 2012, 2013 and 2014 (in thousands, except fair value of options granted data):
The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between our closing common stock price on December 31st and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of the in-the-money stock options) that would have been received by the stock option holders had all
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. EQUITY (Continued)
stock options holders exercised their stock options on December 31st. The amount of aggregate intrinsic value will change based on the fair market value of our common stock. The estimated fair value of the options granted were determined using a Black Scholes option pricing model, based on the following weighted average assumptions:
The Company recognized $1.8 million, $1.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of stock compensation expense relating to the granted options during 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Restricted Stock
Restricted stock issued under the 2008 Equity Investment Plan vests ratably over four years.
The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during the year ended December 31, 2013:
The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during the year ended December 31, 2014:
In connection with the grant of restricted shares, the Company recognized $1.8 million, $3.1 million and $3.4 million of compensation expense within its income statements for 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
The unvested shares as of December 31, 2014 represent $8.1 million in unamortized stock based compensation which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.8 years.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. INCOME TAXES
The components of income before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
The following is a reconciliation from the tax computed at statutory income tax rates to the Company's income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014 (in thousands):
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. INCOME TAXES (Continued)
The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 (in thousands):
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. INCOME TAXES (Continued)
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows (in thousands):
As of December 31, 2014, the Company estimated that it had gross state and foreign net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards of $32.1 million and $8.7 million respectively. The state NOL's will expire at various dates between 2015 and 2028. The foreign NOL consists of $6.1 million from Aruba, which will expire between 2015 and 2019. The remaining foreign NOL is from Guyana, and has no expiration. The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing NOL deferred tax assets. A significant piece of negative evidence evaluated was the cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. On the basis of this evaluation, the Company believes it is more likely than not that the benefit from these state and foreign NOL carryforwards will not be realized. In recognition of this risk at December 31, 2014, the Company provided a valuation allowance of $1.7 million and $1.4 million for the state and foreign NOL carryforwards, respectively. At December 31, 2013 our state and foreign NOL carryforward valuation allowance was $1.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had $10.5 million and $13.6 million of foreign tax credits. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, $3.0 million and $1.8 million foreign tax credit carryforwards expired. The remaining amounts that will expire in 2015 and 2016. Similar to prior years, the Company examined its projected mix of foreign source and U.S.-source earnings and concluded it is more likely than not that it will not generate enough foreign source income to utilize its existing foreign tax credits prior to their expiration date. As a result, the Company has continued to maintain a full valuation allowance against these credits through December 31, 2014.
The Company has approximately $131.6 million of undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries that as of December 31, 2014 are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no U.S. federal and state income taxes have been provided thereon. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability is not practical because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation.
The Company had net unrecognized tax benefits of $10.3 million as of December 31, 2012, $14.0 million as of December 31, 2013 and $16.5 million as of December 31, 2014. The net increase of the reserve during the year ended December 31, 2014 was attributable to additions to uncertain tax positions taken in the current and prior years and reductions resulting from the lapse of statute of
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. INCOME TAXES (Continued)
limitation in one jurisdiction and the settlement of interest related to a prior Internal Revenue Service audit. The following shows the activity related to unrecognized tax benefits during the three years ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
The Company's accounting policy is to classify interest and penalties related to income tax matters as part of income tax expense. The accrued amounts for interest and penalties are $1.0 million as of December 31, 2014, and $0.4 million as of December 31, 2013, and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2012.
All $16.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. The Company accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its provision for income taxes, if material.
The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. and in various state and local jurisdictions. The statute of limitations related to the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return is closed for all tax years up to and including 2010. The expiration of the statute of limitations related to the various state income tax returns that the Company and subsidiaries file varies by state. The Company does not expect that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits relating to U.S. tax matters will change significantly within the next 12 months.
The Company also files an income tax return in Guyana. See Note 14 relating to certain tax matters pertaining to those filings. There is no expected settlement date of those matters and upon settlement, which might not occur in the near future, the payment may vary significantly from the amounts currently recorded. The Company will continue to update amounts recorded as new developments arise.
13. RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan for eligible employees of GT&T who meet certain age and employment criteria. Company contributions to fund the plan are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed for service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future. The Company's funding policy is to contribute to the plan such amounts as are actuarially determined to meet funding requirements. The benefits are based on the participants' average salary or hourly wages during the last three years of employment and credited service years.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
13. RETIREMENT PLANS (Continued)
The weighted-average rates assumed in the actuarial calculations for the pension plan are as follows as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014:
The expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets was determined based on several factors including input from pension investment consultants, projected long-term returns of equity and bond indices in Guyana and elsewhere, including the United States, and historical returns over the life of the related obligations of the fund. The Company, in conjunction with its pension investment consultants, reviews its asset allocation periodically and rebalances its investments when appropriate in an effort to earn the expected long-term returns. The Company will continue to evaluate its long-term rate of return assumptions at least annually and will adjust them as necessary.
Changes during the year in the projected benefit obligations and in the fair value of plan assets are as follows for 2013 and 2014 (in thousands):
The Company's investment policy for its pension assets is to have a reasonably balanced investment approach, with a long-term bias toward debt investments. The Company's strategy allocates plan assets among equity, debt and other assets in both Guyana and the United States to achieve long-term returns without significant risk to principal. The fund is prohibited under Guyana law from investing in the equity, debt or other securities of the employer, its subsidiaries or associates of the employer or any company of which the employer is a subsidiary or an associate. Furthermore, the plan must invest between 70%-80% of its total plan assets within Guyana.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
13. RETIREMENT PLANS (Continued)
The fair values for the pension plan's net assets, by asset category, at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
The plan's weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2013 and 2014, by asset category are as follows:
Amounts recognized on the Company's consolidated balance sheets consist of (in thousands):
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of (in thousands):
Components of the plan's net periodic pension cost are as follows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 (in thousands):
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
13. RETIREMENT PLANS (Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company expects to contribute approximately $543,000 to its pension plan.
The following estimated pension benefits, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid over the next ten years as indicated below (in thousands):
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to certain regulatory and legal proceedings and other claims arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve claims for damages and taxes that are substantial in amount. The Company believes that, except for the items discussed below, for which the Company is currently unable to predict the final outcome, the disposition of proceedings currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
The Company had previously amended its Amended Credit Facility to provide for an additional $55 million letter of credit sub-facility to its revolver loan to be available for issuance in connection with the Company's Mobility Fund Grant obligations. On June 17, 2013, the Company issued approximately $29.8 million in letters of credit to the Universal Service Administrative Company to secure a portion of the pending awards of approximately $68.8 million of Mobility Fund Grants to certain of its subsidiaries. In connection with the Company's sale of its Alltel business on September 20, 2013, it notified the FCC and USAC that it would no longer be eligible to perform under the terms and conditions of the Alltel Mobility Funds. At that time, USAC chose not to draw any amounts under our letter of credit securing the Alltel Mobility Funds and the Company terminated $19.9 million in letters of credit on November 14, 2013. See Note 10 for further information about the Mobility Fund. The letters of credit accrue a fee at a rate of 1.75% per annum on the outstanding amounts. As of December 31, 2013 the Company had approximately $9.9 million in letters of credit payable to USAC outstanding to cover its Mobility Fund obligations and there were no draw downs against these letters of credit. If the Company fails to comply with certain terms and conditions upon which the Mobility Fund Grants are to be granted, or if it loses eligibility for Mobility Fund support, USAC will be entitled to draw the entire amount of the letter of credit applicable to the affected project including penalties. The results of the Company's Mobility Fund projects, once initiated, will be included in the Company's "U.S. Wireless" segment.
Currently, the Company's Guyana subsidiary, GT&T, holds a license to provide domestic fixed services and international voice and data services in Guyana on an exclusive basis until December 2030.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
Since 2001, the Government of Guyana has stated its intention to introduce additional competition into Guyana's telecommunications sector. Since that time, the Company and GT&T have met on several occasions with officials of the Government of Guyana to discuss potential modifications of GT&T's exclusivity and other rights under the existing agreement and license. In 2012, the Government of Guyana introduced draft legislation in Parliament that, if enacted, would have the effect of terminating the Company's exclusive license rights by permitting other telecommunications carriers to receive licenses to provide domestic fixed services and international voice and data services in Guyana. Along with the draft legislation, the Government also released drafts of new regulations and licenses (collectively, the "Draft Laws"). These Draft Laws would also introduce material changes to many other features of Guyana's existing telecommunications regulatory regime. While little or no substantive actions were taken on the Draft Laws since 2012, the Company cannot predict when or if the proposed legislation will be adopted by Parliament or, if adopted and then signed into law by the President, the manner in which it would be implemented by the Minister of Telecommunications and the PUC. Although the Company believes that it would be entitled to damages or other compensation for any involuntary termination of its contractual exclusivity rights, it cannot guarantee that the Company would prevail in a proceeding to enforce its rights or that its actions would effectively halt any unilateral action by the Government.
Historically, GT&T has been subject to other litigation proceedings and disputes in Guyana that, while not conclusively resolved, to the Company's knowledge have not been the subject of discussions or other significant activity in the last five years. It is possible, but not likely, that these disputes, as discussed below, may be revived. The Company believes that none of these additional proceedings would, in the event of an adverse outcome, have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operation or liquidity.
In a letter dated September 8, 2006, the National Frequency Management Unit ("NFMU") agreed that total spectrum fees in Guyana should not increase for the years 2006 and 2007. However, that letter implied that spectrum fees in 2008 and onward may be increased beyond the amount GT&T agreed to with the Government. GT&T has objected to the NFMU's proposed action and reiterated its position that an increase in fees prior to development of an acceptable methodology would violate the Government's prior agreement. In 2011, GT&T paid the NFMU $2.6 million representing payments in full for 2008, 2009 and 2010. However, by letter dated November 23, 2011, the NFMU stated that it did not concur with GT&T's inference that the amount was payment in full for the specified years as it was their continued opinion that the final calculation for GSM spectrum fees was not agreed upon and was still an outstanding issue. By further letter dated November 24, 2011, the NFMU further rejected a proposal that was previously submitted jointly by GT&T and Digicel which outlined a recommended methodology for the calculation of these fees. The NFMU stated that it would prepare its own recommendation which it would send to the Minister of Telecoms for decision of the matter. GT&T paid additional spectrum fees in 2012 according to the methodology used for its 2011 payments, and have reserved amounts payable for 2013 and 2014 according to this methodology. There have been no further discussions on this subject and GT&T has not had the opportunity to review any recommendation made to the Minister.
In November 2007, Caribbean Telecommunications Limited ("CTL") filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against GT&T and ATN claiming breach of an interconnection agreement for domestic cellular services in Guyana and related claims. CTL asserted over $200 million in damages. GT&T and ATN moved to dismiss the complaint on procedural and
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
jurisdictional grounds. On January 26, 2009, the court granted the motions to dismiss the complaint on the grounds asserted. On November 7, 2009 and again on April 4, 2013, CTL filed a similar claim against GT&T and the PUC in the High Court of Guyana. The Company believes these claims are without merit and are duplicative of a previous claim filed by CTL in Guyana that was dismissed. There has been no action on these matters since the April 2013 filing.
On May 8, 2009, Digicel filed a lawsuit in Guyana challenging the legality of GT&T's exclusive license rights under Guyana's constitution. Digicel initially filed this lawsuit against the Attorney General of Guyana in the High Court. On May 13, 2009, GT&T petitioned to intervene in the suit in order to oppose Digicel's claims and that petition was granted on May 18, 2009. GT&T filed an answer to the charge on June 22, 2009 and the case is pending. The Company believes that any legal challenge to GT&T's exclusive license rights granted in 1990 is without merit and the Company intends to vigorously defend against such a legal challenge.
On February 17, 2010, GT&T filed a lawsuit in the High Court of Guyana asserting that, despite its denials, Digicel is engaged in international bypass in violation of GT&T's exclusive license rights, the interconnection agreement between the parties, and the laws of Guyana. GT&T is seeking, among other things, injunctive relief to stop the illegal bypass activity, actual damages in excess of US$9 million and punitive damages of approximately US$5 million. Digicel filed counterclaims alleging that GT&T has violated the terms of the interconnection agreement and Guyana laws. GT&T intends to vigorously prosecute this suit.
On July 20, 2012 a trial court in Guyana made findings calling into question the validity of GT&T's exclusive license to provide international voice and data service in Guyana and the applicability of that license to telecommunications services using Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP"). The findings were made in a breach of contract case brought originally in 2007 against GT&T by a subscriber to its Internet service and are now temporarily stayed pending further court proceedings. Digicel, our main competitor in Guyana, in response to the trial court's findings, began connecting its own international traffic out of Guyana without receiving an international license and at rates which had not been approved by the Guyana Public Utilities Commission. In response, the Guyana Public Utilities Commission ordered Digicel to cease providing service at these rates and the government of Guyana notified us that they have undertaken to advise Digicel that its activities are in contravention of Guyana law. The Guyana courts also granted GT&T an interim injunction restraining Digicel from bypassing GT&T's network. GT&T has also appealed the case, not only with respect to the contract claim, but also as to the court's findings regarding the exclusivity of GT&T's license and its application to VoIP services.
GT&T is also involved in several legal claims regarding its tax filings with the Guyana Revenue Authority dating back to 1991 regarding the deductibility of intercompany advisory fees as well as other tax assessments. Should GT&T be held liable for any of the disputed tax assessments, totaling $33.2 million, the Company believes that the Government of Guyana would then be obligated to reimburse GT&T for any amounts necessary to ensure that GT&T's return on investment was no less than 15% per annum for the relevant periods.
In Bermuda, the Regulatory Authority continued its implementation of the Electronic Communications Act of 2011, which allows communications service providers to enter new lines of business and introduces competition in the sector. As the government of Bermuda reforms the local telecommunications market, it has adopted new and amended regulations that establish regulatory and
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
other fees, additional regulation and result in other circumstances that could increase the regulatory costs incurred by or otherwise impact the Company's Bermuda operations. For instance, in December 2014, the Bermuda Regulatory Authority adopted a decision that, if implemented, would prevent the Company from using a portion of existing spectrum held in Bermuda reserved for the launch of next generation services in accordance with the Company's plans and demands of its customers in Bermuda. While the Company has appealed the decision, it if is implemented, it could damage the competitive position of the Compnay's Bermuda business and limit its ability to grow.
The term of the Company's telecommunications license to operate in Aruba expired on January 15, 2014. The government of Aruba informed the Company earlier in January 2014 that a renewed license would be issued only upon payment by the Company of a fee in the amount of Afl 7.2 million (or approximately US$4 million). The Company is continuing to operate as it is actively contesting the assessment of such fee.
Lease Commitments and Other Obligations
The Company leases approximately 2.3 million square feet for its operations centers, administrative offices and retail stores as well as certain tower sites under non-cancelable operating leases. The Company's obligations for payments under these leases are as follows at December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was $13.7 million, $12.7 million and $15.0 million, respectively.
15. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In October 2014, the Company's U.S. Virgin Islands business, Choice Communications, LLC ("Choice"), entered into a tower lease with Tropical Tower Ltd ("Tropical Tower"), an entity 90% owned by Cornelius B. Prior, Jr., the Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors. When aggregated with amounts that Choice currently pays to Tropical Tower for an existing tower lease entered into in April 2012, Choice will pay approximately $117,000 per year in rental payments to Tropical Tower. Each tower lease has an initial term of five years, with two additional five year renewal periods and has provisions for an increase in rent by 5% each year. Our Audit Committee reviewed the specific structure and terms of the October 2014 lease, as negotiated by Choice management, and unanimously approved the arrangement described above in accordance with the terms of our Related Person Transaction Policy.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. SEGMENT REPORTING
For the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013, the Company had four reportable segments for separate disclosure in accordance with the FASB's authoritative guidance on disclosures about segments of an enterprise. Those four segments were: i) U.S. Wireless, which generates all of its revenues in and has all of its assets located in the United States, ii) International Integrated Telephony, which generates all of its revenues in and has all of its assets located in Guyana, iii) Island Wireless, which generates a majority of its revenues in, and has a majority of its assets located in, Bermuda and which also generates revenues in and has assets located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba and Turks and Caicos and iv) U.S. Wireline, which generates all of its revenues in and has all of its assets located in the United States. With the Ahana Acquisition on December 24, 2014, the Company added a fifth reportable segment, Renewable Energy, which generates all of its revenues in and has all of its assets located in the United States. Segment presentations for 2012 and 2013 were not impacted by the change in segments in 2014. The operating segments are managed separately because each offers different services and serves different markets.
The following tables provide information for each operating segment (in thousands):
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. SEGMENT REPORTING (Continued)
(1)Includes $4,748 and $175 of assets associated with our discontinued operations as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Reconciling items refer to corporate overhead matters and consolidating adjustments.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
17. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Following is a summary of the Company's quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 (in thousands):
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
17. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On February 12, 2015, the Company signed an agreement to sell substantially all of the assets of its retail wireless business in the Turks and Caicos islands to Cable & Wireless (TCI) Limited. The transaction is subject to customary closing terms and conditions. The companies expect to complete the transaction in the first quarter of 2015 and the Company anticipates recording a loss on the sale of approximately $19 million at that time.
SCHEDULE II
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(Amounts in Thousands)
EXHIBIT INDEX
to Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2014
2.1
Purchase Agreement, dated January 21, 2013, by and among AT&T Mobility LLC, Atlantic Tele- Network, Inc. and Allied Wireless Communications Corporation. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-12593) filed on January 24, 2013).
2.2
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 24, 2014, by and among Ahana Operations, LLC, Green Lake Capital, LLC, Walsin Lihwa Corp. and the Companies named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-12593) filed on December 29, 2014).
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-62416) filed June 6, 2001).
3.2
Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc., as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 14, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-12593) for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006 filed August 14, 2006).
3.3
By-Laws of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc., as amended and restated on September 12, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-12593) for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013 filed November 12, 2013).
10.1 * Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (as amended May 24, 2007 incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-12593) filed April 30, 2007).
10.2 * Director's Remuneration Plan as amended as of November 2, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-62416) filed June 6, 2001).
10.3 * Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under 1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-62416) filed June 6, 2001).
10.4 * 2005 Restricted Stock and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-62416) filed May 24, 2005).
10.5 * Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Appendix C of the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-12593) filed on May 2, 2011).
10.6 * Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Agreement under 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (Non-Employee Directors) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-12593) filed on May 21, 2008).
10.7 * Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Agreement under 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001- 12593) filed on May 21, 2008).
Ex-1
10.8 * Form of Notice of Grant of Incentive Stock Option and Option Agreement under 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001- 12593) filed on May 21, 2008).
10.9 * Form of Notice of Grant of Nonqualified Stock Option and Option Agreement under 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001- 12593) filed on May 21, 2008).
10.10 * Deferred Compensation Plan for Select Employees of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-12593) filed January 6, 2009).
10.11
Third Amended and Restated Agreement dated as of May 18, 2012 by and among Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc., as Borrower, CoBank, ACB, as Administrative Agent, Lead Arranger, Swingline Lender, an Issuing Lender and a Lender, the Guarantors named therein, and the other Lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-12593) filed on May 21, 2012).
10.12
First Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Agreement dated as of October 29, 2012 by and among Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc., as Borrower, CoBank, ACB, as Administrative Agent, Lead Arranger, Swingline Lender, an Issuing Lender and a Lender, the Guarantors named therein, and the other Lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-12593) filed on November 9, 2012).
10.13
Consent to Third Amended and Restated Agreement dated as of February 28, 2013, by and among the Company, as Borrower, CoBank, ACB, as Administrative Agent, Lead Arranger, Swingline Lender, an Issuing Lender and a Lender, the Guarantors named therein, and the other Lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-12593) for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed on March 18, 2013).
10.14
Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 19, 2014 by and among the Company, as Borrower, CoBank, ACB, as Administrative Agent, Lead Arranger, Swingline Lender, an Issuing Lender and a Lender, Fifth Third Bank, as a Joint Lead Arranger, MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as a Joint Lead Arranger and an Issuing Lender, the Guarantors named therein and the other Lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-12593) filed on December 23, 2014).
10.15
Agreement between the Government of the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana and Atlantic Tele- Network, Inc., dated June 18, 1990 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-12593) for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006 filed on May 15, 2006).
10.16
Amendment to the Agreement between the Government of the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana and Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc., dated November 2, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-12593) for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed on March 18, 2013).
10.17
Allied Wireless Communications Corporation 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-12593) for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed on March 16, 2011).
Ex-2
10.18
Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement under Allied Wireless Communications Corporation 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-12593) for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed on March 16, 2011).
10.19
Form of Option Agreement under Allied Wireless Communications Corporation 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-12593) for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed on March 16, 2011).
10.20
Allied Wireless Communications Corporation Form of Shareholder Agreement (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-12593) filed on May 2, 2011).
** Subsidiaries of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.
23.1 ** Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm-PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
31.1 ** Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Rule 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 ** Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Rule 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 ** Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 ** Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS ** XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH ** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL ** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF ** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB ** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE ** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
**Filed herewith.
Ex-3