UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form 10-Q

 


 

ý

 

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

 

 

 

For the Quarterly Period ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

o

 

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

 

Commission File Number 0-191551

 


 

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

47-0728886

(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer 
Identification Number)

 

10 Derby Square

Salem, MA 01970

(978) 619-1300

 


 

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

 

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

Large accelerated filer  o    Accelerated filer  o    Non-accelerated filer  x

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

As of April 30, 2006, the registrant had outstanding 12,468,291 shares of its common stock ($.01 par value).

 

 



 

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC.

 

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

PAGE No:

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

4

 

 

 

 

Item 1 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006

4

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006

5

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006

6

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

7

 

 

 

 

Item 2 

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

17

 

 

 

 

Item 3 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

24

 

 

 

 

Item 4 

Controls and Procedures

 

25

 

 

 

 

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

26

 

 

 

 

Item 1. 

  Legal Proceedings

 

26

 

 

 

 

Item1A 

  Risk Factors

 

26

 

 

 

 

Item 2. 

 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Process

 

26

 

 

 

 

Item 6. 

  Exhibits

 

26

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

27

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

 

 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Report contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other matters, the future financial performance and results of operations of ATN and its subsidiaries, including the relative contributions of Commnet and SoVerNet; demand for our services and industry trends; the outcome of litigation and regulatory matters; our continued access to the credit and capital markets; the pace of our network expansion and improvement, including our realization of the benefits of these investments; and management’s plans and strategy for the future.  These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions and are not guarantees of future events or results.  Actual future events and results could differ materially from the events and results indicated in these statements as a result of many factors, including, among others, (1) significant political and regulatory risk facing our exclusive license to provide local exchange and long distance telephone services in Guyana; (2) any significant decline in the price or volume of international long distance calls to Guyana; (3) increased competition affecting our businesses; (4) the regulation of rates that GT&T may charge for local wireline telephone service; (5) significant tax disputes between GT&T and the Guyanese tax authorities; (6) a significant portion of our U.S. wireless revenue is derived from a small number of customers;  (7) our failure to maintain favorable roaming arrangements; (8) economic, political and other risks facing our foreign political operations; (9) regulatory changes affecting our businesses; (10) rapid and significant technological changes in the telecommunications industry; (11) our reliance on a limited number of key suppliers and vendors for timely supply of equipment and services relating to our network infrastructure; (12) loss of any key members of management; (13) the adequacy and expansion capabilities of our network capacity and customer service system to support our customer growth; (14) dependence of our wireless and wireline revenues on the reliability and performance of our network infrastructure; (15) the occurrence of severe weather and natural catastrophes; (16) our economic interest in our Bermuda affiliate may be reduced in 2008; and (17) our inability to realize the value that we believe exists in businesses that we acquire. These and other additional factors that may cause actual future events and results to differ materially from the events and results indicated in the  forward-looking statements above are set forth more fully under Item 1A “Risk Factors” of ATN’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which is on file with the SEC.  ATN undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors that may affect such forward-looking statements.

 

2



 

In this Report on Form 10-Q, the words “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Also ClearChoice™ is a service mark of one of our subsidiaries. This Report also contains other trademarks, service marks and trade names that are the property of others.

 

Reference to dollars ($) refer to U.S. dollars unless otherwise specifically indicated.

 

Information regarding shares of our Common Stock set forth in this Report has been retroactively adjusted to reflect our 5-for-2 stock split on March 31, 2006.

 

3



 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1 Financial Statements

 

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

December 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

26,493

 

$

26,542

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances

 

15,613

 

16,721

 

Materials and supplies

 

4,744

 

5,602

 

Prepayments and other current assets

 

1,822

 

1,438

 

Total current assets

 

48,672

 

50,303

 

FIXED ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

204,297

 

212,317

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(78,588

)

(83,604

)

Net fixed assets

 

125,709

 

128,713

 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationships, net

 

 

4,815

 

Licenses

 

11,246

 

13,782

 

Goodwill

 

29,031

 

42,136

 

LONG-TERM MARKETABLE SECURITIES

 

1,991

 

 

INVESTMENT IN AND ADVANCES TO UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

 

13,045

 

10,954

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

4,137

 

4,526

 

Total assets

 

$

233,831

 

$

255,229

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

165

 

$

169

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

16,930

 

17,715

 

Dividends payable

 

1,522

 

 

Accrued taxes

 

9,411

 

11,430

 

Advance payments and deposits

 

3,114

 

3,323

 

Other current liabilities

 

2,985

 

3,898

 

Total current liabilities

 

34,127

 

36,535

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

 

6,469

 

8,650

 

LONG-TERM DEBT, excluding current portion

 

55,585

 

69,542

 

Total liabilities

 

96,181

 

114,727

 

MINORITY INTERESTS

 

21,940

 

22,579

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 12,949,810 and 12,957,310 shares issued, respectively and 12,463,748 and 12,468,291 shares outstanding on December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006, respectively.

 

129

 

130

 

Treasury stock, at cost

 

(3,532

)

(3,501

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

58,695

 

58,782

 

Deferred compensation

 

(1,626

)

(2,124

)

Retained earnings

 

62,044

 

64,636

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

115,710

 

117,923

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

233,831

 

$

255,229

 

 

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

 

4



 

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005 AND 2006

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

REVENUE:

 

 

 

 

 

Wireless

 

$

3,786

 

$

13,312

 

Local telephone and data

 

6,776

 

9,191

 

International long distance

 

11,365

 

11,171

 

Other

 

762

 

847

 

Total revenues

 

22,689

 

34,521

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

Termination and access fees

 

1,370

 

4,751

 

Internet and programming

 

654

 

1,268

 

Engineering and operations

 

3,487

 

4,360

 

Sales and marketing

 

1,530

 

1,930

 

General and administrative

 

3,525

 

4,844

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4,184

 

5,795

 

Total operating expenses

 

14,750

 

22,948

 

Income from operations

 

7,939

 

11,573

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(135

)

(867

)

Interest income

 

270

 

203

 

Other, net

 

299

 

276

 

Other income (expense), net

 

434

 

(388

)

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES, MINORITY INTERESTS AND EQUITY IN EARNING OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

 

8,373

 

11,185

 

Income taxes

 

5,016

 

6,465

 

INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTERESTS AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

 

3,357

 

4,720

 

Minority interests, net of tax of $1.0 million, for 2005 and 2006

 

(901

)

(1,097

)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

 

590

 

466

 

NET INCOME

 

$

3,046

 

$

4,089

 

NET INCOME PER SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.33

 

Diluted

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.33

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

12,535

 

12,486

 

Diluted

 

12,535

 

12,544

 

DIVIDENDS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.12

 

 

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

 

5



 

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005 AND 2006

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,046

 

$

4,089

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4,184

 

5,795

 

Equity-based compensation

 

 

128

 

Deferred income taxes

 

330

 

265

 

Minority interests

 

901

 

1,097

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

 

(590

)

(466

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

(1,405

)

543

 

Amounts due from unconsolidated affiliates

 

238

 

(73

)

Materials and supplies, prepayments, and other current assets

 

243

 

(306

)

Other assets

 

(843

)

(373

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, advance payments and deposits and other current liabilities

 

(3,152

)

(168

)

Accrued taxes

 

1,979

 

1,951

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

4,931

 

12,482

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(2,503

)

(5,086

)

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired of $1,687

 

 

(19,729

)

Dividends received from Bermuda Digital Communications, Ltd

 

415

 

415

 

Purchase of long term marketable securities

 

(1,000

)

 

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

 

8,081

 

1,991

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

4,993

 

(22,409

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 

14,000

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(280

)

(39

)

Investments made by minority shareholders in consolidated subsidiaries

 

 

370

 

Distributions to minority shareholders

 

 

(1,336

)

Dividends paid on common stock

 

(1,376

)

(3,019

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(1,656

)

9,976

 

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

8,268

 

49

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of the period

 

39,900

 

26,493

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of the period

 

48,168

 

$

26,542

 

 

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

 

6



 

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

 

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. (“ATN” or “Company”) provides wireless and wireline telecommunication services in the Carribbean and North America through the following operating subsidiaries and affiliates:

 

                  Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company, Ltd. (“GT&T”), the national and international telephone company in the Republic of Guyana and the largest wireless service provider in that country. The Company has owned 80% of the stock of GT&T since January 1991. GT&T generated approximately 96% and 63% of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.  The reduction in this percentage is due to the acquisitions noted below

 

                  Commnet Wireless, LLC (“Commnet”), an owner and operator of wholesale wireless networks in rural areas of the United States. Commnet provides wireless service providers with voice and data roaming services. The Company completed its acquisition of 95% of Commnet on September 15, 2005.

 

                  SoVerNet, Inc., a facilities-based provider of communications services to business and residential customers in Vermont, including bundled voice and high-speed Internet access, as well as traditional dial-up Internet services. ATN acquired all of the outstanding common stock of SoVerNet, Inc. on February 10, 2006 for approximately $13.2 million, including the repayment of approximately $1.4 million in SoVerNet debt and the payment of transaction expenses. The Company funded the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings on its existing credit facility (see Note 5), and, at closing of the transaction, issued shares of common stock amounting to 4% of SoVerNet’s outstanding capital stock to SoVerNet’s new chief executive, subject to vesting requirements and other restriction.

 

                  Choice Communications, LLC (“Choice Communications” or “Choice”), a provider of wireless digital television services, wireless broadband access services, dial-up Internet services and certain other communications services in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Choice Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, acquired its Internet service business in 1999 and its television business in March 2000.

 

                  Bermuda Digital Communications, Ltd. (“BDC”), the largest wireless voice and data communications service provider in Bermuda, doing business under the name “Cellular One”. The Company acquired an equity interest in, and signed a management contract with, BDC in 1998. The Company currently owns 44% of the equity of BDC.

 

ATN provides management, technical, financial, regulatory, and marketing services for its subsidiaries and affiliates and typically receives a management fee equal to approximately 6% of their respective revenues. Management fees from consolidated subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation. Management fees from unconsolidated affiliates are included in “Other Income” in the accompanying statements of operations.

 

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, the Company believes such information and the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading and reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for such periods. Results of interim periods may not be indicative of results for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. Except for its investment in Commnet of Florida, LLC, which is consolidated in accordance with the provisions of FIN No. 46, the Company uses the equity method of accounting for its investments in affiliated entities in which the Company has at least 20% ownership but does not have management control. The Company accounts for investments of less than 20% for which the Company does not have the ability to exert significant influence over the operations using the cost method of accounting.

 

7



 

As a result of its acquisitions of Commnet and SoVerNet, the Company has changed the way it presents its statements of operations data. In prior periods, the GT&T subsidiary represented a substantial majority of the Company’s revenue, expense and profit, and the statement of operations followed the traditional regulated telecommunications business presentation. Now that the Company has added substantial non-regulated businesses in Commnet and Sovernet and experienced significant growth in its non-exclusive wireless business in Guyana, management believes it important to report the revenue and expenses together for all of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries. The Company has reclassified the components of its consolidated revenues into categories that are more representative of its operations. The Company has also grouped depreciation and amortization for all consolidated businesses into one line item on the Statements of Operations. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassification of prior period results had no effect on reported net income or earnings per share.

 

On March 8, 2006, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a 5-for-2 split of its common stock. The stock split, which was effected in the form of a stock dividend, entitled all ATN stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 20, 2006 to receive three additional shares of common stock for every two shares of common stock held on that date. The additional shares were distributed to stockholders on March 31, 2006. The Board also approved a proportional increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock from 20,000,000 to 50,000,000, subject to stockholder approval. The accompanying financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.

 

3. USE OF ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The most significant estimates relate to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives of the Company’s fixed assets, and income taxes. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

4. ACQUISITIONS

 

a)                                    SoVerNet, Inc.

 

On February 10, 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of SoVerNet, Inc., a facilities-based provider of communications services to business and residential customers in Vermont, including bundled voice and high-speed Internet access, as well as traditional dial-up Internet services. In connection with the acquisition, ATN acquired all of the outstanding common stock of SoVerNet, Inc. for approximately $13.2 million, including the repayment of approximately $1.4 million in SoVerNet debt and the payment of transaction expenses of $0.5 million. At closing of the transaction, the Company issued shares of common stock amounting to 4% of SoVerNet’s outstanding capital stock to SoVerNet’s new chief executive, subject to vesting requirements and other restrictions. The Company funded the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings on its existing credit facility (see Note 5).

 

The acquisition of SoVerNet was accounted for using the purchase method and SoVerNet’s results of operations since February 10, 2006, the date of acquisition, have been included in the financial statements of the Company. The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition as determined by management. Included in this allocation was $5.0 million attributable to SoVerNet’s relationships with its existing customers as of the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed of $9.7 million has been recorded as goodwill. The value of the goodwill from this acquisition can be attributed to a number of business factors including, but not limited to the reputation of SoVerNet as a retail provider of Internet and telephone services as well as a network operator, SoVerNet’s reputation for customer care, the skills and experience of its management and staff and the strategic position it holds in its marketplace.  In accordance with current accounting standards, the goodwill will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually as required by SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. The customer relationships will be amortized, on an accelerated basis, over the expected period during which their economic benefits are to be realized. For tax purposes, the goodwill and amortization of the customer relationships will not be deductible for tax purposes.

 

8



 

b)                                    Commnet Wireless, LLC

 

                                                On September 15, 2005, the Company completed the acquisition of 95% of the equity of Commnet Wireless, LCC, a provider of roaming services in rural areas of the United States. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $59.3 million, which consisted of $58.7 million in cash and legal, financial and other costs of $0.6 million. The acquisition was financed through a new credit facility as discussed in Note 5. The acquisition of Commnet allows the Company to expand its emphasis on its wireless operations in smaller, niche markets with a manageable competitive environment.

 

In connection with the Commnet merger agreement, the Company placed $7.4 million of the purchase price in escrow. Of this amount, $2.0 million was released to the sellers in November 2005 after Commnet met certain working capital requirements. The remaining $5.4 million will be released to the Sellers in September 2006 assuming no indemnification claims are presented by ATN. The escrowed cash is not included on the Company’s balance sheets and has been included in the purchase price; any adjustment to the escrowed amount will result in an adjustment to the goodwill recorded in the transaction.

 

The acquisition of Commnet was accounted for using the purchase method and Commnet’s results of operations since September 15, 2005, the date of acquisition, have been included in the financial statements of the Company. The total purchase consideration 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 excess of the purchase price over the amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill. The value of the goodwill from this acquisition can be attributed to a number of business factors including, but not limited to the reputation of Commnet as a network builder and operator, the skills and experience of its management and staff and the strategic position it holds in its marketplace. In accordance with current accounting standards, the goodwill and licenses will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually as required by SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. For tax purposes, the Company elected to step up the basis of Commnet’s assets to fair market value, and therefore, the goodwill and licenses will be deductible for tax purposes.

 

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition (in thousands):

 

Total purchase consideration:

 

 

 

Cash paid

 

$

58,671

 

Transaction costs paid

 

584

 

Total purchase consideration

 

$

59,255

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allocation of the purchase consideration:

 

 

 

Current assets, including cash of $1.9 million

 

$

7,695

 

Fixed assets

 

16,716

 

Licenses

 

11,246

 

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

2,615

 

Other investments

 

136

 

Goodwill

 

29,031

 

Total assets acquired

 

67,439

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(5,135

)

Commitment to purchase additional interest in Commnet of Florida, LLC

 

(1,500

)

Minority interests

 

(1,549

)

Fair value of liabilities assumed

 

(8,184

)

 

 

$

59,255

 

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities of $2.6 million primarily represents Commnet’s 35.0% ownership of MoCelCo, LLC (“MoCelCo”) which has historically been accounted for using the equity method of accounting. In January 2006, Commnet acquired the remaining 65.0% interest in MoCelCo for $6.2 million (see Note 4(c) for additional information).

 

In July 2006, Commnet is required to purchase an additional 12.375% interest in Commnet of Florida, LLC, an affiliate in which Commnet currently owns 36.63%, for $1.5 million. Commnet of Florida is consolidated for financial reporting purposes, under the provisions of FIN No.46

 

9



 

Minority interests represent minority members’ interests in Commnet’s majority owned subsidiaries as well as a minority member’s 5% interest in Commnet. Assuming a put and call agreement entered into in connection with the Commnet merger agreement is exercised, the Company will be obligated to aquire the remaining 5% ownership interest in Commnet from the minority member between April 15, 2007 and October 15, 2007. The purchase price is contractually set at a fixed multiple to a predefined earnings number based on Commnet’s financial results during the 12 month period prior to the exercise of the put and call. No value was ascribed to the put/call agreement at the time of purchase as the exercise price is expected to reflect fair value at the exercise date. Based on Commnet’s results, the purchase price of the remaining 5%, as of March 31, 2006, would approximate $4.7 million.

 

As part of the acquisition of Commnet the Company also acquired certain carrier contracts which have remaining contractual lives of one to three years. There is no renewal history of the contracts since none of these contracts have been subject to renewal. Based upon a discounted cash flow valuation through the current expiration dates of these contracts, the Company has determined that the fair value of these contracts is insignificant and has therefore not allocated any of the purchase price to them.

 

The following table reflects unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2005 assuming that the Commnet acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2005 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

 

As reported

 

As adjusted

 

Revenue

 

$

22,689

 

$

27,799

 

Net income

 

3,046

 

3,262

 

 

The above table does not include the pro forma effects on revenue or net income for any other acquisition other than Commnet as only Commnet has been determined to be a ‘significant’ acquisition for financial reporting purposes.

 

c)                                      Additional acquisitions

 

Effective January 1, 2006, Commnet completed two acquisitions of wireless roaming networks located in Northeast Missouri and Central Arizona. Commnet acquired the 65% of MoCelCo, LLC that it did not previously own for $6.2 million in cash (see Note 4 (b)) and all the assets of a privately held network in Gila County, Arizona, that it previously managed, for $1.7 million in cash. The two acquisitions consist of a wireless license, a PCS license and 22 GSM cell sites. The Commnet acquisitions were funded with cash on hand and borrowings on ATN’s revolving credit facility (see Note 5).

 

These acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method and their results of operations since January 1, 2006, the effective date of the acquisitions, have been included in the financial statements of the Company. The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition as determined by management. Included in this allocation was $2.5 million attributable to certain telecommunications licenses. The excess of the purchase price over the amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed of $5.0 million has been recorded as goodwill. In accordance with current accounting standards, the goodwill and licenses will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually as required by SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”.  For tax purposes, the Company elected to step up the basis of these two acquisitions’ assets to fair market value, and therefore, the goodwill and licences will be deductible for tax purposes.

 

10



 

5. CREDIT FACILITIES

 

Long-term debt includes the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

Note payable to CoBank, ACB by ATN under a $50 million term loan

 

$

50,000

 

$

50,000

 

Line of Credit, payable to CoBank under a $20 million revolving credit facility

 

4,000

 

18,000

 

Note payable to U.S. Bancorp Equipment Finance, Inc. by ATN under a $2.5 million equipment financing agreement

 

1,750

 

1,711

 

 

 

55,750

 

69,711

 

Less: Current portion

 

165

 

169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total long term debt

 

$

55,585

 

$

69,542

 

 

On September 15, 2005, ATN, as borrower, entered into a Credit Agreement with CoBank, ACB (the “CoBank Credit Agreement”). The CoBank Credit Agreement provides a $50 million term loan (the “Term Loan”) and a $20 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver Facility”) and is collateralized by, among other things, a pledge of all of the GT&T stock owned by ATN. The Term Loan has principal repayments deferred until the maturity of the loan on October 31, 2010. Interest on the Term Loan is payable on a quarterly basis at a fixed annual interest rate of 5.85%, net of any patronage payments received by the Company from the bank. Amounts outstanding under the Revolver Facility accrue interest at a rate equal to (at the Company’s option): (i) LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.50% or (ii) a variable rate of interest as defined within the Revolver Facility plus 1%.

 

As of March 31, 2006 the amounts drawn under the Revolver Facility bear interest at a weighted average rate of 5.83%.

 

The CoBank Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants of ATN and its subsidiaries (including Commnet) that are typical for loan facilities of this type. Among other things, these covenants restrict ATN’s ability to incur additional debt in the future or to incur liens on its property. ATN has also agreed to maintain certain financial ratios under the facilities, including a total leverage ratio (debt to EBITDA) of two to one or less; a debt service coverage ratio (EBITDA to debt service) of three to one or more; an equity to assets ratio of 0.4 to one or more; and a specified leverage ratio for Commnet that changes over time. As of March 31, 2006 the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the CoBank Credit Facilities.

 

In December 2001, ATN entered into a $2.5 million financing agreement with U.S. Bancorp Equipment Finance, Inc., which is collateralized by property of ATN and its subsidiaries. The loan requires monthly principal and interest payments, with all outstanding balances maturing in 2008. Interest is payable on the outstanding principal balance at a variable floating rate based on three-month LIBOR plus 3.36%. As of March 31, 2006, the interest rate was 8.35%.

 

6. NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

Net income per share is computed in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.” Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income 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. There were no potentially dilutive securities for the three months ended March 31, 2005. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, unvested shares of restricted stock as well as outstanding stock options, which were included in the calculation of diluted net income per share using the treasury stock method, were the only potentially outstanding dilutive securities.

 

The reconciliation from basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

 

12,535

 

12,486

 

Unvested shares issued under the Company’s 2005 Restricted Stock Plan

 

 

52

 

Stock options

 

 

6

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

12,535

 

12,544

 

 

11



 

7. SEGMENT REPORTING

 

The Company manages and evaluates its operations in seven segments of which three are considered material for separate disclosure under SFAS 131, “Disclosures About Segments of and Enterprise Related Information.” Those three segments are: i) Integrated Telephony, which generates its revenues and has its assets located in Guyana and in the United States, ii) Wireless Television and Data, which generates all of its revenues in and has all of its assets located in the U.S Virgin Islands, and iii) Rural Wireless, which, as a result of the acquisition of Commnet, generates all of its revenues in the United States and has all of its assets located in the United States. The operating segments are managed separately because each offers different services and serves different markets. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10K, as filed with the SEC.

 

The following tables provide information for each operating segment (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

 

 

 

Integrated Telephony

 

Wireless
Television

 

Rural

 

Non-Reportable
Segments and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International

 

Domestic

 

and Data

 

Wireless

 

Corporate

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

$

21,265

 

 

$

1,291

 

$

 

$

1,787

 

$

(1,654

)

$

22,689

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

3,370

 

 

577

 

 

237

 

 

4,184

 

Operating income (loss)

 

9,633

 

 

(1,338

)

 

(65

)

(291

)

7,939

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

(380

)

 

(136

)

380

 

(136

)

Interest income

 

163

 

 

 

 

487

 

(380

)

270

 

Income taxes

 

4,758

 

 

(688

)

 

946

 

 

5,016

 

Net income (loss)

 

4,147

 

 

(1,719

)

 

2,729

 

(2,111

)

3,046

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

Integrated Telephony

 

Wireless
Television

 

Rural

 

Non-Reportable
Segments and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International

 

Domestic

 

and Data

 

Wireless

 

Corporate

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

21,830

 

2,130

 

$

1,560

 

$

9,001

 

$

1,654

 

$

(1,654

)

$

34,521

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

3406

 

292

 

592

 

1,351

 

154

 

 

5,795

 

Operating income (loss)

 

9,785

 

491

 

(915

)

2,689

 

(229

)

(248

)

11,573

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

(696

)

(103

)

(866

)

798

 

(867

)

Interest income

 

146

 

 

 

27

 

 

(798

)

203

 

Income taxes

 

4,744

 

275

 

(644

)

1,046

 

1,044

 

 

6,465

 

Net income (loss)

 

4,262

 

207

 

(1,610

)

1,429

 

4,089

 

(4,288

)

4,089

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

Integrated Telephony

 

Wireless
Television

 

Rural

 

Non-Reportable
Segments and

 

 

 

As of

 

International

 

Domestic

 

and Data

 

Wireless

 

Corporate

 

Consolidated

 

March 31, 2006

 

126,869

 

17,410

 

$

12,929

 

$

78,989

 

$

19,032

 

$

255,229

 

December 31, 2005

 

127,305

 

 

13,091

 

70,254

 

23,181

 

233,831

 

 

Total assets for the Integrated Telephony and Rural Wireless segments include $8.5 million and $34.1 million of goodwill, respectively.

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Integrated
Telephony

 

Wireless
Television
and Data

 

Rural
Wireless

 

Non-Reportable
Segments and Corporate

 

Consolidated

 

2006

 

$

3,306

 

$

115

 

$

1,665

 

$

 

$

5,086

 

2005

 

2,450

 

51

 

 

2

 

2,503

 

 

8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted, on a modified prospective basis, the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense based on estimated fair

 

12



 

values for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options and restricted stock units related to the Company’s 1998 Stock Option Plan and the 2005 Restricted Stock Plan. Accordingly, stock-based compensation costs are measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee’s requisite service period. Additionally, the Company applied the provisions of the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 on share-based payment to its adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).

 

The Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, which requires the application of the accounting standard as of January 1, 2006, the first day of the Company’s fiscal year 2006. Under this transition method, stock-based compensation expense recognized during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 includes stock options, restricted stock units and deferred stock units granted prior to, but not yet vested as of December 31, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123 and stock options and restricted stock units granted subsequent to December 31, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). Since the Company was applying the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 prior to January 1, 2006 and was expensing the estimated fair value of such grants over the employees’ requisite service period, the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) had no impact on the Company’s statements of operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2006.

 

Deferred compensation of $1,626 and $1,616 related to awards granted has been included in the equity section of the accompanying balance sheets as of December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006, respectively. SFAS No. 123(R) also changes the reporting of tax-related amounts within the statement of cash flows. The gross amount of windfall tax benefits resulting from stock-based compensation will be reported as cash flows from financing activities.

 

General and administrative expenses in the accompanying statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 includes $128,000 of stock-based compensation expense. Since there were no outstanding stock options or restricted stock units outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2005, no stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the accompanying statement of operations for that period.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company issued 7,500 shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $118,500 which will be amortized over the vesting period of four years. There were no stock option awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

For stock options issued during 2005, the Company applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 and is expensing the estimated fair value of such grants over the vesting period of four years. The estimated fair value of the options was determined using a Black Scholes option pricing model, based on the following assumptions:

 

Risk free interest rate

 

4.2% to 4.7

%

Expected dividend yield

 

2.56% to 3.31

%

Expected life (years)

 

7.0 to 8.6 years

 

Expected volatility

 

23% to 30

%

 

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Regulatory Matters

 

GT&T launched its 900 MHz Global System for Mobile Communications (“GSM”) service on September 25, 2004, after confirming with the Government of Guyana, GT&T’s right to use certain assigned frequencies. In March 2006, the National Frequency Management Unit (“NFMU”) reallocated the GSM 900 MHz spectrum, which was previously divided into two 24 MHz bands (awarded to GT&T and CelStar Guyana, Inc.), into four 12 MHz bands, with the expectation of licensing two additional wireless providers. Analysis undertaken by GT&T, in consultation with its GSM equipment vendors and other outside experts, indicated that GT&T might be required to incur substantial expense, in the form of new cell sites and equipment, as a result of being limited to 25% of the GSM 900 MHz band, and the quality of GSM service could suffer from higher congestion levels, particularly in the higher volume metropolitan areas or during events that create higher than ordinary traffic volume. In an effort to alleviate these consequences, GT&T proposed to the Government that it be allocated 33% of the GSM 900 MHz spectrum, but that proposal has been rejected. However, in correspondence dated May 3, 2006, and amended on May 9, 2006, the NFMU assigned a quarter of the 1800 MHz band into the Company totaling approximately 37 MHz. The Company has contacted its GSM equipment suppliers and they have begun assembling equipment in this spectrum band that will be utilized, along with other solutions, to alleviate the congestion currently being experienced by GT&T’s subscribers.

 

As a result of extensive discussions with the Guyana NFMU, on October 25, 2005, GT&T submitted its final spectrum fee payment to the NFMU for 2005, while the NFMU continues to develop a methodology for calculating GSM spectrum

 

13



 

fees for wireless market participants in Guyana. At this time, the Company does not expect the final determination of the amount of the fee payment in 2005 to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. The NFMU has notified GT&T that it expects GT&T to pay additional, unspecified spectrum fees for the 1800 MHz frequencies assigned to GT&T. The Company has contacted the Prime Minister with responsibility for telecommunications to express GT&T’s position that the assignment of the 1800 MHz frequencies merely offsets the decrease in the 900 MHz band and there should be no additional fees being remitted.

 

For further information concerning pending GT&T regulatory matters, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies – Regulatory and Litigation Matters” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the SEC.

 

In July 2004, the FCC released an order revising the spectrum band plan applicable to the Broadband Radio Service (“BRS”) and Educational Broadband Service (“EBS”). These are the spectrum bands through which Choice operates its video and broadband data services. The new rules restructure these spectrum bands and could impact Choice customers and operations. Choice objected to the new rules and requested an opportunity to opt-out of the new band plan. In April, 2006, the FCC released orders clarifying the rules and their applicability. Although the FCC did not grant requests for an opt-out provision, it stated that it will consider requests for waiver of the new band plan requirements on a case-by-case basis and described the circumstances under which waivers would be granted. Choice believes it is within the class of providers for which the FCC would favorably consider a waiver request.

 

In September 2005, the FCC released an order reallocating certain spectrum currently used by Choice for its broadband data service and potentially reducing the amount of spectrum available to Choice. Choice will be required to relocate certain operations to different frequencies; however, the FCC has proposed that any such transition may take up to five years with the costs borne by the party precipitating the move. In April, the FCC released rules for the auction of Choice spectrum that will be reallocated to Advanced Wireless Services (“AWS”). That auction is to take place on June 29, 2006. The FCC also released orders addressing the relocation procedures and compensation for current licensees that may be displaced by new AWS licensees. Choice believes any disruption to its operations will be mitigated by the FCC’s relocation and compensation rules which specify a mandatory, multi-year negotiation period and relocation to comparable facilities. Furthermore, Choice has mitigated or eliminated the possibility of a net reduction of its spectrum due to these rules by obtaining an additional 24 MHz of spectrum from the FCC.

 

For further information concerning pending Choice regulatory matters, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies – Regulatory and Litigation Matters” in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC.

 

Litigation Matters

 

The Company is subject to lawsuits and claims that arise in the normal course of business, some of which involve claims for damages and taxes that are substantial in amount. The Company believes that, except for the items discussed below and in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC for which the Company is currently unable to predict the final outcome, the disposition of claims currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In July 2002 an individual sued the Attorney General of Guyana in the Guyana courts asking, among other things, for a declaration that the section of the Company’s 1990 contract with the Government of Guyana granting to GT&T an exclusive right to operate a telecommunications system in Guyana was null and void as contrary to law and to the Constitution of Guyana. GT&T has joined the suit to contest these claims and this proceeding remains pending. Although there has been no activity in this suit, the Government of Guyana continues its efforts to introduce and pass legislation that would allow for competition in areas (such as long distance) that are precluded by the exclusivity terms of GT&T’s license and the investment agreement with the Company.

 

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

 

GT&T is contesting income tax assessments of approximately US $7.3 million that it has received from the commissioner of Inland Revenue for the years 1991 – 1996 based on the disallowance as a deduction for income tax purposes of five-sixths of the advisory fees payable by GT&T to the Company. The deductibility of these advisory fees was upheld for one of these years by a decision of the High Court in August 1995. The Guyana Commission of Inland Revenue has filed a High Court Writ seeking an order setting aside that decision on the grounds that the Commissioner did not have a proper

 

14



 

hearing. GT&T has contested that Writ. The assessments for the other years are being held in abeyance pending decision on the Writ and GT&T motions to strike. Subsequent to December 31, 2001, GT&T received assessments for the years 1997 – 2000 in the aggregate amount of approximately $6.5 million raising the same issues. GT&T expects that proceedings on these assessments will also be held in abeyance pending the Court’s decision.

 

In November 1997, GT&T received assessments of the current equivalent of approximately $9.7 million from the commissioner of Inland Revenue for taxes for the years 1991 through 1996. It is GT&T’s understanding that these assessments stem from an audit that the Guyana High Court stayed before it was completed. Apparently, because the audit was cut short as a result of the High Court’s order, GT&T did not receive notice of, and an opportunity to respond to, the proposed assessments as is the customary practice in Guyana, and substantially all of the issues raised in the assessments appear to be based on mistaken facts. GT&T has applied to the Guyana High Court for an order prohibiting the commissioner of Inland Revenue from enforcing the assessments on the grounds that the origin of the audit and the failure to give GT&T notice of, and opportunity to respond to, the proposed assessments violated Guyanese law. The Guyana High Court has issued an order effectively prohibiting any action on the assessments pending the determination by the High Court of the merits of GT&T’s application.

 

Should GT&T be held liable for any of the above tax liabilities, totaling $23.5 million, the Company believes that the government of Guyana would be obligated to reimburse GT&T for any amounts that would reduce GT&T’s return on investment to less than 15% per annum for the relevant periods.

 

There have been no additional material developments in litigation in the period covered by these interim Financial Statements. For further information concerning litigation matter, please refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC, for which the Company is currently unable to predict the final outcome, the disposition of claims currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

15



 

Additional Investment in Commnet

 

In July 2006, and in accordance with the Commnet merger agreement, the Company is required to purchase an additional 12.375% interest in Commnet of Florida, LLC for $1.5 million. Subsequent to the investment, the Company would own 49% of Commnet of Florida.

 

16



 

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

 

This discussion should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Some of the statements in the discussion are forward looking statements” which are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We provide wireless and wireline telecommunications services in the Caribbean and North America through the following operating subsidiaries and affiliates:

 

                  Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company, Ltd. (or GT&T) is the national and international telephone company in the Republic of Guyana and the largest wireless service provider in that country. We acquired an 80% equity interest in GT&T in 1991.

 

                  Commnet Wireless, LLC is an owner and operator of wholesale wireless networks in rural areas of the United States. Commnet provides wireless voice and data communications roaming services to national, regional and local wireless carriers. We acquired a 95% interest in Commnet in September 2005.

 

                  SoVerNet, Inc. is a facilities-based integrated voice, broadband data communications and dial-up services provider in New England, primarily in Vermont. We acquired a 100% equity interest in SoVerNet in February 2006 and now own 96% of the equity after issuing shares of common stock amounting to 4% of SoVerNet’s capital stock to SoVerNet’s new Chief Executive Officer.

 

                  Choice Communications, LLC is a leading provider of fixed wireless broadband data services and dial-up Internet services to retail and business customers in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Choice also provides fixed wireless digital television services in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Choice acquired its internet service business in 1999 and its television business in March 2000. We acquired Choice in October 1999.

 

                  Bermuda Digital Communications, Ltd. (or BDC) is the largest wireless voice and data communications service provider in Bermuda, doing business under the name Cellular One. We acquired a 44% equity interest in, and signed a management contract with, BDC in 1998.

 

As a holding company, Atlantic Tele-Network provides management, technical, financial, regulatory, and marketing services to, and generally receives a management fee equal to approximately 6% of revenues from each operating subsidiary and our BDC affiliate. Because we do not control BDC, we account for our investment in that entity under the equity method. Earnings from BDC do not appear in our income from operations, but are instead reflected in equity earnings of unconsolidated investments, net of tax in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report. In July 2008, BDC has the option to repurchase from us all, but not less than all, of our 44% equity interest in BDC at a price equal to fair market value. Also in 2008, our management fee arrangement with BDC becomes terminable by either party on three months notice.

 

The following chart summarizes the operating activities of our subsidiaries and our BDC affiliate and the markets they serve as of March 31, 2006:

 

Services

 

Operating Subsidiary/ Affiliate

 

Markets

Wireless

 

Commnet
GT&T
BDC

 

United States (rural markets)
Guyana
Bermuda

 

 

 

 

 

Local Telephone and Data

 

GT&T
Sovernet
Choice (internet access)

 

Guyana
United States (New England)
U.S. Virgin Islands

 

 

 

 

 

International Long Distance

 

GT&T

 

Guyana

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

Choice (digital television)

 

U.S. Virgin Islands

 

17



 

For information about our business segments and geographical information about our operating revenues and long-lived assets, see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.

 

Historically, we have generated a majority of our revenue and operating income from GT&T. For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, GT&T generated 96% and 63%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue and a majority of our profits. GT&T provides domestic wireline telephone service and international long distance service pursuant to an exclusive license from the Government of Guyana and provides wireless service on a non-exclusive basis. The rates that GT&T may charge for its services are regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Guyana (or PUC), an independent regulatory body responsible for regulating telecommunications. The PUC also has powers to assess GT&T’s compliance with the terms of GT&T’s exclusive license. Under that license, GT&T is entitled to charge rates that will enable it to earn an annual minimum rate of return on capital equal to 15% of GT&T’s capital dedicated to public use.

 

Historically, the largest component of GT&T’s contribution to our consolidated revenue has been from its international long distance business, which for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, generated 50% and 32% respectively, of our consolidated revenue and a substantial portion of our income. Most of these revenues and profits were from payments by foreign carriers for handling international long distance calls originating from the foreign carriers’ country and terminating in Guyana. These payments are denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

GT&T’s incoming international long distance business is driven by the population of Guyanese living abroad who initiate calls to Guyana, the rate foreign carriers pay GT&T for handling the incoming international calls, and the number of people in Guyana capable of receiving international long distance calls, which consists of wireline telephone customers and all of the wireless subscribers in Guyana (including subscribers of other wireless service providers). The rates at which GT&T collects fees from foreign carriers are established by agreements between it and foreign carriers, and can be affected by limits set by foreign telecommunications regulators, especially the Federal Communications Commission (or FCC), regarding how much carriers under their jurisdiction may pay for the termination of an international long distance call in another country.

 

The principal known risks of this business are regulatory developments challenging or limiting our exclusive wireline license in Guyana, any future orders by the FCC limiting the rates foreign carriers may pay GT&T for international long distance calls terminating in Guyana and forms of “bypass” using Internet calling and other mechanisms to illegally route around our international exchange business. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Since 2001, the Government of Guyana has stated its intention to introduce competition into Guyana’s telecommunications sector. We believe that the introduction of wireline based competition would require the termination of the exclusivity provisions of GT&T’s wireline license, and thus would require appropriate compensation to GT&T and a rebalancing of telephone rates so that those rates reflect the actual cost of providing such services. We also believe that the Government of Guyana is considering shifting from rate of return regulation to incentive rate-cap regulation. GT&T has not had formal discussions with Government officials regarding these matters since the second quarter of 2002. See “Item 1. Business – Regulation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

In January 2002, the FCC reduced the payment rate for U.S.—Guyana traffic from $0.85 per minute to $0.23 per minute which negatively impacted GT&T’s operating profits. The lowering of the U.S. international settlement rate in 2002 has been followed by a gradual reduction in settlement rates between Guyana and most other countries to $0.23 per minute or less. The reduction in the settlement rate resulted in a substantial reduction in inbound international telecommunication revenue. In 2002, and again in 2003, AT&T proposed further reductions in the settlement rate benchmarks for many countries, including Guyana, and requested that the FCC initiate a rule-making to consider the issue. While the FCC rejected AT&T’s request in early 2004, it indicated that it will continue to monitor and evaluate settlement rate benchmarks.

 

In the future, we expect the percentage of our revenues and operating income contributed by businesses other than GT&T’s wireline services to increase. We have experienced significant growth in GT&T’s wireless business in recent years. As of March 31, 2006, we had approximately 246,000 wireless subscribers, up 48% from the approximately 166,000 subscribers we had at March 31, 2005. A significant challenge for us is satisfying the strong demand for our wireless service, especially since our deployment of GSM service, while maintaining quality of service. This challenge has been made more difficult by a new spectrum reallocation plan that has reduced our available capacity to serve our customers. We are addressing this matter by seeking additional capacity from the Government of Guyana and adding additional cell sites and equipment to our network. In May 2006, the Government of Guyana granted us additional spectrum in the 1800 MHz band, which should help us reduce congestion in the high traffic areas.  Another significant challenge for GT&T wireless is increased competition from other wireless service providers. We face one nationwide competitor and recently Guyana Government officials, including the President, have stated that Guyana will provide a wireless license to a large mobile telecommunications company operating in many Caribbean countries.

 

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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

Acquisition of SoVerNet

 

On February 10, 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of SoVerNet, Inc., a facilities-based provider of communications services to business and residential customers in Vermont, including bundled voice and high-speed Internet access, as well as traditional dial-up Internet services. In connection with the acquisition, ATN acquired all of the outstanding common stock of SoVerNet, Inc. for approximately $13.2 million, including the repayment of approximately $1.4 million in SoVerNet debt and the payment of transaction expenses. At closing of the transaction, the Company issued shares of common stock amounting to 4% of SoVerNet’s outstanding capital stock to SoVerNet’s new chief executive, subject to vesting requirements and other restrictions. The Company funded the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings on its existing credit facility (see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report).

 

The acquisition of SoVerNet was accounted for using the purchase method and SoVerNet’s results of operations since February 10, 2006,the date of acquisition, have been included in the financial statements of the Company. The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition as determined by management. Included in this allocation was $5.0 million attributable to SoVerNet’s relationships with its existing customers as of the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed of $9.7 million has been recorded as goodwill. The value of the goodwill from this acquisition can be attributed to a number of business factors including, but not limited to the reputation of SoVerNet as a retail provider of Internet and telephone services as well as a network operator, SoVerNet’s reputation for customer care, the skills and experience of its management and staff and the strategic position it holds in its marketplace.  In accordance with current accounting standards, the goodwill will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually as required by SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. The customer relationships will be amortized, on an accelerated basis, over the expected period during which their economic benefits are to be realized. The goodwill and amortization of the customer relationships will not be deductible for tax purposes.

 

Additional Acquisitions by Commnet

 

Effective January 1, 2006 the Commnet completed two acquisitions of wireless roaming networks located in Northeast Missouri and Central Arizona. Commnet acquired the 65% of MoCelCo, LLC that it did not previously own for $6.2 million in cash (see Note 4 (b) to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report) and all the assets of a privately held network in Gila County, Arizona, that it previously managed, for $1.7 million in cash. The two acquisitions consist of a wireless license, a PCS license and 22 GSM cell sites. The Commnet acquisitions were funded with cash on hand and borrowings on ATN’s revolving credit facility. See note 4 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report .

 

These acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method and their results of operations since January 1, 2006, the date of the acquisitions, have been included in the financial statements of the Company. The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition as determined by management. Included in this allocation was $2.5 million attributable to certain telecommunications licenses. The excess of the purchase price over the amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed of $5.0 million has been recorded as goodwill. In accordance with current accounting standards, the goodwill and licenses will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually as required by SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”.

 

Stock Dividend

 

On March 8, 2006, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a 5-for-2 split of its common stock. The stock split, which was effected in the form of a stock dividend, entitled all ATN stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 20, 2006 to receive three additional shares of common stock for every two shares of common stock held on that date. The additional shares were distributed to stockholders on March 31, 2006. The Board also approved a proportional increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock from 20,000,000 to 50,000,000, subject to stockholder approval. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.

 

Stock Exchange Transfer

 

On May 12, 2006 the Company announced that NASDAQ has approved the listing of our common stock on the NASDAQ National Market. We expect to complete its listing transfer from the American Stock Exchange to the NASDAQ National Market and commence trading under the symbol "ATNI" on the NASDAQ National Market on May 23, 2006.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2006

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all comparative information is comparing the three months ended March 31, 2006 to the three months ended March 31, 2005.

 

Wireless revenue. Wireless revenue represents the wholesale voice and data roaming revenue of Commnet, which was acquired on September 15, 2005, as well as wireless revenues generated in Guyana, including airtime and activation fees.

 

Wireless revenue increased to $13.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 from $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, an increase of $9.5 million, or 250%. Of the $9.5 million increase, Commnet contributed $9.0 million of wireless revenue. The remaining increase was attributable to the continued growth of our wireless subscriber base in Guyana as the number of our subscribers increased by 80,000 subscribers, or 48%, from 166,000 subscribers to 246,000 subscribers as of March 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. GT&T’s wireless revenues grew by $0.5 million, or 13%, from $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 to $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. While we experienced healthy wireless revenue growth in Guyana, revenue growth trailed subscriber growth as wireless ARPU (average revenue per user) has declined. We believe this decline in the average revenue per subscriber reflects a number of factors, including (i) the penetration of the wireless product into a lower usage demographic, (ii) our belief that some portion of the subscriber growth may be a result of some new GSM customers retaining their old TDMA handsets and accounts for the time being, and (iii) lower usage during the three months ended March 31, 2006 because of severe network congestion problems in Guyana’s capital city, Georgetown. Nonetheless, we believe that the strong growth of GSM subscribers in Guyana is quite significant in the face of a new nationwide GSM competitor. Approximately 136,000 of our wireless subscribers were GSM/GPRS subscribers as of March 31, 2006. We expect that wireless revenue will continue to increase in 2006 as both Commnet and GT&T continue their network expansions, and we continue to manage GT&T’s GSM subscriber growth and related network congestion.

 

Local telephone and data revenue. Local telephone and data revenue largely represents the basic service fees, measured service revenue, Internet access fees and other revenues generated by our fixed wireline network in Guyana, such as installation charges for new lines, monthly line rental charges, maintenance and equipment sales. Local telephone and data revenue also includes revenue generated by SoVerNet, since the completion of its acquisition on February 10, 2006, and Internet access fees generated by our data network in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

Local telephone and data revenue increased by $2.4 million, or 35%, to $9.2 million for 2006 from $6.8 million for 2005. Of the $2.4 million increase, SoVerNet, which was acquired in February 2006, contributed $2.1 million. The remaining increase of $0.3 million, or 4%, is attributable to growth in access lines from 106,000 lines as of March 31, 2005 to 114,000 lines as of March 31, 2006 (an increase of 8%), GT&T’s growth in wireless subscriber base and continued strong growth in its wireless broadband customers in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In future periods, apart from the expected impact of SoVerNet’s revenue, we anticipate that local telephone and data revenue will increase as a result of network and subscriber growth in Guyana and the US Virgin Islands.

 

International long distance revenue. International long distance revenue is primarily generated by international telephone calls into and out of Guyana. Inbound traffic, which makes up more than 80% of this revenue, is settled in U.S. dollars.

 

International long distance revenue decreased by $0.2 million, or 2%, from $11.4 million in 2005 to $11.2 million in 2006. We believe that there are two factors behind the decrease in international long distance revenue. First, we were negatively impacted by a number of cuts to our fiber optic backbone in Guyana during the quarter. Second, the growth in unauthorized Internet calling. While unauthorized Internet calling mainly impacts outbound calls, forms of “bypass” (i.e., international calls that are routed around our international exchange through technologies such as VoIP) using Internet calling and other mechanisms may be increasing. We are also faced with increasing cases of incoming bypass through apparently illegal VSAT connections being deployed. This bypass is limited by the number of local connections that can be connected to the VSAT but this is now being made easier with the use of prepaid cellular services. We continue to fight this illegal bypass and if we are effective, we would expect our international long distance traffic to continue to grow modestly as a result of continued expansion of the Guyana subscriber base. However, the increase in this traffic may not result in an increase in revenue if it is offset, or exceeded, by further declines in the average rate per minute. Despite the lack of revenue

 

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growth in this category, the contribution of international long distance to our operating profits grew because of a decline in long distance expenses, as discussed below.

 

Other revenue. Other revenue represents revenue from Choice’s digital television services in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which increased $85,000, or 11%, to $847,000 in 2006 from $762,000 in 2005. The increase in television services was a result of a 23% increase in television subscribers including additional hotel rooms. In the near-term, we expect this category of revenue will largely be driven by our subscriber base which we expect to continue to increase, although perhaps at a lesser rate.

 

Termination and access fee expenses. Termination and access fee expenses are charges that we pay to international carriers to terminate our outbound telephone traffic as well as for certain circuit and bandwidth costs.

 

Termination and access fees increased by $3.4 million, or 243%, from $1.4 million to $4.8 million from 2005 to 2006. Net of Commnet’s expenses of $3.5 million for 2006, our termination and access fees decreased by $0.1 million from 2005 to 2006 because of lower long distance expenses in Guyana and the ceasing of operations at the Company’s Atlantic Tele-Center subsidiary. The addition of Commnet and SoVerNet is expected to increase these expenses substantially in future periods.

 

Internet and programming expenses. Internet and programming expenses include digital television programming costs as well as Internet connectivity charges.

 

Internet and programming expenses increased $0.6 million or 86%, from $0.7 million to $1.3 million, primarily because of the addition of SoVerNet and the growth in our television and broadband data subscribers at Choice. We expect that the addition of SoVerNet and increased Internet and backhaul capacity requirements at Choice will increase our Internet and programming expenses in future periods.

 

Engineering and operations expenses. Engineering and operations expenses include the expenses associated with developing, operating, supporting and expanding our networks including the salaries and benefits paid for employees directly involved in the development and operation of our networks.

 

Engineering and operations expenses increased by $0.9 million, or 26%, from $3.5 million to $4.4 million from 2005 to 2006. This increase is the result of the addition of Commnet and to a lesser extent, SoVerNet which together incurred engineering and operations expenses of approximately $0.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

Sales, marketing and customer service expenses. Sales, marketing and customer service expenses include salaries and benefits we pay for sales personnel, customer service expenses and the costs associated with the development and implementation of our promotion and marketing campaigns.

 

Sales, marketing and customer service expenses increased by $0.4 million, or 27%, from $1.5 million to $1.9 million from 2005 to 2006. The increase in sales and marketing expenses is the result of the addition of SoVerNet as well as additional costs needed to provide customer service to our larger subscriber bases and additional costs at GT&T to market their wireless products. Both we and our main competitor launched GSM services in Guyana in the fourth quarter of 2004. Sales and marketing expenses are expected to fluctuate somewhat in the future depending on the competitive environment and the timing of the launch of new services, but in the near-term we expect this to increase due to the addition of SoVerNet and increased wireless competition in Guyana.

 

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 increased by $1.3 million, or 37%, from $3.5 million to $4.8 million from 2005 to 2006. This increase is primarily attributable to the addition of Commnet and SoVerNet which added $0.8 million and $0.3 million of overhead expenses, respectively, during 2006. Without Commnet or SoVerNet, our general and administrative expenses increased by $0.2 million which is primarily attributable to non-cash equity based compensation at the holding company during the three months ended March 31, 2006. In addition to expenses attributable to the Commnet and Sovernet acquisitions, we expect general and administrative expenses to increase in future periods for a number of reasons, including the addition of SoVerNet, growth in our holding company’s staff and compensation growth in some of our operating units because of increase in the size of their networks and customer bases and additional costs expected to be incurred in connection with our requirement to be in compliance with the internal controls requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley offset by modest efficiencies in integrating our newest operating units.

 

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Depreciation and amortization expenses. Depreciation and amortization expenses represent the depreciation and amortization charges we record on our property and equipment and on our intangible assets

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $1.6 million, or 38%, from $4.2 million to $5.8 million for 2005 and 2006, respectively. The increase is primarily due to the addition of fixed assets from our recent acquisitions at Commnet and SoVerNet as well as the amortization of intangible assets at SoVerNet. We expect that depreciation and amortization expenses will increase in the near-term, because of continued capital expenditures to support growth in our networks. However, this increase may be offset in part by certain equipment becoming fully depreciated in future periods and potentially declining capital expenditures in certain markets.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense represents interest incurred on our outstanding debt including our $50.0 million term loan as well as the outstanding amounts under our $20.0 million revolving line of credit facility.

 

Interest expense increased from $135,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 to $867,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2006. This increase is primarily the result of increased borrowings used to help fund our recent acquisitions.

 

Interest income. Interest income represents interest earned on our cash and cash equivalent balances.

 

Interest income decreased from $270,000 to $203,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively due to an overall decrease in the interest rates we are earned on our cash balances.

 

Other income (expense). Other income (expense) represents miscellaneous non-operational income earned by, or expenses incurred by, us including management fees received from our unconsolidated affiliates, mainly BDC.

 

Other income (expense) remained relatively unchanged from 2005 to 2006 as the increase in management fees from BDC from 2005 to 2006 was offset by miscellaneous charges.

 

Income taxes. Income taxes represent taxes we pay on our net taxable income. The effective tax rate was 60% and 58% for 2005 and 2006, respectively, which represents the statutory U.S. income tax rate plus the Guyanese income taxes in excess of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rates as well as certain U.S. state income taxes and the amortization of a deferred tax asset, relating to differences between book and tax basis of fixed assets, which was recorded in a prior period. Our high effective tax rate for these periods reflects the fact that our losses at Choice and some of the curtailed businesses were not available to reduce taxable income in Guyana, which has a high tax rate of 45%. The addition of Commnet and SoVerNet should lower our effective tax rate in future periods, particularly if accompanied by any reduction in our losses at Choice.

 

Minority interests. Minority interests consists of the Guyana government’s 20% interest in GT&T, a minority shareholder’s 5% interest in Commnet, other minority shareholder’s interests in certain consolidated affiliates of Commnet and a minority shareholder’s 4% interest in SoVerNet.

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates includes our share of the earnings of BDC, our wireless affiliate in Bermuda, as well as our share of the earnings of Commnet’s unconsolidated affiliates.

 

The decrease in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates from $590,000 to $466,000 was due to a decrease in the net earnings of BDC. During 2006, BDC recorded relatively unchanged gross margins as compared to 2005 but operating income and net income were negatively impacted by increased marketing and legal costs. BDC incurred significant legal expenses relating to the previously disclosed dispute regarding the scope of its license as it relates to data services. A hearing in that matter took place in April 2006 and a decision is expected shortly.

 

Net income. As a result of the above factors, net income increased by $1.043 million or 34% from $3.046 million for 2005 to $4.089 million for 2006. On a per share basis, net income increased from $0.24 per share to $0.33 per share during 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

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Regulatory and Tax Issues

 

The Company is involved in a number of regulatory and tax proceedings. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC and Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report. A material and adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and future operations.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

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 and borrowings under our credit facility.

 

Uses of Cash

 

Capital Expenditures. A significant use of our cash has been on capital expenditures expanding our networks. During the three months ended March 31, 2006 we spent approximately $5.1 million for additional capital expenditures. As of March 31, 2006, we had invested approximately $230.8 million in the Guyanese telecommunications infrastructure. We anticipate additional capital expenditures for existing businesses to be approximately $21.0 million to $24.0 million during the remainder of fiscal 2006 to, among other things, expand Commnet’s wireless network (primarily additional GSM and CDMA base stations), increase GT&T’s wireless capacity and coverage (primarily new sites and base stations), expand GT&T’s wireline network (primarily additional switches and cabling and to a lesser extent, additional switch-based service capabilities) and expand service areas at SoVerNet and expand service areas and fund upgrades at Choice.

 

Acquisitions. We have funded our recent acquisitions with a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under our $70 million credit facility, which was established in September 2005 in connection with our acquisition of Commnet. On September 15, 2005, we acquired a 95% equity interest in Commnet for approximately $59.3 million in cash, using borrowings of approximately $47 million under the credit facility and approximately $12.3 million of cash on hand.

 

On February 10, 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of SoVerNet, Inc., a facilities-based provider of communications services to business and residential customers in Vermont, including bundled voice and high-speed Internet access, as well as traditional dial-up Internet services. In connection with the acquisition, ATN acquired all of the outstanding common stock of SoVerNet, Inc. for approximately $13.2 million, including the repayment of approximately $1.4 million in SoVerNet debt and the payment of transaction expenses. At closing of the transaction, the Company issued shares of common stock amounting to 4% of SoVerNet’s outstanding capital stock to SoVerNet’s new chief executive, subject to vesting requirements and other restrictions. We funded the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings on our existing credit facility (see Note 5).

 

Effective January 1, 2006 Commnet completed two acquisitions of wireless roaming networks located in Northeast Missouri and Central Arizona. Commnet acquired the 65% of MoCelCo, LLC that it did not previously own for $6.2 million in cash (see Note 4 (b) to the consolidated financial statements included in this report) and all the assets of a privately held network in Gila County, Arizona, that it previously managed, for $1.7 million in cash. The two acquisitions consist of a wireless license, a PCS license and 22 GSM cell sites. The Commnet acquisitions were funded with cash on hand and borrowings on our existing revolving credit facility (see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report).

 

From time to time we explore opportunities to acquire communications properties or licenses in the Caribbean, the United States and elsewhere. Such acquisitions 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, such acquisitions may be accomplished through the issuance of shares, payment of cash or incurrence of debt.

 

Dividends and Distributions. We use cash on hand to make dividends payments to our common stockholders when declared by our Board of Directors. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, our dividends to our stockholders approximated $3.0 million (which reflects dividends paid on January 10, 2006 and March 31, 2006). We have paid quarterly dividends for the last 30 fiscal quarters. In addition, we are obligated to make dividend payments to the minority shareholders of certain subsidiaries, and have paid dividends of $1.3 million to our minority shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2006. Also our Board of Directors approved a $5.0 million stock buyback plan in September 2004 pursuant to which we have spent to date $916,130 repurchasing common stock. Although we currently do not intend to make additional repurchases of common stock under this plan, we may act to do so in the future, depending on market conditions and our cash needs.

 

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Sources of Cash

 

Total Liquidity at March 31, 2006. As of March 31, 2006, we had approximately $26.5 million in cash and cash equivalents which is relatively unchanged since December 31, 2005. We believe our existing cash balances and other capital resources, including the remaining amounts available under the $20 million revolving line of credit portion of our credit facility, are adequate to meet our current operating and capital needs. As of May 15, 2006, we had approximately $4.0 million available under our credit facility.

 

Cash Generated by Operations. Cash provided by operating activities was $12.5 million for the three months ended March 31,  2006 compared to $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. Historically, GT&T has been the most significant of our operating subsidiaries and affiliates in terms of our liquidity.

 

New Credit Facility. On September 15, 2005, Atlantic Tele-Network entered into a Credit Agreement with CoBank, ACB providing for a credit facility consisting of a $50 million term loan and a $20 million revolving credit facility. Under the term loan, repayments of principal are deferred until the maturity of the loan on October 31, 2010. Interest on the term loan is payable on a quarterly basis at a fixed annual interest rate of 5.85%. Because CoBank is a cooperative financial institution, we expect to receive patronage payments annually, and at the end of the term, from CoBank which reflect our portion of CoBank’s profits, if any. These payments, if received, are expected to reduce our effective interest expense on the term loan. Amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility accrue interest at a rate equal to (at our option): (i) LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.50% or (ii) a variable rate of interest as defined in the revolving credit facility plus 1.0%. The credit facility is guaranteed by our Commnet subsidiary, and is collateralized by, among other things, a security interest in substantially all the assets of, and stock owned by, Atlantic Tele-Network and Commnet. As of May 15, 2006, we had approximately $66.0 million of borrowings under the credit facility and $1.7 million of other long-term debt.

 

Restrictions Under Credit Facility. Our credit facility contains four financial tests with which Atlantic Tele-Network must comply:

                  a total leverage ratio (debt to EBITDA) of 2.00 to 1.00 or less;

                  a debt service coverage ratio (EBITDA to debt service) of 3.00 to 1.00 or more; and

                  an equity to assets ratio of 0.40 to 1.00 or more.

 

In addition, Commnet must comply with a leverage ratio test (debt of Atlantic Tele-Network and its subsidiaries, net of pledged cash, to EBITDA of Commnet and its subsidiaries) of 7.00 to 1.00, which will decrease over time to 5.00 to 1.00 at July 1, 2007. As of March 31, 2006, we were in compliance with the covenants of the credit facility.

 

Shelf Registration of Securities

 

On April 7, 2006 we filed a “universal” shelf registration statement with the SEC registering for potential future offerings, from time to time, up to an aggregate of $200 million of our securities, consisting potentially of common stock, debt securities, and other equity and convertible securities and any combination of the foregoing. This shelf registration statement has not yet been declared effective by the SEC. Although our Board of Directors has not approved any specific financing plan at this time, we may determine in the future to raise capital through a public offering of securities pursuant to this shelf registration statement once declared effective, which may include the sale of additional shares of common stock, depending on market conditions and the Company’s corporate financing needs at the time.

 

Inflation

 

The Company does not believe that inflation has had a significant impact on its consolidated operations in the periods presented in this Report.

 

Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks

 

Although a significant portion of GT&T’s revenues and expenditures are currently transacted in U.S. dollars, the results of future operations nevertheless may be affected by changes in the value of the Guyana dollar. From February 1991 until early 1994, the Guyana dollar remained relatively stable at the rate of approximately $125 to the U.S. dollar. In 1994 the Guyana dollar declined in value to approximately $142 to the U.S. dollar. It remained relatively stable at approximately that rate through 1997. From December 31, 1997, through December 31, 1998 the Guyana dollar further declined in value to

 

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approximately $180 to the U.S. dollar and it remained relatively stable until late 2003. In the fourth quarter 2003, the Guyana dollar declined in value to approximately $195 to the U.S. dollar and to approximately $205 during the first quarter of 2004. Since the first quarter of 2004 through May 15, 2006, the value of the Guyana dollar has remained at $205 Guyana dollars to one U.S. dollar. The effect of the devaluation of the Guyana dollar on our consolidated financial results has not been significant in the periods presented. However, the recent declines in 2003 and 2004 resulted in the recording of a $1.55 million foreign exchange gain at December 31, 2003 and a $924,000 gain in the first quarter of 2004 as the devaluation decreased the value of GT&T’s Guyana dollar net liabilities resulting in a gain. The gain in 2003 was substantially offset by other foreign exchange losses incurred during the year; we did not incur similar losses in 2004.

 

A substantial majority of our consolidated cash balances are kept in U.S. dollar denominated short term investments, and GT&T generally endeavors to maintain a balance between its Guyana dollar cash deposits and local receivables which are denominated in Guyana dollars, and its local tax and other payables which are also denominated in the Guyana dollar.

 

GT&T’s functional currency has been the U.S. dollar because a significant portion of GT&T’s revenues and expenditures have been transacted in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, in our view, GT&T is currently entitled to its agreed upon minimum 15% return on rate base computed in U.S. dollars on a U.S. dollar historical cost rate base and therefore devaluations of the Guyana dollar should have had no long-term impact on the value of GT&T’s earnings in U.S. dollars. The Guyana Public Utility Commission has neither approved nor disapproved our position. Moreover, with the decline in international settlement rates and the increases that GT&T hopes to have in local revenue, the Guyana dollar may become GT&T’s functional currency at some time in the future. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” above.

 

We maintain a portion of our cash and cash equivalents in short-term financial instruments that are subject to interest rate fluctuations. Due to the relatively short duration of such instruments, we believe fluctuations in interest rates with respect to those investments will not materially affect our financial condition or results of operations. However, changes in interest rates can cause interest rate charges to fluctuate on our variable rate debt, comprised of approximately $20 million under our credit facilities and other debt as of March 31, 2006. A 10% increase, or approximately 58 basis points, in current interest rates would not materially affect our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 4 Controls and Procedures

 

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

 

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

 

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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

In September 2004, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $5.0 million of common stock. The repurchase authorizations do not have a fixed termination date and the timing of the buy back amounts and exact number of shares purchased will depend on market conditions. As of March 31, 2006, the Company has a maximum of $4,083,870 of shares that may be purchased under the plan.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed June 6, 2001)

 

3.2 By-Laws of the Company, as amended and restated on March 7, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed March 31, 2006)

 

10.1 Agreement between the Government of the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana and Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc., dated June 18, 1990".

 

10.2 Summary Sheet Regarding Named Executive Officer Compensation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

26



 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

 

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

 

 

Date: May 15, 2006

/s/ Michael T. Prior

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Date: May 15, 2006

/s/ Justin D. Benincasa

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

27


 

Exhibt 10.1

 

AGREEMENT BETWEEN

 

THE GOVERNMENT OF

 

THE CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA

 

AND

 

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC.

 

for

 

The sale to Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. of eighty percent of the shares in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company proposed to be incorporated by the said Government to take over the business and the assets and liabilities of the Guyana Telecommunications Corporation.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 1.

THE TRANSACTION

1

 

 

 

SECTION 2.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES BY THE GOVERNMENT

1

 

 

 

2.1

Organization of GTC

1

 

 

 

2.2

Formation of GT&T

1

 

 

 

2.3

Non-existence of Legal Impediments

2

 

 

 

2.4

Authority, Permits and Licences

2

 

 

 

2.5

Financial Statements

2

 

 

 

2.6

External Communications Settlements

2

 

 

 

2.7

Interest in Transactions

3

 

 

 

2.8

Taxes

3

 

 

 

2.9

Corporate and Business Records

3

 

 

 

2.10

Litigation

3

 

 

 

2.11

Changes in Financial Condition

3

 

 

 

2.12

Absence of Certain Changes or Events

3

 

 

 

2.13

No Breach

6

 

 

 

2.14

Authority

6

 

 

 

SECTION 3.

REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES OF ATN

6

 

 

 

3.1

Corporate Structure of ATN

6

 

 

 

3.2

Corporate Power and Action

7

 

 

 

3.3

Investment Interest

7

 

 

 

3.4

Capability

7

 

 

 

3.5

Bankruptcy

7

 

 

 

SECTION 4.

CONSIDERATION

7

 

 

 

4.1

Purchase Price of Shares

7

 

 

 

4.2

Additional Payments

7

 

 

 

SECTION 5.

COVENANTS BY ATN

8

 

 

 

5.1

Expansion and Service Improvement Plan

8

 

 

 

5.2

Maintaining and Upgrading Quality of Services

9

 

 

 

5.3

Public Interest Services

10

 

i



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

5.4

Releasing the Government from the Liabilities of GTC and GT&T

10

 

 

 

5.5

Taxes

10

 

 

 

5.6

Employment

10

 

 

 

5.7

Training and Career Development

10

 

 

 

5.8

Welfare Plans

10

 

 

 

5.9

Rate Continuity

11

 

 

 

5.10

Switch to Switch Access

11

 

 

 

5.11

Privacy of Communications

12

 

 

 

5.12

Assignment of Shares of ATN in GT&T

12

 

 

 

5.13

Rights of the Government as Minority Shareholder in GT&T

12

 

 

 

5.14

Insurance

13

 

 

 

SECTION 6.

COVENANTS BY THE GOVERNMENT

13

 

 

 

6.1

Licence

13

 

 

 

6.2

Terms of Licences

14

 

 

 

6.3

Cellular Radio Telephone Licence

14

 

 

 

6.4

Cancellation of Licence

14

 

 

 

6.5

Failure to Achieve Agreed Levels of Quality or Expansion

14

 

 

 

6.6

No Condonation of Breach

15

 

 

 

6.7

Establishment of Regulatory Body

15

 

 

 

6.8

Subscriber Rates

15

 

 

 

6.9

Rates of Return

15

 

 

 

6.10

Management Services

16

 

 

 

6.11

Capital Dedicated to Telecommunications Business of GT&T

16

 

 

 

6.12

Foreign Exchange Controls

16

 

 

 

6.13

Duties and Taxes

17

 

 

 

6.14

Foreign Nationals

17

 

 

 

6.15

Conduct of Business before Closing

17

 

 

 

6.16

Accounts Receivable

18

 

 

 

6.17

Right of Way

18

 

 

 

6.18

Banking

19

 

ii



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

6.19

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)

19

 

 

 

SECTION 7.

COVENANTS BY THE GOVERNMENT AND ATN

19

 

 

 

7.1

GT&T Stock

19

 

 

 

7.2

Shareholding in GT&T

19

 

 

 

7.3

Directors

20

 

 

 

7.4

Board Meetings

20

 

 

 

7.5

Obligations to Provide Universal Service

20

 

 

 

7.6

Access to GTC’s Business Records

20

 

 

 

7.7

Confidentiality of Information

20

 

 

 

7.8

Best Efforts Regarding Compliance with Agreement

21

 

 

 

7.9

Settlement of Accounts with Foreign Telecommunications Administrations

21

 

 

 

SECTION 8.

DUE DILIGENCE

21

 

 

 

SECTION 9.

CLOSING

21

 

 

 

SECTION 10.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATION OF ATN

22

 

 

 

10.1

Accuracy of Representations and Warranties

22

 

 

 

10.2

Performance of Agreements

22

 

 

 

10.3

Certificate

22

 

 

 

10.4

Opinion of Counsel for the Government

22

 

 

 

SECTION 11.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATION OF THE GOVERNMENT

23

 

 

 

11.1

Accuracy of Representations and Warranties

23

 

 

 

11.2

Performance of Agreements

23

 

 

 

11.3

Certificate

23

 

 

 

11.4

Opinion of Counsel for ATN

24

 

 

 

SECTION 12.

RENEWAL OF LICENCES

24

 

 

 

12.1

Notices and Applications for Renewal of Licences

24

 

 

 

12.2

Renewal of Exclusive Licence After Expiry of Term

24

 

 

 

12.3

Sale of Assets of GT&T on Non-renewal or Termination of Licence

25

 

 

 

SECTION 13.

FORCE MAJEURE

25

 

 

 

13.1

Definition

25

 

iii



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

13.2

Liability in the Event of Force Majeure

25

 

 

 

13.3

Notice for Force Majeure

25

 

 

 

13.4

Extension of Time for Force Majeure

26

 

 

 

SECTION 14.

INDEMNIFICATION

26

 

 

 

14.1

Indemnification by Government

26

 

 

 

14.2

Indemnification by ATN

26

 

 

 

14.3

Making of Claims

27

 

 

 

SECTION 15.

SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENT TERMS

27

 

 

 

15.1

Representations and Warranties

27

 

 

 

15.2

Covenants and Certain Other Provisions

27

 

 

 

15.3

Other Provisions

27

 

 

 

SECTION 16.

GOVERNING LAW; WAIVER OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION

27

 

 

 

16.1

Governing Law

27

 

 

 

16.2

Waiver of Sovereign Immunity

27

 

 

 

16.3

Submission to Jurisdiction

28

 

 

 

SECTION 17.

WAIVERS

28

 

 

 

17.1

Extension of Time and Waivers

28

 

 

 

17.2

Waiver of Breach Not to Extend to Subsequent Breach

28

 

 

 

SECTION 18.

EFFECT OF HEADINGS

28

 

 

 

SECTION 19.

NOTICES

29

 

iv



 

AGREEMENT made on the 18th day of June, 1990 by and between the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana (hereinafter referred to as “the Government”) represented by the Honourable W.H.L. Parris, C.C.H., M.P., Deputy Prime Minster, Planning and Development of the First Part and the Atlantic Tele-network, Inc., a private limited company duly incorporated in the United States of America, whose principal office is situated in 48A Kronprinosens Gade, Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (hereinafter referred to as “ATN”), represented by Mr. Jeffrey J. Prosser, the Chairman thereof, of the Second Part.

 

SECTION 1. THE TRANSACTION

 

Subject to the representations, warranties and covenants by the Government and ATN herein contained and the other terms and conditions specified herein, including, but not limited to, the payment to the Government by ATN of the sum of money specified as consideration in SECTION 4, the Government hereby agrees to transfer to ATN, and ATN agrees to purchase from the Government, shares representing eighty percent (80%) of the issued share capital of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (hereinafter referred to as GT&T), a private limited company which shall be incorporated by the Government and shall take over the business and the assets and liabilities including a maximum of seven million two hundred thousand dollars (US$7.2 million) of foreign currency liabilities of the Guyana Telecommunication Corporation (hereinafter referred to as GTC), a public corporation wholly owned by the Government. The credit of ten million, five hundred thousand United States Dollars (US$10.5 million) extended by Northern Telecoms to GTC shall not be a liability of Government or GTC under this agreement.

 

SECTION 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES BY THE GOVERNMENT

 

The Government represents and warrants to ATN or its nominee that:

 

2.1                                 Organization of GTC. GTC is a public corporation, wholly owned by the Government and established by the Guyana Telecommunication Corporation Order (No. 11 of 1967) made under section 46 of the Public Corporations Act, Chapter 19:05 of the Laws of Guyana, and continued under the Public Corporations Act 1988 (Act No. 21 of 1988).

 

2.2                                 Formation of GT&T. The Government shall incorporate GT&T as a private limited company to provide, subject to the laws of Guyana and such International

 



 

Telecommunication Conventions and any regulations made thereunder as are for the time being in force in Guyana, internal and external telecommunication services and to promote the economic development of the telecommunication services in accordance with, as far as practicable, standard practice recognized internationally and with public demand. In addition, Government shall dissolve GTC and transfer to GT&T all the assets, save and except such assets relating to those regulatory functions now vested in GTC as set out in Annexure “A”, and liabilities including a maximum of seven million two hundred thousand dollars (US$7.2 million) of foreign currency liabilities of GTC under sections 9 and 11 of the Public Corporations Act 1988 (Act No. 21 of 1988).

 

2.3                                 Non-existence of Legal Impediments. There are no legal impediments that restrict, negate or impair the right of the Government to dissolve GTC, and to transfer its assets and liabilities to GT&T, under sections 9 and 11 of the Public Corporations Act 1988 (Act No. 21 of 1988), or to transfer any of the shares in GT&T held by the Government, or any other person on behalf of the Government, to ATN.

 

2.4                                 Authority, Permits and Licences. No person other than GTC at present has any Government authority, permit or licence in Guyana to legally carry on, conduct or participate in any of the businesses, or provide any of the services, specific in Section 6.1, except those expressly excluded by Section 6.3.

 

2.5                                 Financial Statements. The audited financial statements of GTC for the year 1989 and the interim financial statements for the quarter ending 31st March, 1990 are at Annexure “B”. Subject to the observations in the Audit Report, they are correct and complete and fairly present the financial position of GTC as of 31st December 1989 and as of 31st March, 1990 (the dates of the Balance Sheet and the interim quarterly statements respectively), the results of its operations for the year ended 31st December 1989 and the quarter ended 31st March, 1990 and the assets and liabilities of GTC on those dates.

 

2.6                                 External Communications Settlements. At Annexure “C” is the most recent settlement for a twelve month period and at Annexure “D” is GTC’s best estimate of the anticipated settlement for the most recent twelve month period not finally determined, of revenues from international data and voice telecommunication services of GTC. Annexures “B”

 

2



 

and “C” set forth complete and accurate information regarding gross and net settlements with each country or company constituting more than two and one-half percent (2 ½%) of GTC’s volume of business expressed in revenue, for international data and voice telecommunications.

 

2.7                                 Interest in Transactions. Save as is normal as between a corporate body operating a telecommunications system and its subscribers and employees, no officer or director of GTC or Government official has, in his personal capacity, any direct or indirect interest in, or it’s a party to, any lease, licence, contract, agreement or other obligation of GTC or is the holder, beneficial owner, or the obligor of any note or other evidence of indebtedness of GTC.

 

2.8                                 Taxes. GTC has filed all returns relating to taxes and duties required to be filed by it under the laws of Guyana and paid the taxes and duties payable thereunder. The vesting of the assets and liabilities of GTC in GT&T will not attract any claim or assessment for additional taxes of any kind being asserted by the Government.

 

2.9                                 Corporate and Business Records. The corporate and business records of GTC are true and accurate in all material respects. These records will be transferred to GT&T.

 

2.10                           Litigation. There are no material claims, actions, suits, proceedings, judgment or orders, pending or threatened against GTC.

 

2.11                           Changes in Financial Condition. Since 31st December 1989, the date of the last Balance Sheet, there has not been any material change in the financial condition, assets, business or operations of GTC other than changes in the ordinary and normal course of business, none of which has had a material adverse effect on such financial condition, assets, business or operations.

 

2.12                           Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

 

(a)

 

Since 31st December 1989, the date of the last Balance Sheet, GTC has not, except in the ordinary and normal course of its business, and consistent with good business practices:

 

3



 

 

 

(i)

Incurred any obligation or liability, fixed or contingent, other than those under contracts, agreements and leases entered into in the ordinary and normal course of business;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Discharged or satisfied any lien or encumbrance or paid any obligation or liability, whether fixed or contingent;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Mortgaged, pledged or subjected to lien, charge, security, interest or to any other encumbrance any of its asses or properties;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Transferred, leased or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or properties, or acquired any assets or properties, other than for a fair consideration;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(v)

Cancelled or compromised any debt or claim;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(vi)

Waived or released any rights of material value;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(vii)

Transferred or granted any material rights under any concessions, leases, licences, agreements, inventions, trade names, trade marks, service marks, copyrights, registrations or licences thereof or applications therefor, or with respect to any know-how or other proprietary or trade rights;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(viii)

Made any increase in the compensation payable or to become payable by it to any of its employees, except for increases made in accordance with its established compensation policies applied on a basis consistent with previous practice, or increases made in connection with any Collective Bargaining Agreement;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ix)

Paid or provided for any bonus, stock option, profit sharing, pension, retirement or other similar payment or arrangement for or on behalf of its employees other than in the normal administration of its existing incentive, welfare, pension or retirement plans or

 

4



 

 

 

 

arrangements, or in connection with any Collective Bargaining Agreement;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(x)

Entered into any transaction of any nature with any of its officers or members;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(xi)

Entered into any transaction, contract or commitment with the Government or any Government agency or authority or any other party which by reason of its size, nature or otherwise is not in the ordinary course of its business;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(xii)

Undertaken any material borrowing, whether under existing or new borrowing arrangements, and entered into any material loan agreements except the credit referred to in Section 2.11; or

 

 

 

 

 

 

(xiii)

Terminated, discontinued, closed or disposed of any facility or business operation.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Since 31st March, 1990 (the date of the last quarterly statement), GTC has not:

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Entered into any employment arrangement or other contract or arrangement with respect to the performance of personal services which either (a) is not terminable without liability by it on thirty (30) days notice or less or (b) involves an annual rate of compensation in excess of G$84,000;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Made any loan to any of its officers, members or employees, or to any party other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Suffered any material casualty loss or damage, whether or not such loss or damage shall have been covered by insurance, which materially affects its ability to conduct its business;

 

5



 

 

 

(iv)

Issued, sold or otherwise disposed of any evidence of indebtedness or other securities;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(v)

Granted or made any options, rights, commitments or any other agreements of any character obligating it to issue any evidence of indebtedness or other securities, or

 

 

 

 

 

 

(vi)

Acquired any equity interest in any other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business association.

 

2.13                           No Breach. The execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not:

 

(a)

 

constitute a violation of any law of Guyana;

 

 

 

(b)

 

constitute a breach of, default under or result in the acceleration of, any obligation of GTC of any kind or character; and

 

 

 

(c)

 

violate or conflict with any other restriction of any kind or character to which GTC is subject.

 

2.14                           Authority. The Government has taken all action required by law or otherwise required to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and this Agreement is a valid and binding Agreement of the Government in accordance with its terms. The undersigned party executing this Agreement on behalf of the Government has been duly authorized to execute this Agreement.

 

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES OF ATN

 

ATN represents and warrants to the Government that:

 

3.1                                 Corporate Structure of ATN. ATN is a private limited company duly established and incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws in operation in the United States Virgin Islands.

 

6



 

3.2                                 Corporate Power and Action. ATN has corporate power to execute and deliver this Agreement and has taken all action required by law, its Certificate of Incorporation, its by-laws and otherwise to authorize such execution and delivery, and this Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of ATN in accordance with its terms.

 

3.3                                 Investment Interest. ATN is acquiring the shares of GT&T for its own account for investment and not with a view to the sale or distribution of the whole or part of it to any other person.

 

3.4                                 Capability. ATN has the requisite human resources and capital and ability to raise financing to perform all of its obligations and undertakings required by this Agreement.

 

3.5                                 Bankruptcy. ATN is not bankrupt, has not been and is not subject to any insolvency proceedings, nor has it filed for nor is it in any other way involved in any proceedings for re-organization of the Company or in any similar proceedings which would affect ATN’s capacity to assume the obligations under this Agreement or its ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

SECTION 4. CONSIDERATION

 

4.1                                 Purchase Price of Shares. In consideration for the transfer to ATN of the shares in GT&T representing eighty percent (80%) of its issued share capital and in consideration of the vesting in ATN of 80% of its total assets and equity, ATN shall pay to the Government a sum of United States Dollars sixteen million, five hundred thousand only (U.S. $16,500,000).

 

4.2                                 Additional Payments. In addition to the sum of United States dollars sixteen million, five hundred thousand (U.S. $16,500,000), referred to in paragraph 4.1, the following sums shall be paid by ATN to the Government:

 

(a)                                  An amount equivalent to twenty (20) per cent of the Liability Decrease. Liability Decrease means the difference between $7.2 million, the amount of GTC’s foreign currency liabilities for which GT&T assumes responsibility, and the settlement sum, the amount necessary to settle these foreign exchange liabilities.

 

7



 

(b)                                 Amounts equivalent to any sums made available by way of credit extended to the Government by any foreign Government or by any corporate body, agency or other person outside Guyana for the use and benefit of GTC or GT&T, if extended before Closing, or of GT&T, if extended after Closing, shall be paid to the Government in immediately available cash in United States dollars by ATN, if the credit was extended before Closing, or by GT&T if the credit was extended after Closing provided always that GT&T opts to make use of the credit so extended. All rights, title and interest in all equipment purchased with the credit so made available shall be transferred to GTC or to GT&T, if the purchase is before Closing, or to GT&T, if the purchase is after Closing, free and clear of all liens. The sums referred to in this paragraph aggregate to United States dollars ten million only (US$10,000,000) or the date of this Agreement. The Government of Guyana shall release GTC and GT&T of all liability in respect of any credits referred to in this paragraph; and

 

(c)                                  If as a result of the participation of the Government as an owner of equity in GT&T, interest rates and loan terms are provided by lenders for the benefit and use of GT &T, at rates and upon terms more favourable than those that would be available commercially, GT&T will pay to the Government a commitment fee in United States dollars of two percent (2%) of the gross principal amount of such loan. The commitment fee shall be paid when ATN or GT &T becomes entitled to draw the principal of such loan.

 

SECTION 5. COVENANTS BY ATN

 

ATN covenants and undertakes that after 80% of the equity in GT&T is acquired by it pursuant to this Agreement, GT&T will comply with the covenants mentioned hereafter and ATN covenants and undertakes to secure such compliance.

 

5.1                                 Expansion and Service Improvement Plan. ATN shall prepare and implement through GT&T a comprehensive Expansion and Service Improvement Plan (an outline of which

 

8



 

is set out in Annexure “E”) designed to provide national and international service of the highest quality and most general availability. The plan will be prepared and finalized in consultation with the Government before Closing. The plan will include, but not limited to, provision for the following:

 

(a)                                  connection of at least 20,000 additional subscriber lines to the existing number of lines estimated at 21,000, within three years of the date of Closing;

 

(b)                                 within twenty-four (24) months, achievement of contractually guaranteed quality of service performance as determined by measurement of service indexes recognized in the industry in accordance with Annexure “E”;

 

(c)                                  within three (3) years, in accordance with the Schedule shown in Annexure “E”, complete a high density backbone microwave (1800 channels) between Lethem and Georgetown, Georgetown and Crabwood Creek, and establish other facilities permitting telephone or radio telephone service along the entire coast from Crabwood Creek to Suddie, and in the interior at:

 

(i)                                     Mahdia;

 

(ii)                                  Issano;

 

(iii)                               Kurupung;

 

(iv)                              Kamarang, Enachu and Imbaimadai; and

 

(v)                                 Aishalton, Dadanawa and Wichabai; and

 

(d)                                 within three years, also extend the backbone microwave to include the Northwest areas; Port Kaituma, Matthews Ridge, and Mabaruma.

 

5.2                                 Maintaining and Upgrading Quality of Services. ATN shall cause GT&T to keep its equipment and services maintained continuously in keeping with international standards. In

 

9



 

addition ATN shall cause GT&T to introduce in a timely fashion current technological advances (wherever practical, applicable and relevant) to ensure that a high quality of service is always maintained to international standards.

 

5.3                                 Public Interest Services. ATN shall cause GT&T to provide full public interest services, including, but not limited to, inland telegraph services, public call box telephone services, public emergency telephone services and free telephone directories.

 

5.4                                 Releasing the Government from the Liabilities of GTC and GT&T. ATN and GT&T will take all measures to release the Government from every liability, including up to a maximum of seven million two hundred thousand dollars (US$7.2 million) of foreign currency liabilities, incurred by GTC and GT&T before Closing, except any debt the favourable terms of which are conditioned on continuing a guarantee given by the Government, in which case, however, ATN and GT&T will indemnify and hold harmless the Government for such debt.

 

5.5                                 Taxes. Of the taxes and duties payable by GT&T under the laws of Guyana, ATN covenants and undertakes to cause GT&T to pay in foreign currency taxes attributable to its net income from international telecommunication services, to the extent such earnings are realized in foreign currency.

 

5.6                                 Employment. All the employees of GTC or GT&T employed by it immediately before Closing are guaranteed continued employment with GT&T, on terms which are not less favourable to each of such employees than the terms of employment enjoyed immediately before Closing, for a minimum period of eighteen months after Closing, subject only to GT&T’s right to dismiss or discharge any employee for cause.

 

5.7                                 Training and Career Development. ATN shall cause GT&T to formulate and implement programmes for the training or retraining of its employees so as to meet its needs and to make the best use of the employees and to develop their career.

 

5.8                                 Welfare Plans. All employees of GT&T will be provided with health insurance and shall have the benefit of retirement plans (which may be funded or unfunded) established by GT&T. For the purposes of the retirement plans, all the years of the service of the employees with GTC shall be given credit to determine vesting and participation rights. However, nothing

 

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in this Agreement shall be deemed to obligate ATN or GT&T to assume unfunded retirement plan liability which accrued while the employees were employed by GTC unless such liability is reflected as a liability on the Balance Sheet and books of accounts of GTC and then only to the extent of such liability recorded on the books of account of GTC.

 

5.9                                 Rate Continuity. GT&T will not increase subscriber rates in operation on the date of this Agreement for a period of three years after Closing, except, and then only to the extent to which it becomes justified, on the occurrence of the following events:

 

(a)                                  in the event of a substantial increase in the average for a period of six months of the highest rate at which United States dollar is lawfully sold in Guyana, over the highest rate at which United States dollar is lawfully sold in Guyana during the month immediately before Closing;

 

(b)                                 in the event of a change in long distance charges payable to foreign correspondents;

 

(c)                                  if costs to provide service to interior areas specified in the Expansion and Service Improvement Plan referred to in paragraph 1 of this Section are proved to be substantially higher than as stated in that Plan; or

 

(d)                                 in the event of any natural disaster or other act of God leading to extensive destruction of plant and equipment, provided that GT&T has taken out and maintained full insurance coverage of property, plant, equipment and business interruption in accordance with Section 5.14 hereunder and the sums paid by the insurer are not sufficient to meet the expenses of restoring the services provided by GT&T or to compensate GT&T for its lost revenue due to business interruption affected by the natural disaster or other act of God.

 

5.10                           Switch to Switch Access. In the case of cellular radio telephone service, in respect of which GT&T will be granted only a non-exclusive licence, ATN covenants and undertakes that it will cause GT&T to provide switch to switch access, at reasonable rates, for any other company or person, providing cellular radio telephone service, which has the necessary

 

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licence and permit therefor issued by the Government. ATN also covenants and undertakes to cause GT&T to provide switch to switch access, at reasonable rates, to terminal and customer premises equipment, including telefax and telex equipment acquired by any person otherwise than from ATN, GT&T or any agency specified by ATN or GT&T.

 

5.11                           Privacy of Communications. ATN covenants and undertakes that it will, subject to the laws of Guyana, cause GT&T to secure fully that the privacy and confidentiality of communications through the services provided by GT&T are not impinged.

 

5.12                           Assignment of Shares of ATN in GT&T. ATN covenants and undertakes that the whole or part of the equity holding of ATN in GT&T will not be assigned by it to any person without the prior permission of the Government and if ATN intends to assign the said equity holding, it shall first make an offer to sell the same to the Government whereupon the Government may buy the same at a price agreed to between the Government and ATN and in the absence of agreement at a price determined by arbitration under the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

 

5.13                           Rights of the Government as Minority Shareholder in GT&T. ATN covenants and undertakes to fully recognize the rights and interests of the Government as the holder of minority share capital in GT&T, and in particular:

 

(a)                                  to recognize the right of the Government to choose such number of members of the Board of Directors of GT&T proportionate to its share holding, but in no case less than one; and

 

(b)                                 to provide the Government, at its request as minority shareholder, full and complete information and access to records, relating to the business and operations of GT&T, financial administrative, technical and otherwise, including but not limited to, the extent and condition of its business, the rates charged for telecommunication services, income and expenditure and financial position.

 

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5.14                           Insurance. ATN covenants and undertakes that it shall acquire and maintain such insurance on property, plants and equipment and for business interruption as would be reasonable for a prudent business to maintain, bearing in mind, the practice in the Industry.

 

SECTION 6. COVENANTS BY THE GOVERNMENT

 

The Government Covenants and undertakes as follows:

 

6.1                                 Licence. The Government will grant, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to GT&T licences under the Post and Telegraph Act, Cap. 47:01, of the Laws of Guyana, or any legislation enacted to replace it, to carry on, operations to provide the following services:

 

(a)                                  Public telephone, radio telephone (except private radio telephone systems which do not interconnect with GT&T network) and pay station telephone services, national and international voice and data transmission;

 

(b)                                 Sale of advertising in any directories of telephone subscribers;

 

(c)                                  Switched or non-switched private line service supported by facilities constructed over public right of way;

 

(d)                                 Terminal and customer premises equipment;

 

(e)                                  Telefax, telex and telegraph service and telefax network service, excluding the following operations:

 

(i)                                     sale of telefax or teleprinter machines;

 

(ii)                                  maintenance of telefax or teleprinter equipment; and

 

(iii)                               operation of any facility for the sending and receiving of telefax copies or teleprinter messages; and

 

(f)                                    Cellular radio telephone service.

 

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If any such licences have not been given to GT&T before Closing it will be given immediately after Closing. A licence referred to in this paragraph will be subject to the other paragraphs of this Section.

 

Notwithstanding the licence granted pursuant to Section 6.1(d) for terminal and customer premises equipment, ATN covenants and agrees that GT&T will allow customers on an individual basis to install such equipment purchased by the customer and imported for the customer’s own use and to connect such equipment to GT&T’s lines. To ensure compatibility of such equipment GT&T shall provide customers, on request, with GT&T’s specifications regarding such equipment. The customer shall be responsible for the maintenance of such equipment.

 

6.2                                 Terms of Licences. The licence granted to GT&T in respect of the service referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) of Section 6.1 will be an exclusive licence for a period of twenty years and shall be renewable at the option of GT&T for a further period of twenty years. During the period of the exclusive licence, no other company, nor the Government, shall provide any services to which the licence relates. The licence granted to GT&T with respect to the services referred to in sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) of Section 6.1 shall be exclusive for a period of ten years, and shall be renewable at the option of GT&T on a non-exclusive basis.

 

6.3                                 Cellular Radio Telephone Licence. The Government shall grant to GT&T a non-exclusive licence to provide cellular radio telephone service anywhere within the country. The licence shall be for a period of twenty years and shall be renewable at the option of GT&T for a further period of twenty years.

 

6.4                                 Cancellation of Licence. The Government shall have the power, which may be exercised by any authorized person or authority on behalf of the Government, to cancel any licence or licences granted to GT&T for providing the services referred to in Section 6.1 if GT&T contravenes any of the material terms of the licence, or the material provisions of this Agreement, or the material provisions of the Post and Telegraph Act (Cap 47:01) or any law enacted to replace it.

 

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6.5                                 Failure to Achieve Agreed Levels of Quality or Expansion. Without prejudice to the provisions of Section 6.4, if GT&T fails to achieve the levels of quality or service, or the completion of any of the phases of the Expansion and Service Improvement Plan covenanted for and undertaken by ATN under this Agreement within the time allowed therefor, the Government shall have the power, exercised through the Regulatory Body referred to at Section 6.7 below, to examine the breach and the circumstances relating to it and to decide on an appropriate penalty, if any.

 

6.6                                 No Condonation of Breach. The Regulatory Body may at the request of the Government, or GT&T or ATN allow GT&T or ATN time or opportunity to rectify any breach of the provisions of this Agreement or to achieve agreed levels of quality of service or for the completion of any of the phases of the Expansion and Service Improvement Plan, notwithstanding the failure to achieve or complete the same within the agreed time. Such action by the Government or the Regulatory Body, shall not be deemed to be a condonation of the breach or failure.

 

6.7                                 Establishment of Regulatory Body. The Government covenants and undertakes to establish an independent statutory authority (hereinafter referred to as the “Authority”) to regulate the operations of companies or other persons engaged in providing telecommunication services and operating in Guyana and with a view to securing compliance with the relevant laws of Guyana and to protecting the interests of persons making use of such services (hereinafter referred to as subscribers).

 

6.8                                 Subscriber Rates. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Authority will be empowered to determine questions as to the reasonableness of the rates charged or to be charged by GT&T for services rendered by it and the decisions of the Authority will be binding on GT&T.

 

6.9                                 Rates of Return. In determining the rates to be charged the subscribers, the Authority shall take into account:

 

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(a)                                  in regard to the rates to be charged from subscribers during the first period of three years from Closing the covenant and undertaking of ATN in Section 5.9;

 

(b)                                 subject to sub-paragraph (a), GT&T shall be entitled to a minimum rate of return of 15% on capital dedicated to public use. The revenue requirement shall be calculated on a rate of return methodology to be mutually agreed to by Government and ATN prior to the establishment of a Regulatory Body or any other agency charged with the responsibility of regulating the rate of return for GT&T. Unless and until such mutual agreement is reached between the Government and ATN, the revenue requirement shall be calculated on the basis of GT&T’s entire property, plant and equipment pursuant to a rate of return methodology consistent with the practices and procedures of the United States of America Federal Communication Commission.

 

6.10                           Management Services. Where GT&T has engaged ATN or any of its subsidiaries to render any management services, GT&T shall pay fees in foreign currency in such amounts as the Board of Directors of GT&T shall approve and the repatriation of such fees to the United States of America shall not be subject to currency restrictions, withholding taxes, or any other taxation by the Government.

 

6.11                           Capital Dedicated to Telecommunications Business of GT&T. In this Agreement the expression “capital dedicated to telecommunications business of GT&T” means the capital assets of GT&T.

 

6.12                           Foreign Exchange Controls. The Government covenants and undertakes to permit GT&T, without any restrictions, to make payments in foreign currency to:

 

(a)                                  international correspondents;

 

(b)                                 creditors of GT&T of debt denominated in foreign currency;

 

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(c)                                  suppliers of imported supplies of equipment, materials or services used and needed in GT&T’s operations;

 

(d)                                 ATN by way of dividends declared on shareholdings or other sums due from GT&T. The repatriation of dividends to ATN shall not be subject to withholding taxes.

 

The repatriation of dividends to ATN and the payment of interest on debt denominated in foreign currency shall not be subject to withholding taxes. For the above purposes GT&T shall be permitted by the Government to retain outside of Guyana sufficient sums from foreign currency earned or collected by it from its international telecommunication operations.

 

6.13                           Duties and Taxes. After Closing, GT&T shall be subject to the same tax, duty and exemption regime as applied to GTC or GT&T prior to Closing. This regime is described in Annexure “F”.

 

6.14                           Foreign Nationals. The Government covenants and undertakes to grant necessary visas and work permits to enable GT&T to employ foreign nationals eligible for such visas and work permits under the laws of Guyana (including the granting of visas to their family members) in posts required for carrying on its activities as mentioned in this Agreement and for which suitably qualified Guyanese are not available and to enable foreign nationals to serve as directors of GT&T. This paragraph shall apply whether such visas and work permits are permanent or temporary in nature.

 

6.15                           Conduct of Business before Closing. The Government covenants and undertakes that at all times after the date of this Agreement and including the Closing date, the Government will use its best efforts to cause GTC, and GT&T when it is established to take over the assets and liabilities of GTC, to comply with the following, except where the Government and ATN agree otherwise:

 

(a)                                  GTC and GT&T shall conduct their business in the usual, regular and ordinary course, and in keeping with present business practices, and, to the extent consistent with such operations, use their best efforts to preserve the present business organization intact, and shall do nothing (otherwise than

 

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in the ordinary course of the management of the business, including suspension or dismissal of an officer or employee for cause) which shall have the effect of depriving them of the services of their present officers and employees or to adversely affect present relationships with persons having business dealings with GTC or GT&T;

 

(b)                                 GTC or GT&T shall maintain to the best of their ability all the assets and properties at present owned by GTC, and which are reasonably necessary for its business, in customary repair, order and condition;

 

(c)                                  GTC and GT&T shall maintain the books, accounts and other records GTC has been maintaining in the past in connection with its business, in the usual, regular and ordinary manner, on a basis at least consistent with prior years, and endeavour to comply with all the laws applicable to GTC or GT&T, as the case may be, and to perform without default all the obligations of GTC or GT&T; and

 

(d)                                 excepting any expenditure incurred or advances on equipment purchases under the contract already entered into by GTC with Northern Telecoms Corporation, without the prior consent in writing of ATN no individual capital expenditure or advance on equipment purchase in excess of G$100,000 (one hundred thousand Guyana dollars only) will be incurred by GTC or GT&T.

 

6.16                           Accounts Receivable. At or prior to Closing the Government shall pay to GT&T all amounts which are due from the Government to GTC and GT&T.

 

6.17                           Right of Way. GT&T shall be allowed the gratuitous use of the streets, public roads, rivers and waters of Guyana required to be used by it for the purposes of placing telephone poles and cables, for the purpose of providing service to subscribers. The said right of GT&T shall be subject to the restrictions and provisions of the Post and Telegraph Act (Cap. 47:01) of the Laws of Guyana, or any legislation enacted to replace it.

 

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6.18                           Banking. GT&T shall be permitted to retain net revenues from international telecommunication operations in one or more banks located outside Guyana. However, nothing in this Agreement is intended to release ATN, it nominee or GT&T of their respective obligations under this Agreement or the laws of Guyana regarding foreign currency derived from net settlements of international calls.

 

6.19                           Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). The Government shall support any application by ATN and/or GT&T to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) for investment insurance coverage in connection with ATN’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

SECTION 7. COVENANTS BY THE GOVERNMENT AND ATN

 

The Government and ATN agree that:

 

7.1                                 GT&T Stock. GT&T shall have one class of stock which should consist of common stock. Each share of common stock shall have equal voting rights and the same rights to share in dividends. No shareholder in GT&T shall have the right to acquire authorized but unissued shares of GT&T common stock unless those shares are being offered to all shareholders upon terms that allow each shareholder to maintain their proportionate interest and ownership of GT&T.

 

7.2                                 Shareholding in GT&T. ATN and the Government shall at all times after Closing hold GT&T shares in the following proportions:

 

ATN

Eighty percent (80%)

 

 

The Government or its nominee

Twenty percent (20%)

 

Should it become necessary to increase the share capital of GT&T and should both parties hereto agree to the increase, the share capital of GT&T may be increased by the amount agreed upon by both Parties and the new shares shall be allotted to ATN and the Government in the proportion set out above unless otherwise agreed to by them.

 

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7.3                                 Directors. GT&T shall have not less than six, but not more than twelve, directors. After Closing, the Government shall have the right to nominate twenty percent (20%) of the directors of GT&T, and ATN shall have the right to nominate the remainder (viz 80%) of the directors. There shall always be at least one director of GT&T who is a nominee of the holder of minority shares.

 

7.4                                 Board Meetings. All decisions in respect of important matters pertaining to GT&T and its business shall be discussed and decided at the meetings of the Board of Directors. There shall be at least one meeting of the Board of Directors each month.

 

7.5                                 Obligations to Provide Universal Service. GT&T shall have the obligation to provide universal service. This means that the business and development plans of GT&T will be designed to provide as many residents of Guyana as possible with the benefit of telephone service.

 

7.6                                 Access to GTC’s Business Records. From the date of the execution of this Agreement until Closing, the Government and its authorized agents, on the one hand, and ATN and its attorneys, accountants, engineers, and its other agents and representatives, on the other hand, as are reasonably required to review the corporate books and business records of GTC, shall be allowed access to the corporate and business records of GTC. To this end, the Government shall designate certain employees of GTC to facilitate the Government’s and ATN’s review of the corporate books and business records of GTC. All information requested by ATN and the Government and available to GTC or GT&T pertaining to GTC’s and GT&T’s operations will be made available provided that such request is made after reasonable notice and the examination of the records takes place during normal business hours. The Government and ATN will be entitled to make photostatic copies or otherwise duplicate copies of GTC’s and GT&T’s corporate records and books of account. After closing, both the Government and ATN shall have equal access to the corporate books and business records of GT&T.

 

7.7                                 Confidentiality of Information. Except for the purpose of carrying out the operations of GT&T or complying with the provisions of any law, information referred to in Section 5.13(b) or Section 7.6 shall be maintained in strict confidence and shall not be published or publicly made available without the written consent of the shareholders of GT&T.

 

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7.8                                 Best Efforts Regarding Compliance with Agreement. Government and ATN covenants to use their best efforts to cause all the obligations imposed upon them by this Agreement to be duly complied with and to cause all conditions precedent to such obligations to be satisfied.

 

7.9                                 Settlement of Accounts with Foreign Telecommunications Administration. ATN or GT&T may negotiate with foreign telecommunications administrations for reconciling or settling the net amounts due from those administrations to GTC of GT&T in respect of any period prior to Closing and if as a result of such reconciling or settling more amounts than mentioned in the financial statements and Annexures “C” and “D” are found due from those administrations to GTC or GT&T in respect of the said period, eighty-five (85) percent of that amount shall be paid by ATN to the Government and fifteen (15) percent may be retained by ATN.

 

SECTION 8. DUE DILIGENCE

 

For a period of sixty (60) days from the date of the execution of this Agreement, ATN’s accountants, attorneys, engineers, and other agents and representatives, as are required, shall have a right to examine (as ATN deems relevant) the books of accounts and supporting records and other corporate books and records, and physical assets of GTC and GT&T. This examination shall take place during normal business hours. The Government represents and warrants its co-operation and the co-operation of the officers and employees of GTC and GT&T before Closing regarding the aforementioned examinations. ATN shall maintain all information obtained by it under this paragraph in strict confidence. The information shall not be published or publicly made available without the written consent of the Government.

 

SECTION 9. CLOSING

 

Completion of the matters referred to in SECTION 1 and 2.2 and the payment of the amount mentioned in Section 4.1 shall be effected no sooner than thirty days, and not later than forty-five days after the completion of the due diligence provided for in Section 8 of this Agreement. The Closing shall be held at Georgetown, Guyana, on a date mutually agreed to by the Government, GT&T and ATN.

 

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SECTION 10.                                             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATION OF ATN

 

The obligation of ATN to purchase eighty percent (80%) of the shares in GT&T pursuant to this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction at or before Closing of all the following conditions:

 

10.1                           Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Government contained in this Agreement shall be true in every material respect on and as of the Closing Date, with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date, except to the extent attributable to actions consented to in writing by ATN.

 

10.2                           Performance of Agreements. The Government shall have performed all obligations and agreements required to be performed by it and complied with all covenants and other terms and conditions required to be complied with by it, hereunder, on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

10.3                           Certificate. The Government shall have furnished ATN with a certificate dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the Government has fulfilled the conditions specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Section.

 

10.4                           Opinion of Counsel for the Government. ATN shall have received a favourable legal opinion of counsel for the Government, dated as of the Closing Date, in the form and substance reasonably satisfactory to ATN and its counsel, to the effect that:

 

(a)                                  The Government has full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement;

 

(b)                                 The Government has full right, power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the shares and assets of GT&T held by it;

 

(c)                                  This Agreement and the instruments of assignment and transfer and delivery of shares of GT&T required hereunder, have been duly executed and delivered by the Government and constitute a legal valid and binding obligation of the Government;

 

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(d)                                 Any legislation enacted by the Government to give effect to this Agreement shall be consistent with the Governments’ obligations as set forth in this Agreement;

 

(e)                                  The covenants by the Government in SECTION 6 and the covenants by the Government and ATN in SECTION 7 of this Agreement will survive Closing and will remain a binding legal commitment throughout the initial term of the licences referred to in Section 6.1 and the term of any renewal thereof;

 

(f)                                    GT&T has been granted all the necessary licences and permits and has all the requisite authorizations necessary to provide national and international telecommunications services pursuant to all the terms, conditions and obligations of the Parties to this Agreement.

 

Such opinion shall also include such other matters incidental to the transactions contemplated hereby as ATN or its counsel may reasonably request.

 

SECTION 11.                                             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATION OF THE GOVERNMENT

 

The obligation of the Government to sell to ATN eighty percent (80%) of the shares in GT&T pursuant to this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction at or before Closing of all the following conditions:

 

11.1                           Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of ATN contained in this Agreement shall be true in every material respect on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date, except to the extent attributable to actions consented to in writing by the Government.

 

11.2                           Performance of Agreements. ATN shall have performed all obligations and agreements required to be performed by it and complied with all covenants and other terms and conditions required to be complied with by it, hereunder, on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

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11.3                           Certificate. ATN shall have furnished the Government with a certificate dated the Closing Date to the effect that ATN has fulfilled the conditions specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Section.

 

11.4                           Opinion of Counsel for ATN. The Government shall have received a favourable legal opinion of counsel to ATN, dated as of the Closing Date, inform and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Government and its counsel, to the effect that:

 

(a)                                  ATN is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the United States Virgin Islands;

 

(b)                                 ATN has the full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement to purchase the shares of GT&T to be sold to it hereunder;

 

(c)                                  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by ATN and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of ATN;

 

(d)                                 The covenants by ATN in SECTION 5 and the covenants by the Government and ATN in SECTION 7 of this Agreement shall survive Closing and shall remain a binding legal commitment throughout the initial term of the licences referred to in Section 6.1 and the term of any renewal thereof.

 

Such opinion shall also include such other matters incidental to the transaction contemplated hereby as the Government or the counsel of the Government may reasonably request.

 

SECTION 12.                                             RENEWAL OF LICENCES

 

12.1                           Notices and Applications for Renewal of Licences. Notice of intention to seek renewal any licence granted to GT&T shall be given by GT&T one year before the expiry of the term of the licence and the application for renewal of any such licence shall be made in accordance with the law applicable thereto.

 

12.2                           Renewal of Exclusive Licence After Expiry of Term. After the expiry of the initial term of any exclusive licence granted to GT&T in respect of the services mentioned in

 

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Section 6.1(a), (b) and (c)  and referred to in Section 6.2, the Government shall renew the licence on an exclusive basis in accordance with applicable laws of Guyana and the terms of this Agreement. Further, after the expiry of the initial term of any exclusive licence granted to GT&T in respect of the services mentioned in Section 6.1(d) and (e) and referred to in Section 6.2, the Government shall renew the licence on a non-exclusive basis in accordance with the laws of Guyana and the terms of this Agreement.

 

12.3                           Sale of Assets of GT&T on Non-renewal or Termination of Licence. If on account of the non-renewal of any licence granted to GT&T for carrying on any of the activities referred to in Section 6.1 GT&T has to close its operations, the Government shall be entitled to purchase the shares of ATN in GT&T or the assets of GT&T, on such terms as may be agreed between ATN and the Government or, on failure to reach such agreement, as determined by arbitration conducted by ICSID.

 

SECTION 13.                                             FORCE MAJEURE

 

13.1                           Definition. For the purpose of this Agreement, “force majeure” shall mean any event which could not have reasonably been foreseen, is beyond the reasonable control of the Party claiming to be affected by such event, has not been brought about at the instance of such Party and has caused non-performance or delay. Force Majeure may include but is not limited to such events as insurrection, war or other armed conflict, floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

 

13.2                           Liability in the Event of Force Majeure. No Party shall be held liable or deemed to be in default under this Agreement for any failure to perform obligations and duties hereunder if such failure has resulted directly or indirectly from force majeure, provided that that Party had taken all precautions to minimize the consequences of the force majeure.

 

13.3                           Notice for Force Majeure. In the event of force majeure, the Party so claiming shall notify the other Party in writing of the circumstances and the Parties shall meet forthwith to determine the action to be taken.

 

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13.4                           Extension of Time for Force Majeure. Any period during which the event of force majeure continues shall be added to the time allowed for any Party to perform any act or undertake any obligation.

 

SECTION 14.                                             INDEMNIFICATION

 

14.1                           Indemnification by Government. The Government agrees to indemnify and hold ATN and GT&T, or any one of them, and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, harmless from and against all judgments, damages, losses, claims, liens, penalties, obligations, liabilities, settlements and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising out of:

 

(a)                                  any breach of any warranty or covenant or any inaccurate or erroneous representations of the Government contained herein, in any Annexure attached hereto or in any certificate, agreement or other instrument duly executed and delivered by the Government pursuant to this Agreement; and

 

(b)                                 any failure of the Government to perform or comply with any provision, obligation or duty contained in this Agreement and required to be performed or complied with by the Government.

 

14.2                           Indemnification by ATN. ATN agrees to indemnify and hold the Government and its officers, employees and agents harmless from and against all judgments, damages, losses, claims, liens, penalties, obligations, liabilities, settlements and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising out of:

 

(a)                                  any breach of any warranty or covenant or any inaccurate or erroneous representations of ATN contained herein, in any Annexure attached hereto or in any certificate, agreement or other instrument duly executed and delivered by ATN pursuant to this Agreement; and

 

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(b)                                 any failure of ATN or GT&T to perform or comply with any provision, obligation or duty contained in this Agreement and required to be performed or complied with by ATN or GT&T or both.

 

14.3                           Making of Claims. All claims for indemnification under this Agreement shall be made within the time specified in SECTION 15 hereof. All claims for indemnification shall be made in writing.

 

SECTION 15.                                             SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENT TERMS

 

15.1                           Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties which are included herein or in any Annexure attached hereto, certificate, agreement or other instrument duly executed and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, and the indemnities which are provided for herein to the extent that they relate to the said representations and warranties, shall survive the Closing.

 

15.2                           Covenants and Certain Other Provisions. Any covenant or other provision of this Agreement which by its nature and content is applicable to the operation of GT&T and ATN, or any one of them, shall be effective and survive Closing, and shall be binding on the Parties for a period equal to the initial term of the licence, or any renewals thereof, granted in respect of such operations plus two (2) years.

 

15.3                           Other Provisions . Any provision of this Agreement not included in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Section shall survive Closing, and shall be binding on the Parties, for a three (3) year period after Closing.

 

SECTION 16.                                             GOVERNING LAW; WAIVER OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION

 

16.1                           Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed under and in accordance with the laws of Guyana.

 

16.2                           Waiver of Sovereign Immunity. The Government agrees to waive any defence of sovereign immunity and consents to suit, if necessary, to resolve disputes concerning the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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16.3                           Submission to Jurisdiction. For the purpose of resolving disputes regarding this Agreement, or arising therefrom, the Government, ATN and GT&T shall submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the courts of Guyana. Without prejudice to the above, and any other provision of this Agreement, the Parties may agree in writing to resolve any dispute between them regarding this Agreement, or arising therefrom, by arbitration conducted by ICSID and when they so agree the dispute shall be referred to ICSID.

 

SECTION 17.                                             WAIVERS

 

17.1                           Extension of Time and Waivers. Any Party to whom any obligations is due under this Agreement may be written notice to the Party from whom performance of the obligation is due:

 

(a)                                  extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or the taking of other action under this Agreement;

 

(b)                                 waive inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other contained in this Agreement, in any Annexure hereto, or in any certificate issued hereunder;

 

(c)                                  waive compliance with any of the covenants or conditions contained in this Agreement; or

 

(d)                                 waive or modify performance of any of the obligations under this Agreement.

 

Except as provided in the preceding sentence, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including, but without any limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of any Party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver, by the Party taking such action, or compliance with, or performance of, any representations, warranties, covenants, conditions or obligations contained in or under this Agreement.

 

17.2                           Waiver of Breach Not to Extend to Subsequent Breach. Any waiver by a Party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

 

28



 

SECTION 18.                                             EFFECT OF HEADINGS

 

The headings of the various Sections and paragraphs herein are inserted merely as a matter of convenience and for reference and any such heading shall not be construed as in any manner defining, limiting or describing the scope or intent of the particular Section or paragraph to which it refers, or as affecting the meaning or construction of the language in the body thereof.

 

SECTION 19.                                             NOTICES

 

All notices which are required or may be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered in person or mailed by registered, certified or express mail, postage prepaid, as follows:

 

To the Government:

 

The Minister for the time being assigned responsibility for telecommunications, at the address of his office in Georgetown, Guyana;

 

To ATN:

 

Atlantic Tele-Network Inc.
P.O. Box 6100
St. Thomas
U.S. Virgin Islands  00801
Attention:  Jeffrey J. Prosser

 

To GT&T:

 

When incorporated, at the address of its registered office,

 

or at such other address as any of the above parties shall have designated by notice in writing to the other parties.

 

29



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. have each caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its officer or representative thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK INC

GOVERNMENT OF THE COOPERATIVE
REPUBLIC OF GUYANA

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Jeffrey J. Proser

 

By

  /s/ W.A.H.L. Parris

 

Jeffrey J. Prosser

W.A.H.L. Parris

Chairman

Deputy Prime Minster Planning and Development

 

30


Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO

RULE 13a-14(a) OR RULE 15d-14(a),

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACTS OF 2002

 

I, Michael T. Prior, certify that:

 

1.                       I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.;

 

2.                       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                       The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                       Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)                      Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

c)                       Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                       The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)                       All significant deficiencies and material weakness in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)                      Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

 

 

 

Date: May 15, 2006

 

/s/ Michael T. Prior

 

 

Michael T. Prior
President and Chief Executive Officer

 


Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO

RULE 13a-14(a) OR RULE 15d-14(a),

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACTS OF 2002

 

I, Justin D. Benincasa, certify that:

 

1.                       I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.;

 

2.                       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                       The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                       Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)                      Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

c)                       Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                       The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)                       All significant deficiencies and material weakness in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)                      Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

 

 

 

Date: May 15, 2006

By:

/s/ Justin D. Benincasa

 

 

Justin D. Benincasa
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 


 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACTS OF 2002

 

In connection with the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ending September 30, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael T. Prior, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

1.                       the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2.                       the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

 

 

 

Date: May 15, 2006

By:

/s/ Michael T. Prior

 

 

Michael T. Prior
President and Chief Executive Officer

 


 

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACTS OF 2002

 

In connection with the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ending September 30, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Justin D. Benincasa, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

1.                       the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2.                       the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

 

 

 

Date: May 15, 2006

By:

/s/ Justin D. Benincasa

 

 

Justin D. Benincasa
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer