UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10
GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
Pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
GLOBALSTAR, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 41-2116508 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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461 South Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA |
95033 |
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(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (408) 933-4000
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Series A
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Series B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Series C Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
(Title of class)
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Page |
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Item 1. | Business | 5 | ||
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 30 | ||
Item 2. | Financial Information | 45 | ||
Item 3. | Properties | 73 | ||
Item 4. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management | 74 | ||
Item 5. | Directors and Executive Officers | 76 | ||
Item 6. | Executive Compensation | 79 | ||
Item 7. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions | 85 | ||
Item 8. | Legal Proceedings | 89 | ||
Item 9. | Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters | 90 | ||
Item 10. | Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities | 91 | ||
Item 11. | Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered | 93 | ||
Item 12. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers | 96 | ||
Item 13. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 97 | ||
Item 14. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures | 138 | ||
Item 15. | Financial Statements and Exhibits | 139 |
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this document are not historical facts and are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Words such as "believes," "expects," "estimates," "may," "intends," "should" or "anticipates" and similar expressions or their negatives identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements, such as the statements regarding our ability to develop and expand our business, our ability to manage costs, our ability to exploit and respond to technological innovation, the effects of laws and regulations (including tax laws and regulations) and legal and regulatory changes, the opportunities for strategic business combinations and the effects of consolidation in our industry on us and our competitors, our anticipated future revenues, our anticipated capital spending (including for future satellite procurements and launches), our anticipated financial resources, our expectations about the future operational performance of our satellites (including their projected operational lives), the expected strength of and growth prospects for our existing customers and the markets that we serve, and other statements contained in this document regarding matters that are not historical facts, involve predictions. These and similar statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things:
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These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to vary materially from future results indicated, expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this document may not in fact occur. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
We obtained the industry, market and competitive position data throughout this document from our own internal estimates and research as well as from industry and general publications and from research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties, including Gartner, Inc., Northern Sky Research, LLC, Telecom, Media and Finance Associates, Inc., and Frost & Sullivan. We funded the Frost & Sullivan report, which was published in 2002. Copies of these reports are publicly available from Gartner, Northern Sky Research, Telecom, Media and Finance Associates and Frost & Sullivan upon payment of a nominal fee. Industry publications, studies and surveys generally state that they have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we believe that each of these studies and publications is reliable, we have not independently verified market and industry data from third-party sources. Although we believe our internal research is reliable and the market definitions are appropriate, neither such research nor these definitions have been verified by any independent source.
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Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this document to:
We were formed as a Delaware limited liability company in November 2003 and were converted into a Delaware corporation on March 17, 2006. Although the conversion to corporate form was not completed until March 17, 2006, unless we specifically state otherwise, all information in this document is presented as if we were a corporation throughout the relevant periods.
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Overview
We are a leading provider of mobile voice and data communications services via satellite. By providing wireless service where terrestrial wireless and wireline networks do not, we seek to address the increasing desire by customers for connectivity and reliable service at all times and locations. Using 43 in-orbit satellites and 25 ground stations, or gateways, we offer high-quality, reliable voice and data communications services to government agencies, businesses and other customers in over 120 countries.
At March 31, 2006, we served approximately 204,000 subscribers, which represented a 41% increase since March 31, 2005. We believe the heightened demand for reliable communications services, particularly in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the December 2004 Asian tsunami and the U.S. Gulf Coast hurricane activity in 2004 and 2005, will continue to drive our strong growth in sales of both voice and data services. We have a diverse customer base, including the government, public safety and disaster relief; recreation and personal; maritime and fishing; business, financial and insurance; natural resources, mining and forestry; oil and gas; construction; utilities; and transportation sectors, which we refer to as our vertical markets. According to Gartner, we are one of the two key mobile satellite services providers whose networks can deliver voice and data communication services over most of the world's landmass. Based on information provided by Northern Sky Research as to the size of the global market, in 2005 we had an estimated 10.2% share of global subscribers in the mobile satellite services industry.
We believe that our distribution network is productive and efficient and provides broad coverage over our target customer base. We utilize a large network of dealers and agents, including over 750 in territories we serve directly. We also use resellers, including independent gateway operators, to sell the full range of our voice and data products and services, including our Simplex asset tracking services, in markets where we do not market directly.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, our average monthly revenue per user was $68.11 for retail customers. For the year ended December 31, 2005, our cost per gross addition was approximately $248. See Notes 5 and 8 to "Selected Financial Data" in "Item 2. Financial Information" for information on the calculation of average monthly revenue per user and cost per gross addition.
We believe that we offer our customers better value by delivering higher quality voice and data services (including Simplex, duplex and asset-tracking) at a lower price than our principal mobile satellite services competitors. We also believe that the quality and price of our services have contributed to our low average monthly customer turnover, or churn rate, of approximately 1.3% during the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to the average monthly churn rate for the top four U.S. wireless carriers of approximately 2.1% for the same period. See Note 6 to "Selected Financial Data" in "Item 2. Financial Information" for information on the calculation of churn rate.
We hold licenses to operate a wireless communications network via satellites over 27.85 MHz in two blocks of contiguous global radio frequency spectrum. We believe our large spectrum blocks will permit us to capitalize on existing and emerging wireless and broadcast applications globally. In the United States, Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) regulations permit us to re-use a portion of our assigned frequencies terrestrially in order to extend our communication services to indoor and urban areas where traditional satellite service is impractical. We hold an ATC authorization from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for 11 MHz of our spectrum. Our current network is capable of supporting ATC services, and we believe it will allow us to introduce new services and capabilities before our competitors. We are selectively exploring opportunities with targeted media, technology and communications companies to develop further the potential of our ATC-licensed spectrum. In addition, regulatory authorities outside of the United States are reviewing ATC-like rulings, and we are beginning to explore selectively capitalizing on these rulings.
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We are currently in the process of designing and procuring our second-generation satellite constellation, which we expect will extend the life of our network until approximately 2025. We believe that our second-generation satellites will improve our ability to support new applications and services, including higher-speed data rates and internet access, video and audio broadcasting, remote file transfer and virtual private networking. We expect these services to be available on a broad range of new customer devices that will be significantly smaller in size, lighter in weight and less expensive than existing mobile satellite services equipment. We believe this expanded service portfolio and advanced equipment offering will significantly expand the target market for our services.
We recorded $127.1 million and $30.3 million in revenue and $18.7 million and $22.5 million in net income during the year ended December 31, 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2006, respectively, compared to $84.4 million and $24.8 million in revenue and $0.4 million and $0.4 million in net income for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the three months ended March 31, 2005, respectively. Net income for the first quarter of 2006 included an income tax benefit of $21.4 million relating to the establishment of deferred tax assets and liabilities upon our election in January 2006 to be taxed as a C corporation.
Company History
We may be viewed as the successor to Old Globalstar, which was a Delaware limited partnership formed on November 19, 1993 by Loral and QUALCOMM. Eight other general or limited partners were admitted to the partnership in 1995.
On February 15, 2002 (the "Petition Date"), Old Globalstar and three of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Old Globalstar and its debtor subsidiaries remained in possession of their assets and properties and continued to operate their businesses as debtors-in-possession.
On November 17, 2003, Old Globalstar, Thermo and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Globalstar, L.P. (the "Creditors' Committee") executed a term sheet regarding the acquisition of the Globalstar business by Thermo. On December 2, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing the transaction contemplated by the term sheet. On December 5, 2003, Old Globalstar, the Creditors' Committee and Thermo entered into an asset contribution agreement pursuant to which Old Globalstar agreed to transfer its assets to us and Thermo agreed to contribute and loan funds to us, each in exchange for our membership units.
In connection with the negotiation of the asset contribution agreement, Old Globalstar and the Creditors' Committee required that we agree to the inclusion of provisions in our limited liability agreement providing for the right of the former creditors of Old Globalstar who became members of our company to elect two of our directors, the rights offering described in the second paragraph below (the "A/B Rights Offering"), pre-emptive and piggyback rights for the minority owners, restrictions on transactions with Thermo or other extraordinary transactions, our obligation to register our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") by October 13, 2006, and other protections for the former creditors of Old Globalstar when they became our minority owners. Other than with respect to the A/B Rights Offering and other provisions which had expired or been fulfilled, we were required to include these provisions in our certificate of incorporation when we became a Delaware corporation in March 2006.
Old Globalstar submitted its Disclosure Statement and Fourth Amended Joint Plan to the Bankruptcy Court on May 3, 2004. The Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan on June 17, 2004, and the Plan became effective on June 29, 2004 (the "Effective Date"). On the Effective Date, Thermo became our majority equity owner and, pursuant to the Plan, all partnership interests in Old Globalstar were cancelled without consideration, Old Globalstar's then 18.75% membership interest in us was distributed to its unsecured creditors and Old Globalstar was dissolved. Globalstar Capital Corporation,
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a former subsidiary of Old Globalstar, remains as a debtor entity responsible for the resolution of claims against Old Globalstar and the wind up of Old Globalstar. We do not have any continuing financial commitment related to the wind up.
Under the Plan and the asset contribution agreement, the holders of allowed claims were provided the right to purchase additional membership units in us in the A/B Rights Offering, which was completed on October 12, 2004. The A/B Rights Offering was divided into two series. The Series A rights allowed holders in the aggregate to purchase 15.12% of our membership units for $8.0 million. The Series B rights allowed holders in the aggregate to purchase 2.50% of our membership units for $4.0 million. The Series A rights were fully subscribed resulting in the issuance of 1,512,000 of our membership units to unsecured creditors of Old Globalstar at a price of $8.0 million. The Series B rights were partially subscribed resulting in the issuance of an additional 46,782 membership units at a price of $749,000. We then redeemed at the same price an equal number of membership units owned by Thermo.
In April 2004, we agreed to purchase mobile phones from QUALCOMM. Effective October 2004, we and QUALCOMM agreed to restate the terms of this transaction. Under the restated agreement, QUALCOMM provided the mobile phones and various accessories to us in exchange for $1,875,000 and 309,278 membership units with a fair value of approximately $5.3 million.
During the course of its financial restructuring, Old Globalstar had developed a business plan predicated on the infusion of capital and the consolidation of certain independent gateway operators. Since 2002, Old Globalstar and the company have consolidated five independent gateway operators, which we believe has brought additional efficiencies to the operation of the Globalstar System and has improved our service and product offerings in North America, Europe, Central America and northern South America. In December 2001, we acquired a 50.1% ownership interest in the Canadian independent gateway operator operations from Vodafone Americas, Inc., which had a joint venture with Loral to be the exclusive Globalstar service provider in Canada. We subsequently acquired the remaining 49.9% ownership interest in the Canadian independent gateway operator from Loral in July 2003 as part of a settlement. In 2002, we consolidated Globalstar USA and Globalstar Caribbean Ltd. (then owned by Vodafone), and acquired a gateway and related assets in France from TE.SA.M., a joint venture of France Telecom, an independent gateway operator serving Western Europe. The acquisition of the Venezuelan gateway from local owners who had acquired it from TE.SA.M. was completed in February 2005, and in January 2006, we acquired all of the stock of various entities which own and operate the independent gateway operator serving Central America. In furtherance of this consolidation strategy, we also have restructured our business relationships with other independent gateway operators and continue to explore additional independent gateway operator acquisitions.
On January 1, 2006, we elected to be taxed as a C corporation. Effective March 17, 2006, we converted from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation. In the conversion, each of the 6,544,218 membership units then held by Thermo became shares of Series C common stock, each of the 692,400 membership units held by QUALCOMM became shares of Series B common stock and all of the remaining then issued and outstanding membership units became shares of Series A common stock.
On July 17, 2006, we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the sale of $100 million of our common stock. The registration statement is not yet effective and is subject to amendment.
Industry
We compete in the global communications industry, with a strong position in the mobile satellite services sector. Mobile satellite services operators provide customers with reliable high-quality voice,
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data and asset tracking services using a network of satellites and ground facilities. Mobile satellite services are usually complementary to, and interconnected with, other forms of terrestrial communications services and infrastructure and are intended to respond to users' desires for connectivity at all times and locations. Customers typically use satellite voice and data communications in situations where existing terrestrial wireline and wireless communications networks are impaired or do not exist. Further, many regions of the world benefit from satellite networks, such as rural and developing areas that lack developed wireless or wireline networks, ocean regions, and regions affected by political conflicts and natural disasters. Northern Sky Research stated in a 2006 report that, "the MSS industry has proven to be invaluable in supporting disaster preparedness and recovery activities, military applications, and other critical civil requirements that require rapidly deployable, reliable and ubiquitous communication services."
Worldwide, government organizations, military and intelligence agencies, natural disaster aid associations, event-driven response agencies and corporate security teams depend on mobile and fixed voice and data communications services on a regular basis. Businesses with global operating scope require reliable communications services when operating in remote locations around the world. Mobile satellite services users span the forestry, maritime, government, oil and gas, mining, leisure, emergency services, construction and transportation sectors, among others. Many existing customers increasingly view satellite communications services as critical to their daily operations.
Over the past two decades, the global mobile satellite services market has experienced significant growth. According to a Gartner report published in November 2005, satellite phones are increasingly the technology of choice for first responders, military, businesses, governments and non-governmental agencies. Furthermore, Gartner has predicted that wireline and wireless carriers will increasingly consider augmenting their communication portfolios by aligning themselves with mobile satellite service providers.
Increasingly, better-tailored, improved-technology products and services are creating new channels of demand for mobile satellite services. Growth in demand for mobile satellite voice services is driven by the declining cost of these services, the diminishing size and lower costs of the handsets, as well as heightened demand by governments, businesses and individuals for ubiquitous global voice coverage. Growth in mobile satellite data services is driven by the rollout of new applications requiring higher bandwidth, as well as low cost data collection and asset tracking devices.
Northern Sky Research has predicted that as service costs continue to decline in our industry, average revenue per user will continue to increase due to increased usage. Furthermore, Northern Sky Research expects units in service in our industry to exhibit a cumulative annual growth rate of 34.2% through 2010, resulting in a 17.9% cumulative annual growth rate in retail revenue.
Communications industry sectors that are relevant to our business include:
Within the major satellite sectors, fixed satellite services and mobile satellite services operators differ significantly from each other. Fixed satellite services providers, such as Intelsat, Eutelsat and SES
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Global, and very small aperture terminals companies, such as Hughes Networks and Gilat Satellite Networks, are characterized by large, often stationary or "fixed," ground terminals that send and receive high-bandwidth signals to and from the satellite network for video and high speed data customers and international telephone markets. On the other hand, mobile satellite services providers, such as our company, Inmarsat and Iridium, focus more on voice, data and asset tracking services, where mobility or small sized terminals are essential. As mobile satellite terminals begin to offer higher bandwidth to support a wider range of applications, we expect mobile satellite services operators will increasingly compete with fixed satellite services operators.
According to Gartner, a low earth orbit system, such as the systems we and Iridium currently operate, causes less transmission delay than a geosynchronous system due to the shorter distance signals have to travel and permits the use of smaller devices like handheld phones.
Currently, our principal mobile satellite services global competitors are Inmarsat and Iridium L.L.C. United Kingdom-based Inmarsat owns and operates a geostationary satellite network and U.S.-based Iridium owns and operates a low earth orbit satellite network. Inmarsat provides communications services, such as telephony, fax, video, email and high-speed data services. Iridium offers narrow-band data, fax and voice communications services. We also compete with several regional mobile satellite services providers that operate geostationary satellites, such as Thuraya Satellite Communications Company, principally in the Middle East and Africa; Mobile Satellite Ventures and Mobile Satellite Ventures Canada in the Americas; and Asian Cellular Satellites in Asia.
Competitive Strengths
We believe that our following competitive strengths position us to enhance our growth and profitability:
Leading Position in Key Vertical Markets. We believe we have a leading market share in many of our targeted vertical markets. Our top revenue-generating vertical markets are government, public safety and disaster relief; recreation and personal; maritime and fishing; and business, financial and insurance. We believe that the findings of Gartner suggest substantial growth potential for our services.
Compelling Service and Product Offerings. We believe we are able to retain our current customers and attract new customers because our pricing plans, which offer rates as low as $0.14 per minute, are the lowest in the mobile satellite services business and our voice services provide the best audio quality in our industry. A report published by Frost & Sullivan in 2002 concluded that our voice services provide audio quality that is superior to that of our principal mobile satellite services competitor and approach that of a good quality cellular call. We believe the voice and data products that we expect to introduce in 2006 and 2007 will be cheaper, lighter and better performing than those previously available to mobile satellite services customers and will be equal to or better than those offered by our competitors. We believe our high quality and low cost services and products offer us a competitive advantage in retaining our current customers and attracting new customers in our vertical markets.
Strong Distribution Network. We believe that our distribution network is productive and provides broad coverage of our target subscriber base in over 120 countries. We utilize a large network of dealers, agents and resellers and a direct sales force to sell the full range of our voice and data products. In addition, we have a direct sales force, consisting of specialists in our key vertical markets, which sell our services and products, including customized data solutions, to government agencies and other key customers. We also offer an internet-based distribution channel at www.globalstar.com. We focus on customers that generate high average revenue per user and, therefore, higher revenue growth for our company. We also sell our services on a wholesale basis to independent gateway operators who resell our services in over 60 countries.
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Existing Global Satellite Communications Network. Our constellation of low earth orbit satellites and terrestrial gateways has been in commercial operation since 2000 and serves as the backbone of our communications network. Gartner has described our satellite constellation as "simple, yet proven technology." We believe our existing network is capable of handling the expected growth in demand for our services, as evidenced by our ability to handle increased usage of over 500% in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina while terrestrial communications networks were impaired. We plan to supplement our constellation by launching our eight spare satellites during 2007.
Broad, Contiguous Spectrum Holdings. We hold licenses to operate a wireless communications network via satellites over 27.85 MHz in two blocks of contiguous global spectrum. Our spectrum can efficiently support advanced wireless technologies because it is located near the personal communications services (PCS) bands. As a result, we should be able to deploy cost effectively the terrestrial component of an ATC network by purchasing and slightly modifying inexpensive, off-the-shelf base station equipment and related wireless equipment.
ATC Services Capability. We believe the ability of our current satellites and ground stations to support ATC services will allow us to introduce these services before our competitors. Our current satellite constellation is capable of integrating with and supporting the provision of ATC services to our customers. We are currently in discussions with several parties to exploit our ATC capabilities. Competitors will be able to implement ATC services on a commercial scale only after they launch new satellites and build ground facilities designed specifically to inter-operate with their satellite services.
International Spectrum Licenses. We have access to our 27.85 MHz of 1.6 and 2.4 GHz frequencies globally, while most of our competitors only have access to spectrum frequencies regionally. In addition to mobile satellite services, we anticipate that our coverage in over 120 countries with operating licenses held directly by us or by independent gateway operators will afford us economies of scale when introducing ATC-like and other new spectrum-based services.
Strategic Relationship with QUALCOMM Incorporated. We are the only satellite network operator currently using the patented QUALCOMM Incorporated CDMA technology, which permits the dynamic selection of the strongest signal available and, we believe, produces a higher audio quality than our competitors' technology. In May 2005, we signed an agreement with QUALCOMM for the manufacture of a complete array of next-generation products, including phones, data modems, car kits and accessories designed for our network. These phones and modems will be smaller, lighter and more feature-rich communications devices than those currently available, and we will offer them at affordable prices. The first of these new products is scheduled to be available beginning in the second half of 2006.
Experienced Management Team. Our senior management team combines experts in wireless and wireline communications with pioneers in the fields of satellite engineering and operations. Our senior satellite managers have an average of 26 years of experience in satellite engineering and operations. Our senior communications managers have an average of 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry.
Our Growth Strategy
Our goal is to be the leading global provider of mobile voice and data communications solutions via satellite. We intend to achieve this objective by:
Continuing Rapid and Profitable Growth of Our Subscriber Base. In 2005, we added approximately 54,000 net subscribers, a 39% growth rate over the number of subscribers at the end of 2004. We intend to continue to increase our penetration of the growing mobile satellite services market and our market share of key vertical markets by continuing to provide compelling service and product offerings
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and utilizing our strong distribution network. In particular, we intend to target the first responder, natural resources and local, state and federal government customers (including homeland security) segments in the United States, Canada and elsewhere. In Europe, we have increased our direct sales effort by hiring several experienced direct sales professionals to manage diverse territories throughout the region. We believe that continuous innovation in our service plans, including "bundled plans" that pool minutes between multiple phones and pricing plans customized for seasonal users, promotes revenue growth and that these new service offerings, together with lower prices for our services and products, will increase our market penetration. In Venezuela, Colombia and Central America, we see significant opportunities to expand our presence in rural telephony, oil and gas and other markets. Northern Sky Research has predicted that total units in-service in our industry will increase from 3.3 million in 2006 to 16.6 million in 2010 and that retail service revenues will increase from $1.8 billion in 2006 to $8.6 billion in 2010. Northern Sky Research has further predicted that the North American region, which accounts for the majority of our revenue, will account for large shares of worldwide market until 2009 and after 2009 will lead all regions worldwide, accounting for 28% of overall revenue.
Improving Our Profitability by Consolidating Our International Distribution Chain. Over the past four years, we have acquired five independent gateway operators in strategic geographic regions. We believe that our independent gateway operator consolidation strategy will better position us to market our services directly to multinational customers requiring a global communications platform. We also believe that our consolidation strategy will increase our overall profitability because it allows us to sell most of our services to customers at retail prices, thus substantially increasing our average revenue per user, compared with selling on a wholesale basis to independent gateway operators.
Expanding Our Coverage and Upgrading Our Service Offerings. We intend to continue to increase the quality and availability of our services. In the second quarter of 2006, we commenced operations at a gateway in Wasilla, Alaska to improve coverage in Alaska, the Yukon Territory, Canada and the Northeast Pacific fishing grounds. We have established a subsidiary to initiate service in South Africa using a gateway that was constructed in 2000 but never placed in service. We plan to deploy, beginning in 2009, a second-generation satellite constellation and upgrade our existing ground facilities to handle broadband data, faster transmission speeds and new hybrid applications.
Developing Next-Generation Devices. In late 2006, we expect to begin selling more technologically advanced satellite phones and data products tailored to meet our customers' evolving service needs and to stimulate additional demand for our services. These new products will have a range of functions common to many popular wireless products. We are also planning to introduce in 2006 and 2007 innovative duplex and simplex data devices that can be used for asset tracking and that are remotely programmable and equipped to monitor a range of variables. We believe that, in each case, the size and weight of our phones and data devices has been reduced while their durability and battery life has been improved. We expect that these advanced devices will stimulate additional demand for our services.
Exploring Opportunities to Maximize the Value of Our Spectrum. We expect the market for wireless applications to continue to grow along with the development of new products capable of transmitting new forms of media and data. We are exploring relationships with a range of communications and media companies to enable us to be among the first in our industry to utilize our spectrum and ATC license for wireless voice, data and video applications. Once an ATC network is fully deployed, end-users will be able to utilize both satellite and terrestrial technologies to complete calls and send or receive data.
Exploiting Our International Spectrum. As a result of our authorization to use our assigned frequencies globally, we can both use our spectrum for mobile satellite services and advocate for the adoption of rules and regulations that would allow us to use our spectrum for ATC-like services around
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the world. We have already begun this effort in Canada and Europe. We also believe that the location of our spectrum will allow us to tailor our service and product offerings to customers based on their specific needs and location.
Sales and Marketing
We sell our products and services through a variety of retail and wholesale channels. Our sales and marketing efforts are tailored to each of our geographic regions and targeted vertical markets. Unlike the cellular industry, we do not conduct costly mass consumer marketing campaigns. Rather, our sales professionals target specific commercial vertical markets and customers with face-to-face meetings, product trials, advertising in publications for those markets and direct mailings. We also focus a large amount of our marketing activity on tradeshows. In 2005, we, our dealers and our resellers attended approximately 200 different tradeshows in North America and Europe, where we sponsored booths and demonstrated our products.
Our distribution managers are responsible for conducting direct sales with key accounts and for managing agent, dealer and reseller relationships in assigned territories. They conduct direct sales with key customers and manage over 750 dealers and agents, with many of the agents and dealers having multiple points of sale. We maintain a sales force presence throughout the United States, including an office in Washington, D.C. dedicated to government-based sales. We also distribute our services and products indirectly through approximately 20 major resellers and value added resellers in the United States and 10 independent gateway operators that employ their own salespeople to sell the full range of our voice and data products and services in approximately 60 countries. Wholesale sales to independent gateway operators represented approximately 11% of our service revenue for the year ended December 31, 2005 and approximately 10% of our service revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2006. No agent, dealer or reseller represented more than 5% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2005 or the three months ended March 31, 2006.
Our typical dealer is a communications services equipment retailer. We offer competitive service and equipment commissions to our network of dealers to encourage increased sales. Since the Reorganization, we have terminated our relationship with numerous underperforming dealers and agents and replaced them with better performing new dealers and agents. We simultaneously developed a "Star Dealer" program that provides for greater commissions and royalties to our top performing dealers. We believe our more stringent dealer and agent requirements and our incentive programs position us to continue to experience growing dealer and agent sales due to a better-trained, focused and motivated sales network.
In addition to sales through our distribution managers, agents, dealers and resellers, customers can place orders through our website at www.globalstar.com or by calling our customer sales office at (877) 728-7466. To encourage internet sales, our website includes special promotional offers that are unavailable elsewhere. We believe that, as awareness of our services grows and our brand name becomes more recognizable, we will experience an increase in our direct internet and phone order sales. Because we do not need to pay a commission or sell our services at reduced margins, our internet and phone sales channels are the most profitable. Our website and call center provide a user-friendly interface with consumers looking for a simple transaction or customer support.
The reseller channel is comprised primarily of communications equipment companies and commercial communications equipment rental companies who retain and bill clients directly, outside of our account maintenance system. Many of our resellers specialize in niche vertical markets where high-use customers are concentrated. We have productive sales arrangements with major resellers to market our services, including some value added resellers who integrate our products into their proprietary end products or applications. Some of our resellers offer our services and products through rental and leasing arrangements.
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Outside of the United States and Canada, the majority of our retail sales are conducted through resellers and independent gateway operators. In 2006, we implemented a new direct sales and marketing program in Europe to bolster our growth in the region and further our strategy of direct contact with customers. Accordingly, we hired several experienced salespeople in Europe who have distribution manager-type responsibilities in each of their assigned territories. We believe that our investment in our European distribution channel and effort to transfer existing customers to our direct sales network will enhance our ability to rapidly grow our subscriber base overseas. We also plan to enter new European territories where our network can provide service but where we have not previously marketed our services and products and to target previously underserved vertical markets in Europe. We are implementing similar changes in the territories served by the gateways we acquired from independent gateway operators in Venezuela and Central America.
Our wholesale operations primarily encompass bulk sales of wholesale minutes to the independent gateway operators around the globe. These independent gateway operators maintain their own subscriber bases that are exclusive to us and promote their own service plans. The independent gateway operator system has allowed us to expand in regions that hold significant growth potential but are harder to serve without sufficient operational scale or where local regulatory requirements or business or cultural norms do not permit us to operate directly. Our wholesale efforts also include our Simplex and duplex data tracking devices.
Set forth below is a list of independent gateway operators as of March 31, 2006:
Location |
Gateway |
Independent Gateway Operators |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Argentina | Bosque Alegre | TE.SA.M Argentina | ||
Australia | Dubbo | Globalstar Australia PTY Limited | ||
Australia | Mount Isa | Globalstar Australia PTY Limited | ||
Australia | Meekatharra | Globalstar Australia PTY Limited | ||
Brazil | Manaus | Globalstar do Brasil | ||
Brazil | Presidente Prudente | Globalstar do Brasil | ||
Brazil | Petrolina | Globalstar do Brasil | ||
China | Beijing | China Spacecom | ||
Italy | Avezzano | Elsacom N.V. | ||
Korea | Yeo Ju | Dacom | ||
Mexico | San Martin | Globalstar de Mexico | ||
Peru | Lurin | TE.SA.M Peru | ||
Russia | Khabarovsk | GlobalTel | ||
Russia | Moscow | GlobalTel | ||
Russia | Novosibirsk | GlobalTel | ||
Turkey | Ogulbey | Globalstar Avrasya |
We do not own or control these independent gateway operators nor do we operate their gateways. We operate directly gateways in the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and France. See "Item 3. Properties."
Services and Products
Our principal services are satellite communications services, including mobile and fixed voice and data services and asset tracking and monitoring services. We introduced our asset tracking and monitoring services in late 2003, and demand for these services has grown rapidly since then. Sales of our services combined accounted for approximately 64% and 68% of our total revenues for the year
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ended December 31, 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2006, respectively. We also sell the related voice and data equipment to our customers, which accounted for approximately 36% and 32% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2006, respectively.
Our Services
Mobile Voice and Data Satellite Communications Services
We offer our mobile voice and data services to customers via numerous monthly plans at price levels that vary depending upon expected usage. Except for Simplex services, subscribers under these plans typically pay an initial activation fee to the agent or dealer, as well as a monthly usage fee to us that entitles the customer to a fixed number of minutes in addition to services such as voicemail, call forwarding, short messaging, email, data compression and internet access. We receive both an activation fee and monthly fee for Simplex services. Extra fees may apply for non-voice services, roaming charges and long-distance calls.
We regularly innovate our service offerings. In August 2004, as part of our strategy to offer "bundled minutes" for heavy use customers, we introduced our Liberty Plans, which allow mobile voice and data users to pay an up-front, annual fee for a certain number of minutes to be used at any time within a one-year period, thus providing flexibility for seasonal and sporadic users. All unused minutes expire at the end of the one-year period. If subscribers use all of their minutes before the end of the one-year period, they may purchase an additional year's worth of minutes or can pay for additional minutes at a somewhat higher "overage" rate. We believe that our mobile voice customers are drawn to our Liberty Plans because of their ability to eliminate monthly overage charges given their unpredictable communications needs. We have seen rapid market acceptance of our Liberty Plans and expect they will continue to be an attractive service offering for customers in many of our vertical markets. These plans also eliminate the need for monthly billings, reduce collection costs and enhance our cash flow.
Fixed Voice and Data Satellite Communications Services
We provide fixed voice and data services in rural villages, at remote industrial, commercial and residential sites and on ships at sea, among other places. Fixed voice and data satellite communications services are in many cases an attractive alternative to mobile satellite communications services in situations where multiple users will access the service within a defined geographic area and cellular or ground phone service is not available. Our fixed units also may be mounted on vehicles, barges and construction equipment and benefit from the ability to have higher gain antennas. Our fixed voice and data service plans are similar to our mobile voice and data plans and offer similar flexibility. In addition to offering monthly service plans, our fixed phones can be configured as pay phones (installed at a central location, for example, in a rural village) that accept tokens, debit cards, prepaid usage cards, or credit cards.
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Set forth below is a comparison of certain retail rate plans that we currently offer to mobile, fixed and data terminal customers in North America and Europe:
Service |
U.S. |
Canada(1) |
Europe(2) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low Monthly Plan | Freedom 50 | Latitude 50 | Voyager 75 | |||||||
bundled minutes: | 50/mo | 50/mo | 75/mo | |||||||
monthly charge: | $ | 50.00 | $ | 45.00 | $ | 63.50 | ||||
implied minute rate: | $ | 1.00 | $ | 0.89 | $ | 0.85 | ||||
additional minute rate: | $ | 0.99 | $ | 1.06 | $ | 1.91 | ||||
High Monthly Plan | Freedom 4000 | Latitude 4000 | Voyager 800 | |||||||
bundled minutes: | 4,000/mo | 4,000/mo | 800/mo | |||||||
monthly charge: | $ | 550.00 | $ | 579.00 | $ | 317.50 | ||||
implied minute rate: | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.41 | ||||
additional minute rate: | $ | 0.49 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.64 | ||||
Low Liberty Plan | Liberty 600 | Enterprise 600 | Liberty 1000 | |||||||
bundled minutes: | 600/yr | 600/yr | 1,000/yr | |||||||
annual charge: | $ | 600.00 | $ | 534.00 | $ | 762.00 | ||||
implied minute rate: | $ | 1.00 | $ | 0.89 | $ | 0.76 | ||||
additional minute rate: | $ | 0.99 | $ | 1.06 | $ | 1.14 | ||||
High Liberty Plan | Liberty 48000 | Enterprise 48000 | Liberty 5000 | |||||||
bundled minutes: | 48,000/yr | 48,000/yr | 5,000/yr | |||||||
annual charge: | $ | 6,600.00 | $ | 6,942.00 | $ | 2,286.00 | ||||
implied minute rate: | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.46 | ||||
additional minute rate: | $ | 0.49 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.89 | ||||
Home Area (bundled minutes) | U.S. and Caribbean | Canada | 23 Euro Countries |
Satellite Data Modem Services
In addition to data utilization through fixed and mobile services described above, we also offer data-only services. Our system is well-suited to handle duplex data transmission. Duplex devices have two-way transmission capabilities; for asset-tracking applications, this enables the customer to control directly their remote assets and perform more complicated monitoring activities. We offer asynchronous and packet data service in all of our territories. Customers can use our products to access the internet, corporate virtual private networks and other customer specific data centers. Satellite data modems are sold principally through integrators and value added resellers, who developed innovative end-market solutions, such as the Safety Star product, designed to address lone worker safety concerns, and the Skyhawk product, designed for maritime use. Our satellite data modems can be activated under any one of our current pricing plans. Satellite data modems are a fast growing product group that provide solutions that are accessible in every region we serve. The revenue that flows from these products provides an important and growing source of recurring service revenue and subscriber equipment sales for us.
Additionally, we offer a data acceleration and compression service to the satellite data modem market. This service increases web-browsing, email and other data transmission speeds without any special equipment or hardware.
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Asset Tracking and Remote Monitoring (Simplex)
Our asset tracking and remote monitoring service, which we refer to as our Simplex service, addresses the market need for a small and cost-effective solution for sending data from remote locations. Simplex is a one-way burst transmission to our network from the Simplex telemetry unit, which may be located, for example, on a container in transit. At the heart of the Simplex service is an application server, which is located at a gateway. This server receives and collates messages from all Simplex telemetry units received on our satellite network. Simplex transmitting devices consist of a Simplex telemetry unit, an application specific sensor, a battery (with up to a seven-year life depending on the number of transmissions) and optional global positioning functionality. The small size of the units makes them attractive for use in applications such as tracking asset shipments, monitoring unattended remote assets, trailer tracking and mobile security. Our Simplex service was introduced in 2003. As of March 31, 2006, there were approximately 25,000 Simplex subscribers, representing approximately 390% growth over Simplex subscribers as of December 31, 2004. Current users include various governmental agencies, including FEMA, the U.S. Army and the Mexican Ministry of Education, as well as commercial and other entities such as General Electric, Dell and The Salvation Army.
Customers are able to realize an efficiency advantage from tracking assets on a single system as opposed to several regional systems. Simplex services are currently available from equipment installed into gateways in North America, Europe, Venezuela, Turkey, Korea, Australia, Peru and Russia. We plan to roll out two additional application servers in 2006 to cover what we view as additional major geographic markets for this service. We sell our Simplex services through value added resellers. Value added resellers purchase the services directly from us by subscribing to various pricing options offered by us to address various applications for this service and resell them to the end user. We receive a monthly subscription service fee and a one-time activation fee for each activated Simplex device.
Our Products
Voice and Data Equipment
Our services are available for use only with equipment designed to work on our network, which is typically sold to users in conjunction with an initial service plan. Our mobile phones, similar to ordinary cellular phones, are simple to use. Further, we expect that our new mobile phones from QUALCOMM will be among the smallest, lightest and least-expensive satellite phones available.
Currently, QUALCOMM manufactures all of our mobile phones and most of our accessories. QUALCOMM currently offers GSP-1600 tri-mode units that work on AMPS (the North American analog cellular standard) and CDMA digital cellular networks, as well as on our satellite system. We anticipate that our inventory of GSP-1600s will be depleted later in 2006 or in 2007 as we begin sales of GSP-1700 phones.
Our fixed phones are manufactured by QUALCOMM and Ericsson. We buy GSP-2900s from QUALCOMM and have a substantial inventory of Ericsson EF-200s to meet customers' demands. Ericsson does not plan to manufacture any additional EF-200s.
In May 2005, we entered into an agreement with QUALCOMM to manufacture next-generation mobile devices. Under this agreement, QUALCOMM agreed to supply us with what we project will be a supply of advanced mobile phone units and accessories and advanced data products sufficient to supply our expected demand through 2009. In the second half of 2006, we will begin offering the new satellite-only GSP-1700 phone, which will be an update to the currently offered GSP-1600. The new phones will include a user-friendly color LCD screen and a rugged, water resistant case available in multiple colors. The phones are expected to be a significant improvement over earlier-generation equipment, and we believe that the advantages will drive increased adoption from prospective users as well as increased revenue from our existing subscribers.
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In addition to our principal products described above, we offer a large selection of related accessories for our line of phones, including car kits, cigarette lighter adapters, wall chargers, travel chargers and remote antennas. Under our agreement with QUALCOMM, they also will produce for us second generation car kits and other accessories. We believe that sales of these high-margin accessories, especially of car kits, also drive additional product usage, which in turn results in higher service revenue.
In addition to traditional satellite handsets, we sell multiple specialized products designed to address the specific needs of certain attractive end-user markets including the emergency response, maritime and aviation markets. These products include:
Emergency Response. The recently developed Globalstar Emergency Management Communications System (GEMCOMS) is comprised of five Globalstar fixed phones conveniently mounted in a container that allows for quick deployment, set-up and operation in an emergency situation. The GEMCOMS can operate as a standalone unit (allowing up to five simultaneous Globalstar phone calls) or be combined with a small and relatively inexpensive "picocell" to provide an almost instantaneous local cellular capability in areas where the infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. GEMCOMs operate like stand-alone cellular phone site. Prototypes of this system were made available to FEMA for use in support of the disaster relief efforts for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
Maritime. We provide mobile satellite services specialized for the maritime market through equipment manufactured and sold by SeaTel Wavecall. SeaTel Wavecall currently produces two maritime products: the Wavecall 3000 and the Wavecall MCM3. The Wavecall 3000 provides a voice and data capability for maritime users with up to 9.6 Kbps (with compressed speeds of up to 38.4 Kbps) data throughput while the MCM3 provides voice and data with a throughput of up to 28.8 Kbps (with compressed speeds of up to 144 Kbps). The omni directional antenna (available on all our products) and small physical package provides a significant savings in both equipment and airtime costs compared to competitive systems. Key users of the WaveCall 3000 include the United States Coast Guard and commercial fishermen. In addition, we are developing our own maritime fixed product for initial sales in the second half of 2006.
Aviation. Our aviation products are specially designed for use in helicopters, waterbombers, U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard surveillance and rescue, commercial, general aviation and transport aircraft. Our products are small and lightweight relative to competitive products and are both FAA certified and flight test proven. We have worked with two major companies in the airline industry to identify the service features and necessary regulatory requirements to provide a wireless in-cabin voice and data service to passengers. Our products are sold by avionic companies, including Sagem Avionics, Geneva Aerospace and Northern Airborne Technologies, to customers including the U.S. Army and Air Force.
Data-Only Equipment
The satellite data modem model GSP-1620 duplex data device developed and manufactured by QUALCOMM provides packet data and data processing capability over our network. The satellite data modem model GSP-1620 has compressed speeds of up to 38.4 Kbps and is highly programmable to meet multiple applications.
Selected New Products in Development
GSM Picocell System. We expect to offer a proprietary picocell product in 2007. The system will allow for global standards for mobile communications, or GSM, cellular service in remote areas by backhauling signaling and voice services over our network through a picocell unit. Picocells will be available in any of the four GSM frequencies. The service will have terrestrial, maritime and aviation
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applications and given our user testing we expect to see strong initial demand from our target markets, including remote emergency response organizations, off-shore petroleum operators and cruise ships.
Multi-Channel Modem. In the first half of 2006, we introduced our multi-channel modem to the market. We offer the new multi-channel modem with either four or eight modem boards and a single remote antenna which facilitates data rates up to 76.8 Kbps (with compressed speeds of between 144 and 256 Kbps). We expect this product to be attractive to corporate customers requiring downloads of data at higher speeds and to surveillance and security companies that require simultaneous voice and data applications, such as video security monitoring and telephone service from remote locations. Additionally, the U.S. government is testing this product to determine its suitability for security monitoring and transmission of video images from fixed and mobile platforms. The relative benefits are that (1) a high rate data service is available from the network via a relatively small electronics package at our low usage rates and (2) the product allows simultaneous voice and data availability at higher than a single 9.6 Kbps data rate.
QUALCOMM GSP-1720 Satellite Data Modem. We expect to introduce the GSP-1720 modem in the first quarter of 2007. This will be a new satellite data modem board with multiple antenna configurations and an enlarged set of commands for modem control and will be smaller, less expensive and easier to operate than our current product. We expect this new board will be attractive to integrators because it will have more user interfaces that are easily programmable, which will make it easier for value added resellers to integrate the satellite modem processing with the specific application (e.g., monitoring and controlling oil and gas pumps, monitoring and controlling electric power plants and more economically facilitating security and control monitoring of remote facilities).
Customers
The specialized needs of our global customers span many vertical markets. Our system is able to offer our customers cost-effective communications solutions in areas underserved or unserved by existing telecommunications infrastructures. While traditional users of wireless telephony and broadband data services have access to these services in developed locations, our targeted customers often operate or live in remote or under-developed regions where these services are not readily available or are not provided on a reliable basis.
Our vertical markets include government, public safety and disaster relief; recreation and personal; maritime and fishing; business, financial and insurance; natural resources, mining and forestry; oil and gas; construction; utilities; and transportation. We focus our attention on obtaining customers who will be long-term users of our products and services and will generate high average revenue per user. The following is a discussion of these markets.
Government, Public Safety and Disaster Relief. In the United States and Canada, our customers in the government, public safety and disaster relief sector represent one of our largest and most critical vertical markets, and constituted 24% of our total subscribers in those regions at December 31, 2005. We conduct business with many major federal, state, provincial and local government agencies, including, in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Department of Defense, NASA and every branch of the U.S. Military, as well as state and local governments, police departments, hospitals and first response teams. In Canada, we conduct business with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and with many additional federal and provincial agencies. Relief agencies such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and FEMA generate significant demand for both our voice and data products, especially during the late summer months in anticipation of the hurricane season in North America. Our Simplex service facilitates tracking and managing the distribution of movable hard assets such as generators, trucks, trailers and relief supplies to disaster areas, while our fixed and mobile voice terminals enable relief workers and victims to communicate in areas where terrestrial service is no longer operational. We provide customized communications solutions to various
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departments of the U.S. government, enabling them to monitor logistics status, position reporting and vehicle tracking and performance status, as well as two-way voice communications services. Expansion of our government business both in the United States and throughout the rest of the world represents a significant growth opportunity, and we expect that our relationships with various government agencies will bolster our leadership position in the mobile satellite services industry. Aggregate sales to all U.S. government agencies constituted approximately 15% of our revenue for 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2006. U.S. government agencies may terminate their contracts with us at any time without penalty.
Recreation and Personal. Outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, international leisure travelers, recreational fishermen, backpackers, commercial outfitters, remote lodge owners and nature tour groups use our services for recreational and personal leisure activities and constituted 20% of our U.S. and Canadian customers at December 31, 2005. Our network coverage extends beyond shorelines and provides recreational sailors and recreational fishermen an affordable satellite communications solution. Hunters, hikers and backpackers carry our mobile phones with them to maintain a reliable communications link with the outside world, report emergencies and check voicemail and email.
Maritime and Fishing. Customers in all segments of the maritime industry, including commercial fishing, workboat, transport and recreational maritime, use our services for their primary fleet and ship-to-shore communications and constituted 12% of our U.S. and Canadian customers at December 31, 2005. Commercial fishing customers use voice services as their primary communications to coordinate fishing locations with other boats in their fleet and for ship-to-shore communications to arrange docking times or order parts, check landing prices and manage onshore operations. In addition, they use data services for weather and oceanic conditions, which are key to improving their fishing productivity and communicating with government fisheries departments. Commercial fishing users are located primarily in the Pacific Northwest and northern Atlantic fishing regions. Marine transport customers use voice services as their primary ship-to-shore communications while they transport oil from Valdez, Alaska. Additionally, there is a strong demand for voice and data services throughout the Gulf of Mexico for boats servicing offshore oil rigs and for workboats traveling offshore and up the Mississippi River.
Business, Financial and Insurance. We provide critical primary and back-up communications services to a variety of users in the financial services industry, which constituted 8% of our U.S. and Canadian customers at December 31, 2005. For example, insurance adjustors use our devices while working in remote locations or surveying disaster areas where traditional communications infrastructure is not available or no longer functioning. We also provide back-up communications to financial institutions, banks and investment houses. In addition, a number of customers buy our equipment for their employees who routinely travel to remote or overseas locations.
Natural Resources, Mining and Forestry. Natural resources, mining and forestry customers rely on our communications services to conduct their businesses. These customers constituted 5% of our U.S. and Canadian customers at December 31, 2005. Forestry workers in the field utilize our mobile communications services to patrol remote areas. Timber harvesting workers use mobile voice services to scout sites, coordinate logistics and monitor operations. A significant portion of forestry work occurs in mountainous areas in the northwestern United States and western Canada that lack either wireless or wireline communications networks. Similarly, mining companies use our mobile services to survey new mining opportunities and conduct operations in remote geographies that are not served by cellular communications networks. Once a mine is in operation, our customers tend to install fixed communications terminals that provide essential voice and data service to the mine. Miners use our devices to communicate with other miners, remain in touch with central business hubs and report emergencies.
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Oil and Gas. Oil and gas companies are typically our highest average revenue per user customers as they require satellite-based communications to carry out their routine business. They constituted 5% of our U.S. and Canadian customers at December 31, 2005. Oil and gas companies equip their engineers with our equipment for scouting new drilling opportunities and for conducting routine operations in remote areas. There is an essential need for reliable communication to manage effectively oil, gas and energy extraction operations, which results in very high usage levels for those companies. Moreover, off-shore drilling platforms and oil tankers are equipped with our terminals capable of sending and receiving data and voice transmissions.
Construction. Construction companies, which constituted 3% of our U.S. and Canadian customers at December 31, 2005, use our mobile voice phones primarily for constructing new facilities in rural areas. Contractors rely on our mobile devices to maintain contact with sub-contractors, suppliers and architects. Until a remote construction site is connected to a local telecommunications network, our phones often serve as the sole form of communication for site workers. Within the construction industry, drilling and cement companies represent a large customer base. Due to the hazardous nature of construction work, maintaining a reliable communications link at remote construction and drilling sites is critical in the event of an accident or other emergency.
Utilities. Utility customers, which constituted 3% of our U.S. and Canadian customers at December 31, 2005, use our services for both normal and emergency operations. For normal operations, our data modems connect on-truck laptops with headquarters to manage work orders and maintain field operations control. During emergencies, our voice services are used to coordinate crew deployment to restore utility services or to keep remote field workers in touch after an accident.
Transportation. Customers in the transportation sector, which constituted 2% of our U.S. and Canadian customers at December 31, 2005, use our Simplex services to monitor the location of their vehicles, trailers and assets, such as containers and use our duplex data and voice products to facilitate two-way voice and data communications with drivers. Long distance drivers have a need for reliable communication with both dispatchers and their destinations to coordinate changing business needs and our satellite network provides continuous communications coverage while in transit.
Our Spectrum
We hold licenses to operate a wireless communications network via satellite over 27.85 MHz in two blocks of contiguous global radio frequency spectrum. Access to this spectrum enables us to design satellites, network and terrestrial infrastructure enhancements cost effectively because the products and services can be deployed and sold worldwide. This broad spectrum assignment enhances our ability to capitalize on existing and emerging wireless and broadcast applications.
We believe there are limited options for new spectrum allocations to other companies, while utilization of existing spectrum is growing quickly. Our spectrum location near the PCS bands should allow us to deploy cost effectively the terrestrial component of an ATC network by leveraging existing terrestrial wireless infrastructures. Further, we believe the ability of our current network to support ATC services will allow us to introduce new services and capabilities before our competitors.
The FCC has allocated a total of 40 MHz of spectrum at 2 GHz for mobile satellite services. This augments the mobile satellite services spectrum at 1.6 and 2.4 GHz (licensed to us and Iridium) and 1.5 and 1.6 GHz (licensed to Mobile Satellite Ventures, Inmarsat and several foreign operators). In 2001, we received a license to use a portion of this 2 GHz spectrum. In February 2003, the FCC's International Bureau cancelled our authorization based upon our alleged inability to meet future construction milestones and, in June 2004, the FCC affirmed this cancellation. We have asked for reconsideration of the cancellation. In December 2005, the FCC assigned all of the 40 MHz of available spectrum to TMI/TerreStar and ICO Global Communications Company, although the order
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granting this was made specifically subject to the outcome of our request for reconsideration. In addition to petitioning for reinstatement of our 2 GHz license, in a separate proceeding we also have challenged the assignment of all of the spectrum to TMI/TerreStar and ICO Global Communications as unlawful and contrary to well-established FCC policy.
Domestic and Foreign Revenue
We supply services and products to a number of foreign customers. Although most of our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, we are exposed to currency risk for sales in Canada and Europe. The following table shows our revenue from sales to both foreign and domestic customers:
|
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Combined(1) |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Domestic Revenue | 44 | % | 46 | % | 49 | % | 43 | % | 40 | % | |
Foreign Revenue | 56 | % | 54 | % | 51 | % | 57 | % | 60 | % | |
Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |
Our Network
Our satellite network includes 43 in-orbit low earth orbit satellites, including in-orbit spares temporarily placed into service and satellites that are temporarily out of service but are considered restorable. The design of our orbital planes and the positioning of our ground stations ensure that generally at least two satellites, and often more, are visible to subscribers from any point on the earth's surface between 70o north latitude to 70o south latitude, covering most of the world's population. All of our satellites are virtually identical in design and manufacture, and each satellite contributes equally to the constellation performance, which allows satellite diversity for mitigation of service gaps from individual satellite outages. Our constellation orbits in a 40-satellite configuration known as a "Walker pattern" orbital geometry. Each satellite has a high degree of on-board subsystem redundancy, an on-board fault detection system and isolation and recovery for safe and quick risk mitigation. The design of our space and ground control system facilitates the real time intervention and management of the satellite constellation and service upgrades via hardware and software enhancements.
Our satellites communicate with a network of 25 gateways, each of which serves an area of approximately 700,000 to 1,000,000 square miles. Each gateway has multiple antennas that communicate with our satellites and pass calls seamlessly between antenna beams and satellites as the satellites traverse the gateways, thereby reflecting the signals from our users' terminals to our gateways. Once a satellite acquires a signal from an end-user, the user is authenticated by the serving gateway and then the voice or data channel is established to complete the call to the public switched telephone network, to a cellular or another wireless network, or, in the case of a Simplex data call, to the internet.
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We believe that our terrestrial gateways provide a number of advantages over the in-orbit switching used by Iridium, including better call quality and convenient regionalized local phone numbers for inbound calling. We also believe that our network's design, which relies on terrestrial gateways rather than in-orbit switching, enables faster and more cost-effective system maintenance and upgrades because the system's software and much of its hardware is based on the ground. Our multiple gateways allow us to reconfigure our system quickly to extend another gateway's coverage to make up some or all of the coverage of a disabled gateway or to handle increased call capacity resulting from surges in demand.
Our network uses QUALCOMM's patented CDMA technology to permit dynamic selection of the strongest available signals. Patented receivers in our handsets track the pilot channel or signaling channel as well as three additional communications channels simultaneously. Compared to other satellite and network architectures, we offer superior call clarity, virtually no discernable delay and a low incidence of dropped calls. The worldwide call success rate average for all of our users varies between 79% and 82%. Our system architecture provides full frequency re-use. This maximizes diversity (which maximizes quality) and maximizes capacity as the assigned spectrum can be reused in every satellite beam in every satellite. Our network also works with Internet protocol data for reliable transmission of IP messages. We have a long-standing relationship with QUALCOMM for the manufacture of our phone handsets, data terminals, gateway hardware and equipment.
Although our network is CDMA-based, it is configured so that we can also support one or more other air interfaces that we select in the future. For example, we have developed a non-CDMA technology to offer Simplex data services. Because our satellites are essentially "mirrors in the sky," and all of our network's switches and hardware are located on the ground, we can easily and relatively inexpensively modify our ground hardware and software to use other wave forms to meet customer demands for new and innovative services and products. At this time, we are developing several inexpensive additional products and services which will operate in this manner.
We believe our in-space constellation will provide a commercially acceptable quality of service into 2010. We have eight spare satellites in ground storage and anticipate launching these during 2007 to augment our constellation. We plan to place the eight satellites as needed into vacant constellation slots or as in-plane spares. We have negotiated a launch service agreement with Starsem for the spare satellites.
In addition to our spare satellites in storage, we own spare parts for our gateways. We have in storage 28 complete and 3 partial antennas and 8 complete and 3 partial gateways. We selectively replace parts as necessary, and anticipate that this supply will sufficiently serve all of our gateway needs throughout the expected life of our existing satellite constellation.
Due to the nature of our satellite constellation, we do not carry in-orbit insurance on our current satellite constellation. We plan on insuring the launch of each of our eight spare satellites. Prior to launching these satellites, we will evaluate all the launch insurance options available to us. We do not plan on insuring the spare satellites once they are safely in orbit.
We intend to insure the launch of our eight spare satellites to supplement our existing low earth orbit constellation, but we do not, and do not intend to, insure our existing satellites during their remaining in-orbit operational lives. We anticipate our eight spare satellites will be launched on two rockets, each carrying four satellites. Launch insurance currently costs approximately 5% to 10% of the insured value of the satellite (including launch costs), but may vary depending on market conditions and the safety record of the launch vehicle. Even if a lost satellite is fully insured, acquiring a replacement satellite may be difficult and time consuming. Furthermore, the insurance does not cover lost revenue.
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We expect any launch failure insurance policies that we obtain to include specified exclusions, deductibles and material change limitations. Typically, these insurance policies exclude coverage for damage arising from acts of war, lasers, and other similar potential risks for which exclusions are customary in the industry at the time the policy is written.
We are currently designing the architecture of our second-generation of satellites. We are considering several alternative structures, including both low earth orbit and geostationary configurations.
Satellite Constellation Operations
Old Globalstar started commercial service in 2000 with a 48-satellite constellation, four in-orbit spare satellites and eight spare satellites in storage. In response to satellite failures and anomalies, we reconfigured the satellite constellation in mid-2003 from a 48-satellite constellation to a 40-satellite constellation with in-orbit spares. We have maintained the eight orbital planes but now have five service satellites per plane. This constellation transition was achieved with no impact to the service coverage area and with only a modest reduction in the deliverable call capacity of the constellation. Due to continued satellite diversity within the constellation (more than one satellite in view), call quality and call success rates, and thus the customer's experience, were largely unaffected.
We monitor the health of our satellites for quick identification of "out-of-family" conditions. Our control phones located at selected gateways, which are placed in clear line of sight to the sky, make three-minute calls every 10 minutes and are used to recognize and pinpoint problems quickly if they occur on the system. These phones have a call success rate of over 98%. We recently hired an independent third party consultant to conduct a survey on the health of our satellites. The report confirmed that the constellation should provide a commercially acceptable quality of service into 2010, assuming the spares are launched during 2007 and that no major new anomalies are detected and those anomalies currently known are controlled satisfactorily.
From time to time, individual satellites in our constellation experience operating problems that may result in a temporary satellite outage, but due to satellite diversity within the constellation, the individual satellite outages typically do not negatively affect our customers' use of our system.
Old Globalstar experienced its first satellite failure in March 2001. Eight other satellites have failed subsequently. Eight of these nine failures have been attributed to a common anomaly in the satellite communication subsystem S-band antenna. We have subsequently learned how to control and mitigate this type of anomaly. The other satellite loss was attributed to a unique and typically non-fatal anomaly where successful recovery was precluded by degraded performance of the satellite command receiver subassembly.
We have categorized three types of anomalies among the satellites in our constellation that, if they materialize throughout the satellite constellation, have the potential for a significant operational impact. These include an electrical short, frequently temporary, in the communications S-band antenna that provides the forward link between the satellite and the user; degraded performance and potentially an eventual failure of the command receivers used for satellite command and control; and degraded performance over time of the solid-state power amplifiers of the S-band communications antenna.
Although we have implemented procedures for minimizing the impact of these individual satellite events to the overall performance of our satellite constellation, we also are taking steps to improve our in-orbit sparing to extend the life of the constellation. In addition to increasing in-orbit sparing through the reconfiguration of the constellation in 2003, we will further replenish our constellation by launching our eight spare satellites during 2007. We have executed contracts for post-storage testing of the satellites, re-procurement of new cells for the flight batteries and launch services. We plan to construct
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and launch a replacement satellite constellation prior to the end of the useful life of this constellation, although no procurement commitment has been made at this time.
Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC)
Background
In February 2003, the FCC adopted rules that permit satellite service providers to establish ATC networks. ATC authorization enables the integration of a satellite-based service with terrestrial wireless services, resulting in a hybrid mobile satellite services/ATC network designed to provide advanced services and broad coverage throughout the United States. The ATC network would extend our services to urban areas and inside buildings where satellite services currently are impractical. We believe we are at the forefront of ATC development and are actively working to be among the first market entrants. For a description of the FCC's ATC rules and our authorization to provide ATC services, see "RegulationUnited States FCC RegulationATC."
The equipment used for ATC is very much like the equipment used in cellular and PCS networks. In demonstrations in New York and Washington D.C. in July 2002, we used a picocell device to permit our satellite phones, operating at our frequencies, to be used both indoors (where satellite service is unavailable) through the modified PICO cell and outdoors through our satellites and ground stations. This demonstrated our ability to make and receive ATC calls using our mobile satellite services spectrum under the authority of an FCC experimental license.
ATC frequencies are designated in previously satellite-only bands at 1.5 GHz, 1.6 GHz, 2 GHz and 2.5 GHz. On January 20, 2006, we were granted authorization by the FCC to operate an ATC network initially over 11 MHz of our spectrum. This spectrum is divided into 5.5 MHz in the L-band and 5.5 MHz in the S-band. We have filed for ATC authorization for the balance of our spectrum. Outside the U.S., other countries are actively considering implementing regulations to facilitate ATC services. We are committed to pursuing ATC licenses in those jurisdictions as regulations are implemented and new revenue opportunities are presented.
In keeping with the FCC's decision, ATC must be complementary or ancillary to mobile satellite services in an "integrated service offering," which can be achieved by using "dual-mode" handsets capable of transmitting and receiving mobile satellite services and ATC signals. Further, user subscriptions that include ATC services must also include mobile satellite subscription services. Because of these requirements, the number of potential early stage competitors in providing ATC services is limited, as only mobile satellite services operators who are offering commercial services can provide ATC services. At the time we commence ATC operations, we must meet all of the FCC's authorization requirements, including an in-orbit spare requirement.
ATC Opportunities
We believe we are uniquely positioned to benefit from the development of our ATC license given our existing in-orbit satellite fleet and ground stations. Unlike several of our competitors, our existing constellation and ground stations are technically capable of accommodating ATC operations. Even with high-bit rate applications, we believe that our network and spectrum are sufficient to meet the demanding requirements of the current and next generation of wireless services.
We could offer the following terrestrial services, among others, with ATC:
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We are considering a range of options for rollout of our ATC services. We are exploring selective opportunities with a variety of media and communications companies to capture the full potential of our spectrum and ATC license.
Northern Sky Research has predicted that the ATC market will account for 29% of all in-service mobile satellite units and 16% of industry retail revenues by the end of 2010.
Competition
The global communications industry is highly competitive. We currently face substantial competition from other service providers that offer a range of mobile and fixed communications options. Our most direct competition comes from other global mobile satellite services providers. Our two largest global competitors are Inmarsat and Iridium. We compete primarily on the basis of coverage, quality, portability and pricing of services and products.
Inmarsat has been a provider of global communications services since 1982. Inmarsat owns and operates a fleet of geostationary satellites. Due to its geostationary system, Inmarsat's coverage area extends and covers most bodies of water more completely than we do. Accordingly, Inmarsat is the leading provider of satellite communications services to the maritime sector. Inmarsat also offers global land-based and aeronautical communications services. Inmarsat generally does not sell directly to customers. Rather, it markets its products and services principally through a variety of distributors, including Stratos Global Corporation, Telenor Satellite Services, the France Telecom Group, KDDI Corporation and The SingTel Group, who, in most cases, sell to additional downstream entities who sell to the ultimate customer. We compete with Inmarsat in several key areas, particularly in our maritime markets. We believe that the size and functionality of our mobile handsets and data devices are superior to Inmarsat's fixed units, which tend to be significantly bulkier and more cumbersome to operate. In addition, our products generally are substantially less expensive than those of Inmarsat.
Iridium owns and operates a fleet of low earth orbit satellites that is similar to our network of satellites. Iridium entered into bankruptcy protection in March 2000 and was out of service from March 2000 to January 2001. Since Iridium emerged from bankruptcy in 2001, we have faced increased competition from Iridium in some of our target markets. Iridium provides data and voice services at rates of up to 2.4 Kbps, which is approximately 25% of our uncompressed speed.
We compete with regional mobile satellite communications services in several markets. In these cases, the majority of our competitors' customers require regional, not global, mobile voice and data services, so our competitors present a viable alternative to our services. All of these competitors operate geostationary satellites. Our regional mobile satellite services competitors currently include Thuraya, principally in the Middle East and Africa; Asian Cellular Satellites in Asia; Mobile Satellite Ventures and Mobile Satellite Ventures Canada in the Americas; and Optus MobileSat in Australia.
In some of our vertical markets, such as rural telephony, we compete directly or indirectly with very small aperature terminal operators that offer communications services through private networks using very small aperature terminals or hybrid systems to target business users. Very small aperture terminal operators have become increasingly competitive due to technological advances that have resulted in smaller, more flexible and cheaper terminals.
We compete indirectly with terrestrial wireline (landline) and wireless communications networks. We provide service in areas that are inadequately covered by these ground systems. To the extent that terrestrial communications companies invest in underdeveloped areas, we will face increased competition in those areas. We believe that local telephone companies currently are reluctant to invest
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in new switches and landlines to expand their networks in rural and remote areas due to high costs and to decreasing demand and line loss associated with wireless telephony. Many of the underdeveloped areas are sparsely populated so it would be difficult to generate the necessary returns on the capital expenditures required to build terrestrial wireless networks in such areas. We believe that our solutions offer a cost-effective and reliable alternative to ground-based wireline and wireless systems and that continued growth and utilization will allow us to further lower costs to consumers.
Our industry has significant barriers to entry, including the cost and difficulty associated with obtaining spectrum licenses and successfully building and launching a satellite network. In addition to cost, there is a significant amount of lead-time associated with obtaining the required licenses, building the satellite constellation and synchronizing the network technology. We will continue to face competition from Inmarsat and Iridium and other businesses that have developed global mobile satellite communications services in particular regions. We will also face competition from incipient ATC service providers who are currently designing a core satellite operating business and a terrestrial component around their spectrum holdings.
Employees
As of March 31, 2006, we had 318 full-time employees and five part-time employees, none of whom is subject to any collective bargaining agreement. We consider our employee relations to be good.
Intellectual Property
At March 31, 2006, we held 78 U.S. patents with eight additional U.S. patents pending and 16 foreign patents with 13 additional foreign patents pending. These patents cover many aspects of our satellite system, our global network and our user terminals. In recent years, we have reduced our foreign filings and allowed some previously-granted foreign patents to lapse based on (a) the significance of the patent, (b) our assessment of the likelihood that someone would infringe in the foreign country, and (c) the probability that we could or would enforce the patent in light of the expense of filing and maintaining the foreign patent which, in some countries, is quite substantial. We continue to maintain all of our important patents in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Regulation
United States FCC Regulation
Mobile Satellite Services Spectrum and Satellite Constellation.
Our satellite constellation and four U.S. gateways are licensed by the FCC. Our system is sometimes called a "Big LEO" (for "low earth orbit") system.
We hold regulatory authorization for two pairs of frequencies on our current system: user links (from the user to the satellites, and vice versa) in the 1610 - 1621.35 and 2483.5 - 2500 MHz bands and feeder links (from the gateways to the satellites, and vice versa) in the 5091 - 5250 and 6875 - 7055 MHz bands. The FCC authorizes the operation of our satellite constellation and gateways and mobile phones in the United States. Gateways outside the United States are licensed by the respective national authorities.
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Our subsidiary, Globalstar USA, LLC ("GUSA") is authorized by the FCC to distribute mobile and fixed subscriber terminals and to operate gateways in the United States. GUSA holds a license for a gateway in Texas and has applications pending for gateways in Florida and Alaska. In July 2005, the FCC granted GUSA special temporary authority to operate the Florida gateway for 60 days; the FCC repeatedly has renewed this authority for additional 60-day terms. In May 2006, GUSA obtained similar temporary authority to operate the Alaska gateway. We anticipate that the FCC will continue to renew these special temporary authority approvals for the Florida and Alaska gateways until it acts on GUSA's pending applications for permanent authority. Another subsidiary, Globalstar Caribbean Ltd. ("GCL"), a Cayman Islands company, holds an FCC license to operate a gateway in Puerto Rico. GCL is also subject to regulation by the Puerto Rican regulatory agency.
ATC.
In January 2006, the FCC granted our application to add an ATC service to our existing mobile satellite services. ATC authorization enables the integration of a satellite-based service with terrestrial wireless services, resulting in a hybrid mobile satellite services/ATC network designed to provide advanced services and ubiquitous coverage throughout the United States. The FCC regulates mobile satellite services operators' ability to provide ATC-related services, and our authorization is predicated on compliance with and achievement of various "gating criteria" adopted by the FCC in February 2003 and summarized below.
In March 2005, we filed an application to implement this authority and to provide ATC services. On January 20, 2006, the FCC authorized us to provide ATC services using 11 MHz of our spectrum, 5.5 MHz in our L-band and 5.5 MHz in our S-band. In June 2006 we petitioned the FCC to authorize us to use all of our remaining spectrum for ATC services. Based upon the February 2003 FCC order adopting the ATC rules, we anticipate that the FCC will authorize us to use more of our spectrum for ATC service.
2GHz Spectrum.
On July 17, 2001, the FCC granted us and seven other applicants authorizations to construct, launch and operate mobile satellite services systems in the 2 GHz mobile satellite services band, subject to strict milestone requirements. In the case of foreign-licensed applicants, the FCC "reserved" spectrum but required the foreign applicants to meet the same milestones as the domestic applicants. The FCC originally allocated 70 MHz (two 35 MHz paired blocks) of spectrum for this mobile satellite service but later reduced the allocation to 40 MHz (two 20 MHz paired blocks), reallocating 30 MHz to terrestrial wireless services. Each applicant received a base allocation of 3.5 MHz of paired spectrum with the opportunity to gain additional spectrum upon launch of its system. Systems were required to be constructed in compliance with certain milestones, the first of which was executing a non-contingent
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contract by July 17, 2002 for the construction of a system. We believe that we met this first milestone by entering into a non-contingent contract with Space Systems/Loral on July 16, 2002. Although we had not yet reached subsequent milestone dates, we requested the FCC to grant certain waivers of later milestones. On January 30, 2003, the FCC's International Bureau denied our waivers and declared our 2 GHz license to be null and void. In June 2004, the FCC declined to reverse that decision, and we requested reconsideration, which request remains pending. Subsequently, all but two of the other licensees (TMI/TerreStar, a Canadian company licensed by Industry Canada, and ICO Global Communications, a company licensed in the U.K.) either surrendered their licenses or had them canceled. In June 2005, the FCC requested public comment on whether it should divide the remaining 40 MHz of mobile satellite services spectrum between the two remaining foreign licensees, reallocate some of the spectrum to other uses or accept new applications. We argued that the FCC should retain all of the spectrum for mobile satellite services, reinstate our canceled 2 GHz license, and grant each of us, TMI/TerreStar and ICO Global Communications one-third of the 40 MHz.
On December 9, 2005, the FCC decided to retain a 40 MHz allocation for mobile satellite services but to assign it all to TMI/TerreStar and ICO Global Communication, both of which are non-U.S. corporations, although the reservation was made expressly subject to the outcome of our request for reconsideration of the invalidation of our 2 GHz license. We believe that this action by the FCC reserving all of the spectrum for two companies is inconsistent with the facts and law and have petitioned the FCC to reconsider its decision. If the FCC adheres to this decision, we expect to pursue our available legal remedies, including appealing the FCC's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Any appeal is not likely to be decided before 2007.
Spectrum Sharing.
In July 2004, the FCC issued a decision requiring us and Iridium to share the 1618.25 - 1621.35 MHz portion of our 1610 - 1621.35 MHz band. We share this portion of the band with Iridium on a "co-primary" basis for uplink usage, but we retain priority and are "primary" with respect to the downlink usage in this band. Previously, Iridium had exclusive access to 1621.35 - 1626.5 MHz, and, except for the requirement to protect certain radio astronomy operations, we had exclusive access to 1610 - 1621.35 MHz. We have requested reconsideration of certain portions of this decision, including the specific frequencies that must be shared with Iridium and the technical requirements that will govern the sharing. The FCC has not yet acted on our request. Iridium has sought to extend the sharing over an additional 2.25 MHz of our spectrum, which we have vigorously opposed. We do not expect the FCC to grant Iridium's request for more shared spectrum, in part because Iridium is not using the portion of our spectrum in which it already has sharing rights.
Also in the July 2004 decision, the FCC stated it expects us and Iridium to reach a mutually acceptable coordination agreement. In the same decision, the FCC required us to share the 2496 - 2500 MHz portion of our downlink spectrum with certain Broadband Radio Service fixed wireless licensees and with about 100 "grandfathered" Broadcast Auxiliary Service licensees. We expect the latter to be relocated out of the band by about 2009. Although we requested reconsideration of certain of the rules that will govern our sharing with these Broadband Radio Service and Broadcast Auxiliary Service licensees, the FCC affirmed this portion of its decision in an order issued in April 2006.
International Coordination
Our system operates in frequencies which were allocated on an international basis for mobile satellite services user links and mobile satellite services feeder links. We are required to engage in international coordination procedures with other proposed mobile satellite services systems under the aegis of the International Telecommunications Union. We believe that we have met all of our obligations to coordinate our system.
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National Regulation of Service Providers
In order to operate gateways, the independent gateway operators and our affiliates in each country are required to obtain a license from that country's telecommunications regulatory authority. In addition, the gateway operator must enter into appropriate interconnection and financial settlement agreements with local and interexchange telecommunications providers. All 25 gateways operated by us and the independent gateway operators are licensed. An independent gateway operator in South Africa, Vodacom, was unable to secure a license to activate and operate the gateway in that country and turned the gateway over to Telkom, the South African telephone company, in settlement of debts. We have initiated efforts to reestablish the business in South Africa through our own subsidiary and to obtain an operating license.
Our subscriber equipment generally must be type certified in countries in which it is sold or leased. The manufacturers of the equipment and our affiliates or the independent gateway operators are jointly responsible for securing type certification. Thus far, our equipment has received type certification in each country in which that certification was required.
United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations
The United States International Traffic in Arms regulations under the United States Arms Export Control Act authorize the President of the United States to control the export and import of articles and services that can be used in the production of arms. The President has delegated this authority to the U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Among other things, these regulations limit the ability to export certain articles and related technical data to certain nations. Some information involved in the performance of our operations falls within the scope of these regulations. As a result, we may have to obtain an export authorization or restrict access to that information by international companies that are our vendors or service providers. We have received and expect to continue to receive export licenses for our telemetry and control equipment located outside the United States and for providing technical data to potential launch contractors and developers of our next generation of satellites.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to various laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and human health and safety (including those governing the management, storage and disposal of hazardous materials). Some of our operations require continuous power supply, and, as a result, current and past operations at our teleport and other technical facilities include fuel storage and batteries for back-up generators. As an owner or operator of property and in connection with current and historical operations at some of our sites, we could incur significant costs, including cleanup costs, fines, sanctions and third-party claims, as a result of violations of or liabilities under environmental laws and regulations.
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The risks below address some of the factors that may affect our future operating results and financial performance. If any of the following risks, or other risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe not to be significant, develop into actual events, then our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially adversely affected.
Risks Relating to Our Business
Implementation of our business plan depends on increased demand for wireless communications services via satellite, both for our existing services and products and for new services and products. If this increased demand does not occur, our revenues and profitability may not increase as we expect.
Demand for wireless communication services via satellite may not grow, or may even shrink, either generally or in particular geographic markets, for particular types of services, or during particular time periods. A lack of demand could impair our ability to sell our services and to develop and successfully market new services, could exert downward pressure on prices, or both. This, in turn, could decrease our revenues and profitability and our ability to increase our revenues and profitability over time.
The success of our business plan, including the integration of ATC services with our existing business, will depend on a number of factors, including:
We depend in large part on the efforts of third parties for the retail sale of our services and products. The inability of these third parties to sell our services and products successfully may decrease our revenue and profitability.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, approximately 86% of our U.S. revenue and almost 100% of our non-U.S. revenue was derived from products and services sold through independent agents, dealers and resellers, including, outside the United States, independent gateway operators. If these
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third parties are unable to continue to improve their ability to market our products and services successfully, our revenue and profitability may decrease.
We depend on independent gateway operators to market our services in important regions around the world. If the independent gateway operators are unable to do this successfully, we will not be able to grow our business in those areas as rapidly as we expect.
Although we derive most of our revenue from retail sales, either directly or through agents, dealers and resellers, to end users in the United States, Canada, a portion of Western Europe, Central America and the northern portion of South America, we depend on independent gateway operators to purchase, install, operate and maintain gateway equipment, to sell phones and data user terminals, and to market our services in other regions where these independent gateway operators hold exclusive or non-exclusive rights. Not all of the independent gateway operators have been successful and, in some regions, they have not initiated service or sold as much usage as originally anticipated. Some of the independent gateway operators are not earning revenues sufficient to fund their operating costs. Although we have implemented an independent gateway operator consolidation strategy, we may not be able to implement further this consolidation strategy on favorable terms and may not be able to realize the additional efficiencies that we anticipate from this strategy. In some regions it is impracticable to consolidate the independent gateway operators either because local regulatory requirements or business or cultural norms do not permit consolidation, because the expected revenue increase from consolidation would be insufficient to justify the transaction, or because the independent gateway operator will not sell at a price acceptable to us. In those regions, our revenue and profits may be adversely affected if those independent gateway operators do not fulfill their own business plans to increase substantially their sales of services and products.
We currently are unable to offer service in important regions of the world due to the absence of gateways in those areas, which is limiting our growth and our ability to compete.
Our objective is to establish a worldwide service network, either directly or through independent gateway operators, but to date we have been unable to do so in certain areas of the world and we may not succeed in doing so in the future. We have been unable to find capable independent gateway operators for several important regions and countries, including Central and South Africa, India, Malaysia and Indonesia, the Philippines and certain other parts of Southeast Asia. In addition to the lack of global service availability, cost-effective roaming is not yet available in certain countries because the independent gateway operators have been unable to reach business arrangements with one another. This could reduce overall demand for our products and services and undermine our value for potential users who require service in these areas.
Rapid and significant technological changes in the satellite communications industry may impair our competitive position and require us to make significant additional capital expenditures.
The hardware and software utilized in operating our gateways was designed and manufactured over 10 years ago and portions are becoming obsolete. As they continue to age, they may become less reliable and will be more difficult and expensive to service. Although we maintain inventories of spare parts, it nonetheless may be difficult or impossible to obtain all necessary replacement parts for the hardware. Our business plan contemplates updating or replacing this hardware and software, but we may not be successful in these efforts, and the cost may exceed our estimates. We may face competition in the future from companies using new technologies and new satellite systems. The space and communications industries are subject to rapid advances and innovations in technology. New technology could render our system obsolete or less competitive by satisfying consumer demand in more attractive ways or through the introduction of incompatible standards. Particular technological developments that could adversely affect us include the deployment by our competitors of new satellites with greater
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power, greater flexibility, greater efficiency or greater capabilities, as well as continuing improvements in terrestrial wireless technologies. For us to keep up with technological changes and remain competitive, we may need to make significant capital expenditures. Customer acceptance of the services and products that we offer will continually be affected by technology-based differences in our product and service offerings. New technologies may be protected by patents or other intellectual property laws and therefore may not be available to us.
Our satellites have a limited life and may fail prematurely, which would cause our network to be compromised and materially and adversely affect our business, prospects and profitability.
Nine of our satellites have failed in orbit and others may fail in the future. In-orbit failure may result from various causes, including component failure, loss of power or fuel, inability to control positioning of the satellite, solar or other astronomical events, including solar radiation and flares, and space debris. As our constellation has aged, the quality of our satellites' signals has diminished, and may continue to diminish, adversely affecting the reliability of our service, which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.
We have been advised by our customers and others of temporary intermittent losses of signal, cutting off calls in progress or preventing completions of calls when made. Although we believe these problems are characteristic of mobile satellite service providers generally and do not reflect serious problems with our system, if these problems increase, they could affect adversely our business and our ability to complete our business plan.
Other factors that could affect the useful lives of our satellites include the quality of construction, gradual degradation of solar panels and the durability of components. Radiation induced failure of satellite components may result in damage to or loss of a satellite before the end of its expected life. As a result, fewer than 43 of our in-orbit satellites may be fully functioning at any one time.
Old Globalstar launched our first-generation constellation beginning in 1998 and ending in 2000. Eight of the nine satellite failures have been attributed to a common anomaly in the satellite communications subsystem S-band antenna. This anomaly has occurred in 16 of our other satellites, a majority of which have been or are in the process of being returned to service. In part as a response to this anomaly, we reduced our operating constellation structure from a "Walker" 48 (six satellites in each of eight planes) to a "Walker" 40 (five satellites in each of eight planes). A majority of our satellites also have experienced other anomalies which have not yet severely impacted services to customers but which may in the future limit the capacity of our existing network. We may be required in the future to make further changes to the structure of our constellation to maintain or improve its performance or to accommodate the launch of our eight spare satellites. Any such changes will require FCC approval. In addition, from time to time we may reposition our satellites within the constellation in order to optimize our service, which could result in degraded service during the repositioning period.
Although there are some remote tools we use to remedy certain types of problems affecting the performance of our satellites, the physical repair of satellites in space is not feasible. We do not insure our satellites against in-orbit failures, whether such failures are caused by internal or external factors.
A natural disaster could diminish our ability to provide communications service.
Natural disasters could damage or destroy our ground stations resulting in a disruption of service to our customers. We currently have the technology to safeguard our antennas and protect our ground stations during natural disasters such as a hurricane, but the collateral effects of such disasters such as flooding may impair the functioning of our ground equipment. During the Gulf Coast hurricane activity in 2005, the operations at our gateway located in Sebring, Florida were impaired temporarily causing a temporary degradation of the service level in the affected area. If a future natural disaster impairs or
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destroys any of our ground facilities, we may be unable to provide service to our customers in the affected area for a period of time.
In addition, even if our gateways are not affected by natural disasters, our service could be disrupted if a natural disaster damages the public switch telephone network or our ability to connect to the public switch telephone network.
We may not be able to launch our satellites successfully. Loss of a satellite during launch could delay or impair our ability to offer our services or reduce our revenues, and launch insurance, even if it is available, will not cover fully this risk.
We intend to insure the launch of our eight spare satellites to supplement our existing low earth orbit constellation, but we do not, and do not intend to, insure our existing satellites during their remaining in-orbit operational lives. We anticipate our eight spare satellites will be launched on two rockets, each carrying four satellites. Launch insurance currently costs approximately 5% to 10% of the insured value of the satellite (including launch costs), but may vary depending on market conditions and the safety record of the launch vehicle. Even if a lost satellite is fully insured, acquiring a replacement satellite may be difficult and time consuming. Furthermore, the insurance does not cover lost revenue.
We expect any launch failure insurance policies that we obtain to include specified exclusions, deductibles and material change limitations. Typically, these insurance policies exclude coverage for damage arising from acts of war, lasers, and other similar potential risks for which exclusions are customary in the industry at the time the policy is written.
If launch insurance rates were to rise substantially, our future launch costs would increase. In addition, in light of increasing costs, the scope of insurance exclusions and limitations on the nature of the losses for which we can obtain insurance, or other business reasons, we may conclude that it does not make business sense to obtain third-party insurance and may decide to pursue other strategies for mitigating the risk of a satellite launch failure, such as purchasing additional spare satellites or obtaining relaunch guaranties from the launch provider. It is also possible that insurance could become unavailable, either generally or for a specific launch vehicle, or that new insurance could be subject to broader exclusions on coverage, in which event we would bear the risk of launch failures.
Our business plan includes exploiting our ATC license by combining ATC services with our existing business. If we are unable to accomplish this effectively, we may be unable to enjoy the full value of our ATC license.
We plan to integrate ATC services with our existing satellite services and products, initially using our existing communications network, while developing a second-generation satellite network and upgrading our existing ground facilities. To date, neither we nor any other company has developed an integrated commercial network combining satellite services with ATC services.
Northern Sky Research estimates that development of a terrestrial network to provide ATC services could cost $2.5 to $3.0 billion in the United States alone. Therefore, full exploitation of our ATC opportunity probably will require us to form partnerships, service contracts or other joint venture arrangements with other telecommunications or spectrum-based service providers. We may not be able to establish such arrangements at all or on favorable terms and, if such arrangements are established, the other parties may not fulfill their obligations. If we are unable to form a suitable partnership or enter into a service contract or joint venture agreement, we may not be able to realize our plan to offer ATC services, which would limit our ability to expand our business and reduce our revenues and profitability.
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ATC spectrum access is limited by regulatory and technological factors which may limit the value of our ATC license.
We have been granted authority to use a finite quantity of radio spectrum for ATC services. Our ATC spectrum currently is limited to 11 MHz, i.e., 5.5 MHz of spectrum in each of the L and S bands. Any ATC use of more than 11 MHz of spectrum would require a change in or waiver of FCC rules. No such change may occur and we may not receive any such waiver. In addition, our authority to provide ATC services is contingent on our continuing to offer satellite services to our customers. Accordingly, we must continue to provide communication between our satellites and the gateways when we commence providing ATC services through our network. If we are not able to manage our satellite and ATC spectrum use dynamically and efficiently, we may not be able to realize the full value of ATC.
The FCC rules governing ATC are relatively new and are subject to interpretation. These rules require ATC service providers to demonstrate that their mobile satellite and ATC services constitute an "integrated service offering." The FCC has indicated that one means of meeting this requirement is through the use of dual-mode mobile satellite services/ATC handset phones. Although we believe we can obtain and sell dual-mode mobile satellite services/ATC handset phones that will comply with the ATC rules, the scope of ATC services that we will be permitted and required to provide under our existing FCC license is unclear and we may be required to seek amendments to our ATC license to execute our business plan. The development and operation of our ATC system may also infringe on unknown and unidentified intellectual property rights of other persons, which could require us to modify our business plan, thereby increasing our development costs and slowing our time to market. If we are unable to meet the regulatory requirements applicable to ATC services or develop or acquire the required technology, we may not be able to realize our plan to offer ATC services, which would decrease our revenues and profitability.
If the FCC were to reduce our existing spectrum allocation or impose additional spectrum-sharing requirements on us, our services and operations could be adversely affected.
Under the FCC's plan for mobile satellite services in our frequency bands, we must share frequencies in the United States with other licensed mobile satellite services operators. To date, there are no other authorized CDMA-based mobile satellite services operators and we do not believe anyone is requesting such an authorization. In July 2004, the FCC released new rules which require us to share 3.1 MHz of the 1610.25 to 1621.35 MHz portion of our uplink band with Iridium and the 2496 to 2500 MHz portion of our downlink band with operators providing broadband radio service. The FCC also asked for comment on whether Iridium should be allowed to share the 1616 to 1618.25 MHz portion of the 1.6 GHz band. Although we have continued to contest vigorously any proposed additional sharing of our spectrum, we may not retain exclusive use of all of our existing spectrum. If we are required to share additional frequency bands or if Iridium or an operator of a CDMA system uses these frequencies, it may cause interference with our signal and decrease the value of our spectrum.
Spectrum values historically have been volatile, which could cause the value of our company to fluctuate.
Our business plan is evolving and it may include forming strategic partnerships to maximize value for our spectrum, network assets and combined service offerings in the United States and internationally. Values that we may be able to realize from such partnerships will depend in part on the value ascribed to our spectrum. Valuations of spectrum in other frequency bands historically have been volatile, and we cannot predict at what amount a future partner may be willing to value our spectrum and other assets. In addition, to the extent that the FCC takes action that makes additional spectrum available or promotes the more flexible use or greater availability (e.g., via spectrum leasing or new spectrum sales) of existing satellite or terrestrial spectrum allocations, the availability of such additional spectrum could reduce the value of our spectrum authorizations, the value of our business and the price of our common stock.
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We could lose market share and revenues as a result of increasing competition from companies in the wireless communications industry, including other satellite operators, and from the extension of land-based communication services.
We face intense competition in all of our markets, which could result in a loss of customers and lower revenues and make it more difficult for us to enter new markets.
There are currently five other satellite operators providing services similar to ours on a global or regional basis: Iridium, Inmarsat, Mobile Satellite Ventures, Thuraya Satellite Communications Company and Asian Cellular Satellites. In addition, ICO Global Communications and TMI/TerreStar plan to launch their new satellite systems within the next few years. The provision of satellite-based products and services is subject to downward price pressure when the capacity exceeds demand.
In April 2001, Iridium, our principal worldwide mobile satellite competitor, exited bankruptcy and resumed commercial service in competition with us. Iridium has a long-term contract from the United States Department of Defense. ICO Global Communications raised additional funding during 2005 to fund the construction of its 2 GHz satellite system and is expected to complete its system and compete with us in the future. TMI/TerreStar also holds a 2 GHz satellite license and is constructing a system that may compete with us in the future. In addition, we may face competition from new competitors or new technologies, which may materially adversely affect our business plan. With so many companies targeting many of the same customers, we may not be able to retain successfully our existing customers and attract new customers and as a result may not grow our customer base and revenue as much as we expect.
In addition to our satellite-based competitors, terrestrial wireless voice and data service providers are expanding into rural and remote areas and providing the same general types of services and products that we provide through our satellite-based system. Many of these companies have greater resources, wider name recognition and newer technologies than we do. Industry consolidation could adversely affect us by increasing the scale or scope of our competitors and thereby making it more difficult for us to compete.
Additionally, the extension of terrestrial telecommunications services to regions previously underserved or not served by wireline or wireless services may reduce demand for our service in those regions. These land-based telecommunications services have been built more quickly than we anticipated; therefore, demand for our products and services may decline in these areas more rapidly than we assumed in formulating our business plan. This development has led, in part, to our efforts to identify and sell into geographically remote and certain vertical markets and further the deployment of user terminals and data products. If we are unable to attract new customers in these regions, our customer base may decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Although satellite communications services and ground-based communications services are not perfect substitutes, the two compete in certain markets and for certain services. Consumers generally perceive terrestrial wireless voice communication products and services as cheaper and more convenient than satellite-based ones.
The loss of customers, particularly our large customers, may reduce our future revenues.
We may lose customers due to competition, consolidation, regulatory developments, business developments affecting our customers or their customers, or for other reasons. Our top 10 customers for the year ended December 31, 2005 accounted for, in the aggregate, approximately 20% of our total revenues of $127.1 million. For the year ended December 31, 2005, revenues from our largest customer were $5.0 million, or 4% of our total revenues. If we fail to maintain our relationships with our major customers, if we lose them and fail to replace them with other similar customers, or if we experience
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reduced demand from our major customers, it could result in a significant reduction in our profitability through the loss of revenues and the requirement to record additional costs to the extent that amounts due from these customers are considered uncollectible. More generally, our customers may fail to renew or may cancel their service contracts with us, which could negatively affect future revenues and profitability.
We will need additional capital to maintain our network and to pursue future growth opportunities. If we fail to obtain sufficient capital, we will not be able to complete our business plan.
Our business plan calls for the launch of spare and new satellites, upgrading our ground stations, phones and data terminals and entering into joint ventures to develop ATC and other international services and products. We believe that we will need approximately $100 million, together with cash on hand, cash generated from our operations and cash available under our credit agreement and irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement, to enable us to implement our business plan. If we are unable to obtain this capital, or we need additional funds which are not available, we may not be able to obtain in a timely manner sufficient funds to develop and launch such satellites, upgrade our ground component or develop our ATC services and products.
Our business is subject to extensive government regulation, which mandates how we may operate our business and may increase our cost of providing services, slow our expansion into new markets and subject our services to additional competitive pressures.
Our ownership and operation of wireless communication systems are subject to significant regulation in the United States by the FCC and in foreign jurisdictions by similar local authorities. The rules and regulations of the FCC or these foreign authorities may change and not continue to permit our operations as presently conducted or as we plan to conduct such operations.
Failure to provide services in accordance with the terms of our licenses or failure to operate our satellites or ground stations as required by our licenses and applicable government regulations could result in the imposition of government sanctions on us, up to and including cancellation of our licenses.
Our system must be authorized in each of the markets in which we or the independent gateway operators provide service. We and the independent gateway operators may not be able to obtain or retain all regulatory approvals needed for operations. Regulatory changes, such as those resulting from judicial decisions or adoption of treaties, legislation or regulation in countries where we operate or intend to operate, may also significantly affect our business. Because regulations in each country are different, we may not be aware if some of the independent gateway operators and/or persons with which we or they do business do not hold the requisite licenses and approvals.
Our current regulatory approvals could now be, or could become, insufficient in the view of foreign regulatory authorities, any additional necessary approvals may not be granted on a timely basis, or at all, in all jurisdictions in which we wish to offer services, and applicable restrictions in those jurisdictions could become unduly burdensome.
Our operations are subject to certain regulations of the United States State Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls (i.e., the export of satellites and related technical data), United States Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (i.e., financial transactions) and the United States Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (i.e., our gateways and phones). These regulations may limit or delay our ability to operate in a particular country. As new laws and regulations are issued, we may be required to modify our business plans or operations. If we fail to comply with these regulations in any country, we could be subject to sanctions that could affect, materially and adversely, our ability to operate in that country. Failure to obtain the authorizations necessary to use our assigned radio frequency spectrum and to distribute our products in certain
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countries could have a material adverse effect on our ability to generate revenue and on our overall competitive position.
If we do not develop, acquire and maintain proprietary information and intellectual property rights, it could limit the growth of our business and reduce our market share.
Our business depends on technical knowledge, and we believe that our future success is based, in part, on our ability to keep up with new technological developments and incorporate them in our products and services. We own or have the right to use certain of our work products, inventions, designs, software, systems and similar know-how. Although we have taken diligent steps to protect that information, the information may be disclosed to others or others may independently develop similar information, systems and know-how. Protection of our information, systems and know-how may result in litigation, the cost of which could be substantial. Third parties may assert claims that our products or services infringe on their proprietary rights. Such claims may prevent or limit our sales of products or services or increase our costs of sales.
Much of the software we require to support critical gateway operations and customer service functions, including billing, is licensed from third parties, including QUALCOMM and Space Systems/Loral, Inc. and was developed or customized specifically for our use. If the third party licensors were to cease to support and service the software, or the licenses were to no longer be available on commercially reasonable terms, it may be difficult, expensive or impossible to obtain such services from alternative vendors. Replacing such software could be difficult, time consuming and expensive, and might require us to obtain substitute technology with lower quality or performance standards or at a greater cost.
We face special risks by doing business in developing markets, including currency and expropriation risks, which could increase our costs or reduce our revenues in these areas.
Although our most economically important geographic markets currently are the United States and Canada, we have substantial markets for our mobile satellite services in developing countries or regions that are underserved by existing telecommunications systems, such as rural Venezuela and Central America. Developing countries are more likely than industrialized countries to experience market, currency and interest rate fluctuations and may have higher inflation. In addition, these countries present risks relating to government policy, price, wage and exchange controls, social instability, expropriation and other adverse economic, political and diplomatic conditions.
Although we generally receive payments from our customers and independent gateway operators in U.S. dollars, limited availability of U.S. currency in some local markets or governmental controls on the export of currency may prevent an independent gateway operator from making payments in U.S. dollars or delay the availability of payment due to foreign bank currency processing and approval. In addition, exchange rate fluctuations may affect our ability to control the prices charged for the independent gateway operators' services.
If we become subject to unanticipated foreign tax liabilities, it could materially increase our costs.
We operate in various foreign tax jurisdictions. We believe that we have complied in all material respects with our obligations to pay taxes in these jurisdictions. However, our position is subject to review and possible challenge by the taxing authorities of these jurisdictions. If the applicable taxing authorities were to challenge successfully our current tax positions, or if there were changes in the manner in which we conduct our activities, we could become subject to material unanticipated tax liabilities. We may also become subject to additional tax liabilities as a result of changes in tax laws, which could in certain circumstances have retroactive effect.
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We rely on a limited number of key vendors for timely supply of equipment and services. If our key vendors fail to provide equipment and services to us, we may face difficulties in finding alternative sources and may not be able to operate our business successfully.
We depend on QUALCOMM for gateway hardware and software, and also as the exclusive manufacturer of phones using the IS-41 CDMA North American standard, which incorporates QUALCOMM proprietary technology. Ericsson OMC Limited and Telit, which until 2000 manufactured phones and other products for us, have discontinued manufacturing these products, and QUALCOMM may choose to terminate its business relationship with us when its current contractual obligations are completed in approximately four years. If QUALCOMM terminates this relationship, we may not be able to find a replacement supplier. Although the QUALCOMM relationship might be replaced, there could be a substantial period of time in which our products are not available and any new relationship may involve a significantly different cost structure, development schedule and delivery times.
We depend on Axonn LLC to produce and sell the data modems through which we provide our Simplex service. These devices incorporate Axonn proprietary technology. If Axonn were to cease producing and selling these data modems, we would be unable to grow our Simplex services as currently anticipated.
Space Systems/Loral has completed production (except for replacing non-functioning batteries) of seven of our eight spare satellites, all of which are in storage in California. Those satellites were acquired by Old Globalstar in 2003, as part of a settlement with Loral, and are now owned by us. We are dependent on Space Systems/Loral to complete construction of the eighth satellite and on other third parties to test, prepare for launch and provide certain services in support of the launch of our spare satellites. We have contracted with Starsem to launch these satellites. We expect the cost of completing, testing and launching these eight spare satellites (including launch insurance) to be approximately $110 million.
We are currently soliciting proposals to procure our second-generation satellites. The architecture for these satellites has not yet been determined. We may not receive tenders to provide the second-generation on favorable terms or at all. If either occurred, we would be unable to fulfill our business plan.
Wireless devices may pose health and safety risks and, as a result, we may be subject to new regulations, demand for our services may decrease and we could face liability based on alleged health risks.
There has been adverse publicity concerning alleged health risks associated with radio frequency transmissions from portable hand-held telephones that have transmitting antennae. Lawsuits have been filed against participants in the wireless industry alleging various adverse health consequences, including cancer, as a result of wireless phone usage. The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to review a lower federal court's decision remanding for trial in state courts several cases alleging such injuries. Our subsidiary, Globalstar USA, LLC, was a defendant in a similar case in a Georgia state court. Vodafone Americas, Inc. conducted our defense pursuant to a prior indemnification obligation. The plaintiff, on behalf of cellular consumers in Georgia, claimed that defendants (cell phone manufacturers and operators) knew that their cell phone products emitted radio frequency radiation that posed future health risks. Based on the defendants' failure to warn of such risks and alleged breaches of warranty, plaintiff sought a variety of monetary damages as well as headsets for each cell phone consumer in Georgia. For a number of reasons, plaintiff recently agreed to dismiss the case voluntarily, subject to a right to re-file the case without prejudice in six months.
Although we do not believe that there is valid scientific evidence that use of our phones poses a health risk, courts or governmental agencies could find otherwise. Any such finding could reduce our revenues and profitability and expose us and other wireless providers to litigation, which, even if not successful, could be costly to defend.
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If consumers' health concerns over radio frequency emissions increase, they may be discouraged from using wireless handsets. Further, government authorities might increase regulation of wireless handsets as a result of these health concerns. The actual or perceived risk of radio frequency emissions could reduce our subscriber growth rate, reduce the number of our subscribers or impair our ability to obtain future financing.
Risks Relating to Our Company and Its Common Stock
Pursuing strategic transactions may cause us to incur additional risks.
We may pursue acquisitions, joint ventures or other strategic transactions on an opportunistic basis. We may face costs and risks arising from these transactions, including integrating a new business into our business or managing a joint venture. These may include legal, organizational, financial and other costs and risks.
In addition, if we were to choose to engage in any major business combination or similar strategic transaction, we may require significant external financing in connection with the transaction. Depending on market conditions, investor perceptions of us and other factors, we may not be able to obtain capital on acceptable terms, in acceptable amounts or at appropriate times to implement any such transaction. Any such financing, if obtained, may further dilute our existing stockholders.
Our indebtedness could impair our ability to react to changes in our business and may limit our ability to use debt to fund future capital needs.
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition. If our amended and restated credit agreement had been in effect and the delayed draw term loan fully drawn at March 31, 2006, our indebtedness would have been $101.4 million. This would have resulted in annual interest expense of approximately $11.2 million, assuming an interest rate of 11.0%. Our indebtedness could:
Furthermore, if an event of default were to occur with respect to our credit agreement or other indebtedness, our creditors could accelerate the maturity of our indebtedness. Our indebtedness under our credit agreement is secured by a lien on substantially all of our assets and the assets of our domestic subsidiaries and the lenders could foreclose on these assets to repay the indebtedness.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance indebtedness obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and
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competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We may not be able to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and could be forced to sell assets, seek additional capital or seek to restructure or refinance our indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful or feasible. Our credit agreement restricts our ability to sell assets. Even if we could consummate those sales, the proceeds that we realize from them may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due.
We will be able to incur additional indebtedness or other obligations in the future, which would exacerbate the risks discussed above.
Our amended and restated credit agreement permits us to incur additional indebtedness. Although the amended and restated credit agreement contains restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of significant qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. Also, these restrictions do not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute "indebtedness" as defined in the amended and restated credit agreement. To the extent new debt or other obligations are added to our currently anticipated debt levels, the substantial indebtedness risks described above would increase.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under such indebtedness, which may not be successful.
Restrictive covenants in our amended and restated credit agreement impose restrictions that may limit our operating and financial flexibility.
Our amended and restated credit agreement contains a number of significant restrictions and covenants that limit our ability to:
Complying with these restrictive covenants, as well as those that may be contained in any agreements governing future indebtedness, may impair our ability to finance our operations or capital needs or to take advantage of other favorable business opportunities. Our ability to comply with these restrictive covenants will depend on our future performance, which may be affected by events beyond our control. If we violate any of these covenants and are unable to obtain waivers, we would be in default under the agreement and payment of the indebtedness could be accelerated. The acceleration
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of our indebtedness under one agreement may permit acceleration of indebtedness under other agreements that contain cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions. If our indebtedness is accelerated, we may not be able to repay that indebtedness or borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if we are able to obtain new financing, it may not be on commercially reasonable terms or on terms that are acceptable to us. If our indebtedness is in default for any reason, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, complying with these covenants may also cause us to take actions that are not favorable to holders of the common stock and may make it more difficult for us to successfully execute our business plan and compete against companies who are not subject to such restrictions.
If we are unable to address successfully the material weakness in our internal controls, or our other control deficiencies, our ability to report our financial results on a timely and accurate basis and to comply with disclosure and other requirements may be adversely affected; public reporting obligations will put significant demands on our financial, operational and management resources.
We are not currently required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and, therefore, are not required to make an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting for that purpose. However, in connection with its audit of our 2005 consolidated financial statements, our independent registered public accounting firm, Crowe Chizek and Company LLP, identified a material weakness in our processes, procedures and controls related to our failure to eliminate inter-company profit from sales of inventory and surplus or spare fixed assets related to gateway equipment to our subsidiaries, and informed members of our senior management and our board of directors that these processes, procedures and controls were not adequate to ensure that our financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A material weakness is defined as a significant deficiency, or a combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. We failed to eliminate approximately $0.9 million in inter- company profit resulting from these sales in our initial preparation of our 2005 financial statements. This control deficiency could have resulted in an overstatement of our earnings for 2005 that would not have been prevented or detected. Accordingly, our management concluded that this deficiency in internal control over financial reporting was a material weakness.
We have corrected this error in our year-end adjustments in connection with finalizing the financial statements included in this document. We intend to implement additional controls to verify that all future inter-company profits are captured and tracked properly and eliminated in the consolidation.
In connection with their audit of our 2005 financial statements, Crowe Chizek also advised our management and board of directors that it had identified other significant deficiencies in our internal controls. A significant deficiency is defined as a control deficiency, or a combination of control deficiencies, that adversely affects a company's ability to initiate, authorize, record, process, or report external financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles such that there is more than a remote likelihood that a misstatement of the company's annual or interim financial statements that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented or detected. Crowe Chizek recommended that we consider taking remedial actions, including hiring additional accounting resources in our significantly understaffed corporate accounting department, establishing a monthly close checklist and timetable, reviewing and supervising manual journal entries, historical estimates and consistency of accounting policies, segregating duties in our accounts payable department, reviewing calculations of allowance for doubtful accounts and inventory and warranty reserves, and simplifying and automating our reporting process, particularly in the consolidation of our foreign subsidiaries' financial information. We have begun to implement these recommendations. We have not yet determined the cost of doing so, but do not expect it to be material.
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We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these and other processes, procedures and controls and will make any further changes management determines appropriate, including to effect compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 at or before the date on which we are required to comply with it.
Any material weakness or other deficiencies in our control systems may affect our ability to comply with SEC reporting requirements and the listing standards of any stock exchange or cause our financial statements to contain material misstatements, which could negatively affect the market price and trading liquidity of our common stock, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, as well as subject us to civil or criminal investigations and penalties.
The loss of key employees could impede our ability to implement our business plan.
We rely on a number of key employees. Our key employees have highly specialized skills and extensive experience in their respective fields, such as satellite engineering and operations, and their individual contributions to our operations may be difficult to replace due to the scarcity of candidates of comparable caliber and experience. Accordingly, the loss of some or all of these employees could adversely affect our ability to manage our operations and to execute our long-term business strategy. We do not have employment agreements with any of our key employees, nor do we carry key person insurance on these individuals.
There is no public market for the common stock, and there cannot be any assurance that a market for the common stock will develop.
There is no public market for our common stock, and we cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in us will lead to the development of a trading market or how liquid that market might become. Although we intend to apply for listing of our Series A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ as soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective, we currently do not meet the listing requirements of either with respect to various governance requirements and will have to make various changes to our governance procedures prior to seeking listing. It is possible that we may not be successful in listing the Series A common stock on a national stock exchange, in which case a liquid trading market for the stock may not develop.
Provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to the election of directors may impede the development of a trading market for our Series A common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation provides for a nine-person Board of Directors. Six of these directors may be elected by the holders of our Series C common stock, all of whom are affiliates of Thermo. One director may be elected by the holders of our Series B common stock, all of which stock currently is held by QUALCOMM. Two directors may be elected by the holders of our Series A common stock, who currently are principally the former creditors of Old Globalstar, and the holders of our Series B common stock, voting together. The limited voting rights in the election of directors of the Series A common stock may impair the development of any trading market for that stock.
Future sales of our shares could depress the market price of our common stock.
At the time this registration statement became effective, approximately 3,433,782 of the shares of our common stock which were issued in the Reorganization to the creditors of Old Globalstar will be freely tradable. The remaining shares may be sold subject to the holding period, volume, manner of sale and other conditions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. To the extent that a trading market in our common stock develops, significant sales of these shares could depress the market price of the stock.
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If we are unable to receive shareholder consent we may not be able to amend our certificate of incorporation prior to conducting an initial public offering of our common stock, which will have an adverse effect on our ability to consummate an initial public offering.
We anticipate that we will need to amend our certificate of incorporation prior to conducting an initial public offering. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the requisite shareholder approval to amend our certificate of incorporation. If we are unable to obtain the requisite approval, it will have an adverse effect on our ability to consummate an initial public offering. We also cannot assure you which provisions of our certificate of incorporation will be amended, but they may be changes that would have an adverse effect on you as a stockholder.
Provisions of our credit agreement could discourage an acquisition of us by a third party.
Certain provisions of our credit agreement could make it more difficult or more expensive for a third party to acquire us. Upon the occurrence of certain transactions constituting a change of control, all indebtedness under our credit agreement may be accelerated and become due.
Anti-takeover provisions could negatively impact our stockholders.
Provisions of Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire control of us. For example, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which would make it more difficult for another party to acquire us without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire us even if an acquisition might be in the best interest of our stockholders.
We do not expect to pay dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
Any future dividend payments are within the absolute discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, business opportunities, anticipated cash needs, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. We may not generate sufficient cash from operations in the future to pay dividends on our common stock. Our credit agreement currently prohibits the payment of dividends with certain exceptions. See "Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters."
We are controlled by Thermo, whose interests may conflict with those of our other stockholders.
Thermo owns approximately 64% of our outstanding common stock. If Thermo were to purchase all of the common stock it has agreed to purchase in the irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement, its ownership would increase to approximately 69.47%. Thermo is able to control the election of at least a majority of the members of our board of directors and the vote on substantially all other matters, including significant corporate transactions such as the approval of a merger or other transaction involving our sale.
The interests of Thermo may conflict with the interests of our other stockholders. Thermo may take actions it believes will benefit its equity investment in us even though such actions might not be in the best interests of other holders of our common stock.
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As a "controlled company," as defined in the rules of the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ, we will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements if and when we list our common stock.
Because Thermo owns common stock representing more than a majority of the voting power in election of our directors, we are considered a "controlled company" within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ. Under these rules, a "controlled company" may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including (1) the requirement that a majority of its board of directors consist of independent directors, (2) the requirement that it have a nominating/corporate governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee's purpose and responsibilities and (3) the requirement that it have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee's purpose and responsibilities. If and when we apply to list our common stock, we intend to elect to be treated as a controlled company and thus utilize these exemptions. As a result, we will not have a majority of independent directors nor will we have compensation and nominating/corporate governance committees consisting entirely of independent directors. Accordingly, stockholders will not have the same protection afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ even if our common stock is listed.
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The following table presents our selected financial data for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002, for the period from January 1, 2003 through December 4, 2003, for the period from December 5, 2003 through December 31, 2003, for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 and for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, and as of December 31, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and March 31, 2006. The selected financial data of Old Globalstar (Predecessor) for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 has been derived from Old Globalstar's consolidated financial statements, which are not included in this document. Our selected financial data for the period from January 1, 2003 to December 4, 2003 (Predecessor), the period from December 5, 2003 to December 31, 2003 (Successor), and the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, and as of December 31, 2004 and 2005, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in this document. Our selected financial data for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, and as of March 31, 2006, is derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which also are included in this document. In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information includes all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of this information. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.
The columns in the following tables entitled "Predecessor" contain financial information with respect to the business and operations of Old Globalstar for periods prior to December 5, 2003, the date on which we obtained control of its assets.
You should read the selected financial data set forth below together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," all included elsewhere in this document. The selected financial data set forth below are not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations.
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Statement of Operations Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service revenue | $ | 6,252 | $ | 17,182 | $ | 40,048 | $ | 2,387 | $ | 57,927 | $ | 81,472 | $ | 16,751 | $ | 20,694 | ||||||||||
Subscriber equipment sales(1) | 152 | 7,457 | 16,295 | 1,470 | 26,441 | 45,675 | 8,017 | 9,648 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 6,404 | 24,639 | 56,343 | 3,857 | 84,368 | 127,147 | 24,768 | 30,342 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services | 56,074 | 26,379 | 26,629 | 1,931 | 25,208 | 25,432 | 7,128 | 6,547 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost of subscriber equipment sales(2) | 130 | 5,650 | 12,881 | 635 | 23,399 | 38,742 | 6,427 | 8,515 | ||||||||||||||||||
Marketing, general and administrative | 101,392 | 39,104 | 28,814 | 4,950 | 32,151 | 37,945 | 8,171 | 9,965 | ||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring | 12,035 | 7,694 | 5,381 | 690 | 5,078 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Launch termination costs | | 18,379 | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 35,554 | 30,904 | 31,473 | 125 | 1,959 | 3,044 | 467 | 1,390 | ||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of assets | | | 211,854 | | 114 | 114 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 205,185 | 128,110 | 317,032 | 8,331 | 87,909 | 105,277 | 22,193 | 26,417 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating Income (Loss) | (198,781 | ) | (103,471 | ) | (260,689 | ) | (4,474 | ) | (3,541 | ) | 21,870 | 2,575 | 3,925 | |||||||||||||
Interest income | 4,513 | 101 | 7 | 7 | 58 | 242 | 15 | 167 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense (3) | (381,170 | ) | (46,523 | ) | (1,513 | ) | (131 | ) | (1,382 | ) | (269 | ) | (105 | ) | (20 | ) | ||||||||||
Other | | | 485 | 44 | 921 | (622 | ) | (599 | ) | (337 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Total other income (expense) | (376,657 | ) | (46,422 | ) | (1,021 | ) | (80 | ) | (403 | ) | (649 | ) | (689 | ) | (190 | ) | ||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | (575,438 | ) | (149,893 | ) | (261,710 | ) | (4,554 | ) | (3,944 | ) | 21,221 | 1,886 | 3,735 | |||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 73 | 66 | 170 | (37 | ) | (4,314 | ) | 2,502 | 1,522 | (18,751 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (575,511 | ) | $ | (149,959 | ) | $ | (261,880 | ) | $ | (4,517 | ) | $ | 370 | $ | 18,719 | $ | 364 | $ | 22,486 | ||||||
Earnings (Loss) Per Share Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) per common sharebasic | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | 0.04 | $ | 1.82 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 2.18 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) per common sharediluted | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | 0.04 | $ | 1.81 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 2.17 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average sharesbasic | N/A | N/A | N/A | 10,000,000 | 10,077,320 | 10,309,278 | 10,309,278 | 10,324,609 | ||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average sharesdiluted | N/A | N/A | N/A | 10,000,000 | 10,077,320 | 10,325,979 | 10,325,979 | 10,379,561 | ||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma C Corporation Data(4) (unaudited): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Historical income before income taxes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ | 21,221 | $ | 1,886 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
Pro forma income tax expense (benefit) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 6,931 | 1,248 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma net earnings | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ | 14,290 | $ | 638 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
Pro forma net earnings per sharebasic | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ | 1.39 | $ | 0.06 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
Pro forma net earnings per sharediluted | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ | 1.38 | $ | 0.06 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
Weighted average sharesbasic | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 10,309,278 | 10,309,278 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average sharesdiluted | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 10,325,979 | 10,325,979 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
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Other Data (for the period) (unaudited): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average monthly revenue per user(5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail | N/A | N/A | $ | 69.72 | $ | 62.90 | $ | 67.93 | $ | 68.11 | $ | 67.67 | $ | 58.54 | ||||||||||||
Independent gateway operators | N/A | N/A | 11.46 | 9.72 | 9.88 | 10.70 | 7.90 | 8.39 | ||||||||||||||||||
Simplex | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 9.84 | 6.58 | 6.61 | 5.22 | ||||||||||||||||||
Number of subscribers | N/A | N/A | 105,571 | 109,503 | 141,450 | 195,968 | 144,883 | 203,946 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average monthly churn rate(6) | N/A | N/A | 0.85 | % | 1.24 | % | 1.60 | % | 1.30 | % | 1.20 | % | 1.40 | % | ||||||||||||
EBITDA(7) | N/A | N/A | $ | (228,731 | ) | $ | (4,305 | ) | $ | (661 | ) | $ | 24,292 | $ | 2,443 | $ | 4,978 | |||||||||
Capital expenditures | N/A | N/A | $ | 1,058 | $ | 10 | $ | 4,015 | $ | 9,918 | $ | 973 | $ | 4,279 | ||||||||||||
Cost per gross addition(8) | N/A | N/A | $ | 262 | $ | 200 | $ | 230 | $ | 248 | $ | 362 | $ | 319 |
|
Predecessor |
Successor |
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Balance Sheet Data: |
As of December 31, 2001 |
As of December 31, 2002 |
As of December 31, 2003 |
As of December 31, 2004 |
As of December 31, 2005 |
As of March 31, 2006 |
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|
(unaudited) |
|
|
(unaudited) |
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|
(In thousands) |
|||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 55,265 | $ | 15,248 | $ | 20,026 | $ | 13,330 | $ | 20,270 | $ | 33,063 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 456,391 | $ | 294,374 | $ | 48,214 | $ | 63,897 | $ | 113,545 | $ | 168,407 | ||||||
Long-term debt(9) | $ | 363,828 | $ | 3,425,921 | $ | 3,426,338 | $ | 3,278 | $ | 631 | $ | 568 | ||||||
Ownership equity (deficit) | $ | (2,997,753 | ) | $ | (3,150,598 | ) | $ | (3,415,195 | ) | $ | 40,421 | $ | 71,430 | $ | 98,979 |
We believe EBITDA is useful to our management and investors as a measure of comparative operating performance between time periods and among companies as it is reflective of changes in pricing decisions, cost controls and other factors
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that affect operating performance. Our management uses EBITDA principally as a measure of our operating performance and also believes that EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies in industries similar to ours. Our management uses EBITDA for planning purposes, including the preparation of our annual operating budget. EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes certain material costs. For example, it does not include interest expense on borrowed money or depreciation expense on our capital assets. EBITDA also does not include the payment of taxes, which is a necessary element of our operations. Because EBITDA does not account for these expenses, its utility as a measure of our operating performance has material limitations. Because of these limitations, management does not view EBITDA in isolation and also uses other measures, such as net income, revenues and operating profit, to measure operating performance.
The following is a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income (loss):
|
Predecessor |
Successor |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
January 1 through December 4 2003 |
December 5 through December 31, 2003 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2001 |
2002 |
2004 |
2005 |
2005 |
2006 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (575,511 | ) | $ | (149,959 | ) | $ | (261,880 | ) | $ | (4,517 | ) | $ | 370 | $ | 18,719 | $ | 364 | $ | 22,486 | |||||
Interest expense (income), net | 376,657 | 46,422 | 1,506 | 124 | 1,324 | 27 | 90 | (147 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 73 | 66 | 170 | (37 | ) | (4,314 | ) | 2,502 | 1,522 | (18,751 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 35,554 | 30,904 | 31,473 | 125 | 1,959 | 3,044 | 467 | 1,390 | |||||||||||||||||
EBITDA | $ | (163,227 | ) | $ | (72,567 | ) | $ | (228,731 | ) | $ | (4,305 | ) | $ | (661 | ) | $ | 24,292 | $ | 2,443 | $ | 4,978 | ||||
The following table provides supplemental information as to unusual and other items that are reflected in EBITDA:
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Predecessor |
Successor |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
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|
|
December 5 through December 31, 2003 |
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|
January 1 through December 4, 2003 |
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|
2004 |
2005 |
2005 |
2006 |
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Satellite failures(a) | $ | 2,527 | | $ | 114 | $ | 114 | | | |||||||
ELSACOM settlement(b) | $ | 744 | | | | | | |||||||||
Pension adjustment(c) | $ | 941 | | | | | | |||||||||
UT write-off recovery(d) | $ | (103 | ) | | | | | | ||||||||
Asset impairment(e) | $ | 211,854 | | | $ | 100 | | | ||||||||
Restructuring (other)(f) | $ | 5,381 | $ | 690 | $ | 5,078 | | | |
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Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this document. In doing so, you should keep in mind that the discussion, except for the three months ended March 31, 2006, relates to periods prior to the formation of Globalstar, Inc., that it includes discussions of the financial condition and results of operations of Globalstar LLC and its predecessor Old Globalstar and that, in that connection, it relates in part to periods prior to the consummation of the Reorganization.
Table of Contents for Management's Discussion and Analysis
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Page |
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Overview | 49 | |
Material Industry Trends and Uncertainties | 52 | |
Performance Indicators | 53 | |
Seasonality | 53 | |
Critical Accounting Practices and Estimates | 53 | |
Results of Operations | 58 | |
Liquidity and Capital Resources | 65 | |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure Regarding Market Risk | 70 | |
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions | 70 | |
Recently Implemented Accounting Policies | 71 |
Overview
We are a leading provider of mobile voice and data communication services via satellite. Our communications platform extends telecommunications beyond the boundaries of terrestrial wireline and wireless telecommunications networks to serve our customer's desire for connectivity and reliable service at all times and locations. Using our 43 in-orbit satellites and 25 ground stations, or gateways, we offer high-quality, reliable voice and data communications services to government agencies, businesses and other customers in over 120 countries.
As described under "Item 1. BusinessCompany History," on February 15, 2002, Old Globalstar and three of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. We were formed in Delaware in November 2003 for the purpose of acquiring substantially all the assets of Old Globalstar and its subsidiaries. With Bankruptcy Court approval, we acquired Old Globalstar's assets and assumed certain of its liabilities in a two-step transaction, with the first step completed on December 5, 2003, and the second step on April 14, 2004. On January 1, 2006, we elected to be taxed as a C corporation, and on March 17, 2006, we converted from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation.
Management determined that operational control of our business passed to us with the completion of the first step of the acquisition on December 5, 2003. Accordingly, Old Globalstar's results of operations, financial position and cash flows prior to December 5, 2003 are presented as "Predecessor" or "Predecessor Period(s)." The results of operations, financial position and cash flows thereafter are collectively presented as "Successor" or "Successor Period(s)." The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
Service Revenues. We earn revenues primarily from the sale of satellite communications services to direct customers, resellers and independent gateway operators. These services include mobile and fixed voice and data services and asset tracking and monitoring services. We generated approximately
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70%, 69%, 64% and 68% of our consolidated revenues from the sale of our satellite communication services in 2003, 2004, 2005 and the first three months of 2006, respectively. The decrease in service revenue as a percentage of total revenue in 2005 resulted primarily from a substantial increase in product sales. Additionally, in 2005 we significantly increased sales of our "Liberty Plans" for which payment is received in advance but revenue is recognized based on usage. This increased our deferred revenue due to the prepaid nature of the Liberty Plans while decreasing our current recognized revenue. These sales should result in higher service revenue in future periods. In 2005, we also experienced increasing demand for our services driven by increased awareness of the need for reliable communication services in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and the Asian tsunami. As of December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006, we served approximately 196,000 and 204,000 subscribers, which represented 39% and 41% increases over our subscribers at December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2005, respectively. Although the majority of our subscribers utilize our network principally for voice communication services, an increasing portion of our revenue is derived from the sale of high and low speed data services, including asset tracking. Our service revenue during the year ended December 31, 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2006 increased by 41% and 24% over the year ended December 31, 2004 and the three months ended March 31, 2005, respectively.
Subscriber Equipment Sales Revenue. We also sell related voice and data equipment to our customers. We generated approximately 30%, 31%, 36% and 32% of our consolidated revenues from subscriber equipment sales in 2003, 2004, 2005 and the first three months of 2006, respectively. As a percentage of our revenue, equipment sales increased faster than our service revenues in 2005 primarily as a result of significant customer growth in our major markets. Our subscriber equipment sales revenue increased by 73% and 20% for the year ended December 31, 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to 2004 and the same period in 2005, respectively. This increase in equipment sales revenue was due to heightened awareness of our product and service offerings. We price our subscriber equipment sales to maintain an overall positive margin on these sales rather than using the sales as "loss leaders" to promote the sale of our services.
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The table below sets forth amounts and percentages of our revenue by type of service and equipment sales for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006.
|
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Combined(1) |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 |
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Revenue |
% of Total Revenue |
Revenue |
% of Total Revenue |
Revenue |
% of Total Revenue |
Revenue |
% of Total Revenue |
Revenue |
% of Total Revenue |
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(Dollars in thousands) |
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Service Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mobile (voice and data) | $ | 30,453 | 51 | % | $ | 43,661 | 52 | % | $ | 60,092 | 47 | % | $ | 12,833 | 52 | % | $ | 15,542 | 51 | % | |||||||
Fixed (voice and data) | 2,903 | 5 | 5,315 | 6 | 6,637 | 5 | 1,379 | 6 | 1,878 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
Satellite data modems (data) | 683 | 1 | 770 | 1 | 1,240 | 1 | 239 | 1 | 350 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Asset tracking and monitoring | 19 | 0 | 208 | 0 | 945 | 1 | 113 | 0 | 328 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Independent gateway operators | 6,820 | 11 | 7,089 | 8 | 9,098 | 7 | 1,577 | 6 | 1,902 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
Other(2) | 1,557 | 3 | 884 | 1 | 3,460 | 3 | 610 | 2 | 694 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Subtotal | 42,435 | 70 | 57,927 | 69 | 81,472 | 64 | 16,751 | 68 | 20,694 | 68 | |||||||||||||||||
Equipment Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mobile equipment | 11,580 | 19 | 12,611 | 15 | 23,662 | 19 | 3,927 | 16 | 3,287 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||
Fixed equipment | 1,425 | 2 | 4,551 | 5 | 5,278 | 4 | 708 | 3 | 1,716 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
Data equipment | | 0 | 560 | 1 | 1,085 | 1 | 175 | 1 | 413 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Accessories/misc. | 4,760 | 8 | 8,719 | 10 | 15,650 | 12 | 3,207 | 13 | 4,232 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||
Subtotal | 17,765 | 30 | 26,441 | 31 | 45,675 | 36 | 8,017 | 32 | 9,648 | 32 | |||||||||||||||||
Total Revenue | $ | 60,200 | 100 | % | $ | 84,368 | 100 | % | $ | 127,147 | 100 | % | $ | 24,768 | 100 | % | $ | 30,342 | 100 | % | |||||||
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses are comprised principally of:
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Due to the fixed nature of our network costs, our cost of services has been fairly consistent over the past three fiscal years. Our increased sales and number of subscribers have caused increases both in our cost of subscriber equipment and in our marketing, general and administrative expenses. Acquisition of new fixed assets, especially gateways acquired from independent gateway operators and new gateways built by us, has increased our depreciation and amortization expense.
Compensation Expense. As a result of our planned issuance of approximately 38,000 shares of restricted stock under our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan to substantially all of our employees promptly after the effective date of this registration statement, we will incur a pre-tax non-cash charge of approximately $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2006 and approximately $2.8 million will be amortized over the shares' three-year vesting period. See "ManagementEquity Incentive Plan."
Operating Income (Loss). Our operating income (loss) grew from an operating loss of $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, to operating income of $21.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. Our operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $3.9 million compared to $2.6 million for the same period in 2005. Correspondingly, our operating income margin, which is operating income or loss divided by total revenue, improved to 17.2% for the year ended December 31, 2005, and 12.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to (462.7)% for the year ended December 31, 2004 and 10.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2005. Our operating income margin for the three months ended March 31, 2006 increased 2.5% compared to 10.4% for the same period in 2005. Due to the fixed cost nature of our network, our operating income margin is particularly sensitive to increases and decreases in service revenue.
Material Industry Trends and Uncertainties
The satellite communications business, by providing critical, reliable mobile communications to customers, principally serves the following markets: government, public safety and disaster relief; recreation and personal; maritime and fishing; business, financial and insurance; natural resources, mining and forestry; oil and gas; construction; utilities; and transportation. Satellite communications have been growing rapidly as a result of:
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The industry also faces a number of challenges, including whether the market will continue to grow at expected rates, the impact of technological and competitive developments, cellular encroachment on satellite services and the high cost of replacement satellites.
Performance Indicators
Our management reviews and analyzes several key performance indicators in order to manage our business and assess the quality of and potential variability of our earnings and cash flows. These key performance indicators include:
Seasonality
Our results of operations are subject to seasonal usage changes. April through October are typically our peak months for service revenues and equipment sales. Government customers in North America tend to use our services during summer months, often in support of relief activities after events such as hurricanes, forest fires and other natural disasters.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect our revenues and expenses for the periods reported and the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities, including contingent assets and liabilities, as of the date of the financial statements. We evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventories, long-lived assets, income taxes and pension obligations, on an on-going basis. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following accounting policies are most important to understanding our financial results and condition and require complex or subjective judgments and estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Customer activation fees are deferred and recognized over four to five year periods, which approximates the estimated average life of the customer relationship. We periodically evaluate the estimated customer relationship life. Historically, changes in the estimated life have not been material to our financial statements.
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Monthly access fees billed to retail customers and resellers, representing the minimum monthly charge for each line of service based on its associated rate plan, are billed on the first day of each monthly bill cycle. Airtime minute fees in excess of the monthly access fees are billed in arrears on the first day of each monthly billing cycle. To the extent that billing cycles fall during the course of a given month and a portion of the monthly services has not been delivered at month end, fees are prorated and fees associated with the undelivered portion of a given month are deferred.
We also provide certain engineering services to assist customers in developing new technologies related to our system. The revenues associated with these services are recorded when the services are rendered, and the expenses are recorded when incurred. During 2005, we recorded engineering services revenues of $3.5 million and related costs of $1.7 million. Engineering services revenues and cost of services were not significant in 2003 and 2004.
Our Liberty Plans were introduced in August 2004 and grew substantially in 2005. These Plans require users to pre-pay usage charges for an entire 12-month period, which results in the deferral of certain of our revenues. Under our revenue recognition policy for Liberty Plans, we defer revenue until the earlier of when the minutes are used or when these minutes expire. Any unused minutes are recognized as revenue at the end of the 12-month period. Most of our customers have not used all the minutes that are available to them or have not used them at the pace anticipated, which, with the rapid acceptance of our Liberty Plans, has caused us to defer increasingly large amounts of service revenue. At March 31, 2006, our deferred revenue aggregated approximately $18.4 million. Accordingly, we expect significant revenues from 2005 and 2006 purchases of Liberty Plans to be recognized in 2006 and 2007, respectively, as the minutes are used or expire.
We own and operate our satellite constellation and earn a portion of our revenues through the sale of airtime minutes on a wholesale basis to the independent gateway operators. Revenue from services provided to independent gateway operators is recognized based upon airtime minutes used by customers of independent gateway operators and contractual fee arrangements. Where collection is uncertain, revenue is recognized when cash payment is received.
Subscriber equipment revenue represents the sale of fixed and mobile user terminals and accessories. Revenue is recognized upon shipment provided title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed and determinable and collection is probable.
In December 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 00-21, "Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables." EITF Issue No. 00-21 addresses certain aspects of the accounting by a vendor for arrangements under which it will perform multiple revenue-generating activities. In some arrangements, the different revenue-generating activities (deliveries) are sufficiently separable and there exists sufficient evidence of their fair values to account separately for some or all of the deliveries (that is, there are separate units of accounting). In other arrangements, some or all of the deliveries are not independently functional, or there is not sufficient evidence of their fair values to account for them separately. EITF Issue No. 00-21 addresses when, and if so, how an arrangement involving multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of accounting. EITF Issue No. 00-21 does not change otherwise applicable revenue recognition criteria.
Inventory
Inventory consists of purchased products, including fixed and mobile user terminals, accessories and gateway spare parts. Prior to December 5, 2003, inventory was stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory acquired on December 5, 2003 was stated at fair value at the date of our acquisition of the assets of Old Globalstar and subsequent inventory transactions are stated at the lower of cost or market. At the end of each quarter, product sales and returns from the previous twelve months are reviewed and any excess and obsolete inventory is written off. Cost is computed using the first-in,
54
first-out (FIFO) method. Inventory allowances for inventories with a lower market value or that are slow moving are recorded in the period of determination.
Globalstar System, Property and Equipment
Our Globalstar System assets include costs for the design, manufacture, test, and launch of a constellation of low earth orbit satellites, including in-orbit spare satellites, which we refer to as the space segment, and primary and backup terrestrial control centers and gateways, which we refer to as the ground segment.
Loss from declaration that an in-orbit satellite has failed is recognized as an expense in the period it is determined that the satellite is not recoverable.
The carrying value of the Globalstar System is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the recorded value of the space segment and ground segment, taken as a whole, may not be recoverable. We look to current and future undiscounted cash flows, excluding financing costs, as primary indicators of recoverability. If an impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on fair value.
Property and equipment is stated at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation and impairment charges until December 5, 2003, when the assets were acquired by us and recorded based on our allocation of acquisition cost. Because the acquisition cost of these assets was substantially below their historic cost or replacement cost, current depreciation and amortization costs have been reduced substantially for GAAP purposes, thereby increasing net income or decreasing net loss. As we increase our capital expenditures, especially to procure and launch our second-generation satellite constellation, we expect GAAP depreciation to increase substantially. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. For this purpose, we have estimated that our satellites have an estimated useful life of 10 years from commencement of service, or through December 31, 2009. To verify the life of our satellites, we commissioned a report by an independent consultant to assess the health and life of our current constellation. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease, generally five years. We perform ongoing evaluations of the estimated useful lives of our property and equipment for depreciation purposes. The estimated useful lives are determined and continually evaluated based on the period over which services are expected to be rendered by the asset. Maintenance and repair items are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes
Until January 1, 2006, we were treated as a partnership for U.S. tax purposes. Generally, our taxable income or loss, deductions and credits were passed through to our members. Certain of our corporate subsidiaries required, and continue to require, a tax provision or benefit using the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes as prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS No. 109). Effective January 1, 2006, we elected to be taxed as a C corporation in the United States. When an enterprise changes its tax status from non-taxable to taxable, under SFAS No. 109 the effect of recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities is included in income from continuing operations in the period of change. As a result, we recognized a gross deferred tax asset of $204.2 million and a gross deferred tax liability of $0.1 million on January 1, 2006. SFAS No. 109 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we take into account various factors including the expected level of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. Under this standard, we determined that it was likely that we would not recognize the entire deferred tax asset; therefore, we established a valuation allowance of $182.7 million, resulting in recognition of a net deferred tax
55
benefit of $21.4 million. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that, if and when we are more likely than not to be able to utilize more of the deferred tax asset, we will be able to reduce the valuation allowance accordingly.
As of December 31, 2004 and 2005, our corporate subsidiaries had gross deferred tax assets of approximately $10.6 million and $7.6 million, respectively. Valuation reserves of $5.9 million and $5.2 million at December 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively, reflect concerns about our ability to generate sufficient income in those corporate subsidiaries to utilize the deferred tax assets. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period are reduced.
We have substantially more basis in our U.S. assets for tax purposes than we do for book purposes. We estimate that as of January 1, 2006, the tax basis of our assets was approximately $498.0 million in excess of our book basis. Assuming an average U.S. tax rate of 41%, depreciation of these assets could reduce our income taxes payable by approximately $204.2 million in the future. The $498.0 million represents the historical cost of the assets purchased by Old Globalstar net of any tax depreciation or amortization taken to date. When we purchased Old Globalstar in 2004, the acquisition was treated as a purchase of assets under GAAP. For tax purposes, the transaction was treated as a contribution of assets to a partnership and resulted in a carryover of the historical cost basis net of any amortization and depreciation for tax purposes.
Spare Satellites and Launch Costs
Old Globalstar purchased eight additional satellites in 1998 for $148.0 million (including performance incentives of up to $16.0 million) to serve as on-ground spares. Costs of $147.0 million (including a portion of the performance incentives) were previously recognized for these spare satellites. Prior to 2002, Old Globalstar recorded an impairment of these costs, and at December 31, 2002 they were carried at $24.2 million. Seven of the eight satellites have been completed, and all eight are in storage in California. Depreciation of these assets will not begin until the satellites are placed in service. As of December 31, 2004 and 2005, these assets were recorded at $0.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of which $0.6 million was based on our allocation of the Reorganization cost on December 5, 2003. We expect to launch these satellites during 2007.
Pension Obligations
We have various company-sponsored retirement plans covering certain current and past U.S. based employees. Until June 1, 2004, substantially all of Old and New Globalstar's employees and retirees who participated and/or met the vesting criteria for the plan were participants in the Retirement Plan of Space Systems/Loral, Inc. (the "Loral Plan"), a defined benefit pension plan. The accrual of benefits in the Old Globalstar segment of the Loral Plan was curtailed, or frozen, by the administrator of the Loral Plan as of October 23, 2003. Prior to October 23, 2003, benefits for the Loral Plan were generally based upon compensation, length of service with the company and age of the participant. On June 1, 2004, the assets and frozen pension obligations of the segment attributable to our employees were transferred into a new Globalstar Retirement Plan (the "Globalstar Plan"). The Globalstar Plan remains frozen and participants are not currently accruing benefits beyond those accrued as of October 23, 2003. Our funding policy is to fund the Globalstar Plan in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code and regulations.
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We account for our defined benefit pension and life insurance benefit plans in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, Employers' Accounting for Pensions and SFAS No. 106, Employer's Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions, which require that amounts recognized in financial statements be determined on an actuarial basis. Pension benefits associated with these plans are generally based primarily on each participant's years of service, compensation, and age at retirement or termination. Two critical assumptions, the discount rate and the expected return on plan assets, are important elements of expense and liability measurement. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of actuarial assumptions used in determining the pension liability and expense. We utilize the services of a third party to perform these actuarial calculations.
We determine the discount rate used to measure plan liabilities as of the December 31 measurement date for the U.S. pension plan. The discount rate reflects the current rate at which the associated liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year. In estimating this rate, we look at rates of return on fixed-income investments of similar duration to the liabilities in the plan that receive high, investment grade ratings by recognized ratings agencies. Using these methodologies, we determined a discount rate of 5.5% to be appropriate as of December 31, 2005, which is a reduction of 0.25 percentage points from the rate used as of December 31, 2004. An increase of 1.0% in the discount rate would have decreased our plan liabilities as of December 31, 2005 by $1.6 million and a decrease of 1.0% could have increased our plan liabilities by $2.0 million.
A significant element in determining our pension expense in accordance with SFAS No. 87 is the expected return on plan assets, which is based on historical results for similar allocations among asset classes. For the U.S. pension plan, our assumption for the expected return on plan assets was 7.5% for 2005. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on how this rate is determined. An increase (decrease) of 1.0% in the expected return on plan assets would have decreased (increased) our pension expense for 2005 by $0.1 million.
The difference between the expected return and the actual return on plan assets is deferred and, under certain circumstances, amortized over future years of service. Therefore, the net deferral of past asset gains (losses) ultimately affects future pension expense. This is also true of changes to actuarial assumptions. As of December 31, 2005, we had net unrecognized pension actuarial losses of $2.6 million. These amounts represent potential future pension and postretirement expenses that would be amortized over average future service periods.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, we recognized total pre-tax pension expense (after settlements, curtailments and special termination benefits) of $0.2 million, up from less than $0.1 million in 2004. Pension expense (before settlements, curtailments and special termination benefits) is anticipated to be approximately $0.1 million in 2006.
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Results of Operations
Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2006
Statements of Operations |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 |
% Change |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||
Service revenue | $ | 16,751 | $ | 20,694 | 23.5 | % | |||
Subscriber equipment sales | 8,017 | 9,648 | 20.3 | ||||||
Total Revenue | 24,768 | 30,342 | 22.5 | ||||||
Operating Expenses: | |||||||||
Cost of services | 7,128 | 6,547 | (8.2 | ) | |||||
Cost of subscriber equipment sales | 6,427 | 8,515 | 32.5 | ||||||
Marketing, general and administrative | 8,171 | 9,965 | 22.0 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 467 | 1,390 | 197.6 | ||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 22,193 | 26,417 | 19.0 | ||||||
Operating Income | 2,575 | 3,925 | 52.4 | ||||||
Interest income | 15 | 167 | 1,013.3 | ||||||
Interest expense(1) | (105 | ) | (20 | ) | (81.0 | ) | |||
Other expense | (599 | ) | (337 | ) | (43.7 | ) | |||
Income Before Income Taxes | 1,886 | 3,735 | 98.0 | ||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 1,522 | (18,751 | ) | N/A | |||||
Net Income | $ | 364 | $ | 22,486 | 6,077.5 | % | |||
Revenue. Total revenue increased by $5.6 million, or approximately 22.5%, to $30.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, from $24.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, principally due to continued growth in our core markets in North America, increased subscribers, and stronger performance by the independent gateway operators. Total revenue growth in the three months ended March 31, 2006 also benefited from our sale of over 3,000 fixed units to our China independent gateway operator for $0.7 million and our sale of three Simplex appliqués (switching equipment) for Simplex operations to a customer for use on our gateways or gateways operated by independent gateway operators for $1.3 million. Our average revenue per user decreased during this period due to the acceptance of our Liberty Plans which require subscribers to pre-pay for a year of service. Generally subscribers do not use all of the minutes for which they have prepaid. These Plans reduce current period revenue because revenue is not recognized until minutes are used. Unused minutes are recognized as revenue at the expiration of a Plan's 12-month term.
Service Revenue. Service revenue increased $3.9 million, or approximately 23.5%, to $20.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, from $16.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. This increase was driven by our 41% subscriber growth over the prior period and increased usage of minutes. Our Simplex business grew from 6,066 subscribers at March 31, 2005 to 25,353 at March 31, 2006.
Subscriber Equipment Sales. Subscriber equipment sales increased by $1.6 million, or approximately 20.3%, to $9.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, from $8.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. This increase was driven by growth in the number of our
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subscribers. Subscriber equipment sales for the three months ended March 31, 2006 included the sales of fixed units and Simplex appliqués described above.
Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses increased $4.2 million, or approximately 19.0%, to $26.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, from $22.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. This increase was primarily due to higher cost of subscriber equipment and marketing, general and administrative expenses, as well as increased depreciation and amortization.
Cost of Services. Our cost of services decreased $0.6 million, or approximately 8.2%, to $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, from $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The decrease was due to increased reimbursements from independent gateway operators of some of our fixed network costs. These reimbursable costs consist of expenditures we make to maintain software and hardware at our gateways. These costs are apportioned equally to all gateways in our network, and each independent gateway operator reimburses us for the portion of these costs apportioned to its gateways.
Cost of Subscriber Equipment Sales. Cost of subscriber equipment sales increased $2.1 million, or approximately 32.5%, to $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, from $6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. This increase was primarily due to the costs of sales of the fixed units and Simplex appliqués described above. Costs of subscriber equipment sales increased at a faster rate than subscriber equipment sales as we reduced inventories purchased from QUALCOMM at a discount.
Marketing, General and Administrative. Marketing, general and administrative expenses increased $1.8 million, or approximately 22.0%, to $10.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, from $8.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. This increase was primarily due to additional headcount in the sales and marketing areas relating to our increased sales efforts. General and administrative costs increased as a result of revenue growth.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.9 million, or 197.6%, to $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, from $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. This increase was due primarily to the depreciation associated with the Florida gateway which became operational in July 2005.
Operating Income. Operating income increased $1.4 million, or approximately 52.4%, to $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, from $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The increase was due to improvements in margins, as our total revenue increased 22.5% while our operating expenses increased only 19.0%.
Interest Income. Interest income increased to $167,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2006 from $15,000 in the first quarter of 2005. This increase was due to increased cash balances on hand and higher yields on those balances.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased by $0.1 million, or approximately 81.0%, to less than $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. This decrease was due to a settlement with Loral effective July 31, 2005 which eliminated the note payable to Loral.
Other Expense. Other income (expense) generally consists of foreign exchange transaction gains and losses. We recorded an expense of $0.3 million in foreign exchange losses in the three months ended March 31, 2006.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). During the three months ended March 31, 2005, our domestic entities were a partnership for U.S. tax purposes and thus did not have a tax provision for the entities located domestically. We recognized a deferred tax expense of $1.5 million in foreign subsidiaries for
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that quarter. On January 1, 2006, we elected to be taxed as a C corporation in the United States. The change in tax status resulted in the domestic entities recognizing a net deferred tax benefit of $21.4 million related to the establishment of deferred tax assets and liabilities. This $21.4 million deferred tax benefit was partially offset by $2.6 million of income tax expense related to first quarter operating income in the United States and Canada.
Net Income. Our net income increased $22.1 million to $22.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, from $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. This increase resulted in large part from our income tax benefit. Excluding the income tax benefit, our net income for the three months ended March 31, 2006, would have been $1.1 million. If we had been taxed as a C corporation for the three months ended March 31, 2005, our net income for that period would have been $0.6 million.
Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2005
Statements of Operations |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
% Change |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||
Service revenue | $ | 57,927 | $ | 81,472 | 40.6 | % | |||
Subscriber equipment sales(1) | 26,441 | 45,675 | 72.7 | ||||||
Total Revenue | 84,368 | 127,147 | 50.7 | ||||||
Operating Expenses: | |||||||||
Cost of services | 25,208 | 25,432 | 0.9 | ||||||
Cost of subscriber equipment sales(2) | 23,399 | 38,742 | 65.6 | ||||||
Marketing, general and administrative | 32,151 | 37,945 | 18.0 | ||||||
Restructuring | 5,078 | | (100.0 | ) | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,959 | 3,044 | 55.4 | ||||||
Impairment of assets | 114 | 114 | | ||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 87,909 | 105,277 | 19.8 | ||||||
Operating Income (Loss) | (3,541 | ) | 21,870 | N/A | |||||
Interest income | 58 | 242 | 317.2 | ||||||
Interest expense(3) | (1,382 | ) | (269 | ) | (80.5 | ) | |||
Other income (expense) | 921 | (622 | ) | N/A | |||||
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes | (3,944 | ) | 21,221 | N/A | |||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | (4,314 | ) | 2,502 | N/A | |||||
Net Income | $ | 370 | $ | 18,719 | 4,959.2 | ||||
Revenue. Total revenue increased by $42.8 million, or approximately 50.7%, to $127.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 from $84.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, principally due to the growth of overall demand for our services which resulted in increases in both our service revenue and subscriber equipment sales.
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Service Revenue. Service revenue increased $23.5 million, or approximately 40.6%, to $81.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 from $57.9 million in 2004. This growth was driven by increased demand for our mobile voice services by governmental agencies and substantial customer growth in all other markets. We also continued to maintain our average revenue per user from the prior period and low churn rate, both of which we believe contributed to our overall revenue growth and generally stable average revenue per user.
Our Liberty Plans were introduced in August 2004 and grew substantially in 2005. These Plans allow users to pre-pay usage charges for an entire 12-month period, which results in deferral of certain of our revenue. Under our revenue recognition policy, we defer revenue until the earlier of when the minutes are used or when these minutes expire. Any unused minutes are recognized as revenue at the end of the 12-month period. Most of our customers have not used all the minutes that are available to them or have not used them at the pace anticipated, which, with the rapid acceptance of our Liberty Plans, has caused us to defer increasingly large amounts of service revenue. Accordingly, we expect significant revenue from 2005 and 2006 purchases of Liberty Plans to be recognized in 2006 and 2007, respectively, as the minutes are used or expire.
Subscriber Equipment Sales. Subscriber equipment sales increased by $19.2 million, or approximately 72.7%, to $45.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 from $26.4 million for 2004. As a percentage of our revenue, subscriber equipment sales increased faster than our service revenue primarily as a result of significant customer growth in our major markets, resulting in substantial equipment sales relative to service revenue, and the introduction of our Liberty Plans in August 2004.
Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses increased $17.4 million, or approximately 19.8%, to $105.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, from $87.9 million for 2004. This increase was primarily due to higher cost of subscriber equipment and increased marketing, general and administrative expenses, which was partially offset by our not incurring any restructuring charges in 2005.
Cost of Services. Our cost of services for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased by $0.2 million, or approximately 0.9%, to $25.4 million from $25.2 million for 2004. This minimal increase reflects our continuing emphasis on controlling operating costs.
Cost of Subscriber Equipment Sales. Cost of subscriber equipment sales increased by $15.3 million, or approximately 65.6%, to $38.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2005 from $23.4 million in 2004, primarily as a result of increased equipment sales due to continued improvement in demand for our products and related services in all vertical markets and to selling lower cost QUALCOMM mobile units in 2004. These units were acquired throughout 2004 at a substantially lower cost than the units acquired from QUALCOMM in 2005.
Marketing, General and Administrative. Marketing, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased by $5.8 million, or approximately 18.0%, to $37.9 million compared to $32.2 million for 2004. This increase resulted primarily from increased headcount, which grew primarily in the sales and marketing area, resulting in increases in compensation expense. We also incurred increased legal expenses relating principally to litigation settlements.
Restructuring. For the year ended December 31, 2005, we recorded no restructuring expense. We recorded $5.1 million in 2004 for restructuring obligations relating to Old Globalstar which we assumed. These restructuring expenses in 2004 consisted of employee retention payments, success fees related to the restructuring of Old Globalstar and related legal fees. We no longer have any restructuring obligations.
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Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.1 million, or 55.4%, to $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, from $2.0 million for 2004. This increase related to the Florida gateway, which we placed in service in July 2005.
Impairment of Assets. We recorded impairment charges of $0.1 million for satellite failures in each of the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005.
Operating Income (Loss). Operating income (loss) increased $25.4 million, to $21.9 million of operating income for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to a loss of $3.5 million for 2004. The increase was primarily due to increased subscribers and resulting service revenue and subscriber equipment sales and to not incurring any restructuring expense in 2005, as described above. The growth in marketing, general and administrative expenses was more than offset by increased service revenue and subscriber equipment sales. Additionally, our increased ability to collect reimbursable costs from the independent gateway operators contributed to improved financial performance.
Interest Income. Interest income increased by $0.2 million, or 317.2%, to approximately $0.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2005 from less than $0.1 million in 2004. This increase reflected increased cash balances on hand and higher yields on those balances.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased by $1.1 million to $0.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2005 from $1.4 million in 2004. This decrease resulted from lower levels of indebtedness in 2005.
Other Income. Other income (expense) decreased by $1.5 million to an expense of $0.6 million in 2005 from income of $0.9 million in 2004. This decrease resulted from less than favorable exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Euro.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). For the years ended 2004 and 2005, we were a partnership for United States tax purposes and thus did not have a tax provision for the entities located domestically. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we determined that $4.8 million of the deferred tax assets in our Canadian subsidiary was "more likely than not" going to be recognized. As a result, we reversed a corresponding amount of the valuation allowance at year end, resulting in a net income tax benefit of $4.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2005, we determined that the remaining $4.2 million deferred tax asset in our Canadian subsidiary also was "more likely than not" going to be recognized and reversed all remaining valuation allowance, and we utilized the deferred tax assets previously recognized, resulting in a net income tax expense of $2.5 million.
Net Income. Our net income increased $18.3 million to $18.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to net income of $0.4 million for 2004, as a result of robust revenue growth and recognition of the deferred tax assets described above. If we had been taxed as a C corporation in 2005, our net income would have been $14.3 million.
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Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2004
Statements of Operations |
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Combined(1) |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
% Change |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In thousands) |
|
||||||||
Revenue: | ||||||||||
Service revenue | $ | 42,435 | $ | 57,927 | 36.5 | % | ||||
Subscriber equipment sales | 17,765 | 26,441 | 48.8 | |||||||
Total Revenue | 60,200 | 84,368 | 40.1 | |||||||
Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||
Cost of services | 28,560 | 25,208 | (11.7 | ) | ||||||
Cost of subscriber equipment sales | 13,516 | 23,399 | 73.1 | |||||||
Marketing, general and administrative | 33,764 | 32,151 | (4.8 | ) | ||||||
Restructuring | 6,071 | 5,078 | (16.4 | ) | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 31,598 | 1,959 | (93.8 | ) | ||||||
Impairment of assets | 211,854 | 114 | (99.9 | ) | ||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 325,363 | 87,909 | (73.0 | ) | ||||||
Operating Loss | (265,163 | ) | (3,541 | ) | (98.7 | ) | ||||
Interest income | 14 | 58 | 314.3 | |||||||
Interest expense(2) | (1,644 | ) | (1,382 | ) | (15.9 | ) | ||||
Other income | 529 | 921 | 74.1 | |||||||
(Loss) Before Income Taxes | (266,264 | ) | (3,944 | ) | 98.5 | |||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 133 | (4,314 | ) | N/A | ||||||
Net Income (Loss) | $ | (266,397 | ) | $ | 370 | N/A | ||||
Revenue. Total revenue increased $24.2 million, or approximately 40.1%, to $84.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $60.2 million for the prior year.
Service Revenue. Service revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased $15.5 million, or approximately 36.5%, to $57.9 million from $42.4 million for 2003. This increase was due primarily to continued rapid growth in our subscriber base and acceptance of our higher priced plans. This growth resulted primarily from increased demand for our mobile voice services by $13.2 million.
Subscriber Equipment Sales. Subscriber equipment sales increased by $8.7 million, or approximately 48.8%, to $26.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to
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$17.8 million for 2003. The increase was due primarily to an increase in sales of accessories. Demand for our services and equipment was also stimulated by the completion of the Reorganization, which resulted in greater awareness of our products and services in the marketplace.
Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses decreased $237.5 million to $87.9 million, or approximately 73.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $325.4 million for 2003. This decrease was primarily a result of not having a significant impairment charge for 2004. In December 2003, Old Globalstar recorded a $211.9 million impairment of assets. This charge was the result of the purchase price allocation of our acquisition of the assets and certain of the liabilities of Old Globalstar.
Cost of Services. Cost of services decreased by $3.4 million, or approximately 11.7%, to $25.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $28.6 million for 2003. This decrease was primarily due to an expense of $2.5 million recorded in 2003 relating to a satellite failure.
Cost of Subscriber Equipment Sales. Cost of subscriber equipment sales increased by $9.9 million, or approximately 73.1%, to $23.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $13.5 million for 2003. This increase was the result of increased sales of our equipment in 2004 and higher equipment costs relative to 2003.
Marketing, General and Administrative. Marketing, general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.6 million, or approximately 4.8%, to $32.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $33.8 million for 2003. This decrease in marketing, general, and administrative expenses was primarily the result of moving to a smaller, less expensive headquarters in April 2004.
Restructuring. Restructuring costs decreased $1.0 million, or approximately 16.4%, to $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to $6.1 million for 2003. This decrease reflected the winding down of the restructuring process in 2004 after the Reorganization.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $29.6 million, or approximately 93.8%, to $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $31.6 million for 2003. This decrease was the result of lower depreciable book basis of our fixed assets following the December 2003 impairment charge described below.
Impairment of Assets. Old Globalstar was required to treat certain assets as impaired after we allocated the purchase price of our acquisition of the assets and certain liabilities of Old Globalstar. An impairment charge of $211.9 million was recorded in December 2003, immediately preceding our acquisition of Old Globalstar's assets and business. The vast majority of the assets that were impaired related to our satellites and ground facilities. Due to this impairment charge, we reduced the carrying value of these assets on our balance sheet resulting in substantially lower depreciation charges in future periods. In 2004, we experienced a satellite failure that resulted in a $0.1 million impairment charge.
Operating Income (Loss). We decreased our operating loss by $261.6 million to a loss of $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, from a loss of $265.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily due to the absence in 2004 of the $211.9 million asset impairment charge in 2003 that resulted from our acquisition of the assets and certain of the liabilities of Old Globalstar. The impairment charge also resulted in lower depreciation and amortization expense. In addition, our revenue increased by 40.1% in 2004.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased by $0.3 million to $1.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $1.6 million in 2003. This decrease resulted from incurring less debtor-in-possession financing in 2004.
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Other Income. Other income increased by $0.4 million, or 74.1%, to $0.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $0.5 million in 2003. This increase resulted from favorable exchange rates in Canada and Europe.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). For the years ended 2003 and 2004, we were a partnership for United States tax purposes and thus did not have a tax provision for the entities located domestically. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we determined that $4.8 million of the deferred tax assets in our Canadian subsidiary was "more likely than not" going to be recognized. As a result, we reversed a corresponding amount of the valuation allowance at year-end. Income tax expense of $0.1 million for 2003 relates to foreign taxes paid.
Net Income (Loss). Our net income increased by $266.8 million to $0.4 million of income for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to a net loss of $266.4 million for 2003. The results for 2003 were impacted by the $211.9 million asset impairment charge in December 2003. After eliminating the effects of this charge, our net income grew substantially due to sustained revenue growth in all areas of our business.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table shows our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006:
Statements of Cash Flows |
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Combined(1) |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In thousands) |
||||||||||||||||
Net cash from operating activities | $ | (20,372 | ) | $ | (4,849 | ) | $ | 13,694 | $ | 4,760 | $ | 4,335 | |||||
Net cash from investing activities | 927 | (4,015 | ) | (10,141 | ) | (1,315 | ) | (4,470 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash from financing activities | 24,187 | 2,000 | 2,899 | (459 | ) | 12,837 | |||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | 168 | 488 | (20 | ) | 91 | |||||||||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ | 4,742 | $ | (6,696 | ) | $ | 6,940 | $ | 2,966 | $ | 12,793 | ||||||
Our principal sources of liquidity are our amended and restated credit agreement and the irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement discussed below, our existing cash and internally generated cash flow from operations. We will utilize these sources to meet our cash requirements for capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. In addition to these sources, we anticipate that we will require up to an additional $100.0 million in capital, the source of which has not yet been arranged. Our liquidity and our ability to fund these needs may depend on our future financial performance, which will be subject in part to general economic, financial, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control, including trends in our industry and technology discussed elsewhere in this
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document. If those factors significantly change or other unexpected factors adversely affect us, our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations and future financings may not be available to meet our liquidity needs. We anticipate that, to the extent additional liquidity is necessary to fund our operations or to complete the development or launch of our second-generation satellite system, it will be funded through the incurrence of additional indebtedness, equity financings or a combination of these potential sources of liquidity. We may not be able to obtain this additional liquidity on terms acceptable to us or at all.
We derive additional liquidity from our Liberty Plans, which provide for payment in advance of a full year of services. Revenue is recognized as the services are provided or the contract expires. As a result, cash flow from the sale of Liberty Plans precedes recognition of the associated revenues.
In assessing our liquidity, management reviews and analyzes our current cash on-hand, the number of days our sales are outstanding, the contractual rates that we have established with our vendors, inventory turns, foreign exchange rates, capital expenditure commitments and income tax rates. Our principal liquidity requirements are to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs.
Net Cash from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 decreased to $4.3 million from $4.8 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2005. This decrease was attributable primarily to purchases of finished goods inventory from QUALCOMM, partially offset by increased sales activity and rapid inventory turnover.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $13.7 million compared to $4.8 million used in operating activities in 2004. This increase in cash from operations of $18.5 million was attributable mainly to substantial revenue growth, better operating margins and the absence of restructuring costs in 2005.
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2004 decreased to $4.8 million from $20.4 million for 2003. The increase in cash provided by operations of $15.6 million was attributable mainly to substantial revenue growth, reduced operating expenses and lower restructuring costs, partially offset by higher accounts receivable at year-end.
Net Cash from Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $1.3 million for the same period in 2005. This increase was the result of capital expenditures for the construction of our new gateway in Sebring, Florida and commencement of construction of a gateway in Wasilla, Alaska. The investment in acquisitions decreased from $0.3 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 to $0.2 million for the same period in 2006. During the first quarter of 2006, we also began procuring services related to the launch of our spare satellites in the amount of $1.6 million. The expenditures on property, plant and equipment increased by $1.7 million to $2.7 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 from $1.0 million for the comparable period in 2005.
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased $6.1 million to $10.1 million as compared to $4.0 million in 2004. This increase was due to capital expenditures relating to our Florida and Alaska gateways and procuring services for the test and launch of our eight spare satellites.
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased $4.9 million to $4.0 million as compared to cash flows provided by investing activities of $0.9 million for 2003. This increase was primarily due to capital expenditures for relocating our facilities and the commencement of construction of our gateway in Florida. The positive amount in 2003 was the result of payment
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received from ELSACOM (one of the independent gateway operators) for a past due production gateway receivable in the amount of $2.2 million that was classified as a long-term asset. This amount was partially offset by miscellaneous capital expenditures related to maintaining our network.
Net Cash from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 increased by $13.2 million to $12.8 million from $0.5 million used in financing activities the same period in 2005. The increase was the result of not utilizing committed financing available as part of the Reorganization and subsequent receipt of $13.0 million in April 2006 representing the remaining Thermo equity commitment. Improved cash flows greatly reduced the need to draw on financing. See "Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsThe Thermo Transaction" for additional discussion of the committed financing.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased by $0.9 million to $2.9 million from $2.0 million in 2004. This increase was due to proceeds from subscriptions receivable exceeding payments on notes payable.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2004 decreased by $22.2 million to $2.0 million from $24.2 million for 2003. This decrease was the result of less reliance on debtor-in-possession financing from Thermo or other sources due to rapidly improving operating results. In 2004, proceeds from both term loans and the sale of membership interests increased, but were offset by a $10.0 million repayment of term loans.
Cash Position and Indebtedness
As of March 31, 2006, our total cash and cash equivalents were $33.1 million and we had total indebtedness of $1.4 million, compared to total cash and cash equivalents and total indebtedness at March 31, 2005 of $16.3 million and $5.4 million, respectively.
Credit Agreement
On April 24, 2006, we entered into a credit agreement providing for $200.0 million in the form of a five-year $150.0 million term loan and a four-year $50.0 million revolving credit facility with Wachovia Investment Holdings, LLC, as administrative agent. The term loan, which was not funded, included a $50.0 million delayed draw portion which could be drawn but only if we had received net cash proceeds of $100.0 million from sales of our common stock after April 24, 2006 and prior to the date of drawing (including sales pursuant to the irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement). The credit agreement provided that the term loan would bear interest at LIBOR plus 4.0% or the prime rate plus 3.0% and revolving credit loans would bear interest at LIBOR plus 3.25% to 4.0%, or the prime rate plus 2.25% to 3.0%. The loans could be prepaid without penalty at any time. Our indebtedness under the credit agreement was guaranteed by our principal domestic subsidiaries and secured by a first lien on our and their property. The credit agreement contained customary representations and warranties, covenants and conditions to borrowing, including covenants limiting our ability to dispose of assets, change our business, merge, make acquisitions or capital expenditures or incur vendor financing obligations, indebtedness or liens, pay dividends, make investments or engage in certain transactions with affiliates. The credit agreement also required that we:
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The credit agreement replaced a loan and security agreement with the Union Bank of California that we entered into on December 14, 2005 and that provided for revolving credit loans of up to $15.0 million, which loans were secured by the personal property of our company and of our domestic subsidiaries. We did not borrow any funds under this agreement, which we terminated on April 19, 2006.
The credit agreement was amended as of June 16, June 23, June 30, July 28, and August 10, 2006 to extend the term loan funding deadline and related dates. As of August 10, 2006 there were $15.0 million principal amount of revolving credit borrowings outstanding under the credit agreement.
We anticipate that we will enter into an amended and restated credit agreement with Wachovia Investment Holdings, LLC, as administrative agent and swingline lender, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as issuing lender. The amended and restated credit agreement will provide for a $50.0 million revolving credit facility and a $100.0 million delayed draw term loan facility. The delayed draw term loan may be drawn after January 1, 2008 and prior to August 16, 2009, but only if we have received prior to such draw net cash proceeds of $200.0 million from sales after April 24, 2006 of our common stock (including sales pursuant to the irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement) and if, after giving effect to such loan and thereafter at the end of each quarter while the delayed draw term loan is outstanding, our consolidated senior secured leverage ratio does not exceed 3.5 to 1.0. The delayed draw term loan facility will be reduced in an amount equal to the sum of 50% of the net proceeds of any sales of common stock (other than sales pursuant to the irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement and net proceeds of up to $100.0 million from any other issuance of our common stock after the date of the amended and restated credit agreement, including our contemplated initial public offering), 100% of the proceeds of any additional term loans under the facility described below which we incur prior to the draw of the delayed draw term loan and 50% of the proceeds of certain additional unsecured debt financing permitted under the amended and restated credit agreement which we incur prior to the draw of the delayed draw term loan. If drawn, the delayed draw term loan will be subject to prepayment in an amount equal to the sum of 50% of the net proceeds of such sales of common stock and 50% of the net proceeds of certain additional indebtedness, including any such additional term loans, which we incur subsequent to such draw. Other customary prepayment provisions will also apply. In addition to the $150.0 million revolving and delayed draw term loan facilities, the amended and restated credit agreement will permit us to incur additional term loans on an equally and ratably secured, pari passu basis in an aggregate amount of up to $150.0 million (plus the amount of any reduction in the delayed draw term loan facility or prepayment of the delayed draw term loan described above resulting from sales of common stock or any such additional term loans) from the lenders party to the credit agreement or other banks, financial institutions or investment funds approved by us and the administrative agent. We have not received any commitments for these additional term loans.
As under the initial Wachovia credit facility described above, all revolving credit loans will mature on June 30, 2010 and all term loans will mature on June 30, 2011. Revolving credit loans will bear interest at LIBOR plus 4.25% to 4.75% or the greater of the prime rate or Federal Funds rate plus 3.25% to 3.75%. The delayed draw term loan will bear interest at LIBOR plus 6.0% or the greater of the prime rate or Federal Funds rate plus 5.0%, and the delayed draw term loan facility bears an annual commitment fee of 2.0% until drawn or terminated. Additional term loans will bear interest at rates to be negotiated. The loans may be prepaid without penalty at any time.
The amended and restated credit agreement will be guaranteed and secured in the same manner as, and will contain other representations, warranties, covenants and conditions essentially identical to those of, the initial Wachovia credit agreement described above.
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Irrevocable Standby Stock Purchase Agreement
In connection with the execution of our credit agreement, we entered into an irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement with Thermo Funding Company LLC pursuant to which it agreed to purchase up to $200.0 million of our Series A common stock under certain circumstances. Thermo Funding Company's obligation to purchase these shares is secured by the escrow of cash and marketable securities in an amount equal to 105% of its unfunded commitment, initially $210.0 million.
Pursuant to the agreement, Thermo Funding Company will purchase Series A common stock (in minimum amounts of $5.0 million) as follows:
Thermo Funding Company may elect at any time to purchase any unpurchased Series A common stock subject to its obligations under the irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement. The agreement terminates on the earliest of December 31, 2011, our payment in full of all obligations under the credit agreement or Thermo Funding Company's purchase of all of the Series A common stock subject to its obligations under the agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, on June 30, 2006, Thermo Funding Company purchased 154,640 shares of our Series A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $15.0 million.
As we are required to do by the pre-emptive rights provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation, we intend to offer existing stockholders who were accredited investors as defined under the Securities Act the opportunity to participate in the irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement on a pro rata basis on substantially the same terms as Thermo Funding Company.
We plan to use the proceeds from our amended and restated credit agreement and the irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement, cash generated by our business and proceeds from other equity sales or debt financings to fund the procurement and launch of our second generation satellite constellation, upgrades to our gateways and other ground facilities and the launch of eight spare satellites to augment our current constellation, as well as for general corporate purposes.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
During 2004, 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2006, we purchased $25.7 million, $49.3 million, and $22.4 million, respectively, of mobile phones and other equipment under various commercial agreements with QUALCOMM. At March 31, 2006, we had a remaining commitment to purchase $126.8 million of equipment from QUALCOMM.
On September 19, 2005, we executed a contract with Starsem providing for Starsem to launch our eight spare satellites in two launches of four satellites each. The contract also provides for a compatibility and feasibility study. As of March 31, 2006, we had incurred approximately $18.0 million in obligations to Starsem under the contract. We have authorized Starsem to proceed with both launches. Full payment under the contract will be made by April 2007. We estimate that the total cost of completing, testing and launching our eight spare satellites (including launch insurance) will be approximately $110.0 million, including payments to Starsem.
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Contractual obligations at March 31, 2006, assuming the borrowing of $150.0 million in term loans under our credit agreement, are as follows:
Payments due by period:
Contractual Obligations: |
Total |
Less than 1 Year |
1-3 Years |
3-5 Years |
More Than 5 Years |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In thousands) |
|||||||||||||||
Long-term debt obligations | $ | 151,352 | $ | 1,971 | $ | 4,506 | $ | 144,875 | $ | | ||||||
Capital (finance) obligations | | | | | | |||||||||||
Operating lease obligations | 4,721 | 1,210 | 2,117 | 504 | 890 | |||||||||||
Purchase obligations | 268,486 | 174,363 | 94,123 | | | |||||||||||
Pension obligations | 4,109 | 1,370 | 2,739 | | | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 428,668 | $ | 178,914 | $ | 103,485 | $ | 145,379 | $ | 890 | ||||||
Distribution to Thermo
Pursuant to the operating agreement of Globalstar LLC, in connection with our conversion to a Delaware corporation on March 17, 2006, we will distribute $685,848 to Thermo when permitted by our credit agreement. This amount represents a deferred payment of interest that accrued from December 6, 2003 to April 14, 2004 on loans made by Thermo to us that were converted to equity on April 14, 2004.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure Regarding Market Risk
Our services and products are sold, distributed or available in over 120 countries. Our international sales are made primarily in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars and Euros. In some cases insufficient supplies of U.S. currency require us to accept payment in other foreign currencies. We reduce our currency exchange risk from revenues in currencies other than the U.S. dollar by requiring payment in U.S. dollars whenever possible and purchasing foreign currencies on the spot market when rates are favorable. We currently do not purchase hedging instruments to hedge foreign currencies. However, our credit agreement requires us to do so on terms reasonably acceptable to the administrative agent not later than 90 days after the end of any quarter in which more than 25% of our revenue is originally denominated in a single currency other than U.S. or Canadian dollars.
As discussed in "Contractual Obligations and Commitments," we have entered into a contract with Starsem to launch our eight spare satellites. Our obligations under the Starsem contract are denominated in Euros.
Our interest rate risk arises from our variable rate debt under our credit agreement, under which loans bear interest at a floating rate based on the U.S. prime rate or LIBOR. Assuming that we borrowed the entire $200.0 million in revolving and term debt available under our credit agreement, and without giving effect to the hedging arrangement described in the next sentence, a 1.0% change in interest rates would result in a change to interest expense of approximately $2.0 million annually. To hedge a portion of our interest rate risk, we have entered into a five-year swap agreement with respect to a $100.0 million notional amount at a fixed rate of 5.59%.
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
We have no material off-balance sheet transactions.
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Recently Implemented Accounting Policies
In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Statement of Financing Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 151, Inventory Costs, which amended the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, Inventory Pricing, to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material (spoilage). This statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of "so abnormal." In addition, this statement requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The provisions of this statement are effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We will adopt SFAS No. 151 effective January 1, 2007. We have determined that the adoption of the statement will not have a material effect on our financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29. This Statement amends Opinion 29 to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. This Statement is effective for nonmonetary exchanges occurring in the fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. We have completed our evaluation of SFAS No. 153 and have determined that it does not have a material effect on our financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment ("SFAS No. 123R"). This Statement requires companies to record compensation expense for all share based awards granted subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. In addition, SFAS No. 123R requires the recording of compensation expense for the unvested portion of previously granted awards that remain outstanding at the date of adoption. We adopted SFAS No. 123R effective January 1, 2006 and do not expect the adoption to have a material effect on our financial statements.
In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation ("FIN") No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations ("FIN No. 47"), which is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. FIN No. 47 clarifies the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations ("SFAS No. 143"). Conditional asset retirement obligation refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. We do not expect the adoption of FIN No. 47 to have a material effect on our financial statements.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections ("SFAS No. 154"). This Statement requires retrospective application to prior periods' financial statements of voluntary changes in accounting principles unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS No. 154 makes a distinction between "retrospective application" of an accounting principle and the "restatement" of financial statements to reflect the correction of an error. SFAS No. 154 replaces Accounting Principles Bulletin ("APB") No. 20, Accounting Changes ("APB No. 20"), and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements. APB No. 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle in the net income of the period of the change. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 154 to have a material effect on our financial statements.
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instrumentsan amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 (Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities) and No. 140 (Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
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Extinguishments of Liabilities), which permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation. In addition, SFAS No. 155 establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation under the requirements of Statement No. 133. This Statement will be effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. We will adopt this Statement effective January 1, 2007. Based on our current evaluation of this Statement, we do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 155 to have a material effect on our financial statements.
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assetsan amendment of FASB Statement No. 140. This Statement amends FASB Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, with respect to the accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. This Statement clarifies when servicing rights should be separately accounted for, requires companies to account for separately recognized servicing rights initially at fair value, and gives companies the option of subsequently accounting for those servicing rights at either fair value or under the amortization method. This Statement will be effective as of the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. We will adopt this Statement effective January 1, 2007. Based on our current evaluation of this Statement, we do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 156 to have a material effect on our financial statements.
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Our principal headquarters are located in Milpitas, California, where we currently lease 42,000 square feet of office space. We also own or lease the facilities described in the following table:
Location |
Country |
Sq Feet |
Facility Use |
Owned/Leased |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
El Dorado Hills, California | USA | 11,000 | Back-Up Control Center | Leased | ||||
Mississauga, Ontario | Canada | 13,627 | Canada Office | Leased | ||||
Milpitas, California | USA | 42,000 | Corporate Office | Leased | ||||
Dublin | Ireland | 1,700 | Europe Office | Leased | ||||
Landover, Maryland | USA | 1,810 | Sales Office | Leased | ||||
Bogotá | Colombia | 500 | Sales Office | Leased | ||||
Caracas | Venezuela | 2,200 | Venezuela Office | Leased | ||||
Panama City | Panama | 1,141 | GAT Office | Leased | ||||
Guatemala City | Guatemala | 699 | Sales Office | Leased | ||||
Tegucigalpa | Honduras | 377 | Sales Office | Leased | ||||
Managua | Nicaragua | 452 | Sales Office | Leased | ||||
Clifton, Texas | USA | 10,000 | Gateway | Owned | ||||
Sebring, Florida | USA | 9,000 | Gateway | Leased | ||||
Barrio of Las Palmas, Cabo Rojo | Puerto Rico | 6,000 | Gateway | Owned | ||||
Aussaguel | France | 4,600 | Gateway | Leased | ||||
Los Velasquex, Edo Miranda | Venezuela | 9,700 | Gateway | Owned | ||||
Wasilla, Alaska | USA | 5,000 | Gateway | Owned | ||||
Smith Falls, Ontario | Canada | 6,500 | Gateway | Owned | ||||
High River, Alberta | Canada | 6,500 | Gateway | Owned | ||||
Managua | Nicaragua | 10,857 | Gateway | Owned |
We believe our facilities are adequate to conduct our business.
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Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table and accompanying footnotes set forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of each class of our common stock by (1) each person who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of that class, (2) each director and named executive officer, and (3) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. We have three series of common stock. See "Item 11. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered."
Beneficial ownership of shares is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power.
The number of shares and percentages of beneficial ownership set forth below are based on 10,479,249 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of August 1, 2006.
Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each person in the following table is care of Globalstar, Inc., 461 South Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, California 95035.
At August 1, 2006, our outstanding common stock consisted of 3,243,631 shares of Series A common stock, 692,400 shares of Series B common stock and 6,543,218 shares of Series C common stock.
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|
Series A Common Stock |
Series B Common Stock |
Series C Common Stock(8) |
Aggregate Common Stock |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beneficial Owner |
||||||||||||||||
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
|||||||||
Globalstar Holdings, LLC(1) | | | | | 6,490,125 | 6,440,125 | 61.46 | |||||||||
Thermo Funding Company LLC(1)(2) | 2,061,856 | 40.03 | | | | | 2,061,856 | 16.65 | ||||||||
Columbia Ventures Corporation(3) | 1,004,936 | 19.51 | | | | | 1,004,936 | 9.58 | ||||||||
Banc of America Securities LLC(4) | 926,827 | 28.57 | | * | | | 926,827 | 8.84 | ||||||||
QUALCOMM Incorporated(5) | | | 692,400 | 100 | | | 692,400 | 6.61 | ||||||||
Globalstar Satellite, LP | | | | | 103,093 | | 103,093 | * | ||||||||
James Monroe III(1)(6) | 2,061,856 | 40.03 | | | 6,543,218 | 100 | 8,605,074 | 69.47 | ||||||||
Peter J. Dalton(7) | 20,000 | * | | | | | 20,000 | * | ||||||||
James F. Lynch | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Richard S. Roberts | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Anthony J. Navarra | 10,000 | * | | | | | 10,000 | * | ||||||||
Megan L. Fitzgerald | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Steven F. Bell | 1,000 | * | | | | | 1,000 | * | ||||||||
Dennis C. Allen | 10,000 | * | | | | | 10,000 | * | ||||||||
Robert D. Miller | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons) |
2,102,856 | 40.67 | | | 6,543,218 | 100 | 8,626,074 | 69.64 |
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Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers
Management
Set forth below is certain information concerning our directors and executive officers.
Name |
Age* |
Position(s) |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
James Monroe III | 51 | Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer | ||
Peter J. Dalton | 62 | Director | ||
James F. Lynch | 48 | Director | ||
Richard S. Roberts | 60 | Director and Secretary | ||
Anthony J. Navarra | 58 | President, Global Operations | ||
Fuad Ahmad | 36 | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
Megan L. Fitzgerald | 46 | Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Space Operations | ||
Dennis C. Allen | 55 | Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing | ||
Steven F. Bell | 42 | Senior Vice President of International Sales, Marketing and Customer Care | ||
Robert D. Miller | 42 | Senior Vice President of Engineering and Ground Operations | ||
William F. Adler | 60 | Vice PresidentLegal and Regulatory Affairs | ||
Paul A. Monte | 47 | Vice PresidentEngineering and Product Development |
James Monroe III has served as a director since December 2003 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors since the Reorganization in April 2004. He was elected Chief Executive Officer in January 2005. Since 1984, Mr. Monroe has been the majority owner of a diverse group of privately owned businesses that operate in the fields of telecommunications, real estate, power generation, industrial equipment distribution, financial services and leasing services and that are sometimes referred to collectively in this document as "Thermo." Thermo controls directly or indirectly Globalstar Holdings LLC, Globalstar Satellite, L.P., and Thermo Funding Company LLC.
Peter J. Dalton has been a director of the company since January 2004. He has served as chief executive officer of Dalton Partners, Inc., a turnaround management firm, since January 1989. As chief executive officer of Dalton Partners, Inc., Mr. Dalton also has served as chief executive officer and a director of a number of its clients. From November 2001 to September 2004, Mr. Dalton served as chief executive officer of Clickhome Reality, Inc., a discount real estate and mortgage company. Mr. Dalton served as a director and chief financial officer of Wood Associates, a distributor of promotional items from May 2000 to October 2001.
James F. Lynch has served as a director since December 2003. He has been Managing Director of Thermo Capital Partners, L.L.C. since October 2001. Mr. Lynch has also served as Chairman of Xspedius Communications LLC, a competitive local telephone exchange carrier which is a Thermo affiliate, since January 2005 and served as Chief Executive Officer of Xspedius from August 2005 to March 2006. Prior to joining Thermo Capital Partners, Mr. Lynch was a Managing Director of Bear Stearns & Co., an investment banking and brokerage firm. Mr. Lynch is also a limited partner of Globalstar Satellite, L.P.
Richard S. Roberts has served as a Vice President and General Counsel of Thermo Development Inc. since June 2002. Prior to that he was a partner of Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP, a law firm located in Cincinnati, Ohio, for over 20 years. He has also served as Secretary of the company
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since the Reorganization in April 2004. Mr. Roberts is also a limited partner of Globalstar Satellite, L.P.
Anthony J. Navarra was a director from December 2003 until September 2004. He served as President of Old Globalstar and the company from September 1999 to December 2004 and has served as President, Global Operations of the company since January 2005. He has been a director of Iloop Mobile, Inc., a mobile application software company, since September 2005.
Fuad Ahmad has served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the company since June 2005. From June 1999 to May 2005, he served as Finance Director of Old Globalstar and the company, where he was involved in the initial fundraising activities related to building and launching the Globalstar system. He joined the company in June 1996 as Finance Manager. Prior to that time, he was employed by Transworld Telecommunications, Inc., a private equity financed firm engaged in acquiring telecommunications companies in the United States.
Megan L. Fitzgerald has served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Space Operations of the company since April 2004. From February 2002 to April 2004, Ms. Fitzgerald served as acting Senior Vice President, Operations and Engineering of Old Globalstar. Ms. Fitzgerald served as Senior Vice President, Operations of Old Globalstar from November 2000 to February 2002, as Senior Vice President, Space Operations of Old Globalstar from May 1999 to November 2000 and in various other capacities since June 1994.
Dennis C. Allen has served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing since June 2004 when he joined the company from Xspedius Communications LLC, where he served as Executive Vice President of Sales from January 2003 to May 2004. Prior to joining Xspedius Communications, Mr. Allen served as Executive Vice President of Sales of a predecessor competitive local exchange company from January 2002 to December 2002. From May 1998 to December 2001, Mr. Allen served as Executive Vice President of Network Telephones, a competitive local telephone exchange providing voice and data products to small and medium sized businesses.
Steven F. Bell has served as Senior Vice President of International Sales, Marketing and Customer Care of the company since April 2004 and as General Manager of Globalstar Canada, a subsidiary of our company, since July 2003. From June 1999 to July 2003, Mr. Bell served as Director of Sales and Marketing of Globalstar Canada.
Robert D. Miller has served as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Ground Operations of the company since April 2004. Mr. Miller joined the company from Unibill, Inc., a full service billing vendor for the telecommunications industry, where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer from May 2003 to April 2004. From September 2002 to May 2003, Mr. Miller served as Vice President of Integration & Quality Assurance of Xspedius Communications LLC. Mr. Miller served as Chief Technology Officer of Xspedius, LLC, a predecessor to Xspedius Communications, from September 2001 to September 2002, and as its Vice President of Advanced Services from August 1998 to September 2001.
William F. Adler has served as Vice PresidentLegal and Regulatory Affairs of the company since April 2004 when he joined the company from Old Globalstar, where he served as Vice PresidentLegal & Regulatory Affairs from January 1996 to April 2004. Prior to joining Old Globalstar in 1996, Mr. Adler was a partner in a communications law firm located in Washington, D.C. and served in executive capacities at Pacific Telesis Group and the FCC.
Paul A. Monte has served as Vice PresidentEngineering and Product Development since September 2005. From 1997 to September 2005, he served the company and Old Globalstar as Director of Systems Engineering.
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Mr. Navarra, Ms. Fitzgerald and Mr. Adler served as officers or directors of Old Globalstar and certain of its subsidiaries, both prior to and during their bankruptcy proceedings, and Mr. Navarra and Mr. Adler continue to serve as directors or executive officers of a subsidiary of Old Globalstar.
Each officer serves at the discretion of our board of directors and holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
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Item 6. Executive Compensation
We intend to establish compensation plans for our executive officers that will link compensation with the performance of our company and to review periodically our compensation programs to ensure that they are competitive. The following table summarizes, for the fiscal years indicated, the annual compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our five other most highly compensated executive officers (collectively, the "named executive officers") for services to our company and its subsidiaries in all capacities.
Summary Compensation Table
|
Annual Compensation |
Long-term Compensation |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name and Principal Position |
Salary |
Bonus |
Other Annual Compensation(1) |
Restricted Stock Awards |
Securities Underlying Options/ SARs |
LTIP Payouts |
All Other Compensation |
||||||||||||
James Monroe III, Chief Executive Officer(2) |
|||||||||||||||||||
2005 | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
Anthony J. Navarra, President, Global Operations |
|||||||||||||||||||
2005 | $ | 337,440 | $ | 12,500 | | | | | $ | 6,538 | (3) | ||||||||
2004 | $ | 350,418 | $ | 112,500 | (9) | | | | | $ | 15,376 | (4) | |||||||
2003 | $ | 317,280 | | | | | | $ | 12,188 | (5) | |||||||||
Megan C. Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Space Operations |
|||||||||||||||||||
2005 | $ | 208,850 | $ | 50,000 | | | | | $ | 2,089 | (6) | ||||||||
2004 | $ | 215,216 | $ | 71,250 | (9) | | | | | $ | 4,569 | (7) | |||||||
2003 | $ | 196,005 | | | | | | $ | 8,819 | (8) | |||||||||
Steven F. Bell, Senior Vice President of International Sales, Marketing and Customer Care |
|||||||||||||||||||
2005 | $ | 194,865 | $ | 37,500 | | | | | | ||||||||||
2004 | $ | 134,215 | $ | 41,615 | | | | | | ||||||||||
2003 | $ | 120,930 | $ | 32,407 | | | | | | ||||||||||
Dennis C. Allen, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing |
|||||||||||||||||||
2005 | $ | 200,000 | $ | 25,000 | | | | | | ||||||||||
2004 | $ | 118,461 | | | | | | | |||||||||||
Robert D. Miller, Senior Vice President, Ground Operations and Engineering |
|||||||||||||||||||
2005 | $ | 200,000 | $ | 25,000 | | | | | | ||||||||||
2004 | $ | 118,461 | | | | | | |
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Equity Incentive Plan
Our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan was approved by our board of directors and a majority of our stockholders on July 12, 2006 and will become effective upon the registration of our common stock under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Unless extended, the Plan will expire on July 11, 2016.
Purpose. The Equity Incentive Plan is intended to make available incentives that will assist us in attracting, retaining and motivating employees, directors and consultants whose contributions are essential to our success. We may provide these incentives through the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock purchase rights, restricted stock bonuses, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units.
Administration. The compensation committee of our board of directors will administer the Plan, although the board or compensation committee may delegate to one or more of our officers authority, subject to limitations specified by the Plan and the board or committee, to grant awards to service providers who are neither our officers nor directors. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the administrator will determine in its discretion the persons to whom and the times at which awards are granted, the types and sizes of such awards, and all of their terms and conditions. All awards must be evidenced by a written agreement between us and the participant. The administrator may amend, cancel or renew any award, waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any award, and accelerate, or otherwise modify the vesting of any award. The administrator has the authority to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards granted under it.
Shares Subject to Equity Incentive Plan. A total of 206,500 shares of our common stock are initially authorized and reserved for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan. This number will automatically increase on January 1, 2007, and each subsequent anniversary through 2016, by an amount equal to the lesser of (a) 2% of the number of shares of stock issued and outstanding on the immediately preceding December 31, or (b) an amount determined by the board. The board of directors may elect to reduce, but not increase without obtaining stockholder approval, the number of additional shares authorized in any year. Appropriate adjustments will be made in the number of authorized shares and other numerical limits in the Plan and in outstanding awards to prevent dilution or enlargement of participants' rights in the event of a stock split or other change in our capital structure. Shares subject to awards which expire or are cancelled or forfeited will again become available for issuance under the Plan. The shares available will not be reduced by awards settled in cash or by shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations. Only the net number of shares issued upon the exercise of stock appreciation rights or options exercised by tender of previously owned shares will be deducted from the shares available under the Plan.
Eligibility. On or after the Plan's effective date, awards may be granted under the Plan to our employees, including officers, directors, and consultants or those of any present or future parent or subsidiary corporation or other affiliated entity. Although we may grant incentive stock options only to employees, we may grant nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock purchase rights, restricted stock bonuses, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units to any eligible participant.
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Stock Options. The administrator may grant nonstatutory stock options, "incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or any combination of these. The exercise price for each option may not be less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. The term of all options may not exceed 10 years. Options vest and become exercisable at such times or upon such events and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria or restrictions as specified by the administrator. Unless a longer period is provided by the administrator, an option generally will remain exercisable for three months following the participant's termination of service, except that if service terminates as a result of the participant's death or disability, the option generally will remain exercisable for twelve months, but in any event not beyond the expiration of its term. An option held by a participant whose service is terminated for cause will immediately cease to be exercisable. No options have been issued under the Plan.
Stock Appreciation Rights. A stock appreciation right gives a participant the right to receive the appreciation in the fair market value of our common stock between the date of grant of the award and the date of its exercise. We may pay the appreciation either in cash or in shares of our common stock. We may make this payment in a lump sum, or we may defer payment in accordance with the terms of the participant's award agreement. The administrator may grant stock appreciation rights under the Plan in tandem with a related stock option or as a freestanding award. A tandem stock appreciation right is exercisable only at the time and to the same extent that the related option is exercisable, and its exercise causes the related option to be canceled. Freestanding stock appreciation rights vest and become exercisable at the times and on the terms established by the administrator. The maximum term of any stock appreciation right granted under the Equity Incentive Plan is 10 years. No stock appreciation rights have been issued under the Plan.
Stock Awards. The administrator may grant stock awards under the Plan either in the form of a restricted stock purchase right, giving a participant an immediate right to purchase our common stock, or in the form of a restricted stock bonus, for which the participant furnishes consideration in the form of services to us. The administrator determines the purchase price payable under restricted stock purchase awards, which may be less than the then current fair market value of our common stock. Stock awards may be subject to vesting conditions based on such service or performance criteria as the administrator specifies, and the shares acquired may not be transferred by the participant until vested. Unless otherwise determined by the administrator, a participant will forfeit any unvested shares upon voluntary or involuntary termination of service for any reason, including death or disability. A participant will also be required to sell to the Company at cost, if requested, any unvested restricted shares acquired via purchase right. Participants holding stock awards will have the right to vote the shares and to receive any dividends paid, except that dividends or other distributions paid in shares will be subject to the same restrictions as the original award.
Restricted Stock Units. Restricted stock units granted under the Plan represent a right to receive shares of our common stock at a future date determined in accordance with the participant's award agreement. The administrator, in its discretion, may provide for settlement of any restricted stock unit by payment to the participant in cash of an amount equal to the fair market value on the payment date of the shares of stock issuable to the participant. No monetary payment is required for receipt of restricted stock units or the shares issued in settlement of the award, the consideration for which is furnished in the form of the participant's services to us. The administrator may grant restricted stock unit awards subject to the attainment of performance goals similar to those described below in connection with performance shares and performance units, or may make the awards subject to vesting conditions similar to those applicable to stock awards. Participants have no voting rights or rights to receive cash dividends with respect to restricted stock unit awards until shares of common stock are issued in settlement of such awards. However, the administrator may grant restricted stock units that entitle their holders to receive dividend equivalents, which are rights to receive additional restricted stock units for a number of shares whose value is equal to any cash dividends we pay. Unless otherwise
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determined by the administrator, a participant will forfeit any unvested restricted stock units upon voluntary or involuntary termination of service for any reason, including death or disability. No restricted stock units have been issued under the Plan.
Performance Shares and Performance Units. The administrator may grant performance shares and performance units under the Plan, which are awards that will result in a payment to a participant only if specified performance goals are achieved during a specified performance period. Performance share awards are denominated in shares of our common stock, while performance unit awards are denominated in dollars. In granting a performance share or unit award, the administrator establishes the applicable performance goals based on one or more measures of business performance enumerated in the Plan, such as revenue, gross margin, net income, free cash flow, return on capital or market share. To the extent earned, performance share and unit awards may be settled in cash, shares of our common stock, including restricted stock, or any combination of these. Payments may be made in lump sum or on a deferred basis. If payments are to be made on a deferred basis, the administrator may provide for the payment of dividend equivalents or interest during the deferral period. Unless otherwise determined by the administrator, if a participant's service terminates due to death or disability prior to completion of the applicable performance period, the final award value is determined at the end of the period on the basis of the performance goals attained during the entire period, but payment is prorated for the portion of the period during which the participant remained in service. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, if a participant's service terminates for any other reason, the participant's performance shares or units are forfeited. No performance shares or performance units have been issued under the Plan.
Change in Control. In the event of a change in control of our company as described in the Plan, the acquiring or successor entity may assume or continue awards outstanding under the Plan or substitute substantially equivalent awards. Any awards which are not assumed or continued in connection with a change in control or exercised or settled prior to the change in control will terminate effective as of the time of the change in control. The administrator may provide for the acceleration of vesting of any or all outstanding awards upon such terms and to such extent as it determines. The Plan also authorizes the administrator, in its discretion and without the consent of any participant, to cancel each or any outstanding award denominated in shares of stock upon a change in control in exchange for a payment to the participant with respect to each vested share (or unvested share, if so determined) subject to the cancelled award of an amount equal to the excess of the consideration to be paid per share of common stock in the change in control transaction over the exercise or purchase price per share under the award.
Amendment and Termination. The Plan will continue in effect until its terminated by the administrator, provided, however, that all awards will be granted, if at all, prior to expiration of the Plan. The administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time, provided that without stockholder approval, the plan cannot be amended to increase the number of shares authorized, change the class of persons eligible to receive incentive stock options or effect any other change that would require stockholder approval under any applicable law or listing rule. Amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan will not adversely affect any outstanding award without the consent of the participant, unless such amendment, suspension or termination is necessary to comply with applicable law, regulation or rule.
Expected Awards. No stock awards currently have been issued under the Plan. However, promptly after the completion of this offering, we expect to grant restricted stock bonus awards for an aggregate of approximately 38,000 shares of our common stock under the Plan to substantially all of our employees. As a result of these grants, we will take a pre-tax non-cash charge of approximately $3.7 million; $0.9 million will be recognized in the third quarter of 2006 and the balance will be amortized over the following three years. The shares subject to these restricted stock bonus awards will
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vest 25% upon grant. The remaining 75% of the shares will vest not later than the third anniversary of the date of grant provided that the participant is still employed by us at such time. Shares that remain unvested at the time of service termination will be forfeited to the company.
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan
We have a plan under which certain executive officers may become entitled to receive supplemental incentive compensation payments in cash in each of January 2007, 2008 and 2009. Plan benefits will be calculated as a percentage of the amount by which the equity value of Thermo's investment in us at valuation dates in October 2006, 2007 and 2008 exceeds three times the amount that Thermo had invested or agreed to invest prior to 2006. In order to receive benefits under the plan, a participant must be employed on the applicable payment date, subject to certain exceptions for involuntary termination, death and disability, and fulfill individual performance criteria. Total benefits under the plan are capped at $30 million. Individual benefits are subject to caps on aggregate and annual benefits.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to awards under this plan in 2005. There were no awards under this plan in 2004 or 2003.
Long-Term Incentive PlansAwards in Last Fiscal Year
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Stock Price-Based Plans |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name |
Number of Shares, Units or Other Rights |
Performance or other Period until Maturation or Payout |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
||||||
James Monroe III(1) | | | | | | ||||||
Anthony J. Navarra | | 2004-2008 | | | $ | 5,000,000 | |||||
Megan L. Fitzgerald | | 2004-2008 | | | $ | 5,000,000 | |||||
Steven F. Bell | | 2004-2008 | | | $ | 5,000,000 | |||||
Dennis C. Allen | | 2004-2008 | | | $ | 5,000,000 | |||||
Robert D. Miller | | 2004-2008 | | | $ | 5,000,000 |
Pension Plan
Mr. Navarra and Ms. Fitzgerald are entitled to benefits under a defined benefit pension plan originally maintained by Space Systems/Loral for employees of Old Globalstar, among others. The accrual of benefits in the Old Globalstar segment of this plan was curtailed, or frozen, as of October 23, 2003. On June 1, 2004, the assets and frozen pension obligations of the Old Globalstar segment of the plan were transferred to a new Globalstar Retirement Plan, which remains frozen. We continue to fund the plan in accordance with Internal Revenue Code requirements, but participants are not currently accruing benefits beyond those accrued at October 23, 2003. The estimated annual benefits payable upon retirement at normal retirement age to Mr. Navarra and Ms. Fitzgerald are $35,349 and $26,560, respectively.
Board Composition and Committees
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for nine members of our board of directors, of which six may be elected by holders of our Series C common stock, one by holders of any Series B common stock and two by holders of our Series A and Series B common stock voting together. At present our board consists of four directors. Only one of the current directors may be considered
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independent. As promptly as practicable, we expect to make such changes to the size and composition of the board as may be necessary in order for the board to be comprised of a majority of independent directors.
We expect to pay our independent directors an annual cash retainer and a fee for each board and committee meeting attended. We have not yet determined these amounts. We may pay disparate fees for chairing or serving on certain committees and may grant stock options and restricted stock awards to our independent directors under a stock incentive plan. As compensation for his service on the board of directors, Peter Dalton currently receives $2,500 per board meeting and has received an option to purchase 20,000 shares of our Series A common stock.
Our board of directors does not currently have any committees. As promptly as practicable, we expect the board of directors to form and delegate responsibilities to the following committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Each committee will be comprised of at least three directors designated by our board of directors, and will include the director elected by holders of our Series B common stock, if elected, and at least one director elected by holders of our Series A and Series B common stock.
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Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The Thermo Transaction. As described under "Item 1. BusinessCompany History," we were formed as a Delaware limited liability company in November 2003 for the purpose of acquiring substantially all the assets of Old Globalstar and its subsidiaries in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. We acquired the Old Globalstar assets and assumed certain liabilities pursuant to an asset contribution agreement among Thermo, Old Globalstar and the Creditor's Committee representing Old Globalstar's unsecured creditors. The Thermo Transaction was accomplished in a two stage process. The first stage, which was completed on December 5, 2003, included Thermo's commitment to make a total investment in the company of $43.0 million, subject to certain conditions, including the completion of the second stage. In the first stage, Thermo contributed $1.8 million in cash in exchange for a 14.8% member interest. Old Globalstar contributed certain non-regulated assets and certain operating liabilities (excluding liabilities subject to compromise) in exchange for an 85.2% member interest. Thermo purchased and restated Old Globalstar's existing $20.0 million debtor-in-possession financing, plus accrued interest of $765,000, and the parties executed a management agreement. Under the management agreement, operational control of the business, as well as certain ownership rights and risks, was transferred to Thermo and us, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
The second stage, which was completed on April 14, 2004, included the transfer to us from Old Globalstar of assets requiring FCC approval and the conversion of $18.0 million due to Thermo under the debtor-in-possession financing (consisting of $10.8 million of the total indebtedness outstanding after the stage one transactions, $1.6 million that was drawn in December 2003, $5.0 million that was drawn from February to March 2004 and $685,000 in accrued interest) into membership units.
Thermo Investments. Following the closing of the Thermo Transaction, we were owned directly and indirectly 81.3% by Thermo and 18.7% by Old Globalstar. Thermo had invested approximately $18.8 million and had a remaining commitment of $24.2 million. Thermo invested an additional $7.0 million through equity contributions in 2004, an additional $4.2 million in April 2005 and an additional $13.0 million in March 2006. No additional equity interests were issued in exchange for these contributions. In connection with our March 2006 conversion to a Delaware corporation, we expect to make a special distribution of $685,848 to Thermo when permitted by our credit agreement. See "Dividend Policy and Restrictions."
Dissolution of Old Globalstar. Old Globalstar was dissolved on June 29, 2004, and its 18.7% minority member interest (represented by 1,875,000 membership units) was distributed to unsecured creditors (represented on our predecessor's balance sheet by the approximately $3.4 billion of "liabilities subject to compromise"), including Loral and QUALCOMM.
The Rights Offering. The holders of allowed claims were provided the right to purchase additional membership units in us in a rights offering that was completed on October 12, 2004. The rights offering was divided into two series. The proceeds of the rights offering were used to redeem an equivalent number of membership units from Thermo.
Services Provided by Thermo. For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2006, we recorded approximately $116,000, $76,000 and $25,000, respectively, for general and administrative expenses incurred by Thermo on our behalf and for services provided to us by officers of Thermo. No such payments were made in 2003.
Pursuant to an Equipment Sales Agreement and a Lease Management Agreement, each dated as of August 1, 2005, we have agreed to sell our products and provide administrative services to Star Leasing LLC, which is owned indirectly by Mr. Monroe. Star Leasing may purchase products from us at our sales agent's suggested retail price as set forth from time to time in our equipment order forms. Star Leasing will pay the purchase price of the products in cash and then lease the products to unrelated third parties. All sales to Star Leasing will be final and non-returnable, except for defective
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products. Under the Lease Management Agreement, we will provide Star Leasing with billing, collection, customer care, equipment reporting and other support services in managing Star Leasing's lease agreements. Star Leasing will pay us a monthly administration fee for these services in an amount ranging up to approximately $10,000 based on the number of products Star Leasing has purchased. The agreements' terms vary from one to five years. During 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2006, no products were sold to Star Leasing under the Equipment Sales Agreement.
Redemption of Interests in Globalstar Leasing LLC. Our subsidiary Globalstar Leasing LLC leases certain telecommunications equipment to us. From December 4, 2003 to January 1, 2005 each of Thermo Development, Inc. and James F. Lynch owned a 1% interest in Globalstar Leasing, which they acquired for an investment of $50,000 each. On January 1, 2005, Globalstar Leasing paid each of them $50,000 to redeem their minority interests.
Irrevocable Standby Stock Purchase Agreement. In [April 2006,] in connection with the execution of our credit agreement, Thermo Funding Company LLC entered into an irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement with us and Wachovia Investment Holdings, LLC, as administrative agent under our credit agreement, pursuant to which Thermo Funding Company agreed to purchase up to 2,061,856 shares of our Series A common stock at a price of $97 per share, being approximately $200.0 million in the aggregate. Thermo Funding Company secured its obligations under the agreement by depositing in escrow cash and marketable securities with a fair market value equal to 105% of the undrawn commitment under the agreement, initially $210.0 million.
Pursuant to the agreement, Thermo Funding Company will purchase Series A common stock (in an amount of not less than $5.0 million) as follows:
Pursuant to the agreement, on June 30, 2006, Thermo Funding Company purchased 154,640 shares of our Series A common stock for $15,000,080.
Thermo Funding Company may elect to purchase any unpurchased Series A common stock subject to the irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement at any time. The agreement terminates on the earliest of December 31, 2011, our payment in full of all obligations under the credit agreement or Thermo Funding Company's purchase of all of the Series A common stock subject to the agreement.
In accordance with the requirements of the pre-emptive rights provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation, we will offer existing stockholders who are accredited investors as defined under the Securities Act the opportunity to participate in the irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement on a pro rata basis on the same terms as Thermo Funding Company.
Loral Settlement. On March 14, 2003, Loral, the Creditors' Committee and Old Globalstar signed a term sheet outlining the terms and conditions of a comprehensive settlement of certain contested matters and a release of the claims against Loral (the "Loral Settlement"). The parties executed a definitive agreement reflecting the terms of the Loral Settlement as of April 8, 2003. The Bankruptcy Court approved the Loral Settlement on April 14, 2003. The parties closed the various interrelated transactions on July 10, 2003. Pursuant to the definitive settlement agreement, as of the closing, among other things: (1) Old Globalstar received title to eight spare satellites; (2) certain agreements under
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which Loral held exclusive rights to provide Old Globalstar services to certain defense, national security and other government agencies and in the aviation market were terminated and a new joint venture, Government Services, LLC, owned 75% by Old Globalstar and 25% by Loral was formed to pursue business opportunities with those governmental agencies; (3) Old Globalstar received Loral's interests in the Canadian Globalstar service provider operations (49.9% interest representing 17,758,485 common shares valued at CD$25,000); (4) certain financial obligations of Loral-affiliated service providers ($5.5 million) due to Old Globalstar were settled through deduction in debt obligations owed by Globalstar Canada Co. ($5.5 million) to Loral and $4.4 million of other financial obligations between Old Globalstar and Loral were restructured; (5) Old Globalstar received the unused portion of advance prepayments ($2.2 million) made by it under its 2GHz satellite contract with Space Systems/Loral, Inc., an affiliate of Loral, as reduced by certain financial obligations of Old Globalstar to Loral ($109,000); (6) Loral's designated individuals resigned from Old Globalstar's General Partners Committee, and officers of Old Globalstar were appointed as members of the General Partners Committee; and (7) Old Globalstar and its subsidiaries and Loral and its subsidiaries and affiliates provided mutual releases of claims and Old Globalstar and its subsidiaries released any claims against the members of the Committee.
As a result of the Loral Settlement, Old Globalstar issued and we assumed a restructured note payable to Loral in the amount of approximately $4.0 million with interest at 6% per annum due in equal quarterly installments of $364,000 plus interest from June 2005 through March 2008.
On July 31, 2005, the notes payable and accrued interest to Loral totaled approximately $4.0 million. Pursuant to an agreement reached with Loral effective July 31, 2005, this amount was settled in exchange for (a) the offset of an $818,000 receivable due to us; (b) cash of $500,000 paid by us; (c) the issuance by us to Loral of three credit memos of $300,000, $500,000 and $1,809,026 to be used for purchase by Loral of equipment and air time; and (d) the forgiveness of $100,000 by Loral (recorded as other income). As of December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006, the credit memos for $300,000 and $500,000 had open purchase commitments placed against the remaining balances of approximately $24,000 and $408,000, respectively, and $0 and approximately $408,000, respectively. Approximately $635,000 and $795,000 of the $1,809,000 credit memo had been utilized as of December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006, respectively. This credit memo is expected to expire in October 2006. As of December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006, respectively, unused credit memos totaling approximately $1,606,000 and $1,227,000 were classified as deferred revenue on our balance sheets.
QUALCOMM Settlement. On April 13, 2004, we, Old Globalstar, certain subsidiaries of both Globalstar entities, the Creditors' Committee, Thermo and QUALCOMM entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the "QUALCOMM Settlement"). Under the terms of the QUALCOMM Settlement: QUALCOMM's unsecured claim against the estate of Old Globalstar was agreed to be liquidated at a value of approximately $661.3 million; it was agreed that QUALCOMM's unsecured claim would receive pari passu treatment consistent with other unsecured claims against Old Globalstar; all existing agreements between Globalstar entities and QUALCOMM, with certain minor exceptions for in process items, were terminated with no further rights or obligations; and Old Globalstar and QUALCOMM exchanged broad releases of further liability. Also on April 13, 2004, QUALCOMM and we entered into a series of new commercial agreements which defined, among other items, the terms under which we would continue to have a royalty free right to use certain QUALCOMM intellectual property and would continue to purchase products and engineering services from QUALCOMM.
Purchases from QUALCOMM. On July 9, 2004, we issued a QUALCOMM purchase order under the terms of the April 4, 2004 commercial agreements with QUALCOMM for QUALCOMM GSP-1600 mobile phones at a price of $26.0 million. Consistent with the terms of those agreements, we paid $6.5 million (25%) against this purchase order in 2004; the remaining 75% was paid upon the delivery of each unit. Delivery of the units by QUALCOMM commenced in January 2005 and was completed
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by December 31, 2005. We and QUALCOMM subsequently agreed to certain credits and discounts. Under the terms of these commercial agreements, we have continued to place production orders with QUALCOMM for fixed user terminals, car kits and accessory items on an as-required basis.
During 2005, we issued separate purchase orders to QUALCOMM for additional phone equipment and accessories under the terms of the April agreements that aggregated to a total commitment balance of approximately $158 million. Approximately $107 million of the $158 million consists of the new generation of phones and fixed user terminals, car kits and accessories which will start to be delivered in September 2006. The remaining $51 million consists of phones and accessories relating to GSP-1600 phone purchases. At December 31, 2005, 44% of these purchase orders had been fulfilled and the remainder are expected to be fulfilled by the end of 2006.
Within the terms of the commercial agreements, we paid QUALCOMM approximately 15% to 25% of the total order as advances for inventory. As of December 31, 2004 and 2005, and March 31, 2006, total advances for inventory were $8.8 million, $13.5 million and $20.6 million, respectively. Under the new agreements, we did not receive any additional discounts from QUALCOMM.
The total orders placed with QUALCOMM as of December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006 were approximately $182.0 million, with outstanding commitment balances of approximately $136.0 million and $126.9 million, respectively.
In September 2005, QUALCOMM entered into a buyback arrangement with us whereby we delivered several hundred GSP-1600 phones and contracted to provide service to QUALCOMM's customers. Revenue recognized for equipment during 2005 under this arrangement was approximately $440,000 with a related cost of subscriber equipment of $314,000. No revenue was recognized under this arrangement in the three months ended March 31, 2006. Related service billings of $595,000 were recorded to deferred service revenue. Revenue from service billings are recognized based on actual usage.
Total purchases from affiliates are as follows:
|
Predecessor |
Successor |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
January 1 Through December 4, 2003 |
December 5 Through December 31, 2003 |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 |
|||||||||||
|
(In thousands) |
|||||||||||||||
QUALCOMM | $ | 18,586 | $ | 1,425 | $ | 25,708 | $ | 49,310 | $ | 22,887 | ||||||
Space Systems/Loral | 337 | 26 | | | 1,606 | |||||||||||
Loral | 649 | 50 | | | | |||||||||||
GCC(1) | 2,479 | | | | | |||||||||||
Other affiliates | 489 | 37 | 32 | 73 | 13 | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 22,540 | $ | 1,538 | $ | 25,740 | $ | 49,383 | $ | 24,506 | ||||||
Total usage revenues from affiliates were $2.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.8 million for the Predecessor Period 2003, the Successor Period 2003, and 2004, respectively. There was no usage revenue from affiliates during 2005 or the first quarter of 2006. As of April 2004, these customers, except QUALCOMM, ceased to be considered affiliates. Total equipment revenue from QUALCOMM was approximately $440,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005. There were no equipment sales to affiliates in 2003 or 2004.
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From time to time, we are involved in various litigation matters involving ordinary and routine claims incidental to our business. Management currently believes that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial conditions. We are involved in certain litigation matters as discussed below.
On May 26, 2005, Loral/QUALCOMM Satellite Services, L.P., et al. ("Loral"), filed a motion for an order in its Delaware bankruptcy case under Rule 2004 seeking to compel us and certain affiliates and individuals to produce documents and appear for oral examination regarding our management of Government Services, LLC ("GSLLC"), our subsidiary formed to engage in certain sales to the U.S. government in which Loral holds a 25% minority interest. We responded and instituted a proceeding in the same court for declaratory judgment as to the parties' rights under a settlement agreement approved by that court on April 14, 2003. Loral's motion was denied. Loral filed a counterclaim in the declaratory judgment proceeding alleging a breach of the settlement agreement and of fiduciary duty by the managers of GSLLC. Loral and we have exchanged documents requested in discovery. We believe that Loral's allegations are without merit; however, if Loral prevails in the declaratory judgment proceeding, we could be ordered to pay Loral an unspecified amount of compensation and/or damages. We have notified our insurance carrier of the case, and the insurance carrier has reserved all rights. The parties have been meeting to attempt to settle this matter, but we cannot predict the outcome of these discussions or the pending litigation.
On January 13, 2006, Elsacom N.V., an independent gateway operator serving portions of Central and Eastern Europe and North Africa from its gateway in Italy, served us with a notice of arbitration pursuant to a dispute resolution provision in its Satellite Services Agreement. The dispute stems from our decision in fall 2005 to realign coverage of the two gateways serving Western and Central Europe in order to improve the signal quality in certain fringe areas. Elsacom has not specified the amount of damages that it is seeking. Elsacom asserts that the realignment diminishes its rights under its Satellite Services Agreement. We disagree and intend to defend our decision vigorously. The arbitration is scheduled to be held in October 2006.
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Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
There is no trading market for our stock. Furthermore, transfer of our stock currently is restricted by provisions of our certificate of incorporation. See "Item 11. Description of Registrant's Securities to be RegisteredRestrictions on Transfer of Common Stock."
Pursuant to the operating agreement of Globalstar LLC, in connection with our conversion to a Delaware corporation on March 17, 2006, we will distribute $685,848 to Thermo when permitted by our credit agreement. This amount represents a deferred payment of interest that accrued from December 6, 2003 to April 14, 2004 on loans made by Thermo to us that were converted to equity on April 14, 2004. Otherwise, we have not declared or paid dividends on our common stock in the past, and we do not presently anticipate doing so in the future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on then-existing conditions, including our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and any other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. Our credit agreement currently prohibits the payment of dividends on our common stock with certain exceptions. See "Item 2. Financial InformationManagement's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsLiquidity and Capital ResourcesCredit Agreement."
Our independent director, Peter Dalton, has an outstanding option to purchase 20,000 shares of Series A common stock for $16.00 per share.
Equity Compensation Plan Information |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plan Category |
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plan (Excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
|||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 0 | 0 | 206,500 | |||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | 20,000 | 16.00 | 0 | |||
Total | 20,000 | 16.00 | 206,500 |
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Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
On December 5, 2003, the company (then named "New Operating Globalstar LLC" or "Globalstar LLC" prior to its conversion to a Delaware corporation), pursuant to an Asset Contribution Agreement dated as of December 5, 2003 among itself, Thermo Capital Partners LLC, Globalstar Holdings LLC, Globalstar Leasing LLC, Globalstar, L.P. ("Old Globalstar") and certain subsidiaries of Old Globalstar, issued to Globalstar Holdings LLC a 91.23% membership interest in exchange for $1,000,000 in cash and assets valued at $9,400,000 and issued to Globalstar Satellite LP (then named "Thermo Satellite LP") an 8.77% membership interest in exchange for $1,000,000 in cash. Globalstar Holdings LLC had acquired the assets from Old Globalstar as a capital contribution. The issuance of these membership interests in Globalstar LLC was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On April 14, 2004, pursuant to the Asset Contribution Agreement described above, Globalstar Satellite LP converted $16,600,000 principal amount of outstanding debt of the Company into capital, contributed or agreed to contribute a total of $24,235,357 in cash to the Company, and transferred an 18.75% membership interest in the Company to Old Globalstar and its subsidiaries. Simultaneously, Globalstar Holdings LLC contributed cash and certain assets to the registrant. After such transactions, the Company was owned as follows:
Globalstar Holdings LLC | 19.66 | % | |
Globalstar Satellite LP | 61.59 | % | |
Old Globalstar and subsidiaries | 18.75 | % |
These transactions were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
On June 29, 2004, Old Globalstar was dissolved pursuant to its First Modified Fourth Amended Joint Plan under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code and its 18.75% interest (represented by 1,875,000 membership units) was distributed to its unsecured creditors. This transaction was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Pursuant to a rights offering completed on October 12, 2004, we sold 1,512,000 membership units to unsecured creditors of Old Globalstar at a price of $8,000,000 in cash and an additional 46,782 membership units to certain of such creditors at a price of $749,000 in cash. Such sales were required by Old Globalstar's bankruptcy plan and were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code.
In April 2004, we and QUALCOMM agreed that QUALCOMM would provide us mobile phones and various accessories to the registrant in exchange for $1,875,000 in cash and 309,278 membership units. The issuance of these membership units was exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
Effective January 1, 2006, we purchased the stock of three companies which owned and operated a satellite communications business in Central America. These companies also owned five acres of real property in Nicaragua not used directly in the telecommunications business. In consideration, we agreed to issue common stock with a value of approximately $5.2 million but not less than 15,331 shares, which were delivered to the sellers on January 18, 2006. The value of the shares issued will be determined at a later date. The issuance of this common stock was exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
On March 17, 2006, we were converted into a Delaware corporation named Globalstar, Inc. In connection with such conversion, all of our outstanding membership units were converted into shares of common stock. The issuance of this common stock was exempt from registration under Sections 2(3) and 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.
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On April 24, 2006, we entered into an irrevocable standby stock purchase agreement with Thermo Funding Company LLC pursuant to which the latter agreed to purchase up to 2,061,896 shares of our Series A common stock at a price of $97 per share. Thermo Funding Company purchased 154,640 of such shares on June 30, 2006 for an aggregate purchase price of $15,000,080. As required by our certificate of incorporation, our other stockholders who are accredited investors as defined under Regulation D, will be provided an opportunity to agree to purchase additional shares of our Series A common stock on the same terms. The sale of all of such shares will be exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 thereunder.
On July 12, 2006, pursuant to a prior understanding with him, we granted Peter J. Dalton, an independent director, an option to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock at a price of $16 per share. The issuance of this option was, and the sale of any shares pursuant to its exercise will be, exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
Except for the securities issued pursuant to Section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code, the above-referenced securities are deemed to be restricted securities for the purposes of the Securities Act. No underwriters were involved in connection with the sale of any of the above securities.
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Item 11. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered
The following summary is a description of the material terms of our common stock. We have filed our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws as exhibits to this document, and the description below is qualified by reference to such exhibits. Copies may also be obtained upon request. See "Additional Information."
As described under "Item 2. BusinessCompany History," until March 17, 2006, we operated as a Delaware limited liability company. As such the rights of our members were governed by the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and the provisions of our limited liability company agreement which reflected various negotiations and agreements among Thermo, the creditors of Old Globalstar and others. The limited liability company agreement expressly permitted our conversion into a Delaware corporation provided that various provisions of the limited liability company agreement, including those dealing with election of directors, voting rights, preemptive rights and "tag along" rights, were incorporated into our certificate of incorporation. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of three series of common stock. The total number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue is 800 million shares, par value $0.0001 per share, consisting of 300 million shares of Series A common stock, 20 million shares of Series B common stock and 480 million shares of Series C common stock. At August 1, 2006, we had outstanding 3,243,631 shares of Series A common stock (which are held principally by former creditors of Old Globalstar), 692,400 shares of Series B common stock (all of which are held by Qualcomm) and 6,543,218 shares of Series C common stock (all of which are held by affiliates of Thermo). The following summary of the terms and provisions of our common stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation and by-laws.
Our common stock currently is not publicly traded. As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective, we will seek to list our common stock for trading on either the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ. At present, we do not meet the listing requirements of either with respect to various governance requirements. We intend to make various changes to our corporate governance procedures in order to comply with those requirements prior to seeking listing.
General. All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully-paid and nonassessable.
Dividends. Subject to restrictions under our credit agreement, the holders of our common stock are entitled to dividends as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors from funds available therefor. See "Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Matters." Each series of common stock has the same rights with respect to dividends as each other series of common stock.
Voting Rights. Each share of common stock entitles its holder to one vote on all matters, except with respect to the election of directors. Each series of common stock has the right to elect a specified number of directors. Currently, the holders of Series C common stock have the right to elect six directors, the holders of Series B common stock have the right to elect one director, and the holders of Series A and Series B common stock, voting together, have the right to elect two directors. With the exception of the special voting rights pertaining to the election of directors and, except as noted below, the holders of Series A, Series B and Series C common stock vote together as a single class on all matters.
Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Generally, all matters to be voted on by the stockholders must be approved by a majority or, in the case of the election of directors, by a plurality, of the votes present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. So long as any shares of Series B common stock are outstanding, the certificate of incorporation or the by-laws may not be amended in such a way as to adversely affect the rights and obligations of the holders of the Series B common stock differently or disproportionately from the rights or obligations of the holders of the Series A common stock and the Series C common stock
93
without the approval of either the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series B common stock or of the director elected by the holders of Series B common stock. In addition, at any time when the aggregate number of shares of Series B common stock outstanding is equal or greater than 346,200, approval of either the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series B common stock or the director elected by them is required for amendments to the sections of our certificate of incorporation or by-laws dealing with election of directors, limitation of liability of directors, powers of the board of directors, number of directors, method of filling vacancies on the board of directors, procedures for meetings and voting and quorum of directors and composition of committees of the board of directors. The approval either (a) of (i) holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A and Series B common stock voting together and (ii) holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series C common stock, or (b) of all of the directors is required for any amendment to provisions of our certificate of incorporation or by-laws dealing with number and election of directors, powers of the board of directors, method of filling vacancies on the board of directors, composition of committees of directors, preemptive rights, tag-along rights, transfer restrictions and required registration under the Exchange Act. In addition, approval by holders of at least 75% of the shares of outstanding common stock, voting as a single class, is required before we (1) enter into any agreement with Thermo or its affiliates on terms less favorable to us than those which would result from arms-length negotiation between unaffiliated parties; (2) terminate, materially modify or agree to materially modify the lease agreement between us and any of our subsidiaries; or (3) until the date determined by our board of directors on which holders of common stock may transfer their shares without board approval (see "Restrictions on Transfer of Common Stock" below), agree to or enter into any sale or exclusive license of substantially all of our FCC licenses.
Preemptive Rights. Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications as set forth in the certificate of incorporation, holders of common stock who are accredited investors under the Securities Act have preemptive rights with respect to the issuance and sale by the company of additional shares of common stock or other equity securities of the company. These preemptive rights are limited to holders of 5% or more of our capital stock after the effective date of this registration statement and terminate upon completion of an initial public offering.
Tag Along Rights. If holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock agree to a sale or exchange of part or all of that stock, we must give prompt notice to the other holders of common stock of the proposed transaction. The other holders will have the right to have their shares transferred in the proposed transaction for the same price and otherwise on the same terms and conditions. If the proposed transferee of the shares does not wish to purchase all of the shares being offered, each participating holder will be entitled to sell a pro rata portion of the holder's shares of common stock in the transaction. These tag along rights are limited to holders of 5% or more of our capital stock after the effective date of this registration statement and terminate upon completion of an initial public offering.
Liquidation Rights. Upon dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, the holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive our assets available for distribution proportionate to their pro rata ownership of the outstanding shares of common stock.
Restrictions on Transfer of Common Stock. Until a date determined by the board of directors, which date must be before October 13, 2006, no holder may, directly or indirectly, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber any shares of common stock without board approval other than to the holder's spouse, brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren or parents, a trust for the benefit of such persons or an affiliate of such holder. Under our certificate of incorporation we are required to make all necessary filings and take all other necessary steps to register our common stock pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, with such registration to be effective on or prior to the date on which transfers are permitted.
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Conversion. Each share of Series A common stock or Series B common stock may be converted at any time, at the holder's option, into one share of Series C common stock.
Shares Eligible for Future Sale. There has not been any public market for our common stock, and we cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of shares of common stock or the availability of shares of common stock for sale will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock and could impair our future ability to raise capital through the sale of our equity or equity-related securities at a time and price that we deem appropriate.
On August 1, 2006 we had 10,479,249 shares of common stock outstanding. 10,000,000 Shares were issued in the Reorganization; all such shares which are not held by our "affiliates" will be freely tradable without restriction upon the effectiveness of this registration statement. Any shares acquired in the Reorganization and owned by our "affiliates," as defined under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, may be sold only in compliance with the limitations of that Rule. The remaining 479,249 outstanding shares of common stock will be deemed "restricted securities" as that term is defined under Rule 144. Restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144, which is summarized below. To the extent that our affiliates sell their shares, other than pursuant to Rule 144 or a registration statement, the purchaser's applicable holding period for the purpose of effecting a sale under Rule 144 commences on the date of transfer from the affiliate.
Rule 144. In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons whose shares are required to be aggregated), including an affiliate, who has beneficially owned shares of our common stock for at least one year is entitled to sell in any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:
Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us. Sales of our common stock may be made under these provisions of Rule 144 beginning 90 days after the effective date of this registration statement.
Rule 144(k). In addition, a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least two years is entitled to sell those shares under Rule 144(k) without regard to the manner of sale, public information, volume limitation or notice requirements of Rule 144.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
We act as transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.
Additional Information
Our stockholders may obtain a copy of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, without charge by writing to us at 461 South Milpitas Boulevard, Milpitas, CA 95035, Attention: Richard S. Roberts.
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Item 12. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent provided from time to time by Delaware law, the registrant (a) shall indemnify its directors and officers against judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and expenses incurred by them in connection with actions, suits, proceedings or claims arising out of their service to the registrant and, upon receipt of certain undertakings, shall advance expenses to them in connection with such matters and (b) may maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of its directors and officers for any liability and expenses incurred by them, whether or not we have authority to indemnify them against such liability and expenses. No arrangement made by us may provide protection for a person judged liable for intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law, unless advancement of expenses or indemnification is ordered by a court.
We maintain directors' and officers' liability insurance insuring our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities arising out of their service as such.
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Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board
of Directors
Globalstar, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Globalstar, Inc. as of December 31, 2005 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), ownership equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Globalstar, Inc. as of December 31, 2005 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Crowe Chizek and Company LLP | ||
Oak Brook, Illinois May 15, 2006 |
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board
of Directors
Globalstar, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Globalstar, Inc. (formerly known as Globalstar LLC) and subsidiaries (Successor Company) (Note 1) as of December 31, 2004 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), ownership equity (deficit) and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the period December 5, 2003 to December 31, 2003 (Successor Company Period); and we have audited the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), ownership equity (deficit) and cash flows of Globalstar, L.P. and subsidiaries (Predecessor Company) (Note 1) for the period January 1, 2003 to December 4, 2003 (Predecessor Company Period). These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the aforementioned consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Globalstar, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the Successor Company Period and the results of operations and cash flows of Globalstar, L.P. and its subsidiaries for the Predecessor Company Period in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, on December 5, 2003, the Predecessor Company was effectively acquired through a series of transactions. The consolidated financial statements of the Successor Company reflect the impact of adjustments to present the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed under the purchase method of accounting. As a result, the consolidated financial statements of the Successor Company are presented on a different basis from those of the Predecessor Company and, therefore, are not comparable in all respects.
As also discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Predecessor Company previously filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code and in June 2004 the Predecessor Company's plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 was confirmed. Under the Plan, the remaining debt of the Predecessor Company was discharged and the Predecessor Company was dissolved.
GHP
Horwath, P.C.
Denver, Colorado
April 13, 2005, except for Note 12 as to which the date is May 12, 2006
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GLOBALSTAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
|
Successor |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2004 |
December 31, 2005 |
March 31, 2006 |
|||||||||
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 13,330 | $ | 20,270 | $ | 33,063 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,187 (2004), $1,774 (2005), and $1,769 (2006) | 9,314 | 21,652 | 17,246 | |||||||||
Inventory | 7,687 | 17,620 | 25,636 | |||||||||
Advances for inventory | 8,826 | 13,516 | 20,571 | |||||||||
Subscription receivable | 4,235 | 13,000 | | |||||||||
Deferred tax assets | | 2,398 | 2,391 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,687 | 1,750 | 1,808 | |||||||||
Total current assets | 45,079 | 90,206 | 100,715 | |||||||||
Property and equipment: | ||||||||||||
Globalstar System, net | 8,583 | 10,717 | 14,266 | |||||||||
Spare satellites and launch costs | 946 | 3,012 | 21,420 | |||||||||
Other property and equipment, net | 3,251 | 7,531 | 11,478 | |||||||||
12,780 | 21,260 | 47,164 | ||||||||||
Other assets: | ||||||||||||
Gateway receivables, net of allowance of $10,784 (2004), $10,784 (2005), and $4,299 (2006) | 1,000 | 1,000 | | |||||||||
Deferred tax assets | 4,777 | | 18,796 | |||||||||
Other assets, net | 261 | 1,079 | 1,732 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 63,897 | $ | 113,545 | $ | 168,407 | ||||||
LIABILITIES AND OWNERSHIP EQUITY | ||||||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Notes payable, current portion | $ | 1,093 | $ | 293 | $ | 784 | ||||||
Accounts payable | 1,419 | 4,193 | 2,618 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses | 8,056 | 11,484 | 29,714 | |||||||||
Payables to affiliates | 1,316 | 2,959 | 13,826 | |||||||||
Deferred revenue | 4,295 | 17,212 | 18,425 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities | 16,179 | 36,141 | 65,367 | |||||||||
Notes payable, net of current portion | 3,278 | 631 | 568 | |||||||||
Employee benefit obligations | 4,019 | 2,997 | 3,043 | |||||||||
Other non-current liabilities | | 2,346 | 450 | |||||||||
Total non-current liabilities | 7,297 | 5,974 | 4,061 | |||||||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||||||
Ownership equity: |
||||||||||||
Common stock | | | 1 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | | | 77,861 | |||||||||
Member interests | 54,487 | 73,314 | | |||||||||
Subscription receivable | (13,000 | ) | | | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,066 | ) | (1,884 | ) | (1,369 | ) | ||||||
Retained earnings | | | 22,486 | |||||||||
Total ownership equity | 40,421 | 71,430 | 98,979 | |||||||||
Total liabilities and ownership equity | $ | 63,897 | $ | 113,545 | $ | 168,407 | ||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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GLOBALSTAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share data)
|
Predecessor |
Successor |
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
January 1, through December 4, 2003 |
December 5, Through December 31, 2003 |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||
Revenue: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Service revenue | $ | 40,048 | $ | 2,387 | $ | 57,927 | $ | 81,472 | $ | 16,751 | $ | 20,694 | ||||||||
Subscriber equipment sales | 16,295 | 1,470 | 26,441 | 45,675 | 8,017 | 9,648 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 56,343 | 3,857 | 84,368 | 127,147 | 24,768 | 30,342 | ||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services | 26,629 | 1,931 | 25,208 | 25,432 | 7,128 | 6,547 | ||||||||||||||
Cost of subscriber equipment sales | 12,881 | 635 | 23,399 | 38,742 | 6,427 | 8,515 | ||||||||||||||
Marketing, general, and administrative | 28,814 | 4,950 | 32,151 | 37,945 | 8,171 | 9,965 | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring | 5,381 | 690 | 5,078 | | | | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 31,473 | 125 | 1,959 | 3,044 | 467 | 1,390 | ||||||||||||||
Impairment of assets | 211,854 | | 114 | 114 | | | ||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 317,032 | 8,331 | 87,909 | 105,277 | 22,193 | 26,417 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (260,689 | ) | (4,474 | ) | (3,541 | ) | 21,870 | 2,575 | 3,925 | |||||||||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income | 7 | 7 | 58 | 242 | 15 | 167 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (1,513 | ) | (131 | ) | (1,382 | ) | (269 | ) | (105 | ) | (20 | ) | ||||||||
Other | 485 | 44 | 921 | (622 | ) | (599 | ) | (337 | ) | |||||||||||
Total other income (expense) | (1,021 | ) | (80 | ) | (403 | ) | (649 | ) | (689 | ) | (190 | ) | ||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | (261,710 | ) | (4,554 | ) | (3,944 | ) | 21,221 | 1,886 | 3,735 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 170 | (37 | ) | (4,314 | ) | 2,502 | 1,522 | (18,751 | ) | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (261,880 | ) | $ | (4,517 | ) | $ | 370 | $ | 18,719 | $ | 364 | $ | 22,486 | ||||||
Earnings (loss) per common share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | N/A | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | 0.04 | $ | 1.82 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 2.18 | ||||||||
Diluted | N/A | (0.45 | ) | 0.04 | 1.81 | 0.04 | 2.17 | |||||||||||||
Weighted-average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | N/A | 10,000,000 | 10,077,320 | 10,309,278 | 10,309,278 | 10,324,609 | ||||||||||||||
Diluted | N/A | 10,000,000 | 10,077,320 | 10,325,979 | 10,325,979 | 10,379,561 | ||||||||||||||
Pro forma C Corporation data (unaudited): | ||||||||||||||||||||
Historical income before income taxes | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ | 21,221 | $ | 1,886 | N/A | ||||||||||||
Pro forma income tax expense | N/A | N/A | N/A | 6,931 | 1,248 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
Pro forma net income | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ | 14,290 | $ | 638 | N/A | ||||||||||||
Pro forma earnings per common share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | N/A | N/A | N/A | $ | 1.39 | $ | 0.06 | N/A | ||||||||||||
Diluted | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1.38 | 0.06 | N/A |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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GLOBALSTAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands)
|
Predecessor |
Successor |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
January 1 through December 4, 2003 |
December 5, Through December 31, 2003 |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 |
|||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (261,880 | ) | $ | (4,517 | ) | $ | 370 | $ | 18,719 | $ | 364 | $ | 22,486 | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||||||||||
Minimum pension liability adjustment | | | (1,234 | ) | (1,356 | ) | (339 | ) | | ||||||||||
Net foreign currency translation adjustment | | | 168 | 538 | (72 | ) | 515 | ||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (261,880 | ) | $ | (4,517 | ) | $ | (696 | ) | $ | 17,901 | $ | (47 | ) | $ | 23,001 | |||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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GLOBALSTAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OWNERSHIP EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In thousands)
|
Successor |
Predecessor |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Common Stock Amount |
Additional Paid-In Capital |
Member Interests |
Subscription Receivable |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |
Retained Earnings |
Partners' Deficit |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||
Predecessor: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BalancesJanuary 1, 2003 | $ | (3,150,598 | ) | $ | (3,150,598 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net lossperiod from January 1, 2003 through December 4, 2003 | (261,880 | ) | (261,880 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
BalancesDecember 4, 2003 | $ | (3,412,478 | ) | $ | (3,412,478 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Successor: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning Old Globalstar balancesDecember 5, 2003 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (3,412,478 | ) | $ | (3,412,478 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Contribution of certain Old Globalstar net assets to New Globalstar | 9,900 | | | (9,900 | ) | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Initial cash contributionDecember 5, 2003 | 1,800 | | | | 1,800 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net lossperiod from December 5, 2003 through December 31, 2003 | (3,716 | ) | | | (801 | ) | (4,517 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
BalancesDecember 31, 2003 | 7,984 | | | (3,423,179 | ) | (3,415,195 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of liabilities subject to compromise to New Globalstar member interests, including New Globalstar's assumption of liabilities of $1,416 | (1,416 | ) | | | 3,423,179 | 3,421,763 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Member interests issued in exchange for: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash | 7,000 | | | 7,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Term loans, related party | 17,950 | | | | 17,950 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Inventory | 5,325 | | | 5,325 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Subscription receivable, including $4,235 received in April 2005 | 17,235 | (13,000 | ) | | | 4,235 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Series A and B rights offering: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Member interests issued in exchange for cash | 8,749 | | | | 8,749 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Member interests redeemed in exchange for cash | (8,749 | ) | | | | (8,749 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Contribution of services | 39 | | | | 39 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | | | (1,066 | ) | | (1,066 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 370 | | | | 370 | |||||||||||||||||||||
BalancesDecember 31, 2004 | 54,487 | (13,000 | ) | (1,066 | ) | | 40,421 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Contribution of services | $ | 145 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 145 | ||||||||||||||||
Redemption of minority interests | (100 | ) | | | | (100 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Contributions | 63 | | | 63 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of subscription receivable (received in March 2006) | | 13,000 | | | 13,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | | | (818 | ) | | (818 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 18,719 | | | | 18,719 | |||||||||||||||||||||
BalancesDecember 31, 2005 | $ | | $ | | 73,314 | | (1,884 | ) | $ | | | 71,430 | ||||||||||||||
Recapitalization (unaudited) | 1 | 73,313 | (73,314 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Distribution payable to member (unaudited) | | (686 | ) | | | | | (686 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Contribution of services (unaudited) | | 36 | | | | | 36 | |||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with acquisition (unaudited) | | 5,198 | | | | | | 5,198 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) (unaudited) | | | | | 515 | | | 515 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income (unaudited) | | | | | | 22,486 | | 22,486 | ||||||||||||||||||
BalancesMarch 31, 2006 (unaudited) | $ | 1 | $ | 77,861 | $ | | $ | | $ | (1,369 | ) | $ | 22,486 | $ | | $ | 98,979 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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GLOBALSTAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
|
Predecessor |
Successor |
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
January 1, Through December 4, 2003 |
December 5, Through December 31, 2003 |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (261,880 | ) | $ | (4,517 | ) | $ | 370 | $ | 18,719 | $ | 364 | $ | 22,486 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | | | (4,777 | ) | 2,444 | 1,372 | (18,761 | ) | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 31,473 | 125 | 1,959 | 3,044 | 467 | 1,390 | ||||||||||||||
Disposal of fixed assets | 21 | | | | 39 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Provision for gateway receivables | (104 | ) | | (71 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||
Provision for bad debts | 492 | 46 | 859 | 998 | 686 | 290 | ||||||||||||||
Contribution of services | | | 39 | 145 | 36 | 36 | ||||||||||||||
Impairment of assets | 214,360 | | 114 | 114 | | | ||||||||||||||
Other non-cash gains | | | | (100 | ) | | | |||||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable | (3,231 | ) | (602 | ) | (5,637 | ) | (15,915 | ) | (2,063 | ) | 5,183 | |||||||||
Inventory | (3,021 | ) | 293 | 3,187 | (9,634 | ) | 1,019 | (7,978 | ) | |||||||||||
Advances for inventory | (2,875 | ) | 469 | (5,401 | ) | (4,688 | ) | 773 | (7,058 | ) | ||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,714 | 349 | 676 | (54 | ) | (210 | ) | 656 | ||||||||||||
Other assets | 211 | 68 | (14 | ) | (293 | ) | (11 | ) | (337 | ) | ||||||||||
Accounts payable | 690 | (93 | ) | (1,340 | ) | 3,044 | 146 | (2,059 | ) | |||||||||||
Payables to affiliates | 1,760 | 213 | 374 | 1,643 | 1,510 | 10,594 | ||||||||||||||
Accrued expenses and employee benefit obligations | (410 | ) | 2,543 | 2,417 | 2,088 | (375 | ) | (1,190 | ) | |||||||||||
Other non-current liabilities | | | | 1,896 | 625 | | ||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue | (1,244 | ) | 778 | 2,396 | 10,243 | 382 | 1,082 | |||||||||||||
Net cash from operating activities | (20,044 | ) | (328 | ) | (4,849 | ) | 13,694 | 4,760 | 4,335 | |||||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Spare satellites and launch costs | | | (88 | ) | (2,066 | ) | (21 | ) | (1,582 | ) | ||||||||||
Cash receipts for production gateways and user terminals | 2,207 | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Property and equipment additions | (1,058 | ) | (10 | ) | (3,927 | ) | (7,819 | ) | (952 | ) | (2,697 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | | | | 86 | | | ||||||||||||||
Payment for business acquisitions | (212 | ) | | | (342 | ) | (342 | ) | (191 | ) | ||||||||||
Net cash from investing activities | 937 | (10 | ) | (4,015 | ) | (10,141 | ) | (1,315 | ) | (4,470 | ) | |||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from term loans | 30,914 | 1,622 | 5,000 | | | | ||||||||||||||
Repayment of term loans | (10,149 | ) | | (10,000 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from subscription receivable | | | | 4,235 | | 13,000 | ||||||||||||||
Principal payments on notes payable | | | | (1,251 | ) | (359 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Deferred transaction cost payments | | | | (48 | ) | | (163 | ) | ||||||||||||
Redemption of minority interest | | | (8,749 | ) | (100 | ) | (100 | ) | | |||||||||||
Contributions | | 1,800 | 15,749 | 63 | | | ||||||||||||||
Net cash from financing activities | 20,765 | 3,422 | 2,000 | 2,899 | (459 | ) | 12,837 | |||||||||||||
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|
Predecessor |
Successor |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
January 1, Through December 4, 2003 |
December 5, Through December 31, 2003 |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 |
|||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | $ | | $ | | $ | 168 | $ | 488 | $ | (20 | ) | $ | 91 | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 1,658 | 3,084 | (6,696 | ) | 6,940 | 2,966 | 12,793 | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 15,284 | 16,942 | 20,026 | 13,330 | 13,330 | 20,270 | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 16,942 | $ | 20,026 | $ | 13,330 | $ | 20,270 | $ | 16,296 | $ | 33,063 | |||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash paid for: | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest | $ | 149 | $ | 710 | $ | 289 | $ | 84 | $ | 1 | |||||||||
Income taxes | $ | 207 | $ | 184 | $ | 15 | $ | 36 | |||||||||||
Supplemental disclosure of noncash financing and investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||
Noncash transactions: | |||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of assets acquired | $ | 8,124 | |||||||||||||||||
Cash paid | (376 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Liabilities assumed | $ | 7,748 | |||||||||||||||||
Receivables offset by accounts payable and notes payable | $ | 1,806 | $ | 92 | $ | 1,932 | $ | 2,675 | |||||||||||
Reduction in liabilities subject to compromise upon settlements with Loral Space Communications, Ltd and Elsacom SpA | $ | 3,954 | |||||||||||||||||
Terms loans converted to member interests | $ | 17,950 | |||||||||||||||||
Inventory acquired in exchange for member interests | $ | 5,325 | |||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of subscription receivable | $ | 4,235 | $ | 13,000 | |||||||||||||||
Dissolvement of predecessor company: | |||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of liability subject to compromise to New Globalstar Member Interests | $ | 3,423,179 | |||||||||||||||||
Assumption of liabilities | (1,416 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
$ | 3,421,763 | ||||||||||||||||||
Distribution payable to member | $ | 686 | |||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with acquisition | $ | 5,198 | |||||||||||||||||
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GLOBALSTAR, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
Globalstar, Inc. (Note 17) ("Globalstar" or "Globalstar LLC" or "New Globalstar" or "the Company") was initially formed in November 2003 as Globalstar LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, for the purpose of acquiring substantially all the assets of Globalstar, L.P. ("Old Globalstar") and its subsidiaries in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. Globalstar acquired the Old Globalstar assets and assumed certain liabilities pursuant to an Asset Contribution Agreement among Thermo Capital Partners, L.L.C. and its affiliates (collectively referred to as "Thermo"), New Globalstar, Old Globalstar and Old Globalstar's unsecured creditors. The asset acquisition (the "Thermo Transaction") was accomplished in a two stage closing process. The first stage was completed on December 5, 2003. The first stage included:
The second stage was completed on April 14, 2004. The second stage included:
Following the closing of the Thermo Transaction, the Company was directly and indirectly owned 81.25% by Thermo and 18.75% by Old Globalstar. Thermo's 81.25% ownership interest is represented by its $43.0 million commitment. At the completion of the second stage, Thermo had invested approximately $18.8 million and had a remaining commitment of $24.2 million. Thermo invested an additional $7.0 million through equity contributions in 2004, an additional $4.2 million in April 2005, and the remaining $13.0 million was invested by Thermo in March 2006. At December 31, 2004, the $4.2 million received in April 2005 was classified as a current asset, subscription receivable. At December 31, 2005, the $13.0 million received in March 2006 was classified as a current asset, subscription receivable.
Thermo is a private equity firm, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with investments in the telecommunications, industrial distribution, real estate and energy sectors.
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Old Globalstar's First Modified Fourth Amended Joint Plan under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (the "Plan") became effective on June 29, 2004. Pursuant to this Plan, Old Globalstar was dissolved and its 18.75% minority ownership share (represented by 1,875,000 membership interest units) in New Globalstar was distributed to its unsecured creditors (represented by the approximately $3.4 billion of "liabilities subject to compromise"), including the founders of Old Globalstar, Loral Space and Communications, Ltd. ("Loral") and QUALCOMM Incorporated ("QUALCOMM").
Under Old Globalstar's Plan, the holders of allowed claims were provided the right to purchase membership units in New Globalstar from Thermo in a rights offering which was completed on October 12, 2004. The rights offering was divided into two series. The Series A rights allowed holders to purchase an aggregate 15.12% membership interest in New Globalstar for $8.0 million. The Series B rights allowed holders to purchase an aggregate 2.5% membership interest in New Globalstar for $4.0 million. The Series A rights offering was fully subscribed, resulting in the issuance of 1,512,000 membership interest units to unsecured creditors of Old Globalstar at a price of $8.0 million. The Series B rights offering was partially subscribed, resulting in the issuance of an additional 46,782 membership interest units at a price of $749,000. In accordance with the Plan, the Company redeemed an equal number of units held by Thermo in exchange for a payment of $8,749,000.
In April 2004, the Company agreed to purchase 22,500 mobile phones from QUALCOMM. Effective October 2004, the Company and QUALCOMM restated the terms of this transaction so that QUALCOMM provided the 22,500 mobile phones and various accessories to Globalstar in exchange for $1,875,000 and 309,278 membership interest units in Globalstar with a fair value of $5.3 million.
In April 2004, certain management employees of the Company, as an incentive, were given the right to purchase up to 60,000 membership units directly from Thermo at a price equivalent to Thermo's April 2004 investment. As of January 2005, a total of 23,000 units had been purchased from Thermo and transferred to such employees. The remaining rights expired at that time. The intrinsic value of these rights was zero. The fair value of these rights using the minimum value method (risk free interest of 1.5%, expected life of nine months, no expected dividends, and zero volatility) was not significant.
After the above transactions and the 2004 Thermo equity transactions, Globalstar's membership interests at December 31, 2004 and 2005 were as follows:
|
Membership Interest Units as of December 31, 2004 |
% |
Membership Interest Units as of December 31, 2005 |
% |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thermo | 6,566,218 | 63.69 | % | 6,543,218 | 63.47 | % | |||
Qualcomm | 692,400 | 6.72 | % | 692,400 | 6.72 | % | |||
Others | 3,050,660 | 29.59 | % | 3,073,660 | 29.81 | % | |||
Total | 10,309,278 | 100.00 | % | 10,309,278 | 100.00 | % | |||
Management has determined that operational control of the Globalstar business passed to New Globalstar with the completion of the first stage of the Thermo Transaction on December 5, 2003. Accordingly, Old Globalstar's results of operations and cash flows prior to December 5, 2003 are presented as the "Predecessor" or "Predecessor Period." The results of operations, financial position
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and cash flows of New Globalstar and Globalstar, L.P. thereafter are collectively presented as the "Successor," and periods after December 5, 2003 are referred to as "Successor Period(s)." The Thermo Transaction has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
The following summarizes the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and the allocation of the acquisition cost (in thousands):
|
December 5, 2003 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Current assets | $ | 35,986 | ||
Other assets | 12,257 | |||
Total assets | 48,243 | |||
Current liabilities | 32,100 | |||
Long term liabilities | 6,243 | |||
Total liabilities | 38,343 | |||
Net assets acquired | $ | 9,900 | ||
New Globalstar
The New Globalstar operating agreement provides that the term of the Company shall continue until the sale of substantially all of the Company's assets or certain other defined events. Each member's liability is limited to its contributions. Generally net profits, net losses and distributions are allocated to members in proportion to their respective membership interests.
As of December 31, 2005, Globalstar's operating subsidiaries included Globalstar USA, LLC ("GUSA"), Globalstar Canada Satellite Co. ("GCSC"), Globalstar Europe Satellite Services, Ltd ("GESS"), and Globalstar de Venezuela, which provide satellite services in the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America, respectively. In addition, the Company and its subsidiaries own and operate the Globalstar System including satellites and gateways (Note 3).
Old Globalstar
Old Globalstar was a limited partnership, formed in Delaware in November 1993. General partners were jointly and severally liable for the recourse debt and other recourse obligations of Old Globalstar to the extent Old Globalstar was unable to pay such debts. Limited partners' liability was limited to their contributions.
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The following table summarizes the partnership deficit of Old Globalstar:
|
Predecessor December 4, 2003 |
Successor December 31, 2003 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In thousands) |
|||||||
Redeemable Preferred Partnership Interests (RPPI): | ||||||||
8% Series A (4,356,295 outstanding at December 4 and 31, 2003, each unit convertible into .53085 ordinary partnership interests) | $ | | $ | | ||||
9% Series B (389,500 outstanding at December 4 and 31, 2003; each unit convertible into .47562 ordinary partnership interests) | | | ||||||
Ordinary general partnership interests (4,910,604 interests outstanding at December 4 and 31, 2003) | (3,376,073 | ) | (3,386,774 | ) | ||||
Ordinary limited partnership interests (19,937,500 interests outstanding at December 4 and 31, 2003) | (239,740 | ) | (239,740 | ) | ||||
Warrants | 203,335 | 203,335 | ||||||
$ | (3,412,478 | ) | $ | (3,423,179 | ) | |||
During the year ended December 31, 2003, no 8% or 9% RPPIs were converted to ordinary partnership interests. As described in Note 2, effective June 29, 2004, all partnership interests in Old Globalstar were cancelled without consideration.
Officers and employees of Old Globalstar were eligible to participate in the Company's general partner's 1994 Stock Option Plan. No options were granted and no compensation expense was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004. At December 31, 2003, there were 5,408,567 options outstanding.
Prior to 2003, Old Globalstar issued warrants in connection with the issuance of certain senior notes, service provider arrangements, and Globalstar construction contracts. These warrants were recorded at fair value at the date of issuance. No warrants were issued during the years ended December 31, 2003 or 2004.
In connection with the Plan, the outstanding stock options and warrants were effectively cancelled and there are no remaining contingent equity issuances with regard to Old Globalstar. Pro forma compensation expense disclosures for Old Globalstar for the period from January 1, 2003 through December 4, 2003 have been omitted because such amounts would not be significant to 2003 operating results and the related stock options and warrants were not exercisable for membership interest units of New Globalstar.
Globalstar Telecommunications Limited ("GTL"), an entity whose sole business was acting as one of two general partners of Old Globalstar, was a publicly traded entity. Old Globalstar was a voluntary filer with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In January 2004, Old Globalstar filed a Form 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission to suspend its reporting under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
109
2. BUSINESS
Globalstar owns and operates a satellite constellation that forms the backbone of a global telecommunications network designed to serve virtually every populated area of the world. Globalstar's worldwide, low-earth orbit ("LEO") satellite-based digital telecommunications system (the "Globalstar System"), which uses QUALCOMM's patented CDMA technology, provides high-quality mobile and fixed telephone service to customers who live, work or travel beyond the reach of terrestrially based communications networks. The Globalstar System has been providing satellite based wireless communications services since 1999. The Globalstar System's coverage is designed to enable its service providers to extend modern telecommunications services to people who lack basic telephone service and to enhance wireless communications in areas underserved or not served by existing or future cellular systems, providing a telecommunications solution in parts of the world where the build-out of terrestrial systems is not economically justified.
On February 15, 2002 (the "Petition Date"), Old Globalstar and three of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court ("Bankruptcy Court") for the District of Delaware. Old Globalstar and its debtor subsidiaries remained in possession of their assets and properties and continued to operate their businesses as debtors-in-possession.
Under Chapter 11, substantially all unsecured liabilities as of the Petition Date were subject to compromise or other treatment under a plan of reorganization, which was required to be approved and confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court. For financial reporting purposes, those liabilities and obligations whose treatment and satisfaction were dependent on the outcome of the Chapter 11 case were segregated in the consolidated balance sheet as liabilities subject to compromise. Generally, all actions to enforce or otherwise require repayment of Old Globalstar's pre-petition liabilities were stayed under the Bankruptcy Code while Old Globalstar continued its business operations as a debtor-in-possession.
During the course of its financial restructuring, Old Globalstar developed a business plan, which was predicated on an infusion of funds and assumed the consolidation of certain Globalstar service provider operations into Globalstar. Several of the acquisitions contemplated in the business plan have been completed (Notes 4 and 17). The consolidation strategy has brought additional efficiencies to the operation of the Globalstar System and allowed for increased consistency in product and service offerings in the Americas and Europe. In addition, Globalstar has revised its business relationships with its independent service providers and continues to explore the possible acquisition of additional Globalstar service provider operations.
Under auction procedures approved by the Bankruptcy Court, in April 2003 ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited ("ICO"), one of the three qualified investors that participated in the auction, was ultimately selected as the bidder proposing the highest and best offer for Old Globalstar's assets. Old Globalstar and ICO subsequently entered into an investment agreement (the "ICO Investment Agreement"), and Old Globalstar and an affiliate of ICO subsequently entered into a $35.0 million secured, super priority debtor-in-possession credit agreement (the "ICO DIP Facility") as of May 19, 2003. A portion of the ICO DIP Facility was used to repay $10.0 million borrowed under previous debtor-in-possession financing that had been provided by a consortium of lenders, including representatives of the Old Globalstar Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the "Creditors' Committee").
In October 2003, ICO informed Old Globalstar that it believed that unspecified conditions to the closing of the ICO Investment Agreement would not be satisfied and therefore consented to Old
110
Globalstar reopening discussions with other potential investors. On November 17, 2003, Old Globalstar, Thermo and the Creditors' Committee executed a term sheet regarding a proposed transaction. On December 2, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing the Thermo Transaction. On December 5, 2003, Old Globalstar, the Creditors' Committee and Thermo entered into the Asset Contribution Agreement.
Old Globalstar submitted its Disclosure Statement and Fourth Amended Joint Plan to the Bankruptcy Court on May 3, 2004. The Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan on June 17, 2004, and the Plan became effective June 29, 2004 (the "Effective Date"). Pursuant to the Plan, on the Effective Date, all partnership interests in Old Globalstar were cancelled without consideration, Old Globalstar's membership interests in Globalstar were distributed to its unsecured creditors and Old Globalstar was dissolved. Globalstar Capital Corporation, a former subsidiary of Old Globalstar, remains as a debtor entity responsible for the resolution of claims against Old Globalstar and the wind up of Old Globalstar. New Globalstar does not have any continuing financial commitment related to the wind up.
On March 25, 2003, Old Globalstar entered into a settlement and release agreement with Elsacom SpA ("Elsacom") and a gateway asset purchase agreement (collectively the "Elsacom Settlement") with a wholly owned subsidiary of Elsacom. Elsacom is the primary Globalstar service provider in Central and Eastern Europe, the operator of the gateway located in Avezzano, Italy and, through its affiliate, Globalstar Northern Europe, the former operator of the gateway located in Karkkila, Finland. Under the terms of the Elsacom Settlement, Old Globalstar received cash payments totaling $2.2 million, in two installments, in March 2003 and June 2003 and the release of all past payment obligations, including certain pre-petition liabilities, due to Elsacom in exchange for liquidation of the gateway contract payments due to Old Globalstar from Elsacom. Additionally, Old Globalstar retained title to the gateway equipment installed in Finland. Old Globalstar dismantled the Finland gateway and placed the removable parts, which contain most of the gateway's electronics, into storage for future deployment.
On March 14, 2003, Loral, the Creditors' Committee and Old Globalstar signed a term sheet outlining the terms and conditions of a comprehensive settlement of certain contested matters and a release of the claims against Loral (the "Loral Settlement"). Also on March 14, 2003, Old Globalstar and the Creditors' Committee filed a joint motion with the Bankruptcy Court under Bankruptcy Rule 9019 for an order approving the Loral Settlement. The Bankruptcy Court approved the Loral Settlement on April 14, 2003. The parties executed a definitive agreement reflecting the terms of the Loral Settlement as of April 8, 2003, and closed the various interrelated transactions on July 10, 2003. Pursuant to the definitive settlement agreement, as of the closing, among other things: (1) Old Globalstar received title to eight spare satellites; (2) certain agreements under which Loral held exclusive rights to provide Old Globalstar services to certain defense, national security and other government agencies and in the aviation market were terminated and a new joint venture owned 75% by Old Globalstar and 25% by Loral was formed to pursue business opportunities with those governmental agencies ($300,000 and $100,000 of Government Services, LLC ("GSLLC") accounts payable were converted to equity, respectively); (3) Old Globalstar received Loral's interests in the Canadian Globalstar service provider operations (49.9% interest representing 17,758,485 common shares valued at CD$25,000); (4) certain financial obligations of Loral-affiliated service providers ($5.5 million) due to Old Globalstar were settled through deduction in debt obligations owed by Globalstar Canada Co. ($5.5 million) to Loral and $4.4 million of other financial obligations between Old Globalstar and Loral were restructured; (5) Old Globalstar received the unused portion of advance
111
prepayments ($2.2 million) made by it under its 2GHz satellite contract with Space Systems/Loral, Inc. ("SS/L"), an affiliate of Loral, as reduced by certain financial obligations of Old Globalstar to Loral ($109,000); (6) Loral's designated individuals resigned from Old Globalstar's General Partners Committee, and officers of Old Globalstar were appointed as members of the General Partners Committee; and (7) Old Globalstar and its subsidiaries and Loral and its subsidiaries and affiliates provided mutual releases of claims and Old Globalstar and its subsidiaries released any claims against the members of the Committee.
On April 13, 2004, Globalstar, Old Globalstar, certain subsidiaries of both Globalstar entities, the Creditors' Committee, Thermo and QUALCOMM entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the "QUALCOMM Settlement"). Under the terms of the QUALCOMM Settlement: QUALCOMM's unsecured claim against the estate of Old Globalstar was liquidated at a value of approximately $661.3 million; QUALCOMM's unsecured claim received pari passu treatment consistent with other unsecured claims against Old Globalstar; all existing agreements between Globalstar entities and QUALCOMM, with certain minor exceptions for in process items, were terminated with no further rights or obligations; and Old Globalstar and QUALCOMM exchanged broad releases of further liability. Also on April 13, 2004, QUALCOMM and Globalstar entered into a series of new commercial agreements which defined, among other items, the terms under which Globalstar would continue to have a royalty free right to use certain QUALCOMM intellectual property and would continue to purchase products and engineering services from QUALCOMM.
Globalstar is dependent on QUALCOMM for gateway hardware and software, and also as the exclusive manufacturer of phones using the IS-41 CDMA North American standard. Ericsson OCM Limited ("Ericsson") and Telit, which until 2000 manufactured phones and other products for the Company, have discontinued manufacturing these products, and there is no assurance that QUALCOMM will not choose to terminate its business relationship with Globalstar. Management believes that its relationship with QUALCOMM is strong; however, if necessary, this relationship can be replaced. If the relationship were to be replaced, there may be a substantial period of time in which products would not be available or a new relationship may involve a significantly different cost structure.
SS/L completed production of seven of the eight spare satellites. All eight are in storage in California. Title to those satellites was transferred to Old Globalstar effective July 10, 2003, and was subsequently transferred to New Globalstar as part of the Asset Contribution Agreement. Globalstar is dependent on SS/L to complete construction of the eighth satellite if Globalstar determines that the eighth satellite must be launched. There can be no assurance that SS/L will remain a going concern or will retain the capability to complete the eighth satellite.
3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Pre-petition Debt
As a result of the Chapter 11 filing, no principal or interest payments were made on unsecured pre-petition debt. Interest expense on pre-petition debt was not paid during the bankruptcy proceeding and was not an allowed claim.
112
Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from estimates.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Globalstar and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidation.
Prior to 2005, one subsidiary was 98% owned by Globalstar and 2% owned by minority interests (Thermo). Minority interest amounts were not significant. During 2005, a $100,000 payment was made to redeem the 2% minority interest.
Interim Financial Information
The interim financial information as of March 31, 2006 and for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006 is unaudited. In the opinion of management, such information includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for such periods. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any future period.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Financial Instruments
Except for the payables to affiliates and the note payable to Loral (Note 7), the carrying amounts of financial instruments approximate fair value due to the short maturities of these instruments. The fair value of the payables to affiliates and the note payable to Loral are not practicable to estimate based on the related party nature of the underlying transactions. The Company has no material off-balance sheet financial instruments.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are uncollateralized and consist primarily of on-going service revenue and equipment receivables. Management reviews accounts receivable on a periodic basis to determine if any receivables will potentially be uncollectible. Accounts receivable balances that are determined likely to be uncollectible are included in the allowance for doubtful accounts. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance.
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The following is a summary of the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts (in thousands):
|
Predecessor |
Successor |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
January 1, Through December 4, 2003 |
December 5, Through December 31, 2003 |
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
|||||||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 2,046 | $ | 1,127 | $ | 1,173 | $ | 1,187 | |||||
Provision, net of recoveries | 492 | 46 | 859 | 998 | |||||||||
Write-offs | (1,411 | ) | | (845 | ) | (411 | ) | ||||||
Balance at end of period | $ | 1,127 | $ | 1,173 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,774 | |||||
Inventory
Inventory consists of purchased products, including fixed and mobile user terminals, accessories and gateway spare parts. Inventory acquired on December 5, 2003 is stated at fair value at the date of the Thermo Transaction and subsequent transactions are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory prior to December 5, 2003 was stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is computed using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method which determines the acquisition cost on a FIFO basis. Inventory allowances are recorded for inventories with a lower market value or which are slow moving. Unsaleable inventory is written off.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at acquisition cost, less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, as follows:
Globalstar System | Up to periods of 10 years from commencement of service | |
Furniture, fixtures & equipment | 3 to 10 years | |
Leasehold improvements | Shorter of lease term or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, generally 5 years |
The Globalstar System includes costs for the design, manufacture, test, and launch of a constellation of low-earth orbit satellites, including in-orbit spare satellites (the "Space Segment"), and primary and backup control centers and gateways (the "Ground Segment").
Losses from in-orbit failures of satellites are recorded in the period it is determined that the satellite is not recoverable.
The carrying value of the Globalstar System is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the recorded value of the Space Segment and Ground Segment, taken as a whole, may not be recoverable. Globalstar looks to current and future undiscounted cash flows, excluding financing costs, as primary indicators of recoverability. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on fair value.
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Following a launch failure in September 1998, Old Globalstar decided to purchase eight additional satellites for $148.0 million (including performance incentives of up to $16.0 million) to serve as on-ground spares. Costs of $147.0 million (including a portion of the performance incentives) were previously recognized for these spare satellites. Prior to 2002, Old Globalstar recorded an impairment of these costs, and at December 31, 2002 they were carried at $24.2 million. Seven of the eight have been completed, and all eight are in storage in California. Depreciation of these assets will not begin until the satellites are placed in service. As of December 31, 2004, these assets were recorded at $946,000, of which $858,000 was based on the Company's allocation of the Thermo Transaction acquisition cost. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company incurred additional costs of approximately $2.1 million in preparation for the future launch of these satellites.
Gateway Receivables
Old Globalstar entered into an agreement with QUALCOMM for the manufacture, deployment and maintenance of gateways. Old Globalstar, in turn, invoiced the service providers for the contract costs plus a markup. The net receivables were $1.0 million at December 31, 2004 and 2005. As of December 31, 2005, these receivables were delinquent and Globalstar has sent notices of default where appropriate.
As of December 31, 2005, the Company was in negotiation for the purchase of a service provider jointly owned by Globalstar Americas Holding (GAH), Globalstar Americas Telecommunications (GAT), and Astral Technologies Investment Limited (Astral), collectively, the GA Companies (Note 17).
Deferred Transaction Costs
These costs represent costs incurred in obtaining long-term credit facilities; expenses related to the Company's proposed initial public offering of its common stock (IPO), and the Company's proposed or completed private equity and debt offering. These costs are classified as long-term assets and will be amortized as additional interest expense over the term of the credit facilities or netted against equity proceeds. As of December 31, 2005, the Company had deferred approximately $525,000 in transaction related costs.
Asset Retirement Obligation
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations," the Company capitalized, as part of the carrying amount, the estimated costs associated with the retirement of two gateways owned by the Company. As of December 31, 2005, the Company had accrued $450,000 for asset retirement obligations. The Company believes this estimate will be sufficient to satisfy the Company's obligation under leases to remove the gateway equipment and restore the sites to their original condition.
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenues
Customer activation fees are deferred and recognized over four to five year periods, which approximates the estimated average life of the customer relationship. The Company periodically evaluates the estimated customer relationship life. Historically, changes in the estimated life have not been material to the Company's financial statements.
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Monthly access fees billed to retail customers and resellers, representing the minimum monthly charge for each line of service based on its associated rate plan, are billed on the first day of each monthly bill cycle. Airtime minute fees in excess of the monthly access fees are billed in arrears on the first day of each monthly bill cycle. To the extent that bill cycles fall during the course of a given month and a portion of the monthly services have not been delivered at month end, fees are prorated and fees associated with the undelivered portion of a given month are deferred. Under the Company's Liberty Plans, customers prepay for the minutes purchased. Revenue is deferred until the minutes are used or the prepaid time period expires. Unused minutes are accumulated until they expire, usually one year after activation.
Globalstar also provides certain engineering services to assist customers in developing new technologies related to the Globalstar System. The revenues associated with these services are recorded when the services are rendered and the expenses are recorded when incurred. During 2005, the Company recorded engineering services revenues of $3.5 million and related costs of $1.7 million. Engineering services revenues and cost of services were not significant in 2003 and 2004.
Globalstar owns and operates the Globalstar satellite constellation and earns a portion of its revenues through the sale of airtime minutes on a wholesale basis to independent service providers. Revenue from sales to service providers is recognized based upon airtime minutes processed and contractual fee arrangements.
Airtime revenue is also earned from third party service providers that use the Globalstar System. Prior to December 31, 2005, airtime revenue related to certain of these service providers was recognized on a cash basis due to concerns about the collectibility of the underlying receivables. These revenues were not material to total revenue. As of December 31, 2005, based on Management's review of the payment history of service provider receivables, the revenue recognition was changed from the cash basis to an accrual basis. If any receivable is deemed likely to be uncollectible, the receivable is accounted for in the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Subscriber equipment revenue represents the sale of fixed, mobile user terminals and accessories. Revenue is recognized upon shipment provided title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed and determinable and collection is probable.
In December 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 00-21, "Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables." EITF Issue No. 00-21 addresses certain aspects of the accounting by a vendor for arrangements under which it will perform multiple revenue-generating activities. In some arrangements, the different revenue-generating activities (deliveries) are sufficiently separable and there exists sufficient evidence of their fair values to separately account for some or all of the deliveries (that is, there are separate units of accounting). In other arrangements, some or all of the deliveries are not independently functional, or there is not sufficient evidence of their fair values to account for them separately. EITF Issue No. 00-21 addresses when, and if so, how an arrangement involving multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of accounting. EITF Issue No. 00-21 does not change otherwise applicable revenue recognition criteria.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development costs were $1.4 million and $52,000 for the Predecessor and Successor Periods in 2003, respectively, and $2.0 million and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively, and are expensed as incurred as part of marketing, general and administrative expenses.
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Foreign Currency
Foreign currency assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates and revenue and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during each period. At December 31, 2004 and 2005, the foreign currency translation adjustments were $168,000 and $538,000, respectively.
Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in net income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are classified as other income or expense on the statement of operations.
Income Taxes
Until January 1, 2006, Globalstar was treated as a partnership for U.S. tax purposes (Notes 13 and 17). Generally, taxable income or loss, deductions and credits of the Company were passed through to its members. Globalstar does have some corporate subsidiaries that require a tax provision or benefit using the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes as prescribed by SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." As of December 31, 2004 and 2005, the corporate subsidiaries had gross deferred tax assets of approximately $10.6 million and $7.6 million, respectively. A valuation reserve has been set up to reserve $5.9 million and $5.2 million, respectively, due to concerns about the Company's ability to generate sufficient income in those corporate subsidiaries to be able to utilize the deferred tax assets
Effective January 1, 2006, Globalstar and its U.S. operating subsidiaries elected to be taxed as a corporation in the United States and began accounting for these entities under SFAS 109.
Old Globalstar was organized as a Delaware limited partnership with various corporate subsidiaries. Generally, taxable income or loss, deductions and credits of the partnership were passed through to its partners.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," ("APB No. 25") and related interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options. Under APB No. 25, no compensation expense is recognized if the exercise price of the Company's stock options equals or exceeds the fair value of the underlying stock at the date of grant.
Pro forma information regarding net income (loss) is required by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," which also requires that the information be determined as if the Company has accounted for its employee stock options granted under the fair value method. Effective January 1, 2005, the Company promised one of its board members the option to purchase up to 20,000 shares at a price of $16.00 per share. The Company has included these options within its diluted earnings per share computations for all periods in which such options are outstanding. The Company has not disclosed the pro forma information as the pro forma effect is not significant.
Earnings Per Share
The Company applies the provisions of SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share," which requires companies to present basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents are included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share only when the effect of their inclusion would be dilutive. The effect of common stock equivalents has been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the Predecessor and Successor Periods in 2003 because they were anti-dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2006, weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share includes the effects of the 20,000 stock options promised to a board member in January 2005. For the three months ended
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March 31, 2006, weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share includes the effects of the 20,000 stock options promised to a board member in January 2005 and shares of common stock that are contingently issuable to the former stockholders of the GA Companies (Note 17).
Pro Forma Net Income and Pro Forma Earnings Per Share (Unaudited)
Pro forma net income and pro forma earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2005 and the three months ended March 31, 2005 has been calculated as if the Company had been a C corporation for federal income tax purposes (Note 17).
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2004, Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 151, "Inventory Costs," which amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, Inventory Pricing, to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). This Statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of "so abnormal." In addition, this Statement requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The provisions of this Statement are effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company has completed its evaluation of SFAS No. 151 and has determined that the Statement will not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, "Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29." This Statement amends Opinion 29 to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. This Statement is effective for nonmonetary exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company has completed its evaluation of SFAS No. 153 and has determined that the Statement does not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS No. 123R"). This Statement requires companies to record compensation expense for all share based awards granted subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. In addition, SFAS No. 123R requires the recording of compensation expense for the unvested portion of previously granted awards that remain outstanding at the date of adoption. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 123R effective January 1, 2006 and does not expect the adoption to have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation ("FIN") No. 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations" ("FIN No. 47"), which is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. FIN No. 47 clarifies the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations". Conditional asset retirement obligation refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The Company does not expect the adoption of FIN No. 47 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections" ("SFAS No. 154"). This Statement requires retrospective application to prior periods' financial statements of voluntary changes in accounting principles unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS No. 154 makes a distinction
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between "retrospective application" of an accounting principle and the "restatement" of financial statements to reflect the correction of an error. SFAS No. 154 replaces Accounting Principles Bulletin ("APB") No. 20, "Accounting Changes" ("APB No. 20"), and SFAS No. 3, "Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements." APB No. 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle in the net income of the period of the change. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 154 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, "Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instrumentsan amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 (Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities) and No. 140 (Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities)" ("SFAS No. 155"), which permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation. In addition, SFAS No. 155 establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation under the requirements of Statement No. 133. SFAS No. 155 will be effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 155 effective January 1, 2007. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 155 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, "Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assetsan amendment of FASB Statement No. 140" ("SFAS No. 156"). SFAS No. 156 amends FASB Statement No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities," with respect to the accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. SFAS No. 156 clarifies when servicing rights should be separately accounted for, requires companies to account for separately recognized servicing rights initially at fair value, and gives companies the option of subsequently accounting for those servicing rights at either fair value or under the amortization method. SFAS No. 156 will be effective as of the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 156 effective January 1, 2007. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 156 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
4. ACQUISITIONS
Globalstar Canada Satellite Co. ("GCSC")
Prior to 2003, Old Globalstar controlled 50.1% of GCSC, the Company's Canadian satellite service provider. In connection with the Loral Settlement described in Note 2, Old Globalstar acquired Loral's 49.9% minority interest in July 2003.
Prior to 2003, Old Globalstar owned 33.33% of Globalstar Canada Holding Co. ("GCHC"). Pursuant to Old Globalstar's new business plan, on May 6, 2003, Old Globalstar acquired the remaining 66.67% of the outstanding common stock of GCHC. As a result of this stock purchase, Old Globalstar indirectly owned 100% of Globalstar Canada Co. ("GCC"). The acquisition costs were $376,000, including legal fees. This transaction, combined with Old Globalstar's acquisition of GCSC, provided Old Globalstar with 100% ownership of the Canadian service provider operations. GCC and
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GCHC were amalgamated into GCSC on November 1, 2004. The following table summarizes the estimated values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the acquisition (in thousands):
|
May 6, 2003 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Current assets | $ | 333 | ||
Receivables from affiliates | 6,510 | |||
Fixed assets | 1,281 | |||
Total assets acquired | 8,124 | |||
Current liabilities |