SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-KSB
(MARK ONE)
|X| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999
OR
|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)
For the transition period from ____________ to __________
Commission file number 333-8305
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Name of small business issuer in its charter)
Delaware 13-3895294
-------- ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
Limmattalstrasse 10, Geroldswil,Switzerland 8954
------------------------------------------- ----------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Issuer's telephone number: 01141-1-749-3103
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
None
Check whether the issuer: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes |X| No |_|
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-B contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to
the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any
amendment to this Form 10-KSB. |X|
The issuer's revenue for its most recent fiscal year (year ended March 31, 1999)
were $5,400,256.
<PAGE>
The aggregate market value on June 10, 1999 of the voting stock held by
non-affiliates computed by reference to the last sale price on that date was
approximately $2,114,090. For purposes of this calculation only, all directors
and officers of the registrant and all holders of 5% or more of the Company's
Common Stock have been deemed to be affiliates of the Company. As of June 28,
1999, 1,711,190 shares of Common Stock, par value $.00001 per share, were
outstanding.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one):
YES |_| NO |X|
PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
GENERAL
UTG Communications International, Inc. (the "Company" or "UTG") is a
switch-based provider of quality private voice, fax and data management
telecommunication ("telecom") services in Switzerland, Belgium and the United
Kingdom. The Company provides such services at prices which are generally below
those of major telecom carriers. In addition, the Company has entered into
agreements with various international telecom carriers for the exchange of
traffic. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company resells telecom minutes at a
profit. The Company provides local support, round-the-clock customer service and
full network redundancy to its customers. Available services include system
design and installation as well as digital compression, fax transmission
compression, digital data services and wideband digital data services.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the Company entered into a joint
venture with 8 individual distributors for the purpose of establishing a
distribution network for telecommunication cards in the United Kingdom. The
Company and its 8 distribution partners formed StarPoint Card Sales Ltd., a
company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom ("StarPoint"). StarPoint
is located in London with the Company holding 51% of Starpoint's equity and the
Company's partners holding the remaining 49%. In addition, during the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1999, the Company formed StarGlobal Ltd., a wholly owned
subsidiary organized under the laws of the United Kingdom ("StarGlobal"), which
is intended to operate the Company's wholesale and carrier-to-carrier business.
In Switzerland, the Company successfully tested its credit card-based phone
services with a limited group of users during the fiscal year ended March 31,
1999. The Company's product is intended to enable a credit card holder to use
the credit card as a post-paid phonecard. As a result, users of the Company's
services will benefit from discounts for international and national long
distance telecommunications services compared to the rates being offered by
Swisscom and other major telecom service providers in Switzerland. The Company
is currently preparing the full scale launch of this product together with a
major retail chain in Switzerland.
In order to be able to continue to provide its customers with state of the art
communication services and to benefit from the opportunities created by the
Internet, the Company has developed an Internet strategy. The Company intends to
become an Internet service provider ("ISP") to take advantage of the
efficiencies created by its existing switches and its access to the Internet
backbone. The Company intends to offer these services (and the related
consulting and support services), to retail and other Internet service providers
in Europe. The Company also intends to diversify into e-commerce and to operate
Internet shopping platforms for its telecommunications services and other retail
industries, including music, media and software distribution.
<PAGE>
The Company deems an expansion into Internet-related services as a competitive
necessity in the markets in which it currently operates. The Company believes
that establishing an e-commerce business would provide an interesting supplement
to its conventional telecommunications services and its newly developed Internet
services with a business with high growth potential. The goal of the Company's
strategy is to acquire the necessary know-how for the future provision of
Internet-based telecommunications services, including Internet telephony.
The Company also intends to continue to expand its operations geographically
through local subsidiaries and joint ventures in other European countries as
business, market and regulatory conditions permit. The Company continues to
explore opportunities in Germany and other European countries. See
"--Organization" and "Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
Both the competitive environment and the economic framework in which
international telecom companies operate are changing at a rapid pace. Due to the
liberalization of telecom markets and technical improvements, the Company
utilizes the infrastructure provided by international telecom carriers in
connection with the services it offers. This allows the Company to offer its
customers access to the largest meshed fiber optic networks in Europe, which
includes more than 130 international points of presence ("POPs"). In providing
its services, the Company connects a customer's telephone installation to the
nearest Company-accessed POP by means of interconnection agreements with the
incumbent and other carriers in Switzerland and Belgium or through dedicated
lines. The customer's outgoing voice, fax and data transmissions are then
transported directly to the Company's switch facilities in the various
countries. The communications are then transferred directly from the Company's
switches into the international networks. All of this is achieved with speech
quality or connection speed comparable to that offered by the Company's
competitors, and with the customer dialing the international destination
directly, as it had done prior to becoming a customer. The Company is able to
provide its services at prices attractive to its customers due, among other
things, to volume discounts the Company has negotiated with carriers.
The Company's operations are, to a large extent, dependent on the Company's
ability to obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that the
Company will obtain the financing necessary to support its plan of operation.
See "Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations."
ORGANIZATION
UTG was incorporated in the State of Delaware on April 17, 1996. UTG owns all of
the equity of Starfon Telecom Services AG (previously UTG Communications Holding
AG and UTG Telecom AG), a Swiss company with operations in Switzerland and
wholly-owned subsidiaries in Switzerland and Belgium.
On April 2, 1997, Starfon founded UTG Communications Hungary, Kft., a company
incorporated under the laws of Hungary, and on April 8, 1997, Starfon
consummated the purchase of its 49% interest in Tibesta Ltd. ("Tibesta") for a
purchase price of $10,551. On June 9, 1997, Metatel, a company wholly owned by
Tribesta, founded UTG Communications France S.A. ("UTG France"), a 94% owned
Company with an office located in Paris. Metatel's initial investment in UTG
France was 750,000 FRF or approximately $129,500 of which 49% was paid by the
Company. On October 7, 1997, the Company transferred its interests in UTG
Hungary and another subsidiary of the Company, which in management's opinion was
immaterial to the Company's operations, to Mr. Fritz Wolff, a former Chief
Executive Officer and director of the Company in connection with Mr. Wolff's
resignation from his functions with the Company in return for the assumption of
all liabilities of such companies by Mr. Wolff. As of September 30, 1997, the
French companies had ceased their operations.
Effective as of December 1, 1997, and November 30, 1997, respectively, the
<PAGE>
Company sold its subsidiaries, UTG (Network) Ltd., a company organized under the
laws of the United Kingdom ("UTG Network", and UTG Communications (Europe) AG, a
corporation incorporated under the laws of Switzerland ("UTG Europe"), to
Portmann Trading SA, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Panama with
interests in the telecommunications and energy industries.
Effective as of December 1, 1997, and November 30, 1997, respectively, the
Company sold its subsidiaries, UTG (Network) Ltd., a company organized under the
laws of the United Kingdom ("UTG Network", and UTG Communications (Europe) AG, a
corporation incorporated under the laws of Switzerland ("UTG Europe"), to
Portmann Trading SA, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Panama with
interests in the telecommunications and energy industries.
On July 28, 1998, the Company formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Telelines
International SA, a company organized under the laws of Panama ("Telelines").
Telelines is intended to be a sub-holding company for new subsidiaries of the
Company.
On November 18, 1998, StarPoint was incorporated in the United Kingdom as a
51%-owned subsidiary of Telelines. The remaining 49% interest in Starpoint is
owned by 8 distribution partners of the Company. StarPoint is distributing
different card products in United Kingdom to about 1000 customers. In exchange
for their 49% interest in StarPoint, the 8 distributors contributed their
existing businesses and customer bases to StarPoint and agreed to work
exclusively for StarPoint for a minimum of 24 months. UTG has a three-year call
option to acquire its partners' 49% interest in StarPoint for cash and/or UTG
common stock. The exercise price is equal to the average of 8 times StarPoint's
EBIT and sales during the three months preceding the exercise of the option.
The Company intends to distribute through StarPoint its own telephone cards and
other card services currently under development. In addition, the Company plans
to increase the number of StarPoint's points of sales in the United Kingdom and
to expand into other areas if attractive opportunities arise. The Company's
management expects that StarPoint will have a positive impact on the Company's
revenues and profit margin. Prior to the introduction of its own telephone card,
the Company believes that as a result of StarPoint's stronger buying power,
StarPoint should benefit from an increased margin on the resale of the card
products previously sold by the 8 distributors.
On November 24, 1998, a 100%-owned subsidiary of Telelines, StarGlobal Ltd.
("StarGlobal"), was incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands. It
is intended that StarGlobal will operate as the wholesale and the
carrier-to-carrier business in the United Kingdom and Europe and is intended to
optimize the rate structure within the UTG group. It is further intended to buy
fiber-optic lines to destinations of interest, especially in Europe as well as
to the United States. StarGlobal is currently able to handle traffic worth
approximately $25 million per year beginning in 1999 with a gross margin of
about 5 to 8% depending on the destinations.
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references herein to the "Company"
shall include UTG and its subsidiaries. UTG's principal executive offices are
located at Limmattalstrasse 10, 8954 Geroldswil, Switzerland, and its telephone
number is 01141-1-749-3103.
INDUSTRY
Growth and change in the telecom industry have been fueled by a number of
factors, including greater consumer demand, globalization of industry, increases
in international business travel, privatization of incumbent telephone
operators, and growth of computerized transmission of voice and data
information. These trends have sharply increased the use of, and reliance upon,
telecom services throughout the world. The Company believes that at the same
<PAGE>
time, businesses and residential customers have encountered higher prices with
poorer quality and service which were, and in some cases still are,
characteristic of many incumbent telephone operators. Demand for improved
service has created opportunities for private industry to compete in the
international telecom market. Increased competition, in turn, has spurred a
broadening of products and services, and new technologies have contributed to
improved quality and increased transmission capacity and speed.
Consumer demand and competitive initiatives have also acted as a catalyst for
government deregulation, especially in developed countries. Deregulation began
in the United States in 1984 with the divestiture of AT&T and the spin-off of
the regional Bell operating companies. Equal access to customers followed
thereafter for all United States carriers. In Europe, deregulation began in the
United Kingdom with the privatization of British Telecom, also in 1984.
Deregulation spread to the rest of Europe with the adoption of the European
Union ("EU") "Directive on Competition in the Markets for Telecommunication
Services" in 1990. A series of subsequent EU directives, reports and actions
have resulted in substantial deregulation of the telecom industries in most EU
countries. Other governments have begun to allow competition for value-added and
selected other telecommunications services and features, including data and
facsimile services and certain restricted voice services. In February 1997, 69
countries, including the United States, Japan, Switzerland, South Africa and all
of the member states of the EU, entered into the World Trade Organization
Agreement with the goal of increasing competition among telecom providers in
such markets beginning in 1998. In many countries, however, the rate of change
and emergence of competition remains slow and the timing and extent of future
deregulation is uncertain.
Long distance telecom carriers can be differentiated by several defining
operational characteristics. One such defining characteristic distinguishes
between transmission facilities-based companies and non-transmission
facilities-based companies (resellers). Transmission facilities-based carriers,
such as AT&T, British Telecom and Swisscom, the Swiss incumbent carrier, own
their own long distance interexchange or transmission facilities and originate
and terminate calls through local exchange systems. Profitability for
transmission facilities-based carriers is dependent not only upon their ability
to generate revenues but also upon their ability to manage complex networking
and transmission costs. All of the first- and most of the second-tier long
distance companies are transmission facilities-based carriers generally offer
service over broad geographic areas. Most transmission facilities-based carriers
in the third tier of the market offer their service only in a limited geographic
area. Some transmission facilities-based carriers contract with other
transmission facilities-based carriers to provide transmission where they have
geographic gaps in their facilities.
Resellers, such as the Company, carry their long distance traffic over
transmission lines leased from transmission facilities-based carriers, originate
and terminate calls through local exchange systems or "competitive access
providers" ("CAPs") and contract with transmission facilities-based carriers to
provide transmission of long distance traffic either on a fixed rate lease basis
or a call volume basis. Profitability for resellers is dependent largely on
their ability to generate on a continuing basis revenue volume which is
sufficient in size to permit them to negotiate attractive pricing with one or
more transmission facilities-based carriers.
A second operating characteristic differentiating telecom companies
distinguishes between switch-based and switchless telecom companies.
Switch-based telecom companies, such as the Company, own or lease one or more
switches, which are computers that direct telecom traffic to form a transmission
path between a caller and the recipient of a call. All transmission
facilities-based carriers are switch-based, as are many resellers, including the
Company. Switchless resellers depend on one or more transmission
facilities-based carriers or switch-based resellers for transmission and
switching facilities. The Company believes that owning its switches reduces its
reliance on other carriers and enables it to
<PAGE>
efficiently route telecom traffic over the least-cost routes and to control
costs and record data and customer information.
The Company expects increasing competitive pressures from Internet-based
communication services and has developed a strategy to meet these challenges.
See "General" and "Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
SERVICES
The Company offers voice, fax and data transmission services in customized
packages designed to suit customers' needs. The Company's use of digital
compression technology allows the Company to lease fewer lines and offer reduced
calling tariffs. It is the Company's policy to provide all of its customers with
high-quality service, local support, round-the-clock customer service and full
network redundancy. Additionally, the Company's customers receive comprehensive
billing packages. The Company's standard monthly statement includes a management
summary report and a call detail report recording every long distance call.
Optional reports include call summaries by account code, area or city code,
international destination and time-of-day. This information is available to
customers in the form of hard copy, magnetic tape or disk.
The Company also intends to offer credit card-based telephone services and
Internet services as an Internet Service Provider (including related consulting
and support services), to operate Internet shopping platforms for its
telecommunications services and other industries, including music, media and
software distribution, and ultimately to provide Internet-based
telecommunications services, including Internet telephony.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company's objective is to build a broad and profitable European market
presence and to further develop its switch-based European infrastructure. The
Company believes that it is well-positioned to take advantage of telecom
deregulation in Switzerland and countries in the EU. The Company has positioned
itself between major full service high-priced telecom carriers and no-service
cut-rate telecom minutes resellers. The Company believes that it will retain and
add customers who wish to save on their telecom expenses and who demand a high
level of service.
The Company believes it enjoys certain competitive advantages over global
telecom carriers and incumbent telephone operators: (1) the Company believes
that its target customers make decisions primarily based on price, and the
Company's prices are generally lower than those charged by global telecoms and
incumbent telephone operators; (2) the small and medium-sized business market
has traditionally been ignored by the global telecoms and incumbent telephone
operators; (3) the Company believes it can continue to attract seasoned telecom
managers who seek the advantages offered by smaller companies; and (4) the
Company is able to move quickly into new markets with new telecom services, as
compared to larger organizations which are slower to respond to changing market
conditions.
In addition, the Company intends to benefit from the opportunities offered by
the Internet by taking advantage of the efficiencies created by its existing
switches and its access to the Internet backbone. The Company believes that it
is a competitive necessity to become an Internet Service Provider in the markets
in which it operates. The Company also believes that the operation of Internet
sales platforms would enhance its ability to sell its telecommunications
services and permit the Company to supplement conventional telecommunications
services and its newly developed Internet services with a business with high
growth potential. Ultimately, it is the Company's goal to provide Internet-based
communication services, including Internet telephony.
<PAGE>
SALES AND MARKETING
The Company primarily targets customers with between $1,000 and $25,000 of
monthly usage. The Company believes that, in addition to being price sensitive,
these customers tend to be focused on customer service and are more likely to
rely on one or two carriers for their telecom needs. The Company strives to be
more cost-effective and responsive to the needs of its customers than its major
competitors. Since January 1998, the Company's customers in Switzerland have
increased from approximately 110 to currently approximately 15,000. In June
1997, the Company consummated the purchase, for approximately $317,000, of
Multicom NV, a long distance reseller headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium with a
base of approximately 400 small and medium-sized business customers. Since then
the Company could increase the number of customers in Belgium to approximately
1,200. In Germany, the Company continues to explore opportunities to offer voice
and data telecom services, as well as telecom services for credit cards, debit
cards and customer cards. There can be no assurance that the Company's efforts
in Germany or any of the Company's other current or future plans and
arrangements will be successful. The Company's goal is to continue to expand its
operations into other European countries as and when business, market and
regulatory conditions permit.
The Company's principal sales offices are located in Switzerland, the United
Kingdom and Belgium. The Company markets its services through the Company's
internal sales force, independent sales agents and strategic arrangements. The
Company currently has a total of 16 internal sales personnel and approximately
125 independent sales agents. The Company established a new call center in
Switzerland which not only provides existing and potential Swiss customers with
responses to service related inquiries, but is also engaged in telemarketing
activities to generate leads for the Company's internal sales force and
independent sales agents.
The Company plans to market its newly developed credit card-based telephone
services together with one or more major Swiss retail chains. In addition, the
Company intends to operate Internet sales platforms and to market its
telecommunications and other products and services through such platforms.
No customer accounted for more than 5% of the Company's total revenue in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.
NETWORK
The Company's network consists of 11 Company-owned POPs located in Switzerland,
5 Company-owned POPs located in Belgium, three switches located in each of the
United Kingdom, Switzerland and Belgium and leased access to major international
telecom carriers' networks with over 100 POPs throughout Europe. The Company's
switches route calls over networks owned by international telecom carriers with
whom the Company has entered into volume discount contracts. The Company's
switches include least-cost routing software designed to route calls in the most
efficient available manner. Direct dial customers access the Company's network
via direct access lines. Indirect dial customers access the Company's network
via local incumbent telephone operators. During the fiscal year ended March 31,
1999, the interconnection with the incumbent carrier, Swisscom, and other
carriers became fully operational in Switzerland. In Belgium, the Company is
interconnected with the national networks of various carriers. The Company
intends to enter into an interconnection agreement with the incumbent carrier in
the United Kingdom.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, none of the 14 carriers used by the
Company accounted for more than 10% of the Company's traffic.
The Company generally utilizes network redundant, highly automated advanced
telecom equipment in its network and has diverse alternate routes available in
case of component or facility failure. Automatic traffic rerouting enables the
<PAGE>
Company to provide a high level of reliability for its customers. Computerized
network monitoring equipment facilitates fast and accurate analysis and
resolution of network problems. The Company provides customer service and
support, 24-hour network monitoring, trouble reporting and response, service
implementation, coordination, billing assistance and problem resolution. The
Company controls all of its billing services through its switches.
Substantially all of the lines linking the Company's POPs to its switches are
leased from various providers and carriers. The Company believes that its
network has adequate switching capacity to serve the Company's present volume of
traffic. The Company believes, however, that its network may not have adequate
switching capacity to serve the Company's projected volume of traffic beyond the
remainder of calendar 1999. See "Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Company has invested substantial resources to implement sophisticated
information systems, which the Company believes are integral to being
competitive and to effectively managing its business. The Company plans to
continue to invest substantial capital and resources to enhance its information
systems. The Company's information systems enable it to provide high quality
customer service and customized billing information, to track sales, to provide
network security, to provide network trouble shooting, and to generate
administrative and marketing reports.
The Company is in the process of reviewing its computer systems to ensure that
it will not suffer catastrophic failures in connection with the change in the
calendar on January 1, 2000, but the Company has not expended material amounts
in this respect. The Company has upgraded most of its computer software and has
received confirmation from the respective software developers that such software
is year 2000 compliant. The Company continues to upgrade its computer systems
where necessary and expects that all of the Company's significant computer
systems will be year 2000 compliant by August 1999. The Company currently
believes that the cost of year 2000-related corrections will not have a material
effect on the Company's business, operations or financial condition. The Company
may also be exposed in the event any of the carriers with whom the Company
currently (or in the future) is contracting for network access experiences a
catastrophic failure in connection with the change of calendar on January 1,
2000. While the Company is attempting to obtain assurances from its carriers in
this respect, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in its
attempts or that such assurances, if obtained, will provide the Company with
sufficient protection in the event one of its carriers experiences a
catastrophic year 2000 problem. See "Item 6 -- Management Discussion and
Analysis and Results of Operations."
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the Company has obtained trademark
protections in Switzerland for certain of the Company's trade names. In its
business, the Company relies on proprietary know-how and employs various methods
to protect its concepts and ideas. However, such methods may not afford complete
protection and there can be no assurance that others will not independently
develop such know-how, concepts or ideas or obtain access to the Company's
know-how or ideas.
REGULATORY MATTERS
The Company's provision of telecommunications services is subject to extensive
and rigorous government regulation by the European Union ("EU") and the national
regulatory authorities of Switzerland, Belgium, the United Kingdom and other
countries in which the Company may operate in the future. Each country in which
the Company conducts its business has a different regulatory scheme and
<PAGE>
requirements. The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with
applicable laws and regulations. To the extent that such laws and regulations
are changed or new laws or regulations are adopted by the EU or any country in
which the Company operates, the Company may be required to obtain additional
licenses or renew, modify or replace existing licenses. The Company has been
granted an International Simple Resale ("ISR") license in the United Kingdom.
The ISR license permits the Company to engage in the international resale of
telecom services. The Company has also received an International Facility
License ("IFL") from the United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry. The
IFL permits the Company to own international facilities such as circuits,
thereby enabling the Company to gain a cost advantage by eliminating leased-line
charges.
In the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999 the Swiss telecommunications regulatory
authority, Bacom, issued several licenses for various proprietary telephone
numbers and codes, including an International Signaling Point Code ("ISPC"),
which allows the Company's switches to be recognized by switches worldwide.
Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements can result in, among
other things, fines, suspensions of approvals, operating restrictions and
criminal prosecutions. Furthermore, changes in existing regulations or adoption
of new regulations could affect current regulatory approvals and affect the
timing of, or prevent the Company from obtaining, future regulatory approvals.
The effect of changes in governmental regulation may be to delay for a
considerable period of time, or to prevent, the marketing and commercialization
of products or services of the Company and/or to impose costly requirements on
the Company. There can be no assurance that additional regulations will not be
adopted or current regulations amended in such a manner as will materially
adversely affect the Company.
COMPETITION
The telecom industry is highly competitive and is significantly influenced by
the marketing and pricing decisions of competitors. In each of its markets, the
Company will compete primarily on the basis of price, quality of service, and
breadth of services offered. The telecom industry has relatively insignificant
barriers to entry, numerous entities competing for the same customers and a high
average churn rate, as customers frequently change long distance providers in
response to offers of lower rates or promotional incentives from competitors.
The industry has experienced and will continue to experience rapid regulatory
and technological change. Many competitors in each of the Company's current and
proposed markets are significantly larger than the Company, have substantially
greater resources than the Company, control transmission lines and larger
networks than the Company and may have long-standing relationships with the
Company's target customers.
The success of a non-transmission facilities-based carrier, such as the Company,
depends largely upon the amount of traffic that it can commit to the
transmission facilities-based carrier and the resulting volume discount it can
obtain. Subject to contract restrictions and customer brand loyalty, resellers
like the Company may competitively bid their traffic among other national long
distance carriers to gain improvement in the cost of service. The relationship
between resellers and the larger transmission facilities-based carriers is
twofold. First, a reseller is a customer of the services provided by the
transmission facilities-based carriers, and that customer relationship is
predicated primarily upon the pricing strategies of the first tier companies.
The reseller and the transmission facilities-based carriers are also
competitors. The reseller will attract customers to the extent that its pricing
for customers is generally more favorable than the pricing offered the same size
customers by larger transmission facilities-based carriers. Transmission
facilities-based carriers have been aggressive in developing discount plans
which have had the effect of reducing the rates they charge to customers whose
business is sought by the reseller. Thus the business success of a reseller is
significantly tied to
<PAGE>
the pricing policies established by the larger transmission facilities-based
carriers.
Currently, the Company's main competitors in Switzerland are Swisscom, which
controls almost all of the Swiss telecom market, Sunrise and Diax. In addition,
there are a number of smaller companies providing telecom services in
Switzerland. The Company's main competitors in Belgium are Belgacom, AT&T and
Orange and in the United Kingdom British Telecom, Mercury and AT&T. Additional
competitors in the European market include Viatel, Esprit, MCI WorldCom, Sprint
and Deutsche Telecom. There will be additional competition as the Company
expands into other European countries.
In addition to these competitive factors, recent and pending telecom
deregulation in Switzerland and the EU markets may encourage new entrants. As
the Company expands its geographic coverage, it will encounter increased
competition. Moreover, the Company believes that competition in Europe is likely
to increase and become more similar to competition in the United States markets
over time as the European markets continue to experience deregulatory
influences. Prices in the long distance industry have declined from time to time
in recent years and, as competition increases in Europe, prices are likely to
continue to decrease. The Company's competitors may reduce rates or offer
incentives to existing and potential customers of the Company. To maintain its
competitive position, the Company believes that it must be able to reduce its
prices in order to meet reductions in rates by others.
The market to provide Internet-related services is also highly competitive and,
by virtue of its low barriers to entry, open to many entrants. The Company
expects significant competitive pressures on ISPs in certain European markets,
including Switzerland, because ISPs are no longer able to charge upfront access
fees as telecommunications carriers have commenced to provide Internet access to
their customers without monthly access charges.
Therefore, telecommunications carriers such as the Company with access to
switches and the Internet backbone are expected to gain a competitive advantage
over specialized ISPs which will depend on third-party telecommunications
carriers to provide them with access to such facilities. Conversely, customers
of telecommunication carriers will likely expect that a telecommunication
carrier can provide them with Internet access at no monthly access charges and
ultimately Internet based communication services, including Internet
telephoning.
To meet these competitive challenges, the Company has developed an Internet
strategy. See "--General" and "Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
INVESTMENTS AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
As the Company expands its service offerings, geographic focus and its network,
and enters into new lines of business, the Company anticipates that it will seek
to make investments in or enter into strategic alliances with, companies
providing services complementary to the Company's existing business. The
Company's ability to effect strategic alliances and make investments will, to a
large extent, be dependent upon its ability to obtain additional financing. See
"Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations." In connection with investments or strategic alliances, the
Company could incur substantial expenses, including the fees of financial
advisors, attorneys and accountants, and any expenses associated with
registering shares of the Company's capital stock, if such shares are issued.
The financial impact of such investments or strategic alliances could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations and could cause substantial fluctuations in the Company's
quarterly and yearly operating results.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
<PAGE>
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999 the Company has not expended
material amounts for research and development.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
The Company is subject to various environmental laws and regulations in the
jurisdictions in which it operates, including those related to air emissions,
wastewater discharges, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes
and the remediation of contamination associated with the disposal of hazardous
substances. The Company leases properties in Switzerland, Belgium and the United
Kingdom and may have potential liability related to the remediation of past
contamination at sites where the Company presently is operating, or in the past
has operated, its business or related to the disposal of hazardous wastes to
sites owned by third parties. The Company has not incurred any material expenses
related to environmental matters. However, there can be no assurance that the
Company may not incur such expenses in the future. Accordingly, although the
Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with applicable
environmental requirements, it is possible that the Company could become subject
to environmental liabilities in the future that could result in an adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
EMPLOYEES
As of June 20, 1999, the Company had 10 full-time employees in Switzerland, 13
full-time employees in the United Kingdom and 9 full-time employees in Belgium.
The Company has never experienced a work stoppage and its employees are not
represented by a labor union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
The Company considers its employee relations to be satisfactory.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
This report has been prepared by the new management of the Company based on its
knowledge and access to the Company's records to the extent such records have
been kept at the Company's premises in Switzerland, the United Kingdom and
Belgium, as well as records made available to the new management by the
Company's former secretary. Because the Company's new management was previously
not actively involved in the management of the Company, it is not in a position
to ascertain whether or not such records are complete or whether or not such
records disclose all material facts required to be disclosed in this report.
Accordingly, material facts with respect to the period covered by this report
may exist which are not disclosed herein because of management's current lack of
affirmative knowledge of such facts.
Investment in the Company's securities involves a high degree of risk. In
evaluating an investment in the Company's securities, Company stockholders and
prospective investors should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in
the Company's Registration Statement on Form SB-2, Registration No. 333-8305 and
the information detailed in this Form 10-K under "Item 1 - Business" and "Item 6
- - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations", as well as information contained in the Company's other filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Certain statements in this Report under Item 1 and Item 6 regarding the
Company's estimates, present view of future circumstances or events and
statements containing words such as "estimates," "anticipates," "intends" and
"expects" or words of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's ability to
meet future working capital requirements and future cash requirements. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of
the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future
<PAGE>
results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of their
dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information future events
or otherwise. Risk factors include, among others, delays in expanding the
Company's network; need for additional financing; failure to receive or delays
in receiving regulatory approval; general economic and business conditions;
industry capacity; industry trends; demographic changes; competition; material
costs and availability; the loss of any significant customers; changes in
business strategy or development plans; quality of management; availability,
terms and deployment of capital; business abilities and judgment of personnel;
availability of qualified personnel; changes in, or the failure to comply with,
government regulations including changes in industry regulations; and other
factors referenced in this Report. For a more detailed description of these and
other factors, see the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-8305, which was
declared effective on June 11, 1999.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company currently leases approximately 4,500 square feet in Zurich,
Switzerland for approximately CHF 7,000 (approximately $4,800) per month. The
lease expires on March 31, 2003. The Company's principal executive offices are
located in Geroldswil, Switzerland. At this location, the Company leases
approximately 2,000 square feet from a company where Mr. Ernst, the Company's
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is a member of the Board of Directors, for
which the Company pays CHF 5,000 (approximately $3,250) per month. The Company
considers such rent to be at arm's length. The Company leases approximately
1,400 square feet in Antwerp, Belgium at a monthly rental of approximately $814.
This lease expires on February 20, 2000. Since January 1999, the Company has
leased approximately 1,500 square feet in London, Great Britain for
approximately $3,500 per month.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On or about April 24, 1997, litigation against UTG Holding AG and other
individual defendants was commenced in labor court in Paris, France by Mr. James
Taylor. On May 25, 1998, the court rendered a judgment against the Company in
the amount of 488,187 French Francs (approximately $64,670) for breach of an
alleged employment arrangement. The Company has filed an appeal against this
judgment, which appeal is currently pending.
On January 5, 1998, the Company's former Chief Operating Officer, Keith Rhea,
without authorization of the Company's Board of Directors, confessed a judgment
against the Company in favor of the Company's former part-time Chief Financial
Officer, Robert Finn, in the amount of $111,710. The alleged basis for this
amount is outstanding compensation and termination fees for various alleged
consulting arrangements between the Company, Mr. Finn and Telepath, Ltd, a
company which the Company believes to be affiliated with Mr. Rhea. The Company
believes that such judgment was fraudulently obtained, and that all or part of
such claims are without merit. The Company is presently evaluating several
strategies, including the commencement of legal proceedings against one or more
of the persons involved in this matter.
On August 22, 1997, Discont-o-fon, a company which provided Multicom with
bandwidth prior to the Company's acquisition of Multicom, filed a claim with the
main court in Brussels, Belgium to collect BEF 8.409.393 (approximately
$233.500) claimed to be owing for traffic services provided by Multicom. A
settlement became effective on May 25, 1998 and an amount of BEF 4,935,000
($129,510) has been paid by the Company during the first quarter of the fiscal
year ending March 31, 1999 in full settlement of all outstanding matters.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
<PAGE>
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
MARKET INFORMATION
Since October 7, 1996, shares of the Common Stock have traded on the NASD
Bulletin Board under the symbol "UTGC". The following table sets forth, for the
periods indicated and as reported by the NASD Bulletin Board, the high and low
bid prices for shares of the Common Stock. The quotations listed below reflect
inter dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not
represent actual transactions. The closing price of the Common Stock on June 17,
1999 was $5.00.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 QUARTERLY COMMON STOCK PRICE RANGE
BY QUARTER
Quarter Date High Low
1st June 30, 1997 $45.50 (1) $27.725
2nd September 30, 1997 $37.375 $17.062
3rd December 31, 1997 $19.50 $ 4.875
4th March 31, 1998 $14.625 $ 4.875
FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
Quarter Date High Low
1st June 30, 1998 13.000 5.000
2nd September 30, 1998 13.500 7.000
3rd December 31, 1998 6.750 3.000
4th March 31, 1999 7.500 6.000
(1) All stock prices are adjusted by the 13:1 reverse split of the Common Stock
on March 20, 1998.
HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK
Based upon information supplied to the Company by its transfer agent, the number
of stockholders of record of the Common Stock on June 28, 1999 was 26.
DIVIDENDS
The Company has never paid cash dividends with respect to the Common Stock. The
Company intends to retain future earnings, if any, that may be generated from
the Company's operations to help finance the operations and expansion of the
Company and accordingly does not plan, for the foreseeable future, to pay
dividends to holders of the Common Stock. Any decision as to the future payment
of dividends on the Common Stock will depend on the results of operations and
financial position of the Company and such other factors as the Company's Board
of Directors, in its discretion, deems relevant. In addition, arrangements with
present or future lenders may prohibit the payment of dividends.
<PAGE>
SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
As of April 30, 1996, the Company issued 211,538 shares of Common Stock (as
adjusted for the Company's 1:13 reverse stock split) to Interfinance Inv. Co.
Ltd., a Panamanian company ("Interfinance"), 183,333 of which shares were issued
in exchange for $200,000 in cash and 197,435 of which shares were issued in
exchange for $26 in cash and a 7% promissory note. The promissory note was
repaid as of June 28, 1996 from proceeds received from purchasers of a portion
of the shares resold by Interfinance. On August 15, 1996, the Company sold an
additional 30,769 shares of Common Stock to Interfinance for $1,000,000
consisting of $10,000 in cash and a 7% promissory note for $990,000. The note
was repaid in full in November 1996. Pursuant to a subscription agreement
entered into in November 1996, Interfinance subscribed for and the Company sold
an additional 9,615 shares of Common Stock at $52.00 per share. In addition, the
Company granted Interfinance an option to purchase up to an additional 92,308
shares of Common Stock at $26.00 per share for a two year period commencing on
completion of purchase of the full 153,846 shares. In connection with that
agreement, Mr. Combrinck transferred 5,769 shares to Interfinance for no
additional consideration. In January 1997, the Company entered into a
subscription agreement with Interfinance Inv. Co., Ltd. ("Interfinance"),
pursuant to which Interfinance subscribed for 153,846 shares of Common Stock at
a purchase price of $13.00 per share. In connection with the subscription
agreement, Mr. Thomas Combrinck agreed to transfer, without cost to
Interfinance, one share of UTG Common Stock owned by him for each share
purchased by Interfinance under the subscription agreement. As of the date
hereof, all amounts owing to the Company in respect of Interfinance's November
1996 and January 1997 subscriptions have been paid (giving effect to
approximately $20,000 in credits for expenses incurred by Interfinance on behalf
of the Company). No Underwriter's discount or fee was incurred by the Company in
connection with these issuances. The Company has agreed to register the resale
of the shares purchased by Interfinance under the Securities Act of 1933. These
transactions were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933 by reason of the exemption provided by Section 4(2) thereunder and
on the basis of certain representations provided by Interfinance including that
it is an "accredited investor."
On January 15, 1997, the Company granted an aggregate of 57,692 shares of Common
Stock to employees and consultants in consideration for services and as an
incentive to further the interests of the Company. On March 25, 1997, the
Company issued an aggregate of 769 shares to two individuals as part of a
settlement of claims by one of the individuals regarding breach of an alleged
employment relationship. These issuances were exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 by reason of the exemption provided
by Section 4(2) thereunder.
On March 10, 1997, the Company granted an option to purchase up to an aggregate
of 38,462 shares to certain of the Company's officers. As such individuals have
ceased to serve the Company in their respective executive capacity before the
first anniversary of the above-mentioned grant, non of such options vested.
Effective September 30, 1997, the Company sold to a limited number of accredited
or sophisticated investors 30,769 shares of common stock at a price of $6.50 per
share and, for no additional consideration, warrants to purchase an additional
15,385 shares of Common Stock at a price of $7.80 per share. At September 30,
1997, $125,000 of the total $200,000 had been received by the Company, and the
remaining $75,000 was fully paid by October 6, 1997. Interfinance acted as
placement agent for these issuances. No underwriter's discount or fee was
incurred by the Company in connection with these issuances. These issuances were
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 by
reason of the exemption provided by Section 4(2) thereunder.
On March 23, 1998, the Company issued 250,000 shares of Common Stock (post-
<PAGE>
reverse split) at a purchase price of $2.00 per share. In addition, for each
share of Common Stock purchased, the subscriber received three warrants, each to
purchase one share of Common Stock, which warrants will expire five years from
the date of issuance and shall be exercisable at $2.00, $3.00 and $4.50 per
share, respectively. Net proceeds received by the Company were $485,000. Under
the terms of the subscription agreement, as amended, the Company had the right,
subject to certain conditions, to request the subscriber to purchase up to an
additional 500,000 shares of Common Stock upon the same terms and purchase price
as for the initial purchase on or prior to December 1, 1998. During the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1999, the Company issued an additional 408,036 shares to
such subscriber on the same terms and conditions as described above. Net
proceeds received by the Company in connection with such issuance were $791,590.
In connection with these issuances, Interfinance acted as placement agent and
received a placement fee of 3% of the gross proceeds to the Company. An
aggregate amount of $39,482 has been paid to Interfinance with respect to such
placement fee. These transactions were exempt from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933 by reason of the exemption provided by Section
4(2) thereunder and on the basis of certain representations provided by the
subscriber including that it is an "accredited investor."
ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis relates to the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company for the year ended March 31, 1999. This
information should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated
financial statements appearing elsewhere herein.
GENERAL
The Company commenced operations in April 1996 and is a holding company for a
number of operating subsidiaries organized at various times since February 1996.
To date, the Company has received an aggregate of approximately $8,667,800 in
equity capital. Since inception, the Company's operations have been focused on
establishing and enhancing its switch-based European communications network and
expanding its European customer base. In implementing its network, the Company
experienced significant technical problems with multiplexers and transmission
equipment. The equipment has been upgraded by the suppliers at the supplier's
own expense. This has resulted in a lag in the realization of revenue.
The Company's revenue during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999 was generated
from long distance telecom services provided to retail corporate customers and
wholesale customers. The Company's wholesale customers presently comprise
international telecom carriers and national telecoms, and the Company's retail
customers presently comprise medium-sized companies located in Switzerland,
Belgium and the United Kingdom. The Company was granted an International Simple
Resale ("ISR") license in the United Kingdom. The ISR license permits the
Company to engage in the international resale of telecom services. During the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the Company received the International
Facility License ("IFL") from the United Kingdom Department of Trade and
Industry. The IFL permits the Company to own international facilities such as
circuits, thereby enabling the Company to gain a cost advantage by eliminating
leased line charges. See "Item 1. Business-- Regulation."
While the Company's retail operations were initially limited to Switzerland, the
Company has begun to expand its operations through subsidiaries and joint
ventures into other European countries. In June 1997, the Company consummated
the purchase of Multicom NV, a long distance reseller headquartered in Antwerp,
Belgium with a base of currently approximately 1,200 customers. The purchase
price for Multicom NV was 11,101,043 Belgium Francs (approximately $317,000).
See Note 5(b) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The
Company's goal is to continue to expand its operations into other European
countries as and when business, market and regulatory conditions permit. The
Company is presently
<PAGE>
exploring opportunities in Germany, the United Kingdom and other European
countries.
Effective as of December 1, 1997, and November 30, 1997, respectively, the
Company sold its subsidiaries, UTG (Network) Ltd., a company organized under the
laws of the United Kingdom ("UTG Network", and UTG Communications (Europe) AG, a
corporation incorporated under the laws of Switzerland ("UTG Europe"), to
Portmann Trading SA, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Panama with
interests in the telecommunications and energy industries. At the same time the
other subsidiaries and activities in Hungary, France have been passed to Mr.
Fritz Wolff, a former CEO of the Company in 1997.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, in order to permit full
businessoperations under Swiss law, UTG Communications Holding AG was renamed
UTGTelecom AG ("UTG Telecom"). Effective May 26, 1998, for marketing reasons,
UTG Telecom's name was again changed to Starfon Telecom Services AG.
Since the regulatory opening of the Swiss and European Telecommunications
markets on January 1, 1998, it is no longer necessary to route all outgoing
calls via London. Applicable telecommunications regulations now permit
interconnection with all European countries. This revision is expected to save
the Company a considerable amount of fixed overhead costs, and management
believes that this development is likely to facilitate economical
self-sustaining operations for the Company within a shorter period of time than
originally contemplated.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the Company entered into a joint
venture with 8 individual distributors for the purpose of establishing a
distribution network for telecommunications cards in the United Kingdom. The
Company and its 8 distribution partners formed StarPoint. StarPoint is located
in London with the Company holding 51% of Starpoint's equity and the Company's
partners holding the remaining 49%. In addition, during the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1999, the Company formed StarGlobal Ltd., a wholly-owned indirect
subsidiary organized under the laws of the United Kingdom, with the intent to
resume the Company's wholesale and carrier-to-carrier business. StarGlobal's new
equipment can handle traffic worth USD 25 million per year, with a gross margin
of about 5 to 8% depending on the destination.
In Switzerland, the Company successfully tested its credit card-based phone
services with a limited group of users during the fiscal year ended March 31,
1999. The Company's product is intended to enable a credit card holder to use
the credit card as a post-paid phonecard. As a result, users of the Company's
services will benefit from discounts for international and national long
distance telecommunications services compared to the rates being offered by
Swisscom and other major telecom service providers in Switzerland. The Company
is currently preparing the full scale launch of this product together with a
major retail chain in Switzerland.
In order to be able to continue to provide its customers with state of the art
communication services and to benefit from the opportunities created by the
Internet, the Company has developed an Internet strategy. The Company intends to
become an Internet service provider ("ISP") to take advantage of the
efficiencies created by its existing switches and its access to the Internet
backbone. The Company intends to offer these services (and the related
consulting and support services), to retail and other Internet service providers
in Europe. The Company also intends to diversify into e-commerce and to operate
Internet shopping platforms for its telecommunications services and other retail
industries, including music, media and software distribution.
The Company deems an expansion into Internet-related services as a competitive
necessity in the markets in which it currently operates. The Company believes
that establishing an e-commerce business would provide an interesting supplement
to its conventional telecommunications services and its newly developed Internet
<PAGE>
services with a business with high growth potential. The goal of the Company's
strategy is to acquire the necessary know-how for the future provision of
Internet-based telecommunications services, including Internet telephony.
The Company is currently exploring appropriate several opportunities in its core
markets and in Germany as well as in other countries. The Company will carefully
evaluate expansion of its operations into other European countries as and when
business, market and regulatory conditions permit. There can be no assurance
that the Company's efforts in any of the foregoing countries will result in
successful commercial operations.
The Company's goal is to supplement its current operations with Internet-related
services.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
At March 31, 1999, the Company had a working capital deficit of $1,380,693 and
an accumulated deficit of $7,222,639, as compared to working capital and
accumulated deficit of $233,444 and $4,551,224, respectively, at March 31, 1998.
At March 31, 1999, the Company's bank overdraft balance was CHF 987,124
(approximately $663,925) compared to March 31, 1998 when the Company had no
outstanding bank overdrafts.
Effective September 30, 1997, the Company sold to a limited number of accredited
or sophisticated investors 30,769 shares of common stock at a price of $6.50 per
share and, for no additional consideration, warrants to purchase an additional
15,385 shares of common stock at a price of $7.80 per share. At September 30,
1997, $125,000 of the total $200,000 had been received by the Company, and the
remaining $75,000 was fully paid by October 6, 1997.
On March 23, 1998, the Company issued 250,000 shares of common stock (post stock
split) at a purchase price of $2.00 per share to an accredited investor. In
addition, for each share of common stock purchased, the investor also received
three warrants, each to purchase one share of common stock, which warrants will
expire five years from the date of issuance and shall be exercisable at $2.00,
$3.00 and $4.50 per share, respectively. Under the terms of the subscription
agreement, as amended, the Company had the right, subject to certain conditions,
to request the subscriber to purchase an additional 500,000 shares of common
stock upon the same terms and purchase price of the initial purchase on or prior
to December 31, 1998. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the Company
issued an additional 408,036 shares to such subscriber on the same terms and
conditions as described above. Net proceeds received by the Company in
connection with such issuances was $1,276,590.
The Company believes that its network has adequate switching capacity to serve
projected volume of traffic through calendar 1999. The Company initially
designed its network to take advantage of deregulation across Europe. It can
perform distributive least cost routing by using its hub sites in European
cities to direct traffic to carriers within a country, across the UTG network to
another country for termination, or back to a switch in London for routing. The
selected path is based on the least cost. This provides a large amount of
flexibility to the Company, and to ensure the quality of the connections and
lowest cost. With this distributive architecture the capacity of UTG's main
switch is not expected to be a limiting factor with regard to expansion. The
opening of the European telecommunications markets allows the Company to take
full advantage of its network flexibility.
Based upon the Company's plan of operation, the Company estimates that its
existing financing resources together with funds generated from operations, will
be sufficient to fund the Company's current working capital requirements.
However, there can be no assurance in that regard.
<PAGE>
Accounts payable and accrued expenses amounted to approximately $3,835,759 at
March 31, 1999 compared to $1,369,818 at March 31, 1998. This increase is the
result of the increase in the Company's business volume and investments made
during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the Company could achieve the
expected gross margins in all of its business segments. Sales of the Company's
wholesale divisions have not met management's expectations.
SALES
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the Company recorded net sales of
$5,400,256, in comparison to $2,319,631 during the fiscal year ended March 31,
1998. The gross profit for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999 increased to
$1,162,570 (or 21.5% of the Company's net sales) as compared to the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1998 when the Company had gross profits of $1,007,347 (or 43.4%
of the Company's net sales during that period). The absolute increase in gross
profits reflects the fact that the volume of the Company's operations has
increased. The relative decrease in gross profits is due to the fact that the
Company has generated a greater portion of its sales through the resale of
calling cards, which has a lower margin than the retail and wholesale provision
of telecommunications services. Management of the Company expects a significant
increase of its margin as a result of the planned introduction of the Company's
own calling cards in Switzerland, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
The Company's revenue has been generated primarily from long distance telecom
services provided to retail corporate customers in Switzerland and Belgium and
wholesale customers as well as the resale of calling cards from other providers
in the United Kingdom. The Company's wholesale customers presently comprise
international telecom carriers and national telecom companies. Management
anticipates that the allocation between wholesale and retail customers will
eventually shift in favor of retail customers consistent with the Company's goal
of expanding its corporate retail customer base.
COST OF SALES
Cost of sales was $4,237,686 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, as
compared to $1,312,284 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 consisting of
carrier charges, costs for leased lines and related activities and the
acquisition costs and costs of sales of the Company's existing calling card
resale business. Carrier charges and transport (leased lines) charges per unit
are ultimately dependent on the Company's ability to generate high volumes of
traffic. This increase is the result of the Company's increase in net sales and
in the relatively high cost calling card resale business. Management of the
Company expects that the relative amount of cost of sales will decrease with the
introduction of its own calling cards in Switzerland, Belgium and the United
Kingdom.
SELLING AND TECHNICAL EXPENSES
Selling and technical expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999 were
$728,273, compared to $223,420 for the previous fiscal year. This increase is
the result of an increase in technical expenses related to the installation of
various switches and servers to increase the Company's capacity to handle
traffic and to implement the Company's interconnection arrangements with other
carriers.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
General and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999
were $2,928,855 compared to $3,020,117 for the fiscal year ended March 31,
<PAGE>
1998. On the one hand, the Company had a larger bad debt expense and lower
depreciation and amortization during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. On
the other hand, the Company's salaries and employee benefits expenses as well as
depreciation and amortization have increased significantly during the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1999.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Company realized an
extraordinary gain of $4,529,000 related to the disposition of certain of its
subsidiaries which were deemed by the Company to be no longer material to the
Company's core market operations. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999,
the Company did not realize any significant extraordinary gain or loss.
NET INCOME/LOSS
The Company's net loss from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1999 was $2,671,415 as compared to $2,367,555 for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1998.
The Company realized a net loss of $2,671,415 in the fiscal year ended March 31,
1999 and a net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 of $2,161,445.
The net loss during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999 compared to the net
income during the previous fiscal year is the result of the absence of any
extraordinary gain during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.
YEAR 2000
The Company is in the process of reviewing its computer systems to ensure that
it will not suffer catastrophic failures in connection with the change in the
calendar on January 1, 2000, but the Company has not expended material amounts
in this respect. The Company has upgraded most of its computer software and has
received confirmation from the respective software developers that such software
is year 2000 compliant. The Company continues to upgrade its computer systems
where necessary and expects that all of the Company's significant computer
systems will be year 2000 compliant by August 1999. The Company currently
believes that the cost of year 2000-related corrections will not have a material
effect on the Company's business, operations or financial condition. The Company
may also be exposed in the event any of the carriers with whom the Company
currently (or in the future) is contracting for network access experiences a
catastrophic failure in connection with the change of calendar on January 1,
2000. While the Company is attempting to obtain assurances from its carriers in
this respect, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in its
attempts or that such assurances, if obtained, will provide the Company with
sufficient protection in the event one of its carriers experiences a
catastrophic year 2000 problem.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
See Index to Financial Statements on page F-1.
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not Applicable
PART III
ITEM 9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS; PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE
WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
The executive officers, directors and significant employees of the Company on
March 31, 1999 were as follows:
<PAGE>
Name Age Position
Ueli Ernst 52 Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and Director
Klaus Brenner 43 Treasurer, Secretary and Director
Andreas Popovici (1) 45 Vice President of Starfon
- ----------
(1) Andreas Popovici is not an executive officer but is deemed a "significant
employee".
UELI ERNST has served as a director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
since January 3, 1998. Mr. Ernst currently devotes approximately 80% of his
business time to this position. The remaining time is devoted to various other
business activities of Mr. Ernst, including his services as President of
Interfinance Investment Company Ltd. He has 26 years of experience in
international business development in various industries primarily in management
consulting, financial advisory services and rendering advice to new growth
business ventures. He was Chairman of Swissray International Inc, a reporting
company which was then listed on the NASDAQ Small Cap Market, from May 1995
through March 1997. Mr. Ernst received his Masters of Business Administration
(lic. oec. publ.) degree in 1973 from the University of Zurich.
KLAUS BRENNER has served as a director of the Company since January 3, 1998.
Since 1996, Klaus Brenner has served as Chief Executive Officer of Brenner
Industrieholz-Spaene GmbH, Brenner Internationale Holz- und Spaenehandels-
gesellschaft and of Brenner Holding GmbH. From 1986 to 1996 Mr. Brenner has
served as the Chief Executive Officer of Brenner Bois Sprl., the Belgian
subsidiary of Brenner Holding GmbH. These companies are engaged in the lumber
business.
ANDREAS POPOVICI has served as vice president (Direktor) of United Telegroup AG
since March 1996 and currently serves as technical director of Starfon. From
October 1995 to March 1996, Mr. Popovici served as general manager of Callcom, a
Swiss telecom service company. From 1991 through October 1995 Mr. Popovici
served as vice president (Direktor) of the systems department at Swissphone, a
Swiss telecom company.
Directors of the Company hold office until their successors are duly elected and
qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.
No family relationships exist among any of the directors or executive officers
of the Company.
The Company's equity securities are not registered pursuant to Section 12 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As such, no person is required to comply with
the requirements of Section 16 of such Act.
ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the cash and other compensation awarded to,
earned by or paid to David Schlecht, Fritz Wolff, Ronald Kuzon and Ueli Ernst
who served as the Company's chief executive officer during the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1999 and each other executive officer whose total annual salary and
bonus exceeded $100,000 during any of the fiscal years ended March 31, 1999,
1998 or 1997. In certain cases, dollar amounts are approximated based on foreign
currency translations.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation Awards Payouts
Name and Fiscal Year Salary Bonus Other Annual Restricted Securities LTIP All Other
Principal Ended March ($) ($) Compensation Stock Award(s) Underlying Payouts Compensation
Position 31, ($) ($) Options/SARs ($) ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ueli Ernst, 1999 (2)
Chairman of 1998 -- -- -- (2) (2) -- --
the Board & 1997 -- -- -- -- --
Chief
Executive
Officer (1)
Ronald Kuzon, 1999 --
Chairman 1998 10,625 200,000 (4)
and Chief 1997
Executive
Officer (3)
David Schlecht, 1999 -- -- -- -- --
President & 1998 5,000 (6)
Chief 1997 55,000 (6) -- -- 200,000 (4) (7)
Executive
Officer (5)
Fritz K. Wolff, 1999 172,359 (9) -- -- 100,000 (10) (11)
Executive Vice 1998 29,580 (9)
President & 1997 -- -- --
Chief Operating
Officer (8)
Keith Rhea, 1999 124,500 (13) -- -- (14)
Chief Operating 1998
Officer and 1997
Director (12)
Robert Finn, 1999 182,228 (16)
Chief Financial 1998 --
Officer (15) 1997
</TABLE>
(1) Mr. Ernst was appointed Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer on
January 3, 1998. Mr. Ernst has not received any compensation for his services in
this capacity during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.
(2) Interfinance Investment Co. Ltd., a company controlled by Mr. Ernst earned
$39,482.16 in commissions related to the sale of 658,036 shares of common stock
and warrants to an investor during the fiscal years ended March 31, 1998 and
March 31, 1999 and was issued an aggregate of 144,000 shares of common stock and
92,308 options to purchase common stock of the Company in connection with
various financings. These options expired as of March 31, 1999.
(3) Mr. Kuzon served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer from October 1997
through January 3, 1998.
(4) Represents the deemed fair market value of 15,385 unregistered shares of
Common Stock (as adjusted for the reverse stock split) on January 15, 1997, the
date of grant.
(5) Mr. Schlecht resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer on June 25,
1997. Prior to that time, he had been devoting 50% of his time to the business
of the Company in the indicated capacity. He resigned as a director on February
17, 1998.
(6) Does not include amounts paid as rent to a Company controlled by Mr.
Schlecht. See "Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
(7) On March 10, 1997, Mr. Schlecht was granted options exercisable for 7,692
shares of Common Stock. Because of Mr. Schlecht's resignation from his position
prior to the expiration of the vesting period for such options, such options
have been forfeited.
(8) Mr. Wolff was the Company's Chief Executive Officer from June 28, 1997
<PAGE>
through October 7, 1998. From January 15, 1997 through June 25, 1997, Mr. Wolff
served as the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Prior thereto he served as a business development consultant to the Company.
(9) Reflects amounts paid to Birand Ltd., a company through which Mr. Wolff
provided services to the Company. See "--Employment Agreements" and "Item 12 -
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
(10) Represents the deemed fair market value of 7,692 unregistered shares of
Common Stock on January 15, 1997, the date of grant.
(11) On March 10, 1997, Mr. Wolff was granted options exercisable for 23,077
shares of Company Common Stock. Because of Mr. Wolff's resignation from his
position, prior to the expiration of the vesting period for the first
transaction of such options, such options have been forfeited.
(12) Mr. Rhea resigned from his positions with the Company on January 12, 1998.
(13) Includes amounts paid to Telepath Ltd., a company through which Mr. Rhea
provided services to the Company. See "---Employment Agreements" and "Item 12-
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
(14) Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, dated June 30, 1997 between the
Company and Keith Rhea, Mr. Rhea was granted options for 15,385 shares, of which
options for 3,847 shares of Common Stock would have vested prior to Mr. Rhea's
resignation from his positions with the Company. In connection with his
resignation, Mr. Rhea released the Company from its obligations under such
agreement.
(15) Mr. Finn was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company on June 25,
1997. He served in that capacity on a part-time basis until December 7, 1997.
(16) This amount includes $111,710 which Mr. Finn alleges he and Telepath Ltd.
are owed for consulting services performed by him. The Company disputes that
such amount is owed. Such amount is included herein merely for disclosure
purposes pending final determination of the dispute between the Company and Mr.
Finn. The inclusion of such amount herein may not be construed as admission by
the Company that all or part of such amount is in fact owed to Mr. Finn or
Telepath Ltd.
The following table sets forth all grants of options to purchase Common Stock to
the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1999.
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
(INDIVIDUAL GRANTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Number Of Securities Percent Of Total Exercise Of Base Price Expiration Date
(a) Underlying Options/SARs Granted ($/Sh) (e)
Options/SARs Granted to Employees In (d)
(#) Fiscal Year
(b) (c)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ueli Ernst --
Ronald Kuzon --
David Schlecht --
Fritz K. Wolff --
Keith Rhea --
Robert Finn --
</TABLE>
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FY-END OPTIONS/SAR VALUES
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Shares Acquired On Value Realized Number Of Unexercised Value Of Unexercised
(a) Exercise ($) Securities Underlying In-The-Money
(#) (c) Options/SARs At Options/SARs At
(b) FY-End (#) FY-End ($)
Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Unexercisable Unexercisable
(d) (e)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ueli Ernst -- -- 94,227
Ronald Kuzon -- -- -- --
David Schlecht -- -- -- --
Fritz K. Wolff -- -- -- --
Keith Rhea -- -- (1) --
Robert Finn -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
(1) See Note 14 to Compensation Table.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The Company reimburses directors for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in connection with attendance at board and committee meetings. See "Item 10 --
Executive Compensation" for a description of any additional compensation paid to
Messrs. Ernst, Kuzon, Schlecht and Rhea.
Pursuant to Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company shall, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, indemnify all directors, officers, incorporators,
employees and agents of the Company against liability for certain of their acts.
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation also provides that, with certain
exceptions, no director of the Company will be liable to the Company for
monetary damages as a result of certain breaches of fiduciary duties as a
director. Exceptions to this include a breach of the director's duty of loyalty,
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or
knowing violations of law, improper declaration of dividends and transactions
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of June 28, 1999, certain information
concerning beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by (i) each
beneficial owner of more than five percent of the outstanding Common Stock, (ii)
each director of the Company, (iii) each executive officer named in the Summary
Compensation Table under Item 10 above and (iv) all current executive officers
and directors of the Company as a group.
NAME AND ADDRESS NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
PERCENTAGE OF COMMON STOCK(1)
Medfield Investments S.A. 658,036 38.45%
Sonnenbergweg 12
5608 Stetten, Switzerland
Ulrich Ernst 276,546(2) 16.16%
c/o UTG Communications
International Inc.
Limmattalstrasse 10
8954 Geroldswil, Switzerland
Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd. 186,546 10.90%
Steinhaldering 8,
8954 Geroldswil, Switzerland
Klaus Brenner 213,461(3) 12.47%
c/o UTG Communications
International Inc.
<PAGE>
Limmattalstrasse 10
8954 Geroldswil, Switzerland
All directors and executive officers 28.63%
as a group (two persons)
- ----------
* Denotes less than 1%.
(1) Based on 1,711,190 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.
(2) Includes 186,546 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Interfinance
Inv. Co. Ltd., a company controlled by Mr. Ernst.
(3) Includes 115,385 shares of Common Stock owned by Prozal Investment Co., a
company controlled by Mr. Brenner.
ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In April, 1997, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, UTG Communications
Belgium N.V., acquired all of the equity of Multicom N.V., an Antwerp, Belgium
based company which offers direct and indirect dial services to more than 250
corporate customers. The purchase price was 11,101,043 BEF (approximately
$317,000), payable 50% on April 9, 1997, 25% on May 2, 1997 and 25% on June 2,
1997. Payment of the purchase price was secured by the pledge by Interfinance of
100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by Interfinance.
Effective September 30, 1997, the Company sold to a limited number of accredited
or sophisticated investors (including Andreas Popovici) 30,769 shares of common
stock at a price of $6.50 per share and, for no additional consideration,
warrants to purchase an additional 15,385 shares of Common Stock at a price of
$7.80 per share. At September 30, 1997, $125,000 of the total $200,000 had been
received by the Company, and the remaining $75,000 was fully paid by October 6,
1997. Interfinance acted as placement agent for these issuances. No
underwriter's discount or fee was incurred by the Company in connection with
these issuances. These issuances were exempt from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933 by reason of the exemption provided by Section
4(2) thereunder.
On March 23, 1998, the Company issued 250,000 shares of Common Stock (post-
reverse split) at a purchase price of $2.00 per share. In addition, for each
share of Common Stock purchased, the subscriber received three warrants, each to
purchase one share of Common Stock, which warrants will expire five years from
the date of issuance and shall be exercisable at $2.00, $3.00 and $4.50 per
share, respectively. Net proceeds received by the Company were $485,000. Under
the terms of the subscription agreement, as amended, the Company had the right,
subject to certain conditions, to request the subscriber to purchase up to an
additional 500,000 shares of Common Stock upon the same terms and purchase price
as for the initial purchase on or prior to December 1, 1998. During the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1999, the Company issued an additional 408,036 shares to
such subscriber on the same terms and conditions as described above. Net
proceeds received by the Company in connection with such issuance were $791,590.
In connection with these issuances, Interfinance acted as placement agent and
received a placement fee of 3% of the gross proceeds to the Company. An
aggregate amount of $39,482 has been paid to Interfinance with respect to such
placement fee. These transactions were exempt from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933 by reason of the exemption provided by Section
4(2) thereunder and on the basis of certain representations provided by the
subscriber including that it is an "accredited investor." The Company believes
that the terms of all transactions with Interfinance were as fair to the Company
from a financial point of view as could have been obtained from an unaffiliated
third party.
<PAGE>
In connection with the arrangement of the arrangement of a loan in the amount of
$371,250 to the Company by Blachscom Investment, an unrelated party to the
Company and its affiliates, Interfinance received a commission in the amount of
$18,562.50. The Company believes that such commission was as fair to the Company
from a financial point of view as could have been obtained from an unaffiliated
third party.
The Company leases its principal executive offices from a company where Mr.
Ernst, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is a member of the
Board of Directors, for CHF 5,000 (approximately $3,250) per month. The Company
considers such rent to be at arm's length.
See "Item 10. Executive Compensation" for a description of employment and other
compensation arrangements with the Company's executive officers and directors.
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
See Index to Exhibits on page E-1.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1999.
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant
caused this Amendment to its report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: /s/ Ueli Ernst
-----------------------------------------------------
Ulrich Ernst, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive
Officer
Date: July 8, 1999
EXHIBIT INDEX
Reference is made below to exhibits indicated with the following footnotes which
are incorporated herein by reference thereto:
(1) Filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (No. 333-8305)
filed on July 17, 1996 (the "SB-2").
(2) Filed with the Commission as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the SB-2
filed on August 16, 1996.
(3) Filed with the Commission as an exhibit to Amendment No. 2 to the SB-2
filed on August 30, 1996.
(4) Filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the Company's Form 10-QSB for
the quarterly period ended December 31, 1996.
(5) Filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the Company's Form 10-KSB for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997.
(6) Filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the Company's Form 10-QSB for
<PAGE>
the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997.
(7) Filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the Company's Form 10-QSB for
the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997.
(8) Filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the Company's Form 10-KSB for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
(9) Filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the Company's Form 10-QSB for
the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998.
(10) Filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the Company's Form S-3 filed on
February 3, 1999.
Exhibits indicated with footnote (11) are executive contracts or compensatory
plan arrangements filed pursuant to Part III, Item 2 of Form 10-KSB.
Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (1)
3.1(a) Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (2)
3.1(b) Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (3)
3.1(c) Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (8)
3.2 By-laws of the Company (1)
10.1 Stock Purchase Agreement dated April 30, 1996 between
Registrant and Tom Combrinck (2)
10.2 Subscription Agreement dated April 30, 1996 between Registrant
and Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd. for the purchase of 183,333
shares of Common Stock (2)
10.3 Subscription Agreement dated April 30, 1996 between Registrant
and Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd. for the purchase of 2,566,667
shares of Common Stock (2)
10.4 Promissory Note in the principal amount of $2,799,974, dated
April 30 1996, by Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd. in favor of
Registrant (2)
10.5 Security and Pledge Agreement dated April 30, 1996 between
Registrant and Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd. (2)
10.6 Registration Rights Agreement dated April 30, 1996 between
Registrant and Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd. (2)
10.7 Agreement dated December 21, 1995 between Registrant and
Telemedia International, together with Assignment dated July 1,
1996 (2)
10.8 Lease beginning April 1, 1996 between Registrant and Guido M.
Renggli (2)
10.9 Management Agreement dated March 14, 1996 between Registrant
and Andreas Popovici (2), (11)
10.10 Management Agreement dated April 4, 1996 between Registrant and
Franco Reinschmidt (2), (11)
10.11 Form of Customer Contract of Registrant (2)
10.12 Subscription Agreement dated August 15, 1996, between
Registrant and Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd., for the purchase of
400,000 shares of Common Stock (2)
10.13 Promissory Note in the principal amount of $990,000 dated
August 15, 1996, by Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd., in favor of
the Registrant (2)
10.14 Security and Pledge Agreement dated August 15, 1996 between
Registrant and Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd. (2)
10.15 Subscription Agreement dated as of January 15, 1997 between the
Company and Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd. (4)
10.16 Subscription Agreement dated as of November 21, 1996 between
the Company and Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd. (4)
10.17 Joint Instructions of Registrant and Thomas Combrinck and
Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd. dated January 16, 1997 (5)
10.18 Consultancy Agreement effective September 1, 1996 between UTG
Communications (Europe) AG and Birand Ltd. (5), (11)
10.19 Share Purchase Agreement among UTG Communications Belgium N.V.,
Messrs. Luc and Tom Van den Bogart and UTG Communications
<PAGE>
Holding AG. (5)
10.20 Pledge Agreement among UTG Communications Belgium N.V., Messrs.
Luc and Tom Van den Bogart and UTG Communications Holding AG.
(5)
10.21 Employment Agreement dated June 30, 1997 between the Registrant
and Keith Rhea (5), (11)
10.22 Cooperation Agreement dated August 6, 1997 between Trafficom
and UTG Hungary (6)
10.23 Consulting Agreement between the Company and Telepath, Ltd.
(7),(11)
10.24 Share Purchase Agreement dated December 29, 1997 between
Portmann Trading AG and UTG Communications Holding AG (8)
10.25 Share Purchase Agreement dated _______ between Portmann Trading
AG and UTG Communications Holding AG (8)
10.26 Asset Purchase Agreement dated December 30, 1997 between UTG
Communications (Europe) AG and UTG Communications Holding AG
(8)
10.27 Subscription Agreement, dated as of January __, 1998 by and
between the Registrant and Medfield Investment S.A.
("Medfield") (8)
10.28 Agreement between Medfield and the Registrant, dated May 16,
1998 (8)
10.29 Form of Warrant issued to Medfield (8)
10.30 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 23, 1998
between the Registrant and Medfield (8)
10.31 Settlement Agreement among Fritz K. Wolff, Birand Ltd.,
TeleInvest Ltd. and UTG International, Inc., together with
Share Purchase Agreement dated as of May 31, 1998 among Fritz
K. Wolff, TeleInvest Ltd. and Interfinance Inv. Co. Ltd. (8)
10.32 Loan Agreement, dated August 13, 1998(9)
10.33 Agreement dated September 25, 1998 between Medfield and the
Company (9)
10.34 Interconnection Agreement dated August 21, 1998 between the
Company and Swisscom (9)
10.35 Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 16, 1998 (10)
21.1 List of Subsidiaries
23.1 Consent of Merdinger, Fruchter, Rosen & Corso, P.C.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
INDEX
-----
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT .................................... F-2
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ..................................... F-3 - F-4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS ........................... F-5 - F-6
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) .......... F-7
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY .................. F-8
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS ........................... F-9 - F-10
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ...................... F-11 - F-26
F-1
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of UTG
COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES as of March 31, 1999 and
1998, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders'
equity, comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the years 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 audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of UTG COMMUNICATIONS
INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES as of March 31, 1999 and 1998, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 19 to the
financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations
and its limited capital resources raise substantial doubt about its ability to
continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are
also described in Note 19. The financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
MERDINGER, FRUCHTER, ROSEN & CORSO, P.C.
Certified Public Accountants
New York, New York
June 15, 1999
F-2
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31,
-----------------------
1999 1998
ASSETS -----------------------
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 402,925 $ 363,169
Restricted Cash (Note 2) 336,293 --
Accounts Receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of 372,314 and 263,617 1,167,227 354,233
Inventory 606,140 --
Other Receivables (Note 3) 824,602 902,563
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets 117,757 74,318
---------- ----------
Total Current Assets 3,454,944 1,694,283
Property and Equipment, at cost, net of accumulated
depreciation of $2,158,682 and $1,184,547 (Note 4) 2,579,646 2,311,164
Organization Costs, at cost, net of accumulated
amortization of $36,160 and $3,303 108,953 10,162
Goodwill, at cost, net of accumulated amortization
of $45,925 and $6,561 205,753 245,118
Customer Lists, at cost, net of accumulated
amortization of $291,534 and $104,119 (Note 6) 645,536 832,950
Deferred Taxes (Note 10) -- --
Other Assets 203,283 78,665
---------- ----------
TOTAL ASSETS $7,198,115 $5,172,342
========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-3
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31,
-----------------------
1999 1998
--------- ---------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Bank Overdraft (Note 7) $ 663,925 $ --
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses 3,835,759 1,369,818
Due to Related Party (Note 8) 14,516 --
Loans Payable (Note 9) 67,649 --
Capital Lease Obligation, Current (Note 11) 253,788 101,021
--------- ---------
Total Current Liabilities 4,835,637 1,470,839
Loans Payable (Note 9) 371,250 --
Capital Lease Obligation, Long-Term (Note 11) 473,920 469,958
--------- ---------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 5,680,807 1,940,797
--------- ---------
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11) -- --
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Notes 12,13,14, 15 & 16)
Preferred stock - $.01 par value, authorized
10,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding -- --
Common Stock - $0.00001 par value, authorized
60,000,000 shares; 1,711,190 and 1,303,154 issued
and outstanding 16 13
Additional Paid-in Capital 8,667,784 7,925,628
Treasury Stock (300,000) --
Accumulated Deficit (7,222,639) (4,551,224)
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment 365,738 (142,872)
Minority Interest 6,409 --
--------- ---------
Total Stockholders' Equity 1,517,308 3,231,545
--------- ---------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 7,198,115 $ 5,172,342
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-4
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For The Year Ended
March 31,
--------------------------
1999 1998
----------- -----------
NET SALES $ 5,400,256 $ 2,319,631
COST OF SALES 4,237,686 1,312,284
----------- -----------
GROSS PROFIT 1,162,570 1,007,347
----------- -----------
SELLING AND TECHNICAL EXPENSES
Consulting Fees -- 75,457
Technical Fees 564,543 83,563
Sales Salaries 163,730 34,148
Other Selling Expenses -- 30,252
----------- -----------
Total Selling and Technical Expenses 728,273 223,420
----------- -----------
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 434,297 783,927
----------- -----------
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Management and Consulting Fees 97,814 248,170
Salaries and Employee Benefits 795,980 128,610
Bad Debt Expense 124,854 1,026,900
Depreciation and Amortization 1,173,645 505,831
Professional Fees 180,198 194,309
Travel Expenses 64,188 40,379
Employment Agency Fees 31,564 --
Rent Expense 85,645 46,468
Association Fees 29,170 --
Insurance Expense 16,287 29,995
Other Operating Expenses 329,510 799,455
----------- -----------
Total General and Administrative Expenses 2,928,855 3,020,117
----------- -----------
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS (2,494,558) (2,236,190)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-5
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For The Year Ended
March 31,
--------------------------
1999 1998
----------- -----------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)
Interest Income 35,030 24
Interest Expense (78,360) (109,549)
Loss From Foreign Currency (403,228) (5,998)
Other Income (Expenses) 195,233 (15,842)
----------- -----------
Total Other Income (Expenses) (251,325) (131,365)
----------- -----------
LOSS BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST (2,745,883) (2,367,555)
MINORITY INTEREST 74,468 --
----------- -----------
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES (2,671,415) (2,367,555)
INCOME TAXES (Note 10) -- --
----------- -----------
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (2,671,415) (2,367,555)
----------- -----------
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Note 5)
Loss from Operations of Discontinued
Subsidiaries, net of Income Tax -- (2,963,159)
Gain on Sale of Discontinued Subsidiaries,
net of Income Taxes -- 7,492,159
----------- -----------
Total Gain on Discontinued Subsidiaries -- 4,529,000
----------- -----------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $(2,671,415) $ 2,161,445
=========== ===========
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic $ (1.80) $ (2.26)
=========== ===========
Diluted $ (1.80) $ (2.26)
=========== ===========
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
Basic $ (1.80) $ 2.06
=========== ===========
Diluted $ (1.80) $ 1.14
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-6
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For The Year Ended
March 31,
---------------------------
1999 1998
----------- -----------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net Income (Loss) $(2,671,415) $ 2,161,445
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment 508,610 (5,422)
----------- -----------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $(2,162,805) $ 2,156,023
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-7
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additional Foreign Total
Common Stock Paid-in Treasury Accumulated Currency Minority Stockholders'
Shares Amount Capital Stock Deficit Adjustment Interest Equity
--------- ------ ----------- ---------- ------------ ---------- -------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at March 31, 1997, Restated 1,018,923 $ 10 $ 7,180,631 $ -- $(6,712,669) $(137,450) $ 17 $ 330,539
Net Income For The Year Ended
March 31, 1998 -- -- -- -- 2,161,445 -- -- 2,161,445
Issuance of Common Stock, Giving
Effect to a 13:1 Reverse Split 284,231 3 744,997 -- -- -- -- 745,000
Cumulative Foreign Currency
Translation Adjustment -- -- -- -- -- -- (17) (17)
Minority Interest -- -- -- -- -- (5,422) -- (5,422)
--------- ------ ----------- ---------- ------------ --------- -------- ----------
Balance at March 31, 1998 1,303,154 13 7,925,628 -- (4,551,224) (142,872) -- 3,231,545
Net Loss - For the Year Ended
March 31, 1999 -- -- -- -- (2,671,415) -- -- (2,671,415)
Issuance of Common Stock 408,036 3 816,069 -- -- -- -- 816,072
Offering Costs -- -- (73,913) -- -- -- -- (73,913)
Treasury Stock -- -- -- (300,000) -- -- -- (300,000)
Cumulative Foreign Currency
Translation Adjustment -- -- -- -- -- 508,610 -- 508,610
Minority Interest -- -- -- -- -- -- 6,409 6,409
--------- ------ ----------- ---------- ------------ --------- -------- ----------
Balance at March 31, 1999 1,711,190 $ 16 $ 8,667,784 $(300,000) $(7,222,639) $ 365,738 $ 6,409 $1,517,308
========= ====== =========== ========== ============ ========= ======== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-8
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For The Year Ended
March 31,
------------------------
1999 1998
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income (Loss) $(2,671,415) $ 2,161,445
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to
Net Cash Used by Operating Activities
Depreciation and Amortization 1,173,645 505,831
Changes in Certain Assets and Liabilities:
(Increase) Decrease in Accounts Receivable (836,644) 439,605
Increase in Other Receivables (225,390) (1,904,890)
(Increase) Decrease in Prepaid Expenses and
Other Current Assets (44,684) 89,418
Increase in Inventory (621,774) --
(Increase) Decrease in Organization Costs (134,124) 13,048
Increase in Other Assets (128,535) (69,846)
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and
Accrued Expenses 2,548,871 (1,780,166)
Increase in Due to Related Party 14,885 --
----------- -----------
Total Cash Used by Operating Activities (925,165) (545,555)
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of Property and Equipment, net (1,242,617) (1,586,760)
Increase in Goodwill -- (304,535)
----------- -----------
Total Cash Used by Investing Activities (1,242,617) (1,891,295)
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in Restricted Cash (347,913) --
Increase in Bank Overdraft 686,867 --
Increase (Decrease) in Loans Payable 441,236 (26,928)
Increase in Capital Lease Payable, net 162,311 594,479
Proceeds from Subscription Receivable -- 670,000
Contribution to Capital 816,072 745,000
Offering Costs (73,913) --
Minority Interest 6,571 (17)
----------- -----------
Total Cash Provided By Financing Activities 1,691,231 1,982,534
----------- -----------
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE
CHANGES ON CASH 516,307 429,287
----------- -----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS 39,756 (25,029)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF YEAR 363,169 388,198
----------- -----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF YEAR $ 402,925 $ 363,169
=========== ===========
CASH PAID DURING THE YEAR FOR:
Interest Expense $ 66,000 $ 64,000
=========== ===========
Income Taxes $ -- $ --
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-9
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Year Ended March 31, 1999:
The Company received 23,077 shares of its common stock as consideration
for payment of a $300,000 receivable due from a former officer of the
company. The common stock is recorded as treasury stock as of March 31,
1999. (See also Notes 3 and 16).
Year Ended March 31, 1998:
In December 1997, the Company purchased an existing customer base for SFr
1,426,500 (approximately $937,000) in exchange for a loan payable to a
third party (see also Note 6).
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-10
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and with
the instructions to Form 10-KSB and Regulation S-B. In the opinion
of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been
included.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of UTG Communications International, Inc. (the "Company"),
a holding company organized under the laws of the state of Delaware
on April 17, 1996 and its subsidiaries:
1) Starfon Telecom Services AG, ("Starfon"), formerly known
as UTG Telecom AG ("Telecom"), and as UTG Communications
Holding AG, ("UTG Holding"), incorporated under the laws
of Switzerland on February 29, 1996 (owned 100% by the
Company);
2) UTG Communications Belgium N.V., ("UTG Belgium"),
incorporated under the laws of Belgium on June 27, 1996
(owned 100% by Starfon);
3) Multicom NV ("Multicom"), incorporated under the laws of
Belgium (owned 100% by UTG Belgium);
4) United Telecom GmbH, ("UTG GmbH"), incorporated under
the laws of Switzerland on May 28, 1996 (owned 100% by
Starfon);
5) Telelines International SA, ("Telelines"), incorporated
under the laws of Panama on July 28, 1997 (owned 100% by
the Company);
6) Starpoint Card Sales LTD, ("Starpoint"), incorporated
under the laws of the United Kingdom on November 18,
1998 (owned 51% by Telelines); and
7) Star Global LTD, ("Star Global"), incorporated under the
laws of the Jersey, Channel Islands on November 24, 1998
(owned 100% by Telelines);
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated in consolidation.
b) Line of Business
The Company is a switch-based provider of private voice; fax and
data management telecommunication services throughout Europe and is
engaged in the resale of international telecom services in the
United Kingdom.
F-11
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
c) Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles 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
revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
d) Revenue Recognition
Revenue from switch based services are recognized when billed based
on the number of minutes provided to customers. Revenue from the
sale of phone cards is recorded at the time of sale.
e) Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company places its cash in what it believes to be credit-worthy
financial institutions. However, cash balances exceeded FDIC insured
levels at various times during the year.
f) Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with
original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
g) Inventory
Inventory, consisting mainly of calling cards, is stated at the
lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out
basis.
h) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed
using the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives
of the various classes of assets. Maintenance and repairs are
charged to expense as incurred.
i) Organization Costs
Organization costs consist of legal and other administrative costs
incurred relating to the formation of the Company. These costs have
been capitalized and will be amortized over a period of five years.
j) Goodwill
Goodwill represents the cost in excess of the fair market value of
the Company's acquisitions. Amortization is being computed using the
straight-line method over a period of forty years.
k) Customer Lists
Customer lists represents the cost of the acquisition of subscriber
names at their fair market value. Amortization is being computed
using the straight-line method over a period of three years.
F-12
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
l) Bank Overdraft
The Company maintains overdraft positions at certain banks. Such
overdraft positions are included in current liabilities.
m) Offering Costs
Offering costs consist primarily of professional fees. These costs
are charged against the proceeds of the sale of common stock in the
periods in which they occur.
n) Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling,
general and administrative expenses. For the years ended March 31,
1999 and 1998, advertising expense amounted to $57,047 and $30,104,
respectively.
o) Translation of Foreign Currency
The Company translates the foreign currency financial statements of
its Swiss, Belgium and United Kingdom subsidiaries, in accordance
with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation". Assets and
liabilities are translated at current exchange rates, and related
revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in
effect during the period. Resulting translation adjustments are
recorded as a separate component in stockholders' equity. Foreign
currency transaction gains and losses are included in the statement
of operations.
p) Income Taxes
Income taxes are provided for based on the liability method of
accounting pursuant to SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes".
The liability method requires the recognition of deferred tax assets
and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of
temporary differences between the reported amount of assets and
liabilities and their tax basis.
q) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair
value due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments.
r) Long-Lived Assets
SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of", requires that
long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to be held
and used or disposed of by an entity be reviewed for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company has
adopted this statement and determined that no impairment loss need
be recognized for applicable assets of continuing operations.
F-13
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
s) Stock-Based Compensation
SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", encourages,
but does not require companies to record compensation cost for
stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value. The Company
has chosen to continue to account for stock-based compensation using
the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", and
related Interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock
options is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market
price of the Company's stock at the date of the grant over the
amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.
t) Earnings Per Share
SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" requires presentation of basic
earnings per share ("Basic EPS") and diluted earnings per share
("Diluted EPS").
The computation of basic earnings per share is computed by dividing
income available to common stockholders by the weighted average
number of outstanding common shares during the period. Diluted
earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common
shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted EPS
does not assume conversion, exercise or contingent exercise of
securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings. The
shares used in the computations are as follows:
As of March 31,
---------------
1999 1998
---- ----
Basic EPS 1,485,529 1,046,756
========= =========
Diluted EPS 1,485,529 1,896,756
========= =========
u) Comprehensive Income
SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income", establishes
standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and
its components in the financial statements. The items of other
comprehensive income that are typically required to be displayed are
foreign currency items, minimum pension liability adjustments, and
unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and
equity securities. As of March 31, 1999 and 1998, the Company has
items that represent comprehensive income, therefore, has included a
statement of comprehensive income.
F-14
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
v) Impact of Year 2000 Issue
During the year ended March 31, 1999, the Company conducted an
assessment of issues related to the Year 2000 and determined that it
was necessary to modify or replace portions of its software in order
to ensure that its computer systems will properly utilize dates
beyond December 31, 1999. The Company expects to complete any Year
2000 systems modifications and conversions by August of 1999.
Currently, the Company does not expect that costs associated with
becoming Year 2000 compliant to be material. At this time, the
Company cannot determine the impact the Year 2000 will have on its
key customers or suppliers. If the Company's customers or suppliers
don't convert their systems to become Year 2000 compliant, the
Company may be adversely impacted. The Company is addressing these
risks in order to reduce the impact on the Company.
w) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS
No. 131, "Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information", which changes the way public companies report
information about segments. SFAS No. 131, which is based on the
selected segment information quarterly and entity-wide disclosures
about products and services, major customers and the material
countries in which the entity holds assets and reports revenue. This
statement is effective for the Company's 1998 fiscal year. The
Company is in the process of evaluating the disclosure requirements
under this standard.
Additionally, during 1998, the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants' Executive Committee issued Statement of Position
Number 98-1 (SOP 98-1), "Accounting for the Cost of Computer
Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use". SOP 98-1 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998.
Management believes that the Company is substantially in compliance
with this pronouncement and that the implementation of this
pronouncement will not have a material effect on the Company's
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE 2 - RESTRICTED CASH
Restricted cash represents a call money account that is pledged
against the 1,000,000 Swiss franc bank overdraft account with Credit
Suisse Bank. Restricted cash totaled $336,293 as of March 31, 1999.
(See Note 7)
F-15
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 3 - OTHER RECEIVABLES
As of March 31,
---------------
1999 1998
---- ----
A) Com Netzwork AG $790,445 $602,563
B) Former Director -- 300,000
Other 34,157 --
-------- --------
$824,602 $902,563
======== ========
A) This receivable represented a balance due from Com Netzwork AG,
("Netzwork"), formerly known as UTG Communications (Europe) AG ("UTG
Europe"), an unrelated third party. The balance relates to the sale
of Europe. (See Note 5d).
B) This receivable represented a balance due from a former director of
the Company relating to a settlement of services provided and the
sale of UTG Hungary. (See Note 5a). During the fiscal year 1999,
this receivable was repaid with 23,077 shares of the company's
common stock.
NOTE 4 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment is summarized as follows:
As of March 31,
---------------
1999 1998
---- ----
Telecommunications Equipment $ 3,386,767 $ 3,155,377
Computer Equipment and Software 1,036,749 203,157
Furniture and Fixtures 314,812 137,177
----------- -----------
4,738,328 3,495,711
Less: Accumulated Depreciation (2,158,682) (1,184,547)
----------- -----------
$ 2,579,646 $ 2,311,164
=========== ===========
Depreciation expense for the year ended March 31, 1999 and
1998 was approximately $908,000 and $387,000, respectively.
NOTE 5 - INVESTMENTS
a) On April 2, 1997, Starfon founded UTG Communications Hungary, Ltd.
("UTG Hungary"), incorporated under the laws of Hungary. Starfon's
initial investment in UTG Hungary was CHF 8,000.
During the third quarter of 1998, the Company, in connection with a
settlement reached with a former director and his related companies,
transferred its interest in UTG Hungary to this director, in return
for his assumption of all of UTG Hungary's debts and obligations.
The Company's loss from its investment in UTG Hungary amounted to
$49,638 Swiss Francs or approximately $32,607, which is included in
the Company's loss.
F-16
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 5 - INVESTMENTS (Continued)
b) On April 2, 1997, UTG Belgium acquired a 100% ownership in Multicom
NV ("Multicom"), an existing telecommunications company operating in
the areas of direct and indirect dial for 11,101,043 Belgium Francs
or approximately $317,000.
c) On April 8, 1997, Starfon consummated the purchase of its 49%
interest in Tibesta Corporation NV ("Tibesta"), a company
incorporated under the laws of Curacao. Tibesta is the 100% parent
of Metatel Telemarketing BV ("Metatel"), a company incorporated
under the laws of the Netherlands. The purchase price for the
company's 49% ownership interest in Tibesta was $10,551 of which
$2,940 represented their 49% interest ownership in Metatel.
On June 9, 1997, Metatel founded UTG Communications Francs S.A.
("UTG France"), a 94% owned company with an initial investment of
750,000 French Francs or approximately $129,500 of which 49% was
paid by the Company.
As of September 30, 1997, the Company's subsidiaries Tibesta,
Metatel and UTG France were no longer active. The Company wrote off
its investments in these companies. Loss from investments in these
companies of $67,772 is included in loss from discontinued
operations.
d) On November 30, 1997, an unrelated third party purchased from
Starfon 100% of Europe for 1,000 Swiss Francs or approximately $700
and all of UTG Europe's assets and liabilities. The Company's loss
from its investment in UTG Europe for the eight months ended
November 30, 1997 amounted to 3,131,140 Swiss Francs or
approximately $2,194,500 and is included in loss from discontinued
operations. Due to significant losses in the prior year on UTG
Europe and the current year loss, the sale resulted in a gain of
5,517,200 Swiss Francs or approximately $3,840,000 and is included
in gain on disposal of discontinued operations.
e) On December 1, 1997, an unrelated third party purchased from Starfon
100% of UTG Communications (Network) Ltd. For 1,000 Swiss Francs or
approximately $700. The Company's loss from its investment in "UTG
Net" for the eight months ending November 30, 1997 amounted to
618,900 British pounds or approximately $1,058,300 and is included
in loss from discontinued operations. Due to significant losses in
the prior year on UTG Network and the current loss, the sale
resulted in a gain of 2,356,000 Swiss Francs or approximately
$1,613,000, which is included in gain on disposal of discontinued
operations.
F-17
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 5 - INVESTMENTS (Continued)
f) On November 15, 1998, the Company entered into a joint venture with
8 individual distributors for the purpose of establishing a
distribution network for telecommunication cards in the United
Kingdom. The Company and its 8 distribution partners formed
StarPoint Card Sales LTD, located in London with the Company holding
51% of StarPoint's equity and the Company's partners holding the
remaining 49%. In exchange for their 49% interest, the 8
distributors contributed their existing businesses and customer
bases to StarPoint and agreed to work exclusively for StarPoint for
a minimum of 24 months. UTG contributed cash in the amount of GBP
51,000 to the joint venture. Under the joint venture agreement, UTG
has a three-year call option to acquire its partners' 49% interest
for cash and/or UTG common stock. The exercise price equals the
average of 8 times StarPoint's EBIT and sales during the three
months preceding the exercise of the option.
NOTE 6 - ACQUISITION OF ASSETS
On December 1, 1997, after the sale of its ownership in UTG Europe
to an unrelated third party, Starfon purchased certain assets
including property and equipment and customer lists from UTG Europe
for a loan payable totaling approximately $4,020,300. These assets
were recorded at cost, which approximated their fair market value
and are being depreciated over their estimated useful life. The
customer list valued at SFr 1,426,500 (approximately $937,000)
represents the cost of the acquisition of subscriber names at their
fair market value. Amortization is being computed using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful life.
NOTE 7 - BANK OVERDRAFT
The Company has a bank overdraft with Credit Suisse Bank totaling
987,124 Swiss franc or $663,925 as of March 31, 1999. The overdraft
is drawn on a 1,000,000 Swiss franc credit line which is guaranteed
by the restricted call money account that totaled $336,293 as of
March 31, 1999. (See Note 2). The credit line bears interest 5.5%
per annum as of March 31, 1999.
F-18
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 8 - DUE TO RELATED PARTY
Due to related party as of March 31, 1999 consisted of an advance to
a director of the Company's subsidiary, Starpoint, totaling 9,000
British pounds or $14,516.
NOTE 9 - LOANS PAYABLE
Loans Payable as of March 31, 1999 represent the following loan
agreements dated August 13, 1998:
a) A $200,000 loan from Blacksea Inv. Ltd. ("Blacksea"),
payable June 30, 2003. The loan bears an interest rate
of 8% per annum and is payable on June 30, each year.
b) A 250,000 Swiss franc or $171,250 loan from Blacksea,
payable June 30, 2003. The loan bears an interest rate
of 5% per annum and is payable on June 30, each year.
As additional consideration to the above loans, the
Company agreed to issue to Blacksea the following 3 year
warrants which will entitle Blacksea to purchase,
validly issued and non-assessable shares of the
Company's, $.00001 par value common stock at any time
following the effective date of the Company's
registration statement under Securities act covering the
Warrant Shares.
3,000 warrants at a strike price of $30
3,000 warrants at a strike price of $50
3,000 warrants at a strike price of 45 Swiss francs
3,000 warrants at a strike price of 75 Swiss francs
Blacksea has a further option to increase the loans by
the same amounts as above, under the same conditions.
This additional option must be executed in writing
before January 31, 1999 and is also payable within this
time. As of March 31, 1999, this option had not been
executed.
c) A 100,000 Swiss franc or $67,649 loan from an unrelated
party, payable on demand. The loan bears an interest
rate of 5% per annum.
F-19
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES
The components of the provision for income taxes is as follows:
Current Tax Expense
U.S. Federal $ --
State and Local --
----------
Total Current --
----------
Deferred Tax Expense
U.S. Federal $ --
State and Local --
----------
Total Deferred --
----------
Total Tax Provision from Continuing
Operations $ --
==========
The reconciliation of the effective income tax rate to the Federal
statutory rate is as follows:
Federal Income Tax Rate (34.0)%
Deferred Tax Charge (Credit) --
Effect on Valuation Allowance 34.0%
State Income Tax, Net of Federal Benefit --
-----
Effective Income Tax Rate 0.0%
=====
At March 31, 1999 and 1998, the Company had net carryforward losses
of approximately $7,223,000 and $4,551,000, respectively. Because of
the current uncertainty of realizing the benefits of the tax
carryforward, valuation allowances equal to the tax benefits for
deferred taxes have been established. The full realization of the
tax benefit associated with the carryforward depends predominantly
upon the Company's ability to generate taxable income during the
carryforward period.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the net tax effect of
temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting purposes and amounts used for
income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's
deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
As of March 31,
---------------
1999 1998
---- ----
Deferred Tax Assets
Loss Carryforwards 2,456,000 $ 1,547,000
Less: Valuation Allowance (2,456,000) (1,547,000)
----------- -----------
Net Deferred Tax Assets $ -- $ --
=========== ===========
F-20
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES (Continued)
Net operating loss carryforwards expire starting in 2011 through
2013. Per year availability is subject to change of ownership
limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 382.
NOTE 11 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
a) The Company is a party to claims and lawsuits arising in the normal
course of operations. Management is of the opinion that these claims
and lawsuits will not have a material effect on the financial
position of the Company. The Company believes these claims and
lawsuits should not exceed $175,000, and accordingly, has
established a reserve included in accounts payable and accrued
expenses.
b) On June 30, 1997, the Company entered into an employment agreement
with Keith Rhea to serve as Chief Operating Officer of the Company
and a member of the Board of Directors and a consulting agreement
with Telepath, Ltd., a company believed to be affiliated with Mr.
Keith Rhea. The terms of the agreements were for three years
beginning on July 7, 1997 for an annual base salary of $100,000 and
an annual consulting fee of $80,000. The Company also issued
non-transferable stock options to purchase up to 200,000 shares of
the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $1 per share. The
options expire after 5 years and shall fully vest within 2 1/2
years. As of March 31, 1999 Mr. Rhea is no longer with the Company.
c) The Company's future minimum annual aggregate rental payments
required under operating and capital leases that have initial or
remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year are as
follows:
Operating Capital
Leases Leases
---------- -----------
2000 $ 177,000 $ 240,240
2001 60,000 240,240
2002 60,000 213,230
2003 60,000 127,230
2004 60,000 61,768
2005 and thereafter -- --
---------- -----------
Total Minimum Lease Payments $ 417,000 882,708
==========
Less: Amounts Representing Interest (155,000)
-----------
Present Value of Future Minimum
Lease Payments 727,708
Less: Current Maturities (253,788)
-----------
Total $ 473,920
===========
Rent expense under operating leases for the year ended March 31,
1999 and 1998 was $85,645 and $46,468, respectively.
F-21
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 11 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
d) Although other providers of telephone communications provide
international access services, Starfon, the Company's Swiss
subsidiary, was using a single provider, Netzwork, for international
access services from December 1997 through March31, 1998. (See also
Note 5d). For the year ended March 31, 1999, the company used
various providers.
NOTE 12 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
On January 10, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the
issuance of an additional 40,000,000 common stock at $.0001 par
value bringing total authorized common shares to 60,000,000. The
Board also authorized the issuance of 10,000,000 preferred shares at
$.01 par value. At the same time, a reverse split of
one-for-thirteen shares was authorized to shareholders of record on
March 24, 1998. Shareholders' equity has been restated at March 31,
1997, to give retroactive recognition to the reverse stock split for
both periods presented by reclassifying from common stock to
additional capital the reduced par value arising from the reverse
split.
NOTE 13 - STOCK WARRANTS
As consideration to the loans received from Blacksea, (See note 9),
the Company agreed to issue to Blacksea the following 3 year
warrants which will entitle Blacksea to purchase, validly issued and
non-assessable shares of the Company's, $.00001 par value common
stock at any time following the effective date of the Company's
registration statement under Securities act covering the Warrant
Shares.
3,000 warrants at a strike price of $30
3,000 warrants at a strike price of $50
3,000 warrants at a strike price of 45 Swiss francs
3,000 warrants at a strike price of 75 Swiss francs
As of August 13, 1998 and March 31, 1999, the strike price of the
warrants exceeded the trading price of the Company's common stock.
As of March 31, 1999, the warrants have not been exercised.
NOTE 14 - STOCK OPTIONS
a) In connection with a subscription agreement dated January 15, 1997,
the Company granted Interfinance Investment Company ("IIC") an
option to purchase up to an additional 92,308 as adjusted by reverse
split shares of common stock at $26.00 per share for a two year
period. These options expired unexercised as of January 15, 1999.
F-22
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 14 - STOCK OPTIONS (continued)
b) On March 25, 1997, the Company granted nonqualified stock options to
purchase up to 7,692, 7,692 and 23,077 shares, respectively, as
adjusted by reverse split to each of Ron Kuzon, David Schlecht and
Fritz Wolff. The options are exercisable at $13.00 per share, vest
in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries
of the date of grant, and expire five years from the date of grant.
As of March 31, 1998, these options expired due to the officers no
longer being with the Company.
c) On June 25, 1997, the Company granted to Mr. Allen Howe, an
employee, a nonqualified stock option to purchase up to 13,846
shares, as adjusted by reverse split at an exercise price of $13.00
per share. The option vests in equal installments on July 1, 1997,
July 1, 1998 and July 1, 1999. The option is exercisable as to any
vested portion during the 12-month period commencing on July 1,
1999. If Mr. Howe remains employed by the Company through July 1,
1999, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Howe a cash bonus, which can
only be used to satisfy payment of the exercise price. As of March
31, 1999, Mr. Howe is no longer with the Company. The vested portion
of his options as of March 31, 1999 equals 4,615. The remainder of
the options expired unvested upon termination from the Company.
d) On March 23, 1998, the Company issued 250,000 shares of restricted
Common Stock (post-reverse split) at a purchase price of $2.00 per
share. For each share of restricted Common Stock purchased, the
subscriber received three warrants, each to purchase one share of
restricted Common Stock at $2.00, $3.00 and $4.50, respectively. The
warrants will expire five year from date of issuance. During the
year ending March 31, 1999, the Company issued 408,036 shares of
restricted Common Stock to the subscriber which entitled the
subscriber to receive an additional three warrants, each to purchase
one share of restricted Common Stock at $2.00, $3.00 and $4.50,
respectively
NOTE 15 - MINORITY INTEREST
Minority interest represents a 49% share of the common equity of the
Company's subsidiary StarPoint as of March 31, 1999. (See Note 5g).
NOTE 16 - TREASURY STOCK
Treasury stock represents 23,077 shares of the Company's common
stock received as consideration for payment of a $300,000 receivable
due from a former officer of the company. (See Notes 3)
F-23
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 17 - FOREIGN OPERATIONS
As described in Note 1b, substantially all of The Company's
operations take place throughout Europe and the majority of its
identifiable assets are located in Switzerland, Belgium and the
United Kingdom.
NOTE 18 - SEGMENT INFORMATION
During fiscal 1999, the Company operated in two principal industries;
a) A switch-based provider of private voice; fax and data management
telecommunication services throughout Europe; and
b) the resale of international telecom services in the United Kingdom.
During fiscal 1998, the Company only operated as a switch-based provider
of private voice; fax and data management telecommunication services
throughout Europe.
Loss from operations is net sales less cost of sales, selling and
technical expenses and general and administrative expenses. Total assets
consist of Selling Minutes assets which are located in Belgium and
Switzerland and Calling Card assets which are located in the United
Kingdom. Corporate assets are immaterial.
UTG Communications International, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
Net Sales:
Selling Minutes $3,008,387 $2,319,631
Calling Cards 2,391,869 --
---------- ----------
Total revenue $5,400,256 $2,319,631
========== ==========
Cost of Sales:
Selling Minutes $2,017,837 $1,312,284
Calling Cards 2,219,849 --
---------- ----------
Total Cost of Sales $4,237,686 $1,312,284
========== ==========
Selling and Technical:
Selling Minutes $ -- $ 223,420
Calling Cards 782,273 --
---------- ----------
Total Selling and Technical $ 728,273 $ 223,420
========== ==========
F-24
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 18 - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
Income from Operations Before
General and Administrative:
Selling Minutes $ 262,277 $ 783,927
Calling Cards 172,020 --
----------- -----------
Income from Operations Before
General and Administrative $ 434,297 $ 783,927
=========== ===========
General and Administrative:
Selling Minutes $ 2,604,860 $ 3,020,117
Calling Cards 323,995 --
----------- -----------
Total General and administrative $ 2,928,855 $ 3,020,117
=========== ===========
Loss from Operations:
Selling Minutes $(2,342,583) $(3,020,117)
Calling Cards (151,975) --
----------- -----------
Loss from Operations $(2,494,558) $(3,020,117)
=========== ===========
Identifiable Assets:
Selling Minutes $ 5,855,865 $ 5,172,342
Calling Cards 1,342,250 --
----------- -----------
Total Assets $ 7,198,115 $ 5,172,342
=========== ===========
Depreciation and Amortization Expense:
Selling Minutes $ 1,166,671 $ 505,831
Calling Cards 6,974 --
----------- -----------
Total Depreciation and Amortization
Expense $ 1,173,645 $ 505,831
=========== ===========
F-25
<PAGE>
UTG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 19 - GOING CONCERN
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been
prepared assuming the company will continue as a going concern. As
of March 31, 1999, the Company had a working capital deficit of
$1,380,693 and an accumulated deficit of $7,222,639. As of March 31,
1998, the Company had a working capital deficit of $223,444 and an
accumulated deficit of $4,551,224. The Company's loss from operation
for the years ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 were $2,494,558 and
$2,236,190, respectively. Based upon the Company's plan of
operation, the Company estimates that existing resources, together
with funds generated from operations will not be sufficient to fund
the Company's working capital. The Company is actively seeking
additional equity financing. There can be no assurances that
sufficient financing will be available on terms acceptable to the
Company or at all. If the Company is unable to obtain such
financing, the Company will be forced to scale back operations,
which would have an adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition and results of operation.
F-26
Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
1) Starfon Telecom Services AG ("Starfon "), formerly known as UTG Telecom AG
and UTG Telecommunications Holding AG, incorporated under the laws of
Switzerland on February 29, 1996 (owned 100% by the Company);
2) UTG Communication Belgium N.V. ("UTG Belgium"), incorporated under the
laws of Belgium on June 27, 1996 (owned 100% by Starfon);
3) United Telecom GMBH ("UTG GMBH"), incorporated under the laws of
Switzerland on May 28, 1996 (owned 100% by Starfon); and
4) Multicom NV ("Multicom"), incorporated under the laws of Belgium (owned
100% by UTG Belgium); and
5) Telelines International SA ("Telelines"), incorporated under the laws of
Panama on July 28, 1998 (owned 100% by the Company); and
6) StarPoint Card Sales Ltd. ("StarPoint"), incorporated under the laws of
the United Kingdom on November 18, 1998 (owned 51% by Telelines); and
7) StarGlobal Ltd. ("StarGlobal"), incorporated under the laws of Jersey,
Channel Islands on November 24, 1998 (owned 100% by Telelines).
[LETTERHEAD OF MERDINGER, FRUCHTER, ROSEN & CORSO, P.C.]
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in this annual report on Form 10-KSB of our report
dated June 15, 1999 relating to the consolidated financial statements of UTG
Communications International, Inc. and Subsidiaries.
/s/ Merdinger, Fruchter, Rosen & Corso, P.C.
MERDINGER, FRUCHTER, ROSEN & CORSO, P.C.
Certified Public Accountants
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from UTG
Communications International, Inc. and Subsidiaries and is qualified in it's
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999
<CASH> 402,925
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 1,539,541
<ALLOWANCES> 372,314
<INVENTORY> 606,140
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,454,944
<PP&E> 4,738,328
<DEPRECIATION> 2,158,682
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 7,198,115
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,835,637
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 16
<OTHER-SE> 1,517,292
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 7,198,115
<SALES> 5,400,256
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 5,400,256
<CGS> 2,219,849
<TOTAL-COSTS> 4,237,686
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 108,697
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 78,360
<INCOME-PRETAX> (2,671,415)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,671,415)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (2,671,415)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.80)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.80)
</TABLE>
