SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO ___________
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 333-46197
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URSUS TELECOM CORPORATION
(EXACT NAME OF THE REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
FLORIDA 65-0398306
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
440 SAWGRASS CORPORATE PARKWAY, SUITE 112, SUNRISE, FLORIDA 33325
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (954) 846-7887
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE
TITLE OF EACH CLASS: ON WHICH REGISTERED:
Common Stock, $.01 par Nasdaq National Market
value
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes _ No X
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the Registrant on June 30, 1998, was $12,750,000 (based on the last trade on
June 30, 1998 at $8.50 per share). As of June 30, 1998, there were 1,000 shares
of Series A Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, issued and outstanding,
and 6,500,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share ("Common Stock"),
issued and outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
NONE.
<PAGE>
URSUS TELECOM CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1. Business.......................................................1
Item 2. Properties....................................................26
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.............................................26
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders...........26
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters...........................................26
Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data..........................29
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations.....................................29
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk...40
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data..................40
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure......................................40
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant...........41
Item 11. Executive Compensation.......................................43
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management...................................................44
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions...............45
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on
Form 8-K......................................................46
Glossary of Terms......................................................47
<PAGE>
PART I
REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE GLOSSARY COMMENCING ON PAGE 47, OF THIS REPORT FOR
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS
AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS REPORT.
WHEN USED IN THIS REPORT, THE WORDS "MAY," "WILL," "EXPECT," "ANTICIPATE,"
"CONTINUE," "ESTIMATE," "PROJECT," "INTEND," AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ARE
INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION
27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934 REGARDING EVENTS, CONDITIONS, AND FINANCIAL TRENDS THAT MAY AFFECT THE
COMPANY'S FUTURE PLANS OF OPERATIONS, BUSINESS STRATEGY, OPERATING RESULTS, AND
FINANCIAL POSITION. PERSONS REVIEWING THIS REPORT ARE CAUTIONED THAT ANY
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE NOT GUARANTEES OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE AND ARE
SUBJECT TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES AND THAT ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY
FROM THOSE INCLUDED WITHIN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF VARIOUS
FACTORS. SUCH FACTORS ARE DISCUSSED UNDER THE HEADINGS "ITEM 1. BUSINESS," AND
"ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS," AND ALSO INCLUDE GENERAL ECONOMIC FACTORS AND CONDITIONS THAT
MAY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IMPACT THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL CONDITION OR RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Ursus Telecom Corporation ("Ursus" or the "Company") is an international
telecommunications company that exploits favorable market niches by providing
competitive and technologically advanced telecommunications services. The
Company focuses on small-and medium-sized businesses located in emerging or
deregulating markets, including South Africa, Latin America, the Middle East
(primarily Lebanon and Egypt), Russia and France. The Company serves these
markets through a network of independent exclusive agents. The Company believes
that it derives a significant competitive advantage from this exclusive agent
network. Each agent provides marketing, customer support, billing and
collections, in local language and time, utilizing a proprietary turn-key agency
support system developed and provided by the Company. Each agent is supplied
near real time data for customer management, usage analysis, and billing from
the Company's local and wide area network. Through its agent network, the
Company develops and maintains close relationships with vendors of telephone
systems such as Siemens, Plessey and Alcatel in key markets in order to promote
the Ursus line of telecommunications services, allowing the Company to offer
competitively priced and value added services that compare favorably to the
pricing and service offerings of the ITOs.
Ursus has traditionally entered a particular market using call
reorigination, a system that provides the Company's overseas customers the
opportunity to access a U.S.-based switching center by means of a manual or
transparent automated dialing procedure, or other methods that provide a U.S.
dial tone to its foreign customers. Call reorigination provides a customer with
the convenience and rate economies provided by a U.S. dial tone, as opposed to
locally imposed international rates, which may be substantially higher. The
Company derives approximately 76% of its revenues from call reorigination. In
order to remain price competitive and to mitigate the high proportion of
variable costs per minute associated with call reorigination, the Company plans
to expand its direct access services by locating switching platforms at network
centers of major telecommunications providers, such as MCI WorldCom, Cable and
Wireless and France Telecom, and by deploying smaller network access nodes in
less populated service areas. This network topology, which the Company will
first use in France, provides subscribers with direct access service for voice
and fax. Ultimately, where regulatory conditions are favorable and calling
volumes are adequate to cover the associated fixed costs, the Company intends to
migrate some of its customers from call reorigination to direct access service.
Ursus plans to expand by increasing sales to existing customers; by
expanding the business generated by its existing agents; by selling wholesale
services to other carriers; and through selected acquisitions. The Company
believes that its proprietary enterprise software system provides an efficient
infrastructure for back room processing, thereby giving it a strategic advantage
over its competitors. The Company's computerized back office systems handle
traditionally labor intensive processing tasks such as call rating, customer
registration, billing and network management with a high degree of efficiency
and short turn-around time. Management believes that these efficiencies would
facilitate the rapid and economical consolidation of acquired competitors.
The Company operates the Network (as defined) from its technical facilities
in Sunrise, Florida, using a hybrid network of Internet, Intranet and circuit
based facilities, and plans to expand its primary digital switching platform and
secondary network access nodes, thereby expanding its services in a reliable,
flexible and cost effective manner. The Company also plans to exploit its market
penetration and technological sophistication through the application of IP
telephony technology, particularly for fax transmissions. Faxing represents a
large portion of the overall international telecommunications business, and IP
faxing offers significant cost savings and favorable regulatory treatment. IP
telephony technology creates the opportunity to bypass the switched telephone
network by using cost-effective packet switched networks such as private
Intranets and/or the public Internet for the delivery of fax and voice
communications. To exploit these opportunities and to further reduce its costs,
the Company plans to use a portion of the proceeds from its initial public
offering which was consummated on May 18, 1998 (the "Public Offering") to
establish a hybrid network for IP fax and voice services. The Company believes
that this application could increase the gross margins of its existing and
future retail business and allow it to accelerate its growth strategy.
The Company expects that call reorigination will continue to serve as a low
cost and profitable method of opening new markets and expects to continue this
method of business development in certain regulated markets in Africa, the
Middle East, Europe and Asia. Reoriginating a U.S. dialtone requires little
investment in equipment and limited capital deployment in a foreign territory,
thus allowing the Company to develop a customer base by effectively exploiting
the difference between the local IDD rate and the generally more favorable rates
the Company enjoys in the U.S. The Company has successfully used this strategy
to develop foreign markets and has thereby created a revenue stream with little
more than marketing and incremental call costs. In addition, using IP telephony
technology, concurrently with call reorigination, could significantly improve
the profitability of this business segment, without requiring the substantial
investments in switches of a direct access network. Accordingly, the Company's
strategy is to deploy IP telephony technology where feasible in order to create
a hybrid network capable of carrying significant amounts of customer traffic on
a low cost platform with a modest initial capital investment. This strategy
mitigates the risk that the Company will not attain, in some of its markets, the
critical mass of business required to amortize the fixed costs of a direct
access network and affords the Company the opportunity to develop a market with
a relatively small financial risk.
In summary, the Company intends to become a significant provider of
international telecommunications services within the emerging and deregulating
markets. The Company intends to maximize its profit potential by leveraging its
existing infrastructure, market penetration, expanding customer base and growing
U.S. wholesale business. By using its independent agent network, efficient back
office systems, and favorable vendor relationships with some of the major U.S.
telecommunications carriers, the Company believes it can gain strategic
advantages while capitalizing on the opportunities presented by deregulation and
technological advances in the global telecommunications industry.
Ursus provides an array of basic and value added services to its customers,
which include:
- long distance international telephone services
- direct dial access for corporate customers
- dedicated access for high volume users
- calling cards
- abbreviated dialing
- international fax store and forward
- switched Internet services
- itemized and multicurrency billing
- follow me calling
- enhanced call management and reporting services
THE COMPANY'S SERVICES
The Company's principal services include:
- Ursus ComNet - enables virtual private network calling to
members of a closed user group subject only to regulatory
limitations.
- Ursus ComPlus Gold - provides dedicated access via a leased
line from the customer to the Ursus Telecom Network, permitting
calling without dialing access or location codes.
- Ursus ComPlus - provides a paid (local) access or
toll-free number programmed to dial an existing phone number or
system, generally in another country, without the need for special
circuits or modifications. This service also provides "anywhere to
anywhere" international call reorigination access through manual,
automatic, X.25 or data network call reorigination. These services
are also offered with ITFS access, subject to pricing
considerations.
- Ursus FaxNet - this service allows subscribers to send
faxes to a local fax server which then uses the Internet and other
proprietary data networks to route the fax to the most economical
corresponding fax server for delivery. This technology promises to
become a significant part of the overall Ursus Network and will be
deployed in strategic cities throughout selected markets when
trials are completed in the first quarter of the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1999. The Company is currently deploying a network of
Internet Fax Servers in several countries including Lebanon,
Ecuador, Argentina and South Africa. Further deployments are
expected by mid-to late fiscal year 1998 in certain other countries
in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
- Ursus ComPlus Travel - provides calling card access
from over 56 countries utilizing the Company's ITFS numbers. In
addition, the Company utilizes the USA DIRECT Home Country Direct
numbers of AT&T from over 136 countries to provide a premium
calling card service. By arrangement with AT&T, AT&T connects its
USA DIRECT numbers via a code to the Ursus switch in Sunrise,
Florida where the customer may dial over the Ursus Network while
traveling.
THE NETWORK
The Network uses a high capacity, programmable switching platform designed
to deploy network-based intelligent services quickly and cost effectively. The
switches are modular and scaleable and incorporate advanced technologies such as
hierarchical call control and network management software. This type of switches
can also provide a bridge between various protocols and standards. As the
Network continues to evolve, the installed base of switches could be upgraded
easily to create a cost-effective, scaleable switching point in a software
intelligence-based network. The Network's "intelligent switches" incorporate
proprietary software to achieve least cost routing ("LCR"), the process by which
the Company optimizes the routing of calls over the Network to every directly
dialable country in the world. LCR allows calls that are not routed over the
Network to be routed directly from the Company's switch through the
infrastructure of contracting carriers to their destinations at the lowest
available rates. These switching capabilities also enable the Company to
efficiently perform billing functions and account activation and to provide
value-added services. The Company relies upon Symmetrical Optical Network
("SONET") fiber optic facilities to multiple carriers to provide redundancy in
the event of technical difficulties in the Network. The Company maintains
redundant switching facilities in Sunrise, Florida to provide protection for its
switching operations. The Company's strategy is to monitor its anticipated
traffic volume on a regular basis and to increase carrier trunking capacity
before reaching the capacity limitations of such circuits.
The Company's customers access its services either through "dial up access"
or "direct access." Dial up access is obtained via: (i) paid access, which
requires the customer to pay the local PTO for the cost of a local call, where
appropriate, in order to access the Company's services ; (ii) call
reorigination, which enables the customer to receive a return call providing a
dial tone originated from the Company's Sunrise, Florida switching center by
ITFS; (iii) Home Country Direct, which accesses the Sunrise, Florida switching
center by direct dial; or (iv) Dedicated Access (Direct Access) from wholesale
carrier customers in North America. Direct access allows accessing a network by
using a permanent point-to-point circuit typically leased from a
facilities-based carrier. The advantages of direct access include simplified
premises-to-anywhere calling, faster call set-up times and potentially lower
access and transmission costs, provided there is an adequate level of traffic
over the circuit to generate economies of scale.
To reduce the variable telecommunications costs and improve usage, the
Company is, where regulations permit, in the process of changing its customer
base from call reorigination and ITFS access to paid access, and, ultimately to
direct access. Until regulations permit, all customers outside of the
Europe/Russia area are expected to continue to access the Company's services
through call reorigination or ITFS numbers. The exception to this rule is the
Bahamas, where the Company's subscriber base utilizes a Home Country Direct
number provided by Batelco, the local Bahamian PTO, under a bilateral
correspondent agreement.
Currently, the Company's Network is primarily used to originate and
terminate international long distance traffic for its own subscribed customer
base. The Company intends to further leverage its Network and foreign presence
to take advantage of anticipated settlement agreement obsolescence by offering
other carriers and ITOs an alternative to the traditional settlement process for
origination and termination of long distance traffic. This process is known as
"Refiling." The FCC issued directives in December 1996 encouraging circumvention
of settlements in the historic sense where possible. This change is likely to
create new opportunities with ITO partners in emerging markets.
The economic benefits to the Company of owning and operating its own direct
access Network arise from reduced variable transmission costs. Calls not routed
through the Network generate significantly higher variable costs because they
are connected using relatively expensive ITFS numbers or call reorigination. In
contrast, because the Network has significant fixed costs associated with its
operations, consisting primarily of leased line rental charges, local
connectivity and facility/network management costs, calls routed through the
Network have lower variable costs than off-network traffic. However, for the
foreseeable future, the Company will, for economic reasons, piggyback on the
networks of major global operators. Consequently, it will only install its own
fixed facilities when existing traffic on a carrier route is adequate to offset
the costs of installation.
The Company plans, however, to deploy a network of IP telephony fax servers
in selected countries by the end of 1998. To avoid the high fixed costs of a
switched telephone network the Company plans to develop a hybrid network of IP
telephony technology for the delivery of fax and eventually voice transmissions.
TECHNOLOGY
Deregulation of telecommunications markets throughout the world has
coincided with substantial technological innovation. The proliferation of
digital fiber-optic cable in and between major markets has significantly
increased transmission capacity, speed and flexibility. Improvements in computer
software and processing technology have enabled telecommunications providers to
offer a broad range of enhanced voice and data services. Advances in technology
also have created multiple ways for telecommunications carriers to provide
customer access to their networks and services. These include customer-paid
local access, international and national toll-free access, direct digital access
through a dedicated line, equal access through automated routing from the PSTN
(as defined), IP telephony and call reorigination. The type of access offered
depends on the proximity of switching facilities to the customer, customer
needs, and the regulatory environment. Overall, these changes have resulted in a
trend towards bypassing traditional international long distance operating
agreements as international long distance companies seek to operate more
efficiently. As countries deregulate, the demand for alternative access methods
typically decreases because carriers are permitted to offer a wider range of
facilities-based services on a transparent basis. The most common form of
traditional alternative international access, call reorigination, avoids high
international rates offered by the ITO in a particular regulated country by
providing a dial tone from a deregulated country, typically the United States.
Technical innovations, ranging from inexpensive dialers to sophisticated
in-country switching platforms, have enabled telecommunications carriers such as
the Company to offer a "transparent" form of call reorigination, thereby
avoiding complicated end-customer usage procedures. To place a call using
traditional call reorigination, a user dials a unique phone number to an
international carrier's switching center and then hangs up after it rings or
alternatively, if using a transparent processing method, a dialer automatically
performs these dialing functions. The user then receives an automated call
reorigination providing a dial tone from the U.S., which enables the user to
complete the call.
The Company's research and development efforts have been nominal and have
focused almost exclusively upon refining and upgrading its back office computer
systems. The Company has neither the resources nor the expertise to derive any
significant advantages from research or development into telecommunications
equipment and prefers to use the equipment developed by others. By devoting its
resources to its computer systems and back office procedures, the Company
believes that it has developed an efficient and flexible operating system,
minimized its payroll and maximized the efficiency of its back office
operations. See "--Management Information Systems."
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Company has made significant investments developing and implementing
sophisticated information systems which enable the Company to: (i) monitor and
respond to customer needs by developing new and customized services; (ii) manage
LCR (as defined); (iii) provide customized billing information; (iv) provide
high quality customer service; (v) detect and minimize fraud; (vi) verify
payables to suppliers; and (vii) rapidly integrate new customers. The Company
believes that its network intelligence, billing and financial reporting systems
enhances its ability to competitively meet the increasingly complex and
demanding requirements of the international long distance markets. The Company
continuously provides enhancements and ongoing development to maintain its state
of the art of its switching, billing and information service platforms.
The Company currently has a turnaround time of approximately 24 hours for
new account entry. The Company's billing system provides multi-currency billing,
itemized call detail, city level detail for destination reporting and electronic
output for select accounts. Customers are provided with several payment options,
including automated credit card processing and automated direct debiting.
The Company has developed proprietary software to provide
telecommunications services and render customer support. In contrast to most
traditional telecommunications companies, the software used to support the
Company's enterprise resides outside of the switches and "canned" closed systems
and, therefore, does not currently rely on third party manufacturers for
upgrades. The Company believes its software configuration facilitates the rapid
development and deployment of new services and provides the Company with a
competitive advantage. The Company's Sunrise, Florida central switch has a call
detail recording function which enables the Company to: (i) achieve accurate and
rapid collection of call records; (ii) detect fraud and unauthorized usage; and
(iii) permit rapid call detail record analysis and rating.
The Company also uses its proprietary software in analyzing traffic
patterns and determining network usage, busy hour percentage, originating
traffic by switching center, terminating traffic by supplier and originating
traffic by customer. This data is utilized to optimize LCR, which may result in
call traffic being transmitted over the Company's transmission facilities, other
carriers' transmission facilities or a combination of such facilities. If
traffic cannot be handled over the least cost route due to overflow, the LCR
system is designed to transmit the traffic over the next available least cost
route.
The Company develops its software in-house utilizing its own staff of
programmers.
INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP) TELEPHONY
Virtually all of today's voice and fax traffic is carried over the Public
Switched Telephone Network ("PSTN"). Phone switches either owned by the ITOs or
other enterprise common carriers and resellers allow ordinary telephones and fax
machines to reach one another anywhere in the world. The advent of IP telephony
has created the opportunity to bypass today's switched telephone network and use
cost-effective packet switched networks (Intranet) and/or the public Internet
for the delivery of voice and fax communications. Prior to 1995, the market for
IP telephony products was virtually nonexistent. It was commonly believed that
quality voice communications across the Internet/Intranet was impossible. This
situation dramatically changed with the introduction of a new class of products
which significantly enhanced voice transmissions over the Internet/Intranet. As
a class of products, this is referred to as IP telephony. As companies realized
that quality IP telephony communication was possible, they quickly joined the
race to capitalize on the opportunity. Desktop software offering computer-to
computer communication flourished due in part to the explosive growth of the
Internet. The current generation of IP telephony applications allows users to
make calls using a standard telephone and a centralized Internet/Intranet
substituting for the PSTN. This centralized IP connection is accomplished via IP
telephony gateway servers. The principle behind such a system is similar to IP
telephony desktop applications, but rather than using the microphone and
speakers connected to multimedia PCs, users speak into a standard telephone
connected to a PBX (as defined). To place a call, the caller would dial the
number of the party they are calling, just like making a call-through the PSTN.
The PBX would then route the call-through the IP telephony gateway via a
programmed trunk interface and the gateway contacts another gateway at the
called site. Several companies have developed and are currently using this
technology. Furthermore, developments in hardware, software and networks are
expected to continue to improve the quality and viability of IP telephony. In
time, packet-switched networks may become less expensive to operate than
circuit-switched networks, primarily because carriers can compress voice traffic
and thereby can place more calls on a single line.
AGREEMENTS WITH INDEPENDENT AGENTS
From its inception in 1993 to the present, the Company's sales and
marketing efforts have been primarily conducted through exclusive independent
agents in each of its markets. Each of these independent agents operate in
accordance with a model of practices and procedures developed by the Company,
and settle all customer invoices (net of the agency's commission share) directly
with the Company within a prescribed period, generally less than 40 days. The
Company may reduce its reliance upon its existing independent agents by
expanding its business through strategic acquisitions or may make equity
investments in certain independent agents. In addition, the Company may in the
future start to enroll non-exclusive independent agents to cover new
territories.
Each prospective agent is required to submit a business plan and
demonstrate the financial resources and commitment required to carry out its
marketing and customer service plan approved by the Company prior to its
appointment. Each agent is licensed by and required to do business in the name
of the Company and execute subscriber agreements with end users on behalf of and
for the benefit of the Company.
The Company knows of no competitor that operates in this manner and
attributes this program with its successful market penetration, high degree of
customer satisfaction and rapid collections cycle. Most of the costs of
marketing, sales and customer service are paid from the commissions retained by
each of the agents.
The Company's agreements with its independent exclusive agents typically
provide for a five-year term with an optional renewal for two additional terms
of three years and a two-year non-compete clause effective upon termination of
the agreement. Furthermore, the agreements require the agents to offer the
Company's services at rates prescribed by the Company and to abide by the
Company's marketing and sales policies and rules. Agent compensation is paid
directly by the Company and is based exclusively upon payment for the Company's
services by customer funds the agents obtain for the Company. The commission
paid to agents ranges between 15 to 20% of revenues received by the Company and
varies depending on individual contracts, the exclusivity of the agency and the
type of service sold. Commissions are paid each month based on payments received
during the prior month from receivables collected by the agent. Agents settle
their accounts with the Company in U.S. Dollars and therefore bear the risk of
fluctuations in the exchange rates between the local currency and the U.S.
Dollar. Agents are held accountable for customer collections and are responsible
for bad debt attributable to customers they enroll.
In mid-1997 the Company initiated discussions with certain of its exclusive
agents with regard to the acquisition of an equity interest in their agencies.
The Company believes that it would be beneficial to have an ownership interest
in its key marketing and customer service organizations while maintaining the
benefits derived from the local expertise of the exclusive agent, as well as the
productivity derived from local ownership and profit making. The Company
believes that this strategy will provide the Company with the benefits derived
from direct ownership of the local sales organization while retaining the
benefits of the existing entrepreneurial structure. Other than with respect to
pending agreements in France and South Africa, the Company has no agreement to
purchase an interest in any of its agents. See "--Purchase of Equity Interest in
South African Agent."
CUSTOMER BASE
The Company's target customers are small and medium-sized businesses with
significant international telephone usage (i.e., generally in excess of $500 in
international phone calls per month). The Company also provides its services to
a growing base of individual retail customers. The corporate market includes
manufacturers, distributors, trading companies, financial institutions, and
import-export companies, for which long distance telecommunications service
represents a significant business expense, and such customers are therefore
focused on value and quality. It is estimated that small and medium-sized
businesses account for the majority of all businesses, and the Company believes
that in most markets they account for a significant percentage of the
international long distance traffic originated in those markets. For example,
the EU estimates that in 1996 there were 15 million small and medium-sized
businesses in the EU and that these businesses accounted for more than one half
of all jobs in the EU in 1996, almost half of all business revenue and about $30
billion per year in total telecommunications revenue.
The Company believes that small- and medium-sized businesses have generally
been under served by the major global telecommunications carriers and the ITOs,
which have focused on offering their lowest rates and best services primarily to
higher volume multinational business customers. The Company offers these
small-and medium-sized companies significantly discounted international calling
rates compared to the standard rates charged by the major carriers and ITOs.
The Company also plans to offer international termination services to other
carriers, including resellers, on a wholesale basis, as a "carriers' carrier."
The Company's carrier customers as a group currently provide the Company with a
relatively stable customer base and thereby assist the Company in projecting
potential utilization of its network facilities. In addition, the potentially
significant levels of traffic volume that could be generated by such carrier
customers may enable the Company to obtain larger usage discounts based on
potential volume commitments. The Company believes that revenues from its
carrier customers will represent a growing portion of the Company's overall
revenues in the future.
The Company also targets residential customers with high international
calling patterns such as ethnic communities and plans to increase the marketing
of prepaid calling cards.
EXPANSION PLANS
Pursuant to its formation of a joint venture with its French agents, the
Company recently installed a switch in Paris with inter-connectivity to some of
the major carriers operating in the Paris marketplace. During the next twelve
months, the Company plans to install additional switches and POP's in Europe and
upgrade its switch in,Florida in order to expand its accessibility outside of
the switch locations.
Expansion plans in Russia include the planned installation of a switch to
service larger corporate customers that require direct connections to the
Network via digital dedicated subscriber facilities. The switch will be
integrated with the Company's existing facilities that currently back-haul all
traffic originated on direct dial up access from Moscow to Sunrise, Florida.
The Company expects to expand and proliferate its Network and its services
on a more rapid basis by deploying additional switches and POPs and installing
fixed facilities to interconnect POPs and nodes, in addition to deploying its IP
telephony based fax and voice services.
The Company intends to enter additional markets and expand its operations
through acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and the establishment
of new operations. The Company will consider acquisitions of certain competitors
which have a high quality customer base and which would, upon consolidation with
the Company's operations, become profitable. In addition the Company may acquire
equity interests in its existing agents and may pursue partnership arrangements
in emerging and maturing markets with existing sales organizations and other
non-defined telecommunications entities.
<PAGE>
PURCHASE OF EQUITY INTEREST IN SOUTH AFRICAN AGENT
On August 12, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with its largest
independent agent, located in South Africa, to acquire an equity interest in the
agent. The agreement provides for the Company to make deposits on the purchase
price in an amount equal to 9% of the revenues that this agent generates for the
Company for the period from August 1, 1997 through January 31, 1998. The
percentage ownership in the agent that the Company will acquire will be based on
a formula that values the agent at approximately six times its average monthly
revenues for the months of October, November and December 1997. At March 31,
1998, deposits of approximately $377,000 have been made under this agreement and
are included in other assets on the Company's balance sheet. Based on this
valuation formula, the agent has been valued at approximately $4.4 million.
Based on the revenues generated for the Company by the independent agent for the
period from August 1, 1997 through January 31, 1998, the Company will purchase
an equity interest of 8.59% in the agent for $377,141. However, the South
African agent retains an option for a limited period of time to cancel the
arrangement under certain circumstances provided the Agent reimburses in full
the prepaid deposits made to the Agent by the Company.
FORMATION OF FRENCH SUBSIDIARY
On November 20, 1997, the Company entered into a letter of intent with
respect to a proposed joint venture with Central Call and Mondial Telecom, its
French agents. Pursuant to the letter of intent, as amended, the Company
organized Ursus Telecom France, a limited liability company, capitalized at
FF50,000 or approximately $8,300. The Company holds 50% plus two shares of the
Ursus Telecom France. The remaining shares are held equally by Central Call and
Mondial Telecom. The results of Ursus Telecom France have been consolidated with
those of the Company as a subsidiary.
The letter of intent calls for the Company to pay within six months after
the completion of the Public Offering, a cash sum that equals three and one-half
times the average monthly retail traffic revenues contributed to the venture by
Central Call and Mondial Telecom over the months of February, March and April
1998. This payment is considered an advance towards the share purchase program
as described below. The letter of intent requires that Ursus Telecom France
commence operations by January 31, 1998. Ursus Telecom France effectively
commenced operations on March 1, 1998. The letter of intent was amended on April
17, 1998 to reflect the effective commencement of operations, and to adjust the
valuation months to March, April and May, 1998.
Central Call and Mondial Telecom have the right to require that the Company
purchase the shares held in the joint venture by Central Call and Mondial
Telecom in any one of the following three manners: (a) in three installments of
33.33% each on the first, second and third anniversary of the Company's Public
Offering, (b) in two installments, the first of 66.66% on the second anniversary
of the Company's Public Offering and the remaining 33.33% on the third
anniversary or (c) in one installment on the third anniversary of the Company's
Public Offering . A purchase of shares by the Company from Central Call or
Mondial Telecom, if any, will be accounted for as a purchase.
The valuation for these subsequent share purchases will depend on whether
the Company pays in cash or issues its stock as payment. The cash purchase price
would value the joint venture at 5.5 times average monthly retail revenues; and
the stock price would be based on an enterprise value of eight times average
monthly retail revenues. These enterprise values would be multiplied by the
percentage interest being acquired to determine the purchase price. The Company
reserves the option to choose among one of the two available payment and
valuation methods after consultation with Central Call and Mondial Telecom.
<PAGE>
FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPANY'S
BUSINESS, OPERATING RESULTS, AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
IN ADDITION TO OTHER INFORMATION IN THIS FORM 10-K, THE FOLLOWING RISK
FACTORS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN EVALUATING THE COMPANY AND ITS
BUSINESS BECAUSE SUCH FACTORS CURRENTLY MAY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE
COMPANY'S BUSINESS, OPERATING RESULTS, AND FINANCIAL CONDITION. AS A RESULT OF
THE RISK FACTORS SET FORTH BELOW AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS FORM 10-K, ACTUAL RESULTS
COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.
OPERATING RISKS
Historically, the Company has derived a significant portion of its revenues
by providing call reorigination services. The Company believes that as
deregulation occurs and competition increases in certain international markets,
the pricing advantage of call reorigination relative to conventional
international long distance service will diminish and may disappear in certain
markets. To maintain its existing customer base and attract new business in such
markets, the Company anticipates that it will have to offer direct access
services to certain destinations at prices significantly below the current
prices charged for call reorigination. The Company will seek to satisfy this
requirement in selected target markets by migrating its existing call
reorigination customers and attracting new business through deployment of direct
access and other call-through access methods, including IP telephony. There can
be no assurance that the Company will succeed in such efforts. Failure to
accomplish this objective could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
In many of the Company's existing and target markets, the Company offers or
intends to offer new services or services that have previously been provided
only by the local ITOs. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such
operations will generate operating or net income, and the Company's prospects
must therefore be considered in light of the risks, expenses, problems and
delays inherent in establishing a new business in a rapidly changing industry.
The Company's overall gross margins may fluctuate in the future based on its mix
of wholesale (selling minutes to other carriers) and retail (selling directly to
end-user customers) international long distance services and the percentage of
calls using direct access compared to call reorigination, in addition to the
reaction to any significant international long distance rate reductions imposed
by ITOs to counter external competitive threats.
As a strategic response to a changing competitive environment, the Company
may elect from time to time to make certain pricing, service or marketing
decisions or enter into acquisitions, investments and strategic alliances that
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. The Company believes that its industry has
reached a stage of development insofar as the gross profit margins associated
with its early stages have yielded to a more moderated profit margin structure
on an industry-wide basis. Furthermore, the Company's strategic decisions to
reduce its pricing structure in particular markets to gain additional market
share and achieve operating efficiencies may materially adversely affect the
profitability of the Company's operations in such markets. As a result of the
foregoing factors, the Company may in the future experience materially adverse
circumstances that could reduce the price of the Company's Common Stock. See
"Risks Associated with Expansion by Acquisitions, Strategic Alliances and
Similar Transactions" and "Item 7-Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
RISKS OF INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS
The Company's international telecommunications business is subject to
certain risks, such as changes in foreign governmental regulations and
telecommunications standards, licensing requirements, tariffs, taxes, customs,
duties and other trade barriers, as well as political and economic instability.
In addition, the Company's revenues and cost of long distance services are
sensitive to changes in international settlement rates, changes in the ratios
between outgoing and incoming traffic, and the Company's ability to obtain
international transmission facilities. International rates charged to customers
are likely to decrease in the future for a variety of reasons, including
increased competition between existing carriers, entry of new carriers into
niche markets and the consummation of joint ventures among large international
carriers that facilitate targeted pricing and cost reductions. In addition, the
Company's business could be adversely affected by a reversal in the current
trend toward deregulation of government-owned telecommunications carriers. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to increase its traffic volume
or reduce its operating costs sufficiently to offset any resulting rate
decreases.
RISKS RELATING TO EMERGING MARKETS
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Company derived approximately
79% of its revenues from operations in emerging markets, where the Company's
businesses are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including political,
economic and legal risks, such as unexpected changes in regulatory requirements,
tariffs, customs, duties and other trade barriers, difficulties in staffing and
managing foreign operations, problems in collecting accounts receivable, foreign
exchange controls which restrict or prohibit repatriation of funds, technology
export and import restrictions or prohibitions, delays from customs brokers or
government agencies, seasonal reductions in business activity, and potentially
adverse tax consequences resulting from operating in multiple jurisdictions with
different tax laws, which could materially adversely impact the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
The political systems of many of the emerging market countries in which the
Company operates or plans to operate are slowly emerging from a legacy of
totalitarian rule. Political conflict and, in some cases, civil unrest and
ethnic strife may continue in some of these countries for a period of time. Many
of the economies of these countries are weak, volatile and reliant on
substantial foreign assistance. Expropriation of private businesses in such
jurisdictions remains a possibility, whether by an outright taking or by
confiscatory tax or other policies. There can be no assurance that the Company's
operations will not be materially and adversely affected by such factors.
Legal systems in emerging market countries frequently have little or no
experience with commercial transactions between private parties. The extent to
which contractual and other obligations will be honored and enforced in emerging
market countries is largely unknown. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that
difficulties in protecting and enforcing rights in emerging market countries
will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company and its operations.
Additionally, the Company's businesses operate in uncertain regulatory
environments. The laws and regulations applicable to the Company's activities in
emerging market countries are in general new and subject to arbitrary change
and, in some cases, incomplete. There can be no assurance that local laws and
regulations will become stable in the future, or that changes thereto will not
materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition or
results of operations.
DEPENDENCE ON INDEPENDENT EXCLUSIVE AGENTS
The Company provides its services through a network of independent and
exclusive agents. Its international market penetration primarily reflects the
marketing, sales and customer service activities of these agents, who market the
Company's services on a commission basis. As of March 31, 1998, the Company had
14 agents located in approximately 27 countries. The use of these agents exposes
the Company to significant risks, including dependence on the continued
viability and financial stability of its agents. Although the Company has not
historically experienced significant attrition in agencies, there can be no
assurance that it will not suffer the loss of one or more significant agents in
the future. If one or more of these agents were to suffer financial problems,
terminate its relationship with the Company, or were unable to satisfy
customers, this could create a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition or results of operations, including, but not
limited to lost revenues, bad debt expense, lost customers, potential liability
under contracts the agents commit the Company to perform, and damage to the
Company's business reputation.
The Company's continuing success depends in substantial part on its ability
to recruit, maintain and motivate its agents. The Company is subject to
competition in the recruiting of agents from other organizations that use agents
to market their products and services, including those that market
telecommunications services. Because the Company enters into exclusive
relationships with its agents, the success of the Company's business within the
exclusive territory largely depends on the effectiveness of the local agent in
conducting its business. If an agent were to become ineffective in conducting
its business, the Company might seek to terminate its relationship with the
agent, and under certain local laws the Company's exclusive arrangements with
such agent might be difficult or expensive to terminate. The Company has entered
into non-compete agreements with its agents prohibiting their competition with
the Company during their engagement and for a period of time after its
termination, however, there can be no assurance that any such non-compete
agreement would be enforceable as a practical matter or under the applicable
laws of the jurisdiction in which an agent operates.
COMPETITION
The international telecommunications industry is highly competitive and
subject to the introduction of new services facilitated by advances in
technology. International telecommunications providers compete on the basis of
price, customer service, transmission quality, breadth of service offerings and
value-added services. The Company competes with a variety of international long
distance telecommunications providers in each of its markets, including the
respective ITO in each country in which the Company operates, various
independent providers similar to the Company in size and resources, and, to a
lesser extent, major international carriers and their global alliances. Other
potential competitors include cable television companies, wireless telephone
companies, Internet access providers and large-end users which have dedicated
circuits or private networks. Many of the Company's current or potential
competitors have substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources
than the Company. If the Company's competitors were to devote significant
additional resources to the provision of international long distance
telecommunications services to the Company's target customer base of small and
medium-sized businesses in the Company's targeted geographic markets, then the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations could be
materially adversely affected. The Company's principal method of competition is
to provide competitive service to its customers at a reasonable price. The
Company believes it is able to provide competitive service to its customers
primarily by providing value-added services, such as detailed billing, and by
utilizing a network of agents who maintain close relationships with vendors of
telephone hardware and who are knowledgeable about the telecommunications
business in their geographic markets, making them better able to respond to
customer needs. The Company maintains competitive pricing by keeping its own
costs down, principally by using its proprietary software to handle back office
billing and record keeping. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to compete successfully against new or existing competitors. See "Risks of
International Telecommunications Business."
LESSENING OF BARRIERS TO ENTRY IN MARKETS WHERE COMPANY OPERATES
The call reorigination business has a small capital requirement and
regulatory limitations often form the most significant barrier to entry. The
Company anticipates that as the markets in which it operates or will operate
continue to deregulate, the Company will increase its investments in
telecommunications infrastructure and the Company or its relevant agent will
increase marketing expenditures to address increased competition resulting from
decreased regulatory difficulties of entry into those markets, particularly
since the cost of providing telecommunications services is relatively low and
not a significant barrier to entry into the markets where the Company provides
services. As a result, the Company may experience increased operating costs in
those markets. Additional competitors with greater resources than the Company
could enter these markets and acquire customers of the Company or force the
Company to reduce its prices to maintain its customer base which could
materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
RAPID CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY AND CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS
Rapid and significant technological advancements and introductions of new
products and services utilizing new technologies characterize the
telecommunications industry. As new technologies develop, the Company may be
placed at a competitive disadvantage, and competitive pressures may force the
Company to implement new technologies at substantial cost. In addition,
competitors may implement new technologies before the Company is able to
implement such technologies, allowing those competitors to provide enhanced
services and quality, or services at more competitive costs, compared with that
which the Company is able to provide. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to respond to such competitive pressures and implement such
technologies on a timely basis or at an acceptable cost. One or more of the
technologies currently utilized by the Company, or which it may implement in the
future, may not be preferred by its customers or may become obsolete. If the
Company is unable to respond to competitive pressures, implement new
technologies on a timely basis, or penetrate new markets in a timely manner in
response to changing market conditions or customer requirements, or if new or
enhanced services offered by the Company do not achieve a significant degree of
market acceptance, then the Company's business, financial condition and results
of operations could be materially adversely affected. See "Risks of
International Telecommunications Business" and "Competition."
RISK OF NETWORK FAILURE
The success of the Company largely depends upon its ability to deliver high
quality, uninterrupted telecommunication services, and on its ability to protect
its software and hardware against damage from fire, earthquake, power loss,
telecommunications failure, natural disaster such as hurricanes and similar
events. Any systems or hardware failure that causes interruptions in the
Company's operations could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Because the Company at the present time operates only two switches, physical
damage to these facilities (including damage by hurricane) could not be remedied
by using redundant facilities of the Company located elsewhere, and could have a
material adverse effect on the Company. As the Company expands and call traffic
grows, there will be increased stress on hardware, circuit capacity and traffic
management systems. There can be no assurance that the Company will not
experience system failures. The Company's operations also depend on its ability
to successfully expand and integrate new and emerging technologies and
equipment, which could increase the risk of system failure and result in further
strains. The Company attempts to mitigate customer inconvenience in the event of
a system disruption by routing traffic to other circuits and switches which may
be owned by other carriers and to minimize its own risk of loss in the event of
Network failure by maintaining insurance in commercially reasonable amounts.
However, significant or prolonged system failures, or difficulties for customers
in accessing and maintaining connection would result in an uninsurable risk,
including damage to the Company's reputation, attrition and financial loss. Any
damage to the Company's operations center would have a negative impact on the
Company and its ability to maintain its operations and generate accurate call
detail reports.
CREDIT RISKS
Many of the foreign countries in which the Company operates do not have
established credit bureaus, thereby making it more difficult to ascertain the
creditworthiness of potential customers. Under the Company's exclusive agency
arrangements, the agent, and not the Company, is responsible for analyzing the
creditworthiness of the customer and assumes this credit risk. The Company
believes that using this local platform for its business minimizes its credit
risk, and the Company's bad debt expenses have historically been minimal.
However, the Company has in certain circumstances supported its agency
relationships by bearing some credit losses. Also, there is a credit risk
inherent in the use of independent agents by the Company because the agent, and
not the ultimate user of the Company's services, is responsible for the payment.
There can be no assurance that, with regard to any particular time period or
periods, particular geographic location or locations or any particular agent or
agents, the Company's bad debt expense will not rise significantly above
historic or anticipated levels. While the Company continually seeks to minimize
bad debt, the Company's experience indicates that a certain portion of past due
receivables will never be collected and that such bad debt is a necessary cost
of conducting business in the telecommunications industry. As the Company
implements its plans to expand its customer base and wholesale business and move
into new territories, whether directly, through arrangements with agents, equity
investments in agents, acquisitions or otherwise, the credit risk to which the
Company is exposed will increase. See "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH AND IMPLEMENTING EXPANSION STRATEGY
The Company has experienced significant growth in recent periods. The
Company's ability to manage and respond to growth will be critical to its
success. The Company anticipates that future growth will depend on a number of
factors, including the effective and timely development of customer
relationships, the ability to enter new markets and expand in existing markets,
and the recruitment, motivation and retention of qualified agents. Sustaining
growth will require the continuing enhancement of the Company's operational
systems and additional management, operational and financial resources. If the
Company is successful in its growth strategy, there will be additional demands
on its customer support, marketing, distribution and other resources. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to manage its expanding operations
effectively or that it will be able to maintain or accelerate its rate of
growth. See "Item 7.- Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
The Company's strategy is to continue its growth by expanding its service
offerings and principal geographic markets in Africa, the Middle East, Latin
America and targeted areas of Europe and Russia, especially in deregulating
markets. To accommodate its growth strategy, the Company will be required to
invest additional capital and resources to enhance its information systems by
replacing or upgrading certain existing systems and integrating new systems.
There can be no assurance that the Company can add services or expand its
geographic markets or that existing regulatory barriers to its current or future
operations will be reduced or eliminated. Even if the Company succeeds in adding
services or expanding into new markets, there can be no assurance that its
administrative, operational, infrastructure and financial resources and systems
will remain adequate. See "-Dependence on Effective Information Systems."
As the Company grows, it may have difficulty accurately forecasting its
telecommunications traffic. Inaccuracies in such forecasts could result in the
Company making investments in insufficient or excessive transmission facilities
and incurring disproportionate fixed expenses, as well as cause it to route
excessive overflow traffic to other carriers. The Company would not be able to
assure that the quality of services routed to other carriers would be
commensurate with the transmission quality provided by the Company.
Interruptions of or a decline in the quality of the Company's services resulting
from expansion difficulties could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPANSION BY ACQUISITIONS, STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND
SIMILAR TRANSACTIONS
As part of its growth strategy, the Company intends to reduce its exposure
to risks associated with the use of exclusive independent agents in existing and
new markets, by acquiring some or all of the equity interest in, entering into
joint venture arrangements with, or forming strategic alliances with, agents and
other strategic partners whose businesses complement that of the Company. If the
Company's investments in or alliances with third parties do not result in a
controlling interest or are nonexclusive arrangements, the Company may be
subject to additional business and operating risks outside of its management's
control. The Company has not entered into any such arrangements, except with
Central Call and Mondial Telecom, with which the Company has entered into a
memorandum of understanding with respect to the acquisition of customer lists,
and with Orion Telecom in South Africa where the Company will acquire an equity
interest in the South African agent. See "Purchase of Equity Interest in South
African Agent" and "Formation of French Subsidiary." Any future acquisition,
investment, strategic alliance or related effort will be accompanied by the
risks commonly encountered in such transactions or efforts. Such risks include,
among others, the difficulty of identifying appropriate acquisition candidates
or partners, the difficulty of assimilating the operations of the respective
entities, the potential disruption of the Company's ongoing business, possible
costs associated with the development and integration of such operations, the
potential inability of management to maximize the Company's financial and
strategic position by successfully incorporating licensed or acquired technology
into the Company's service offerings, the failure to maintain uniform standards,
controls, procedures and policies, the impairment of relationships with
employees, customers and agents as a result of changes in management, and higher
customer attrition with respect to customers obtained through acquisitions.
There can be no assurance that the Company would be successful in overcoming
these risks or any other problems encountered with such acquisitions,
investments, strategic alliances or related efforts.
Acquisitions also involve other risks, including changes in pricing due to
competition, difficulties in integrating the acquired operations, diversion of
management resources, obtaining any required regulatory approvals, increased
foreign exchange risk and the risks associated with entering new markets. There
can be no assurance that acquisitions, strategic alliances or any other similar
events will result in increased sales or an expanded customer base, give the
Company the presence in new territories that it seeks, or enable the Company to
effectively penetrate its target markets.
Acquisitions by the Company could entail potentially dilutive issuances of
equity securities of the Company, as well as significant transaction expenses
and interest expense, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's operating results.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The Company is required to file periodic reports with the United States
Department of Commerce, due to the ownership interest of Fincogest, S.A., a
Swiss corporation, in the Company. See "Item 12- Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management." The Company has failed to comply with certain
of these reporting requirement and is in the process of preparing reports for
filing with the Department of Commerce.
The international telecommunications industry is subject to international
treaties and agreements, and to laws and regulations that vary from country to
country. Enforcement and interpretation of these laws and regulations can be
unpredictable and are often subject to informal views of government officials
and ministries that regulate telecommunications in each country. In some cases,
such government officials and ministries are subject to influence by ITOs.
In some countries where the Company operates or plans to operate, local
laws or regulations limit or require prior government approval for the provision
of international telecommunications service in competition with state-authorized
carriers. For example, the Company's provision of services over facilities in
its Network or by purchasing minutes from other carriers for resale to its
customers, or its ownership of facilities may be affected by increased
regulatory requirements in a foreign jurisdiction. Moreover, the Company's use
of transit agreements or arrangements, if any, may be affected by laws or
regulations in either the transited or terminating foreign jurisdiction. There
can be no assurance that future regulatory, judicial, legislative or political
changes will permit the Company to offer to residents of such countries all or
any of its services or will not have a material adverse effect on the Company,
that regulators or third parties will not raise material issues regarding the
Company's compliance with applicable laws or regulations, or that regulatory
decisions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company. If the Company
is unable to provide the services which it presently provides or intends to
provide, or to use its existing or contemplated transmission methods due to its
inability to obtain or retain the requisite governmental approvals for such
services or transmission methods, or for any other reason related to regulatory
compliance or lack thereof, such developments could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company has pursued, and expects to continue to pursue, a strategy of
providing its services to the maximum extent it believes to be permissible under
applicable laws and regulations. To the extent that the interpretation or
enforcement of applicable laws and regulations is uncertain or unclear, the
Company's aggressive strategy may result in the Company's (i) providing services
or using transmission methods that are found to violate local laws or
regulations or (ii) failing to obtain approvals required under such laws or
regulations to which the Company believes that it is subject, or the Company
otherwise discovers that it is in violation of local laws and regulations and
believes that it is subject to enforcement actions by the FCC or the local
authority, it would seek to modify its operations or discontinue operations so
as to comply with such laws and regulations. There can be no assurance, however,
that the Company will not be subject to fines, penalties or other sanctions as a
result of violations even though such violations are corrected. If the Company's
interpretation of applicable laws and regulations proves incorrect, it could
lose, or be unable to obtain, regulatory approvals necessary to provide certain
of its services or to use certain of its transmission methods. The Company also
could have substantial monetary fines and penalties imposed against it.
CALL REORIGINATION The services provided by the Company consist primarily
of call reorigination services. In some countries, use of call reorigination is
restricted or prohibited. If it is demonstrated that the law of a foreign
jurisdiction expressly prohibits call reorigination using uncompleted call
signaling, and that the foreign government attempted but failed to enforce its
laws against U.S. service providers, the Federal Communications Commission
("FCC") may require U.S. carriers to cease providing call reorigination services
using uncompleted call signaling. To date, the FCC has ordered carriers to cease
providing call reorigination using uncompleted call signaling to customers in
the Philippines, and it is expected that the FCC will take this action with
respect to carriers providing call reorigination using uncompleted call
signaling to customers in Saudi Arabia. Prior to taking such action, the FCC
permits countries to submit information to the FCC regarding the legal status of
call reorigination services in their respective countries. According to FCC
records, 30 countries thus far have submitted such information to the FCC,
including the Bahamas, Egypt, Lebanon and South Africa. Submission of this
information does not imply that the FCC believes that the country's laws
expressly prohibit call reorigination using uncompleted call signaling. A
substantial number of countries have prohibited certain forms of call
reorigination as a mechanism to access telecommunications services. Such actions
have caused the Company to cease providing call reorigination services in the
Bahamas and may require it to do so in other jurisdictions in the future. As of
November 20, 1997, reports had been filed with the FCC and/or the ITU that the
laws of 79 countries prohibit call reorigination. There can be no assurance that
certain of the Company's services and transmission methods will not continue to
be or will not become prohibited in certain jurisdictions, and, depending on the
jurisdictions, services and transmission methods may become affected, which
could result in a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. To the extent that a country that has
expressly prohibited call reorigination using uncompleted call signaling is
unable to enforce its laws against call reorigination using uncompleted call
signaling, it can request that the FCC enforce such laws in the United States,
by requiring the Company to cease providing call reorigination services to such
country or, in extreme circumstances, by revoking the Company's authorizations.
To date, except as indicated herein, the Company has not been notified by any
regulator or government agency that its provision of services is not in
compliance with applicable regulations.
In South Africa, the Company's agent's future provision of certain services
will be, and its current provision of call reorigination services may be,
subject to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the "SA-Telecommunications Act")
and the Post Office Act of 1958. The SA Telecommunications Act permits a party
to provide a range of services other than public switched services under, and in
accordance with, a telecommunications license issued to that party in accordance
with the SA Telecommunications Act. Although the Company believes that South
African law does not prohibit its agent from providing call reorigination
services to customers in South Africa without a license, the telecommunications
regulator in South Africa ("SATRA") has ruled that the provision of call
reorigination services to customers in South Africa without a license violates
the SA Telecommunications Act. Several entities, including the Company's agent,
filed a lawsuit to stay and reverse SATRA's ruling on the basis that SATRA lacks
the authority to issue such a ruling and that the SA Telecommunications Act does
not prohibit the provision of call reorigination services. SATRA has agreed not
to prosecute any person in the call reorigination industry unless the South
African courts rule that it may. It is anticipated that final adjudication of
this lawsuit could take up to four years to occur. If the Company's agent is
determined to be providing a telecommunications service without a required
license, it could be subject to fines, to the termination of its call
reorigination service to customers in South Africa and, potentially, to the
denial of license applications to provide liberalized services. There can be no
guarantee that the courts in South Africa will not rule that call reorigination
is illegal, that they will not do so soon, or that the South African legislature
will not promulgate an explicit prohibition on call reorigination. For the
fiscal year end March 31, 1998, South Africa comprised the Company's most
significant single market and accounted for approximately 28.9% of the Company's
total revenues. Any such adverse legal action could therefore have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operation. The Company's South African agent was issued an interim "Value Added
Network Service License" by SATRA in early April 1998. This license allows the
Company in conjunction with its Agent to operate a data network system through
which all data and facsimile transmissions can be routed. The Company's South
African agent estimates that approximately 50% of current telecom revenues are
generated by data and facsimile traffic and plans to migrate this revenue
segment over packet switched networks within the next six to twelve months so
that carriage of this traffic will not involve call reorigination.
The Company's interstate and international facilities-based and resale
services are subject to regulation by the FCC, and regulations promulgated by
the FCC are subject to change in the future. See "Government Regulation-United
States."
THE FCC'S POLICIES ON TRANSIT AND REFILE. The FCC is currently considering
a 1995 request (the "1995 Request") to limit or prohibit the practice whereby a
carrier routes, through its facilities in a third country, traffic originating
from one country and destined for another country. The FCC has permitted third
country calling where all countries involved consent to the routing arrangements
(referred to as "Transiting"). Under certain arrangements referred to as
"Refiling," the carrier in the destination country does not consent to receiving
traffic from the originating country and does not realize the traffic it
receives from the third country is actually originating from a different
country. While the Company's revenues attributable to Refiling arrangements are
minimal, Refiling may constitute a larger portion of the Company's operations in
the future. The FCC to date has made no pronouncement as to whether Refiling
arrangements are inconsistent with U.S. or International Telecommunications
Union ("ITU") regulations. It is possible that the FCC will determine that
Refiling violates U.S. and/or international law, which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's future business, financial condition and results
of operations.
THE FCC'S INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS POLICY. The Company is also required to
conduct its facilities-based international business in compliance with the FCC's
international settlements policy (the "ISP"). The ISP establishes the
permissible arrangements for facilities-based carriers that are based in the
U.S. and their foreign counterparts to compensate each other for terminating
each other's traffic over their respective networks. Several of the Company's
arrangements with foreign carriers are subject to the ISP and it is possible
that the FCC could take the view that one or more of these arrangements do not
comply with the existing ISP rules. The FCC recently enacted certain changes in
its rules designed to permit alternative arrangements outside of its ISP as a
means of encouraging competition and achieving lower, cost-based accounting and
collection rates as more facilities-based competition is permitted in foreign
markets. If the Company enters into a traffic agreement with a foreign carrier
for the provision of telecommunications services that does not comply with the
ISP, it may be required to obtain FCC approval under this alternative
arrangements mechanism. If the FCC, on its own initiative or in response to a
challenge filed by a third party, determines that the Company's foreign carrier
arrangements do not comply with FCC rules, among other measures, it may issue a
cease and desist order, impose fines on the Company or, in extreme
circumstances, revoke or suspend its FCC authorizations. See "Recent and
Potential FCC Actions." Such action could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
THE FCC'S TARIFF REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL LONG DISTANCE SERVICES. The
Company is also required to file with the FCC a tariff containing the rates,
terms and conditions applicable to its international telecommunications
services. The Company is also required to file with the FCC any agreements with
customers containing rates, terms, and conditions for international
telecommunications services, if those rates, terms, or conditions are different
than those contained in the Company's tariff. If the Company charges rates other
than those set forth in, or otherwise violates, its tariff or a customer
agreement filed with the FCC, or fails to file with the FCC carrier-to-carrier
agreements, the FCC or a third party could bring an action against the Company,
which could result in a fine, a judgment or other penalties against the Company.
Such actions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
RECENT AND POTENTIAL FCC ACTIONS. Regulatory action that has been and may
be taken in the future by the FCC may enhance the intense competition faced by
the Company. In addition to its new policy on alternative arrangements, the FCC
has also established lower ceilings ("benchmarks") for the rates that U.S.
carriers will pay foreign carriers for the termination of international
services. Moreover, the FCC recently changed its rules to implement the WTO
Agreement, in part by allowing U.S. carriers to accept certain exclusive
arrangements with certain foreign carriers. See "The International
Telecommunications Industry." While these rule changes may provide the Company
with more flexibility to respond more rapidly to changes in the global
telecommunications market, they will also provide similar flexibility to the
Company's competitors. The implementation of these changes could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
U.S. DOMESTIC LONG DISTANCE SERVICES. The Company currently carries a DE
MINIMIS amount of U.S. domestic long distance traffic, if any, for its
foreign-billed customers. Such traffic generally would be limited to incidental
interstate or intrastate calls made by payphone users in the United States that
are billed in foreign countries but that brought their calling cards to the
United States while traveling. The Company's ability to provide domestic long
distance service in the United States is subject to regulation by the FCC and
relevant state Public Service Commissions ("PSCs") which regulate interstate and
intrastate rates, respectively, ownership of transmission facilities, and the
terms and conditions under which the Company's domestic U.S. services are
provided. In general, neither the FCC nor the relevant state PSCs exercise
direct oversight over prices charged for the Company's services or the Company's
profit levels, but either or both may do so in the future. The Company, however,
is required by federal and state law and regulations to file tariffs listing the
rates, terms and conditions of services provided. Any failure to maintain proper
federal and state tariffing or certification or file required reports, or any
difficulties or delays in obtaining required authorizations, could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. The FCC also imposes some requirements for marketing of
telephone services and for obtaining customer authorization for changes in the
customer's primary long distance carrier. If these requirements are not met, the
Company may be subject to fines and penalties.
To originate and terminate calls in connection with providing their
services, long distance carriers such as the Company may have to purchase access
services from local exchange carriers ("LECs") or competitive local exchange
carriers ("CLECs"). Access charges represent a significant portion of the
Company's cost of U.S. domestic long distance services and, generally, such
access charges are regulated by the FCC for interstate services and by PSCs for
intrastate services. The FCC has undertaken a comprehensive review of its
regulation of LEC access charges to better account for increasing levels of
local competition. While the resolution of these issues is uncertain, if these
proposed rate structures are adopted, many long distance carriers, including the
Company, could be placed at a significant cost disadvantage to larger
competitors. In addition, the FCC has adopted certain measures to implement the
1996 Telecommunications Act that will impose new regulatory requirements,
including the requirement that the Company contribute some portion of its
telecommunications revenues to a universal service fund designated to fund
affordable telephone service for consumers, schools, libraries and rural
healthcare providers. These contributions will become payable beginning in 1998
for all interexchange carriers but not for providers of solely international
services. The Company believes that it is not subject to universal service
contribution requirements, but there can be no guarantee that the FCC will not
find that the Company is subject to such requirements.
In some instances, the Company may be responsible for city sales taxes on
calls made within the jurisdiction of certain U.S. cities. The Company is
implementing software to track and bill for this tax liability. However, the
Company may be subject to sales tax liability for calls transmitted prior to the
implementation of such tax software and against which it has no corresponding
customer compensation. While the Company believes that any such liability will
not be significant, there can be no assurance that such tax liability, if any,
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
The FCC issued an order on October 9, 1997, concluding that interexchange
carriers must compensate payphone owners at a rate of $.284 per call for all
calls using their payphones. This compensation method will be effective from
October 7, 1997 through October 7, 1999. After this time period, interexchange
carriers will be required to compensate payphone owners at a market-based rate
minus $0.066 per call. A number of carriers have appealed this FCC order to the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit or have sought FCC reconsideration of
this order. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of the FCC's
proceedings on the Company's business, it is possible that such proceedings
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
The FCC and certain state agencies also impose prior approval requirements
on transfers of control, including pro forma transfers of control (without
public notice), and corporate reorganizations, and assignments of regulatory
authorizations. Such requirements may delay, prevent or deter a change in
control of the Company or the Company's acquisition of another company. The FCC
also imposes certain restrictions on U.S.-licensed telecommunications companies
that are affiliated with foreign telecommunications carriers, especially if the
foreign telecommunications carrier obtains a 25% or greater interest in a
company. If the Company becomes controlled by or under common control with a
foreign telecommunications carrier, or if the Company obtains a greater than 25%
interest in or control over a foreign telecommunications carrier, the FCC could
restrict the Company's ability to provide service on certain international
routes.
BAHAMAS. The Company has entered into an operating agreement with the
Bahamas Telephone Company ("Batelco") to provide, among other things,
international telecommunications services to customers in the Bahamas. Recently,
Batelco has taken several actions designed to block the Company's ability to
offer services to customers in the Bahamas. The Company believes these actions
violate the terms of its operating agreement with Batelco. The Company also
believes that Batelco's actions are inconsistent with U.S. policy and is working
with the U.S. government, including the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas and the FCC
to restore the Company's circuits to full capacity. If Batelco is permitted to
block permanently or over a protracted period of time the Company's provision of
service to customers in the Bahamas, such action could have a material adverse
impact on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION BY COUNTRY
The Company's provision of international and national long distance
telecommunications services is heavily regulated. Also, local laws and
regulations differ significantly among the jurisdictions in which the Company
operates, and, within such jurisdictions, the interpretation and enforcement of
such laws and regulations can be unpredictable. Many of the countries in which
the Company provides, or intends to provide, services prohibit, limit or
otherwise regulate the services which the Company can provide, or intends to
provide, and the transmission methods by which it can provide such services.
A summary discussion of the regulatory frameworks in certain geographic
regions in which the Company operates or which it has targeted for penetration
is set forth below. This discussion is intended to provide a general outline of
the more relevant regulations and current regulatory posture of the various
jurisdictions and is not intended as a comprehensive discussion of such
regulations or regulatory posture.
UNITED STATES
The Company's provision of international service to, from, and through the
United States is subject to regulation by the FCC. Section 214 of the
Communications Act requires a company to obtain authorization from, the FCC to
resell international telecommunications services of other US carriers or to own
or lease and operate international telecommunications facilities. The FCC has
authorized the Company pursuant to the Section 214 to provide international
telecommunications services, to resell public switched international
telecommunications services of other U.S. carriers and to own or lease
international facilities. The Section 214 authorization requires, among other
things, that services be provided in a manner consistent with the laws of
countries in which the Company operates. As described above, the Company's
regulatory strategy could result in the Company's providing services that
ultimately may be considered to be provided in a manner that is inconsistent
with local law. If the FCC finds that the Company has violated the terms of its
Section 214 authorization, it could impose a variety of sanctions on the
Company, including fines, additional conditions on the Section 214
authorization, cease and desist or show cause orders, or, in extreme
circumstances, the revocation of the Section 214 authorization, the latter of
which is usually imposed only in the case of serious violations.
In particular, if it is demonstrated that the law of a foreign jurisdiction
expressly prohibits call reorigination, i.e., call re-origination, using
uncompleted call signaling, and that the foreign government attempted but failed
to enforce its laws against U.S. service providers, the FCC may require U.S.
carriers to cease providing call reorigination services using uncompleted call
signaling. To date, the FCC has only ordered carriers to cease providing call
reorigination using uncompleted call signaling only to customers in the
Philippines, although it is expected that the FCC will take this action with
respect to carriers providing call reorigination using uncompleted call
signaling to customers in Saudi Arabia. Prior to taking such action, the FCC
permits countries to submit information to the FCC regarding the legal status of
call reorigination services in their respective countries. According to FCC
records, 30 countries thus far have submitted such information to the FCC,
including the Bahamas, Egypt, Lebanon and South Africa. Submission of this
information does not imply that the FCC believes that the country's laws
expressly prohibit call reorigination using uncompleted call signaling.
The Company is required to file with the FCC a tariff containing the rates,
terms and conditions applicable to its international telecommunications
services. The Company is also required to file with the FCC any agreements with
customers containing rates, terms, and conditions for international
telecommunications services, if those rates, terms, or conditions are different
than those contained in the Company's tariff. If the Company charges rates other
than those set forth in, or otherwise violates, its tariff or a customer
agreement filed with the FCC, the FCC or a third party could bring an action
against the Company, which could result in a fine, a judgment or other penalties
against the Company.
EUROPE
In Europe, regulation of the telecommunications industry is governed at a
supra-national level by the EU, which is responsible for creating pan-European
policies and, through legislation, has developed a regulatory framework to
establish an open, competitive telecommunications market. In 1990, the EU issued
the Services Directive requiring each EU member state to abolish existing
monopolies in telecommunications services, with the exception of voice
telephony. The intended effect of the Services Directive was to permit the
competitive provision of all services other than voice telephony, including
value-added services and voice services to CUGs (as defined). However, local
implementation of the Services Directive through the adoption of national
legislation has resulted in differing interpretations of the definition of
prohibited voice telephony and permitted value-added and CUG services. Voice
services accessed by customers through leased lines are permissible in all EU
member states. The European Commission has generally taken a narrow view of the
services classified as voice telephony, declaring that voice services may not be
reserved to the ITOs if (i) dedicated customer access is used to provide the
service, (ii) the service confers new value-added benefits on users (such as
alternative billing methods) or (iii) calling is limited by a service provider
to a group having legal, economic or professional ties.
In March 1996, the EU adopted the Full Competition Directive containing two
key provisions which required EU member states to allow the creation of
alternative telecommunications infrastructures by July 1, 1996, and which
reaffirmed the obligation of EU member states to abolish the ITOs monopolies in
voice telephony by 1998 and to institute mechanisms to prevent the ITOs from
acting anti-competitively toward new market entrants. To date, Sweden, Finland,
Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have liberalized
facilities-based services to all routes. Certain EU countries may delay the
abolition of the voice telephony monopoly based on exemptions established in the
Full Competition Directive. These countries include Spain (December 1998),
Portugal and Ireland (January 1, 2000) and Greece (2003).
FRANCE
The Company currently provides call reorigination services to customers in
France. The Company is permitted to provide call reorigination in France without
a license. Although it does not currently provide such services, under current
law, the Company may lease circuits and provide switched voice services to CUGs
in France without a license. The Company anticipates that it will migrate its
customers to forms of call-through other than call reorigination after March 1,
1998 and has recently entered into a joint venture agreement with Central Call
and Mondial Telecom to provide switch-based direct access services in France.
The Company anticipates providing a range of enhanced telecommunications
services and switched voice services to business users by routing traffic via
the international switched networks of competitors to the ITO.
A new telecommunications law, passed in 1996 to implement the Full
Compensation Directive in France, establishes a licensing regime and an
independent regulator and imposes various interconnection and other requirements
designed to facilitate competition. The Company intends to expand its services
to include, for example, direct access and facilities-based services in France.
If it decides to provide switched voice services to the public, including direct
access and/or call-through services, or to own facilities, the Company will have
to apply for a license from the Minister of Telecommunications.
GERMANY
The regulation of the telecommunications industry in Germany is governed by
the Telekommunikations-Gesetz, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 ("TKG"),
which, with respect to most of its provisions, became effective in August 1996.
Under the TKG, a license ("TKG License") is generally required by any person
that (i) operates transmission facilities for the provision of
telecommunications services to the public; or (ii) offers voice telephony
services to the public through telecommunications networks operated by such
provider. While TKG represents the final phase of the reform of the German
telecommunications industry, the law protected the monopoly rights of Deutsche
Telecom over the provision of the voice telephony until January 1, 1998. The
Company currently does not provide services to customers in Germany, but is
contemplating opportunities in entering this market, which, after the U.S.,
makes up for the largest single telecommunication market in the world.
LATIN AMERICA
The Company currently provides call reorigination to customers in certain
Latin American countries, including Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay and
Colombia. The Company is subject to a different regulatory regime in each
country in Latin America in which it conducts business. Local regulations
determine whether the Company can obtain authorization to offer the transmission
of voice and voice band data directly or through call reorigination, or for the
provision of value-added services, such as voicemail and data transmission.
Regulations governing the latter are generally more permissible than those
covering voice telephony.
Some countries in Latin America oppose the provision of call reorigination.
In Brazil, call reorigination is currently permissible. In Colombia, the
Ministry of Communications has stated that call reorigination access is
prohibited and has so notified the FCC. The Company does not believe that the
Ministry of Communications has the requisite authority to regulate in this area,
which authority is the subject of litigation brought by a third party in the
Colombian courts. At present, regulations appear to permit call reorigination
access in Argentina. However, the regulatory agency in Argentina has changed its
position regarding call reorigination access on several occasions in the past,
and this issue is the subject of an ongoing legal dispute.
Various countries in Latin America have taken initial steps towards
deregulation in the telecommunications market during the last few years. In
addition, various Latin American countries have completely or partially
privatized their national carriers, including Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru and
Venezuela. Certain countries have competitive local and/or long distance
sectors, most notably Chile, which has competitive operators in all sectors.
Colombia is scheduled to grant several new concessions for national and
international long distance service providers in addition to its ITO by the end
of 1998. Venezuela has also legalized value-added services such as voicemail and
data transmission and has targeted January 1, 2000 as the date for full
deregulation. Brazil is in the process of opening its telecommunications market
to competition and privatizing its ITO, pursuant to its new law adopted in July
1997. Brazil established an independent regulator in October 1997, and
value-added and private network services, are already open to competition. In
Mexico, the former ITO has been privatized, its exclusive long distance
concession expired in August 1996 and it has been obligated to interconnect with
the networks of competitors since January 1997. Competition in Mexico has been
initiated and an independent regulator has been established. Three countries in
the region, Chile, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, have opened their long
distance telecommunications markets to competition.
SOUTH AFRICA
The telecommunications industry in South Africa is regulated under the Post
Office Act of 1958 (the "SA Post Office Act") and the SA Telecommunications Act.
Telkom SA Limited ("Telkom"), the state-owned ITO, has a statutory monopoly on
the construction, maintenance and use of any telecommunications lines, as well
as on the provision of public switched telecommunications services. The
government of South Africa has indicated that this monopoly will be phased out
over five to six years. Notwithstanding this monopoly, the SA Telecommunications
Act permits a party to provide a range of services other than public switched
services under, and in accordance with, a telecommunications license can be
issued to that party in accordance with the SA Telecommunications Act.
The SA Telecommunications Act established a new telecommunications
regulatory authority called SATRA, whose functions include the granting of
telecommunications licenses, applications for which are solicited by the South
African Minister of Telecommunications pursuant to the SA Telecommunications
Act. As an independent regulatory authority, SATRA is subject to common law
provisions and provisions in the SA Telecommunications Act that limit its
ability to act outside of its granted authority and without affording parties
due process. SATRA's members are appointed by the President on the advice of
Parliament's standing committees on communications. Although the SA
Telecommunications Act states that SATRA should be independent and impartial in
the performance of its functions, it must act in accordance with policy
directions issued by the South African Minister of Telecommunications.
The Company seeks to take advantage of gradual deregulation of the South
African telecommunications industry by offering permitted services to customers
in South Africa. Currently, the Company provides call reorigination services to
customers in South Africa and may, in the future, seek any necessary licenses to
provide liberalized services such as value added services. See "Government
Regulation."
RUSSIA
The provision of telecommunications services in the Russian Federation
falls within federal jurisdiction. The principal legal act regulating
telecommunications in the Russian Federation is the Federal Law on
Communications (the "Communications Law"), enacted on February 16, 1995, which
establishes the legal basis for all activities in the telecommunications sector
and provides, among other things, for licensing to provide communications
services, the requirement to obtain a radio frequency allocation, certification
of equipment, and fair competition and freedom of pricing.
The Ministry of Communications ("MOC") and the Federal Agency of
Governmental Communications and Information under the President of the Russian
Federation are the federal organizations which have executive power over the
telecommunications industry. The MOC is responsible for allocating federal
budget resources in the telecommunications industry and has supervisory
responsibility for the technical condition and development of all types of
communications.
The Communications Law requires that any person providing
telecommunications services must, in theory, obtain a license prior to
commencing such services. Licenses to provide telecommunications services are
issued by the MOC. Under the applicable Licensing Regulations, licenses for
rendering telecommunications services may be issued and renewed for periods
ranging from 3 to 10 years and several licenses may be issued to one person.
Licenses may be revoked or suspended by the MOC for failure to comply with terms
and conditions of the license.
The Communications Law requires the federal regulatory agencies to
encourage and promote fair competition in the provision of communication
services and prohibits abuse of a dominant position to hinder, limit or distort
competition. The Communications Law also provides that tariffs for communication
services may be established on a contractual basis between the provider and the
user of telecommunications services.
Russian telecommunications companies are subject to the same system of
taxation as Russian companies in general, including profit tax and VAT on
services.
Current Russian legislation governing foreign investment activities does
not prohibit or restrict foreign investment in the telecommunications industry.
However, on February 28, 1997, the State Duma, the lower house of parliament
approved on the first reading draft foreign investment legislation which would
restrict any significant future foreign investment in numerous sectors of the
Russian economy, including telephone and radio communications. It is unlikely
that such restrictive legislation will be enacted, unless the political climate
changes dramatically. More likely is the emergence of limited restrictions on
foreign investment in strategic industries, which could result in foreign
ownership limitations in industries such as telecommunications, which
limitations are not uncommon in many countries. The draft legislation has been
referred to the Russian government for commitment. For such draft legislation to
become Federal Law, it must be passed by a majority vote of the State Duma at
another two readings, approved by a majority of the Federation Council, the
upper house of parliament, and signed by the President of the Russian
Federation. Rejection of such legislation by the Federation Council could be
overridden by a two-thirds majority of the State Duma. Rejection of such
legislation by the President could be overridden by a two-thirds majority of
each of the Federation Council and the State Duma.
In addition, a lack of consensus exists over the manner and scope of
government control over the telecommunications industry. Because the
telecommunications industry is widely viewed as strategically important to
Russia, there can be no assurance that recent government policy liberalizing
control over the telecommunications industry will continue. Russia is not a
member of the WTO, but, if it seeks to become a member, it may be required to
take further steps to liberalize the telecommunications market as a condition of
accession.
MIDDLE EAST
The Company's ability to provide services in the Middle East depends on the
regulatory environment in each particular country. In Lebanon, for example, the
telecommunications industry is regulated by the Ministry of Posts and
Telecommunications ("MPT"), which also operates the ITO -the General Directorate
of Telecommunications (the "GDT"). The GDT currently has a monopoly on the
provision of wireline telecommunications services in Lebanon. Although no
written text in Lebanon prohibits call reorigination and a number of carriers
are currently engaged in such activity, the MPT has stated that call
reorigination is illegal in Lebanon. In Egypt, the Ministry of Transport,
Communications and Civil Aviation regulates the telecommunications industry and
Telecom Egypt, formerly known as the Arab Republic of Egypt National
Telecommunications Organization ("ARENTO"), is the ITO. Although Telecom Egypt
currently has a monopoly on the provision of voice services, several U.S.
carriers are permitted to sell pre-paid phone cards and calling card services.
Egypt has announced that it will permit limited competition to Telecom Egypt in
the near future.
INTERNET TELEPHONY
The introduction of Internet telephony is a recent market development. To
the Company's knowledge, there currently are no domestic and few foreign laws or
regulations that prohibit voice communications over the Internet. The FCC is
currently considering whether or not to impose surcharges or additional
regulation upon providers of Internet telephony. In addition, several efforts
have been made to enact U.S. federal legislation that would either regulate or
exempt from regulation services provided over the Internet. State public utility
commissions also may retain intrastate jurisdiction and could initiate
proceedings to regulate the intrastate aspects of Internet telephony. A number
of countries that currently prohibit voice telephony competition with the ITOs
also have prohibited Internet telephony. Several other countries permit but
regulate Internet telephony. If foreign governments, Congress, the FCC, or state
utility commissions prohibit or regulate Internet telephony, there can be no
assurance that any such regulations will not materially affect the Company's
business, financial condition or results of operation.
VAT
The EU imposes value-added taxes ("VAT") upon the sale of goods and
services within the EU. The rate of VAT varies among EU members, but ranges from
15% to 25% of the sales of goods and services. Under VAT rules, businesses are
required to collect VAT from their customers upon the sale to such customers of
goods and services and remit such amounts to the VAT authorities. In this regard
it is expected that non-EU based telecommunications providers will be required
to appoint a VAT agent and register for VAT in every EU member state in which it
has individual customers.
France and Germany have adopted rules that, as of January 1, 1997, deem
telecommunications services provided by non-EU based companies to be provided
where the customer is located, thereby subjecting the telecommunications
services provided to customers in the EU by non-EU based companies to VAT. The
German and French rules impose VAT on both the residential and business
customers of non-EU based telecommunications companies. In the case of sales to
non-VAT registered customers, German and French rules require that the non-EU
based telecommunications carrier collect and remit the VAT. In the case of sales
by such providers to German VAT-registered customers, the German rules generally
require that such customers collect and remit the VAT. Under the so-called
"Nullregelung" doctrine, however, certain business customers that are required
to charge VAT on goods and services provided to their customers (generally,
companies other than banks and insurance companies) are entitled to an exemption
from VAT on telecommunications services. In the case of sales by such providers
to French VAT-registered customers, the French rules require that such business
customers collect and remit the VAT.
The EU has adopted a proposed amendment to the Sixth Directive that, if
adopted in present form, would require all EU members to adopt legislation to
impose VAT on non-EU based telecommunications services provided to customers in
the EU by non-EU based companies, beginning as early as December 31, 1998. Under
the proposed amendment, non-EU based telecommunications companies would be
required to collect and remit VAT on telecommunications services provided to EU
businesses as well as to individuals.
The Company's independent agents historically have collected, and will
continue to collect, VAT on services where it is offered in a VAT country. The
Company believes that whatever potential negative impact the amendment will have
on its operations as a result of the imposition of VAT on traditional call
reorigination, such impact will be partially mitigated by the customer migration
towards and the higher gross margins associated with direct access services.
DEPENDENCE ON ARRANGEMENTS WITH CARRIERS
The Company obtains most of its transmission capacity under volume-based
resale arrangements with facilities-based and other carriers, including ITOs,
however, the majority of these services are provided by only two carriers. Under
these arrangements, the Company is subject to the risk of unanticipated price
fluctuations and service restrictions or cancellations. The Company generally
has not experienced sudden or unanticipated price fluctuations, service
restrictions or cancellations imposed by such facilities-based carriers, except
in the Bahamas. See "Government Regulation by Country -Bahamas" above. Although
the Company believes that its arrangements and relationships with such carriers
generally are satisfactory, the deterioration or termination of the Company's
arrangements and relationships, or the Company's inability to enter into new
arrangements and relationships with one or more of such carriers, could have a
material adverse effect upon the Company's cost structure, service quality,
network coverage, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company's growth strategy in new markets is to some extent based on its
ability to enter into operating agreements with domestic and foreign carriers.
In accordance with industry practices, operating agreements entered into by the
Company will be terminable upon short notice. While the Company successfully
negotiates and maintains operating agreements, none of which has been terminated
to date, the trend toward deregulation of telephone communications in many
countries and a significant reduction in outgoing traffic carried by the
Company, among other things, could cause foreign partners to decide to terminate
their operating agreements, or could cause such operating agreements to have
substantially less value to the Company. Termination of these operating
agreements could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition.
EXPOSURE TO FRAUD
The telecommunications industry has historically been exposed to fraud
losses. The Company has implemented anti-fraud measures, such as employment
agreements with its employees, limiting and monitoring access to its information
systems and monitoring use of its services in order to minimize losses relating
to fraudulent practices. However, there can be no assurance that the Company
will effectively control fraud when operating in the international
telecommunications arena. Fraud has historically been a more significant problem
for large providers of telecommunications services than it has for the Company,
whose few employees and switching facilities are relatively easier to monitor
than those of the large providers. As the Company continues to grow and hire new
employees and implement its plans to increase the number of switching facilities
that it owns, its exposure to fraud losses will increase. The Company's failure
to control fraud effectively could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
DISCRETION OF MANAGEMENT AS TO USE OF CERTAIN OFFERING PROCEEDS
Approximately $10 million of the proceeds from the Company's Public
Offering have been allocated for unspecified acquisitions, investments in
foreign agencies, joint ventures and strategic alliances. Identification of
candidates for these transactions, the decision whether to proceed with such
transactions and with whom, and the terms of the transactions, will be in
management's discretion. Therefore, shareholders will not have the opportunity
to evaluate the specific merits or risks of any one or more such transactions,
some of which may be significant, but instead will depend on the discretion and
judgment of management in such matters. There can be no assurance that
determinations ultimately made by the Company's management will permit the
Company to achieve its business objectives, or that the decisions made by
management will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition or results of operations. See "Item 5. Market of the
Company's Common Equity and Related Stockholders Matters."
DEPENDENCE ON EFFECTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS
While the Company believes its information systems are sufficient for its
current operations, such systems will require enhancements, replacements and
additional investments to continue their effectiveness in the future,
particularly to enable the Company to manage an expanded Network. There can be
no assurance that the Company will not encounter difficulties in enhancing its
systems or integrating new technology into its systems. The inability of the
Company to implement any required system enhancement, to acquire new systems or
to integrate new technology in a timely and cost effective manner could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE YEAR 2000
The Company is currently in the process of evaluating whether it will
encounter any problems related to the year 2000. These problems, which have been
widely reported in the media, could cause malfunctions in certain software and
databases with respect to dates on or about 2000. Most of the Company's computer
systems, software and databases are proprietary to the Company and are year 2000
compliant. The Company is in the process of evaluating if carriers and other
third parties with which it contracts for services anticipate any year 2000
difficulties, and if so whether those problems would be of a nature that could
adversely affect the Company. The Company will request that such third parties
advise the Company as to whether or not they anticipate any difficulties in
addressing year 2000 problems and, if so, whether or not the Company would be
adversely affected by any of such problems. Until such time as these parties
respond to the Company, the impact of year 2000 on the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition cannot be assessed with certainty,
although the Company does not believe year 2000 issues will have a material
adverse impact on it. The Company will continue to monitor the impact on the
Company of issues related to the year 2000.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The Company is dependent on the efforts of its senior officers and on its
ability to hire and retain qualified management personnel. The loss of the
services of any of these individuals could materially and adversely affect the
business of the Company and its future prospects. The Company has entered into
employment agreements with certain of its senior officers. The Company has
obtained key person life insurance, of which the Company is the beneficiary, on
the lives of each of Messrs. Giussani and Chaskin in the amount of $2 million.
The Company's future success will also depend on its ability to attract and
retain additional management, technical, marketing, sales, financial and other
personnel required in connection with the growth and development of its
business.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING THE COMPANY'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mr. Luca Giussani, the Company's president and chief executive officer, was
the subject of a criminal proceeding in Italy under Italian law, which was part
of a series of indictments issued against numerous people. Specifically, about
May 1996 Mr. Giussani was charged with transmitting an invoice in 1991 to a
corporation pursuant to an existing consulting contract for consulting services
which it is alleged he did not perform. It was alleged that the invoice was used
to disguise a political contribution made by that corporation which was unlawful
under Italian law. Mr. Giussani was not charged with making an unlawful
political contribution; but rather it is alleged that through the use of this
invoice, Mr. Giussani facilitated the corporation's falsification of corporate
records to disguise the contribution. Mr. Giussani consistently denied any
improper conduct in connection with this matter and believed that he would
ultimately be vindicated. In October 1997, the trial judge dismissed the claim
against Mr. Giussani for lack of evidence. There is currently no criminal
proceeding pending against Mr. Giussani; although he has been advised that the
investigating magistrates are currently contemplating refiling charges against
him and the other former defendants in this case in order to prevent the running
of the applicable statute of limitations. There can be no assurance that Mr.
Giussani will prevail on the merits with respect to any charges brought against
him.
FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT
As a result of the Public Offering, the Company has become subject to the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), which generally prohibits U.S. companies
and their intermediaries from bribing foreign officials for the purpose of
obtaining or keeping business. The Company may be exposed to liability under the
FCPA as a result of past or future actions taken without the Company's knowledge
by agents, strategic partners or other intermediaries. Violations of the FCPA
may also call into question the credibility and integrity of the Company's
financial reporting systems. The Company's focus on certain emerging markets may
tend to increase this risk. Such liability under the FCPA could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE RISKS
The Company currently bills primarily in United States Dollars and
generally is paid by customers outside of the United States either in United
States Dollars or in local currency at predetermined exchange rates.
Substantially all of the costs to develop and improve the Company's switching
facilities and the Network have been, and will continue to be, denominated in
United States Dollars. If the United States Dollar appreciates relative to the
local currency, then the Company may suffer a competitive disadvantage because
its services will grow more expensive than those of its competitors, such as the
ITOs, that deal only in the local currency. Any depreciation of the value of the
United States Dollar relative to the local currency may adversely affect the
Company by effectively increasing the cost of the Company's capital expenditures
made in such local currency. As the Company's business develops and expands, the
Company anticipates that in many countries it may bill and receive payment in
local currency at prevailing exchange rates. The Company's focus on emerging
markets may tend to increase the risks that currency fluctuations pose. Although
the Company has minimal operations in the Asian countries affected by recent
substantial currency fluctuations, there can be no assurance that currency
speculation and fluctuation will not affect the Company in Latin America, South
Africa, the Middle East or its other emerging markets. The Company monitors
exposure to currency fluctuations, and may, as appropriate, use certain
financial hedging instruments in the future. However, there can be no assurance
that the use of financial hedging instruments will successfully offset exchange
rate risks, or that such currency fluctuations will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
See "Risks of International Telecommunications Business" and "Item7-
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
POTENTIAL FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
The Company's quarterly operating results have fluctuated and may continue
to fluctuate due to various factors, including the timing of investments,
general economic conditions, specific economic conditions in the
telecommunications industry, the effects of governmental regulation and
regulatory changes, user demands, capital expenditures, costs relating to the
expansion of operations, the introduction of new services by the Company or its
competitors, the mix of services sold and the mix of channels through which
those services are sold, changes in prices charged by the Company's competitors,
and other factors outside of the Company's control. Any combination of such
factors, or any one of such factors, may in the future cause fluctuations in
quarterly operating results. Variations in the Company's operating results could
materially affect the price of the Company's Common Stock. See "Item 7-
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The Company relies on unpatented proprietary know-how and continuing
technological advancements to maintain its competitive position. Although the
Company has entered into confidentiality and invention agreements with certain
of its employees and consultants, no assurance can be given that such agreements
will be honored or that the Company will be able to effectively protect its
rights to its unpatented trade secrets and know-how. Moreover, no assurance can
be given that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent
proprietary information and techniques or otherwise gain access to the Company's
trade secrets and know-how.
The Company has not registered or trademarked "Ursus" and the Company's
logo in any jurisdiction. The Company is filing registrations of its name and
logo in the United States, but there can be no assurance that it will obtain
adequate trademark, service mark or similar protection of its name and logo.
EMPLOYEES
As of March 31, 1998, the Company had 21 full-time employees. None of the
Company's employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Management
believes that the Company's relationship with its employees is satisfactory.
TRADEMARKS
The Company has traditionally relied upon the common law protection of its
trade name afforded under various local laws, including the United States.
However, the Company intends to file for trademark protection of its Ursus name
in the United States. It is possible that prior registration and/or uses of the
mark or a confusingly similar mark may exist in one or more of such countries,
in which case the Company might be precluded from registering and/or using the
Ursus mark and/or logo in such countries.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
The Company currently occupies approximately 8,087 square feet of office
space in Sunrise, Florida, which serves as the Company's principal executive
office. The lease has an annual rental obligation of approximately $158,000 and
expires on April 30, 2003. The Company believes that such offices are adequate
for its current purposes.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Although the Company is party to litigation in the ordinary course of
business, there are no legal proceedings pending or to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened, that, if determined adversely to the Company, would have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
(a) Price Range of Common Stock.
The Common Stock began trading on the Nasdaq National Market on May 13,
1998 under the symbol "UTCC." Prior to such date, no public market for the
Company's Common Stock existed. As of June 30, 1998 the Company had 1,000 shares
of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding and 6,500,000 shares of
Common Stock issued and outstanding, which were held by 6 holders of record.
Because many of the Company's shares of Common Stock are held by brokers on
behalf of shareholders, the Company is unable to estimate the total number of
shareholders represented by these record holders.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated the high, low and
closing sales prices per share of Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq.
STOCK PRICES
------------
HIGH LOW CLOSE
---- --- -----
1998 Fiscal Year
First Quarter (commencing May 13) $11.75 $8.3125 $8.50
ended June 30, 1998
The above quotations represent inter-dealer prices without retail markups,
markdowns or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
The Company has not paid any cash dividends to its shareholders since
inception and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. Any determination to pay dividends will depend on the Company's
financial condition, capital requirements, results of operations, contractual
limitations and any other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.
(b) Use of Proceeds of Initial Public Offering (the "Offering")
Effective Date of the Company's
Registration Statement: May 12, 1998
Commission File Number: 333-46197
Date the Offering Commenced: May 18, 1998
Names of Managing Underwriters: Joseph Charles & Associates,
Inc., Cohig & Associates, Inc.,
Kashner Davidson Securities
Corporation, Chatfield Dean & Co.
and J.W. Barclay & Company.
Class of Securities Registered: Common Stock
Amount registered: 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock(1)
Amount sold: 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock
Aggregate price of offering amount
registered: $14,250,000
Aggregate offering price of amount
sold: $14,250,000
Expenses: The expenses incurred
for the Company's account in
connection with the Public
Offering are as follows:
Underwriting Discounts and
Commissions $1,104,375
Non-accountable expense allowance 427,500
Professional fees 556,350
Consulting fees 72,000
Listing, printing and related fees 298,800
Other Expenses $152,400
--------
Total Expenses $ 2,601,425
===========
None of the expenses of the Offering consisted of direct or indirect
payments to (i) directors, officers, general partners or affiliates of the
Company, (ii) persons owning 10 percent or more of any class of equity
securities of the Company, or (iii) affiliates of the Company.
Net proceeds to the Company from the Public Offering, after deducting the total
expenses described above, were approximately $11.6 million.
- ----------------
(1) Excludes 200,000 shares of Common Stock registered on behalf of certain
shareholders of the Company. The Company will not receive any proceeds upon the
sale of these securities.
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data set forth below should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and
related Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K and with "Item 7-
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" included herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
--------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AND OTHER OPERATING DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total revenues ........................................ $ 848 $ 6,291 $13,228 $20,838 $28,098
Gross profit .......................................... 344 2,544 5,553 8,643 9,565
Operating income (loss) ............................... (814) 159 1,369 2,004 1,720
Net income (loss) ..................................... (813) 382 790 1,253 1,074
Pro forma net income (loss) per ....................... (.18) .08 .16 .25 .21
share-basic and dilutive (1)
Pro forma weighted average shares ..................... 4,615 4,869 5,000 5,000 5,000
outstanding (1)
EBITDA (2) ............................................ (771) 231 1,463 2,140 1,927
Total current assets ............................... 381 1,273 2,363 4,566 5,502
Working capital (deficiency) ....................... (129) 150 811 1,646 1,092
Total assets ....................................... 683 1,720 2,797 5,243 7,733
Total current liabilities .......................... 510 1,122 1,552 2,920 4,410
Long term debt, less current ....................... 729 730 580 425 --
portion
Total shareholders' equity (deficit)................ (563) (162) 609 1,861 2,948
</TABLE>
- -----------
(1) Pro forma net income (loss) per common share -basic and dilutive is
computed based on the pro forma weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during each period and gives retroactive effect to the Stock
Split and Recapitalization. See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
2) EBITDA represents net income (loss) plus net interest expense (income),
income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a measurement
of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles
and should not be construed as a substitute for net income (loss), as a
measure of performance, or cash flow as a measure of liquidity. It is
included herein because it is a measure commonly used by securities
analysts.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION OF THE FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF
THE COMPANY SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE
RELATED NOTES AND OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY INCLUDED ELSEWHERE IN
THIS FORM 10-K
OVERVIEW
The Company is a provider of international telecommunications services. The
Company offers a broad range of discounted international and enhanced
telecommunication services, including U.S. originated long distance service and
direct-dial international service, typically to small and medium-sized
businesses and travelers. The Company's primary service is call reorigination,
which accounted for approximately 76% of its revenues for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1998. The Company also sells services to other carriers on a wholesale
basis. The Company's retail customer base, which includes corporations and
individuals, is primarily located in South Africa, Latin America, the Middle
East (Lebanon and Egypt), Russia and France. The Company operates a
switched-based digital telecommunications network. The Company installed its
first switch in Sunrise, Florida, which became fully operational in October
1993. Revenues were first earned in November 1993. The Company has acquired an
additional switch, which was installed in Paris, France during the quarter ended
March 31, 1998 and which became operational on March 1, 1998. From November 1993
until the current time, the Company has grown by marketing its services through
a worldwide network of independent agents which service in the aggregate
approximately 30,850 registered Company subscribers as of March 31, 1998. Usage
of the Company's services has increased from 552,374 minutes in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1994 to 31,732,805 minutes in the fiscal year ended March 31,
1998.
GEOGRAPHICAL
LATIN AMERICA. Historically, the Company derived significant portions of
its telecommunications revenue from Latin America, principally from Argentina
and Peru. Since most Latin American countries currently restrict competition to
a limited number of specific services, the Company has developed a two-stage
market penetration strategy to capitalize on current and future opportunities in
Latin America. The first step is to take advantage of current market conditions
and, within the parameters of the Company's product line, i.e., using the call
reorigination access method, to provide the fullest range of services
permissible under local regulations. During the fiscal year ended March 31,
1998, Argentina with sales of $3.2 million represented 49% of the Company's
total Latin American business followed by Peru with a 24% share. The Company
enjoys a top 10 market share among call reorigination companies operating in
Argentina and Peru.
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA. The Company is currently a significant operator in
certain emerging markets in the Middle East and Africa. The Company is a market
leader for alternative access call reorigination in both Lebanon and South
Africa. It is anticipated that African revenues will more than double over the
next twelve months, not including the high growth markets of Lebanon and Egypt
which together produce up to $20,000 of revenue per day. Lebanon grew from $1.4
million in sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996 to $3.2 million in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 and $4.2 million in sales for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1998.
SOUTH AFRICA. Sales grew from $3.8 million for the fiscal year ended March
31, 1997 to sales of $8.1 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. The
Company has expanded its customer base from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Cape
Town and Durban, and other South African urban centers. This territory is
currently generating between $30,000 and $40,000 per day in revenues. The South
African agent currently manufactures its own proprietary network interface
dialer in South Africa. In places such as South Africa, the Company and its
independent agents maintain close relationships with vendors of internal phone
equipment ("PBX") such as Siemens, Plessey and Alcatel. These vendors are
integrating and configuring their customer's PBX equipment to utilize the
Company as a possible alternative international telecommunications carrier, and
the Company maintains a close relationship with the vendors for both pre-sale
and retrofit applications.
EU AND RUSSIA. The EU and Russian markets will be a major focus as the
Company pursues its strategy of locating switches at the network center of major
switched-based suppliers in Europe.
FRANCE. The Company's current customers in France (centered in the Paris
region) include small and medium-sized businesses and retail individuals. Since
installing the Paris switch in March 1998, the Company began to migrate its
customers in France from the call reorigination access method currently used to
international long distance services utilizing direct access over leased lines
and restricted dial-in for customers in closed-user groups. The Company will
provide direct access service via a leased line connection between the
customer's phone system and the Company's switch in Paris. Following
deregulation, the Company may offer long distance services, which are presently
restricted to closed user groups, with prefix dialing and value-added services.
The services currently provided by the Company in France do not require a
license. In accordance with the telecommunications laws passed in France in July
1996, the process of liberalizing the telecommunications market is regulated by
a new government authority, and the telecommunications market in France was
liberalized on January 1, 1998 along with the markets of most other EU member
states. In accordance with the standard terms and conditions and price lists for
interconnection with France Telecom, duly approved by the French
Telecommunications Authority on April 9, 1997, new operators began
interconnecting with France Telecom's PSTN on January 1, 1998.
RUSSIA. The Company has been active in the Russian market (centered in the
Moscow region) for over 24 months, with direct dial up access having replaced
call reorigination for approximately 18 months. Traffic has grown to
approximately $7,000 to $9,000 per day with the majority of calling derived from
the direct dial up access lines from Moscow. Overall, Russia generated sales for
the Company of approximately $2.5 million in the fiscal year ended March 31,
1997 from approximately $700,000 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996 and
posted sales of approximately $2.3 million for the for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1998.
The Company hopes to expand its Russian business by capitalizing upon the
technologically advanced services it offers which compare favorably to the
relatively undeveloped services offered by the Russian ITO.
Minutes of total outgoing international traffic in Russia have dramatically
increased from 287 million minutes in 1995 to 851 million minutes in 1996.
Historically, about 50% of all international traffic and about 40% of long
distance traffic within the Russian Federation originated in Moscow and some 30%
of international traffic and about 25% of long distance traffic originated in
St. Petersburg. Penetration levels for aggregate telecommunications services in
these two cities equal about 46% for Moscow and about 36% for St. Petersburg.
Other Russian urban areas with low penetration are less likely in the near
future to generate any large international traffic, because there is a much
lower business demand and a smaller number of wealthy individuals supporting a
market. The overall growth in long-distance and international traffic over the
past several years in the Russian Federation did not, however, significantly
change the network usage level, which means that Russia still generates one of
the lowest levels of per-line international and long distance traffic in the
world. This is in large part due to the fact that international and long
distance tariffs in Russia have been increasing very rapidly in real terms.
Despite the recent changes in the Russian telecommunications industry, and
recent significant investments in local telecommunications infrastructure, the
level of telecommunications service generally available from most public
operators in Moscow remains below that available in cities of Western Europe and
the United States. Outside Moscow (and, to a lesser extent St. Petersburg), most
standard Russian telecommunications equipment is obsolete. For example, many of
the telephone exchanges are electromechanical and most telephones still use
pulse dialing.
The telecommunications market in Russia currently includes a number of
operators that compete in different offering segments-local, inner-city,
international data and cellular services. Growth in the Russian
telecommunications industry has been principally driven by businesses in Moscow
requiring international and domestic long distance voice and data services and
by consumers using mobile telephony. This growth has been most significant as
multinational corporations have established a presence in Moscow and Russian
businesses have begun to expand. The service sector, which includes operations
in distribution, financial services and professional services and tends to be
the most telecommunications intensive sector of the economy, is growing rapidly
particularly in Moscow. Since moving to a more market-oriented economy, the
economic conditions in the outlying regions in Russia have also generally
improved. The telecommunications industry in the outlying regions has also
experienced recent growth, principally as a result of growth in the industrial
sector as well as the establishment of satellite offices in the regions by
multinational corporations and growing Russian businesses.
REVENUE
The geographic origin of the Company's revenues is as follows:
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
--------------------
1996 1997 1998
---- ---- ----
Africa ................... $ 1,403,094 $ 3,899,701 $ 8,346,025
Europe ................... 1,988,030 4,252,104 3,857,504
Latin America ............ 6,337,284 7,265,473 6,523,384
Middle East .............. 2,101,864 3,741,890 4,721,592
Other .................... 1,397,802 1,363,852 1,719,272
United States ............ -- 315,407 2,930,547
--------------------------------------------------
$13,228,074 $20,838,427 $28,098,324
<PAGE>
The Company's subscriber base has grown as follows:
AS OF: NUMBER OF
SUBSCRIBERS
March 31, 1998...................................... 30,850
March 31, 1997...................................... 15,729
March 31, 1996...................................... 9,791
The number of the Company's independent agents has varied as follows:
AS OF: NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT
AGENCY AGREEMENTS
March 31, 1998.............................. 14
March 31, 1997.............................. 17
March 31, 1996.............................. 15
The percentage of retail (minutes sold to retail end users) and wholesale
(minutes sold to other telecommunication carriers) revenues has been as follows:
PERIOD ENDED RETAIL WHOLESALE
% %
Year Ended March 31, 1998............................. 86.1% 13.9%
Year Ended March 31, 1997............................. 98.5% 1.5%
Year Ended March 31, 1996............................ 100% -
The Company expects that wholesale revenues will increase in the near term,
and may become a more significant portion of the Company's total revenue. The
Company generates retail revenues primarily through its independent agents. No
single Company subscriber represents 1% or more of the Company's revenue. Agency
agreements generally are exclusive and typically have an initial term of five
years with two additional three-year renewal periods. The four largest
independent agents account for approximately 65% of the Company's revenue for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. Any material disruption in or termination
of these agreements could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operations.
The Company believes its retail services are priced below those of the ITOs
in each country in which the Company offers its services. Prices for
telecommunications services in many of the Company's core markets have declined
as a result of deregulation and increased competition. The Company believes that
worldwide deregulation and increased competition are likely to continue to
reduce the Company's retail revenues per billable minute. The Company believes,
however, that any decrease in retail revenues per minute will be at least
partially offset by an increase in billable minutes by the Company's customers,
and by decreased cost per billable minute as a result of the deployment of
direct access facilities, the application of IP telephony technology
particularly for fax transmissions and the Company's ability to exploit
purchasing discounts based on increased traffic volumes.
COST OF GOOD SOLD AND GROSS MARGIN
The most significant portion of the Company's cost of telecommunications
services are transmission and termination costs, which vary based on the number
of minutes used. The Company purchases switched minutes from other carriers. The
Company has historically purchased a portion of the minutes subject to fixed
volume commitments. Several carriers may exercise their right to terminate
service agreements upon 30 day notice. The Company has historically been able
to arrange favorable volume purchase arrangements based upon its high usage and
excellent credit history, and these arrangements continue under more recent
terminable agreements.
During the last year, the Company's segment of the international
telecommunications industry has experienced a general tightening of gross
margins due to declining retail and wholesale prices. The Company's own gross
margin results, particularly for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, have
reflected this trend. Factors impacting the Company's lower gross margin
compared to earlier periods include declining retail prices, development of the
wholesale business with lower profit margins (averaging approximately 5% to
10%), and increased incremental costs associated with the Company's call
reorigination customers. The reduction in retail prices reflects increased
competition arising from deregulation as well as the Company's strategic
decision to gain market share and increase revenue through more competitive
pricing. By increasing total minutes purchased through aggressive retail
expansion and development of a wholesale business, the Company expects to reduce
the rates it pays for switched minutes through volume discounts and other
mechanisms. The benefits of such cost reductions have a slower impact on the
Company's operating results compared to the more immediate revenue reductions
resulting from price discounting. The Company expects that deregulation and
increasing competition will continue to reduce revenues per minute thereby
reducing profit margins, particularly for the Company's call reorigination
business, which results in high variable costs, including non-billable access
costs.
The Company's costs of providing telecommunications services to customers
consist largely of: (i) variable costs associated with origination, transmission
and termination of voice and data telecommunications services over other
carriers' facilities, and (ii) costs associated with owning or leasing and
maintaining switching facilities and circuits. Currently, the variable portion
of the Company's cost of revenue predominate, based on the large proportion of
call reorigination customers and the number of minutes of use transmitted and
terminated over other carrier's facilities. Thus, the Company's existing gross
profitability primarily reflects the difference between revenues and the cost of
transmission and termination over other carrier's facilities. Therefore, the
Company seeks to lower the variable portion of its cost of services by
eventually originating, transporting and terminating a higher portion of its
traffic over its own Network or via media such as the Internet and private data
networks, and by increasing its purchasing power and volume discounts through
the increase of the number of minutes it purchases from other carriers.
The Company realizes higher gross margins from its retail services than
from its growing wholesale services. However, wholesale services provide a
source of additional revenues and add significant minutes originating and
terminating on the Company's Network, enhancing the Company's purchasing power
for switched minutes and enabling it to take advantage of volume discounts.
The Company seeks to reduce its cost of revenues by expanding and upgrading
the Network, adding to the Network more owned and leased facilities, and
increasing the traffic volume carried by these facilities, so that the
percentage of the Company's revenues based on variable costs, including higher
access costs from call reorigination, will decline as revenues based on a fixed
cost structure increase, thereby allowing the Company to spread the fixed costs
over increasing traffic volumes; negotiating lower cost of transmission over the
facilities owned and operated by other carriers, principally through increased
purchasing volumes; and expanding the Company's least cost routing choices and
capabilities.
The Company's overall gross margins may, however, fluctuate in the future
based on its mix of wholesale and retail international long distance services
and the percentage of calls using direct access and/or call-through compared to
call reorigination.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operating expenses include; commissions, selling expenses, general and
administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses.
The Company pays commission expense to its network of independent agents
pursuant to long-term agency agreements. The Company's decision to use
independent agents has been driven by the low initial fixed costs associated
with this distribution channel, and the agents' familiarity with local business
and marketing practices. The percentage of retail revenue paid for commissions
has been as follows:
Year Ended March 31, 1998............................................17.3%
Year Ended March 31, 1997............................................18.4%
Year Ended March 31, 1996............................................18.4%
Because the Company's contracts with its agents generally are long-term,
the Company expects these costs to remain stable as a percentage of revenue. The
Company has not paid commissions to generate wholesale sales. The aggregate
sales commissions paid by the Company have increased over the past three years
as its business has expanded. The Company anticipates that in the future
revenues from direct access (which carries lower commission rates) and
especially wholesale services (which involve minimal or no commissions) will
increase relative to its existing services, and therefore commissions will
decline as a percentage of revenues.
Selling expenses (exclusive of commissions) consist of selling and
marketing costs, including salaries and benefits, associated with attracting and
servicing independent agents. The Company performs standard due diligence prior
to signing agency agreements and then expends significant time training the
agents in the Company's practices and procedures.
The Company's general and administrative expenses consist of salaries and
benefits and corporate overhead. Included in salaries through March 31, 1998 is
a bonus of approximately $588,000 paid to two officers of the Company. These
arrangements have been terminated and replaced with new employment agreements.
Bad debt expense has never exceeded 0.5% of total revenue. In addition, the cost
of collecting accounts receivable is minimal. The Company has achieved these
results because of its ability to attract, train and retain high quality
independent agents and because the independent agents contractually assume the
risk of credit loss and the cost of collection on the underlying sales. The
Company's financial results may reflect higher levels of bad debt losses as its
wholesale and other lines of business expand and as it makes equity investments
in its independent agents. The Company expects that general and administrative
expenses may increase as a percentage of revenues in the near term as the
Company incurs additional costs associated with its development and expansion,
expansion of its marketing and sales organization, and introduction of new
telecommunications services.
In addition to the Company's efforts to reduce its cost of goods sold by
migrating customers to direct access by deploying IP telephony technology and
maximizing volume discounts, the Company also actively manages and seeks to
reduce its selling, general and administrative expenses. As part of this focus,
the Company uses its network of exclusive independent agents to bear much of the
marketing expenses that its competitors may bear directly. Furthermore, the
Company's strategy of using its competitors' infrastructure to carry its
telecommunications traffic also controls the Company's fixed costs. The Company
aggressively manages its back office systems, by developing and implementing
efficient computerized systems in order to maximize selling, general and
administrative expenses ("SG&A") efficiency (e.g., revenue and EBITDA per Dollar
of SG&A) and maximize the Company's existing productivity per employee.
Depreciation and amortization expense consists primarily of the expenses
associated with the Company's investments in equipment, and will continue to
increase substantially as the Company installs additional switches and other
fixed facilities. The Company expects these increased costs will be amortized
over an increased revenue base, resulting in stable percentage costs.
Other income (expense) consists primarily of interest expense on long-term
debt and interest income earned in connection with advances to officers and
consultants and short-term investments.
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS
(STATED AS A PERCENTAGE OF REVENUES)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
-------------------
1996 1997 1998
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues ............................................................ 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of revenues .................................................... 58.0 58.5 66.0
Gross profit ........................................................ 42.0 41.5 34.0
Operating expenses:
Commission ...................................................... 18.4 18.1 14.9
Selling, general and administrative ............................. 12.5 13.2 12.3
Depreciation and amortization ................................... 0.7 0.6 0.7
Total operating expenses ............................................ 31.6 31.9 27.9
Operating income .................................................... 10.3 9.6 6.1
Other expense (income) .............................................. 0.4 0.1 0.0
Income before income taxes .......................................... 9.9 9.6 6.2
Income tax expense .................................................. 4.0 3.5 2.5
Net income .......................................................... 6.0 6.0 3.8
</TABLE>
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 COMPARED TO MARCH 31, 1997
REVENUES. Revenues increased $7.3 million (34.8%) from $20.8 million in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 to $28.1 million in the fiscal year ended March
31, 1998. The increase in revenues reflects increased billed retail customer
minutes, particularly in the South African and Middle Eastern markets. In
addition, the Company earned $3.9 million of wholesale revenue in the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1998, as compared to $315,000 in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1997.
COST OF REVENUES. Cost of revenues increased by $6.3 million (52%) from
$12.2 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 to $18.5 million in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. The increase in cost of revenues primarily
reflects an increase in sales volume, based on number of minutes sold. Costs of
revenues as a percentage of sales increased from 58.5% to 66%, because selling
prices per minute decreased faster than costs per minute. This increase in the
Company's costs as a percentage of revenues primarily reflects declining retail
prices, the growth of the less profitable wholesale business, and increasing
incremental non-billable access costs associated with the Company's call
reorigination business. As discussed in "Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin"
above, retail price reductions tend to reduce gross revenues before the benefits
of the negotiated volume-based rate reductions by carriers can be realized, a
fact which resulted in a decline in the gross profit margin in the retail
segment of revenues from 41.4% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 to 37.9%
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. The Company's margins for fiscal year
ended March 31, 1998 reflected this trend, despite the increased costs of
revenues being in part mitigated by the settlement of a dispute regarding a
purchase contract from a supplying carrier. The effect of such settlement was a
one-time savings in cost of revenues equal to 3.5%.
GROSS PROFITS. Gross profit increased $1 million (10.7%) from $8.6 million
in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 to $ 9.6 million in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1998. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit decreased 7.5%
from 41.5% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 to 34.0% in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1998. Gross profit margin decreased because sales price per
minute decreased faster than cost price per minute, and the Company began its
wholesale carrier business which operates on much lower gross profit margins of
9.9% as compared to 37.9% for the retail segment for the fiscal year ended March
31, 1998. The reduction in prices reflects price competition from deregulation
as well as the Company's strategic decision to gain market share and increase
revenue through more competitive pricing. By increasing total minutes purchased
not only through aggressive retail expansion, but also through expansion of its
wholesale business, the Company eventually expects to reduce the rates it pays
for switched minutes through volume discounts and other mechanisms.
OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses increased $1.2 million (18.2%) from
$6.6 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 to $7.8 million in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. The increase was due to an increase in
commission expense of $0.4 million (reflecting increased gross revenues in spite
of a 1.1% decrease in total commission paid to agents as a percentage of retail
revenues), and increases in salaries and wages of $0.5 million and a general
SG&A expenses increase of $0.2 million. Operating expenses as a percentage of
revenues decreased by 4%, primarily because additional SG&A expenses were more
than offset by increased revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and
the Company's SG&A expenses were absorbed by a larger base of revenues.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased approximately $70,000 from
approximately $126,000 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 to approximately
$196,000 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 as a result of switch upgrades,
the purchase of additional computer equipment and software, and leasehold
improvements.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest was approximately $39,000 in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1997 and $24,000 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998,
reflecting a reduction in the Company's outstanding long-term debt.
OPERATING INCOME. Operating income decreased $0.3 million from $2.0 million
in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 to $1.7 million in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1998 primarily as a result of decreased gross margin rates due to the
increase in cost of revenues from 58.5% to 66% of revenues, this despite the
fact that total operating expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased by 4%.
Other operating expenses did not change significantly.
NET INCOME. As a result of all of the foregoing factors including a 26%
increase in SG&A, and in particular because of the Company's strategic decision
to increase its gross revenues through price reductions, the Company's net
income decreased approximately $179,000 from approximately $1.3 million in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 to approximately $1.1 million in the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1998.
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 COMPARED TO MARCH 31, 1996
REVENUES. Revenues increased $7.6 million (57.6%), from $13.2 in 1996 to
$20.8 million in 1997. The increase in revenues primarily resulted from an
increase in billed customer minutes from retail sales, principally in the
international call reorigination business. This increase reflects the Company's
increased market penetration, especially in the South African, Russian and
Middle Eastern markets. The total number of independent agents increased from 15
to 17. In addition, the Company earned wholesale revenues of $0.3 million in
1997 with no corresponding amount in 1996.
COST OF REVENUES. Cost of revenues increased $4.5 million (58.9%) from $7.7
million in 1996 to $12.2 million in 1997, principally reflecting the increased
amount of traffic being handled by the Company. The slight (0.5%) increase in
cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues reflects the Company's wholesale
revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 (with a lower profit margin
than retail revenues) of $0.3 million, with no corresponding amount in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1997.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased $3.1 million (55.6%) from $5.5 million
in 1996 to $8.6 million in 1997 reflecting the increase in number of minutes
billed. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit decreased from 42.0% in 1996 to
41.5% in 1997. The gross profit margin on the retail segment of the business was
41.4% compared to 42% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, while wholesale
revenues generated a 48% gross profit margin, which was unusually high due to a
one-time favorable rate arbitrage opportunity on a route to Thailand.
OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses increased $2.4 million (58.7%) from
$4.2 million to $6.6 million. This increase was due to an increase in commission
costs of $1.3 million attributable to the increased sales volume generated by
the Company's independent agents. Bonuses paid to officers pursuant to their
employment agreements, additional consulting and travel expenses related to
maintaining and improving agency relations, additional legal and professional
fees and travel expenses related to the attempt by the Company to secure
expansion financing and negotiate strategic alliances resulted in increased
costs of $0.5 million. In addition, the Company increased staffing levels from
12 to 17 and secured additional office facilities at its headquarters in
Sunrise, Florida resulting in increased costs of $0.2 million. The growth in
other categories of operating expenses of $0.4 million related primarily to the
Company's increased level of activity.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased approximately $30,000 as a
result of switch upgrades, the purchase of additional computer equipment and
software, and leasehold improvements incurred in connection with the office
expansion.
As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses increased slightly to 31.9%
in 1997 from 31.6% in 1996, as additional revenue offset the additional costs
and expenses.
OPERATING INCOME. Operating income increased by $0.6 million (46.4%) from
$1.4 million in 1996 to $2.0 million in 1997. As a percentage of revenue,
operating income decreased by 0.7% to 9.6% in 1997 from 10.3% in 1996, primarily
reflecting a 0.5% reduction created by the impact of the commencement of the
lower margin wholesale business in 1997.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense decreased to approximately $40,000 from
approximately $60,000, reflecting reductions in long-term debt.
NET INCOME. As a result of these factors, and principally reflecting the
growth in the Company's minutes billed to customers, net income increased to
$1.3 million from $0.8 million in 1996.
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 COMPARED TO MARCH 31, 1995
REVENUES. Revenues increased $6.9 million (110.3%) from $6.3 million in
1995 to $13.2 million in 1996, primarily from an increase in billed customer
minutes from international call reorigination. The Company also opened new
markets by entering into four new independent agency agreements in the period,
and increased its market penetration within existing markets.
COST OF REVENUES. Cost of revenues increased $4.0 million from $3.7 million
in 1995 to $7.7 million in 1996, primarily as a result of the increase in
traffic volume. Cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues decreased from
59.6% to 58.0%, reflecting the negotiation of volume discounts and other
favorable carrier agreements.
GROSS PROFITS. Gross profits increased $3.0 million (118.3%) from $2.5
million in 1995 to $5.6 million in 1996. As a percentage of revenue, gross
profit increased to 42.0% in 1996 from 40.4% in 1995 due to favorable
negotiations of the cost of switched minutes provided by carriers.
OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses increased $1.8 million (75.4%) from
$2.4 million in 1995 to $4.2 million in 1996. As a percentage of revenues,
overall operating expenses decreased from 37.9% in 1995 to 31.6% in 1996,
primarily because increased selling, general and administrative expenses were
more than offset by increased revenues in the period, and the Company's overhead
expenses were absorbed by a larger base of revenues. Commissions increased by
$1.2 million from 1995 to 1996 as a direct result of increased revenues.
Commissions as a percentage of revenue decreased from 19.5% in 1995 to 18.4% in
1996, primarily because of commission adjustments with the agents. Officers'
salaries and bonuses increased $0.2 million from $0.4 million in 1995 to $0.7
million in 1996 primarily as a result of the provisions, in effect until
December 31, 1997, contained in the officers' contracts that provided for bonus
payments as a fraction of the Company's income before taxes. These agreements
have been terminated and replaced by new contracts with these officers effective
January 1, 1998. Other expenses increased $0.3 million, primarily as a result of
increases in employment and payments under a consulting agreement.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased approximately $20,000 from
approximately $70,000 in 1995 to approximately $90,000 in 1996, primarily due to
capital expenditures for switch equipment and computer equipment.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense was approximately $60,000 in 1995 and
1996. Average long-term debt outstanding, and the interest rate charged during
the two periods did not change significantly.
OPERATING INCOME. Operating income increased by $1.2 million, from $0.2
million in 1995 to $1.4 million in 1996, as a result of increased sales and the
resultant increased gross profit. In addition the Company's operating expenses
declined from 37.9% to 31.6% of total revenues from 1995 to 1996 as a result of
a decrease in the commission pay-out to agents and a decrease in SG&A of 6.5% in
relation to total revenues.
NET INCOME. Net income increased $0.4 million (107%) from $0.4 million in
1995 to $0.8 million in 1996 as a result of increased levels of operating income
and the elimination of the Company's deferred tax asset valuation allowance in
1995 resulting in an increased income in 1995 of $0.3 million. Had this tax
benefit not been realized in 1995, net income in 1996 would have increased by
$0.7 million over 1995 amounts.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's capital requirements consist of capital expenditures in
connection with the acquisition and maintenance of switching capacity and
working capital requirements. Historically, the Company's capital requirements
have been met primarily through funds provided by operations, term loans funded
or guaranteed by its majority shareholder and capital leases.
Subsequent to December 31, 1997, the Company repaid an outstanding term
loan of $85,000 from Citibank-Zurich and terminated its loan agreement. In the
fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company acquired a switch and other equipment
under capital leases. The assets had a capitalized cost of approximately
$369,000. See "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-Note 6."
Net cash provided by operating activities was $0.7 million in 1996, $0.9
million in 1997 and $1.5 million in 1998. The net cash provided by operating
activities in 1996 and 1997 mainly reflects net earnings offset by an increase
in accounts receivable relative to accounts payable to carriers. For the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1998 compared to the same period in 1997, net cash provided
by operating activities increased by approximately $0.6 million reflecting net
earnings being offset by an increase in accounts receivable resulting primarily
from longer payment cycles from the Company's agents, relative to the Company's
accounts payable to carriers. In addition, an income tax receivable which
represented an overestimation of actual tax payments in prior periods was
applied against estimated tax payments for the current period.
Net cash used in investing activities was $0.2 million in 1996, $0.4
million in 1997 and $.3 million in 1998. The net cash used in investing
activities in 1995, 1996, and 1997 principally reflects an increase in equipment
purchases. Net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended March
31, 1998 was $0.3 million principally reflecting an increase in equipment
purchases and partially offset by repayments of loans by related parties.
Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $150,000 in 1996,
$155,000 in 1997 and $944,000 in 1998. The activities consisted of debt
repayment, primarily to the Company's bank for long-term financing obtained in
1993 and 1994. Net cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1998 was approximately $944,000 reflecting debt repayment and deferred
costs related to the Company's Public Offering.
The Company expects that the net proceeds from the Public Offering,
together with internally generated funds, will provide sufficient funds for the
Company to expand its business as planned and to fund anticipated growth for the
next 12 to 18 months. However, the amount of the Company's future capital
requirements will depend upon many factors, including performance of the
Company's business, the rate and manner in which it expands, staffing levels and
customer growth, as well as other factors not within the Company's control,
including competitive conditions and regulatory or other government actions. If
the Company's plans or assumptions change or prove to be inaccurate or the net
proceeds of the Public Offering, together with internally generated funds or
other financing, prove to be insufficient to fund the Company's growth and
operations, then some or all of the Company's development and expansion plans
could be delayed or abandoned, or the Company may be required to seek additional
funds earlier than anticipated. In order to provide flexibility for potential
acquisition and network expansion opportunities, the Company may seek in the
near future to enter into a financing arrangement. Other future sources of
capital for the Company could include public and private debt, including a high
yield debt offering, and equity financing. There can be no assurance that any
such sources of financing would be available to the Company in the future or, if
available, that they could be obtained on terms acceptable to the Company. While
such a financing may provide the Company additional capital resources that may
be used to implement its business plan, the incurrence of indebtedness could
impose risks, covenants and restrictions on the Company that may affect the
Company in a number of ways, including the following: (i) a significant portion
of the Company's cash flow from operations may be required for the repayment of
interest and principal payments arising from the financing, with such cash flow
not being available for other purposes; (ii) such a financing could impose
covenants and restrictions on the Company that may limit its flexibility in
planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business or that could restrict its
ability to redeem stock, incur additional indebtedness, sell assets and
consummate mergers, consolidations, investments and acquisitions; and (iii) the
Company's degree of indebtedness and leverage may render it more vulnerable to a
downturn in its business or in the telecommunications industry or the economy
generally.
SEASONALITY
The Company has historically experienced, and expects to continue to
experience, a decrease in the use of its services in the months of August and
December due to the closing of many businesses for holidays in Europe and the
United States during those months.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 130,
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (FASB) which requires all
items that are required to be recognized under the accounting standards as
components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is
displayed as prominently as other financial statements. SFAS No. 130 is
effective for the Company's fiscal year ending March 31, 1999. The adoption of
SFAS No. 130 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's
consolidated financial statements.
In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "DISCLOSURE ABOUT SEGMENTS OF
AN ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION," which is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997. This Statement supersedes SFAS No. 14,
"FINANCIAL REPORTING FOR SEGMENTS OF A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE," and amends SFAS No.
94, "CONSOLIDATION OF ALL MAJORITY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES." This Statement requires
annual financial statements and interim reports to disclose information about
products and services, geographic areas and major customers based on a
management approach. This approach requires disclosing financial and descriptive
information about an enterprise's reportable operating segments based on
information management uses in making business decisions and assessing
performance. This new approach may result in additonal information being
disclosed and may require new interim information not previously reported. The
Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 131 in fiscal 1999 with impact only to the
Company's disclosure information and not its results of operations.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company does not utilize futures, options or other derivative
instruments. See "Item 1- Foreign Exchange Rate Risks."
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The financial statements required pursuant to this item are included in
Part III, Item 14 of this Form 10-K and are presented beginning on page F-1.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
Not Applicable.
<PAGE>
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
The following set forth the executive officers and directors of the
Company:
NAME AGE POSITION
Luca M. Giussani 44 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Jeffrey R. Chaskin 45 Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
and Director
Johannes S. Seefried 39 Chief Financial and Chief Accounting Officer and
Director
Gregory J. Koutoulas 49 Vice President, Controller and Secretary
Richard C. McEwan 43 Vice President
William Newport 62 Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Kenneth L. Garrett 55 Director
Luca M. Giussani, a co-founder of the Company, has served as President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company since its inception. Mr.
Giussani currently works full time for the Company in the United States. Prior
to co-founding the Company with Mr. Chaskin, Mr. Giussani served as an advisor
to a number of developing countries for the restructuring of their foreign debt,
as well as a consultant to several public sector Italian contractors
specializing in the construction of power plants. Prior to 1993, Mr. Giussani
was an officer of Orient & China S.P.A., a trading company specializing in
transactions with China, and in the following concerns that provided consulting
services to Italian contractors: Intraco P.E.F., Balzar Trading Ltd. and Ursus
Finance Ltd.
Jeffrey R. Chaskin is a co-founder of the Company and has been its Chief
Operating Officer and a Director since its inception. Mr. Chaskin has had a key
role in the development of various telecommunications companies, and has
consulted to the industry since 1981 including consulting regarding call center
and switched network operations for CIL, Federal Express, CBN, ASCI and others.
Johannes S. Seefried has been Chief Financial Officer of the Company since
February 1997, and its Chief Accounting Officer and a Director since February
1998. Prior to 1994, Mr. Seefried held executive positions in corporate finance
and securities sales with commercial and investment banking organizations, both
in the United States and Europe. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Seefried was employed by
Banco Santander, a commercial and investment banking group. Mr. Seefried's
primary responsibilities at the Santander Group included serving as a Vice
President of corporate business development, including mergers and acquisitions.
From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Seefried served as Managing Partner of Seefried
Forstverwaltung, a privately-owned forestry and property management company. Mr.
Seefried is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business, 1994, and
the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, 1983.
Gregory J. Koutoulas has been Vice President of Finance and Secretary of
the Company since April 1995 and Controller since November 1994. From 1990 to
1994, Mr. Koutoulas served as Controller of F.A.S.T., INC., a wholesale
distributor of health and beauty aids. Prior to his position with F.A.S.T.,
INC., from 1987 to 1989, Mr. Koutoulas was employed by Bertram Yacht, a
manufacturer of luxury yachts, as Manager of Financial Analysis and Cost
Accounting. Mr. Koutoulas received a B.S. in Economics with a concentration in
Accounting from Purdue University in 1971 and is a licensed Certified Public
Accountant.
Richard C. McEwan has been Vice President of Agency Relations since
September 1, 1997. Prior to joining the Company on a full-time basis, Mr. McEwan
was a consultant to the Company since its inception after leaving Gateway USA
where he served as its Director of International Development since 1990. From
1988 to 1990 Mr. McEwan was co-founder and Executive Vice President of Gateway
Asia-Taiwan, the first overseas agency of Gateway USA providing call
reorigination services. Mr. McEwan also provides consulting services to the
Company's agent in the Bahamas. Mr. McEwan received a B.A. from Brigham Young
University in 1980 and a Masters of International Management from the American
Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) in 1982.
William M. Newport became a Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Company in February 1998. Mr. Newport was Chief Executive Officer of
AT&T's cellular business from 1981 to 1983. In 1983, Mr. Newport joined the Bell
Atlantic Corporation when it was formed as a result of the AT&T divestiture and
retired in December 1992 from the Bell Atlantic Group as a Vice President for
Strategic Planning, after a 36-year career in the telecommunications industry.
Mr. Newport served as a director of Integrated Micro Products, a manufacturer of
fault tolerant computers for telecommunications equipment vendors, from 1994 to
1996, and currently serves as a director of the Corporation for National
Research Initiatives, a non-profit information technology research and
development company, Authentix Networks, Inc., a wireless roaming fraud
prevention and detection service provider, Ovum Holdings plc., a
telecommunications consulting firm, and Condor Technology Solutions, a publicly
traded company that provides information technology services, such as
information systems development, networking, desk top computing systems and
design installations. Mr. Newport holds degrees in Electrical Engineering from
Purdue University and in Management from the Sloan School of Management at
M.I.T.
Kenneth L. Garrett became a director of the Company in April 1998. From
1994 to 1998, Mr. Garrett was President of KLG Associates, Inc., a
telecommunications consulting firm specializing in the design and operations of
networks, and was a member of the executive committee of Tri State Investment
Group II LLC, a group providing venture capital based in North Carolina. From
1989 to 1994, Mr. Garrett was a Senior Vice President in charge of AT&T's
Network Services Division, and from 1964 to 1989, he worked in a number of
capacities in operations, sales and marketing within the AT&T organization.
Also, from 1971 to 1973, Mr. Garrett worked as district plant manager at Pacific
Bell Telephone Company in San Francisco. Mr. Garrett holds degrees in Chemical
Engineering from Iowa State University and in Management from the Sloan School
of Management at M.I.T.
The directors are divided into three classes, denominated Class I, Class II
and Class III, with the terms of office expiring at the 1999, 2000 and 2001
annual meeting of shareholders, respectively. The directors have initially been
divided into classes as follows: Class I: Mr. Giussani and Mr. Chaskin, Class
II: Mr. Seefried and Mr. Newport and Class III: Mr. Garrett. At each annual
meeting following such initial classification and election, directors elected to
succeed those directors whose terms expire will be elected for a term to expire
at the third succeeding annual meeting of shareholders after their election. All
officers are appointed by and serve, subject to the terms of their employment
agreements, if any, at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 16A
Not applicable.
<PAGE>
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The Summary Compensation Table below provides certain summary information
concerning compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal years ended March 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996 by the Company to or on behalf of the Chief Executive
Officer and the three other executive officers of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
-------------------
NAME AND YEAR SALARY BONUS OTHER ANNUAL
PRINCIPAL POSITION ---- ------ ----- COMPENSATION
------------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Luca M. Giussani................ 1998 $187,615 $281,909 $38,100(1)
President and Chief Executive 1997 $170,000 $251,405 $8,200(1)
Officer 1996 $170,000 $164,326 $4,704(1)
Jeffrey R. Chaskin (2) 1998 $187,615 $281,909 $32,516(1)
Executive Vice 1997 $170,000 $251,405 $4,583(1)
President and 1996 $170,000 $164,326 $3,057 (1)
Chief Operating Officer
Johannes S. Seefried (3) 1998 $137,942 $75,000 $1,490(1)
Chief Financial 1997 $61,981 - -
and Accounting Officer
Richard McEwan (4) 1998 $76,000 $40,000 $20,962(5)
Vice President of 1997 - - $50,000(5)
Agency Relations 1996 - - $50,000(6)
- -----------
(1) Consists of the use of Company automobile, prepaid bonuses and vacation
pay.
(2) Does not include compensation paid to Mr. Chaskin's wife, Joanne M.
Canter, an employee of the Company. Ms. Canter's salary for 1996, 1997 and
1998 was $18,692, $18,000 and $18,069, respectively.
(3) Mr. Seefried joined the Company on July 8, 1996.
(4) Mr. McEwan joined the Company on September 1, 1997.
(5) Consulting fees paid from April 1, 1997 to August 30, 1997.
(6) Consulting fees.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
LONG TERM COMPENSATION
In connection with the Public Offering the Company established the 1998
Stock Incentive Plan, whereby 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock were authorized
for issuance. As of March 31, 1998 no options were granted under such plan.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
The following table sets forth information as of July 1, 1998 relating to
the beneficial ownership of Common Stock by (i) those persons known to the
Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the Company's Common Stock, (ii)
each of the Company's directors and executive officers and (iii) all of the
Company's directors and executive officers as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER NUMBER OF PERCENT
- ------------------------- SHARES OF OWNERSHIP
---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ben Christian Rispoli (1) .................................... 375,000 5.6%
Luca M. Giussani (1)(2) ...................................... 4,200,000(4) 62.5%
Jeffrey R. Chaskin ........................................... 575,000(4) 8.6%
Johannes S. Seefried ......................................... 50,000(5) (7)
Gregory J. Koutoulas (9) ..................................... -- --
Richard McEwan (3) ........................................... -- --
William Newport .............................................. 7,500(6) (7)
Kenneth L. Garrett ........................................... 5,000(8) (7)
All Executive Officers
and Directors as a Group
(7 Persons) .................................................. 4,837,500(4)(5)(6)(8) 72.0%
- -----------
(1) Held by Fincogest S.A., a Swiss nominee entity, whose holdings of
Common Stock are beneficially owned by Mr. Giussani (91.7%) and Ben
Christian Rispoli (8.3%), residing at Corso Marconi 92, San Remo, Italy.
Each of Mr. Giussani and Mr. Rispoli has sole voting and investment power
with respect to his shares of Common Stock.
(2) Fincogest, S.A. also owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock of the Company, all of which are beneficially owned by Mr.
Giussani, who holds sole voting and investment power with respect to the
Series A Preferred Stock.
(3) Excludes 10-year options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock
granted to Mr. McEwan, one-half vesting one year after the Public Offering,
and one-half vesting on August 31, 1999.
(4) Includes 10-year options to purchase 75,000 shares of Common Stock.
(5) Includes 10-year options to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock.
(6) Includes 10-year options to purchase 7,500 shares of Common Stock.
(7) Less than 1%.
(8) Includes 10-year options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock.
(9) Excludes 10-year options to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock that
vest one year after the Public Offering.
</TABLE>
As used in this table, "beneficial ownership" means the sole or shared
power to vote, or to direct the voting of a security, or the sole or shared
investment power with respect to a security (i.e., the power to dispose, or
direct the disposition, of a security). Accordingly, they may include shares
owned by or for, among others, the wife, minor children or certain other
relatives of such individual, as well as other shares as to which the individual
has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
LOANS AND ADVANCES TO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Between December 26, 1995 and July 15, 1997, the Company loaned an
aggregate of $127,000 to Luca Giussani, its Chief Executive Officer. The loans
were evidenced by unsecured notes bearing interest at 7.65% per annum. In
addition, the Company made cash advances totaling $4,749 on behalf of Mr.
Giussani during this period. At March 31, 1998, Mr. Giussani had repaid all
outstanding balances owed to the Company.
During fiscal 1995, 416.67 Class C shares were issued to Jeffrey Chaskin,
the Company's Chief Operating Officer, in exchange for a $18,750 promissory note
bearing interest at 7.65% per annum, due March 1, 1997. Mr. Chaskin's 541.67
Class C shares were pledged as security for the note. On February 21, 1997, this
loan was converted to an unsecured note bearing interest at 7.65% per annum,
payable by February 21, 1998. Mr. Chaskin repaid the loan in full on December
19, 1997.
BONUSES PAID TO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Pursuant to the employment agreements effective January 1, 1998, all
bonuses, including any advance payments, paid to Messrs. Giussani and Chaskin
through December 1997 comprise the entire bonus to which each is entitled in
respect of the 1998 fiscal year. They also waived any other claims for
compensation from the Company accruing prior to January 1, 1998. Messrs.
Giussani and Chaskin each received $281,909 in bonuses under these agreements
for fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
TERM LOANS AND GUARANTEE BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
During 1993, the Company entered into two term loan agreements with
Citibank-Zurich providing for an aggregate loan amount of $730,000. The due
dates of the two loans were May 20, 1996 and November 11, 1996, respectively.
During 1995 and through April 1996, the Company repaid a total of $250,000 on
the term loans. In June 1996, the Company replaced the two existing term loans
with a new term loan with the same lender in the amount of $500,000 due August
31, 1998. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998 the Company repaid the
remaining balance of $85,000 and terminated the loan agreement.
Luca Giussani, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, provided security for
these term loans by pledging money-market accounts equal to 100% of the
outstanding loan balances.
AGREEMENTS WITH RISPOLI
On November 1, 1995, the Company entered into a one-year consulting
agreement with Ben Rispoli, a minority shareholder of the Company. The agreement
automatically renews for successive one-year terms unless either party provides
written notice of non-renewal. Pursuant to the agreement Mr. Rispoli will
provide consulting services to assist the Company's marketing efforts for a
monthly retainer of $11,250, plus reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses.
On January 20, 1998, Messrs. Giussani, Rispoli and the Company entered into
an agreement (the "January Agreement"). The January Agreement resolved the
matter of Mr. Rispoli's beneficial interest in the Company's securities held in
a fiduciary capacity by Fincogest, S.A. ("Fincogest"). Fincogest is a nominee
Swiss entity that holds record title for the Company's securities beneficially
owned by Mr. Giussani as well as Mr. Rispoli. Mr. Rispoli had a beneficial
interest in the securities held by Fincogest since the Company's inception. The
January Agreement resolves that Mr. Rispoli beneficially owns 8.3% of the Common
Stock held by Fincogest, and that Mr. Giussani beneficially owns the remaining
91.7% of the Common Stock and all of the Series A Preferred Stock. The January
Agreement also extends Mr. Rispoli's consulting agreement to December 31, 1998
and provides that the consulting agreement cannot be terminated except for
"cause" and modified the agreement to include an additional payment of $15,000
upon consummation of the Public Offering.
Between December 21, 1995 and June 26, 1996, the Company loaned $65,000 in
the aggregate to Ben Rispoli. The notes are unsecured and bear interest at the
rate of 7.65% per annum. Beginning in September of 1997, the consultant's
monthly retainer was offset by the Company against the consultant's outstanding
loan balance and accrued interest. At March 31, 1998, all amounts due to the
Company by the consultant have been offset against the consultant's retainer.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) 1. Financial Statements.
The following consolidated financial statements of the Company
are included herein :
Page
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets F-2
Consolidated Statements of Income F-3
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders
Equity (Deficit) F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7
2. Financial Statements Schedules
Schedule II: Valuation and Qualifying Accounts S-1
(Schedules other than those listed above have been
omitted since they are either not required, not
applicable or the information is otherwise included
herein)
3. Exhibits. Reference is made to the Exhibit Index,
which is found on pages 51 of the Form 10-K.
<PAGE>
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants
Board of Directors
Ursus Telecom Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ursus Telecom
Corporation as of March 31, 1997 and 1998, and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended March 31, 1998. Our audits also included the
financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a). These financial
statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Ursus Telecom Corporation at March 31, 1997 and 1998, and the consolidated
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended March 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as
a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth
therein.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Miami, Florida
July 2, 1998
<PAGE>
URSUS TELECOM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31,
1997 1998
-----------------------------------
ASSETS
<S> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 740,765 $ 1,035,149
Accounts receivable, net 3,378,886 4,183,750
Advances and notes receivable--related parties 185,694 65,274
Prepaid expenses 51,570 54,980
Income taxes receivable 161,430 60,430
Deferred taxes 9,076 49,841
Other current assets 38,716 52,944
------ ------
Total current assets 4,566,137 5,502,368
Equipment, net 587,368 1,258,074
Deferred taxes 17,373 14,042
Deposit on acquisition -- 377,141
Deferred costs of public offering -- 514,619
Other assets, net 72,508 66,267
------ ------
Total assets $ 5,243,386 $ 7,732,511
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 2,714,789 $ 4,064,394
Accrued expenses 38,660 89,838
Commissions payable 85,516 57,085
Customer advances -- 90,000
Income taxes payable 74,146 --
Current portion of capital lease obligations -- 48,835
Deferred revenue 7,006 59,970
----- ------
Total current liabilities 2,920,117 4,410,122
Long term portion of capital lease obligations -- 296,555
Deferred taxes 36,834 77,614
Long-term debt 425,000 --
Commitment and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000
shares authorized; 1,000 shares issued and outstanding -- 10
Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000
shares authorized, 5,000,000 issued and outstanding -- 50,000
Common stock--Class A: $50 par value; 500
shares authorized, issued and outstanding 25,000 --
Common stock--Class B: $50 par value; 15,500
shares authorized, 3,500 issued and outstanding 175,000 --
Common stock--Class C: $50 par value; 4,000
shares authorized, 1,416.67 issued and outstanding, 68,750 --
net of discount of $ 2,084
Stock subscription receivable (18,750) --
Additional paid-in capital -- 218,740
Translation adjustment -- (5,873)
Retained earnings 1,611,435 2,685,343
--------- ---------
Total shareholders' equity 1,861,435 2,948,220
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 5,243,386 $ 7,732,511
=========== ===========
See accompanying notes
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
URSUS TELECOM CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Income
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
1996 1997 1998
----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Retail $ 13,228,074 $ 20,523,019 $ 24,198,629
Wholesale -- 315,408 3,899,695
------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues 13,228,074 20,838,427 28,098,324
Cost of revenues:
Retail 7,675,370 12,031,794 15,017,899
Wholesale -- 163,878 3,514,796
------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost of revenues 7,675,370 12,195,672 18,532,695
------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 5,552,704 8,642,755 9,565,629
Operating expenses:
Commissions 2,429,830 3,766,235 4,181,651
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 1,659,591 2,746,379 3,467,585
Depreciation and amortization 94,415 126,292 196,497
-----------------------------------------------------------
Total operating expenses 4,183,836 6,638,906 7,845,733
-----------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 1,368,868 2,003,849 1,719,896
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (59,353) (39,363) (23,747)
Interest income 5,089 16,271 26,752
Gain (loss) on sale of equipment -- 9,644 10,584
------------------------------------------------------------
(54,264) (13,448) 13,589
------------------------------------------------------------
Income before provision
for income taxes 1,314,604 1,990,401 1,733,485
Provision for income taxes 524,553 737,895 659,577
------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 790,051 $ 1,252,506 $ 1,073,908
==============================================================
Pro forma net income per common
share-basic and dilutive $ .16 $ .25 $ .21
==============================================================
Pro forma weighted average shares 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000
outstanding ==============================================================
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Ursus Telecom Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL STOCK
PREFERRED --------------------------------- COMMON PAID-IN SUBSCRIPTION
STOCK CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C STOCK CAPITAL RECEIVABLE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at April 1, 1995 $ -- $25,000 $175,000 $68,750 $ -- $ -- $(18,750)
Net income -- -- -- -- --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 1996 -- 25,000 175,000 68,750 -- -- (18,750)
Net income -- -- -- -- -- --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 1997 -- 25,000 175,000 68,750 -- -- (18,750)
Collection of stock
subscription receivable -- -- -- -- -- -- 18,750
Stock split and recapitalization 10 (25,000) (175,000) (68,750) 50,000 218,740 --
Net income -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Translation adjustment -- -- -- -- -- -- --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1998 $ 10 $ -- $ -- $ -- $50,000 $218,740 $ --
================================================================================================
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
</TABLE>
Ursus Telecom Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RETAINED
EARNINGS ACCUMULATED
(ACCUMULATED) TRANSLATION
DEFICIT) ADJUSTMENT TOTAL
------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at April 1, 1995 $(431,122) $ -- $(181,122)
Net income 790,051 790,051
------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 1996 358,929 -- 608,929
Net income 1,252,506 -- 1,252,506
------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 1997 1,611,435 -- 1,861,435
Collection of stock
subscription receivable -- -- 18,750
Stock split and recapitalization -- -- --
Net income 1,073,908 -- 1,073,908
Translation adjustment -- (5,873) (5,873)
-----------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1998 $ $2,685,343 $(5,873) $ 2,948,220
===============================================
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Ursus Telecom Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
1996 1997 1998
--------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net income $ 790,051 $ 1,252,506 $ 1,073,908
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 94,415 126,292 196,497
Allowance for doubtful accounts 10,232 3,619 50,964
Gain on sale of equipment -- (9,644) (10,584)
Deferred income taxes 296,815 (2,799) 3,346
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (943,913) (1,647,068) (1,232,969)
Prepaid expenses (4,499) (33,155) (34,564)
Other current assets -- (38,716) (43,250)
Income taxes receivable -- (161,430) 101,000
Accounts payable 482,538 1,268,595 1,349,605
Accrued expenses (20,473) 15,877 51,178
Commissions payable (2,435) 56,862 (28,431)
Customers advances -- -- 90,000
Income taxes payable 8,225 47,868 (74,146)
Deferred revenue 9,314 (2,308) 52,964
Deferred discounts (47,798) (18,567) --
------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 672,472 857,932 1,545,518
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of equipment (93,646) (352,081) (486,767)
Sale of equipment -- 10,000 --
(Increase)decrease in advances to related parties (122,668) (63,026) 180,597
(Increase) decrease in other assets (6,152) (33,976) 5,040
-------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (222,466) (439,083) (301,130)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Deferred costs of public offering -- -- (514,619)
Repayments of long-term debt (150,000) (155,000) (425,000)
Collection of stock subscription receivable -- -- 18,750
Repayments on capital leases -- -- (23,262)
-------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in financing activities (150,000) (155,000) (944,131)
Effect of foreign exchange
rate changes on cash and -- -- (5,873)
cash equivalents -------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 300,006 263,849 294,384
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 176,910 476,916 740,765
-------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $476,916 $ 740,765 $ 1,035,149
=======================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Ursus Telecom Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
1996 1997 1998
----------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash paid for interest $ 58,670 $ 38,838 $ 26,915
===========================================
Cash paid for income taxes $201,460 $854,256 $540,751
===========================================
Trade-in allowance for used equipment $ -- $ 60,000 $ 67,500
===========================================
Property and equipment acquired under capital lease $ -- $ -- $368,652
===========================================
Receivable applied as a deposit on acquisition $ -- $ -- $377,141
===========================================
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
URSUS TELECOM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1998
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Ursus Telecom Corporation (the Company) was incorporated in Florida on March 23,
1993. The Company is a provider of international telecommunications services.
The Company's revenues are derived from the sale of telecommunications services
to retail customers, who are typically small-to medium-sized businesses and
travelers; and to wholesale customers, who are typically telecommunications
carriers. The Company's retail customers are principally located in South
Africa, Latin America, the Middle East (primarily Lebanon and Egypt), Russia and
France, while the wholesale customers are located in the United States and
Europe. The Company extends credit to both its retail and wholesale customers on
an unsecured basis with the risk of loss limited to outstanding amounts.
The Company markets its services through a worldwide network of independent
agents. The Company extends credit to its sales agents on an unsecured basis
with the risk of loss limited to outstanding amounts, less commissions payable
to its agents. The Company has entered into exclusive agency agreements with all
of its current agents. The initial term of the agreements has generally been for
a period of five years. Provided that agents are not in default, agents
generally have the option of renewing their agreements for two additional terms
of three years each by notifying the Company at least six months prior to the
agreement's expiration date. See Note 12 - Significant Customers, and Note 13-
Business Risk.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.
<PAGE>
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of its
50.4% owned subsidiary, Ursus Telecom France a limited liability company
incorporated in France, which was formed during the year. The subsidiary was
formed with a contribution by the Company of a switch and other equipment with a
historical net book value of approximately $153,000. The minority shareholders
contributed their knowledge of the local market and an existing customer base.
All significant transactions between the Company and its subsidiary have been
eliminated in consolidation.
MINORITY INTEREST
The Company would generally allocate to the minority shareholder its share of
any profits or losses. For the year ended March 31, 1998, the minority interest
shareholder did not fund its share of the losses and, as a result, the Company
absorbed 100% of the cumulative unfunded net losses through March 31, 1998.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The financial statements of the Company's French subsidiary have been translated
into U.S. dollars from their functional currency, French Francs, in the
accompanying statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 52 "FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION." Balance sheet amounts
have been translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date and income
statement amounts have been translated at average exchange rates in effect
during the period. The net translation adjustment is recorded as a component of
shareholders' equity.
EQUIPMENT
Equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line
method for financial reporting purposes over useful lives ranging from three to
seven years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is provided using the
straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the
assets or the lease term.
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS
The internal costs incurred to develop or improve software used in the Company's
telecommunication switching activities and selling and administrative activities
are expensed as incurred. Purchased software is included in equipment and is
depreciated using the straight-line method.
<PAGE>
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenues from retail telecommunication services are recognized when customer
calls are completed. Revenues from wholesale telecommunication services are
recognized when the wholesale carrier's customers' calls are completed. Unbilled
revenue represents calls that are completed but not invoiced at the balance
sheet date. Revenue from the sale of calling cards is deferred and recognized
when calling card calls are completed or when the cards expire.
COST OF REVENUES
Cost of revenues is based on the direct costs of fixed facilities and the
variable cost of transmitting and terminating traffic on other carriers'
facilities.
COMMISSIONS
Commissions paid to sales agents are based on the traffic generated in their
respective territories and are expensed in the period when associated call
revenues are recognized.
INCOME TAXES
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences
between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities
using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are
expected to reverse.
PRO FORMA NET INCOME PER SHARE
Pro forma basic and dilutive net income per share reflect pro forma weighted
average common shares outstanding for all periods presented assuming the stock
split and recapitalization, described in Note 7, occurred at the beginning of
the earliest year presented.
In December 1997, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 128,"EARNINGS
PER SHARE." SFAS No. 128 replaced the calculation of primary and fully diluted
earnings per share. Unlike primary earnings per share, basic earnings per share
excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants and convertible securities.
Diluted earnings per share is very similar to the previously reported fully
diluted earnings per share. All earnings per share amounts for all periods are
presented to conform to the new requirements.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Following is a reconciliation of amounts used in the per share computations:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
1996 1997 1998
-----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net income-numerator basic computation $790,051 $1,252,506 $1,073,908
Effect of dilutive securities-None - - -
-----------------------------------------------------
Net income as adjusted for assumed
conversion- numerator diluted $790,051 $1,252,506 $1,073,908
computation
=====================================================
Pro forma weighted average shares-denominator
basic computation 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000
Effect of dilutive securities-None - - -
-----------------------------------------------------
Pro forma weighted average shares
as adjusted- denominator 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000
=====================================================
Pro forma net income per share:
Basic $ 0.16 $ 0.25 $ 0.21
=====================================================
Diluted $ 0.16 $ 0.25 $ 0.21
=====================================================
</TABLE>
ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
During fiscal 1997, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 121,
ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS. SFAS 121 requires impairment
losses to be recorded on long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are
present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those
assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. The Company, based on current
circumstances, does not believe that any long-lived assets are impaired at March
31, 1998.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, advances
and notes receivable-related party, accounts payable, accrued expenses and long
term debt approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these items.
<PAGE>
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 130,
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (FASB) which requires all
items that are required to be recognized under the accounting standards as
components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is
displayed as prominently as other financial statements. SFAS No. 130 is
effective for the Company's fiscal year ending March 31, 1999. The adoption of
SFAS No. 130 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's
consolidated financial statements.
DISCLOSURE ABOUT SEGMENTS OF AN ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION
In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "DISCLOSURE ABOUT SEGMENTS OF AN
ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION," which is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997. This Statement supersedes SFAS No. 14,
"FINANCIAL REPORTING FOR SEGMENTS OF A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE," and amends SFAS No.
94, "CONSOLIDATION OF ALL MAJORITY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES." This Statement requires
annual financial statements and interim reports to disclose information about
products and services, geographic areas and major customers based on a
management approach. This approach requires disclosing financial and descriptive
information about an enterprise's reportable operating segments based on
information management uses in making business decisions and assessing
performance. This new approach may result in additional information being
disclosed and may require new interim information not previously reported. The
Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 131 in fiscal 1999 with impact only to the
Company's disclosure information and not its results of operations.
3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable consists of the following:
MARCH 31,
1997 1998
-----------------------------------
Billed services $2,281,835 $2,937,650
Unbilled services 1,112,051 1,312,064
Allowance for doubtful accounts (15,000) (65,964)
-----------------------------------
$3,378,886 $4,183,750
===================================
<PAGE>
4. EQUIPMENT
Equipment consists of the following:
ESTIMATED MARCH 31,
USEFUL LIVES 1997 1998
--------------------------------------
Switch equipment 7 years $459,607 $934,693
Furniture and fixtures 5 years 65,519 93,893
Computer equipment 3 years 187,581 407,759
Computer software 3 years 66,260 85,759
Office equipment 5 years 20,862 23,471
Leasehold improvements 7 years 61,478 144,625
------------------------
861,307 1,690,200
Less accumulated
depreciation and amortization (273,939) (432,126)
------------------------
$587,368 $1,258,074
=========================
5. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consisted of a term loan to a bank in the original amount of
$500,000 due August 31, 1998 at an approximate rate of 8.75%. The loan was
repaid in full prior to March 31, 1998.
6. CAPITAL LEASES
During 1998, the Company entered into two agreements to acquire a switch and
other equipment under capital leases. At the inception of these agreements the
assets had a carrying amount of $368,652. Depreciation on these assets is
included with depreciation expense on the income statement. The following is a
schedule of future minimum lease payments under capital leases as of March 31,
1998:
1999 $ 88,055
2000 88,055
2001 88,055
2002 88,055
2003 118,252
-----------
470,472
Less: Imputed interest at rates of 11-16% (125,082)
-----------
Present value of lease obligation (current $345,390
portion $48,835) ===========
<PAGE>
7. Stockholders' Equity
Prior to the stock split and recapitalization, as discussed below, the Company
was authorized to issue three classes of common stock at a par value of $50.
Class A, Class B and Class C shares had the same dividend and liquidation
rights. Class A shares carried the sole right to elect the first three directors
of the Company, Class B shares were identical to Class A shares except for the
right to elect the first three directors, and Class C shares were nonvoting for
all purposes.
On February 6, 1998, the Board of Directors and shareholders approved (i) the
filing of amended and restated Articles of Incorporation that provided for,
among other things, the authorization of 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock and
1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, (ii) a 923.08 for 1 stock split of the
issued and outstanding Class C Common Stock, (iii) the reclassification and
split of every four shares of outstanding Class A and Class B common stock into
3,692.32 shares of Common Stock and 1 share of preferred stock, (iv) an option
plan reserving up to 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock options and other stock
awards, and (v) the granting of 150,000 warrants for the purchase of Common
Stock to the Company's underwriters. The stock split and reclassification became
effective on February 18, 1998. The issuance of the warrants and stock option
plan became effective May 18, 1998 (the effective date of the Company's initial
public offering).
The 1,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock are owned by the Company's
principal shareholder. The Preferred Stock has the exclusive right to elect one
less than a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, and is entitled
to a $1.00 per share liquidation preference over the Common Stock. The Series A
Preferred Stock does not participate in dividends and it is not redeemable or
convertible into Common Stock. The holders of 66 2/3 of the outstanding shares
of Series A Preferred Stock must consent to the creation or issuance of any
class or series of new Preferred Stock that has greater or equal voting right
with respect to the election of directors.
8. STOCK OPTION PLAN
On February 12, 1998 the Company's Board of Directors and shareholders adopted
the "1998 Stock Incentive Plan" (the "Stock Incentive Plan" or the "Plan"). All
employees and directors of and consultants to the Company are eligible to
receive "Incentive Awards" under the Stock Incentive Plan. The Stock Incentive
Plan allows the Company to issue Incentive Awards of stock options (including
incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options), restricted stock and
stock appreciation rights.
A total of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock are authorized for issuance under
the Stock Incentive Plan. In connection with their respective employment
agreements, the Board of Directors agreed to grant, subject to the consummation
of the initial public offering, to the Company's Chief Executive, Chief
Operating and Chief Financial Officers, 10-year stock options exercisable at the
Offering Price ($9.50) covering 150,000, 150,000 and 100,000 shares of Common
Stock, respectively. Half of these options vest upon the effective date of the
initial public offering and the balance vest on January 1, 1999 or upon a change
in control of the Company.
The Company will apply APB Opinion 25, "ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK ISSUED TO
EMPLOYEES," and related Interpretations in accounting for options granted to
employees. Under APB Opinion 25, because the exercise price of the employee
stock options described above equals the market price of the underlying stock on
the date of grant, no compensation cost is recognized. See Note 16.
9. INCOME TAXES
The components of the income tax provision (benefit) are as follows:
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
1996 1997 1998
--------------------------------------------
Current - Federal $194,452 $632,434 $560,316
State 33,286 108,260 95,915
Deferred 296,815 (2,799) 3,346
--------------------------------------------
Total $524,553 $737,895 $659,577
============================================
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the Company's net deferred income taxes are as follows:
MARCH 31,
1997 1998
--------------------------------
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts Receivable $ - $24,822
Accrued expenses 9,076 25,019
Amortization 17,373 3,393
Deferred rent - 10,649
---------------------------------
Total deferred tax assets 26,449 63,883
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation 36,834 65,161
Prepaid bonus - 11,723
Other - 730
---------------------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities 36,834 77,614
---------------------------------
Total net deferred tax liabilities $10,385 $13,731
=================================
<PAGE>
9. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The reconciliation of the effective income tax expense (benefit) to federal
statutory rates is as follows:
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
1996 1997 1998
--------------------------------
Tax at federal statutory rate 34.00% 34.00% 34.00%
State taxes, net of federal benefit 3.63 3.63 3.63
Other 2.27 (.56) .42
--------------------------------
39.90% 37.07% 38.05%
================================
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Advances and notes receivable--related parties consist of the following:
MARCH 31,
1997 1998
---------------------------
Note receivable--officer,
unsecured, due on demand, bearing
interest at 7.65% per annum $117,000 $ -
Notes receivable--minority shareholder 65,000 -
Cash advances--officer - 465
Prepaid bonuses --officers - 31,154
Advances receivable--affiliates,
unsecured, non-interest bearing 3,694 33,655
---------------------------
$185,694 $ 65,274
===========================
During fiscal 1995, 416.67 shares of Class C shares were issued to an
officer/minority shareholder in exchange for a $18,750 promissory note bearing
interest at 7.65%, due March 1, 1997. Accordingly, this stock subscription
receivable is reflected as a deduction from shareholders' equity at March 31,
1996 and 1997. On December 19, 1997, the officer/minority shareholder repaid
this note.
Between December 21, 1995 and June 26, 1996 the Company loaned $65,000 in the
aggregate to a minority shareholder. The loans were unsecured and bore interest
at the rate of 7.65% per annum. As of March 31, 1998 these loans were paid in
full.
On December 23, 1997, the Company's Chief Executive Officer repaid the Company
the outstanding balance of a note in the amount of $127,000 plus accrued
interest and cash advances totaling $11,608.
<PAGE>
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
In connection with the Company's term loan paid off during the year (See Note
5), the Company paid the Chief Executive Officer approximately $3,900
representing interest on the amount pledged as collateral to secure the loan.
On November 1, 1995, the Company entered into a one-year consulting agreement
with a minority shareholder of the Company. The agreement automatically renews
for successive one-year terms unless either party provides written notice of
non-renewal. The agreement provides for a monthly retainer of $11,250 plus
reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses. On January 20, 1998, the Company
extended this consulting agreement to December 31, 1998 and modified the
agreement to include an additional payment of $15,000 upon consummation of an
initial public offering of the Company's securities during the term of the
consulting agreement.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The approximate annual minimum lease payments under the non-cancelable operating
leases as of March 31, 1998 are:
1999 $249,516
2000 209,501
2001 189,961
2002 173,789
2003 175,458
Thereafter 14,645
----------
$1,012,870
==========
On October 27, 1997, the Company amended the terms of its office lease to extend
it through April 30, 2003 at an aggregate monthly base rent of $13,292 per
month, subject to a 3% base rent adjustment each year. Rent expense for the
years ended March 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 amounted to $121,532, $113,716 and
$61,366, respectively.
The Company has entered into various contracts, which require it to purchase
telecommunications services. The approximate minimum purchase commitments under
these contracts as of March 31, 1998 is approximately $497,200.
On March 1, 1993, the Company entered into a ten-year employment agreement with
a minority shareholder/chief operating officer that provides for an annual base
salary of $170,000 plus a bonus equal to 10% of the Company's pre-tax profits.
On July 1, 1994, the Company entered into a ten-year employment agreement with
its Chief Executive Officer that provides for an annual base salary of $170,000
plus a bonus equal to 10% of the Company's pre-tax profits. On January 1, 1998
and February 9, 1998 the Company amended its employment agreements with its
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer whereby for a term of five
calendar years they will each receive a base salary of $225,000 with increases
of $25,000 in each of years 2 through 5 of the agreements and a guaranteed bonus
of $45,000 per calendar year, additionally, the agreements provide for
additional
<PAGE>
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
bonuses at a rate of 4.5% of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,
amortization and such bonuses (EBITDAB) greater than $1 million, as defined, up
to $4 million. The agreements provide for additional bonuses of 20% of base
salary for achievement of $4 million EBITDAB and up to 5% of base for each $1
million of EBITDAB in excess of $4 million on a pro rata basis.
On September 1, 1997, the Company entered into an employment agreement with its
Vice President of agent relations for a two-year period providing a base annual
salary of $130,000 and a $40,000 one- time sign-up bonus.
On January 1, 1998 and amended on February 9, 1998 the Company entered into a
two-year employment agreement with its Chief Financial and Accounting Officer
providing for a base salary of $170,000 in calendar year 1998 and $200,000 in
calendar year 1999. In accordance with the agreement, the Company paid a $50,000
bonus upon signing of the agreement and paid, in May 1998, a $75,000 bonus upon
the completion of the Company's initial public offering. The agreement further
provides for additional bonuses based upon the Company's operating results, as
defined therein.
For the years ended March 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 bonuses of $588,096, $501,350,
$328,651 respectively, were paid under the employment agreements.
On November 20, 1997 the Company entered into a letter of intent with respect to
the formation of Ursus Telecom France, a joint venture that provides for the
Company to pay within six months after the completion of its initial public
offering (the "Offering"), a cash sum that equals three and one-half times the
average monthly traffic revenues contributed to the venture by the minority
interests over the months of February, March and April 1998. This payment is
considered an advance towards the share purchase program as described below.
The minority partners have the right to require that the Company to purchase
their shares in any one of the following three manners: (a) in three
installments of 33.33% each on the first, second and third anniversary of the
Offering, (b) in two installments, the first of 66.66% on the second anniversary
of the Offering and the remaining 33.33% on the third anniversary or (c) in one
installment on the third anniversary of the Offering. Further, the Company has
the right to purchase the minority interest with either cash or stock. The cash
purchase price would value the joint venture at 5.5 times average monthly retail
revenues; and the stock price would be based on eight times average monthly
revenues. These values would be multiplied by the percentage interest being
acquired to determine the purchase price.
<PAGE>
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has disputes with carriers over
billing discrepancies. Although management has historically been successful in
resolving these disputes, there can be no assurance that ongoing disputes will
be resolved as anticipated. In the event that an ongoing dispute results in an
additional liability, the Company believes that such amounts will not have a
material adverse affect on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations.
12. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
The Company has had a number of significant independent agents. Net revenues
from the significant independent agents were in the following percentages of
total net revenues:
MARCH 31
1996 1997 1998
-----------------------------------
Customer 1 12% - -
Customer 2 16% 11% 11%
Customer 3 11% 15% 15%
Customer 4 11% 19% 29%
Customer 5 - 12% -
Customer 6 - - 10%
Accounts receivable as a percentage of total accounts receivable due from the
significant independent agents noted above were as follows:
MARCH 31
1996 1997 1998
-----------------------------------
Customer 1 8% - -
Customer 2 8% 9% 7%
Customer 3 15% 21% 25%
Customer 4 23% 28% 24%
Customer 5 - 10% -
Customer 6 - - 7%
13. BUSINESS RISKS
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES--The Company's operating results and financial condition
may vary in the future depending on a number of factors. The following factors
may have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business, results of
operations and financial condition.
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 certain assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of certain
revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Accordingly, actual results
could differ from those estimates.
RELIANCE UPON INDEPENDENT AGENTS--The Company provides telecommunications
services to customers obtained by independent sales agents that operate under
exclusive agent agreements. Although the Company believes that alternate agents
could be found, loss of an agent in one of the Company's primary geographical
areas could have a negative effect on the Company's operating results (see Note
12).
LAWS AND REGULATION--A substantial portion of the Company's customers are
located in emerging markets with various political, economic, regulatory,
customs and other trade factors. The Company is also subject to various laws and
regulations of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and various state Public Service Commissions. Changes in
enforcement or interpretation of local laws and regulations are unpredictable
and could lead to the Company's inability to retain the appropriate approvals to
continue operations in certain markets.
SOUTH AFRICA REGULATION--The telecommunications regulatory authority in South
Africa has ruled that the Company's services are illegal in that country. The
Company's agent, as well as agents for certain of the Company's competitors,
have filed a lawsuit to stay and reverse the ruling and the regulatory authority
has agreed not to prosecute any of the agents in the industry pending final
rulings by the South African courts. The Company is unable to predict the
ultimate outcome of that decision. The Company's customers in South Africa
represented approximately 28.9% of the Company's revenues in fiscal 1998.
SERVICES IN THE BAHAMAS--During fiscal 1998 the Bahamas Telephone Company
(Batelco), which is owned and operated by the local governmental authority, has
taken certain actions to block the Company's ability to offer services to
customers in that country. The Company is currently working with the FCC and the
U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas to restore the Company's ability to provide
services. At present, the Company is unable to predict the outcome of this
matter. The Company's customers in the Bahamas represented approximately 4.8% of
the Company's revenues in fiscal 1998.
UNINSURED CASH BALANCES--At March 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company had $921,728
and $632,508, respectively, in cash and cash equivalents that were not federally
insured.
RELIANCE ON SUPPLIERS--A majority of the Company's transmission and switching
facilities are provided by two telecommunications carriers. For the year ended
March 31, 1998 and 1997, approximately $10,063,000 and $7,757,000, respectively,
was paid to these carriers. Under the terms of the supplier agreements, the
Company purchases long distance service at certain per-minute rates, which vary
based on the time, distance and type of call. Several carriers may exercise
their right to terminate service agreements upon 30 day notice. Although
management believes that alternative carriers could be found in a timely manner,
disruption of these services for more than a brief period of time would have a
negative effect on the Company's operating results.
<PAGE>
14. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company operates in a single industry segment. For the years ended March 31,
1995, 1996 and 1997, substantially all of the Company's revenues were derived
from traffic transmitted through switch facilities located in Sunrise, Florida
and beginning in March 1998 Paris, France. The geographic origin of the traffic
is as follows:
MARCH 31,
1996 1997 1998
---------------------------------------------
Africa $1,403,094 $3,899,701 $8,346,025
Europe 1,988,030 4,252,104 3,857,504
Latin America 6,337,284 7,265,473 6,523,384
Middle East 2,101,864 3,741,890 4,721,592
Other 1,397,802 1,363,852 1,719,272
United States - 315,407 2,930,547
---------------------------------------------
Total revenues $13,228,074 $20,838,427 $28,098,324
=============================================
All of the Company's physical assets are located in the United States and
Paris, France. Account receivables are primarily due from independent agents in
various geographical areas and customers in the United States.
MARCH 31
1996 1997 1998
-------------------------------------------
Africa $382,595 $822,731 $994,793
Europe 426,294 694,461 709,598
Latin America 572,903 798,428 905,223
Middle East 276,433 698,842 1,110,904
Other 88,593 109,481 134,232
United States - 269,943 394,964
Less: Allowance for
doubtful ccounts (11,381) (15,000) (65,964)
-------------------------------------------
Total accounts receivable $1,735,437 $3,378,886 $4,183,750
===========================================
<PAGE>
15. DEPOSIT ON ACQUISITION
On August 12, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with its largest
independent agent (in South Africa- See Note 13) to acquire an approximate 9%
interest in the agency. The Company has applied accounts receivable of
approximately $377,000 due from this agent as payment for the equity interest
stated above. An agreement has not yet been finalized and as such, this amount
has been classified as a deposit. In addition, this agent can cancel this
arrangement under certain circumstances, provided that the agent reimburses the
Company in full for the $377,000 described above.
16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
Effective May 18, 1998, the Company sold 1,500,000 shares of its common stock in
an initial public offering (the "Offering"). Net proceeds of the Offering, after
deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, and professional fees
aggregated approximately $11.6 million.
STOCK OPTIONS
On April 8,1998, the Board of Directors subject to the consummation of the
initial public offering granted a vice president 10-year stock options
exercisable at the initial public offering price, covering 100,000 shares of
Common Stock, granted to a number of employees 10-year stock options exercisable
at $9.50 (the "Offering Price") covering a total of 109,000 shares and granted
the non- employee directors 10-year stock options exercisable at the Offering
Price covering an aggregate 25,000 shares, of which half vest on the effective
date of the Public Offering and half vest on January 1, 1999. Half of the vice
president's options vest one year after the effective date of the Offering, and
the other half vest on August 31, 1999. The 109,000 options granted to employees
vest one year after the Offering.
WARRANTS
The Company sold to the underwriter for an aggregate purchase price of $150,
warrants to purchase 150,000 shares of Common Stock at a price equal to 160%
($15.20) of the Offering Price.
The underwriter's warrants contain anti-dilution provisions for stock splits,
stock dividends, re- combinations and reorganizations, a one-time demand
registration provision (at the Company's expense) and piggyback registration
rights (which registration rights will expire five (5) years from the date of
the Offering).
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE
AT BALANCE
BEGINNING COST AND DEDUCTIONS/ AT END
OF PERIOD EXPENSES WRITE-OFFS OF
PERIOD
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended March 31, 1998
Allowance for doubtful accounts $15,000 $103,616 $(52,652) $65,964
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended March 31, 1997
Allowance for doubtful accounts $11,381 $84,258 $(80,639) $15,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended March 31, 1996
Allowance for doubtful accounts $1,149 $10,232 $ -- $11,381
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
GLOSSARY
As used in this document, the capitalized and other terms listed below have
the meanings indicated.
ACCOUNTING OR SETTLEMENT RATE-The per minute rate negotiated between
carriers in different countries for termination of international long distance
traffic in, and return traffic to, the carriers' respective countries.
CALL REORIGINATION (ALSO KNOWN AS "CALLBACK")- A form of dial up access
that allows a user to access a telecommunications company's network by placing a
telephone call, hanging up, and waiting for an automated call reorigination. The
call reorigination then provides the user with a dial tone which enables the
user to initiate and complete a call.
CAGR-Compound Annual Growth Rate.
CALL-THROUGH-The provision of international long distance service through
conventional long distance or "transparent" call reorigination.
CLEC-Competitive Local Exchange Carrier.
CUG (CLOSED USER GROUP)-A group of specified users, such as employees of a
company, permitted by applicable regulations to access a private voice or data
network, which access would otherwise be denied to them as individuals.
DIRECT ACCESS-A means of accessing a network through the use of a permanent
point-to-point circuit typically leased from a facilities-based carrier. The
advantages of direct access include simplified premises-to-anywhere calling,
faster call set-up times and potentially lower access and transmission costs
(provided there is sufficient traffic over the circuit to generate economies of
scale).
DIAL-UP ACCESS-A form of service whereby access to a network is obtained by
dialing an international toll-free number or a local access number.
EUROPEAN UNION OR EU-Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and
the United Kingdom.
FACILITIES-BASED CARRIER-A carrier which transmits a significant portion of
its traffic over owned transmission facilities.
FCPA-Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
FIBER-OPTIC-A transmission medium consisting of high-grade glass fiber
through which light beams are transmitted carrying a high volume of
telecommunications traffic.
IPLC (INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE LINE CIRCUITS)-Point-to-point permanent
connections which can carry voice and data. IPLCs are owned and maintained by
ITOs or third party resellers.
INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP)-A class of product that uses data and/or voice
transmission over the Internet/Intranet.
IDD-International Direct Dial.
ISDN (INTEGRATED SERVICE DIGITAL NETWORK)-A hybrid digital network capable
of providing transmission speeds of up to 128 kilobits per second for both voice
and data.
ISP-International Settlements Policy. The ISP establishes the permissible
arrangements between facilities-based carriers based in the U.S. and their
foreign counterparts for terminating each other's traffic over their respective
networks.
IRU-Indefeasible Right of Use.
ISR (INTERNATIONAL SIMPLE RESALE)-The use of international leased lines for
the resale of switched telephony services to the public, by passing the current
system of accounting rates.
ITO (INCUMBENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR)-The dominant carrier or
carriers in each country, often, but not always, government-owned or protected
(alternatively referred to as the Postal, Telephone and Telegraph Company, or
PTT).
ITU-International Telecommunications Union-International Telecommunications
Association headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
LCR-Least Cost Routing.
LEC (LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER)-Companies from which the Company and other
long distance providers must purchase "access services" to originate and
terminate calls in the U.S.
LOCAL CONNECTIVITY-Physical circuits connecting the switching facilities of
a telecommunications services provider to the interexchange and transmission
facilities of a facilities-based carrier.
LOCAL EXCHANGE-A geographic area determined by the appropriate regulatory
authority in which calls generally are transmitted without toll charges to the
calling or called party.
NODE-A specially configured multiplexer which provides the interface
between the local PSTN where the node is located and a switch. A node collects
and concentrates call traffic from its local area and transfers it to a switch
via private line for call processing. Nodes permit a carrier to extend its
network into new geographic locations by accessing the local PSTN without
requiring the deployment of a switch.
OPERATING AGREEMENTS-An agreement that provides for the exchange of
international long distance traffic between correspondent international long
distance providers that own facilities in different countries. These agreements
provide for the termination of traffic in, and return traffic from, the
international long distance providers' respective countries at a negotiated
"accounting rate." Under a traditional operating agreement, the international
long distance provider that originates more traffic compensates the
corresponding long distance provider in the other country by paying an amount
determined by multiplying the net traffic imbalance by the latter's share of the
accounting rate.
PBX (PUBLIC BRANCH EXCHANGE)-Switching equipment that allows connection of
a private extension telephone to the PSTN or to a Private Line.
POPS-Points of Presence. An interlinked group of modems, routers and other
computer equipment, located in a particular city or metropolitan area, that
allows a nearby subscriber to access the Network through a local telephone call.
PSCS-Public Service Commissions.
PRIVATE LINE-A dedicated telecommunications connection between end user
locations.
PSTN (PUBLIC SWITCHED TELEPHONE NETWORK)-A telephone network which is
accessible by the public through private lines, wireless systems and pay phones.
REFILE-Traffic originating from one country (original country) and destined
to another country (receiving country) is routed through a third country without
the knowledge of the receiving country. The receiving country has only
identified the third country and assumes the traffic originated from the third
country only.
RESALE-Resale by a provider of telecommunications services of services sold
to it by other providers or carriers on a wholesale basis.
SWITCHING FACILITY-A device that opens or closes circuits or selects the
paths or circuits to be used for transmission of information. Switching is a
process of interconnecting circuits to form a transmission path between users.
TRANSIT-Traffic originating from one country and destined to another
country is routed through a third country with the full knowledge and consent of
all countries and carriers concerned.
TRANSPARENT CALL REORIGINATION-Technical innovations have enabled
telecommunications carriers to offer a "transparent" form of call reorigination
without the usual "hang up" and "callback" whereby the call is automatically and
swiftly processed by a programmed switch.
VALUE-ADDED TAX (VAT)-A consumption tax levied on end-consumers of goods
and services in applicable jurisdictions.
VOICE TELEPHONY-A term used by the EU, defined as the commercial provision
for the public of the direct transport and switching of speech in real-time
between public switched network termination points, enabling any user to use
equipment connected to such a network termination point in order to communicate
with another termination points.
WTO-World Trade Organization (based in Geneva, Switzerland).
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
URSUS TELECOM CORPORATION
By: /s/ Luca M. Giussani
------------------------
Luca M. Giussani
Chief Executive Officer
Dated: July 14, 1998
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
/s/ Luca M. Giussani President Chief Executive JULY 14, 1998
- -------------------- Officer, and Director
Luca M. Giussani (principal executive officer)
/s/ Jeffrey R. Chaskin Executive Vice President, JULY 14, 1998
- ----------------------- Chief Operating Officer and
Jeffrey R. Chaskin Director
/s/ Johannes S. Seefried Chief Financial and Chief JULY 14, 1998
- ------------------------ Accounting Officer and
Johannes S. Seefried Director
/s/ William Newport Director, Chairman of the JULY 13, 1998
- ------------------------ Board of Directors
William Newport
/s/ Kenneth L. Garrett Director JULY 13, 1998
- ------------------------
Kenneth L. Garrett
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT SEQUENTIAL
NUMBER PAGE NO.
3.1+ - Articles of Incorporation of the Company
3.2+ - Form of Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the Company
3.3+ - Bylaws of the Company
3.4+ - Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Company
4.1+ - Specimen of Certificate for Common Stock
10.1+ - Employment Agreement between the Company and Luca M. Giussani
10.2+ - Amendment to Employment Agreement with Luca M. Giussani
10.3+ - Employment Agreement between the Company and Jeffrey R. Chaskin
10.4+ - Amendment to Employment Agreement with Jeffrey R. Chaskin
10.5+ - Employment Agreement between the Company and Johannes S. Seefried
10.6+ - Amendment to Employment Agreement with Johannes S. Seefried
10.7+ - Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard C. McEwan
10.8+ - Lease Agreement
10.9+ - Form of 1998 Stock Incentive Plan
10.10+ - Form of Financial Consulting Agreement
10.11+ - Form of Agency Agreement
10.12+ - Agreement regarding formation of Ursus Telecom France
10.13+ - Agreement regarding purchase of interest in South African Agency
10.14+ - Agreement dated January 20, 1998 among Messrs. Giussani, Rispoli
and the Company
10.15+ - Form of Representative's Warrant
10.16+ - Form of Lock Up Letter
21.1* - List of Subsidiaries
23.1* - Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
27* - Financial Data Schedule
- -----------
+ Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (File No. 333-46197) and incorporated herein by reference.
* Filed herewith.
EXHIBIT 21.1
List of Subsidiaries
Ursus Tel.net
Ursus Telecom France
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 333-56581) pertaining to the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan of Ursus Telecom
Corporation of our report dated July 2, 1998, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Ursus Telecom Corporation included in its Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended March 31, 1998.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Miami, Florida
July 13, 1998
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Commercial and Industrial Companies Article 5 of Regulation S-X Fiscal
Year ended March 31, 1998
</LEGEND>
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0
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