FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(3)
REGISTRATION NO. 333-51037
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
ALL OUTSTANDING
10% SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2008
FOR
10% SENIOR EXCHANGE DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2008
OF
ICG SERVICES, INC.
---------------------------------
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME,
ON AUGUST 12, 1998 UNLESS EXTENDED
-------------------------------
ICG Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
hereby offers upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Prospectus and the accompanying Letter of
Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), to exchange (the
"Exchange Offer") its outstanding 10% Senior Discount Notes due
2008 (the "Old Notes"), of which an aggregate of $490,000,000 in
principal amount at maturity is outstanding as of the date
hereof, for an equal principal amount of newly issued 10% Senior
Exchange Discount Notes due 2008 (the "New Notes"). The form and
terms of the New Notes will be the same as the form and terms of
the Old Notes except that the New Notes will be registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
and will not bear legends restricting the transfer thereof. The
New Notes will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture,
dated as of February 12, 1998, governing the Notes (the "Services
Indenture"). The New Notes and the Old Notes are sometimes
referred to herein collectively as the "Notes" or the "Senior
Discount Notes."
(Continued on next page)
----------------
SEE "RISK FACTORS" AT PAGE 14 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY ELIGIBLE HOLDERS IN
EVALUATING THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
----------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON
THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
There will not be any payment of interest on the New Notes prior
to August 15, 2003. Interest on the New Notes will be paid in
cash at the rate of 10% per annum on each February 15 and August
15, commencing August 15, 2003, to holders of record on the
immediately preceding February 1 and August 1, respectively. The
Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of ICG Communications, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation ("ICG"). Prior to this Exchange Offer
there has been no public market for any securities of the Company
and there can be no assurance that such a market will develop.
See "Description of the New Notes."
The New Notes are being sold at a substantial discount from
their principal amount and will be issued with original issue
discount. On or after February 15, 2003, the New Notes are
redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part
from time to time, at the redemption prices set forth herein,
plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. Upon
a Change of Control (as herein defined), the Company is required
to make an offer to purchase the Notes at a purchase price equal
to 101% of their Accreted Value on the date of purchase plus
accrued interest. There can be no assurance that the Company will
have or be able to acquire sufficient funds to repurchase the New
Notes in the event of a Change of Control. On April 27, 1998,
the Company completed a private offering (the "April Private
Offering") of 9 7/8% Senior Discount Notes due 2008 (the "April
Notes"). The April Notes were issued with original issue discount.
The net proceeds from the April Private Offering were approximately
$242.5 million, net of underwriting commissions. Cash interest on
the April Notes accrues at 9 7/8% per annum beginning May 1, 2003
and is payable each May 1 and November 1, commencing November 1,
2003. The April Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company,
in whole or in part, on or after May 1, 2003. At March 31, 1998,
after giving pro forma effect to the April Private Offering,
the Company would have had, on a consolidated
basis, approximately $560.5 million of senior indebtedness,
consisting of $304.4 million of New Notes, $250.0 million of
April Notes (as defined herein) which rank pari passu with the
New Notes, and $6.1 million of capitalized lease obligations.
The Company is a holding company and the New Notes will be
effectively subordinated to all liabilities (including trade
payables) of the subsidiaries of the Company. Due to
restrictions imposed on ICG by certain indentures and certain
preferred stock provisions (collectively, "ICG Indentures")
related to prior financings, ICG and ICG's Restricted
Subsidiaries (as defined in the ICG Indentures) are prohibited
from providing cash or credit support to the Company or the
Company's subsidiaries. The Services Indenture permits the
incurrence of substantial amounts of additional indebtedness by
the Company and its subsidiaries which may be secured with the
subsidiaries' assets. In addition, the Services Indenture permits
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to make substantial
investments in entities they do not control.
At any time prior to February 15, 2001, the Company may, at its
option, redeem New Notes having an aggregate principal amount of
up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of all New Notes
originally issued, at a redemption price equal to 110% of the
Accreted Value thereof on the date of redemption, plus accrued
and unpaid interest, with the proceeds of one or more public or
private Equity Offerings (as defined herein), provided that after
any such redemption at least 65% of the aggregate principal
amount of the New Notes initially used remains outstanding.
The New Notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of the
Company, will rank pari passu in right of payment with all
existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations and
will be senior in right of payment to all existing and future
subordinated indebtedness of the Company. Neither ICG nor the
Company's subsidiaries will guarantee the New Notes. See
"Description of the New Notes."
The Company will accept for exchange any and all Old Notes
which are properly tendered in the Exchange Offer prior to 12:00
midnight, New York City time, on August 12, 1998 (if and as
extended, the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Old Notes may be
withdrawn at any time prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on
the Expiration Date. Old Notes may be tendered only in integral
multiples of $1,000.
Based on a previous interpretation by the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") set forth
in no-action letters to third parties, the Company believes that
the New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for
resale, resold and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof
(other than (i) a broker-dealer who purchases such New Notes
directly from the Company to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any
other available exemption under the Securities Act or (ii) a
person that is an affiliate of the Company (within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act)) without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities
Act, provided that the holder or any other such person is
acquiring the New Notes in its ordinary course of business and is
not participating, and has no arrangement or understanding with
any person to participate, in the distribution of the New Notes.
Holders of Old Notes wishing to accept the Exchange Offer must
represent to the Company that such conditions have been met.
<PAGE>
Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will
deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resale of such New
Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging
and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter," within the meaning
of the Securities Act, in connection with resales of New Notes
received in exchange for Old Notes where such Old Notes were
acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed
that, for a period of 90 days after the Expiration Date, it will
make this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in
connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."
The Company believes that none of the registered holders of the
Old Notes is an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 405
under the Securities Act) of the Company. Prior to this Exchange
Offer, there has been no public market for the Old Notes. The
Company does not intend to list the New Notes on any securities
exchange or to seek approval for quotation through any automated
quotation system. There can be no assurance that an active market
for the New Notes will develop. To the extent that a market for
the New Notes does develop, the market value of the New Notes
will depend on market conditions (including yields on alternative
investments), general economic conditions, the Company's
financial condition and other conditions. Such conditions might
cause the New Notes, to the extent that they are actively traded,
to trade at a significant discount from face value. The Company
has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with any
person to distribute the New Notes to be received in the Exchange
Offer.
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange
Offer. The Company has agreed to bear the expenses of the
Exchange Offer. No underwriter is being used in connection with
the Exchange Offer. The New Notes have not been rated by a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
The date of this Prospectus is July 16, 1998.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AVAILABLE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
RISK FACTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS . . . . . . 31
MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS . . . . . . 54
SOLE STOCKHOLDER OF THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
THE EXCHANGE OFFER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
LEGAL MATTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
EXPERTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . F-1
-------------
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make
any representations other than those contained in this
Prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell
or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than
the securities to which it related or any offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any
circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made
hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication
that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since
the date hereof or that the information contained herein is
correct as of any time subsequent to its date.
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (together with any amendments thereto, the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect
to the New Notes offered hereby. As permitted by the rules and
regulations of the Commission, this Prospectus omits certain
information, exhibits and undertakings contained in the
Registration Statement. For further information with respect to
the Company and the New Notes offered hereby, reference is made
to the Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto and
the financial statements, notes and schedules filed as a part
thereof. The Registration Statement, including the exhibits
thereto and the financial statements, and other information filed
by the Company with the Commission can be inspected and copied
(at prescribed rates) at the Commission's Public Reference
Section, Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Regional Offices of the
Commission located at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and 7 World Trade
Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Such material may
also be accessed electronically by means of the Commission's home
page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov. The Company is not
currently subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
Upon effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part, the Company will become subject to the
informational requirements of the Exchange Act.
Pursuant to the Services Indenture, the Company has agreed to
supply, or cause the Trustee to supply, to each holder of Notes,
without cost, copies of all reports and other information that
would be required to be filed by the Company with the Commission
under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is then
required to file reports with the Commission.
---------------
No person is authorized in connection with any offering made
hereby to give any information or to make any representation
other than as contained in this Prospectus or the accompanying
Letter of Transmittal, and, if given or made, such information or
representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized
by the Company. Neither this Prospectus nor the accompanying
Letter of Transmittal or both together constitute an offer to
sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security other than
the New Notes offered hereby, nor does it constitute an offer to
sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered
hereby to any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful
to make such offer or solicitation to such person. Neither the
delivery of this Prospectus or the accompanying Letter of
Transmittal or both together, nor any sale made hereunder shall
under any circumstances imply that the information contained
herein is correct as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
Until October 14, 1998 (90 days after the date of the Exchange
Offer), all dealers offering transactions in the New Notes,
whether or not participating in the Exchange Offer, may be
required to deliver a Prospectus.
---------------
NOTICE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS
NEITHER THE FACT THAT A REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR AN
APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE HAS BEEN FILED UNDER CHAPTER 421-B OF
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE REVISED STATUTES WITH THE STATE OF NEW
HAMPSHIRE NOR THE FACT THAT A SECURITY IS EFFECTIVELY REGISTERED
OR A PERSON IS LICENSED IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE CONSTITUTES
A FINDING BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE THAT ANY DOCUMENT FILED UNDER
CHAPTER 421-B IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND NOT MISLEADING. NEITHER ANY
SUCH FACT NOR THE FACT THAT AN EXEMPTION OR EXCEPTION IS
AVAILABLE FOR A SECURITY OR A TRANSACTION MEANS THAT THE
SECRETARY OF STATE HAS PASSED IN ANY WAY UPON THE MERITS OR
QUALIFICATIONS OF, OR RECOMMENDED OR GIVEN APPROVAL TO, ANY
PERSON, SECURITY, OR TRANSACTION. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE, OR
CAUSE TO BE MADE, TO ANY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER, CUSTOMER, OR
CLIENT ANY REPRESENTATION INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS PARAGRAPH.
---------------
NETCOM, NETCOMplete, NETCOMplete Advantage and NETCOM Identity
Pack are trademarks of NETCOM On-Line Communication Services,
Inc. All other products, company names and logos are trademarks
of their respective companies.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more
detailed information and consolidated financial statements, and
notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. References
herein to the "Company" refer to ICG Services, Inc. and, where
appropriate, its subsidiaries, including NETCOM On-Line
Communication Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("NETCOM"),
and ICG Equipment, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("ICG
Equipment"), and references herein to "ICG" refer to ICG
Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, where
appropriate, its subsidiaries. The terms "fiscal" or "fiscal
year," unless otherwise defined, refer to the Company's and
NETCOM's fiscal year ended December 31. Certain statements
contained in this Prospectus with respect to the Company's plans
and strategy for its business and related financing are forward-
looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties and, as a result, actual results may differ
materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-
looking statements. For a discussion of important risks of an
investment in the Notes, including factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from results referred to in
the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors." Investors
should carefully consider the information set forth under the
caption "Risk Factors," including the risks relating to lack of
operating history, historical operating losses of NETCOM and lack
of credit support from ICG.
THE COMPANY
ICG Services, Inc. ("ICG Services") provides Internet
services, through its subsidiary, NETCOM, to individuals and to
small and medium-sized businesses. The Company also acquires
telecommunications equipment, software and capacity for lease or
sale to other subsidiaries of ICG. In addition to providing these
services, the Company intends to grow through acquisitions of
telecommunications, Internet and related businesses that
complement ICG's business strategy.
The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of ICG, one of the
nation's leading integrated communications providers ("ICPs") of
competitive communications services, based on estimates of the
industry's 1997 revenue. ICPs seek to provide an alternative to
incumbent local exchange carriers ("ILECs"), long distance
carriers, Internet service providers ("ISPs") and other
communications providers for a full range of communications
services in the increasingly deregulated telecommunications
industry. ICG's objectives are to provide a wide range of local,
long distance and data communications services to business end
users and wholesale customers and to be a premier provider of
high quality communications services to its targeted business and
carrier customers. ICG believes that customers are increasingly
demanding a broad, full service approach to providing services
and that, by offering a bundled package, ICG will be better able
to capture business from communications-intensive commercial
customers.
ICG Services was formed on January 23, 1998. NETCOM was
merged into ICG Acquisition, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
ICG, on January 21, 1998. Following the formation of the
Company, ICG contributed its investment in NETCOM to the Company.
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at
161 Inverness Drive West, Englewood, Colorado 80112; its
telephone number is 303-414-5000.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company's objective is to acquire and consolidate
telecommunications, Internet and related businesses and bundle
the services provided by these businesses with ICG's current
competitive local and long distance telecommunications products.
By leveraging the Company's relationship with ICG and utilizing
ICG's extensive network footprint, the Company intends to capture
the growth in demand from business customers for a full package
of telecommunications services by offering a wide array of
services including Internet services.
Market Services to Business End Users. The Company is focused
on marketing a variety of telecommunications and Internet
products and services primarily to business end users. Through
its wholly owned subsidiary, NETCOM, the Company currently
markets Internet services to individuals and to small and medium-
sized businesses. In January 1997, NETCOM announced plans to
migrate its customer focus away from high volume, low margin
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<PAGE>
consumer customers to higher margin products for small and
medium-sized business customers. Management believes a targeted
business end user strategy can better leverage ICG's network
footprint and telecommunications investment. To date, NETCOM has
been successful in implementing this plan, and has seen its
average revenue per customer increase from $21.47 during fiscal
1996 to $23.92 during fiscal 1997 and from $22.46 to $25.12 for
the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
Concentrate on Regional Clusters. The Company believes that by
focusing its growth on business activities located within ICG's
network of regional clusters in California, Colorado, Ohio and
the Southeast, it will be able to more effectively service its
customers' needs and efficiently market, operate and control its
network and expanded service offerings. In addition, the Company
believes that by focusing future growth within ICG's existing
footprint, it will be able to overlay ICG's support services and
realize extensive cost synergies. For example, a significant
portion of NETCOM's customer base is located in California. To
the extent feasible, NETCOM will route its Internet traffic over
ICG's California network. NETCOM plans to continue to operate and
grow its business in the United States outside of ICG's network
footprint and in Canada and the United Kingdom.
Increase Revenue and Margins through Bundled Services. The
Company intends to increase its revenue and margins by providing
a full range of communications products to its end user
customers. The Company plans to complement ICG's competitive
local and long distance telecommunications offerings by combining
the Internet products developed by NETCOM and cross-marketing
these combined products through ICG's direct sales force.
Additionally, NETCOM intends to market ICG telecommunications
products to its small and medium-sized business customer base.
Integrate Investments and Expand. The Company expects to
acquire telecommunications, Internet and related businesses that
complement ICG's business strategy to offer a wide array of
telecommunications, Internet and related services, primarily to
business customers. Acquisition targets could include U.S. and
foreign competitive local exchange carriers ("CLECs"), ISPs and
long distance companies, among others. The Company intends to
make future acquisitions primarily through the use of common
stock of ICG ("ICG Common Stock"), cash on hand and the proceeds
from securities offerings.
ICG and the Company believe that the acquisition of NETCOM is
strategically important as it helps to (i) broaden ICG's
communications product offerings to include Internet services and
(ii) provide NETCOM with extensive network infrastructure for the
on-net transportation of its Internet traffic. The Company will
continue to look for acquisitions which it believes will further
ICG's objectives to provide a wide range of local, long distance
and data communications services to business end users and
wholesale customers and to be a premier provider of high quality
communications services to its targeted business and carrier
customers.
NETCOM
NETCOM is a leading provider of high quality Internet
solutions to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses in
the United States and also provides the same high quality
Internet solutions in Canada and the United Kingdom. NETCOM
offers a broad spectrum of Internet solutions designed to enhance
customer productivity through the integration and application of
technologies by providing a comprehensive software platform to
interface with the World Wide Web (the "Web"), premium quality
Internet access and support services and on-line tools to
automate Web site creation and development. These offerings have
led to significant growth, with revenue increasing from
approximately $2.4 million for fiscal 1993 to approximately
$160.7 million for fiscal 1997. Additionally, NETCOM recorded net
income of $0.2 million for fiscal 1993 and net loss of $(33.1)
million for fiscal 1997. In January 1997, NETCOM announced plans
to migrate its customer focus away from high volume, low margin
consumer customers to higher margin products for small and
medium-sized business customers.
NETCOM owns and operates a data communications network
consisting of 17 hubs containing frame relay switches and high-
performance routers connecting a backbone of leased Asynchronous
Transfer Mode ("ATM") switches and leased high-speed dedicated
data lines in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
NETCOM maintains 247 points-of-presence ("POPs") in the United
States and Canada and also offers virtual local access numbers in
Canada and the United Kingdom. The design and architecture of the
physical network permits NETCOM to offer highly flexible,
reliable high-speed services to its customers and support
-4-
<PAGE>
significant subscriber growth. The NETCOM infrastructure is
monitored by network operations centers ("NOCs") in San Jose,
California, Dallas, Texas, Toronto, Canada and London, England.
NETCOM provides Internet solutions principally through dial-
up, direct access and Web site hosting services. Direct access
and Web site hosting services provide higher revenue per customer
and higher margins than dial-up services. NETCOM also receives
revenue from value-added services such as security, anti-virus
and data storage.
Dial-Up Services. NETCOM's dial-up customers receive an
integrated Internet solution consisting of high quality access,
software and 24 hours a day, seven days a week, automated
customer support. NETCOM dial-up customers connect directly to
the Internet via NETCOM's network which provides high speed,
reliable access. All NETCOM dial-up accounts allow access to the
Internet's resources, including E-mail, the Web and USENET
newsgroups. In addition, NETCOM dial-up customers can receive a
one megabyte ("Mb") personal Web page, access to a daily
customized newspage via E-mail, and access to on-line financial,
corporate and market information and analytical tools. Enhanced
services available to dial-up customers include features such as
additional E-mail addresses, enhanced support offerings, software
and virus updates, access to research libraries, domain name
service, monthly back-up, 10 Mb data storage, 750 Mb per month
data transfer capability and premium service and technology
support.
NETCOM customers can quickly register using NETCOMplete
software, available for both Windows and Macintosh platforms via
compact disk, and set up a NETCOM account by following a sequence
of simple, on-screen steps. All of the software needed to connect
and access the Internet is automatically installed and
configured, eliminating the need for complex set up procedures.
NETCOMplete also provides an easy-to-use interface as well as
software from leading industry participants, bookmark managers,
off-line browsers and additional software that enhances a
customer's Internet experience. Revenue from dial-up services
increased from $102.9 million for fiscal 1996 to $133.7 million
for fiscal 1997, representing approximately 85% and 83%,
respectively, of total revenue for such periods. Revenue from
dial-up services decreased from $33.0 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 to $32.5 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1998, representing approximately 85% and 80%,
respectively, of total revenue for such periods.
Direct Access Services. NETCOM offers a full suite of high-
speed dedicated Internet connection and service products which
provide its small and medium-sized business customers with direct
access to the full range of Internet applications. These Internet
services are offered to businesses over leased lines at various
speeds, including 56 Kbps, T-1 and T-3 levels, depending upon the
customer's needs. Through its direct access product line, NETCOM
offers Internet access services including domain name and
Internet Protocol ("IP") address, router configurations, on-line
usage statistics and security consultation. There are generally
no usage charges for any of NETCOM's dedicated customers, and E-
mail service and USENET news feed are provided at no additional
charge. Direct network connection requires the customer to obtain
a leased line from ICG or another local telephone company. NETCOM
provides an Internet connection based on frame relay technology
provided by local telephone carriers. Revenue from direct access
services increased from $16.3 million for fiscal 1996 to $19.5
million for fiscal 1997, representing approximately 14% and 12%,
respectively, of total revenue for such periods. Revenue from
direct access services increased from $4.5 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 to $5.2 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1998, representing approximately 12% and 13%,
respectively, of total revenue for such periods.
Web Site Hosting Services. NETCOM offers Web site hosting
services to its small and medium-sized business customers as well
as to individuals. Web site hosting services include client
domain name registration, hosting and site maintenance. Services
provided are fully scalable but would, in a typical package,
include domain name registration, 10 E-mail addresses, access to
NETCOM's on-line Business Center, CGI scripting (which enables
visitors to the Web site to leave their names and addresses),
weekly back-up service, 50 Mb of data storage, 1,000 Mb per month
of data transfers, traffic logs and Web statistics and premium
service and technology support. Revenue from Web site hosting
services increased from $1.3 million for fiscal 1996 to $6.3
million for fiscal 1997, representing approximately 1% and 4%,
respectively, of total revenue for such periods. Revenue from
Web site hosting services increased from $1.1 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 to $2.3 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1998, representing approximately 3% and
6%, respectively, of total revenue for such periods.
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<PAGE>
Value-Added Services. As part of its dial-up, direct access
and Web site hosting services, NETCOM offers its small and
medium-sized business customers value-added business connectivity
solutions packages designed to address their needs of increased
security, reliability, access speed and customer service. The
Company believes that businesses are willing to pay premium
prices for these premium services. One such feature is Automatic
Reconnect which automatically re-routes customers' traffic to an
alternate Integrated Services Digital Network ("ISDN") line so
that in the event of certain kinds of service interruptions
customers may remain connected. In order to provide a secure,
private connection among multiple specific locations, NETCOM's
SecureConnect product performs a security assessment and then
implements, monitors and troubleshoots a flexible security
solution to provide secure communication between central offices,
branch offices and off-site employees without jeopardizing the
integrity of the internal network. Another value-added service
NETCOM offers is 24 hours a day, seven days a week support. For
larger customers, NETCOM offers flexible, high-speed dedicated
line service that is scalable to grow as traffic increases. Other
value-added services offered include password protected Web
sites, usage statistics, anti-virus software and additional
domain names.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On January 21, 1998, NETCOM was merged with a subsidiary of
ICG in a business combination accounted for as a pooling-of-
interests. NETCOM is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
Based upon the closing price of ICG Common Stock on such date of
$26.25 and NETCOM's diluted shares outstanding (using the
treasury stock method), the aggregate purchase price was
approximately $285 million. Following the formation of the
Company on January 23, 1998, ICG contributed its investment in
NETCOM to the Company.
ICG Equipment was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company in January 1998. ICG intends to enter into arrangements
with ICG Equipment to purchase or lease telecommunications
equipment, software and capacity and related services. The
equipment and services provided to ICG will be utilized to
upgrade and expand its network infrastructure to take full
advantage of the opportunities and cost savings available as a
result of the acquisitions made by the Company. Any such
arrangements will be on comparable terms that ICG would be able
to obtain from a third party.
In February 1998, the Company completed a private offering
(the "Private Offering") of the Old Notes. The net proceeds from
the Private Offering were approximately $291.6 million, net of
underwriting commissions. Cash interest on the Old Notes accrues
at 10% per annum beginning February 15, 2003 and is payable each
February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 2003. The Old
Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, on or after February 15, 2003.
The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, ICG
Equipment, expects to use substantially all of the proceeds from
the Private Offering to acquire telecommunications equipment,
switches, operating software, customer premise equipment and
capacity and related services for the purpose of leasing or
selling such property or services to other subsidiaries of ICG.
The Company may use a portion of the proceeds for strategic
acquisitions if attractive opportunities arise. The Company
expects to acquire telecommunications, Internet and related
businesses that complement ICG's business strategy to offer a
wide array of telecommunications, Internet and related services
primarily to communications-intensive business customers.
Acquisition targets could include U.S. or foreign CLECs, ISPs and
long distance companies, among others. Pending such uses, the
net proceeds from the Private Offering have been invested in
short-term, interest bearing investment grade-securities.
In March 1998, ICG announced its plans to offer long distance
service via IP technology. ICG and NETCOM will begin to market
this service over the Internet in the third quarter of 1998. ICG
also plans to offer by the end of fiscal 1998 competitively
priced high-speed data transmission services via digital
subscriber line ("DSL") technology to all business and end user
customers within its existing regional clusters. DSL technology
utilizes the existing twisted copper pair connection to the
business or end user, giving the customer significantly greater
bandwidth when connecting to the Internet.
On April 27, 1998, the Company completed a private offering
(the "April Private Offering") of 9 7/8% Senior Discount Notes
due 2008 (the "April Notes"). The April Notes were issued with
original issue discount. The net proceeds from the April
Private Offering were approximately $242.5 million, net of
underwriting commissions. Cash interest on the April Notes
-6-
<PAGE>
accrues at 9 7/8% per annum beginning May 1, 2003 and is payable
each May 1 and November 1, commencing November 1, 2003. The
April Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole
or in part, on or after May 1, 2003.
The Company, through ICG Equipment, expects to use substantially
all of the proceeds from the April Private Offering to acquire
telecommunications equipment, switches, operating software,
customer premise equipment and capacity and related services for
the purpose of leasing or selling such property or services to
other subsidiaries of ICG. Pending the foregoing uses, the net
proceeds from the April Private Offering have been invested in
short-term interest bearing investment-grade securities.
David W. Garrison, the former Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of NETCOM, resigned those positions and resigned as
director of ICG, effective June 19, 1998. Eric W. Spivey
continues to serve as President of NETCOM. On June 30, 1998
ICG announced that James D. Grenfell, the current Executive
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of the
Company, will resign those positions and will resign as the
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ICG,
effective July 31, 1998. Harry R. Herbst, a member of ICG's
board of directors since October 1995, has become Executive
Vice President and, effective as of July 31, 1998, will become
the Chief Financial Officer of ICG and the
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and
a director of the Company. Mr. Herbst will continue to serve as
a member of ICG's board of directors.
ICG COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
ICG is one of the nation's leading ICPs of competitive
communications services, based on estimates of the industry's
1997 revenue. ICPs seek to provide an alternative to ILECs, long
distance carriers, ISPs and other communications providers for a
full range of communications services in the increasingly
deregulated telecommunications industry. Through its CLEC
operations, ICG operates networks in four regional clusters
covering major metropolitan statistical areas in California,
Colorado, Ohio and the Southeast. ICG also provides a wide range
of network systems integration services, maritime and
international satellite transmission services and, through the
Company, a variety of Internet connectivity and other value-added
Internet services. As a leading participant in the rapidly
growing competitive local telecommunications industry, ICG has
experienced significant growth, with total revenue increasing
from approximately $164.0 million for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1995 to approximately $457.6 million for the 12-
month period ended March 31, 1998. Additionally, ICG's net loss
increased from $(90.7) million for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1995 to $(386.5) million for the 12-month period
ended March 31, 1998.
The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of ICG; however, due
to restrictions imposed on ICG by the ICG Indentures related to
prior financings, ICG and ICG's Restricted Subsidiaries (as
defined in the ICG Indentures) are prohibited from making
investments in or providing credit support to the Company or the
Company's subsidiaries. All of ICG's majority-owned subsidiaries,
with the exception of the Company, NETCOM and ICG Equipment, are
Restricted Subsidiaries (as such term is defined in the ICG
Indentures). ICG and its Restricted Subsidiaries are also
prohibited from engaging in transactions with the Company other
than on an arm's length basis, and if the proposed transaction
exceeds $2 million in value, ICG and its Restricted Subsidiaries
may only participate with the approval of a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board of Directors of ICG or with a
written opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking
firm stating that the transaction is fair to ICG from a financial
point of view. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions," "Risk Factors -- Lack of Credit Support from ICG,"
"-- Control by ICG" and "-- Certain Financial and Operating
Restrictions" and "Description of the New Notes."
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<PAGE>
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The Exchange Offer . . The Company is offering to exchange
$1,000 principal amount of New Notes
for each $1,000 principal amount of
Old Notes that are properly tendered
and accepted. The Company will issue
the New Notes on or promptly after
the Expiration Date. There are
$490,000,000 aggregate principal
amount at maturity ($300,570,900
original issue price) of Old Notes
outstanding. See "The Exchange
Offer."
Resale of New Notes . . Based on an interpretation by the
staff of the Commission set forth in
no-action letters issued to third
parties, including "Exxon Capital
Holdings Corporation" (available May
13, 1988), "Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated" (available June 5,
1991), "Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc."
(available June 5, 1991), "Warnaco,
Inc." (available October 11, 1991)
and "K-III Communications Corp."
(available May 14, 1993), the Company
believes that New Notes issued
pursuant to the Exchange Offer in
exchange for Old Notes may be offered
for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by any holder thereof
(other than any such holder which is
an "affiliate" of the Company within
the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) without compliance
with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities
Act, provided that such New Notes are
acquired in the ordinary course of
such holder's or any other such
person's business and that such
holder or any other such person has
no arrangement or understanding with
any person to participate in the
distribution of such New Notes.
Under no circumstances may this
Prospectus be used for an offer to
resell or other retransfer of New
Notes. In the event that the
Company's belief is inaccurate,
holders of New Notes who transfer New
Notes in violation of the prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities
Act and without an exemption from
registration thereunder may incur
liability thereunder. The Company
does not assume or indemnify holders
against such liability. The Exchange
Offer is not being made to, nor will
the Company accept surrenders for
exchange from, holders of Old Notes
(i) in any jurisdiction in which the
Exchange Offer or the acceptance
thereof would not be in compliance
with the securities or blue sky laws
of such jurisdiction or (ii) if any
holder is engaged or intends to
engage in a distribution of the New
Notes. Each broker-dealer that
receives New Notes for its own
account in exchange for Old Notes,
where such Old Notes were acquired by
such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other
trading activities, must acknowledge
that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such
New Notes. The Company has not
entered into any arrangement or
understanding with any person to
distribute the New Notes to be
received in the Exchange Offer. See
"Plan of Distribution."
Expiration Date . . . . The Exchange Offer will expire at
12:00 midnight, New York City time, on
August 12, 1998 unless extended, in
which case the term "Expiration Date"
shall mean the latest date and time
to which the Exchange Offer is
extended. The Company will accept for
exchange any and all Old Notes which
are properly tendered in the Exchange
Offer prior to 12:00 midnight, New York
City time, on the Expiration Date.
The New Notes issued pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be delivered on
or promptly after the Expiration
Date.
-8-
<PAGE>
Conditions to the Exchange
Offer . . . . . . . The Company may terminate the
Exchange Offer if it determines that
its ability to proceed with the
Exchange Offer could be materially
impaired due to any legal or
governmental action, any new law,
statute, rule or regulation, any
interpretation by the staff of the
Commission of any existing law,
statute, rule or regulation or the
failure to obtain any necessary
approvals of governmental agencies or
holders of the Old Notes. Upon the
occurrence of any of the foregoing
conditions prior to the Expiration
Date, the Company will not be
required to exchange any New Notes
for Old Notes and may terminate the
Exchange Offer. The Company does not
expect any of the foregoing
conditions to occur, although there
can be no assurances that such
conditions will not occur.
Procedures for
Tendering Old Notes . Each holder of Old Notes wishing to
participate in the Exchange Offer
must complete, sign and date the
Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile
thereof, in accordance with the
instructions contained herein and
therein, and mail or otherwise
deliver such Letter of Transmittal,
or such facsimile, together with such
Old Notes and any other required
documentation to Norwest Banks, as
exchange agent for the Notes (the
"Exchange Agent"), at the address set
forth herein. By executing the Letter
of Transmittal, each holder will
represent to the Company that, among
other things, the New Notes acquired
pursuant to the Exchange Offer is
being obtained in the ordinary course
of business of the person receiving
such New Notes, whether or not such
person has an arrangement or
understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of
such New Notes and that neither the
holder nor any such other person is
an "affiliate," as defined in Rule
405 under the Securities Act, of the
Company.
Special Procedures for
Beneficial Owners . . Any beneficial owner whose Old Notes
are registered in the name of a
broker, dealer, commercial bank,
trust company or other nominee and
who wishes to tender such Old Notes
in the Exchange Offer should contact
such registered holder promptly and
instruct such registered holder to
tender on such beneficial owner's
behalf. If such beneficial owner
wishes to tender on such owner's own
behalf, such owner must, prior to
completing and executing the Letter
of Transmittal and delivering its Old
Notes, either make appropriate
arrangements to register ownership of
the Old Notes in such owner's name or
obtain a properly completed bond
power from the registered holder. The
transfer of registered ownership may
take considerable time and may not be
able to be completed prior to the
Expiration Date.
Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures . . . . . Holders of Old Notes who wish to
tender their Old Notes and whose Old
Notes are not immediately available
or who cannot deliver their Old Notes
or the Letter of Transmittal to the
Exchange Agent prior to the
Expiration Date, must tender their
Old Notes according to the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth in "The
Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures."
Withdrawal Rights . . . Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn
at any time prior to 12:00 midnight, New
York City time, on the Expiration
Date.
-9-
<PAGE>
Certain Federal Income
Tax Considerations . The exchange of New Notes for Old
Notes will not constitute a taxable
event for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. As a result, holders of New
Notes will not recognize any income,
gain or loss with respect to such
exchange. The New Notes will be
issued with original issue discount
("OID") for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. United States Holders of
New Notes issued with OID must
include such OID in income on a
constant yield accrual method,
regardless of such holders' method of
accounting. As a result, such holders
will include OID in income in advance
of the receipt of cash attributable
to that income. For a discussion of
the material U.S. federal income tax
considerations relating to the
exchange of the New Notes for the Old
Notes, which are addressed in the
opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, see
"Certain United States Federal Income
Tax Considerations."
Exchange Agent . . . . Norwest Banks is the Exchange Agent.
Its telephone number
is (612) 667-4070. The address of the
Exchange Agent is set forth in "The
Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent."
THE NEW NOTES
Aggregate Amount . . . $490,000,000 principal amount at
maturity ($300,570,900 original issue
price) of 10% Senior Exchange
Discount Notes due February 15, 2008.
Yield and Interest . . From and after February 15, 2003, the
New Notes will bear interest, which
will be payable in cash, on each
February 15 and August 15, commencing
August 15, 2003. The New Notes are
being sold at a substantial discount
from their principal amount and will
be issued with original issue
discount. For a discussion of the
U.S. federal income tax treatment of
the New Notes and the original issue
discount rules, see "Certain United
States Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Tax Consequences to
United States Holders" and "--
Original Issue Discount."
Optional Redemption . . On or after February 15, 2003, the
New Notes will be redeemable at the
option of the Company, in whole or in
part from time to time, at the
redemption prices set forth herein,
plus accrued and unpaid interest to
the date of redemption. In addition,
at any time prior to February 15,
2001, the Company may, at its option,
redeem up to 35% of the aggregate
principal amount at maturity of the
New Notes from the proceeds of one or
more public or private Equity
Offerings (as defined) at 110.0% of
their Accreted Value (as defined) on
the redemption date; provided that
after any such redemption at least
65% of the aggregate principal amount
of the Notes initially issued remains
outstanding. See "Description of the
New Notes -- Optional Redemption."
Ranking . . . . . . . . The New Notes will be senior,
unsecured obligations of the Company,
will rank pari passu in right of
payment with all existing and future
unsecured, unsubordinated obligations
and will be senior in right of
payment to all existing and future
subordinated indebtedness of the
Company. Neither ICG nor the
Company's subsidiaries will guarantee
the New Notes. ICG is prohibited by
the ICG Indentures from providing
cash or credit support to the Company
or the Company's subsidiaries. The
Company may issue additional New
Notes under the Services Indenture.
At March 31, 1998, after giving pro
forma effect to the April Private
Offering, the Company would have had,
on a consolidated basis,
approximately $560.5 million of
indebtedness consisting of $304.4
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<PAGE>
million of New Notes, $250.0 million
of April Notes, which rank pari passu
with the New Notes, and $6.1 million
of capitalized lease obligations.
The Company is a holding company and
the New Notes will be effectively
subordinated to all liabilities
(including trade payables) of the
subsidiaries of the Company and, at
March 31, 1998, on the same pro forma
basis, the Company would have had
approximately $33.7 million of
liabilities (excluding intercompany
payables). The Services Indenture
permits the Company to incur
substantial amounts of indebtedness
in the future, which may be secured
with its subsidiaries' assets. The
Services Indenture also permits the
Company and its subsidiaries to make
substantial investments in entities
that they do not control. See "Risk
Factors -- Substantial Indebtedness;
Ability to Service Debt" and "--
Holding Company Structure; Priority
of Creditors."
Certain Covenants . . . The Services Indenture will contain
certain covenants which, among other
things, will restrict the ability of
the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (as defined herein) to
incur additional indebtedness; create
liens; engage in sale-leaseback
transactions; pay dividends or make
distributions in respect of their
capital stock; make investments or
make certain other restricted
payments; sell assets; create
restrictions on the ability of
Restricted Subsidiaries to make
certain payments; issue or sell stock
of certain subsidiaries; enter into
transactions with stockholders or
affiliates; and with respect to the
Company, consolidate, merge or sell
all or substantially all of its
assets. The Services Indenture will
contain significant exceptions to
these covenants. NETCOM and ICG
Equipment are Restricted Subsidiaries
under the Services Indenture. See
"Description of the New Notes --
Covenants."
Change of Control . . . Upon a Change of Control (as defined
herein), the Company is required to
make an offer to purchase the New
Notes at a purchase price equal to
101% of their Accreted Value on the
date of purchase plus accrued
interest, if any. There can be no
assurance that the Company will have
or be able to acquire sufficient
funds to repurchase the New Notes in
the event of a Change of Control. See
"Risk Factors -- Risk of Inability by
Company to Fund Repurchase of New
Notes Upon Change of Control" and
"Description of the New Notes --
Repurchase of New Notes Upon a Change
of Control."
RISK FACTORS
See "Risk Factors," immediately following this Summary, for a
discussion of certain risks that should be considered by
prospective investors in connection with the Exchange Offer and
an investment in the New Notes, including the risks related to
the Company's lack of operating history, historical operating
losses of NETCOM and lack of credit support from ICG.
-11-
<PAGE>
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
The Company was formed on January 23, 1998 as a wholly owned
subsidiary of ICG. On January 21, 1998, NETCOM was merged into a
subsidiary of ICG and, upon formation of the Company, ICG
contributed its investment in NETCOM to the Company. NETCOM is
considered to be a predecessor entity to the Company and,
accordingly, the financial statements of the Company prior to
January 1998 are the historical consolidated financial statements
of NETCOM.
The following table sets forth summary financial and other
operating data of NETCOM, the predecessor to the Company, for
each fiscal year in the five-year period ended December 31, 1997
and the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. Such annual data
have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with,
NETCOM's audited consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus for each of the
fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997.
The following table also sets forth summary financial and other
operating data of the Company as of and for the three-month
period ended March 31, 1998. Such data have been derived from,
and should be read in conjunction with, the Company's unaudited
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Prospectus as of and for the three-month period
ended March 31, 1998. NETCOM's development and expansion
activities, including acquisitions, during the periods shown
below materially affect the comparability of this data from one
period to another.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------
1993(1) 1994(1) 1995(1)(2) 1996(1)
--------- --------- ------------ --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue . . . . . . . . . . $2,412 12,359 52,422 120,540
Operating costs and
expenses:
Operating costs
(excluding depreciation). 1,011 5,777 29,550 73,545
Selling, marketing,
general and
administrative . . . . . 1,002 5,709 30,617 78,031
Depreciation and
amortization . . . . . . 157 978 7,190 17,401
Net loss (gain) on
disposal of long lived
assets . . . . . . . . -- -- 1,311 1,486
Merger and restructuring
costs . . . . . . . . . -- -- -- --
------ ------- -------- -------
Total operating
costs and expenses 2,170 12,464 68,668 170,463
Operating loss . . . . . . 242 (105) (16,246) (49,923)
Interest and other
(expense) income,
net(3) . . . . . . . . (3) 5 2,197 5,681
------ ------- -------- -------
Income (loss) before income
taxes . . . . . . . . . 239 (100) (14,049) (44,242)
Income taxes . . . . . . . (12) -- (15) (23)
------ ------- -------- -------
Net income (loss) . . . . . $ 227 (100) (14,064) (44,265)
====== ======= ======== =======
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER THREE MONTHS
31, ENDED MARCH 31,
--------- ----------------------
1997(1) 1997(1) 1998
--------- --------- ------
(IN THOUSANDS)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . 160,660 39,005 40,534
Operating costs and expenses:
Operating costs
(excluding depreciation) . . 95,498 23,380 25,654
Selling, marketing,
general and
administrative . . . . . . . 74,552 20,237 17,657
Depreciation and
amortization . . . . . . . . 25,886 5,844 7,267
Net loss (gain) on
disposal of long
lived assets . . . . . . . (621) (322) --
Merger and
restructuring costs . . . . 1,879 -- 7,746
------ ------ ------
Total operating costs
and expenses . . . . . 197,194 49,139 58,324
Operating loss . . . . . . . . (36,534) (10,134) (17,790)
Interest and other (expense)
income, net(3) . . . . . . . . 3,480 930 (1,100)
------ ------ ------
Income (loss) before income
taxes . . . . . . . . . . . (33,054) (9,204) (18,890)
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . (38) (7) (13)
------ ------ ------
Net income (loss) . . . . . . . (33,092) (9,211) (18,903)
====== ====== ======
AT MARCH 31,
1998
--------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash
equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . $ 330,977
Working capital . . . . . . . . . . 313,525
Property and
equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . 74,545
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . 438,153
Current portion of
capital lease
obligations . . . . . . . . . . . 2,476
Long-term debt and
capital lease
obligations,
less current
portion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308,043
Common stock and
additional
paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . 207,798
Accumulated deficit . . . . . . . . (114,037)
Stockholders' equity . . . . . . . 94,010
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<PAGE>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------
1993(1) 1994(1) 1995(1)(2) 1996(1)
--------- --------- ------------ ---------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
OTHER DATA:
Ratio of earnings to
fixed charges(4) . . 8.7 -- -- --
Deficiency of earnings
to fixed charges(4). $ -- 100 14,049 44,242
Net cash provided
(used) by operating
activities . . . . . 789 4,922 (461) (21,651)
Net cash used by
investing activities (1,028) (11,375) (44,742) (53,992)
Net cash provided
by financing
activities . . . . . 314 27,315 170,294 2,351
EBITDA(5) . . . . . . 399 873 (9,056) (32,522)
EBITDA (before
nonrecurring
charges)(5). . . . . 399 873 (7,745) (31,036)
Capital
expenditures(6) . . 1,028 11,143 43,361 53,992
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER THREE MONTHS ENDED
31, MARCH 31,
--------- -------------------
1997(1) 1997(1) 1998
--------- --------- ------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
OTHER DATA:
Ratio of earnings
to fixed
charges(4) . . . . . . -- -- --
Deficiency of earnings
to fixed charges(4) . . 33,054 9,204 17,774
Net cash provided
(used) by operating
activities . . . . . . . (2,130) (2,515) (3,350)
Net cash used by
investing
activities . . . . . . . (9,029) (1,300) (19,571)
Net cash
provided by
financing
activities . . . . . . . 1,351 1,950 290,513
EBITDA(5). . . . . . . . (10,648) (4,290) (10,523)
EBITDA (before
nonrecurring
charges(5) . . . . . . . (9,390) (4,612) (2,777)
Capital
expenditures(6) . . . . 17,258 5,281 8,632
--------------
(1) The summary financial and other operating data of NETCOM
were prepared using the audited consolidated financial
statements of NETCOM included elsewhere herein, however, the
summary financial and other operating data have been
reclassified to conform with the classification and
presentation of the unaudited consolidated financial
statements of the Company for the three months ended March
31, 1998.
(2) Results for fiscal 1995 include five months of results of
Professional Internet Consulting, Inc., which was acquired
by NETCOM in August 1995.
(3) Giving pro forma effect to the receipt of the net proceeds
from the Private Offering and interest expense, net on
$300.6 million gross proceeds of Notes, without giving any
effect to any increased interest income on available cash,
as if such events had occurred on January 1, 1997, interest
expense, net would have been $26.6 million for fiscal 1997
and $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998.
(4) On a pro forma basis giving effect
to the Private Offering as if it had occurred on January 1,
1997 and without giving effect to any increased interest
income on additional available cash, earnings would have
been insufficient to cover fixed charges by $63.1 million
for fiscal 1997 and by $25.3 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1998. Earnings consist of income (loss)
before provision for income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed
charges consist of interest charges and amortization of debt
expense and discount or premium related to indebtedness,
whether expensed or capitalized and that portion of rental
expense the Company believes to be representative of
interest (i.e., one-third of rental expense).
(5) EBITDA consists of net earnings (loss) before interest,
income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other income
(expense), net. EBITDA (before nonrecurring charges) represents
EBITDA before certain nonrecurring charges such as
net loss (gain) on disposal of long-lived assets and merger
and restructuring costs. EBITDA and EBITDA (before
nonrecurring charges) are provided because they are measures
commonly used in the Internet and telecommunications
industries. EBITDA and EBITDA (before nonrecurring charges)
are presented to enhance the understanding
of the Company's operating results and are not intended to
represent cash flows or results of operations in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for
the periods indicated. EBITDA and EBITDA (before nonrecurring
charges) are not measurements under
GAAP and are not necessarily comparable with similarly titled
measures of other companies. Net cash flows from operating,
investing and financing activities as determined using GAAP
are also presented in Other Data.
(6) Capital expenditures include assets acquired under capital
leases.
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<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the New Notes offered hereby involves a high
degree of risk. The following risk factors, together with the
other information set forth in this Prospectus should be
considered when evaluating an investment in the Company. This
Prospectus includes certain forward-looking statements. The
discussion set forth below contains cautionary statements
identifying important factors including, but not limited to, the
Company's lack of operating history, historical operating losses
of NETCOM and lack of credit support from ICG, that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements.
LACK OF OPERATING HISTORY; HISTORICAL OPERATING LOSSES OF NETCOM
The Company has been recently formed, has no operating history
and has only owned NETCOM since January 1998. NETCOM has incurred
and expects to continue to incur significant operating and net
losses for the near term. NETCOM had net losses and EBITDA
losses (before nonrecurring charges)
of approximately $33.1 million and $9.4 million, respectively,
for fiscal 1997 and the Company had net losses and EBITDA
losses (before nonrecurring charges)
of approximately $18.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively,
for the three months ended March 31, 1998. There can be no
assurance that the Company will achieve or sustain profitability
or positive EBITDA (before nonrecurring charges) in the future
or at any time have sufficient
resources to make principal and interest payments on the New
Notes. See Footnote 5 to Summary Financial Data for the
definition of EBITDA (before nonrecurring charges).
See "Selected Financial Data," including
the notes thereto, and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
LACK OF CREDIT SUPPORT FROM ICG
ICG is a guarantor under the ICG Indentures pursuant to which
ICG's subsidiaries, ICG Holdings, Inc. and ICG Funding, LLC, have
obtained outstanding financing through offerings of senior
discount notes in the aggregate accreted amount of $915.3 million
and redeemable preferred securities with a liquidation value of
$445.3 million at March 31, 1998. The ICG Indentures impose
severe restrictions on the relationship between ICG and its
subsidiaries that are designated by ICG as Unrestricted
Subsidiaries (as defined in the ICG Indentures). The Company is a
wholly owned subsidiary of ICG which has been designated as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary by ICG, and, as a result, ICG and its
Restricted Subsidiaries are prohibited from providing cash or
credit support to the Company or the Company's subsidiaries. ICG
and its Restricted Subsidiaries are also prohibited from engaging
in transactions with the Company or the Company's subsidiaries
other than on an arm's length basis, and if a proposed
transaction exceeds $2 million in value, ICG and its Restricted
Subsidiaries may only participate with the approval of a majority
of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of ICG or
the written opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking
firm stating that the transaction is fair to ICG from a financial
point of view. These restrictions could impair the Company's
ability to raise capital, enter into arrangements with vendors,
and conduct its business, which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, growth, financial condition and
results of operations and ability to make payments on the New
Notes.
With respect to arrangements that ICG Equipment enters into
with ICG to sell or lease under operating leases, licenses or
rights-of-use for telecommunications equipment, software and
capacity and related services, the Company depends upon ICG for
payments from such transactions. As of March 31, 1998, ICG had,
on a consolidated basis, aggregate accreted indebtedness,
including capitalized lease obligations, of approximately $1.3
billion. For the 12- month period ended March 31, 1998, ICG had
interest expense of approximately $128.0 million and EBITDA
losses (before nonrecurring charges)
of approximately $126.4 million. In the event ICG were
unable to make payments under such arrangements, it would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations and ability to make payments
on the New Notes. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions" and "Risk Factors -- Certain Financial and
Operating Restrictions."
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SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS; ABILITY TO SERVICE DEBT
At March 31, 1998, after giving pro forma effect to the April
Private Offering, the Company would have had, on a consolidated
basis, approximately $560.5 million of senior indebtedness,
consisting of $304.4 million of New Notes, $250.0 million of April
Notes, which rank pari passu with the New Notes, and $6.1 million
of capitalized lease obligations.
The accretion of original issue discount on the New Notes will
cause an increase in indebtedness of approximately $65 million by
February 15, 2000. The accretion for original issue discount on
the April Notes will cause an increase in indebtedness of
approximately $39 million by February 15, 2000. The Services
Indenture permits the incurrence of substantial amounts of
additional indebtedness by the Company and its subsidiaries. The
Company anticipates that it and/or its subsidiaries may incur
substantial additional indebtedness in the future.
The level of the Company's indebtedness could have important
consequences to holders of the New Notes including the following:
(i) the debt service requirements of any additional indebtedness
could make it more difficult for the Company to make payments on
the New Notes; (ii) the ability of the Company to obtain any
necessary financing in the future for working capital, capital
expenditures, debt service requirements or other purposes may be
limited; (iii) a substantial portion of the Company's cash flow
from operations, if any, must be dedicated to the payment of
principal and interest on its indebtedness and other obligations
and will not be available for other purposes; (iv) the Company's
level of indebtedness could limit its flexibility in planning
for, or reacting to changes in, its business; (v) the Company is
more highly leveraged than some of its competitors, which may
place it at a competitive disadvantage; and (vi) the Company's
high degree of indebtedness will make it more vulnerable in the
event of a downturn in its business.
The Company, primarily through NETCOM, has historically
experienced EBITDA losses (before nonrecurring charges).
NETCOM's earnings before fixed charges
were insufficient to cover fixed charges for fiscal 1997 by $33.1
million. For the same period, on a pro forma basis after giving
effect to the Private Offering as though it occurred on January
1, 1997, the Company's earnings before fixed charges would have
been insufficient to cover fixed charges by $63.1 million and
$25.3 million for fiscal 1997 and the three months ended March
31, 1998, respectively. In addition, on the same pro forma basis,
the Company's EBITDA losses (before nonrecurring charges) minus
capital expenditures and interest expense would have been $57.2
million and $19.9 million for fiscal 1997 and the three months
ended March 31, 1998 respectively. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to improve its
earnings before fixed charges or that the Company will be able to
meet its debt service obligations, including its obligations on
the New Notes. In the event the Company's cash flow is inadequate
to meet its obligations, the Company could face substantial
liquidity problems. If the Company is unable to generate
sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain funds necessary to make
required payments, or if the Company otherwise fails to comply
with the various covenants in its indebtedness, it would be in
default under the terms thereof, which would permit the holders
of such indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of such
indebtedness and could cause defaults under other indebtedness of
the Company. Such defaults could result in a default on the New
Notes and could delay or preclude payment of principal of, or
interest on, the New Notes. The ability of the Company to meet
its obligations will be dependent upon the future performance of
the Company and upon receiving payments from ICG which will be
subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial,
business and other factors, including ICG's results and other
factors, beyond the control of the Company. See "-- Lack of
Credit Support from ICG."
RISKS RELATED TO POTENTIAL REQUIREMENT TO PAY ACCESS CHARGES OR
CONTRIBUTE TO FEDERAL UNIVERSAL FUND
Although the Company is not currently subject to direct
regulation by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") or
any other governmental agency, it is possible that the Company
and other ISPs could become subject to regulation by the FCC or
another regulatory agency as a provider of basic
telecommunications services. The FCC is currently considering
whether ISPs should be required to pay access charges to local
telephone companies for each minute that dial-access users spend
connected to ISPs through telephone company switches. In
addition, some telephone companies are seeking relief through
state regulatory agencies. The FCC may also decide that ISPs
should contribute to the federal Universal Service Fund. Such
requirements, if adopted at either the federal or the state
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level, would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations and its
ability to make payments on the New Notes. See "--Regulation."
INTEGRATION OF ACQUIRED BUSINESSES
The Company intends to grow through expansion of its existing
operations, integration with ICG and through acquisitions of U.S.
or foreign businesses. The Company's ability to manage its
existing businesses and its anticipated future growth will depend
on its ability to evaluate new markets and investment vehicles,
monitor operations, control costs, maintain effective quality
controls, and significantly expand the Company's internal
management, technical and accounting systems. The Company's
integration with ICG and planned future growth will place a
significant strain on the Company's financial, management and
operational resources, including the identification of
acquisition targets and the negotiation of acquisition
agreements. In addition, acquisitions may entail considerable
expenses in advance of anticipated related revenue and may cause
fluctuations in the Company's operating results.
In addition, upon the acquisition of other businesses, such
acquired businesses will need to be integrated with the Company's
existing businesses and its then existing operations. For
acquired businesses, this may entail, among other things,
integration of switching, transmission, technical, sales,
marketing, billing, accounting, quality control, management,
personnel, payroll, regulatory compliance and other systems and
operating hardware and software, some or all of which may be
incompatible. The Company may also need to address cultural,
linguistic and legal concerns for acquired foreign businesses.
The failure to effectively integrate acquired businesses could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, growth,
financial condition and results of operations and ability to make
payments on the New Notes.
The Company expects to use a portion of the proceeds of the
Private Offering to continue acquiring telecommunications,
Internet and related businesses that complement ICG's business
strategy to offer a wide array of telecommunications, Internet
and related services, primarily to communications intensive
business customers. Acquisition targets could include U.S. or
foreign CLECs, ISPs and long distance companies, among others.
The Company intends to make future acquisitions primarily through
the use of ICG Common Stock, cash on hand and the proceeds from
securities offerings.
The Company may in the future experience a strain on its
management, operations and financial resources as a result of
growth and acquisitions. The Company's ability to effectively
manage growth will require it to continue to implement and
improve its operational, financial and management information
systems and to train, motivate and manage its employees, as well
as to expand its existing direct access services business. These
demands will require the addition of new management personnel and
the development of additional expertise by existing management.
In particular, the demands on NETCOM's data communications
infrastructure and customer support resources have grown rapidly
with NETCOM's changing subscriber base, and NETCOM may experience
difficulties meeting the demand for its connectivity services.
Capacity constraints may occur, both at the level of particular
local access numbers and in connection with system-wide services
that are provided from NETCOM's NOCs. NETCOM has experienced
difficulties in providing an adequate level of customer service
and support, and has been taking steps to improve its data
communications infrastructure and customer support resources. A
failure to enhance customer support resources adequately, or to
expand and enhance its data communications infrastructure
adequately, may materially adversely affect the Company's
business, operating results, financial condition and ability to
make payments on the New Notes. There can be no assurance that
the Company's customer support or other resources will be
sufficient to manage any future growth in its business or that
NETCOM will be able to implement in whole or in part its
expansion program, and any failure to do so could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results,
financial condition and its ability to make payments on the New
Notes.
Although the Company expects to invest significant resources
in NETCOM's data communications infrastructure and customer
support resources, NETCOM continues to experience attrition of
its subscribers from time to time as a result of a number of
factors, including difficulties associated with management of
growth and the shift of its focus to business customers. There
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can be no assurance that the Company will be able to improve its
ability to retain subscribers or to attract sufficient new
subscribers to offset periodic losses of existing subscribers.
COMPETITION
The market for Internet access and related services is highly
competitive. There are no substantial barriers to entry and the
Company anticipates that competition will continue to intensify
as the use of the Internet grows. The tremendous growth and
potential market size of the Internet access market has attracted
many new start-ups as well as existing businesses from different
industries. Current and prospective competitors include, in
addition to other national, regional and local ISPs, long
distance and local exchange telecommunications companies, cable
television, direct broadcast satellite, wireless communications
providers, and on-line service providers.
ISPs. According to industry sources, there are over 4,300 ISPs
in the United States and Canada as of October 31, 1997,
consisting of national, regional and local providers. The
Company's current primary competitors include other ISPs with a
significant national presence which focus on business customers,
such as UUNet Technologies, Inc. ("UUNet"), Bolt, Beranek &
Newman, Inc. ("BBN") and Performance Systems International,
Inc.("PSINet"). While the Company believes that its level of
local service and support and target market focus distinguish it
from these competitors, many of these competitors have
significantly greater market share, brand recognition, and
financial, technical and personnel resources than the Company.
The Company also competes with unaffiliated regional and local
ISPs in its targeted geographic regions.
Telecommunications Carriers. The major long distance companies
(also known as interexchange carriers or IXCs), including AT&T
Corporation ("AT&T"), MCI Communications Corp. ("MCI"), and
Sprint Corporation ("Sprint"), offer Internet access services and
compete with the Company. The recent sweeping reforms in the
federal regulation of the telecommunications industry have
created greater opportunities for ILECs, including the RBOCs and
other competitive CLECs, to enter the Internet connectivity
market. In order to address the Internet connectivity
requirements of the business customers of long distance and local
carriers, the Company believes that there is a move toward
horizontal integration by ILECs through acquisitions or joint
ventures with and the wholesale purchase of connectivity from
ISPs. The WorldCom, Inc. ("WorldCom")/MFS Communications,
Inc./UUNet consolidation and GTE Corporation's ("GTE") recent
acquisition of BBN are indicative of this trend. Accordingly, the
Company expects that it will experience increased competition
from the traditional telecommunications carriers. Many of these
telecommunications carriers, in addition to their substantially
greater network coverage, market presence, and financial,
technical and personnel resources, also have large existing
commercial customer bases.
Cable Companies, Direct Broadcast Satellite and Wireless
Communications Companies. Many of the major cable companies have
announced that they are exploring the possibility of offering
Internet connectivity, relying on the viability of cable modems
and economical upgrades to their networks. Continental
Cablevision, Inc. and Tele-Communications, Inc. ("TCI") have
recently announced trials to provide Internet cable service to
their residential customers in select areas. However, the cable
companies are faced with large-scale upgrades of their existing
plant equipment and infrastructure in order to support
connections to the Internet backbone via high-speed cable access
devices. Additionally, their current subscriber base and market
focus is residential which requires that they partner with
business-focused providers or undergo massive sales and marketing
and network development efforts in order to target the business
sector. Several announcements also have recently been made by
other alternative service companies approaching the Internet
connectivity market with various wireless terrestrial and
satellite-based service technologies. These include Hughes
Network Systems' announcement that it will provide high-speed
data through direct broadcast satellite technology; CAI Wireless
Systems Inc.'s ("CAI Wireless") announcement of an MMDS wireless
cable operator launching data services via 2.5 to 2.7 GHz and
high-speed wireless modem technology; and WinStar Communications,
a 38 Ghz radio company that wholesales its network capacity to
other carriers and now offers high-speed Internet access to
business customers.
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On-line Service Providers. The dominant on-line service
providers, including Microsoft Network, America Online,
Incorporated ("America Online"), Compuserve, Inc. ("Compuserve")
and Prodigy, Inc., ("Prodigy") have all entered the Internet
access business by engineering their current proprietary networks
to include Internet access capabilities. The Company competes to
a lesser extent with these service providers, which currently are
primarily focused on the consumer marketplace and offer their own
content, including chat rooms, news updates, searchable reference
databases, special interest groups and shopping. While Compuserve
recently announced it will also target Internet connectivity for
the small to medium-sized business market, this will require a
significant transition from a consumer market focus to a business
market focus.
The Company believes that its ability to attract business
customers and to market value-added services are keys to its
future success. However, there can be no assurance that its
competitors will not introduce similar pricing plans at
comparable or more attractive prices in the future or that the
Company will not be required to reduce its prices to match
competition. Recently, many competitive ISPs have shifted their
focus from individual customers to business customers. Moreover,
there can be no assurance that more of the Company's competitors
will not shift their focus to attracting business customers,
resulting in even more competition for the Company. There can be
no assurance that NETCOM will be able to offset the effects of
any such competition or resulting price reductions through an
increase in the number of its subscribers, higher revenue from
enhanced services, cost reductions or otherwise. Increased
competition could result in erosion of NETCOM's market share and
adversely affect NETCOM's operating results.
Increased competition has resulted and could continue to
result in significant reductions in the average selling price of
NETCOM's services. In addition, NETCOM expects to see increased
pressure to obtain and retain additional subscribers that could
result in increased sales and marketing expenses and related
subscriber acquisition costs, which could materially adversely
affect NETCOM's rate of customer churn and operating results.
Certain of the Company's on-line competitors, including America
Online, the Microsoft Network, Compuserve and Prodigy, have
introduced unlimited access to the Internet and their proprietary
content at flat rates as low as $9.95 per month. Certain of the
RBOCs have also introduced competitive flat-rate pricing for
unlimited access (without a set-up fee for at least some period
of time). As a result, competition for active users of Internet
services has intensified. There can be no assurance that the
Company's competitors will not introduce more attractive prices
in the future or that the Company will not be required to reduce
its prices to match competition. There can be no assurance that
NETCOM will be able to offset the effects of any such competition
or resulting price reductions through an increase in the number
of its subscribers, higher revenue from enhanced services, cost
reductions or otherwise. Increased competition could result in
erosion of the Company's market share and adversely affect the
Company's operating results and ability to make payments on the
New Notes. There can be no assurance that the Company will have
financial resources, technical resources, technical expertise or
marketing and support capabilities to continue to compete
successfully.
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE; PRIORITY OF CREDITORS
The Company is a holding company. The principal assets of the
Company consist of common stock of NETCOM and will consist of
common stock of other subsidiaries upon any future acquisitions.
The Company must rely upon dividends and other payments from its
subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet its
obligations, including the payment of principal of and interest
on the New Notes. The subsidiaries, however, are legally distinct
from the Company and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise,
to pay amounts due pursuant to the New Notes or to make funds
available for such payment. The Company's subsidiaries will not
guarantee the New Notes. The ability of the Company's
subsidiaries to make such payments to the Company will be subject
to, among other things, the availability of funds, the terms of
such subsidiaries' indebtedness and applicable state laws. The
Services Indenture will permit the Company's subsidiaries to
incur substantial amounts of additional indebtedness and will
allow that indebtedness to be secured with the assets of the
subsidiaries (which constitute substantially all of the Company's
consolidated assets). In addition, lenders to subsidiaries may
impose restrictions on those subsidiaries' ability to make
payments to the Company. Claims of creditors of the Company's
subsidiaries, including trade creditors, will generally have
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priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries over the claims of
the Company and the holders of the Company's indebtedness,
including the New Notes. Accordingly, the New Notes will be
effectively subordinated to the liabilities (including trade
payables) of the subsidiaries of the Company. At March 31, 1998,
on a pro forma basis giving effect to the April Private Offering,
the subsidiaries of the Company would have had approximately
$38.9 million of liabilities (excluding intercompany payables),
including approximately $6.1 million of indebtedness, consisting
solely of capitalized lease obligations. In addition, the Services
Indenture will permit the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
to make substantial investments in entities they do not control,
including an unlimited amount of investments in CSW/ICG
ChoiceCom, L.P. ("ChoiceCom"), a new telecommunications company
in Texas that has a strategic relationship with ICG.
The New Notes will be senior, unsecured indebtedness of the
Company. At March 31, 1998, the Company had, on a consolidated
basis, an aggregate of approximately $6.1 million of secured
indebtedness, consisting solely of capitalized lease obligations.
In the event such secured indebtedness goes into default and the
holders thereof foreclose on the collateral, the holders of
secured indebtedness will be entitled to payment out of the
proceeds of their collateral prior to any holders of general
unsecured indebtedness, including the New Notes, notwithstanding
the existence of any event of default with respect to the New
Notes. The Services Indenture also permits the Company and its
subsidiaries to incur substantial amounts of additional secured
indebtedness and to grant additional liens. See "Description of
the New Notes -- Covenants." In the event of bankruptcy,
liquidation or reorganization of the Company, holders of secured
indebtedness will have a claim, prior to the claim of the holders
of the New Notes, on the assets of the Company securing such
indebtedness. In addition, to the extent that the value of such
collateral is insufficient to satisfy such secured indebtedness,
holders of amounts remaining outstanding on such secured
indebtedness (as well as other unsubordinated creditors of the
Company) would be entitled to share pari passu with the holders
of New Notes with respect to any other assets of the Company.
Assets remaining after satisfaction of the claims of holders of
secured indebtedness may not be sufficient to pay amounts due or
any or all of the New Notes then outstanding.
RISKS RELATED TO CHANGE IN CUSTOMER FOCUS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS
CUSTOMERS
In January 1997, NETCOM announced plans to migrate its
customer focus away from high volume, low margin consumer
customers to higher margin products for small and medium-sized
business customers. Although NETCOM has increased the number of
its direct access business customers and its revenue per customer
in 1997, and expects to invest significant resources to continue
to increase the number of direct access business customers and
its revenue per customer, there can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to continue to increase the number of its
direct access business customers or its revenue per customer in
the future. Furthermore, many of the Company's competitors have
shifted their focus to pursue business customers. There can be no
assurance that more competition for business accounts will not
lead to a significant slowdown in the growth of, or a decrease
in, the Company's direct access business customers or its revenue
per customer, and such slowdown or decrease could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations and its ability to make payments on the New
Notes.
DEPENDENCE UPON NEW AND ENHANCED SERVICES
NETCOM has recently introduced new enhanced business
connectivity solutions services, including NETCOMplete packages
offering customers anti-virus file conversion, support, E-mail
access, data storage, Automatic Reconnect and other premium,
higher-priced services. The failure of these services to gain
market acceptance in a timely manner or at all could have a
material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and
results of operations of the Company and its ability to make
payments on the New Notes. Introduction by NETCOM of new or
enhanced services with reliability, quality or compatibility
problems could significantly delay or hinder market acceptance of
all of NETCOM's services, which would adversely affect the
Company's ability to attract new customers and subscribers. The
Company's services may contain undetected errors or defects when
first introduced or when enhancements are introduced. There can
be no assurance that, despite testing by NETCOM and its
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customers, errors will not be found in new services after
commencement of commercial deployment, resulting in additional
development costs, loss of, or delays in, market acceptance,
diversion of technical resources and loss of subscribers. Any
such event would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations and its
ability to make payments on the New Notes.
RISKS RELATED TO INTERNET TELEPHONE BUSINESS AND HIGH-SPEED DATA
TRANSMISSION SERVICES BUSINESS
In March 1998, ICG and NETCOM announced their plans to offer
long distance services via IP technology. Furthermore, ICG and
NETCOM plan to offer high-speed data transmission services via
DSL technology to all business and end user customers within
ICG's existing regional clusters by the end of fiscal 1998. ICG
and NETCOM anticipate expending significant capital and operating
costs in connection with providing such services and will have to
address issues concerning commercial use of such services,
including security, reliability, ease of access and quality of
service. For example, IP technology may cause poor quality voice
transmission and DSL technology may cause interference with and
be interfered by other signals present in ILEC's copper
transmission facilities. There can be no assurance that ICG and
NETCOM will be able to successfully resolve such issues and
market, sell and deliver these services. Because long distance
services using IP technology and high-speed data transmission
services using DSL technology are relatively new and evolving, it
is difficult to predict their future growth and size. If the
markets for such services to be offered by ICG and the Company,
through NETCOM, fail to grow or grow more slowly than
anticipated, such events could have a material adverse effect on
the Company and its ability to make payments on the New Notes.
Although the Company is not currently subject to direct
regulation by the FCC or any other governmental agency, it is
possible that the Company and other ISPs could become subject to
regulation by the FCC or another regulatory agency as a provider
of basic telecommunications services. The FCC is currently
considering whether ISPs should be required to pay access charges
to local telephone companies for each minute that dial-access
users spend connected to ISPs through telephone company switches.
In addition, some telephone companies are seeking relief through
state regulatory agencies. The FCC may also decide that ISPs
should contribute to the federal Universal Service Fund. Such
requirements, if adopted at either the federal or the state
level, would have a material adverse effect on ICG and NETCOM's
abilities to implement their long distance services via IP
technology and high-speed data transmission services via DSL
technology, or if implemented, to profitably sell such services,
and the Company's ability to make payments on the New Notes. See
"--Regulation."
POTENTIAL LIABILITY FOR CONTENT
The Communications Decency Act (the "Act"), which was passed
as part of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, imposed
criminal penalties on anyone who distributes obscene, lascivious
or indecent communications on the Internet. As enacted, the Act
imposed fines on any entity that (i) by means of a
telecommunications device, knowingly sends indecent or obscene
material to a minor; (ii) by means of an interactive computer
service, sends or displays indecent material to a minor; or (iii)
permits any telecommunications facility under such entity's
control to be used for the foregoing purposes. That provision, as
applied to indecent material, was declared unconstitutional in
June 1997 by the United States Supreme Court. While the Clinton
Administration has announced that it will not seek passage of
similar legislation to replace this provision, action by Congress
in this area remains possible. Prior to the enactment of the Act,
a federal district court held that an ISP could be found liable
for defamation on the grounds that it exercised active editorial
control over postings to its service. The Act contains a
provision which, one court has held, shields ISPs from such
liability for material posted to the Internet by their
subscribers or other third parties.
The applicability to the Internet of existing laws governing
issues such as property ownership, libel and privacy is
uncertain. For example, in 1996 NETCOM settled a lawsuit alleging
copyright infringement against NETCOM relating to electronic
messages posted by an unrelated individual to a bulletin board
service operated by one of NETCOM's customers. New legislation or
regulation with respect to content could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations,
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financial condition and ability to make payments on the New
Notes.
As the law in this area develops, the potential that liability
might be imposed on the Company for information carried on or
disseminated through its network could require the Company to
implement measures to comply with applicable law and reduce its
exposure to such liability, which could require the expenditure
of substantial resources or the discontinuation or modification
of certain service offerings. Any costs incurred as a result of
such expenditures or in contesting any such asserted claims, the
consequent imposition of liability, or any adverse publicity
resulting from any of the foregoing, could have a material
adverse affect on the Company and its ability to make payments on
the New Notes.
DEPENDENCE ON BILLING, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Sophisticated information and processing systems are vital to
the Company's growth and its ability to monitor costs, bill
customers, provision customer orders and achieve operating
efficiencies.
NETCOM's billing and information systems are primarily
products and services provided by third party vendors. These
systems have generally met NETCOM's historical needs, primarily
due to a relatively low volume of customer accounts requiring
complex billing requests. However, information systems are vital
as NETCOM expects to offer numerous products and services at
varying prices. Additionally, NETCOM expects the amount of
customers with more complex billing requests in general to
increase. NETCOM is currently evaluating a billing platform based
upon an information system purchased from a third party vendor
with internal enhancements to meet NETCOM's needs. The failure of
(i) the Company's vendors to deliver proposed products and
services in a timely and effective manner, (ii) the Company to
adequately identify all of its information and processing needs
or (iii) the Company to upgrade systems as necessary, could have
a material adverse impact on the ability of NETCOM to reach its
objectives, and on the Company's financial condition and results
of operations and ability to make payments on the New Notes.
The Company is performing a comprehensive review of its
information and support systems to determine whether such systems
will properly function in the year 2000 and thereafter. Systems
under review principally include the Company's network operations
and monitoring systems, billing and financial systems and systems
supporting the Company's communications equipment premises,
building facilities and other office equipment. Although the
Company relies primarily on systems developed with current
technology and many of the systems currently in operation were
designed to be year 2000 compliant, the Company expects that it
will have to replace, upgrade or reprogram certain systems to
ensure that all interfacing technology will be year 2000
compliant when running jointly. The Company's due diligence also
includes an evaluation of vendor-provided technology and the
implementation of new policies to require vendors to confirm that
they have disclosed and will correct any year 2000 compliance
issues.
The Company's evaluation process is expected to be complete
during 1998. Certain minor conversions and system upgrades are
already under way and the Company plans to have all identified
compliance issues resolved by mid-1999. The costs associated
with resolving year 2000 compliance issues are expensed as
incurred and, in the aggregate, are not expected to have a
material impact on the Company's financial condition or results
of operations. While the Company believes that its software
applications will be year 2000 compliant, there can be no
assurance until the year 2000 occurs that all systems will then
function adequately. Further, if the software applications of
local exchange carriers, long distance carriers or others on
whose services the Company depends are not year 2000 compliant,
it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations.
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KEY PERSONNEL
The efforts of a small number of key management and operating
personnel will largely determine the Company's success. The
success of the Company also depends in part upon its ability to
hire and retain highly skilled and qualified operating,
marketing, financial and technical personnel. The competition for
qualified personnel in the telecommunications and Internet access
services industries is intense and, accordingly, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to hire or retain
necessary personnel. The competition for qualified computer
programmers and engineers is particularly intense in the "Silicon
Valley" area of California, where NETCOM's operations are based.
The Company may be compelled to offer substantially increased
compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain computer
programmers and engineers. The loss of certain key personnel or
the failure of the Company to attract and retain qualified
personnel could adversely affect the Company and its ability to
make payments on the New Notes.
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
NETCOM's success is highly dependent upon its ability to
develop new services and software that meet changing customer
requirements. The market for NETCOM's services is characterized
by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards,
emerging competition and frequent new software, service and
product introductions. There can be no assurance that NETCOM can
successfully identify new service opportunities and develop and
bring new services and software to market in a timely manner, or
that services, software or technologies developed by others will
not render NETCOM's services, software or technologies
noncompetitive or obsolete. NETCOM is also at risk of fundamental
changes in the way Internet access services are delivered. New
industry standards have the potential to replace or provide
lower-cost alternatives to the Company's existing services. The
adoption of such new industry standards could render the
Company's existing services obsolete and unmarketable or require
reduction in the fees charged therefor. For example, the
Company's services currently rely on the widespread commercial
use of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
("TCP/IP"). Alternative open and proprietary standards that
compete with TCP/IP, including proprietary protocols developed by
International Business Machines Corporation and Novell, Inc. have
been or are being developed. The widespread acceptance of these
or other protocols could have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
The Company's business is also sensitive to fundamental
changes in the method of Internet access delivery. Currently, the
Internet is accessed primarily via computers connected by
telephone lines. A number of alternative methods for users to
connect to the Internet, including cable modems, satellites and
other wired and wireless telecommunications technologies,
currently are under development. As the Internet becomes
accessible through these technologies, or as user requirements as
to access methods change, the Company will have to develop new
technology or modify its existing technology. The Company's
pursuit of these technological advances may require substantial
time and expense, and there can be no assurance that the Company
will succeed in adapting its Internet access business to
alternate access methods. Any failure on the part of the Company
to identify, adopt and use new technologies effectively, to
develop its technological capabilities or to develop new services
or enhance existing services in a timely and cost-effective
manner could have a material adverse effect on the Company and
its ability to make payments on the New Notes.
ISPs participate in the Internet through contractual "peering
arrangements" with Internet companies. These contractual
arrangements are not subject to regulation and could be subject
to revision in terms, conditions or costs over time.
As the industry evolves, required technological advances by
NETCOM could include compression, full-motion video, and
integration of video, voice, data and graphics. NETCOM's pursuit
of these technological advances may require substantial time and
expense, and there can be no assurance that NETCOM will succeed
in adapting its Internet service business to alternate access
devices and conduits.
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DEPENDENCE ON THE INTERNET; UNCERTAIN ADOPTION OF THE INTERNET AS
A MEDIUM OF COMMERCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
The Company's products and services are targeted toward users
of the Internet, which has experienced rapid growth. As is
typical in the case of a new and rapidly evolving industry
characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry
standards and frequent new product and service introductions,
demand and market acceptance for recently introduced products and
services are subject to a high level of uncertainty. In addition,
critical issues concerning the commercial use of the Internet
remain unresolved and may impact the growth of Internet use,
especially in the business market targeted by the Company.
Despite growing interest in the many commercial uses of the
Internet, many businesses have been deterred from purchasing
Internet access services for a number of reasons, including,
among others, inconsistent quality of service, lack of
availability of cost-effective, high-speed options, a limited
number of local access points for corporate users, inability to
integrate business applications on the Internet, the need to deal
with multiple and frequently incompatible vendors, inadequate
protection of the confidentiality of stored data and information
moving across the Internet, and a lack of tools to simplify
Internet access and use. In particular, numerous published
reports have indicated that a perceived lack of security of
commercial data, such as credit card numbers, has significantly
impeded commercial exploitation of the Internet to date, and
there can be no assurance that encryption or other technologies
will be developed that satisfactorily address these security
concerns. Published reports have also indicated that capacity
constraints caused by growth in the use of the Internet may,
unless resolved, impede further development of the Internet to
the extent that users experience delays, transmission errors and
other difficulties. Further, the adoption of the Internet for
commerce and communications, particularly by those individuals
and enterprises that have historically relied upon alternative
means of commerce and communication, generally requires the
understanding and acceptance of a new way of conducting business
and exchanging information. In particular, enterprises that have
already invested substantial resources in other means of
conducting commerce and exchanging information may be
particularly reluctant or slow to adopt a new strategy that may
make their existing personnel and infrastructure obsolete. The
failure of the market for business-related Internet solutions to
continue to develop would adversely impact the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations and
ability to make payments on the New Notes.
NETCOM's current customer base consists primarily of
individuals and small and medium-sized businesses, and the
Company's success will depend in part upon the continuing
development and expansion of the Internet and the market for
Internet access. While Internet access may afford businesses with
a convenient and inexpensive resource of business-related
information, Internet access also enables the end user, including
an employee of a small or medium-sized business, to access a wide
variety of non-business related information and/or recreational
material that may distract the end user from his or her work-
related responsibilities. Therefore, there may be a risk that
such abuse of Internet access by employees resulting in decreased
productivity of these employees could cause business demand for
Internet services to decrease. There is also the risk that the
perceived potential for abuse of Internet access privileges by
employees could prevent otherwise interested businesses from
subscribing to, or expanding their subscriptions with, NETCOM,
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition and ability
to make payments on the New Notes.
DEPENDENCE ON DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING RELATIONSHIPS
NETCOM believes that its success in penetrating markets for
its Internet connectivity services depends in large part on its
ability to maintain and develop additional relationships with
leading companies that market computer products and to cultivate
alternative relationships if distribution channels change. NETCOM
has entered into original equipment manufacturer ("OEM")
agreements, distribution agreements, and other agreements with a
number of such companies. In addition, the Company will enter
into agreements relating to the marketing of NETCOM's products
and services by ICG's sales force. The termination or
renegotiation of certain of these relationships could have a
material adverse effect on NETCOM. All of these agreements are
nonexclusive, and many of the companies with which NETCOM has
agreements also have similar agreements with NETCOM's
competitors. In addition, there can be no assurance that NETCOM's
distributors and OEMs with which NETCOM has relationships, many
of which have significantly greater financial and marketing
resources than NETCOM, will not develop and market products in
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competition with NETCOM in the future, discontinue their
relationships with NETCOM or form additional competing
arrangements with NETCOM's competitors.
RISKS RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL VENTURES
NETCOM began offering Internet services in the United Kingdom
and Canada through its international subsidiaries in 1995 and may
seek to acquire additional businesses outside of the United
States. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to successfully market, sell and deliver its services in the
United Kingdom, Canada or other international markets that it may
decide to enter in the future. In addition, there are certain
significant risks inherent in doing business on an international
level, such as laws governing content that differ greatly from
those in the United States, unexpected changes in regulatory
requirements, political risks, export restrictions, tariffs and
other trade barriers, fluctuations in currency exchange rates,
and issues regarding intellectual property and potentially
adverse tax consequences, any or all of which could impact the
Company's international operations. NETCOM's EBITDA losses for
its international operations for fiscal 1997 were $14.8 million
and $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998.
DEPENDENCE ON SUPPLIERS
NETCOM relies on other companies to provide data
communications capacity via leased telecommunications lines. If
NETCOM's suppliers are unable or unwilling to provide or expand
its current levels of service to NETCOM in the future, NETCOM's
operations would be materially adversely affected. Although
leased telecommunications lines are available from several
alternative suppliers, including ICG, there can be no assurance
that NETCOM could obtain substitute services from other providers
at reasonable or comparable prices or in a timely fashion. NETCOM
is also subject to risks relating to potential disruptions in its
suppliers' services, and there are no assurances that such
interruptions will not occur in the future. Service interruptions
can produce substantial customer dissatisfaction and lead to
higher rates of customer churn.
NETCOM is also dependent on certain third party suppliers of
software and hardware components. Although NETCOM attempts to
maintain a minimum of two vendors for each required product,
certain components used by NETCOM in providing its networking
services are currently acquired from only one source, including
high performance routers manufactured by Cisco Systems, Inc.
("Cisco"), modems manufactured by U.S. Robotics Corporation
("U.S. Robotics"), switches manufactured by Cascade
Communications, Inc. ("Cascade") and servers from Sun
Microsystems, Inc. ("Sun Microsystems"). NETCOM has also from
time to time experienced delays in the receipt of certain
software and hardware components. A failure by a supplier to
deliver quality products on a timely basis, or the inability to
develop alternative sources if and as required, could result in
delays that could materially adversely affect the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition and ability
to make payments on the New Notes.
DEPENDENCE ON NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE; RISK OF SYSTEM FAILURE;
SECURITY RISKS
The future success of NETCOM's business will depend upon the
capacity, reliability and security of its network infrastructure.
NETCOM has in the past experienced network problems and network
slowdowns due to limited server capacity in NETCOM's NOCs. NETCOM
is currently implementing systems and processes in order to
address these problems and improve NETCOM's service generally.
NETCOM must continue to expand and adapt its network
infrastructure as the amount of information NETCOM wishes to
transfer increases and to meet changing customer requirements.
The expansion and adaptation of NETCOM's network infrastructure
will require substantial financial, operational and management
resources. There can be no assurance that NETCOM will be able to
expand or adapt its network infrastructure to meet additional
demand or its changing customer requirements on a timely basis,
at a commercially reasonable cost, or at all, or that NETCOM will
be able to deploy successfully the contemplated network
expansion. Any failure of NETCOM to expand its network
infrastructure on a timely basis or to adapt it to changing
customer requirements or evolving industry standards could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
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results and financial condition and ability to make payments on
the New Notes.
NETCOM's operations are dependent on its ability to protect
its computer equipment against damage from fire, earthquakes,
power loss, telecommunications failures and similar events. A
significant portion of NETCOM's computer equipment is located at
its NOCs and NETCOM is subject to significant risk to NETCOM's
operations from a natural disaster or other unanticipated event
at one of these sites. Any damage or failure that causes
interruptions in NETCOM's operations could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results,
financial condition and ability to make payments on the New
Notes.
Despite the implementation of security measures, NETCOM's
infrastructure is also vulnerable to computer viruses or similar
disruptive problems caused by its customers or other Internet
users. Computer viruses or problems caused by third parties could
lead to interruptions, delays or cessation in service to NETCOM's
customers. Furthermore, inappropriate use of the Internet by
third parties could also potentially jeopardize the security of
confidential information stored in the computer systems of
NETCOM's customers and could also cause dissemination of
unwanted, inappropriate or objectionable materials to NETCOM's
customers, any of which may deter certain persons from
subscribing to NETCOM's services.
Any network malfunction or security breach could cause
commercial transactions to be delayed, not completed or completed
with compromised security. Although the Company intends to
continue to implement and maintain security measures, such
measures have been circumvented in the past and may be defeated
in the future. Alleviating problems caused by computer viruses or
other inappropriate uses or security breaches may cause
interruptions, delays or cessation in service to the Company's
subscribers, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company. In addition, there can be no assurance that subscribers
or others will not assert claims of liability against the Company
as a result of these events. Further, until more comprehensive
security technologies are developed and implemented, security and
privacy concerns of existing and potential subscribers may
inhibit the growth of the Internet access services industry in
general and of the Company's user base in particular.
REGULATION
The Company provides Internet access services in part through
data transmissions over public telephone lines. These
transmissions are governed by regulatory policies establishing
charges and terms for wire-line communications. Although the
Company is not currently subject to direct regulation by the FCC
or any other governmental agency (other than regulations
applicable to businesses generally), due to the increasingly
widespread use of the Internet, it is possible that additional
laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet,
covering issues such as content, user privacy, pricing, libel,
intellectual property protection and infringement, and technology
export and other controls. It also is possible that the Company
could become subject to regulation by the FCC or another
regulatory agency as a provider of basic telecommunications
services. The FCC is currently reviewing its regulatory positions
to impose common carrier regulation on the network transport and
communications facilities aspects of an enhanced or information
service package. Such changes in the regulatory structure and
environment affecting the Internet access market, including
regulatory changes that directly or indirectly affect
telecommunications costs or increase the likelihood of
competition from the RBOCs or other telecommunications companies,
could have an adverse effect on the Company's business. For
example, the FCC is considering whether ISPs should be required
to pay access charges to local telephone companies for each
minute that dial-access users spend connected to ISPs through
telephone company switches. In addition, some telephone companies
are seeking similar relief through state regulatory agencies and
have raised this issue before the Eighth Circuit Court of
Appeals. The FCC may also decide that ISPs should pay access
charges and/or contribute to the federal Universal Service Fund.
However, in a recent Report on Universal Service sent to Congress
by the FCC on April 10, 1998, the FCC reaffirmed its view that as
a general matter ISPs are information services providers and not
telecommunications carriers, and reiterated that information
services providers are not subject to universal service
obligations, access charges or rate regulation. Additionally,
the Report declines to make any definitive pronouncements on
whether various new services, such as certain forms of Internet
telephone services, should be classified as information services
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<PAGE>
or telecommunications services. Instead, the FCC deferred
consideration of that issue to future proceedings. If adopted at
either the federal or state level, new requirements that ISPs pay
access charges and/or contribute to the Universal Service Fund
could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
ability to make payments on the New Notes. The Company cannot
predict the impact, if any, that future regulation or regulatory
changes may have on its business.
Certain states have deemed the provision of Internet services
to be taxable and, in such states, NETCOM collects such taxes
from its customers. Other states have not yet announced a policy
in this regard or have affirmatively decided that such services
are not taxable. If such states retroactively subject the
provision of Internet services to sales tax or if customers are
unwilling to pay sales tax that may be assessed in the future,
such events could have a material adverse effect on the Company
and its ability to make payments on the New Notes.
RISKS RELATING TO CUSTOMER CHURN
ISPs are subject to substantial customer "churn," the term
used for customer turnover through cancellations. High churn
rates may indicate customer dissatisfaction with the ISP and may
cause the ISP to incur substantial costs to retain existing
customers and attract new customers. Any substantial increase in
NETCOM's churn rate could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results, financial condition and
its ability to make payments on the New Notes.
CONTROL BY ICG
ICG owns all of the Company's issued and outstanding capital
stock and thus has complete voting control over the corporate
governance of the Company, including the election of the
Company's Board of Directors and other corporate actions
requiring stockholder approval. Certain decisions concerning the
operations or financial structure of the Company may present
conflicts of interest between ICG and the holders of the New
Notes. For example, if the Company encounters financial
difficulties or is unable to pay its debts as they mature, the
interests of ICG might conflict with those of the holders of the
New Notes. In addition, ICG may have an interest is pursuing
certain acquisitions, divestitures, financings or other
transactions that, in its judgment, could enhance its equity
interest in the Company, even though such transactions might
involve risks to the holders of the New Notes. See "Sole
Stockholder of the Company."
LIMITED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION
NETCOM relies on a combination of copyright and trademark
laws, trade secrets, software security measures, license
agreements and nondisclosure agreements to protect its
proprietary technology and software products. NETCOM currently
has no domestic or foreign patents or patent applications
pending. Despite NETCOM's precautions, it may be possible for
unauthorized third parties to lawfully or unlawfully copy aspects
of, or otherwise obtain and use, NETCOM's software products and
technology. In addition, NETCOM cannot be certain that others
will not develop substantially equivalent or superseding
proprietary technology, thereby substantially reducing the value
of NETCOM's proprietary rights.
From time to time NETCOM has received notices claiming that it
is infringing the proprietary rights of third parties, and there
can be no assurance that NETCOM will not become the subject of
infringement claims or legal proceedings by third parties with
respect to current or future products. Any such claims could be
time consuming, result in costly litigation, cause product
shipment delays or lead NETCOM to enter into royalty or licensing
agreements rather than disputing the merits of such claims.
Moreover, an adverse outcome in such proceedings could subject
NETCOM to significant liabilities to third parties, require
expenditure of significant resources to develop non-infringing
technology, require disputed rights to be licensed from others or
require NETCOM to cease the marketing or use of certain products,
any of which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
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RISKS RELATED TO CSW/CHOICECOM OPTIONS
Pursuant to agreements entered into with affiliates of Central
and South West Corporation ("CSW") in December 1996, as
subsequently revised, relating to ChoiceCom, prior to offering
ISP services in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and
Arkansas, ICG is obligated to offer CSW the right to purchase up
to a 49% interest in the business opportunity providing such
services. Consequently, ICG has offered CSW an option to purchase
up to 49% of that portion of the business of NETCOM that provides
such services in such four-state area (the "ISP Opportunity") at
a price based on the costs and expenses incurred by ICG to
acquire such ISP Opportunity. The Company does not know whether
CSW will exercise this option. If CSW does not exercise this
option, at such time, if ever, that ICG exercises the option it
currently holds to acquire a 50% interest in ChoiceCom, ChoiceCom
will then effectively have the right to acquire 100% of the ISP
Opportunity from ICG at a price equal to ICG's costs and expenses
(including an implied interest rate) incurred with respect to
such ISP Opportunity. As a result, ICG is required to maintain
separate books and records for the ISP Opportunity, and
transactions between the ISP Opportunity and NETCOM's other
operations will be carried out on an arm's length basis.
Additionally, options on substantially the same terms will be
available to CSW and ChoiceCom with respect to all
telecommunications business opportunities in such four-state
area.
CERTAIN FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESTRICTIONS
The Services Indenture and other indebtedness of the Company
impose operating and financial restrictions on the Company. Such
restrictions affect, and in certain cases significantly limit or
prohibit, among other things, the ability of the Company to incur
additional indebtedness or create liens on its assets, pay
dividends, sell assets, engage in mergers or acquisitions or make
investments. A default under such indebtedness could result in an
acceleration of the Notes, in which case the holders of the New
Notes may not be paid in full.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT; POSSIBLE UNFAVORABLE TAX AND OTHER LEGAL
CONSEQUENCES FOR HOLDERS OF NOTES
The New Notes will be issued at a substantial discount from
their principal amount. Although cash interest will not accrue on
the New Notes prior to February 15, 2003, and there will be no
periodic payments of cash interest on the New Notes prior to
August 15, 2003, original issue discount (the difference between
the stated redemption price at maturity and the issue price of
the New Notes) will accrue from the issue date of the New Notes.
Original issue discount will be includible as interest income
periodically (including for periods ending prior to February 15,
2003) in a U.S. Holder's gross income for U.S. federal income tax
purposes in advance of receipt of the cash payments to which the
income is attributable. See "Certain United States Federal Income
Tax Considerations" for a more detailed discussion of the federal
income tax consequences to the Holders of a New Note regarding
the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes.
If a bankruptcy case is commenced by or against the Company
under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code after the issuance of the New
Notes, the claim of a holder of a New Note with respect to the
principal amount thereof may be limited to an amount equal to the
sum of (i) the initial offering price and (ii) that portion of
the original issue discount that is not deemed to constitute
"unmatured interest" for purposes of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Any original issue discount that was not amortized as of any such
bankruptcy filing would constitute "unmatured interest."
POSSIBLE UNFAVORABLE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE EXCHANGE
An exchange of a debt instrument for another debt instrument
will not constitute a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax
purposes unless such exchange is deemed to be a "modification" of the
original debt instrument and such modification is deemed to be
"significant." The New Notes are identical to the Old Notes except
that the New Notes will be registered under the Securities Act and
will not bear legends restricting the transfer thereof. Under
recently issued Treasury regulations, the exchange of Old Notes for
New Notes should not constitute a taxable event because the
registration feature of the New Notes should neither be a
modification nor economically significant. However, there is no
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<PAGE>
judicial or administrative guidance on this
issue. If such exchange were deemed to be a taxable event because
the registration feature was deemed to constitute a significant
modification pursuant to the Treasury regulations, holders of Old
Notes would recognize gain or loss equal to the difference in fair
market value of the New Notes received and such holder's tax basis
in the Old Notes exchanged therefor, determined as of the date of
the exchange.
RISK OF INABILITY BY COMPANY TO FUND REPURCHASE OF NEW NOTES UPON
A CHANGE OF CONTROL
Under the terms of the Services Indenture, the Company must
commence, within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of
Control, and consummate an Offer to Purchase for all New Notes
then outstanding, at a purchase price equal to 101% of the
Accreted Value thereof on the relevant Payment Date, plus accrued
interest (if any) to the Payment Date. There can be no assurance
that the Company will have sufficient funds available at the time
of any Change of Control to make any repayment of outstanding
indebtedness (including repurchases of New Notes) required by the
Services Indenture (as well as may be contained in other
securities of the Company which might be outstanding at the
time). The requirement for the Company to repurchase the New
Notes will, unless consents are obtained, require the Company to
repay all indebtedness then outstanding which by its terms would
prohibit such New Note repurchase, either prior to or
concurrently with such Note repurchase. In addition, in the
event the Company is unable to consummate a repurchase of New
Notes due to insufficient funds upon a Change of Control, such
failure will constitute an immediate event of default under the
Services Indenture and will result, upon the declaration by the
Trustee, in the acceleration of the New Notes, whereby the
Accreted Value of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the
New Notes will be immediately due and payable.
LACK OF PUBLIC MARKET
The New Notes are a new issue of securities for which there is
currently no active trading market. If any New Notes are traded
after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from
their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest
rates, the market for similar securities and other factors,
including general economic conditions and the financial
condition, performance of, and prospects for the Company. There
can be no assurance of an active trading market for any of the
New Notes.
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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The Company was formed on January 23, 1998 as a wholly owned
subsidiary of ICG. On January 21, 1998, NETCOM was merged into a
subsidiary of ICG and, upon formation of the Company, ICG
contributed its investment in NETCOM to the Company. NETCOM is
considered to be a predecessor entity to the Company and,
accordingly, the financial statements of the Company prior to
January 1998 are the historical consolidated financial statements
of NETCOM.
The following table sets forth selected financial and other
operating data of NETCOM, the predecessor to the Company, for
each fiscal year in the five-year period ended December 31, 1997
and the three-month period ended March 31, 1997. Such annual data
have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with,
NETCOM's audited consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus for each of the
fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997.
The following table also sets forth selected financial and other
operating data of the Company as of and for the three-month
period ended March 31, 1998. Such data have been derived from,
and should be read in conjunction with, the Company's unaudited
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Prospectus as of and for the three-month period
ended March 31, 1998. NETCOM's development and expansion
activities, including acquisitions, during the periods shown
below materially affect the comparability of this data from one
period to another.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------
1993(1) 1994 (1) 1995(1)(2) 1996(1)
--------- ---------- ------------ ---------
(IN THOUSANDS)
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue . . . . . . . $2,412 12,359 52,422 120,540
Operating costs and
expenses:
Operating costs
(excluding
depreciation). . . 1,011 5,777 29,550 73,545
Selling, marketing,
general and
administrative . . 1,002 5,709 30,617 78,031
Depreciation
and amortization . 157 978 7,190 17,401
Net loss (gain)
on disposal of
long lived
assets . . . . . -- -- 1,311 1,486
Merger and
restructuring
costs . . . . . . -- -- -- --
------- ------- ------- -------
Total
operating
costs and
expenses . . 2,170 12,464 68,668 170,463
Operating loss . . . 242 (105) (16,246) (49,923)
Interest and
other (expense)
income, net(3) . . . (3) 5 2,197 5,681
------- ------- ------- -------
Income (loss)
before income
taxes . . . . . . . 239 (100) (14,049) (44,242)
Income taxes . . . . (12) -- (15) (23)
------- ------- ------- -------
Net income (loss) . . $ 227 (100) (14,064) (44,265)
======= ======= ======= =======
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER THREE MONTHS
31, ENDED MARCH 31,
--------- -------------------------
1997(1) 1997(1) 1998
--------- --------- ------
(IN THOUSANDS)
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue . . . . . . . 160,660 39,005 40,534
Operating costs and
expenses:
Operating costs
(excluding
depreciation) . . . 95,498 23,380 25,654
Selling, marketing,
general and
administrative . . 74,552 20,237 17,657
Depreciation
and amortization . 25,886 5,844 7,267
Net loss (gain)
on disposal of
long lived
assets . . . . . (621) (322) --
Merger and
restructuring
costs . . . . . . 1,879 -- 7,746
------- ------- -------
Total
operating
costs and
expenses . . 197,194 49,139 58,324
Operating loss . . . (36,534) (10,134) (17,790)
Interest and
other (expense)
income, net(3) . . . 3,480 930 (1,100)
------- ------- -------
Income (loss)
before income
taxes . . . . . . . (33,054) (9,204) (18,890)
Income taxes . . . . (38) (7) (13)
------- ------- ------
Net income (loss) . . (33,092) (9,211) (18,903)
======= ======= =======
AT MARCH 31,
1998
-------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . $ 330,977
Working capital . . . . . . . . . . 313,525
Property and equipment, net . . . . 74,545
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . 438,153
Current portion of capital lease
obligations . . . . . . . . . . . 2,476
Long-term debt and capital lease
obligations, less current portion 308,043
Common stock and additional paid-in
capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207,798
Accumulated deficit . . . . . . . . (114,037)
Stockholders' equity . . . . . . . 94,010
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YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------
1993(1) 1994(1) 1995(1)(2) 1996(1)
--------- --------- ------------ ---------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
OTHER DATA:
Ratio of
earnings to
fixed charges(4) 8.7 -- -- --
Deficiency of earnings
to fixed charges(4) $ -- 100 14,049 44,242
Net cash provided
(used) by operating
activities . . . . . 789 4,922 (461) (21,651)
Net cash used
by investing
activities . . . . . (1,028) (11,375) (44,742) (53,992)
Net cash
provided by
financing
activities . . . . . 314 27,315 170,294 2,351
EBITDA(5) . . . . . 399 873 (9,056) (32,522)
EBITDA (before
nonrecurring
charges)(5). . . . . 399 873 (7,745) (31,036)
Capital
expenditures(6) . . 1,028 11,143 43,361 53,992
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER THREE MONTHS
31, ENDED MARCH 31,
--------- -----------------------
1997(1) 1997(1) 1998
--------- --------- ------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
OTHER DATA:
Ratio of earnings
to fixed charges(4). . -- -- --
Deficiency of earnings
to fixed charges(4). . 33,054 9,204 17,774
Net cash provided
(used) by operating
activities . . . . . . (2,130) (2,515) (3,350)
Net cash used by
investing
activities . . . . . . (9,029) (1,300) (19,571)
Net cash provided
by financing
activities . . . . . . 1,351 1,950 290,513
EBITDA(5). . . . . . . (10,648) (4,290) (10,523)
EBITDA (before
nonrecurring
charges(5) . . . . . . (9,390) (4,612) (2,777)
Capital
expenditures(6) . . . 17,258 5,281 8,632
---------------
(1) The selected financial and other operating data of NETCOM
were prepared using the audited consolidated financial
statements of NETCOM included elsewhere herein, however, the
selected financial and other operating data have been
reclassified to conform with the classification and
presentation of the unaudited consolidated financial
statements of the Company for the three months ended March
31, 1998.
(2) Results for fiscal 1995 include five months of results of
Professional Internet Consulting, Inc., which was acquired
by NETCOM in August 1995.
(3) Giving pro forma effect to the receipt of the net proceeds
from the Private Offering and interest expense, net on
$300.6 million gross proceeds of Notes, without giving any
effect to any increased interest income on available cash,
as if such events had occurred on January 1, 1997, interest
expense, net would have been $26.6 million for fiscal 1997
and $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998.
(4) On a pro forma basis giving effect
to the Private Offering as if it had occurred on January 1,
1997 and without giving effect to any increased interest
income on additional available cash, earnings would have
been insufficient to cover fixed charges by $63.1 million
for fiscal 1997 and by $25.3 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1998. Earnings consist of income (loss)
before provision for income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed
charges consist of interest charges and amortization of debt
expense and discount or premium related to indebtedness,
whether expensed or capitalized and that portion of rental
expense the Company believes to be representative of
interest (i.e., one-third of rental expense).
(5) EBITDA consists of net earnings (loss) before interest,
income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other income
(expense), net. EBITDA (before nonrecurring charges) represents
EBITDA before certain nonrecurring charges such as
net loss (gain) on disposal of long-lived assets and merger
and restructuring costs. EBITDA and EBITDA (before nonrecurring
charges) are provided because they are measures
commonly used in the Internet and telecommunications
industries. EBITDA and EBITDA (before nonrecurring charges)
are presented to enhance the understanding
of the Company's operating results and are not intended to
represent cash flows or results of operations in accordance
with GAAP for the periods indicated. EBITDA and EBITDA (before
nonrecurring charges) are not
measurements under GAAP and are not necessarily comparable
with similarly titled measures of other companies. Net cash
flows from operating, investing and financing activities as
determined using GAAP are also presented in Other Data.
(6) Capital expenditures include assets acquired under capital
leases.
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion includes certain forward-looking
statements which are affected by important factors including, but
not limited to, the Company's lack of operating history,
historical operating losses of NETCOM and lack of credit support
from ICG. The results of operations for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 represent the consolidated operating results of
the Company. See the unaudited consolidated financial statements
of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 1998 included
elsewhere herein. For all prior periods, the results of
operations represent the historical operating results of NETCOM,
the predecessor business to the Company. The historical
operating results of NETCOM were prepared using the audited
consolidated financial statements of NETCOM for the three-year
period ended December 31, 1997 included elsewhere herein,
however, these historical operating results have been
reclassified to conform with the classification and presentation
of the consolidated statement of operations of the Company for
the three months ended March 31, 1998. The following discussion
includes year over year comparisons using the reclassified
historical operating results of NETCOM.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
The Company was formed in January 1998 and has conducted no
material operations to date other than the acquisition and
operations of NETCOM. See "The Company." Therefore, the
following discussion is principally a discussion and analysis of
the results of operations and financial condition of NETCOM, the
predecessor business to the Company. In January 1998, the
Company formed ICG Equipment for the principal purpose of
purchasing telecommunications equipment for sale or lease to
other operating subsidiaries of ICG. The Company conducted no
material operations under ICG Equipment through March 31, 1998.
The Company's results of operations and financial condition will
change as it consummates acquisitions and as the operations of
ICG Equipment become more significant.
NETCOM is a leading provider of high quality Internet
solutions to individual and small and medium-sized businesses in
the United States and also provides the same high quality
Internet solutions in Canada and the United Kingdom. NETCOM
offers a broad spectrum of Internet solutions designed to enhance
customer productivity through the integration and application of
technologies by providing a comprehensive software platform to
interface with the Web, premium quality Internet access and
support services and on-line tools to automate Web site creation
and development.
NETCOM owns and operates a data communications network
consisting of 17 hubs containing frame relay switches and high-
performance routers connecting a backbone of leased ATM switches
and leased high-speed dedicated data lines in the United States,
Canada and the United Kingdom. NETCOM maintains 247 POPs in the
United States and Canada and also offers virtual local access
numbers in Canada and the United Kingdom. The design and
architecture of the physical network permits NETCOM to offer
highly flexible, reliable high-speed services to its customers
and support significant subscriber growth. The NETCOM
infrastructure is monitored by NOCs in San Jose, Dallas, Toronto
and London.
NETCOM derives revenue from dial-up access, direct access
and Web site hosting services. In January 1997, NETCOM announced
plans to migrate its customer focus away from high volume, low
margin consumer customers to higher margin products for small and
medium-sized business customers. As a result, during the 12-month
period ended December 31, 1997, average revenue per customer
increased by 18.9% measured on a quarterly consolidated basis.
This result is primarily due to the introduction of premium priced
dial-up products and a higher proportion of dedicated access and
Web hosting accounts during 1997. However, for the three months
ended March 31, 1998, revenue from dial-up access, direct access
and Web site hosting services was $32.5 million, $5.2 million
and $2.3 million, respectively, representing approximately 80%,
13% and 6%, respectively, of NETCOM's total revenue. At the end
of 1997, the percentage of dial-up customers that subscribed to
premium priced accounts represented 12% of the total number of
dial-up customers. At the end of 1996, there were no premium
priced customers in this category. Management believes that the
majority of the customers subscribing to premium priced services are
small to medium-sized businesses. Direct access customers typically
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<PAGE>
purchase equipment and generate non-recurring start-up revenue.
This initial non-recurring revenue was approximately 1% of NETCOM's
revenue for the three months ended March 31, 1998.
Operating costs (excluding depreciation) principally consist
of labor costs, costs of
leased long distance transmission capacity, customer support
costs, costs of equipment sold to customers and other
miscellaneous costs. Transmission capacity is the largest
component. NETCOM acquires transmission capacity through month-
to-month (or longer) leases.
Selling, marketing, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses
consist principally of commissions and advertising expenses paid
to third party marketing organizations, advertising expenditures
made directly by NETCOM and labor costs of NETCOM's internal
sales force. NETCOM defers the costs
of acquiring Internet subscribers pursuant to Statement of
Position 93-7 and amortizes those costs over a 12-month period or
the estimated life of the customer, whichever is shorter. The
amortization of deferred subscriber acquisition costs is included
in SG&A expenses in the Company's statement of
operations. Also included in SG&A expenses are product
development expenses which are principally labor costs for
programmers and engineers. These personnel are employed to
integrate NETCOM's software with software of third party vendors
and software and applications used on the Internet. The labor
market for computer programmers is highly competitive and labor
costs for such personnel have increased and are expected to
continue to increase. Additionally, the Company is allocated a
portion of ICG's general and administrative expenses for certain
direct and indirect costs incurred by ICG on behalf of the
Company. In future periods, SG&A expenses are expected to
substantially increase in absolute dollars as the Company
increases its marketing and advertising activities.
Depreciation and amortization expense is primarily composed
of the depreciation of network equipment. As the operations of ICG
Equipment become more
significant, the Company expects depreciation and amortization
expense to increase substantially.
NETCOM recorded merger costs of approximately $7.7 million
for the three months ended March 31, 1998 as a result of its
merger with ICG completed in January 1998, which
includes deferred expenses incurred prior to the effective date
of the merger, aggregating approximately $1.8 million. The total
merger costs recorded consist of $4.4 million of investment
advisory, legal and accounting fees, $2.6 million of expense
relating to penalties and the abandonment of projects resulting
from the merger and $0.7 million of other costs associated with
the merger.
Historically, NETCOM has not had significant interest
expense. However, as a result of the Private Offering and the
April Private Offering, interest expense will increase
substantially in future periods. Additionally, NETCOM has not
historically had significant interest income, although the
Company expects interest income to increase in the near term
until the proceeds from the Private Offering and the April
Private Offering, which are currently held in short-term
investments, are fully invested in the Company's operations.
The Company expects to acquire telecommunications, Internet
and related businesses that complement ICG's business strategy to
offer a wide array of telecommunications, Internet and related
services primarily to communications-intensive business
customers. Acquisition targets could include U.S. or foreign
CLECs, ISPs and long distance companies, among others. The
Company intends to make future acquisitions primarily through the
use of ICG Common Stock, cash on hand and the proceeds from
securities offerings.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND 1997
Revenue. Revenue increased $1.5 million, or 4%, to $40.5
million for the three months ended March 31, 1998 from $39.0
million for the three months ended March 31, 1997. The increase
in revenue is due to an increase in average revenue per customer,
which resulted from an increase in the mix of direct access and
Web site hosting customers relative to dial-up customers, which
generate lower revenue per customer, additional sales of NETCOM's
premium dial-up products and growth in the Internet market
generally. Between the comparative periods, NETCOM experienced
increases in dedicated and Web site hosting customers of 39% and
151%, respectively, and a decrease in dial-up accounts. The
consolidated average revenue per customer increased 12%, from
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$22.46 for the three months ended March 31, 1997 to $25.12 for
the three months ended March 31, 1998. The total number of
customers decreased by 9% to approximately 528,000 customers as
of March 31, 1998 from approximately 578,000 customers as of
March 31, 1997. In January 1997, NETCOM announced plans to
migrate its customer focus away from high volume, low margin
consumer customers to higher margin products for small and
medium-sized business customers. As a result, NETCOM expects
that the number of total subscribers will continue to decline in
1998, while revenue per customer will continue to increase.
However, there can be no assurance that revenue per customer will
continue to increase.
International revenue increased by $2.6 million to $5.0
million for the three months ended March 31, 1998 from $2.4
million for the three months ended March 31, 1997. The increase
in international revenue is due to the increased subscriber base
for NETCOM's international operations which began in 1996.
Operating costs (excluding depreciation). Operating costs
(excluding depreciation) were $25.7 million, or 63%
of revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and $23.4
million, or 60% of revenue, for the three months ended March 31,
1997. The increase in operating costs (excluding depreciation)
is primarily attributable
to NETCOM's international expansion, increased network and data
communication costs associated with network improvements and with
expansion of NETCOM's operations and customer support staff.
International operating costs (excluding depreciation)
for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 were $3.1 million, or 62% of international
revenue, compared to $2.7 million, or 113% of international
revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 1997. The increase
in international operating costs (excluding depreciation) in
absolute dollars is due
primarily to increased network and payroll related costs. The
Company expects that operating costs (excluding depreciation)
for international operations will continue to increase in absolute
dollars in the foreseeable future.
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses.
SG&A expenses
decreased $2.5 million, or 12%, from $20.2 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 to $17.7 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1998. SG&A expenses represent approximately 52%
and 44% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and
1998, respectively. The decrease in SG&A expenses is primarily
attributable to the decrease in advertising and marketing
programs, consulting costs and costs incurred relating to
NETCOM's international operations. NETCOM deferred subscriber
acquisition costs of $1.2 million and $2.0
million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998,
respectively, and recorded amortization of such costs (including
certain write-offs) of $3.0 million and $1.6 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
During the three months ended
March 31, 1997, NETCOM recorded $0.6 million under its joint
marketing agreement with Grupo Itamarati. NETCOM transferred its
ownership interest in the joint marketing agreement to its
partner in October 1997. Offsetting the decrease in NETCOM's
SG&A expenses between the comparative periods, the Company
recorded $0.5 million in SG&A expenses for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 as a result of expenses allocated by ICG. Also
included in SG&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 1998
is a one-time nonrecurring charge of $0.4 million for
retention payments to key employees of NETCOM as a
result of NETCOM's merger with ICG in January 1998.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and
amortization expense increased $1.5 million, or 25%, from $5.8
million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 to $7.3 million
for the three months ended March 31, 1998, primarily as a result of
the increase in depreciable assets between the comparable periods.
Net loss (gain) on disposal of long-lived assets. Net gain
on disposal of long-lived assets for the three months ended March
31, 1997 primarily represents a gain on the sale of NETCOM's
investment in The McKinley Group.
Merger and restructuring costs. NETCOM recorded merger
costs of approximately $7.7 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 as a result of its merger with ICG, completed in
January 1998. These costs consist of $4.4 million of investment
advisory, legal and accounting fees, $2.6 million of expense
relating to penalties and the abandonment of projects resulting
from the merger and $0.7 million of other costs associated with the
merger.
Interest expense. Interest expense increased $4.3 million,
from $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 to
$4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, which
includes $3.9 million of non-cash interest. The increase in
interest expense is attributable to an increase in long-term
debt, primarily the Private Offering completed in February 1998.
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<PAGE>
The Company's interest expense increased, and will continue to
increase, because the principal amount of its indebtedness
increases until the Company's senior indebtedness begins to pay
interest in cash.
Interest income. Interest income increased $2.3 million,
from $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 to
$3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998. The
increase is attributable to the increase in cash and invested
cash balances from the proceeds from the Private Offering
completed in February 1998.
Other, net. Other, net recorded for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 represents miscellaneous gains and losses.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 is attributable to state and
foreign income taxes incurred and paid by NETCOM.
Net loss. Net loss increased $9.7 million, or 105%, due to
the increases in operating costs (excluding depreciation), SG&A
expenses, merger costs and interest expense as noted above.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
Revenue. Revenue increased $40.1 million, or 33%, to $160.7
million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $120.5 million
for the year ended December 31, 1996. The increase in revenue is
due to an increase in average revenue per customer, which
resulted from an increase in the mix of direct access and Web
site hosting customers relative to dial-up customers, sales of
NETCOM's premium dial-up products and growth in the Internet
market generally. During 1997, NETCOM experienced increases in
dedicated and Web site hosting customers of 200% and 32%,
respectively, and a decrease in dial-up accounts. The
consolidated average revenue per customer increased approximately
20% from the year ended December 31, 1996 to the year ended
December 31, 1997. The total number of customers decreased by 7%
to approximately 539,000 customers as of December 31, 1997 from
approximately 580,000 as of December 31, 1996. In January 1997,
NETCOM announced plans to migrate its customer focus away from
high volume, low margin consumer customers to higher margin
products for small and medium-sized business customers. As a
result, NETCOM expects that the number of total subscribers will
continue to decline in 1998, while revenue per customer will
continue to increase. However, there can be no assurance that
revenue per customer will continue to increase.
International revenue increased by $10.7 million to $13.2
million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $2.5 million
for the year ended December 31, 1996. The increase in
international revenue is due to the increased subscriber base for
NETCOM's international operations which began in 1996.
Operating costs (excluding depreciation). Operating costs
(excluding depreciation) were $95.5 million, or 59%
of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 1997 and $73.5
million, or 61% of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 1996.
The increase in operating costs (excluding depreciation) is
primarily attributable to
NETCOM's international expansion, increased network and data
communication costs associated with network improvements and with
expansion of NETCOM's operations and customer support staff.
International operating costs (excluding depreciation)
for the year ended December
31, 1997 was $11.3 million, or 86% of international revenue,
compared to $6.5 million, or 260% of international revenue, for
the year ended December 31, 1996. The increase in international
operating costs (excluding depreciation) in absolute dollars is due
primarily to increased network and payroll related costs.
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses.
SG&A expenses
decreased $3.4 million from $78.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 1996 to $74.6 million for year ended December 31,
1997. SG&A expenses represent approximately 65% and 46% of
revenue for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997,
respectively. The decrease in SG&A expenses is primarily
attributable to the decrease in advertising, trade shows, and
consulting expenses and decreased subscriber activity in the
United States, offset by an increase in personnel costs
associated with product development as NETCOM continued to invest
in the development of new software products and the upgrade of
existing products. Additionally, NETCOM
deferred subscriber acquisition costs of $14.4 million and $6.5
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<PAGE>
million for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997,
respectively, and recorded amortization of such costs (including
certain write-offs) of $12.2 million and $8.9 million for the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and
amortization expense increased $8.5 million, from $17.4 million
for the year ended December 31, 1996 to $25.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 1997. This increase is primarily due to
increased investment in depreciable assets resulting from the
continued expansion of NETCOM's services.
Net loss (gain) on disposal of long-lived assets. Net gain
on disposal of long-lived assets for the year ended December 31,
1997 represents a gain on the sale of NETCOM's investment in The
McKinley Group of $1.3 million, offset by the write-off of
various point of presence equipment. The net loss on disposal of
long-lived assets for the year ended December 31, 1996 primarily
represents the write-off of NETCOM's investment in The McKinley
Group of $1.2 million and the net loss on the sale of
miscellaneous equipment of $0.3 million.
Merger and restructuring costs. Restructuring and related
charges of $1.9 million during the year ended December 31, 1997
are the result of a decision by management to restructure
operations of NETCOM's subsidiary in the United Kingdom. The
restructuring charge is comprised of $1.4 million in accrued
expenses for costs to terminate excess leased office facilities
and a write-off of office equipment, furniture and building
improvements as a result of consolidating office space, a $0.3
million write-down of previously capitalized deferred subscriber
acquisition costs and $0.2 million for severance costs.
Interest expense. Interest expense of $0.7 million for the
year ended December 31, 1997 includes interest expense incurred
on capital lease obligations entered into in 1997. No interest
expense was recorded during the year ended December 31, 1996.
Interest income. Interest income decreased $1.5 million,
from $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 to $4.2
million for the year ended December 31, 1997. The decrease in
interest income is attributable to NETCOM's lower average balance
of cash and cash equivalents.
Other, net. Other, net for the years ended December 31,
1997 and 1996 represents miscellaneous gains and losses.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense for the years ended
December 31, 1997 and 1996 is attributable to state and foreign
income taxes incurred and paid by NETCOM.
Net loss. Net loss decreased $11.2 million, or 25%,
primarily due to the increase in revenue and the decrease in
operating costs (excluding depreciation) as a percentage of
revenue as noted above.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995
Revenue. Revenue increased $68.1 million, or 130%, to
$120.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 from $52.4
million for the year ended December 31, 1995. The increase in
revenue is due to a significant increase in the number of dial-up
subscribers, direct access connections and Web site hosting
accounts, which NETCOM attributes to the growth in the Internet
market generally, the increase in the number of NETCOM local
access areas, NETCOM's release of enhancements to its software,
and continued expansion of NETCOM's sales, distribution and
promotional activities. Subscribers increased by 88% to
approximately 580,000 customers as of December 31, 1996 from
approximately 308,000 customers as of December 31, 1995.
NETCOM's international subsidiaries accounted for $2.5 million of
total revenue in 1996.
Operating costs (excluding depreciation). Operating costs
(excluding depreciation) were $73.5 million, or 61%
of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 1996 and $30.0
million, or 56% of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 1995.
The increase in the operating costs (excluding depreciation) was
primarily attributable to
the commencement of NETCOM's international operations during
1996, sales tax charges, increased network and data communication
costs associated with the increased number of subscribers and
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<PAGE>
network improvements and with expansion of NETCOM's operations
and customer support staff. Operating costs (excluding
depreciation) relating to
international operations for the year ended December 31, 1996
were $11.3 million, or 86%, of international revenue.
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses.
SG&A expenses
increased $47.4 million, or 155%, from $30.6 million for the year
ended December 31, 1995 to $78.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 1996. SG&A expenses represent approximately 58% and
65% of revenue for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996,
respectively. The increase in SG&A expenses is due primarily to
increased costs associated with NETCOM's international
subsidiaries' sales and marketing expenses and subscriber
acquisition activity in the U.S. SG&A expenses for NETCOM's
international operations in 1996 were $12.1 million which
includes costs incurred domestically relating to international
operations. In addition, growth of costs associated with
subscriber acquisition, the addition of management personnel and
marketing programs in the U.S. contributed to the increase.
Additionally, this
increase is due to the increase in NETCOM's deferral of
subscriber acquisition costs from $5.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 1995 to $14.4 million for the year ended December
31, 1996. NETCOM recorded amortization of such costs (including
certain write-offs) of $2.8 million and $12.2 million for the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and
amortization expense increased $10.2 million, from $7.2 million
for the year ended December 31, 1995 to $17.4 million for the
year ended December 31, 1996. This increase is primarily due to
increased investment in depreciable assets resulting from the
continued expansion of NETCOM's services.
Net loss (gain) on disposal of long-lived assets. Net loss
on disposal of long-lived assets for the year ended December 31,
1996 represents the write-off of NETCOM's investment in The
McKinley Group of $1.2 million and the net loss on the sale of
miscellaneous equipment of $0.3 million. Net loss on disposal of
long-lived assets for the year ended December 31, 1995 represents
the write-off of various point of presence equipment.
Interest income. Interest income increased $3.5 million,
from $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1995 to $5.7
million for the year ended December 31, 1996. The increase in
interest income is primarily the result of the investment of the
proceeds from NETCOM's public equity offerings in May and
November 1995, primarily in commercial paper.
Other, net. Other, net recorded during the years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1996 represents miscellaneous gains and
losses.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense for the years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1996 is attributable to state and foreign
income taxes incurred and paid by NETCOM.
Net loss. Net loss increased $30.2 million, or 215%, due to
the increase in operating costs (excluding depreciation), SG&A
expenses and depreciation
and amortization expense as noted above. Revenue growth reflects
NETCOM's strategy to invest in its international operations as
well as in the growth of its subscriber base and local access
numbers.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
NETCOM's historical growth has been funded through cash
generated from its operations and public and private offerings of
its equity securities, while the Company's near term growth will
be funded through its recently secured debt financings (the
Private Offering and the April Private Offering). As of March
31, 1998, the Company had current assets of $349.6 million,
including $343.0 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments, which exceeded current liabilities of $36.1 million,
providing working capital of $313.5 million. The Company invests
excess funds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade
securities until such funds are used to fund the capital
investments and operating needs of the Company's business. The
Company's short-term investment objectives are safety, liquidity
and yield, in that order.
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CASH USED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
The Company's operating activities through March 31, 1998
consisted entirely of the operating activities of NETCOM and used
$0.5 million, $21.7 million and $2.1 million for fiscal 1995,
1996 and 1997, respectively, and used $2.5 million and $3.4
million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998,
respectively. Cash used by operations is primarily due to net
losses, which are partially offset by non-cash expenses, such as
depreciation and amortization expense, deferred interest expense
and changes in working capital items.
The Company does not anticipate that cash provided by
operations will be sufficient to fund operating activities in the
near term. As the Company provides a greater volume of higher
margin services, principally dedicated access and Web site
hosting Internet services, realizes the benefit of synergies and
combined marketing efforts between ICG and NETCOM and commences
operations under ICG Equipment, while experiencing decelerating
increases in personnel and other SG&A expenses supporting its
Internet operations, any or all of which may not occur, the
Company anticipates that cash used by operating activities will
continue to improve in the near term.
CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
The Company's investing activities through March 31, 1998
consisted entirely of the investing activities of NETCOM and used
$44.7 million, $54.0 million and $9.0 million for fiscal 1995,
1996 and 1997, respectively and used $1.3 million and $19.6
million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998,
respectively. Cash used by investing activities includes cash
expended for the acquisition of property, equipment and other
assets of $43.6 million, $54.0 million and $10.9 million for
fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and $2.1 million and
$7.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998,
respectively. The Company will continue to use cash in 1998 and
subsequent periods for the expansion of new and existing Internet
networks, the purchase of telecommunications equipment by ICG
Equipment for sale or lease to other operating subsidiaries of
ICG and potentially for acquisitions. The Company acquired
assets under capitalized leases of $6.4 million, $3.2 million and
$1.0 million for fiscal 1997 and the three months ended March 31,
1997 and 1998, respectively.
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
NETCOM's historical financing activities provided $170.3
million, $2.4 million, $1.4 million and $2.0 million for fiscal
1995, 1996, 1997 and the three months ended March 31, 1997,
respectively. Cash provided by financing activities primarily
includes proceeds from NETCOM's public securities offerings in
fiscal 1995, the exercise of stock options to purchase NETCOM
common shares, purchases under NETCOM's employee stock purchase
plan (which was dissolved in conjunction with NETCOM's merger
with ICG in January 1998) and financing of equipment purchases.
The Company's financing activities provided $290.5 million
for the three months ended March 31, 1998. On February 12, 1998,
the Company completed the Private Offering for net proceeds,
after underwriting and other offering costs, of approximately
$291.0 million. Interest will accrue at 10% per annum, beginning
February 15, 2003, and is payable each February 15 and August 15,
commencing August 15, 2003. The New Notes will be redeemable at
the option of the Company, in whole or in part, on or after
February 15, 2003.
As of March 31, 1998, the Company had an aggregate of
approximately $6.1 million of capitalized lease obligations and
an aggregate accreted value of approximately $304.4 million was
outstanding under the Old Notes. The Company's cash on hand and
amounts expected to be available through vendor financing
arrangements will provide sufficient funds necessary for the
Company to expand NETCOM's and ICG Equipment's businesses as
currently planned and to fund its operating deficits through
1999. With respect to indebtedness outstanding on March 31,
1998, the Company has cash interest payment obligations of
approximately $24.3 million in 2003, $49.0 million in 2004 and
each year thereafter through 2007. Accordingly, the Company may
have to refinance a substantial amount of indebtedness and obtain
substantial additional funds prior to August 2003. The Company's
ability to do so will depend on, among other things, its
financial condition at the time, restrictions in the instruments
governing its indebtedness, and other factors, including market
conditions, beyond the control of the Company. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to refinance such
indebtedness, including capitalized leases, or obtain additional
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funds, and if the Company is unable to effect such refinancings
or obtain additional funds, the Company's ability to make
principal and interest payments on its indebtedness would be
adversely affected.
On April 27, 1998, the Company completed the private
placement of the April Notes, for net proceeds, after
underwriting costs, of approximately $242.5 million. Interest
will accrue at 9 7/8% per annum, beginning May 1, 2003, and is
payable each May 1 and November 1, commencing November 1, 2003.
The April Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company,
in whole or in part, on or after May 1, 2003.
OTHER CASH COMMITMENTS AND CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
The Company's capital expenditures through March 31, 1998
consisted entirely of capital expenditures of NETCOM and
(including assets acquired under capital leases) were $43.4
million, $54.0 million and $17.3 million for fiscal 1995, 1996
and 1997, respectively, and were $5.3 million and $8.6 million
for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
The Company anticipates that the expansion of existing and new
Internet networks and the commencement of operations under ICG
Equipment will require capital expenditures of approximately
$220.0 million during the remainder of 1998. To facilitate the
expansion of its services and networks, the Company has entered
into equipment purchase agreements with various vendors under
which the Company will purchase equipment and other assets,
including a full range of switching systems, fiber optic cable,
network electronics, software and services. Actual capital
expenditures will depend on numerous factors including certain
factors beyond the Company's control. These factors include the
nature of future expansion and acquisition opportunities,
economic conditions, competition, regulatory developments and the
availability of equity, debt and lease financing.
In addition to the Company's planned capital expenditures,
the Company has capital lease obligations of $6.1 million as of
March 31, 1998 and NETCOM has guaranteed monthly usage levels
with WorldCom, its primary communications vendor, and has certain
termination liabilities with other such vendors. The annual
commitments (exclusive of certain usage discounts) in the years
1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 are $9.3 million, $9.3 million, $7.6
million and $4.2 million, respectively. The aggregate
termination liabilities as of March 31, 1998 are approximately
$10.0 million. In addition, NETCOM has minimum future rental
payments under noncancelable operating leases of $15.1 million as
of March 31, 1998.
In view of the continuing development of the Company's
products and services, the expansion of new and existing Internet
networks and the commencement of operations under ICG Equipment,
the Company may require additional amounts of cash in the future
from outside sources. Management believes that the Company's cash
on hand and amounts expected to be available through vendor
financing arrangements will provide sufficient funds necessary
for the Company to expand NETCOM's and ICG Equipment's businesses
as currently planned and to fund its operating deficits through
1999. Additional sources of cash may include public and private
debt financings, capitalized leases and other financing
arrangements. To date, the Company has been able to secure
sufficient amounts of financing to meet its capital expenditure
needs. There can be no assurance that additional financing will
be available to the Company or, if available, that it can be
obtained on terms acceptable to the Company. The failure to
obtain sufficient amounts of financing could result in the delay
or abandonment of some or all of the Company's development and
expansion plans, which could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business.
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
The Company is performing a comprehensive review of its
information and support systems to determine whether such systems
will properly function in the year 2000 and thereafter. Systems
under review principally include the Company's network operations
and monitoring systems, billing and financial systems and systems
supporting the Company's communications equipment premises,
building facilities and other office equipment. Although the
Company relies primarily on systems developed with current
technology and many of the systems currently in operation were
designed to be year 2000 compliant, the Company expects that it
will have to replace, upgrade or reprogram certain systems to
ensure that all interfacing technology will be year 2000
compliant when running jointly. The Company's due diligence also
includes an evaluation of vendor-provided technology and the
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implementation of new policies to require vendors to confirm that
they have disclosed and will correct any year 2000 compliance
issues.
The Company's evaluation process is expected to be complete
during 1998. Certain minor conversions and system upgrades are
already under way and the Company plans to have all identified
compliance issues resolved by mid-1999. The costs associated
with resolving year 2000 compliance issues are expensed as
incurred and, in the aggregate, are not expected to have a
material impact on the Company's financial condition or results
of operations. While the Company believes that its software
applications will be year 2000 compliant, there can be no
assurance until the year 2000 occurs that all systems will then
function adequately. Further, if the software applications of
local exchange carriers, long distance carriers or others on
whose services the Company depends are not year 2000 compliant,
it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations.
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BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
ICG Services, Inc. provides Internet services, through its
subsidiary, NETCOM, to individuals and to small and medium-sized
businesses. The Company also acquires telecommunications
equipment, software and capacity for lease or sale to other
subsidiaries of ICG. In addition to providing these services, the
Company intends to grow through acquisitions of
telecommunications, Internet and related businesses that
complement ICG's business strategy.
The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of ICG, one of the
nation's leading ICPs of competitive communications services,
based on estimates of the industry's 1997 revenue. ICG's
objectives are to provide a wide range of local, long distance
and data communications services to business end users and
wholesale customers and to be a premier provider of high quality
communications services to its targeted business and carrier
customers. ICG believes that customers are increasingly demanding
a broad, full service approach to providing services and that, by
offering a bundled package, ICG will be better able to capture
business from communications-intensive commercial customers.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company's objective is to acquire and consolidate
telecommunications, Internet and related businesses and bundle
the services provided by these businesses with ICG's current
competitive local and long distance telecommunications products.
By leveraging the Company's relationship with ICG and utilizing
ICG's extensive network footprint, the Company intends to capture
the growth in demand from business customers for a full package
of telecommunications services by offering a wide array of
services, including Internet services.
Market Services to Business End Users. The Company is
focused on marketing a variety of telecommunications and Internet
products and services primarily to business end users. Through
its wholly owned subsidiary, NETCOM, the Company currently
markets Internet services to individuals and to small and medium-
sized businesses. In January 1997, NETCOM announced plans to
migrate its customer focus away from high volume, low margin
consumer customers to higher margin products for small and
medium-sized business customers. Management believes a targeted
business end user strategy can better leverage ICG's network
footprint and telecommunications investment. To date, NETCOM has
been successful in implementing this plan, and has seen its
average revenue per customer increase from $21.47 during fiscal
1996 to $23.92 during fiscal 1997 and from $22.46 to $25.12 for
the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
Concentrate on Regional Clusters. The Company believes that
by focusing its growth on business activities located within
ICG's network of regional clusters in California, Colorado, Ohio
and the Southeast, it will be able to more effectively service
its customers' needs and efficiently market, operate and control
its network and expanded service offerings. In addition, the
Company believes that by focusing future growth within ICG's
existing footprint, it will be able to overlay ICG's support
services and realize extensive cost synergies. For example, a
significant portion of NETCOM's customer base is located in
California. To the extent feasible, NETCOM will route its
Internet traffic over ICG's California network. NETCOM plans to
continue to operate and grow its business in the United States
outside of ICG's network footprint and in Canada and the United
Kingdom.
Increase Revenue and Margins through Bundled Services. The
Company intends to increase its revenue and margins by providing
a full range of communications products to its end user
customers. The Company plans to complement ICG's competitive
local and long distance telecommunications offerings by combining
the Internet products developed by NETCOM and cross-marketing
these combined products through ICG's direct sales force.
Additionally, NETCOM intends to market ICG telecommunications
products to its small and medium-sized business customer base.
Integrate Investments and Expand. The Company expects to
acquire telecommunications, Internet and related businesses that
complement ICG's business strategy to offer a wide array of
telecommunications, Internet and related services primarily to
business customers. Acquisition targets could include U.S. and
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foreign CLECs, ISPs and long distance companies, among others.
The Company intends to make future acquisitions primarily through
the use of ICG Common Stock, cash on hand and the proceeds from
securities offerings.
ICG and the Company believe that the acquisition of NETCOM
is strategically important as it helps to (i) broaden ICG's
communications product offerings to include Internet services and
(ii) provide NETCOM with extensive network infrastructure for the
on-net transportation of its Internet traffic. The Company will
continue to look for acquisitions which it believes will benefit
ICG's objectives to provide a wide range of local, long distance
and data communications services to business end users and
wholesale customers and to be a premier provider of high quality
communications services to its targeted business and carrier
customers.
New Product Offerings. In March 1998, ICG announced its
plans to offer long distance service via IP technology. ICG and
NETCOM will begin to market this service over the Internet in the
third quarter of 1998. NETCOM's POPs will be equipped for this
service by ICG and will be linked to ICG's networks. NETCOM will
invoice ICG for providing the POPs and other associated costs.
All customer revenue will flow to ICG. ICG also plans to offer
by the end of fiscal 1998 competitively priced high-speed data
transmission services via DSL technology to all business and end
user customers within its existing regional clusters. DSL
technology uses the existing twisted copper pair connection to
the business or end user, giving the customer significantly
greater bandwidth when connecting to the Internet. NETCOM
expects to generate revenue by reselling this service to its
customers.
ICG EQUIPMENT
In January 1998, the Company formed ICG Equipment, Inc., a
Colorado corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
("ICG Equipment"). Subsidiaries of ICG Holdings, Inc., a
Colorado corporation and subsidiary of ICG ("Holdings"), intend
to enter into arrangements with ICG Equipment to purchase or
lease telecommunications equipment, software and capacity and
related services. The equipment and services provided to
Holdings' subsidiaries will be utilized to upgrade and expand
their network infrastructure to take full advantage of the
opportunities and cost savings available as a result of the
acquisitions made by the Company. Any such arrangement will be
on an arm's length basis and on comparable terms that Holdings'
subsidiaries would be able to obtain from a third party.
NETCOM
NETCOM is a leading provider of high quality Internet
solutions to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses in
the United States and also provides the same high quality
Internet solutions in Canada and the United Kingdom. NETCOM
offers a broad spectrum of Internet solutions designed to enhance
customer productivity through the integration and application of
technologies by providing a comprehensive software platform to
interface with the Web, premium quality Internet access and
support services and on-line tools to automate Web site creation
and development. These offerings have led to significant growth,
with revenue increasing from approximately $2.4 million for
fiscal 1993 to approximately $160.7 million for fiscal 1997.
Additionally, NETCOM recorded net income of $0.2 million for
fiscal 1993 and a net loss of $(33.1) million for fiscal 1997.
In January 1997, NETCOM announced plans to migrate its customer
focus away from high volume, low margin consumer customers to
higher margin products for small and medium-sized business
customers.
NETCOM owns and operates a data communications network
consisting of 17 hubs containing frame relay switches and high-
performance routers connecting a backbone of leased ATM switches
and leased high-speed dedicated data lines in the United States,
Canada and the United Kingdom. NETCOM maintains 247 POPs in the
United States and Canada and also offers virtual local access
numbers in Canada and the United Kingdom. The design and
architecture of the physical network permits NETCOM to offer
highly flexible, reliable high-speed services to its customers
and support significant subscriber growth. The NETCOM
infrastructure is monitored by NOCs in San Jose, Dallas, Toronto,
and London.
NETCOM provides Internet solutions principally through dial-
up, direct access and Web site hosting services. Direct access
and Web site hosting services provide higher revenue per customer
and higher margins than dial-up services. NETCOM also receives
revenue from value-added services such as security, anti-virus
and data storage.
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Market Overview
The Internet is a global collection of thousands of computer
networks cooperating to enable commercial organizations,
educational institutions, government agencies and individuals to
communicate electronically, to access and share information and
to conduct business. The Internet originated with the ARPAnet, a
restricted network started in 1969 by the United States
Department of Defense to provide efficient and reliable long-
distance data communications among the disparate computer systems
used by government funded researchers and organizations. Unlike
other public and private telecommunications networks that are
managed by businesses, government agencies and other entities,
the Internet is a cooperative interconnection of many such public
and private networks. The networks that comprise the Internet are
connected in a variety of ways, including by the public switched
telephone network and by high speed, dedicated leased lines. Open
communications on the Internet are enabled by TCP/IP, an
internetworking standard that enables communication across the
Internet regardless of the hardware and software used. In the
late 1980s and early 1990s, the use of the Internet by businesses
and universities as a communications and research tool began to
grow dramatically. In 1993, Web technology was introduced to the
Internet paving the way for rapid commercialization of the
Internet on a global basis. Since the introduction of the Web,
continual technological advances, including new and innovative
software applications, have led to a more robust, lower-cost
infrastructure, improved security, an expanded array of enhanced
services and a dramatic increase in content.
Internet access services is one of the fastest growing
segments of the telecommunications services market. According to
industry research analysts, the market for consumer and business
Internet connectivity and enhanced services exceeded $3 billion
in 1996, and is estimated to reach $18 billion in revenue by the
year 2000, reflecting a compounded annual growth rate of
approximately 50%. Business connectivity and value-added services
are estimated to represent in excess of 50% of the overall
market. The use of the Internet by small and medium-sized
businesses in particular is expected to grow substantially from
its current low levels of market penetration.
ISPs provide customers with a variety of services to meet
their Internet-related needs. Internet services include the
following categories: (1) access services (dial-up, direct access
and Web site hosting); (2) value-added services (security
services, anti-virus and data storage); and (3) content services
(information creation, aggregation and delivery). Some ISPs offer
all of these services while others specialize in only one or two.
As the market continues to segment in these three areas, there
are opportunities for both the specialists who can provide
superior service in one area, as well as full-service providers
who can bundle services and offer discounts. There were over
4,300 ISPs in the United States and Canada as of October 31, 1997
compared to just over 3,000 as of October 31, 1996. There have
been some large acquisitions of ISPs as CLECs and others attempt
to enter the industry. Because of low barriers to entry, there
are local and regional ISPs entering the market, which has caused
the level of competition to intensify.
The availability of an expansive variety of compelling
business and consumer applications over the Internet has
attracted a large number of consumer and business users. The
total number of connections to ISP networks, according to
International Data Corporation ("IDC"), was 17 million as of
November 1997, and is predicted to reach over 30 million by the
year 2000. Aggregate revenue from the retail segment of the ISP
industry exceeded $3 billion in 1996. Market trends contributing
to the overall growth in connectivity include advancements in
technologies required to navigate the Internet, the availability
of Internet connectivity, and the rich consumer and business
content available. The Company believes that ongoing development
of access to and applications of the Internet will continue to
attract a valuable consumer audience for businesses.
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Market Growth
Industry analysts anticipate continued rapid growth for the
ISP market. Specifically, IDC forecasts the ISP market's annual
aggregate revenue to grow from $3.3 billion in 1996 to $18.3
billion in the year 2000, excluding content revenue.
Graphic consists of two pie charts, displayed side by side,
depicting the percentage breakdown of annual revenue for each of
the four markets comprising the ISP market for years 1996 and
2000 (forecast). The overall size of the pie chart for the year
2000 is larger than that for the year 1996, representing the
greater total revenue in the year 2000. The charts, however, are
not drawn to scale.
In tabular form, the graphic presents the following
information:
1996 2000
---- ----
Corporate Access 58% Value-Added 38%
Individual Access 29% Corporate Access 36%
Wholesale 9% Individual Access 19%
Value-Added 4% Wholesale 7%
----- -----
$3.3 Billion $18.3 Billion
Source: IDC
In addition to connectivity solutions, business customers
increasingly are seeking a variety of value-added solutions to
take full advantage of the Internet. Technological advances such
as increases in microprocessor speeds, the introduction of
innovative software tools and the development of higher bandwidth
data networking technology have led to rapid innovation and
development of value-added Internet services. The principal
value-added services being offered among business oriented ISPs
today include Web site hosting services, security solutions,
commerce solutions, intranet services, business content, and
advanced Internet applications such as voice and video
conferencing and data storage and retrieval solutions. Value-
added solutions are projected by industry analysts to increase to
$7 billion in revenue by the year 2000 from $130 million in 1996.
As a result of the growing Internet audience, businesses
have discovered that the Internet provides a valuable marketing
forum and can enhance communications with customers,
geographically distributed offices and business partners,
allowing them to quickly reduce operating costs, access valuable
information and reach additional markets. Increasingly,
businesses are utilizing the Internet for mission-critical
applications such as sales, customer service and project
coordination. In addition, a growing number of businesses are
implementing secured virtual private networks over the Internet,
as a more economical option to dedicated private networks, in
order to provide internal company communications (intranets) and
to link with their customers and suppliers (extranets). According
to IDC, corporate access revenue from the retail segment of the
ISP industry was approximately $1.9 billion in 1996.
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Access-related revenue is projected by industry analysts to
approach $10 billion by the year 2000. Most of the growth in
access revenue is expected to be attributable to dedicated
access.
Graphic consists of two pie charts, displayed side by side,
depicting the percentage breakdown of annual revenue for each of
the three sources of access-related revenue in the ISP market for
the years 1996 and 2000 (forecast). The overall size of the pie
chart for the year 2000 is larger than that for the year 1996,
representing the greater total revenue in the year 2000. The
charts, however, are not drawn to scale.
In tabular form, the graphic presents the following
information:
1996 2000
---- ----
Corporate Dedicated Corporate Dedicated
Access 37% Access 55%
U.S. Household U.S. Household
Dial-up Access 33% Dial-up Access 34%
Corporate Dial-up Corporate Dial-up
Access 30% Access 11%
---- ----
$2.9 Billion $10.1 Billion
Source: IDC
The NETCOM Solution
NETCOM's mission is to help individual professionals and
small and medium-sized businesses work more productively using
the Internet. Historically, NETCOM and other ISPs have pursued a
customer acquisition strategy based on offering a $19.95 per
month, flat-rate unlimited Internet dial-up access product, which
is both high volume and low margin. In January 1997, NETCOM
announced plans to migrate its customer focus away from high
volume, low margin consumer customers to higher margin products
for small and medium-sized business customers. NETCOM's solution
is to offer a variety of packages that a customer can tailor to
its specific needs and to offer premium performance and customer
service. NETCOM believes that those customers that demand extra
services (more mailboxes, research library access, anti-virus
software) will be willing to pay more if they are assured
convenience and reliability. NETCOM plans to gradually migrate
its existing customer base to higher margin premium services and
expects that low use, low margin customers will switch to lower-
cost providers. NETCOM has designed a series of packages aimed at
addressing the different needs of its customers.
Dial-Up Services. NETCOM's dial-up customers receive an
integrated Internet solution consisting of high quality access,
software and 24 hours a day, seven days a week, automated
customer support. NETCOM dial-up customers connect directly to
the Internet via NETCOM's own network which provides high speed,
reliable access. All NETCOM dial-up accounts allow access to the
Internet's resources, including E-mail, the Web and USENET
newsgroups. In addition, NETCOM dial-up customers can receive a
one Mb personal Web page, access to a daily customized newspage
via E-mail, and access to on-line financial, corporate and market
information and analytical tools. Enhanced services available to
dial-up customers include features such as additional E-mail
addresses, enhanced support offerings, software and virus
updates, access to research libraries, a domain name service,
monthly back-up, 10 Mb data storage, 750 Mb per month data
transfer capability and premium service and technology support.
NETCOM customers can quickly register using NETCOMplete
software, available for both Windows and Macintosh platforms via
compact disk, and set up a NETCOM account by following a sequence
of simple, on-screen steps. All of the software needed to connect
and access the Internet is automatically installed and
configured, eliminating the need for complex set up procedures.
NETCOMplete also provides an easy-to-use interface as well as
software from leading industry participants, bookmark managers,
off-line browsers and additional software that enhances a
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customer's Internet experience. Revenue from dial-up services
increased from $102.9 million for fiscal 1996 to $133.7 million
for fiscal 1997, representing approximately 85% and 83%,
respectively, of total revenue for such periods.
Direct Access Services. NETCOM offers a full suite of high-
speed dedicated Internet connection and service products which
provide its small and medium-sized business customers with direct
access to the full range of Internet applications. These Internet
services are offered to businesses over leased lines at various
speeds, including 56 Kbps, T-1 and T-3 levels, depending upon the
customer's needs. Through its direct access product line, NETCOM
offers Internet access services including domain name and IP
address, router configurations, on-line usage statistics and
security consultation. There are generally no usage charges for
any of NETCOM's dedicated customers, and E-mail service and
USENET news feed are provided at no additional charge. Direct
network connection requires the customer to obtain a leased line
from ICG or another local telephone company. NETCOM provides an
Internet connection based on frame relay technology provided by
local telephone carriers. Revenue from direct access services
increased from $16.3 million for fiscal 1996 to $19.5 million for
fiscal 1997, representing approximately 14% and 12%,
respectively, of total revenue for such periods.
Web Site Hosting Services. NETCOM offers Web site hosting
services to its small and medium-sized business customers as well
as to individuals. Web site hosting services include client
domain name registration, hosting and site maintenance. Services
provided are fully scalable, but would, in a typical package,
include domain name registration, 10 E-mail addresses, access to
NETCOM's on-line Business Center, CGI scripting (which enables
visitors to the Web site to leave their names and addresses),
weekly back-up service, 50 Mb of data storage, 1,000 Mb per month
of data transfers, traffic logs and Web statistics and premium
service and technology support. Revenue from Web site hosting
services increased from $1.3 million fiscal 1996 to $6.3 million
for fiscal 1997, representing approximately 1% and 4%,
respectively, of total revenue for such periods.
Value-Added Services. As part of its dial-up client access
and Web site hosting services, NETCOM offers its small and
medium-sized business customers value-added business connectivity
solutions packages designed to address their needs of increased
security, reliability, access speed and customer service. The
Company believes that businesses are willing to pay premium
prices for these premium services. One such feature is Automatic
Reconnect which automatically reroutes a customer's traffic to an
alternate ISDN line so that in the event of certain kinds of
service interruptions, customers may remain connected. In order
to provide a secure, private connection among multiple specific
locations, NETCOM's SecureConnect product performs a security
assessment and then implements, monitors and troubleshoots a
flexible security solution to provide secure communication
between central offices, branch offices and off-site employees
without jeopardizing the integrity of the internal network.
Another value-added service NETCOM offers is 24 hours a day,
seven days a week support. For larger customers, NETCOM offers
flexible, high-speed dedicated line service that is scalable to
grow as traffic increases. Other value-added services offered
include password protected Web sites, usage statistics, anti-
virus software and additional domain names.
NETCOM's Internet connectivity services are available in the
following package offerings:
NETCOMplete -- $19.95 monthly NETCOMplete Advantage --
- Standard dial-up access $24.95 monthly
- Productivity software; anti- - Standard dial-up access
virus file conversion - 2 mailboxes, forwarding
- NETCOM Personal News, - Productivity software; anti-
Personal Finance virus file conversion
- Toll free support (24x7) - NETCOM Personal News,
Personal Finance
- Toll free support (24x7)
plus priority queue
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NETCOMplete Advantage Pro -- NETCOM Identity Pack --
$29.95 monthly $45 monthly
- All of NETCOMplete Advantage - All of NETCOMplete Advantage
plus: with Web site plus:
- Research Libraries - Domain name service
- Software updates - Monthly back-up
- Virus protection updates - 10 Mb data storage
- Toll free support (24x7) plus - 750 Mb/month data transfer
priority queue - Toll free support (24x7)
NETCOM Business Web Hosting -- NETCOM DirectConnect -- $400 &
$25-$350 monthly up monthly fee
- Domain name service - Domain name and IP address
- 10 mailboxes - Line installation and
- NETCOM Business Center maintenance
- 50 Mb data storage - Router configuration and
- 100 Mb/month data transfer support
- Traffic logs, Web site - On-line usage statistics
statistics - Automatic Reconnect
- Toll free support (24x7) - NewsServer access (up to 25
users)
- Needs analysis
- Toll free support (24x7) and
technical support
Software and Services Development
NETCOM has placed significant emphasis on developing its
products and services, both internally and through third party
arrangements. NETCOM's newest software package, NETCOMplete,
features NETCOM's versions of leading products including
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or Netscape Navigator 3.0,
Qualcomm Eudora Light, McAfee Webscan, SurfWatch Software and
Service, VocalTec Internet Phone and Internet Phone Lite, NETCOM
Unplugged by WebEx, NETCOM Unplugged Lite, Storm EasyPhoto,
Macromedia Shockwave, Adobe Acrobat Reader, OnBase DragNet and
DragNet Lite, NCSA Telnet, Quarterdeck Global Chat, IBM
Cryptolope, Microsoft NetMeeting, Internet Mail, Internet News
and Comic Chat. NETCOM intends to design additional features into
future versions of NETCOMplete and additional products.
Additionally, NETCOM will continue to enhance the ease of
installation and automatic configuration of its products.
Marketing and Distribution
NETCOM's primary focus is on providing high quality Internet
solutions to individuals and to small and medium-sized
businesses. In order to achieve this objective, NETCOM engages in
marketing and advertising activities, alliances with key
strategic partners, seminars in targeted regional markets, and
distribution via both direct and indirect channels. NETCOM's
current marketing efforts emphasize its strategy of focusing on
providing premium services to businesses and individuals through
integrated product offerings. The campaign incorporates the theme
of productivity and efficiency and includes an emphasis on the
full range of NETCOM solutions. NETCOM's current distribution
channels include the following:
OEM. Original equipment manufacturer arrangements with
computer, hardware, software and modem manufacturers account for
a significant portion of NETCOM's new accounts. NETCOM's CPU OEM
partners include Hewlett Packard Company, Acer America
Corporation and NEC Corporation. NETCOM has also entered into a
number of bundling arrangements with software companies,
including Netscape Corp. and Microsoft Corporation. Arrangements
with modem manufacturers such as U.S. Robotics and Global Village
Communication account for a significant portion of OEM activity.
New agreements with companies such as Cisco and Farallon
Computing, Inc. will be increasingly focused on Web site hosting
and direct access.
VAR. As NETCOM increases its focus on providing solutions to
small and medium-sized business segments, the value added
resellers who support this segment will become an increasingly
active channel of distribution, selling the entire suite of
NETCOM products. The network of NETCOM VARs are supported by
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NETCOM sales representatives both in the regional territories and
in the Telesales center. Current VARs include Transnet
Corporation, Nova Quest Infosystems, PC Solutions, Kissane
Business Systems, Inc. and Cohesive Systems, Inc.
Retail. A significant portion of NETCOM's new accounts is
generated through retail distribution of NETCOMplete compact
disks, which currently are offered in two versions. One is
offered at a suggested retail price of $4.95; the other is a
larger package featuring extensive third party software and books
for a suggested retail price of $39.95. NETCOM's distributors
include national chains such as CompUSA, Circuit City Stores,
Inc., and Computer City, as well as regional entities such as
Fry's Electronics, Inc. NETCOM distributes to retailers through
national distributors such as Ingram Micro, Inc. and TechData
Corporation, and through regional distributors such as Liuski
International, Inc. Retail coverage is also provided via the OEM
agreements described above.
Telesales. A significant portion of NETCOM's business is
conducted through inbound and outbound Telesales efforts.
Telesales support business generated by direct marketing
activities, trade shows and referrals, and is aligned to support
the focus on targeted regional markets.
The Web. NETCOM also generates a portion of its revenue from
customers who sign up for services by accessing NETCOM's Web
site.
Customer Support
NETCOM believes that it is important to provide prompt and
effective assistance to its subscribers. NETCOM provides network
monitoring and technical assistance services 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. Most support personnel respond to telephone
inquiries and inquiries from E-mail, faxes and letters. There are
also a significant number of personnel dedicated to building
automated support systems such as on-line knowledgebases, fax-on-
demand systems and interactive voice response systems. The
demands on NETCOM's customer support resources have increased
with NETCOM's rapidly changing subscriber base, and NETCOM has
from time to time experienced difficulties in providing adequate
levels of support. An October 1997 customer satisfaction survey
by NETCOM revealed customer support and customer service as a
primary source of customer dissatisfaction. NETCOM is aware that
its systems require investments to meet the more complex needs of
its customers, especially its small to medium-sized business
customers. NETCOM is taking steps to help customer support
resources keep pace with projected increases in subscribers'
demands. During 1997, NETCOM increased its customer support staff
by 44 employees to 285 employees on December 31, 1997. NETCOM
also implemented automated support services such as the WebTech
Online Knowledgebase, the SupportFacts fax-on-demand system, and
an Interactive Voice Response system, which significantly
increased the support group's capacity to handle queries and
improve customer satisfaction. NETCOM intends to continue to
improve its customer support capabilities in order to keep pace
with changes in NETCOM's subscriber base; however, there can be
no assurance that NETCOM will be successful in doing so. See
"Risk Factors -- Integrations of Acquired Business" and "--
Dependence on Key Personnel."
Data Communications Infrastructure
NETCOM maintains an extensive data communications
infrastructure that enables it to provide nationwide digital
Internet connectivity services to its subscribers. NETCOM's
network of POPs provides Internet access to subscribers by means
of a dedicated line or local telephone call. NETCOM's ability to
offer efficient access to the Internet is due in part to NETCOM's
high-capacity data communications network, configured exclusively
for facilitating Internet access. NETCOM's United States network
consists of 13 regional hubs, each containing carrier grade frame
relay switches and high capacity routers. These hubs are
interconnected via a fiber optic T-3, 45 Mbps backbone and ATM
transport together with other high-speed data connections between
the T-3 backbone and NETCOM's POPs. The T-3 backbone connects to
Internet gateways in Santa Clara (at two sites), California, San
Jose, California, Newark, New Jersey, Chicago, Illinois and
Washington, D.C. In addition, NETCOM has Internet gateways in
Toronto and London.
NETCOM maintains two NOCs in the United States: one at its
San Jose headquarters and the other in Dallas. Through these
centers, NETCOM's technical staff continually monitors network
utilization and security, including equipment at individual local
access numbers, to ensure reliable Internet connectivity service.
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NETCOM's Dallas center reduces its dependence on its primary San
Jose facilities. However, this does not eliminate the significant
risk to NETCOM's operations from a natural disaster or other
unanticipated event at one of these two sites. See "Risk Factors
-- Dependence on Network Infrastructure; Risk of System Failure;
Security Risks." Internationally, NETCOM has NOCs in Toronto and
London.
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NETCOM is continuing to enhance capacity and capabilities of
its data communications network. NETCOM continues to add ATM
switches, and plans to continue increasing capacity as its
customer base increases. Additionally, NETCOM has efforts
currently underway to increase the available dial-up speeds. As
of December 31, 1997, NETCOM had 247 POPs in the United States
and Canada, as listed below. Furthermore, NETCOM offers virtual
local access lines in Canada and the United Kingdom.
ALABAMA COLORADO INDIANA NEW PENNSYLVANIA
HAMPSHIRE
Birmingham Colorado Bloomington Manchester Allentown
Springs
Huntsville Denver Ft. Wayne Nashua Harrisburg
ARKANSAS Ft. Indianapolis Portsmouth King of
Collins Prussia
Little Rock CONNECTICUT IOWA NEW JERSEY Pittsburgh
ARIZONA Danbury Des Moines Atlantic Reading
City
Phoenix Hartford KANSAS Cherry Wilkes
Hill -Barre
Tucson New Haven Kansas City Eatontown RHODE ISLAND
CALIFORNIA Stamford Topeka Hackensack Providence
Alameda DELAWARE Wichita Morristown SOUTH
CAROLINA
Bakersfield Wilmington KENTUCKY New North
Brunswick Charleston
Benecia DISTRICT OF Lexington NEWARK Columbia
/Vallejo
Corona COLUMBIA Louisville Paterson Greenville
/Passaic
Escondido Washington LOUISIANA Pennington TENNESSEE
Fremont FLORIDA Baton Rouge Princeton Chattanooga
Fresno Boca New Orleans Trenton Knoxville
Raton
Irvine Clearwater/ MAINE Westfield Memphis
/Santa
Anna
La Puente St. Portland NEW MEXICO Nashville
/Covina Petersburg
Long Beach Cocoa MARYLAND Albuquerque TEXAS
Los Angeles Daytona Baltimore Santa Fe Austin
Beach
Mission Deland Columbia NEW YORK Bryan
Viejo
Modesto Fort Walton Frederick Albany Dallas
Beach
Monterey Ft. Kensington Binghamton El Paso
Lauderdale
Morgan Hill Ft. Meyers Rockville Buffalo Ft. Worth
Ontario Gainesville MASSACHUSETTS Garden Harlingen
City
Palm Jacksonville Amherst New York Houston
Springs City(2)
Palo Alto Miami Boston Poughkeepsie Irving
Pasadena Orlando Framingham Rochester San Antonio
/Webster
Petaluma Pensacola Lawrence Ronkonkoma/ UTAH
Pleasanton Sarasota Lowell Holbrook Ogden
Sacramento Tallahassee Springfield Syracuse Orem
/Liverpool
Salinas Tampa Taunton Utica/Rome Salt Lake
City
San West Palm Wellesley NORTH CAROLINA VERMONT
Bernardino Beach
San Diego GEORGIA Worcester Charlotte Burlington
San Athens MICHIGAN Raleigh VIRGINIA
Francisco/ /Durham
Daly Atlanta Ann Arbor Wilmington Leesburg
City(2)
San Jose(2) Augusta Detroit Winston Norfolk
-Salem
San Luis Macon East Lansing OHIO Richmond
Obispo
San Marcos Savannah Grand Rapids Akron Roanoke
San Mateo IDAHO Kalamazoo Cincinnati Woodbridge
San Rafael Boise Pontiac Cleveland WASHINGTON
Santa ILLINOIS Warren Columbus Everett
Barbara
Santa Cruz Alsip MINNESOTA Dayton Kennewick
Santa Maria Aurora Minneapolis Elyria Olympia
/Lacey
Santa Rosa Champaign Rochester Hamilton Seattle
Stockton Chicago MISSOURI Toledo Silverdale
Temecula Chicago/ Springfield Youngstown Spokane
Downtown
Thousand Joliet St. Louis OKLAHOMA Tacoma
Oaks
Valencia Moline NEBRASKA Oklahoma Vancouver
City
Ventura Oakbrook/ Lincoln Tulsa WEST
VIRGINIA
Victorville Downers Omaha OREGON Martinsburg
Grove
Walnut Palatine NEVADA Eugene WISCONSIN
Creek /N. Chicago
Woodland Peoria Las Vegas Portland Appleton
/Beaverton /Green Bay
Woodland Rockford Reno Salem Kenosha
Hills
Waukegan Madison
Milwaukee
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CANADA
Barrie Georgetown London Semie
Calgary Halifax Montreal Toronto
Collingwood Hamilton Oshawa Vancouver
/Wasaga Beach Kingston Ottawa Victoria
Edmonton Kitchener St. Catherine's Windsor
Winnipeg
Competition
The market for Internet access and related services is
highly competitive. There are no substantial barriers to entry
and the Company anticipates that competition will continue to
intensify as the use of the Internet grows. The tremendous growth
and potential market size of the Internet access market has
attracted many new start-ups as well as existing businesses from
different industries. Current and prospective competitors
include, in addition to other national, regional and local ISPs,
long distance and local exchange telecommunications companies,
cable television, direct broadcast satellite, wireless
communications providers, and on-line service providers.
ISPs. According to industry sources, there are over 4,300
ISPs in the United States and Canada as of October 31, 1997,
consisting of national, regional and local providers. The
Company's current primary competitors include other ISPs with a
significant national presence which focus on business customers,
such as UUNet Technologies, BBN and PSINet. While the Company
believes that its level of local service and support and target
market focus distinguish it from these competitors, many of these
competitors have significantly greater market share, brand
recognition, and financial, technical and personnel resources
than the Company. The Company also competes with unaffiliated
regional and local ISPs in its targeted geographic regions.
Telecommunications Carriers. The major long distance
companies (also known as interexchange carriers or IXCs),
including AT&T, MCI, and Sprint, offer Internet access services
and compete with the Company. The recent sweeping reforms in the
federal regulation of the telecommunications industry have
created greater opportunities for ILECs, including the RBOCs and
other competitive CLECs, to enter the Internet connectivity
market. In order to address the Internet connectivity
requirements of the business customers of long distance and local
carriers, the Company believes that there is a move toward
horizontal integration by ILECs through acquisitions or joint
ventures with and the wholesale purchase of connectivity from
ISPs. The WorldCom/MFS/UUNet consolidation and GTE's recent
acquisition of BBN are indicative of this trend. Accordingly, the
Company expects that it will experience increased competition
from the traditional telecommunications carriers. Many of these
telecommunications carriers, in addition to their substantially
greater network coverage, market presence, and financial
technical and personnel resources, also have large existing
commercial customer bases.
Cable Companies, Direct Broadcast Satellite and Wireless
Communications Companies. Many of the major cable companies have
announced that they are exploring the possibility of offering
Internet connectivity, relying on the viability of cable modems
and economical upgrades to their networks. Continental
Cablevision, Inc. and TCI have recently announced trials to
provide Internet cable service to their residential customers in
select areas. However, the cable companies are faced with large-
scale upgrades of their existing plant equipment and
infrastructure in order to support connections to the Internet
backbone via high-speed cable access devices. Additionally, their
current subscriber base and market focus is residential which
requires that they partner with business-focused providers or
undergo massive sales and marketing and network development
efforts in order to target the business sector. Several
announcements also have recently been made by other alternative
service companies approaching the Internet connectivity market
with various wireless terrestrial and satellite-based service
technologies. These include Hughes Network Systems' announcement
that it will provide high-speed data through direct broadcast
satellite technology; CAI Wireless Systems, Inc.'s announcement
of an MMDS wireless cable operator launching data services via
2.5 to 2.7 GHz and high-speed wireless modem technology; and
Winstar Communications, a 38 GHz radio company that wholesales
its network capacity to other carriers and now offers high-speed
Internet access to business customers.
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On-line Service Providers. The dominant on-line service
providers, including Microsoft Network, America Online,
Compuserve, Inc. and Prodigy, Inc., have all entered the Internet
access business by engineering their current proprietary networks
to include Internet access capabilities. The Company competes to
a lesser extent with these service providers, which currently are
primarily focused on the consumer marketplace and offer their own
content, including chat rooms, news updates, searchable reference
databases, special interest groups and shopping. While Compuserve
recently announced it will also target Internet connectivity for
the small to medium-sized business market, this will require a
significant transition from a consumer market focus to a business
market focus.
The Company believes that its ability to attract business
customers and to market value-added services are keys to its
future success. However, there can be no assurance that its
competitors will not introduce similar pricing plans at
comparable or more attractive prices in the future or that the
Company will not be required to reduce its prices to match
competition. Recently, many competitive ISPs have shifted their
focus from individual customers to business customers. Moreover,
there can be no assurance that more of the Company's competitors
will not shift their focus to attracting business customers,
resulting in even more competition for the Company. There can be
no assurance that NETCOM will be able to offset the effects of
any such competition or resulting price reductions through an
increase in the number of its subscribers, higher revenue from
enhanced services, cost reductions or otherwise. Increased
competition could result in erosion of NETCOM's market share and
adversely affect NETCOM's operating results. See "Risk Factors --
Competition."
Intellectual Property and Other Proprietary Rights
NETCOM relies on a combination of worldwide copyright and
trademark laws, trade secrets, software security measures,
license agreements and nondisclosure agreements to protect its
proprietary technology and software products. NETCOM currently
has no domestic or foreign patents or patent applications
pending. However, NETCOM does have registered or pending
trademarks in various countries including the United States.
NETCOM from time to time receives notices claiming that it is
infringing the proprietary rights of third parties. Any such
claims could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation,
cause product shipment delays or lead NETCOM to enter into
royalty or licensing agreements rather than disputing the merits
of such claims. For a more extensive discussion on intellectual
property and rights, see "Risk Factors -- Limited Intellectual
Property Protection."
CSW Strategic Alliance. In January 1997, ICG announced a
strategic alliance with CSW which was formed for the purpose of
developing and marketing telecommunications services in Austin,
Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas. The
venture entity, a limited partnership named CSW/ICG ChoiceCom,
L.P. ("ChoiceCom"), is based in Austin, Texas. CSW holds 100% of
the interest in ChoiceCom and ICG has an option to purchase a 50%
interest at any time prior to July 1, 2003. Subsequent to July
1, 1999, if ICG has not exercised its purchase option, CSW will
have the right to sell, at a price pursuant to the terms of the
limited partnership agreement, either 51% or 100% of the
partnership interest in ChoiceCom to ICG. CSW and ICG each have
two representatives on the Management Committee of the general
partner of ChoiceCom. ChoiceCom is currently offering local
exchange, long distance and long haul services in Austin, Corpus
Christi, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas and other
selected areas of Texas and may offer these services as well as
data communications and other services in Arkansas, Louisiana and
Oklahoma.
Pursuant to these agreements relating to ChoiceCom, prior to
offering ISP services in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana
and Arkansas, ICG is obligated to offer CSW the right to purchase
up to a 49% interest in the business opportunity providing such
services. Consequently, ICG has offered CSW an option to purchase
up to 49% of that portion of the business of NETCOM that provides
such services in such four-state area (the "ISP Opportunity") at
a price based on the costs and expenses incurred by ICG to
acquire such ISP Opportunity. The Company does not know whether
CSW will exercise this option. If CSW does not exercise this
option, at such time, if ever, that ICG exercises the option it
currently holds to acquire a 50% interest in ChoiceCom, ChoiceCom
will then effectively have the right to acquire 100% of the ISP
Opportunity from ICG at a price equal to ICG's costs and expenses
(including an implied interest rate) incurred with respect to
such ISP Opportunity. As a result, ICG is required to maintain
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separate books and records for the ISP Opportunity, and
transactions between the ISP Opportunity and NETCOM's other
operations will be carried out on an arm's length basis.
Additionally, options on substantially the same terms will be
available to CSW and ChoiceCom with respect to all
telecommunications business opportunities in such four-state
area. See "Risk Factors - Risks related to CSW/ChoiceCom
Options."
Employees
As of March 31, 1998, the Company employed 847 persons, all
of whom were full-time employees of NETCOM, including 170 in
operations, 274 in customer support, 176 in marketing and
distribution, 162 in administration and 65 in Web site and
software integration. None of the Company's employees is
represented by a labor union and the Company considers its
employee relations to be good.
Properties
NETCOM's executive offices and data communications centers
are located in San Jose, California, where the Company currently
leases approximately 183,000 square feet under various leases in
three buildings that expire during various months in 1999. In
addition, the Company leases approximately 60,800 square feet in
Dallas, Texas for its second data communications center. The
Company also leases space (typically less than 500 square feet)
in various geographic locations to house the telecommunications
equipment for each of its local access numbers. NETCOM's Canadian
subsidiary leases approximately 19,600 square feet in Toronto,
Canada. The Toronto lease expires in December 2000. The Company's
United Kingdom subsidiary leases approximately 22,800 square feet
in Bracknell, United Kingdom. The United Kingdom lease expires in
March 2014.
Litigation
A putative class action lawsuit, Adam L. Swinehart, on
behalf of himself and others similarly situated v. NETCOM On-Line
Communication Services, Inc., was filed on July 15, 1997 in the
Superior Court of California, Orange County, alleging unfair
business practice and related causes of action against NETCOM in
connection with its offers of free trial periods and cancellation
procedures and claiming damages of at least $10 million. The case
is in preliminary stages, the complaint has been answered and
plaintiff has served initial requests for discovery. NETCOM
believes it has meritorious defenses to such claims and intends
to vigorously defend the action. While it is not possible to
predict the outcome of this litigation, management believes these
proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash
flows.
The Company is from time to time involved in litigation in
the course of its business. The Company is currently involved in
certain other litigation and potential claims which management
believes, based on facts presently known, will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results or financial condition. In addition, from time to time
the Company receives notices claiming that it is infringing the
proprietary rights of third parties, and there can be no
assurance that the Company will not become the subject of
infringement claims or legal proceedings with third parties with
respect to current or future products. See "Business --
Intellectual Property and Other Proprietary Rights."
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MANAGEMENT
Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of
directors and executive officers of the Company.
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
J. Shelby Bryan . . . . 52 Chairman of the Board of
Directors, President and
Chief Executive Officer
James D. Grenfell (1) . 46 Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Director
H. Don Teague . . . . . 55 Executive Vice President, General
Counsel, Secretary and Director
Eric W. Spivey. . . . . 37 Senior Vice President and President
of NETCOM
Michael D. Kallet . . . 44 Senior Vice President, and Senior
Vice President, Products,
Technology and Business
Development of NETCOM
Sheldon S. Ohringer . . 41 Director
- ----------------------------------
(1) On June 30, 1998, ICG announced that Mr. Grenfell, the current
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of
the Company, will resign those positions and will resign as the
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ICG,
effective July 31, 1998. Harry R. Herbst, a member of ICG's
board of directors since October 1995, has become Executive
Vice President and, effective as of July 31, 1998, will become the
Chief Financial Officer of ICG and the Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer and a
director of the Company. Mr. Herbst will continue to serve as a
member of ICG's board of directors.
J. Shelby Bryan was appointed Chairman of the Board of
Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
in January 1998. In May 1995, Mr. Bryan was appointed President,
Chief Executive Officer and a Director of ICG. He has 18 years of
experience in the telecommunications industry, primarily in the
cellular business. He co-founded Millicom International Cellular
S.A. ("Millicom"), a publicly owned corporation providing
cellular service internationally, served as its President and
Chief Executive Officer from 1985 to 1994 and has served as a
Director through the present.
James D. Grenfell, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Director of the Company, joined ICG as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer in November 1995.
Previously, Mr. Grenfell served as Director of Financial Planning
for BellSouth Corporation and Vice President and Assistant
Treasurer of BellSouth Capital Funding. A Chartered Financial
Analyst, Mr. Grenfell has been a telephone industry financial
executive for over 20 years. He was with BellSouth from 1985
through November 1995, serving previously as Finance Manager of
Mergers and Acquisitions. He handled BellSouth's financing
strategies, including capital market financings as well as public
debt and banking relationships. Prior to BellSouth, Mr. Grenfell
spent two years as a Project Manager with Utility Financial
Services and six years with GTE of the South, a subsidiary of GTE
Corporation, including four years as Assistant Treasurer.
H. Don Teague, Executive Vice President, General Counsel,
Secretary and Director of the Company, joined ICG as Executive
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in May 1997. Prior
to this position, Mr. Teague was Senior Vice President,
Administration and Legal with Falcon Seaboard Holdings, L.P. and
its predecessors from April 1994 through April 1997. From 1974 to
April 1994, Mr. Teague was a partner in the law firm of Vinson &
Elkins L.L.P.
Eric W. Spivey, Senior Vice President of the Company, has
served as President of NETCOM since March 1998. From March 1998
to June 1998, Mr. Spivey also served as Chief Operating Officer
of NETCOM. Mr. Spivey joined NETCOM in January 1996 as
President, NETCOM International. Prior to his appointment to
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NETCOM, Mr. Spivey held senior positions with the Dun &
Bradstreet Corporation for more than a decade in North America,
Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, including Chief Executive
Officer for the Australia and New Zealand businesses.
Michael D. Kallet, Senior Vice President of the Company, has
served as Senior Vice President, Products, Technology and
Business Development of NETCOM since August 1996. From December
1995 to August 1996, Mr. Kallet served as NETCOM's Vice President
of Software Engineering. Prior to joining NETCOM, Mr. Kallet was
the founder of MK Management Consultants from October 1994 to
November 1995. He served as Senior Vice President of Development
for Walker Interactive from December 1993 to October 1994. From
April 1992 to September 1993 he served as Vice President of
Research and Development at Verity, Inc. From 1988 through 1992,
Mr. Kallet was employed by Software Publishing Company.
Sheldon S. Ohringer, Director of the Company, has served as
Executive Vice President-Telecom of ICG and President of ICG
Telecom Group, Inc. since September 1997. Prior to this
position, Mr. Ohringer was Senior Vice President of Business
Development and Strategic Planning for ICG Telecom Group, Inc.
since November 1994. Prior to joining ICG, Mr. Ohringer was
Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development for U.S.
Long Distance, Inc. from May 1991 until October 1994. From May
1984 until August 1990, Mr. Ohringer held key management and
executive positions with Telecom* USA, a major long distance
carrier which was acquired by MCI in 1990.
Harry R. Herbst has been a Director of ICG since October 1995.
In July 1998, he joined ICG as Executive Vice President. From
November 1995 through June 1998, he was Vice President of Finance
and Strategic Planning of Gulf Canada Resources Ltd. He was Vice
President and Treasurer of Gulf Canada Resources Ltd. from January
to November 1995. Previously, Mr. Herbst was Vice President of
Taxation for Torch Energy Advisors Inc. from 1991 to 1994, and tax
manager for Apache Corp. from 1987 to 1990. Mr. Herbst is a
certified public accountant, formerly with Coopers & Lybrand.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ICG intends to enter into arrangements with ICG Equipment to
purchase, lease, license or enter into right-of-use arrangements,
for telecommunications equipment, software and capacity and
related services. The equipment and services provided to ICG will
be utilized to upgrade and expand its network infrastructure to
take full advantage of the opportunities and cost savings
available as a result of the acquisitions made by the Company.
Any such arrangements will be on an arm's length basis and on
comparable terms ICG would be able to obtain from a third party.
Messrs. Bryan, Grenfell, Teague, Herbst and Ohringer are also
officers of ICG. (Mr. Grenfell has submitted his resignation
from his positions with ICG and its subsidiaries effective July
31, 1998). The cost of the time and efforts spent by
such officers of ICG on matters for the benefit
of the Company will be reimbursed by the Company.
The Company and ICG expect that from time to time, as NETCOM
and other future acquisitions become integrated within ICG's
business, the Company and ICG will be providing to each other
certain services, such as accounting, legal, operations, network
and general corporate services as needs arise. All such services
will be priced and consideration paid on an arm's length basis in
accordance with the terms of the ICG Indentures.
Upon the formation of ICG Services, the Company entered into
certain intercompany and shared services agreements with ICG,
whereby ICG allocates to the Company direct and certain indirect
costs incurred by ICG or its Restricted Subsidiaries on behalf of
the Company. Allocated expenses generally include a portion of
salaries and related benefits of legal, accounting and finance,
information systems support and other ICG employees, certain
overhead costs and reimbursement for invoices of the Company paid
by ICG. Conversely, any cash collected by ICG on behalf of the
Company or invoices paid by the Company on behalf of ICG are in
turn reimbursed to the Company by ICG. As the Company and its
subsidiaries and ICG and its Restricted Subsidiaries jointly
enter into service offerings and other transactions, joint costs
incurred are generally allocated to each of the Company and ICG
according to the relative capital invested and efforts expended
of each party. All transactions between the Company and its
subsidiaries and ICG and its Restricted Subsidiaries are approved
by the Board of Directors of each entity.
For the three months ended March 31, 1998, ICG charged
approximately $1.6 million to the Company for intercompany
transfers and direct and indirect costs incurred by ICG and its
Restricted Subsidiaries on behalf of the Company. In addition,
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the Company charged approximately $0.7 million to ICG and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for intercompany transfers and direct and
indirect costs incurred by the Company on behalf of ICG and its
Restricted Subsidiaries.
SOLE STOCKHOLDER OF THE COMPANY
ICG owns all of the outstanding shares of common stock, $.01
par value per share, of the Company. The principal executive
offices of ICG are located at 161 Inverness Drive West,
Englewood, Colorado 80112.
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THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The Old Notes were sold by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
(the "Placement Agent") on February 12, 1998 to a limited number
of institutional investors (the "Purchasers"). In connection with
the sale of the Old Notes, the Company and the Placement Agent
entered into a registration rights agreement dated February 12,
1998 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), which requires, among
other things, the Company (i) to cause the Old Notes to be
registered under the Securities Act or (ii) to use its best
efforts to cause to be filed with the Commission a registration
statement under the Securities Act with respect to New Notes
identical in all material respects to the Old Notes and have such
registration statement declared effective under the Securities
Act and remain effective until the closing of the Exchange Offer.
The Company is further obligated, upon the effectiveness of that
registration statement, to offer the holders of the Old Notes the
opportunity to exchange their Old Notes for a like principal
amount of New Notes which will be issued without a restrictive
legend and may be reoffered and resold by the holder without
restrictions or limitations under the Securities Act. A copy of
the Registration Rights Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
The Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to the Registration
Rights Agreement to satisfy the Company's obligations thereunder.
The term "Holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any
person in whose name Old Notes are registered on the Company's
books or any other person who has obtained a properly completed
assignment from the registered holder.
In order to participate in the Exchange Offer, a Holder must
represent to the Company, among other things, that (i) the New
Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being obtained
in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such
New Notes, whether or not such person is the Holder, (ii) neither
the Holder nor any such other person is engaging in or intends to
engage in a distribution of such New Notes, (iii) neither the
Holder nor any such other person has an arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in the distribution
of such New Notes, and (iv) neither the Holder nor any such other
person is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 promulgated
under the Securities Act, of the Company.
Based on a previous interpretation by the staff of the
Commission set forth in no-action letters issued to third-
parties, including "Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation"
(available May 13, 1988), "Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated"
(available June 5, 1991), "Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc." (available
June 5, 1991), "Warnaco, Inc." (available October 11, 1991) and
"K-III Communications Corp." (available May 14, 1993), the
Company believes that the New Notes issued pursuant to the
Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by any Holder of such New Notes (other than any such
Holder which is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning
of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities
Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary
course of such Holder's business and such Holder has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in
the distribution of such New Notes. Any Holder who tenders in the
Exchange Offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution
of the New Notes cannot rely on such interpretation by the staff
of the Commission and must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with a secondary resale transaction. Under no
circumstances may this Prospectus be used for an offer to resell,
resale or other retransfer of the New Notes. In the event that
the Company's belief is inaccurate, Holders of the New Notes who
transfer New Notes in violation of the prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act and without an exemption from
registration thereunder may incur liability thereunder. The
Company does not assume or indemnify Holders against such
liability. The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will the
Company accept surrenders for exchange from, Holders of Old Notes
in any jurisdiction in which the Exchange Offer or the acceptance
thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue
sky laws of such jurisdiction. Each broker-dealer that receives
New Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes, where
such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with
any resale of such New Notes. The Company has not entered into
any arrangement or understanding with any person to distribute
the New Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer. See "Plan of
Distribution."
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TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Prospectus and in the Letters of Transmittal, the Company
will accept any and all Old Notes validly tendered and not
withdrawn prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the
Expiration Date. The Company will issue $1,000 principal amount
of New Notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of
outstanding Old Notes surrendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
However, Old Notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of
$1,000.
The form and terms of the New Notes will be the same as the
form and terms of the Old Notes except that the New Notes will be
registered under the Securities Act and hence will not bear
legends restricting the transfer thereof. The New Notes will
evidence the same debt as the Old Notes. The New Notes will be
issued under and entitled to the benefits of the Services
Indenture, which also authorized the issuance of the Old Notes,
such that both series will be treated as a single class of debt
securities under the Services Indenture.
As of the date of this Prospectus, $490,000,000 aggregate
principal amount at maturity of the Old Notes is outstanding.
This Prospectus, together with the Letter of Transmittal, is
being sent to all registered Holders of the Old Notes.
The Company intends to conduct the Exchange Offer in
accordance with the provisions of the Registration Rights
Agreement and the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act,
and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Old
Notes that are not tendered for exchange in the Exchange Offer
will remain outstanding and will be entitled to the rights and
benefits such Holders have under the Services Indenture.
The Company shall be deemed to have accepted validly
tendered Old Notes when, as and if the Company shall have given
oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent. The
Exchange Agent will act as agent for the tendering Holders for
the purposes of receiving the New Notes from the Company.
If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange
because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other
events set forth herein or otherwise, certificates for any such
unaccepted Old Notes will be returned, without expense, to the
tendering Holder thereof as promptly as practicable after the
Expiration Date.
Holders who tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer will not
be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to
the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes
with respect to the exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The
Company will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain
applicable taxes described below, in connection with the Exchange
Offer. See "-- Fees and Expenses."
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
The term "Expiration Date," shall mean 12:00 midnight, New York
City time on August 12, 1998, unless the Company, in its sole
discretion, extends the Exchange Offer, in which case the term
"Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to which
the Exchange Offer is extended.
In order to extend the Exchange Offer, the Company will
notify the Exchange Agent of any extension by oral or written
notice and will mail to the registered Holders an announcement
thereof, prior to 9:00 midnight, New York City time, on the next
business day after the then Expiration Date.
The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, (i)
to delay accepting any Old Notes, to extend the Exchange Offer or
to terminate the Exchange Offer if any of the conditions set
forth below under "--Conditions" shall not have been satisfied by
giving oral or written notice of such delay, extension or
termination to the Exchange Agent or (ii) to amend the terms of
the Exchange Offer in any manner. Any such delay in acceptances,
extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly
as practicable by oral or written notice thereof to the
registered Holders. If the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner
determined by the Company to constitute a material change, the
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Company will promptly disclose such amendment by means of a
prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the registered
Holders, and the Company will extend the Exchange Offer for a
period of five to ten business days, depending upon the
significance of the amendment and the manner of disclosure to the
registered Holders, if the Exchange Offer would otherwise expire
during such five to ten business day period.
Without limiting the manner in which the Company may choose
to make a public announcement of any delay, extension, amendment
or termination of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall have no
obligation to publish, advertise, or otherwise communicate any
such public announcement, other than by making a timely release
to an appropriate news agency.
Upon satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions to the
Exchange Offer, the Company will accept, promptly after the
Expiration Date, all Old Notes properly tendered and will issue
the New Notes promptly after acceptance of the Old Notes. See "-
- Conditions." For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company
shall be deemed to have accepted properly tendered Old Notes for
exchange when, as and if the Company shall have given oral or
written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
In all cases, issuance of the New Notes for Old Notes that
are accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be
made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and
all other required documents; provided, however, that the Company
reserves the absolute right to waive any defects or
irregularities in the tender or conditions of the Exchange Offer.
If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for any reason set
forth in the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer or if Old
Notes are submitted for a greater principal amount, or a greater
number of shares, respectively, than the Holder desires to
exchange, then such unaccepted or non-exchanged Old Notes
evidencing the unaccepted portion, as appropriate, will be
returned without expense to the tendering Holder thereof as
promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of
the Exchange Offer.
CONDITIONS
Notwithstanding any other term of the Exchange Offer, the
Company will not be required to exchange any New Notes for any
Old Notes and may terminate the Exchange Offer upon the
occurrence of any of the following conditions prior to the
Expiration Date:
(a) if any action or proceeding is instituted or
threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency
with respect to the Exchange Offer which, in the Company's
reasonable judgment, might materially impair the ability of the
Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer; or
(b) if any law, statute, rule or regulation is
proposed, adopted or enacted, or any existing law, statute, rule
or regulation is interpreted by the staff of the Commission,
which, in the Company's reasonable judgment, might materially
impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange
Offer; or
(c) if any governmental approval or approval by
Holders of the Old Notes has not been obtained, which approval
the Company shall, in its reasonable judgment, deem necessary for
the consummation of the Exchange Offer as contemplated hereby.
If the Company determines in its reasonable judgment that
any of these conditions are not satisfied, the Company may (i)
refuse to accept any Old Notes and return all tendered Old Notes
to the tendering Holders, (ii) extend the Exchange Offer and
retain all Old Notes tendered prior to the expiration of the
Exchange Offer, subject, however, to the rights of Holders who
tendered such Old Notes to withdraw their tendered Old Notes or
(iii) waive such unsatisfied conditions with respect to the
Exchange Offer and accept all properly tendered Old Notes which
have not been withdrawn. If such waiver constitutes a material
change to the Exchange Offer, the Company will promptly disclose
such waiver by means of a prospectus supplement that will be
distributed to the registered Holders, and the Company will
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extend the Exchange Offer for a period of five to ten business
days, depending upon the significance of the waiver and the
manner of disclosure to the registered Holders, if the Exchange
Offer would otherwise expire during such five to ten business day
period.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
To tender in the Exchange Offer, a Holder must complete,
sign and date the Letter of Transmittal, or facsimile thereof,
have the signatures thereon guaranteed if required by the Letter
of Transmittal, and mail or otherwise deliver such Letter of
Transmittal or such facsimile to the Exchange Agent prior to the
Expiration Date. In addition, either (i) certificates for such
Old Notes must be received by the Exchange Agent along with the
Letter of Transmittal, or (ii) a timely confirmation of
book-entry transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of such Old
Notes, if such procedure is available, into the Exchange Agent's
account at the Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer
Facility") pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer
described below must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to
the Expiration Date, or (iii) the Holder must comply with the
guaranteed delivery procedures described below. To be tendered
effectively, the Letter of Transmittal and other required
documents must be received by the Exchange Agent at the address
set forth below under "--Exchange Agent" prior to the Expiration
Date.
The tender by a Holder which is not withdrawn prior to the
Expiration Date will constitute an agreement between such Holder
and the Company in accordance with the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein and in the Letter of Transmittal.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES AND THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDER. INSTEAD OF
DELIVERY BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS USE AN OVERNIGHT
OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE
EXPIRATION DATE. NO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR OLD NOTES SHOULD BE
SENT TO THE COMPANY. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE
BROKERS, DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES OR NOMINEES
TO EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH HOLDERS.
Any beneficial owner whose Old Notes are registered in the
name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other
nominee and who wishes to tender should contact the registered
Holder promptly and instruct such registered Holder to tender on
such beneficial owner's behalf. If such beneficial owner wishes
to tender on such owner's own behalf, such owner must, prior to
completing and executing the Letter of Transmittal and delivering
such owner's Old Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to
register ownership of the Old Notes in such owner's name or
obtain a properly completed assignment from the registered
Holder. The transfer of registered ownership may take
considerable time.
Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of
withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution (as defined below) unless the Old Notes tendered
pursuant thereto is tendered (i) by a registered Holder who has
not completed the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions" or
"Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or
(ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution (as defined
below). In the event that signatures on a Letter of Transmittal
or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, are required to be
guaranteed, such guarantor must be a member firm of a registered
national securities exchange or of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company
having an office or correspondent in the United States or an
"eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule
17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act (an "Eligible Institution").
If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other
than the registered Holder of any Old Notes listed therein, such
Old Notes must be endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed
bond power signed by such registered Holder as such registered
Holder's name appears on such Old Notes.
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If the Letter of Transmittal or any Old Notes or bond or
stock powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators,
guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons
should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the
Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority
to so act must be submitted with the Letter of Transmittal.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility
(including time of receipt), acceptance of tendered Old Notes and
withdrawal of tendered Old Notes will be determined by the
Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be final
and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject
any and all Old Notes not properly tendered or any Old Notes the
Company's acceptance of which would, in the opinion of counsel
for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the right
to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as
to particular Old Notes. The Company's interpretation of the
terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the
instructions in the Letter of Transmittal) will be final and
binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or
irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes must be
cured within such time as the Company shall determine. Although
the Company intends to notify Holders of defects or
irregularities with respect to tenders of Old Notes, none of the
Company, the Exchange Agent, or any other person shall incur any
liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Old
Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or
irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Old Notes received
by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to
which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived
will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering Holders,
unless otherwise provided in the Letter of Transmittal, as soon
as practicable following the Expiration Date.
In addition, the Company reserves the right in its sole
discretion to purchase or make offers for any Old Notes that
remain outstanding subsequent to the Expiration Date or, as set
forth above under "--Conditions," to terminate the Exchange Offer
and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, purchase Old
Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or
otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers could differ
from the terms of the Exchange Offer.
By tendering, each Holder will represent to the Company
that, among other things, (i) the New Notes acquired pursuant to
the Exchange Offer is being obtained in the ordinary course of
business of the Person receiving such New Notes, whether or not
such person is the Holder, (ii) neither the Holder nor any such
other person is engaging in or intends to engage in a
distribution of such New Notes, (iii) neither the Holder nor any
such other person has an arrangement or understanding with any
Person to participate in the distribution of such New Notes, and
(iv) neither the Holder nor any such other Person is an
"affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the
Company.
In all cases, issuance of New Notes that are accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after
timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such Old
Notes or a timely Book-Entry Confirmation of such Old Notes into
the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility,
a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and
all other required documents. If any tendered Old Notes are not
accepted for any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of
the Exchange Offer or if Old Notes are submitted for a greater
principal amount than the Holder desires to exchange, such
unaccepted or non-exchanged Old Notes will be returned without
expense to the tendering Holder thereof (or, in the case of Old
Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the
book-entry transfer procedures described below, such
non-exchanged Old Notes will be credited to an account maintained
with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility) as promptly as
practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange
Offer.
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
The Exchange Agent each will make a request to establish an
account with respect to the Old Notes at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility for purposes of the Exchange Offer within two business
days after the date of this Prospectus, and any financial
institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by
causing the Book-Entry Transfer to transfer such Old Notes into
the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
in accordance with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures
for transfer. However, although delivery of Old Notes may be
effected through book-entry transfer at the Book-Entry Transfer
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Facility, the Letter of Transmittal or facsimile thereof, with
any required signature guarantees and any other required
documents, must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by
the Exchange Agent at the address set forth below under "--
Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date or the
guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied
with.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old
Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver
their Old Notes, the Letter of Transmittal or any other required
documents to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, may
effect a tender if:
(a) The tender is made through an Eligible
Institution;
(b) Prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent
receives from such Eligible Institution a properly completed and
duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile
transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting forth the name and
address of the Holder, the certificate number(s) of such Old
Notes and the principal amount of Old Notes tendered stating that
the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within
five New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration
Date, the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) together
with the certificate(s) representing the Old Notes and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be deposited
by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and
(c) Such properly completed and executed Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), as well as the certificate(s)
representing all tendered Old Notes in proper form for transfer
and other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal are
received by the Exchange Agent within five New York Stock
Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date.
Upon request to the Exchange Agent a Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery will be sent to Holders who wish to tender their Old
Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth
above.
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Notes
may be withdrawn at any time prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City
time, on the Expiration Date.
To withdraw a tender of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, a
written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be
received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein
prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the
person having deposited the Old Notes to be withdrawn (the
"Depositor"), (ii) identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn
(including the certificate number or), (iii) be signed by the
Holder in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter
of Transmittal by which such Old Notes were tendered (including
any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents
of transfer sufficient to have the Trustee with respect to the
Old Notes register the transfer of such Old Notes in the name of
the person withdrawing the tender and (iv) specify the name in
which any such Old Notes are to be registered, if different from
that of the Depositor. All questions as to the validity, form and
eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be
determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final and
binding on all parties. Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed
not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange
Offer and no New Notes will be issued with respect thereto unless
the Old Notes so withdrawn are validly retendered. Any Old Notes
which have been tendered but which are not accepted for payment
will be returned to the Holder thereof without cost to such
Holder as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of
tender or termination of the Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn
Old Notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures
described above under "-- Procedures for Tendering" at any time
prior to the Expiration Date.
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EXCHANGE AGENT
Norwest Banks has been appointed as Exchange Agent of the
Exchange Offer. Questions and requests for assistance, requests
for additional copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter of
Transmittal and requests for Notice of Guaranteed Delivery with
respect to the exchange of the Old Notes should be directed to
the Exchange Agent addressed as follows:
By Registered Mail or Certified By Overnight Courier:
Mail:
Norwest Banks Norwest Banks
Corporate Trust Section Corporate Trust Section
P.O. Box 1517 NorthStar East Building
Minneapolis, MN 55480-1517 Sixth and Marquette
Avenues
Minneapolis, MN 55479-0113
By Telephone: By Facsimile:
(612) 667-4070 (612) 667-4972
FEES AND EXPENSES
The expenses of soliciting tenders will be paid by the
Company. The principal solicitation is being made by mail;
however, additional solicitation may be made by telecopier,
telephone or in person by officers and regular employees of the
Company and its affiliates.
The Company has not retained any dealer-manager in
connection with the Exchange Offer and will not make any payments
to brokers-dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the
Exchange Offer. The Company, however, will pay the Exchange Agent
reasonable and customary fees for their services and will
reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in
connection therewith.
The cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the
Exchange Offer will be paid by the Company and are estimated in
the aggregate to be approximately $100,000. Such expenses include
registration fees, fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent
accounting and legal fees and printing costs, among others.
The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable
to the exchange of the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
If, however, certificates representing New Notes for principal
amounts or number of shares not tendered or accepted for exchange
are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any
person other than the registered Holder of Old Notes tendered, or
if tendered the Old Notes are registered in the name of, any
person other than the person signing the Letter of Transmittal,
or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the
exchange of the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then
the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the
registered Holder or any other persons) will be payable by the
tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such
taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of
Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed
directly to such tendering Holder.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES
The New Notes are to be issued under an indenture, dated as
of February 12, 1998 (the "Services Indenture"), between the
Company, as issuer, and Norwest Bank Colorado, National
Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"). A copy of the Services
Indenture is available upon request from the Company. The
following is a summary of all of the material provisions of the
Services Indenture. This summary does not purport to be complete
and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to, all the provisions of the Services Indenture, including the
definitions of certain terms therein and those terms made a part
thereof by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
"Trust Indenture Act"). Whenever particular defined terms of the
Services Indenture not otherwise defined herein are referred to,
such defined terms are incorporated herein by reference. For
definitions of certain capitalized terms used in the following
summary, see "-- Certain Definitions."
GENERAL
The New Notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of the
Company, initially limited to $490,000,000 aggregate principal
amount at maturity, and will mature on February 15, 2008.
Although for federal income tax purposes, a significant amount of
original issue discount, taxable as ordinary income, will be
recognized by a Holder as such discount accrues from the issue
date of the New Notes, no interest will be payable on the New
Notes prior to August 15, 2003. From and after February 15, 2003,
interest will accrue at the rate of 10% per annum from February
15, 2003, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which
interest has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually (to
Holders of record at the close of business on the February 1 or
August 1 immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date) on
February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing August 15,
2003.
Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the New Notes
will be payable, and the New Notes may be exchanged or
transferred, at the office or agency of the Company (which
initially will be the corporate trust office of the Trustee at
1740 Broadway, Denver, Colorado), or at the option of the
Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the
Holders at their addresses as they appear in the Security
Register; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if
any, and interest with respect to New Notes represented by one or
more permanent global New Notes registered in the name of or held
by DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the
Holder or Holders thereof.
The New Notes will be issued only in fully registered form,
without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 of principal amount
at maturity and any integral multiple thereof. See "-- Book
Entry; Delivery and Form." No service charge will be made for any
registration of transfer or exchange of New Notes, but the
Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.
Subject to the covenants described below under "Covenants"
and applicable law, the Company may issue additional New Notes
under the Services Indenture. The New Notes offered hereby and
any additional New Notes subsequently issued would be treated as
a single class for all purposes under the Services Indenture.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The New Notes will be redeemable, at the Company's option,
in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or
after February 15, 2003 and prior to maturity, upon not less than
30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by first class mail
to each Holder's last address as it appears in the Security
Register, at the following prices (the "Redemption Prices")
(expressed in percentages of principal amount at maturity), plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date
(subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant
Regular Record Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date to
receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), if redeemed
during the 12-month period commencing February 15, of the years
set forth below:
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YEAR REDEMPTION PRICE
---------------- ---------------
2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105.0000%
2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103.3333
2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101.6667
2006 and thereafter . . . . . . . . . . 100.0000
In addition, at any time or from time to time, on or prior
to February 15, 2001, the Company may, at its option, redeem New
Notes having an aggregate principal amount at maturity of up to
35% of the aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes
with the proceeds of one or more public or private Equity
Offerings, at a Redemption Price equal to 110.0% of Accreted
Value on the Redemption Date; provided that at least 65% of the
aggregate principal amount of New Notes initially issued remains
outstanding after each such redemption.
In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the New
Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance
with the requirements of the principal national securities
exchange, if any, on which the New Notes are listed or, if the
New Notes are not listed on a national securities exchange, by
lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion
shall deem to be fair and appropriate; provided that no New Note
of $1,000 in principal amount at maturity or less shall be
redeemed in part. If any New Note is to be redeemed in part only,
the notice of redemption relating to such New Note shall state
the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new
New Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion
thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon
cancellation of the original New Note.
RANKING
The New Notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of the
Company, will rank pari passu in right of payment with all
existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness and
will be senior in right of payment to all existing and future
subordinated indebtedness of the Company. At December 31, 1997,
after giving pro forma effect to the Private Offering and the
NETCOM acquisition, the Company would have had, on a consolidated
basis, approximately $306.6 million of indebtedness including
capitalized lease obligations. The Company is a holding company
and the New Notes will be effectively subordinated to all
liabilities (including trade payables) of the subsidiaries of the
Company, and at December 31, 1997, on the same pro forma basis,
the subsidiaries of the Company would have had approximately $-
34.5 million of liabilities (excluding intercompany payables)
including approximately $6.0 million of indebtedness, consisting
solely of capitalized lease obligations. The Company may incur
substantial amounts of indebtedness in the future. See "Risk
Factors -- Substantial Indebtedness; Ability to Service Debt" and
"-- Holding Company Structure; Priority of Creditors."
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms
used in the covenants and other provisions of the Services
Indenture. Reference is made to the Services Indenture for the
definition of any other capitalized term used herein for which no
definition is provided.
"Accreted Value" is defined to mean, for any Specified Date,
the amount calculated pursuant to (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) for
each $1,000 principal amount at maturity of New Notes:
(i) if the Specified Date occurs on one of the
following dates (each a "Semi-Annual Accrual Date"), the
Accreted Value will equal the amount set forth below for
such Semi-Annual Accrual Date:
SEMI-ANNUAL ACCRETED
ACCRUAL DATE VALUE
---------------- ---------
August 15, 1998 $644.60
February 15, 1999 $676.83
August 15, 1999 $710.68
February 15, 2000 $746.21
August 15, 2000 $783.52
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February 15, 2001 $822.70
August 15, 2001 $863.83
February 15, 2002 $907.02
August 15, 2002 $952.38
February 15, 2003 $1,000.00
(ii) if the Specified Date occurs before the first
Semi-Annual Accrual Date, the Accreted Value will equal the
sum of (a) the original issue price and (b) an amount equal
to the product of (1) the Accreted Value for the first Semi-
Annual Accrual Date less the original issue price multiplied
by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days from the issue date of the New Notes to the Specified
Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and the
denominator of which is the number of days elapsed from the
issue date of the Notes to the first Semi-Annual Accrual
Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
(iii) if the Specified Date occurs between two Semi-
Annual Accrual Dates, the Accreted Value will equal the sum
of (a) the Accreted Value for the Semi-Annual Accrual Date
immediately preceding such Specified Date and (b) an amount
equal to the product of (1) the Accreted Value for the
immediately following Semi-Annual Accrual Date less the
Accreted Value for the immediately preceding Semi-Annual
Accrual Date multiplied by (2) a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of days from the immediately preceding
Semi-Annual Accrual Date to the Specified Date, using a 360-
day year of twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of
which is 180; or
(iv) if the Specified Date occurs after the last Semi-
Annual Accrual Date, the Accreted Value will equal $1,000.
"Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person
existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
or assumed in connection with an Asset Acquisition by a
Restricted Subsidiary and not Incurred in connection with, or in
anticipation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or
such Asset Acquisition.
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period,
the aggregate net income (or loss) of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined in conformity
with GAAP; provided that the following items shall be excluded in
computing Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (without duplication):
(i) the net income (or loss) of any Person that is not a
Restricted Subsidiary (or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary), except
to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions
actually paid to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries by such Person or an Unrestricted Subsidiary during
such period; (ii) solely for the purposes of calculating the
amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to clause
(C) of the first paragraph of the "Limitation on Restricted
Payments" covenant described below (and in such case, except to
the extent includible pursuant to clause (i) above), the net
income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated
with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or all or
substantially all of the property and assets of such Person are
acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(iii) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent
that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar
distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of such net income is
not at the time permitted by the operation of the terms of its
charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order,
statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such
Restricted Subsidiary (except to the extent such restriction has
been legally waived); (iv) any gains or losses (on an after-tax
basis) attributable to Asset Sales or the termination of
discontinued operations; (v) except for purposes of calculating
the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to
clause (C) of the first paragraph of the "Limitation on
Restricted Payments" covenant described below, any amount paid or
accrued as dividends on preferred stock of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary owned by Persons other than the Company and
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (vi) all extraordinary gains
and extraordinary losses; and (vii) at the irrevocable election
of the Company for each occurrence, any net after-tax income
(loss) from discontinued operations; provided that for purposes
of any subsequent Investment in the entity conducting such
discontinued operations under the "Restricted Payments" covenant,
such entity shall be treated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary until
such discontinued operations have actually been disposed of.
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"Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total
amount of assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(less applicable depreciation, amortization and other valuation
reserves), except to the extent resulting from write-ups of
capital assets (excluding write-ups in connection with accounting
for acquisitions in conformity with GAAP), after deducting
therefrom (i) all current liabilities of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding intercompany items) and (ii)
all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt
discount and expense and other like intangibles, all as set forth
on the most recent quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, prepared in
conformity with GAAP and filed with the Commission or provided to
the Trustee pursuant to the "Commission Reports and Reports to
Holders" covenant.
"Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other
Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or
under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. For
purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with
correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as applied to any Person, means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of such
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise.
"Asset Acquisition" means (i) an investment by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person
pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted
Subsidiary or shall be merged into or consolidated with the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) an
acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
of the property and assets of any Person other than the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that constitute
substantially all of a division or line of business of such
Person.
"Asset Sale" means any sale, transfer or other disposition
(including by way of merger, consolidation or sale-leaseback
transaction) in one transaction or a series of related
transactions by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to any Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of (i) all or any of the Capital Stock of any
Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) all or substantially all of the
property and assets of an operating unit or business of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) any other
property and assets (other than the Capital Stock or other
Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries outside the ordinary course of
business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and, in
each case, that is not governed by the provisions of the Services
Indenture applicable to mergers, consolidations and sales of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company; provided that
"Asset Sale" shall not include (a) sales or other dispositions of
inventory, receivables and other current assets, (b) sales or
other dispositions of assets for consideration at least equal to
the fair market value of the assets sold or disposed of, to the
extent that the consideration received would constitute property
or assets of the kind described in clause (B) of the "Limitation
on Asset Sales" covenant, (c) a disposition of cash or Temporary
Cash Investments, (d) any Restricted Payment that is permitted to
be made, and is made, under the "Limitation on Restricted
Payments" covenant, (e) sales or other dispositions of assets
with a fair market value (as certified in an Officers'
Certificate) not in excess of $2.0 million (provided that any
series of related sales or dispositions in excess of $2.0 million
shall be considered "Asset Sales"), (f) the lease, license,
transfer of rights-of-use, assignment of a lease, license,
transfer of rights-of-use or sublease or sublicense of any real
or personal property in the ordinary course of business, (g)
foreclosures on assets, (h) substantially simultaneous exchange
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of property or
equipment for other property or equipment; provided that the
property or equipment received by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary has, at least substantially equal market value to the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, (i) sales or other
dispositions by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, from
time to time, of up to 100% of the Southwest Communications
Business to Central and South West Corporation or its affiliates
or CSW/ICG ChoiceCom, L.P. and (j) transfer or other disposition
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Capital Stock of
any Restricted Subsidiary or an operating unit or business of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for an ownership
interest in a joint venture whose primary business is related,
ancillary or complementary to (A) the businesses of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of determination or
(B) the Telecommunications Business; provided that the fair
market value of such ownership interest is at least equal to the
fair market value of such Capital Stock or operating unit or
business transferred or disposed of (as determined by the Board
of Directors, where good faith determination shall be conclusive
and evidenced by a board resolution); and provided further that
the assets or properties so transferred or disposed of pursuant
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to this clause (j) do not exceed 20% of Adjusted Consolidated Net
Tangible Assets at the time of such transfer or disposition.
"Average Life" means, at any date of determination with
respect to any debt security, the quotient obtained by dividing
(i) the sum of the products of (a) the number of years from such
date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled
principal payment of such debt security and (b) the amount of
such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal
payments.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and
all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents
(however designated, whether voting or non-voting) in equity of
such Person, whether outstanding on the Closing Date or issued
thereafter, including, without limitation, all Common Stock,
Preferred Stock, partnership or membership interests and any
other right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or
distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
"Capitalized Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any
lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) of which
the discounted present value of the rental obligations of such
Person as lessee, in conformity with GAAP, is required to be
capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.
"Capitalized Lease Obligations" means the amount of the
liability in respect of a Capitalized Lease that would at such
time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability
on balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.
"Change of Control" means such time as (i) a "person" or
"group" (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the
Exchange Act) becomes the ultimate "beneficial owner" (as defined
in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of (A) more than 40% of the
total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company on a fully
diluted basis and (B) Voting Stock of the Company having a
greater total voting power than the Voting Stock of the Company
(on a fully diluted basis) beneficially owned by ICG or (ii)
individuals who on the Closing Date constitute the Board of
Directors (together with any new directors whose election by the
Board of Directors or whose nomination by the Board of Directors
for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote
of at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors
then in office who either were members of the Board of Directors
on the Closing Date or whose election or nomination for election
was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
"Closing Date" means the date on which the New Notes are
originally issued under the Services Indenture.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, Adjusted
Consolidated Net Income for such period plus, to the extent such
amount was deducted in calculating such Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) income taxes
(other than income taxes (either positive or negative)
attributable to extraordinary and non-recurring gains or losses
or sales of assets), (iii) depreciation expense, (iv)
amortization expense and (v) all other non-cash items reducing
Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (other than items that will
require cash payments and for which an accrual or reserve is, or
is required by GAAP to be, made), less all non-cash items
increasing (or, in the case of a loss, decreasing) Adjusted
Consolidated Net Income, determined, with respect to clauses
(ii), (iii) and (iv), on a consolidated basis for the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP; provided
that, if any Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary, Consolidated EBITDA shall be reduced (to
the extent not otherwise reduced in accordance with GAAP) by an
amount equal to (A) the amount of the Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income attributable to such Restricted Subsidiary multiplied by
(B) the percentage ownership interest in the income of such
Restricted Subsidiary not owned on the last day of such period by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the
aggregate amount (without duplication) of interest in respect of
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Indebtedness (including, without limitation, amortization of
original issue discount on any Indebtedness and the interest
portion of any deferred payment obligation, calculated in
accordance with the effective interest method of accounting; all
commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with
respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing;
the net costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements; and
Indebtedness that is Guaranteed or secured by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and the interest component of
Capitalized Lease Obligations paid, accrued or scheduled to be
paid or to be accrued by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries during such period; excluding, however, (i) any
amount of such interest of any Restricted Subsidiary if the net
income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded in the
calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income pursuant to
clause (iii) of the definition thereof (but only in the same
proportion as the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is
excluded from the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income
pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition thereof) and (ii) any
premiums, fees and expenses (and any amortization thereof)
payable in connection with the offering of the Notes, all as
determined on a consolidated basis (without taking into account
Unrestricted Subsidiaries) in conformity with GAAP.
"Consolidated Leverage Ratio" means, on any Transaction
Date, the ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis outstanding on such Transaction Date to (ii) the aggregate
amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recent four
fiscal quarters for which financial statements of the Company
have been filed with the Commission or provided to the Trustee
pursuant to the "Commission Reports and Reports to Holders"
covenant described below (such four fiscal quarter period being
the "Four Quarter Period"); provided that, in making the
foregoing calculation, pro forma effect shall be given to the
following events which occur from the beginning of the Four
Quarter Period through the Transaction Date (the "Reference
Period"): (i) the Incurrence of the Indebtedness with respect to
which the computation is being made and (if applicable) the
application of the net proceeds therefrom, including to refinance
other Indebtedness, as if such Indebtedness was incurred, and the
application of such proceeds occurred, at the beginning of the
Four Quarter Period; (ii) the Incurrence, repayment or retirement
of any other Indebtedness by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries since the first day of the Four Quarter Period as if
such Indebtedness was incurred, repaid or retired at the
beginning of the Four Quarter Period; (iii) in the case of
Acquired Indebtedness, the related acquisition, as if such
acquisition occurred at the beginning of the Four Quarter Period;
(iv) any acquisition or disposition by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries of any company or any business or any
assets out of the ordinary course of business, whether by merger,
stock purchase or sale or asset purchase or sale or any related
repayment of Indebtedness, in each case since the first day of
the Four Quarter Period, assuming such acquisition or disposition
had been consummated on the first day of the Four Quarter Period
and after giving pro forma effect to net cost savings that the
Company reasonably believes in good faith could have been
achieved during the Four Quarter Period as a result of such
acquisition or disposition (provided that both (A) such cost
savings were identified and quantified in an Officers'
Certificate delivered to the Trustee at the time of the
consummation of the acquisition or disposition and (B) with
respect to each acquisition or disposition completed prior to the
90th day preceding such date of determination, actions were
commenced or initiated by the Company within 90 days of such
acquisition or disposition to effect such cost savings identified
in such Officers' Certificate and with respect to any other
acquisition or disposition, such Officers' Certificate sets forth
the specific steps to be taken within the 90 days after such
acquisition or disposition to accomplish such cost savings); and
provided further that (x) in making such computation, the
Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to interest on any
Indebtedness computed on a pro forma basis and (A) bearing a
floating interest rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect
on the date of computation had been the applicable rate for the
entire period and (B) which was not outstanding during the period
for which the computation is being made but which bears, at the
option of the Company, a fixed or floating rate of interest shall
be computed by applying, at the option of the Company, either the
fixed or floating rate, and (y) in making such computation, the
Consolidated Interest Expense of the Company attributable to
interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility
computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the
pro forma average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the
applicable period; and (v) the occurrence of any of the events
described in clauses (i)-(iv) above by any Person that has become
a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged with or into the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary during such Reference
Period.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, at any date of
determination, stockholders' equity as set forth on the most
recently available quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (which shall be as
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of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date of such
computation, and which shall not take into account Unrestricted
Subsidiaries), less any amounts attributable to Disqualified
Stock or any equity security convertible into or exchangeable for
Indebtedness, the cost of treasury stock and the principal amount
of any promissory notes receivable from the sale of the Capital
Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, each
item to be determined in conformity with GAAP (excluding the
effects of foreign currency exchange adjustments under Financial
Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 52) .
"Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract,
currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or
arrangement.
"Default" means any event that is, or after notice or
passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
"Disqualified Stock" means any class or series of Capital
Stock of any Person that by its terms or otherwise is (i)
required to be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity of the New
Notes, (ii) redeemable at the option of the holder of such class
or series of Capital Stock at any time prior to the Stated
Maturity of the New Notes or (iii) convertible into or
exchangeable for Capital Stock referred to in clause (i) or (ii)
above or Indebtedness having a scheduled maturity prior to the
Stated Maturity of the New Notes; provided that any Capital Stock
that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions
thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person
to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock (or the security for
which such Capital Stock is convertible into or exchangeable for)
upon the occurrence of an "asset sale" or "change of control"
occurring prior to the Stated Maturity of the New Notes shall not
constitute Disqualified Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of
control" provisions applicable to such Capital Stock (or the
security for which such Capital Stock is convertible into or
exchangeable for) are no more favorable to the holders of such
Capital Stock (or the security for which such Capital Stock is
convertible into or exchangeable for) than the provisions
contained in "Limitation on Asset Sales" and "Repurchase of New
Notes upon a Change of Control" covenants described below and
such Capital Stock (or the security for which such Capital Stock
is convertible into or exchangeable for) specifically provides
that such Person will not repurchase or redeem any such stock
pursuant to such provision prior to the Company's repurchase of
such New Notes as are required to be repurchased pursuant to the
"Limitation on Asset Sales" and "Repurchase of New Notes upon a
Change of Control" covenants described below.
"Equity Offering" means any public or private sale of
Capital Stock of the Company (excluding Disqualified Stock),
other than public offerings with respect to the Company's common
stock registered on Form S-8.
"fair market value" means the price that would be paid in an
arm's length transaction between an informed and willing seller
under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer
under no compulsion to buy; fair market value may be determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose
determination shall be conclusive if evidenced by a board
resolution.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America as in effect as of the Closing Date,
including, without limitation, those set forth in the opinions
and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements
and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or
in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a
significant segment of the accounting profession. All ratios and
computations contained or referred to in the Services Indenture
shall be computed in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent
basis, except that calculations made for purposes of determining
compliance with the terms of the covenants and with other
provisions of the Services Indenture shall be made without giving
effect to (i) the amortization of any expenses incurred in
connection with the offering of the Notes and (ii) except as
otherwise provided, the amortization of any amounts required or
permitted by Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17.
"Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise,
of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any
Indebtedness of any other Person and, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect,
contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay
(or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such
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Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of
partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to
purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay
(unless such purchase arrangements or such obligations are on
arm's length terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of
business), or to maintain financial statement conditions or
otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of assuring in any
other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment
thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect
thereof (in whole or in part); provided that the term "Guarantee"
shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee" used as a verb
has a corresponding meaning.
"ICG" means ICG Communications, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
"ICG Common Stock" means common stock, par value $.01 per
share, of ICG.
"Incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness, to incur,
create, issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for
or with respect to, or become responsible for, the payment of,
contingently or otherwise, such Indebtedness, including an
"Incurrence" of Acquired Indebtedness; provided that neither the
accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount
shall be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person at any date
of determination (without duplication), (i) all indebtedness of
such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar
instruments, (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of
letters of credit or other similar instruments (including
reimbursement obligations with respect thereto, but excluding
trade letters of credit), (iv) all obligations of such Person to
pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or
services, which purchase price is due more than six months after
the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery
and title thereto or the completion of such services, except
Trade Payables and accrued current liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of business, (v) all Capitalized Lease
Obligations of such Person, (vi) all Indebtedness referred to in
clauses (i) through (v) hereof of other Persons secured by a Lien
on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is
assumed by such Person; provided that the amount of such
Indebtedness shall be the lesser of (A) the fair market value of
such asset at such date of determination and (B) the amount of
such Indebtedness, (vii) all Indebtedness of other Persons
Guaranteed by such Person to the extent such Indebtedness is
Guaranteed by such Person and (viii) to the extent not otherwise
included in this definition, obligations under Currency
Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements. The amount of
Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding
balance at such date (or, in the case of a revolving credit or
other similar facility, the total amount of principal or interest
outstanding on the date of determination) of all unconditional
obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent
obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the
contingency giving rise to the obligation of the types described
above, provided (A) that the amount outstanding at any time of
any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount is the
original issue price of such Indebtedness, (B) that money
borrowed and set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any
Indebtedness in order to prefund the payment of the interest on
such Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be "Indebtedness" and
(C) that Indebtedness shall not include any liability for
federal, state, local or other taxes.
"Interest Rate Agreement" means any interest rate protection
agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option
agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap
agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge
agreement, option or future contract or other similar agreement
or arrangement.
"Internet Service Business" means any business operating an
internet connectivity or internet enhancement service as it
exists from time to time, including, without limitation, dial-up
or dedicated internet service, web hosting or collocation
services, security solutions, the provision and development of
software in connection therewith, configuration services,
electronic commerce, intranet solutions, data backup and
restoral, business, content and collaboration, communications
tools or network equipment products or services.
"Investment" means, with respect to any Person, all
investments by such Person in other Persons in the form of any
direct or indirect advance, loan or other extension of credit
(including, without limitation, by way of Guarantee or similar
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arrangement; but excluding installment sales, capital leasing
arrangements and financings for and advances to customers, in
each case in the ordinary course of business that are, in
conformity with GAAP, recorded as assets on the balance sheet of
the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and commissions,
travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the
ordinary course of business) or capital contribution to (by means
of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any
payment for property or services for the account or use of
others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds,
notes, debentures or other similar instruments issued by, such
other Person and shall include (i) the designation of a
Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (ii) the
fair market value of the Capital Stock (or any other Investment),
held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, of (or
in) any Person that has ceased to be a Restricted Subsidiary,
including without limitation, by reason of any transaction
permitted by clause (iii) of the "Limitation on the Issuance and
Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant;
provided that the fair market value of the Investment remaining
in any Person that has ceased to be a Restricted Subsidiary shall
not exceed the aggregate amount of Investments previously made in
such Person valued at the time such Investments were made less
the net reduction of such Investments; and provided, further,
that any disposition, sale, lease, transfer, license, transfer of
rights-of-use of, communications equipment, software and capacity
and/or provision of services, by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary to ICG or its subsidiaries for fair market value (if,
at the time of such disposition, sale, lease or transfer, the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is a Subsidiary of ICG)
will not be deemed to be an Investment. For purposes of the
definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and the "Limitation on
Restricted Payments" covenant described below, (i) "Investment"
shall include the fair market value of the assets (net of
liabilities (other than liabilities to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries)) of any Restricted Subsidiary at the
time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, (ii) the fair market value of the assets
(net of liabilities (other than liabilities to the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries)) of any Unrestricted Subsidiary
at the time that such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a
Restricted Subsidiary shall be considered a reduction in
outstanding Investments and (iii) any property transferred to or
from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair
market value at the time of such transfer.
"Investment Grade Securities" means (i) securities issued or
directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States
government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than
cash equivalents), (ii) debt securities or debt instruments with
a rating of BBB+ or higher by S&P or Baa1 or higher by Moody's or
the equivalent of such rating by such rating organization, or, if
no rating of S&P or Moody's then exists, the equivalent of such
rating by any other nationally recognized securities rating
agency, but excluding any debt securities or instruments
constituting loans or advances among the Company and its
Subsidiaries, and (iii) investment in any fund that invests
exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (i)
and (ii) which fund may also hold cash pending investment and/or
distribution.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest,
encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including, without
limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement or lease in the nature thereof or any agreement to give
any security interest).
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its
successors.
"Net Cash Proceeds" means (a) with respect to any Asset
Sale, the proceeds of such Asset Sale in the form of cash or cash
equivalents, including payments in respect of deferred payment
obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but
not interest, component thereof) when received in the form of
cash or cash equivalents (except to the extent such obligations
are financed or sold with recourse to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds from the conversion of other
property received when converted to cash or cash equivalents, net
of (i) brokerage commissions and other commissions, fees and
expenses (including fees and expenses of counsel, accountants and
investment bankers) related to such Asset Sale and any relocation
expenses incurred as a result thereof, (ii) provisions for all
taxes (whether or not such taxes will actually be paid or are
payable) as a result of such Asset Sale without regard to the
consolidated results of operations of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) payments made to
repay Indebtedness or any other obligation outstanding at the
time of such Asset Sale that either (A) is secured by a Lien on
the property or assets sold or (B) is required to be paid as a
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result of such sale and (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a reserve against
any liabilities associated with such Asset Sale, including,
without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit
liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and
liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with
such Asset Sale, all as determined in conformity with GAAP and
(b) with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, the
proceeds of such issuance or sale in the form of cash or cash
equivalents, including payments in respect of deferred payment
obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but
not interest, component thereof) when received in the form of
cash or cash equivalents (except to the extent such obligations
are financed or sold with recourse to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds from the conversion of other
property received when converted to cash or cash equivalents, net
of attorney's fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement
agents' fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant
and other fees incurred in connection with such issuance or sale
and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.
"Offer to Purchase" means an offer to purchase New Notes by
the Company from the Holders commenced by mailing a notice to the
Trustee and each Holder stating: (i) the covenant pursuant to
which the offer is being made and that all New Notes validly
tendered will be accepted for payment on a pro rata basis; (ii)
the purchase price and the date of purchase (which shall be a
Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from
the date such notice is mailed) (the "Payment Date"); (iii) that
any New Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest
pursuant to its terms; (iv) that, unless the Company defaults in
the payment of the purchase price, any New Note accepted for
payment pursuant to the Offer to Purchase shall cease to accrue
interest on and after the Payment Date; (v) that Holders electing
to have a New Note purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase
will be required to surrender the New Note, together with the
form entitled "Option of the Holder to Elect Purchase" on the
reverse side of the New Note completed, to the Paying Agent at
the address specified in the notice prior to the close of
business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Payment
Date; (vi) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their
election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close
of business on the third Business Day immediately preceding the
Payment Date, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter
setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of
Notes delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such New Notes purchased; and
(vii) that Holders whose New Notes are being purchased only in
part will be issued new New Notes equal in principal amount at
maturity to the unpurchased portion of the New Notes surrendered;
provided that each New Note purchased and each new New Note
issued shall be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof. On the Payment Date, the Company shall (i)
accept for payment on a pro rata basis New Notes or portions
thereof tendered pursuant to an Offer to Purchase; (ii) deposit
with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price
of all New Notes or portions thereof so accepted; and (iii)
deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee all New Notes
or portions thereof so accepted together with an Officers'
Certificate specifying the New Notes or portions thereof accepted
for payment by the Company. The Paying Agent shall promptly mail
to the Holders of New Notes so accepted payment in an amount
equal to the purchase price (or, if the New Notes are represented
by one or more permanent global New Notes registered in the name
of DTC or its nominee, by such other method as required thereby),
and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to such
Holders a new New Note equal in principal amount at maturity to
any unpurchased portion of the New Note surrendered; provided
that each New Note purchased and each new New Note issued shall
be in a principal amount at maturity of $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results
of an Offer to Purchase as soon as practicable after the Payment
Date. The Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent for an Offer to
Purchase. The Company will comply with Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations
thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are
applicable, in the event that the Company is required to
repurchase New Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase.
"Permitted Investment" means (i) an Investment in the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon
the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary or
be merged or consolidated with or into or transfer or convey all
or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary; provided that such Person's primary business is
related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such
Investment; (ii) Temporary Cash Investments and Investment Grade
Securities; (iii) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover
matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately
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to be treated as expenses in accordance with GAAP and reasonable
advances to sales representatives; (iv) any Investment acquired
by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (x) in
exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by
the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with
or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or
recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or
accounts receivable or (y) as a result of a foreclosure by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any
secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any
secured Investment in default; (v) Guarantees permitted by the
"Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant; (vi) loans or advances to
employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that do not
in the aggregate exceed at any one time outstanding $2.0 million;
(vii) Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements permitted
under the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant; (viii)
Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for
collection and lease, utility deposits and workers' compensation,
performance and other similar deposits; (ix) Investments in debt
securities or other evidences of Indebtedness that are issued by
companies engaged in the Telecommunications Business or the
Internet Service Business; provided that when each Investment
pursuant to this clause (ix) is made, the aggregate amount of
Investments outstanding under this clause (ix) does not exceed
$3.0 million; (x) Strategic Investments and Investments in
Permitted Joint Ventures in an amount not to exceed $30.0 million
at any one time outstanding; (xi) an Investment in any Person the
primary business of which is related, ancillary or complementary
to (I) the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries on the
date of such Investments or (II) the Telecommunications Business
in an amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the sum of (A)
$20.0 million plus (B) 10% of the Company's Consolidated EBITDA,
if positive, for the immediately preceding four fiscal quarters
(valued in each case as provided in the definition of
"Investments"); (xii) securities received in connection with
Asset Sales to the extent constituting non-cash consideration
permitted under the "Asset Sale" covenant; (xiii) stock,
obligations or securities received in satisfaction of judgments,
bankruptcies, workouts or settlements; (xiv) Investments in
CSW/ICG ChoiceCom, L.P. and (xv) any Investments acquired as
capital contribution, including without limitation, acquisition
of shares of ICG Common Stock.
"Permitted Joint Venture" means any Unrestricted Subsidiary
or any other Person in which the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary owns, directly or indirectly, an ownership interest
(other than a Restricted Subsidiary) and whose primary business
is related, ancillary or complementary to (i) the businesses of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of
determination or (ii) the Telecommunications Business.
"Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens for taxes, assessments,
governmental charges or claims that are being contested in good
faith by appropriate legal proceedings promptly instituted and
diligently conducted and for which a reserve or other appropriate
provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP
shall have been made; (ii) statutory and common law Liens of
landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, attorneys,
suppliers, materialmen, repairmen or other similar Liens arising
in the ordinary course of business, unexercised rights of set
off, in each case with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or
that are bonded or being contested in good faith by appropriate
legal proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted
and for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any,
as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been
made; (iii) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary
course of business in connection with workers' compensation,
unemployment insurance and other types of social security; (iv)
Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of
tenders, bids, leases, licenses, statutory or regulatory
obligations, bankers' acceptances, surety, performance and appeal
bonds, trade or government contracts, performance and return-of-
money bonds and other obligations of a similar nature incurred in
the ordinary course of business (exclusive of obligations for the
payment of borrowed money); (v) easements (including reciprocal
easement agreements), rights-of-way, municipal, building and
zoning ordinances and similar charges, utility agreements,
covenants, reservations, restrictions, encroachments, charges,
encumbrances, title defects or other irregularities that do not
materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (vi) Liens
(including extensions and renewals thereof) upon real or personal
property or other assets or rights acquired after the Closing
Date; provided that (a) such Lien is created solely for the
purpose of securing Trade Payables that the Company reasonably
expects to pay within 180 days or Indebtedness Incurred, in
accordance with the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant
described below, to finance the cost of (including the cost of
design, development, acquisition, construction, installment,
improvements, transportation or integration) or to acquire the
item of property or assets subject thereto (including, without
limitation, acquisition by way of acquisitions of real property,
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leasehold improvements, licenses, rights-of-use, Capitalized
Leases and installment sales, and any refinancings thereof) and
such Lien is created prior to, at the time of or within six
months after the later of the acquisition, the completion of
construction or the commencement of full operation of such
property, (b) the principal amount of the Trade Payables or
Indebtedness secured by such Lien does not exceed 100% of such
cost and (c) any such Lien shall not extend to or cover any
property or assets other than such item of property or assets and
any improvements on such item; (vii) leases, subleases, licenses
and rights-of-use granted to others and rights of purchase
pursuant to installment sales that do not materially interfere
with the ordinary course of business of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (viii) Liens
encumbering property or assets under construction arising from
progress or partial payments by a customer of the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries relating to such property or assets; (ix)
any interest or title of a lessor in the property subject to any
Capitalized Lease or operating lease; (x) Liens arising from
filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding
leases or installment sales; (xi) Liens on property of, or on
shares of Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, any Person existing
at the time such Person becomes, or becomes a part of, any
Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Liens do not extend to
or cover any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary other than the property or assets acquired; (xii)
Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(xiii) Liens arising from the rendering of a final judgment or
order against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that does
not give rise to an Event of Default; (xiv) Liens securing
reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit that
encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of
credit and the products and proceeds thereof; (xv) Liens in favor
of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to
secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
importation of goods; (xvi) Liens encumbering customary initial
deposits and margin deposits, and other Liens that are within the
general parameters customary in the industry and incurred in the
ordinary course of business, in each case, securing Indebtedness
under Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements and
forward contracts, options, future contracts, futures options or
similar agreements or arrangements designed solely to protect the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from fluctuations
in interest rates, currencies or the price of commodities; (xvii)
Liens arising out of conditional sale, installment sales, title
retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of
goods entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; and (xviii)
Liens on or sales of receivables.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company
other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and its
successors.
"Significant Subsidiary" means, at any date of
determination, any Restricted Subsidiary that, together with its
Subsidiaries, (i) for the most recent fiscal year of the Company,
accounted for more than 10% of the consolidated revenues of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) as of the end of
such fiscal year, was the owner of more than 10% of the
consolidated assets of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, all as set forth on the most recently available
consolidated financial statements of the Company for such fiscal
year.
"Southwest Communications Business" means the Company's or
any of its Subsidiaries' (A) Internet connectivity or Internet
enhancement service as it exists from time to time in the states
of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma, including, without
limitation, dial-up or dedicated Internet service, Web site
hosting or collocation services, security solutions, the
provision and development of software in connection therewith,
configuration services, electronic commerce, intranet solutions,
data backup and restoral, business content and collaboration,
communications tools or network equipment products or services
and (B) development, ownership or operations of one or more
telephone, telecommunications or information systems or the
provision of telephony, telecommunications or information
services (including, without limitation, any voice, video, data
or Internet services) and any related, ancillary or complementary
business in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and
Oklahoma.
"Specified Date" means any Redemption Date, any Payment Date
for an Offer to Purchase or any date on which the Notes first
become due and payable after an Event of Default.
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"Stated Maturity" means (i) with respect to any debt
security, the date specified in such debt security as the fixed
date on which the final installment of principal of such debt
security is due and payable and (ii) with respect to any
scheduled installment of principal of or interest on any debt
security, the date specified in such debt security as the fixed
date on which such installment is due and payable.
"Strategic Investments" means (A) Investments that the Board
of Directors has determined in good faith will enable the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to obtain additional
business that it might not be able to obtain without making such
Investment and (B) Investments in entities the principal function
of which is to perform research and development with respect to
products and services that may be used or useful in the
Telecommunications Business or the Internet Service Business;
provided that the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries
is entitled or otherwise reasonably expected to obtain rights to
such products or services as a result of such Investment.
"Strategic Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of
the Company that (i) is expressly made subordinate in right of
payment to the New Notes and (ii) provides that no payment of
principal, premium or interest on, or any other payment with
respect to, such Indebtedness may be made prior to the payment in
full of all of the Company's obligations under the New Notes.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any
corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a
partnership) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of
shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the
occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of
directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of
determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by
such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such
Person or a combination thereof and (ii) any partnership, joint
venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which (x)
more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total
equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership
interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof whether in
the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership
or otherwise and (y) such Person or any Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner or otherwise
controls such entity.
"Telecommunications Business" means the development,
ownership or operation of one or more telephone,
telecommunications or information systems or the provision of
telephony, telecommunications or information services (including,
without limitation, any voice, video, data or Internet services)
and any related, ancillary or complementary business.
"Temporary Cash Investment" means any of the following: (i)
direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency
thereof or obligations fully and unconditionally guaranteed by
the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality
thereof, (ii) deposit accounts, time deposit accounts,
certificates of deposit, eurodollar time deposits, overnight bank
deposits and money market deposits maturing within one year or
less of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust
company which is organized under the laws of the United States of
America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by
the United States of America, and which bank or trust company has
capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of
$50 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has
outstanding debt which is rated "A" (or such similar equivalent
rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized
statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the
Securities Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a
registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor, (iii)
repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for
underlying securities of the types described in clauses (i) and
(ii) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications
described in clause (ii) above, (iv) commercial paper, maturing
not more than 90 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a
corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized
and in existence under the laws of the United States of America,
any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United
States of America with a rating at the time as of which any
investment therein is made of "P-1" (or higher) according to
Moody's or "A-1" (or higher) according to S&P, (v) securities
with maturities of six months or less from the date of
acquisition issued or fully and unconditionally guaranteed by any
state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America,
or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and
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rated at least "A" by S&P or Moody's, and (vi) investment funds
investing 95% of their assets in securities of the type described
in clauses (i) through (v) above.
"Trade Payables" means, with respect to any Person, any
accounts payable or any other indebtedness or monetary obligation
to trade creditors created, assumed or Guaranteed by such Person
or any of its Subsidiaries arising in the ordinary course of
business in connection with the acquisition of goods or services
and required to be paid within one year.
"Transaction Date" means, with respect to the Incurrence of
any Indebtedness by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, the date such Indebtedness is to be Incurred and,
with respect to any Restricted Payment, the date such Restricted
Payment is to be made.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the
Company that at the time of determination shall be designated an
Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors in the manner
provided below; and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted
Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed
Subsidiary of the Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary
unless such Subsidiary owns any Capital Stock of, or owns or
holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary; provided that (A) any Guarantee by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary being
so designated shall be deemed an "Incurrence" of such
Indebtedness and an "Investment" by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary (or both, if applicable) at the time of
such designation; (B) either (I) the Subsidiary to be so
designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (II) if such
Subsidiary has assets greater than $1,000, such designation would
be permitted under the "Limitation on Restricted Payments"
covenant described below and (C) if applicable, the Incurrence of
Indebtedness and the Investment referred to in clause (A) of this
proviso would be permitted under the "Limitation on Indebtedness"
and "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenants described
below. The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted
Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
at the time of or after giving effect to such designation and
(ii) all Liens and Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary
outstanding immediately after such designation would, if Incurred
at such time, have been permitted to be Incurred (and shall be
deemed to have been Incurred) for all purposes of the Services
Indenture. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall
be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a
copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation
and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation
complied with the foregoing provisions.
"Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, Capital
Stock of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote
for the election of directors, managers or other voting members
of the governing body of such Person.
"Wholly Owned" means, with respect to any Subsidiary of any
Person, the ownership of all of the outstanding Capital Stock of
such Subsidiary (other than any director's qualifying shares or
Investments by foreign nationals mandated by applicable law) by
such Person or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such
Person.
COVENANTS
Limitation on Indebtedness
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, Incur any Indebtedness (other than
the New Notes and Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date);
provided that the Company may Incur Indebtedness if, after giving
effect to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness and the receipt and
application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Leverage
Ratio would be greater than zero and less than 6:1.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and any
Restricted Subsidiary (except as specified below) may Incur each
and all of the following: (i) Indebtedness of the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding at any time in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed (A) $200 million of unsubordinated
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Indebtedness (including any Indebtedness under one or more
revolving credit or working capital facilities) and (B) $200
million of subordinated Indebtedness (and any Guarantees thereof
by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries), less any amount
of such Indebtedness permanently repaid as provided under the
"Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant described below; (ii) the
Incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the New
Notes; (iii) Indebtedness in existence on the Closing Date; (iv)
Indebtedness of the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary and
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Indebtedness is made
pursuant to an intercompany note (which, in the case of
Indebtedness owed to the Company, shall be unsubordinated) and
any event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing
to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such
Indebtedness (other than to the Company or another Restricted
Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an
Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause
(iv); (v) Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net
proceeds of which are used to refinance or refund, then
outstanding Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness Incurred under
clauses (i), (iv), (vi) or (viii) of this paragraph) and any
refinancings thereof in an amount not to exceed the amount so
refinanced or refunded (plus premiums, accrued interest, fees and
expenses); provided that Indebtedness the proceeds of which are
used to refinance or refund Indebtedness that is subordinated in
right of payment to the New Notes shall only be permitted under
this clause (v) if (A) such new Indebtedness, by its terms or by
the terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such
new Indebtedness is issued or remains outstanding, is expressly
made subordinate in right of payment to the New Notes at least to
the extent that the Indebtedness to be refinanced is subordinated
to the New Notes and (B) such new Indebtedness, determined as of
the date of Incurrence of such new Indebtedness, does not mature
prior to the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness to be refinanced
or refunded, and the Average Life of such new Indebtedness is at
least equal to the remaining Average Life of the Indebtedness to
be refinanced or refunded; and provided further that in no event
may Indebtedness of the Company be refinanced by means of any
Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to this clause
(v); (vi) Indebtedness (A) in respect of performance, surety or
appeal bonds provided in the ordinary course of business, (B)
under Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements; provided
that such agreements (a) are designed solely to protect the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates and (b) do not
increase the Indebtedness of the obligor outstanding at any time
(except to the extent Incurred under another clause hereof) other
than as a result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange
rates or interest rates or by reason of fees, indemnities and
compensation payable thereunder; and (C) arising from agreements
providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or
similar obligations, or from Guarantees or letters of credit,
surety bonds or performance bonds securing any obligations of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to such
agreements, in each case Incurred in connection with the
disposition of any business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary
(other than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person
acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or
Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such
acquisition), in a principal amount not to exceed the gross
proceeds actually received by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in connection with such disposition; (vii)
Indebtedness of the Company, to the extent the net proceeds
thereof are promptly (A) used to purchase New Notes tendered in
an Offer to Purchase made as a result of a Change in Control or
(B) deposited to defease the New Notes as described below under
"Defeasance"; (viii) Guarantees of the New Notes and Guarantees
of Indebtedness of the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary
provided the Guarantee of such Indebtedness is permitted by and
made in accordance with the "Limitation on Issuance of Guarantees
by Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant described below and any
Guarantee by the Company of Indebtedness or other obligations of
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the incurrence of
such Indebtedness Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary is
permitted under the terms of this covenant; (ix) Indebtedness
Incurred to finance the cost (including, without limitation, the
cost of design, development, acquisition, construction,
installation, improvement, transportation or integration) to
acquire equipment, inventory, assets, services and related costs
in connection with the Internet Service Business or the
Telecommunications Business (including, without limitation,
acquisitions by way of acquisitions of real property, leasehold
improvements, licenses, rights-of-use, Capitalized Leases,
installment sales and acquisitions of the Capital Stock of a
Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent of the
fair market value of the equipment, inventory or network assets
so acquired) by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after the
Closing Date; (x) Indebtedness of the Company not to exceed, at
any one time outstanding, the sum (without duplication) of (A)
two times the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the
sale of ICG Common Stock contributed by ICG to the Company after
the Closing Date to a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the
Company (1.6 times the closing price, last sale price or similar
price of such ICG Common Stock at the time received by the
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Company to the extent such ICG Common Stock has not been sold)
plus (B) two times cash or cash equivalents contributed by ICG or
its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) to
the Company after the Closing Date plus (C) 1.6 times the fair
market value of other assets (including, without limitation,
Capital Stock) acquired by the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries to the extent that the consideration therefor
consists of ICG Common Stock plus (D) 1.6 times the fair market
value of other assets contributed by ICG or its Subsidiaries
(other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) to the Company
after the Closing Date plus (E) two times the Net Cash Proceeds
received by the Company after the Closing Date from the issuance
and sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) to
a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Company plus (F) 1.6
times the fair market value of property (other than cash and cash
equivalents) received by the Company after the Closing Date from
the sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) to
a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Company, in each case,
to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds, ICG Common Stock, cash or
cash equivalents or such other assets or property have not been
used pursuant to clause (C)(2) of the first paragraph or clause
(iii) or (iv), as the case may be, of the second paragraph of the
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant described below;
provided that such Indebtedness does not mature prior to the
Stated Maturity of the New Notes and has a then current Average
Life at least as long as the New Notes; (xi) Indebtedness
Incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of
credit in the ordinary course of business, including, without
limitation, letters of credit in respect of workers' compensation
claims or self insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to
reimbursement type obligations regarding workers' compensation
claims; provided, however, that upon the drawing of such letters
of credit or the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such
obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing
or Incurrence; (xii) Acquired Indebtedness or Indebtedness of
Persons that are acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or merged into a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance
with the terms of the Services Indenture; provided that such
Indebtedness is not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition
or merger; and (xiii) Strategic Subordinated Indebtedness.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this "Limitation
on Indebtedness" covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness
that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may Incur pursuant to
this "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant shall not be deemed to
be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness due
solely to the result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of
currencies. Accretion on an instrument issued at a discount will
not be deemed to constitute an Incurrence of Indebtedness.
(c) For purposes of determining any particular amount of
Indebtedness under this "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant,
(1) Guarantees, Liens or obligations with respect to letters of
credit supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the
determination of such particular amount shall not be included and
(2) any Liens granted pursuant to the equal and ratable
provisions referred to in the "Limitation on Liens" covenant
described below shall not be treated as Indebtedness. For
purposes of determining compliance with this "Limitation on
Indebtedness" covenant, in the event that an item of Indebtedness
meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness
described in the above clauses, the Company, in its sole
discretion, shall classify such item of Indebtedness and only be
required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in
one of such clauses.
Limitation on Restricted Payments
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, (i) declare or pay any
dividend or make any distribution on or with respect to its
Capital Stock (other than (x) dividends or distributions payable
solely in shares of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares
of such Capital Stock and (y) pro rata dividends or distributions
on common stock of Restricted Subsidiaries held by minority
stockholders) held by Persons other than the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) purchase, redeem, retire or
otherwise acquire for value any shares of Capital Stock of (A)
the Company or an Unrestricted Subsidiary (including options,
warrants or other rights to acquire such shares of Capital Stock)
held by any Person or (B) a Restricted Subsidiary (including
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such shares of
Capital Stock) held by any Affiliate of the Company (other than a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary), (iii) make any voluntary or
optional principal payment, or voluntary or optional redemption,
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repurchase, defeasance, or other acquisition or retirement for
value, of Indebtedness of the Company that is subordinated in
right of payment to the Notes (other than the purchase,
redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of such subordinated
Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking
fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each
case due within six months of the date of acquisition) or (iv)
make any Investment, other than a Permitted Investment, in any
Person (such payments or any other actions described in clauses
(i) through (iv) above being collectively "Restricted Payments")
if, at the time of, and after giving effect to, the proposed
Restricted Payment: (A) a Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, (B) except with respect to making any
Investments, the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of
Indebtedness under the first paragraph of the "Limitation on
Indebtedness" covenant or (C) the aggregate amount of all
Restricted Payments (the amount, if other than in cash, to be
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose
determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Board
Resolution) made after the Closing Date shall exceed the sum of
(1) 50% of the aggregate amount of the Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income (or, if the Adjusted Consolidated Net Income is a loss,
minus 100% of the amount of such loss) (determined by excluding
income resulting from transfers of assets by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary to an Unrestricted Subsidiary) accrued on a
cumulative basis during the period (taken as one accounting
period) beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter
immediately following the Closing Date and ending on the last day
of the last fiscal quarter preceding the Transaction Date for
which reports have been filed with the Commission or provided to
the Trustee pursuant to the "Commission Reports and Reports to
Holders" covenant plus (2) 100% of (I) the aggregate Net Cash
Proceeds or fair market value of any Capital Stock and the amount
of cash from any capital contributions to the Company after the
Closing Date from Persons other than Subsidiaries of the Company
(including contributions of ICG Common Stock, cash and cash
equivalents and other assets to the Company by ICG) plus (II) the
aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company after the
Closing Date from an issuance and sale of its Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) to a Person who is not a
Subsidiary of the Company, including, without limitation, an
issuance or sale permitted by the Services Indenture of
Indebtedness of the Company for cash subsequent to the Closing
Date upon the conversion of such Indebtedness into Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, or from the
issuance to a Person who is not a Subsidiary of the Company of
any options, warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock of
the Company (in each case, exclusive of any Disqualified Stock or
any options, warrants or other rights that are redeemable at the
option of the holder, or are required to be redeemed, prior to
the Stated Maturity of the New Notes), to the extent such Net
Cash Proceeds, Capital Stock, marketable securities or amount
have not been previously applied pursuant to clauses (iii) or
(iv), as the case may be, of the second paragraph of the
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant or used to support
the Incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (x) under the
"Limitation of Indebtedness" covenant plus (3) amounts received
from Investments (other than Permitted Investments) in any Person
resulting from payments of interest on Indebtedness, dividends,
repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in
each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or from the
Net Cash Proceeds from the sale of any such Investment (except,
in each case, to the extent any such payment or proceeds are
included in the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income),
or from redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted
Subsidiaries (valued in each case as provided in the definition
of "Investments"), not to exceed, in each case, the amount of
Investments previously made by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing provision shall not be violated by reason of:
(i) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of
declaration thereof if, at said date of declaration, such payment
would comply with the foregoing paragraph; (ii) the redemption,
repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for
value of Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to
the Notes including premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid
interest, with the proceeds of, or in exchange for, Indebtedness
Incurred under clause (v) of the second paragraph of part (a) of
the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant; (iii) the making of
any principal payment or the repurchase, redemption, retirement,
defeasance or other acquisition for value of Indebtedness of the
Company which is subordinated in right of payment to the New
Notes (A) with cash or cash equivalents contributed by ICG to the
Company after the Closing Date or (B) with, or out of the Net
Cash Proceeds of, ICG Common Stock or other assets (other than
cash or cash equivalents) contributed by ICG to the Company after
the Closing Date, or (C) in exchange for, or out of, the Net Cash
Proceeds of a substantially concurrent offering of shares of
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (or
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock),
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to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds, cash or cash equivalents,
ICG Common Stock, Capital Stock or such other assets have not
been used pursuant to clause (C)(2) of the first paragraph or
clause (iv) of the second paragraph, as the case may be, of the
"Limitation on Restricted Payments Covenant" or used to support
the Incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (x) under the
"Limitation on Indebtedness Covenant"; (iv) the repurchase,
redemption or other acquisition of Capital Stock of the Company
or an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or options, warrants or other
rights to acquire such Capital Stock) in exchange for, or out of
the proceeds of a substantially concurrent offering of, shares of
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (or
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock);
or (v) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $10 million; provided that, except in the case of clauses
(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence of the
actions or payments set forth therein.
Each Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to the preceding
paragraph (other than the Restricted Payment referred to in
clause (ii) thereof) shall be included in calculating whether the
conditions of clause (C) of the first paragraph of this
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant have been met with
respect to any subsequent Restricted Payments.
Any Restricted Payments made other than in cash shall be
valued at fair market value. The amount of any Investment
"outstanding" at any time shall be deemed to be equal to the
amount of such Investment on the date made, less the return of
capital to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with
respect to such Investment by distribution, sale or otherwise (up
to the amount of such Investment on the date made).
Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Restricted Subsidiaries
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or
become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any
kind on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay
dividends or make any other distributions permitted by applicable
law on any Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary owned by
the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) pay any
Indebtedness owed to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary, (iii) make loans or advances to the Company or any
other Restricted Subsidiary or (iv) transfer any of its property
or assets to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing provisions shall not restrict any encumbrances
or restrictions: (i) existing on the Closing Date the Services
Indenture or any other agreements in effect on the Closing Date,
and any extensions, refinancings, renewals or replacements of
such agreements; provided that the encumbrances and restrictions
in any such extensions, refinancings, renewals or replacements
are no less favorable in any material respect to the Holders than
those encumbrances or restrictions that are then in effect and
that are being extended, refinanced, renewed or replaced; (ii)
existing under or by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation
or order; (iii) existing with respect to any Person or the
property or assets of such Person acquired by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, existing at the time of such acquisition
and not incurred in contemplation thereof, which encumbrances or
restrictions are not applicable to any Person or the property or
assets of any Person other than such Person or the property or
assets of such Person so acquired; (iv) in the case of clause
(iv) of the first paragraph of this "Limitation on Dividend and
Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries"
covenant, (A) that restrict in a customary manner the subletting,
assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is a lease,
license, right-of-use, conveyance or contract or similar property
or asset, (B) existing by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to
transfer, option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any
property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
not otherwise prohibited by the Services Indenture, (C) arising
or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to
any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the
aggregate, detract from the value of property or assets of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or (D) purchase money
obligations (including, without limitation, Capitalized Leases
and installment sales) for property acquired in the ordinary
course of business that impose restrictions of the nature
discussed in clause (iv) above on the property so acquired; (v)
with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary and imposed pursuant to
an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or
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disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of,
or property and assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary; (vi)
contained in the terms of any Indebtedness or any agreement
pursuant to which such Indebtedness was issued if (A)(1) the
encumbrances or restrictions apply only in the event of a payment
default or a default with respect to a financial covenant
contained in such Indebtedness or agreement or (2) the
encumbrances or restrictions are similar in nature and substance
to the "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant contained
herein, as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith,
(B) the encumbrances or restrictions are not materially more
disadvantageous to the Holders of the New Notes than is customary
in comparable financings (as determined by the Company) and (C)
the Company determines that any such encumbrances or restrictions
will not materially affect the Company's ability to make
principal or interest payments on the New Notes; (vii) customary
provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar
agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business; and
(viii) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to
in clauses (i) through (iv) of the first paragraph of this
covenant imposed by any amendments, modifications, renewals,
restatements, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or
refinancings of the contracts referred to in clause (i) through
(vii) above; provided that such amendments, modifications,
restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings,
replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of
the Company, not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders
than those contained in the restriction prior to such amendment,
modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement,
refunding, replacement or refinancing. Nothing contained in this
"Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant shall prevent the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary from (1) creating, incurring, assuming
or suffering to exist any Liens otherwise permitted in the
"Limitation on Liens" covenant or (2) restricting the sale or
other disposition of property or assets of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of
Restricted Subsidiaries
The Company will not sell, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to issue or sell,
any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (including
options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of such
Capital Stock) except (i) to the Company or a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) issuances of director's qualifying
shares or sales to foreign nationals of shares of Capital Stock
of foreign Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent required by
applicable law; (iii) if, immediately after giving effect to such
issuance or sale, such Restricted Subsidiary would no longer
constitute a Restricted Subsidiary and any Investment in such
Person remaining after giving effect to such issuance or sale
would have been permitted to be made under the "Limitation on
Restricted Payments" covenant if made on the date of such
issuance or sale; or (iv) issuances or sales of common stock of a
Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary applies an amount equal to the Net Cash
Proceeds thereof in accordance with the "Limitation on Asset
Sales" covenant.
Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries
The Company will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary,
directly or indirectly, to Guarantee any Indebtedness of the
Company which is pari passu with or subordinate in right of
payment to the New Notes ("Guaranteed Indebtedness"), unless (i)
such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a
supplemental indenture to the Services Indenture providing for a
Guarantee (a "Subsidiary Guarantee") of payment of the New Notes
by such Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) such Restricted Subsidiary
waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity
or subrogation or any other rights against the Company or any
other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such
Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided
that this paragraph shall not be applicable to any Guarantee of
any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person
became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not Incurred in connection
with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted
Subsidiary. If the Guaranteed Indebtedness is (A) pari passu in
right of payment with the New Notes, then the Guarantee of such
Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be pari passu in right of payment
with, or subordinated to, the Subsidiary Guarantee or (B)
subordinated in right of payment to the New Notes, then the
Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be subordinated
in right of payment to the Subsidiary Guarantee at least to the
extent that the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the
New Notes.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantee by a
Restricted Subsidiary may provide by its terms that it shall be
automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon
(i) any sale, exchange or transfer, to any Person not an
Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company's and each
Restricted Subsidiary's Capital Stock in, or all or substantially
all the assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary (which sale,
exchange or transfer is not prohibited by the Services Indenture)
or (ii) the release or discharge of the Guarantee which resulted
in the creation of such Subsidiary Guarantee, except a discharge
or release by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee.
Limitation on Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, renew or
extend any transaction (including, without limitation, the
purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property or assets, or the
rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary, except upon fair and reasonable terms
no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
than could be obtained, at the time of such transaction or, if
such transaction is pursuant to a written agreement, at the time
of the execution of the agreement providing therefor, in a
comparable arm's-length transaction with a Person that is not
such an Affiliate.
The foregoing limitation does not limit, and shall not apply
to (i) transactions (A) approved by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board of Directors or (B) for which
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary delivers to the Trustee a
written opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking
firm or a nationally recognized firm having expertise in the
specific area which is the subject of such determination stating
that the transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary from a financial point of view; (ii) any transaction
solely between the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
or solely between Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the payment of
reasonable and customary regular fees to, and indemnity provided
on behalf of, officers, directors, employees or consultants of
the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries; (iv) any payments or
other transactions pursuant to any tax-sharing agreement between
the Company and any other Person with which the Company files a
consolidated tax return or with which the Company is part of a
consolidated group for tax purposes; or (v) any Permitted
Investments and Restricted Payments not prohibited by the
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any transaction or series of related transactions
covered by the first paragraph of this "Limitation on
Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates" covenant and not
covered by clauses (ii) through (v) of this paragraph the
aggregate amount of which exceeds $2.0 million in value, must be
approved or determined to be fair in the manner provided for in
clause (i) (A) or (B) above.
Limitation on Liens
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien
on any of its assets or properties of any character (including,
without limitation, licenses), or any shares of Capital Stock or
Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary, without making
effective provision for all of the New Notes and all other
amounts due under the Services Indenture to be directly secured
equally and ratably with (or, if the obligation or liability to
be secured by such Lien is subordinated in right of payment to
the New Notes, prior to) the obligation or liability secured by
such Lien.
The foregoing limitation does not apply to (i) Liens
existing on the Closing Date or required on the Closing Date to
be provided in the future; (ii) Liens granted after the Closing
Date on any assets or Capital Stock of the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries created in favor of the Holders; (iii)
Liens with respect to the assets of a Restricted Subsidiary
granted by such Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary to secure Indebtedness owing to the Company
or such other Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) Liens securing
Indebtedness which is Incurred to refinance secured Indebtedness
which is permitted to be Incurred under clause (v) of the second
paragraph of the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant; provided
that such Liens do not extend to or cover any property or assets
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the
property or assets securing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
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(v) Liens on any property or assets of Restricted Subsidiaries
securing Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries permitted under
the "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant; or (vi) Permitted
Liens.
Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, enter into any sale-leaseback transaction
involving any of its assets or properties whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, whereby the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary sells or transfers such assets or properties and then
or thereafter leases such assets or properties or any part
thereof or any other assets or properties which the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, intends to use
for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the assets or
properties sold or transferred.
The foregoing restriction does not apply to any sale-
leaseback transaction if (i) the lease is for a period, including
renewal rights, of not in excess of three years; (ii) the lease
secures or relates to industrial revenue or pollution control
bonds; (iii) the transaction is solely between the Company and
any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or solely between Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; or (iv) the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, within 12 months after the sale or
transfer of any assets or properties is completed, applies an
amount not less than the net proceeds received from such sale in
accordance with clause (A) or (B) of the first paragraph of the
"Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant described below.
Limitation on Asset Sales
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, consummate any Asset Sale, unless (i) the
consideration received by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary is at least equal to the fair market value of the
assets sold or disposed of and (ii) at least 75% of the
consideration received consists of cash or Temporary Cash
Investments. For purposes of this covenant, the following are
deemed to be cash: (x) the principal amount or accreted value
(whichever is larger) of Indebtedness of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary with respect to which the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary has either (I) received a written release
or (II) been released by operation of law, in either case, from
all liability on such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset
Sale and (y) securities received by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary from the transferee that are promptly converted by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash. In the event and
to the extent that the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from one or more Asset
Sales occurring on or after the Closing Date in any period of 12
consecutive months exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net
Tangible Assets (determined as of the date closest to the
commencement of such 12-month period for which a consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been filed
with the Commission or provided to the Trustee pursuant to the
"Commission Reports and Reports to Holders" covenant), then the
Company shall or shall cause the relevant Restricted Subsidiary
to (i) within 12 months after the date Net Cash Proceeds so
received exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets
(A) apply an amount equal to such excess Net Cash Proceeds to
permanently repay unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Company, or
any Restricted Subsidiary providing a Subsidiary Guarantee
pursuant to the "Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by
Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant described above or Indebtedness
of any other Restricted Subsidiary, in each case owing to a
Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or (B) invest an equal amount, or the amount not so
applied pursuant to clause (A) (or enter into a definitive
agreement committing to so invest within 12 months after the date
of such agreement), (x) in property or assets (other than current
assets) of a nature or type or that are used in a business (or in
a Person (other than a natural person) having property and assets
of a nature or type, or engaged in a business) similar or related
to the nature or type of the property and assets of, or the
business of, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing
on the date of such investment (as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive
and evidenced by a Board Resolution) or (y) in property or assets
(other than current assets) related to the Telecommunications
Business, including, without limitation, telecommunications
switches and related equipment, services, leases, licenses,
capacity and rights-of-use, (or in a person (other than a natural
person) having property or assets related to the
Telecommunications Business, including, without limitation,
telecommunications switches and related equipment, services,
leases, licenses, capacity and rights-of-use) and (ii) apply (no
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later than the end of the 12-month period referred to in clause
(i)) such excess Net Cash Proceeds (to the extent not applied
pursuant to clause (i)) as provided in the following paragraph of
this "Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant. The amount of such
excess Net Cash Proceeds required to be applied (or to be
committed to be applied) during such 12-month period as set forth
in clause (i) of the preceding sentence and not applied as so
required by the end of such period shall constitute "Excess
Proceeds."
If, as of the first day of any calendar month, the aggregate
amount of Excess Proceeds not theretofore subject to an Offer to
Purchase pursuant to this "Limitation on Asset Sales" covenant
totals at least $20.0 million, the Company must commence, not
later than the fifteenth Business Day of such month, and
consummate an Offer to Purchase from the Holders on a pro rata
basis, and an offer to purchase any outstanding Indebtedness with
similar provisions requiring the Company to make an offer to
purchase such Indebtedness, in an aggregate principal amount at
maturity of New Notes (or, if prior to February 15, 2003, the
Accreted Value of the New Notes) and such pari passu Indebtedness
equal to (A) with respect to the New Notes, the product of such
Excess Proceeds multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which
is the outstanding principal amount at maturity of the New Notes
(or, if prior to February 15, 2003, the Accreted Value of the New
Notes) and the denominator of which is the sum of the outstanding
principal amount at maturity of the New Notes (or, if prior to
February 15, 2003, the Accreted Value of the New Notes) and such
pari passu Indebtedness (the product hereinafter referred to as
the "New Note Amount"), and (B) with respect to the pari passu
Indebtedness, the excess of the Excess Proceeds over the New Note
Amount, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the Accreted Value
of the New Notes or such pari passu Indebtedness, as the case may
be, on the relevant Payment Date or such other date set forth in
the documentation governing the pari passu Indebtedness, plus, in
each case, accrued interest (if any) to the Payment Date or such
other date set forth in the documentation governing the pari
passu Indebtedness. If the aggregate purchase price of the New
Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer to Purchase is less than the
Excess Proceeds, the remaining will be available for use by the
Company for general corporate purposes. Upon the consummation of
any Offer to Purchase in accordance with the terms of the
Services Indenture, the amount of Net Cash Proceeds from Asset
Sales subject to any future Offer to Purchase shall be deemed to
be zero.
REPURCHASE OF NEW NOTES UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL
The Company must commence, within 30 days of the occurrence
of a Change of Control, and consummate an Offer to Purchase for
all New Notes then outstanding, at a purchase price equal to 101%
of the Accreted Value thereof on the relevant Payment Date, plus
accrued interest (if any) to the Payment Date. There can be no
assurance that the Company will have sufficient funds available
at the time of any Change of Control to make repayment of
outstanding indebtedness (including repurchases of New Notes)
required by the foregoing covenant (as well as may be contained
in other securities of the Company which might be outstanding at
the time). The above covenant requiring the Company to repurchase
the New Notes will, unless consents are obtained, require the
Company to repay all indebtedness then outstanding which by its
terms would prohibit such New Note repurchase, either prior to or
concurrently with such Note repurchase. In the event the Company
is unable to consummate a repurchase of New Notes due to
insufficient funds upon a Change of Control, such failure will
constitute an immediate Event of Default under the Services
Indenture and will result, upon the declaration by the Trustee,
in the acceleration of the New Notes, whereby the Accreted Value
of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the New Notes will
be immediately due and payable.
COMMISSION REPORTS AND REPORTS TO HOLDERS
Whether or not the Company is required to file reports with
the Commission, the Company shall deliver for filing with the
Commission all such reports and other information as it would be
required to file with the Commission by Sections 13(a) or 15(d)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 if it were subject
thereto. All references herein to reports "filed" with the
Commission shall be deemed to refer to the reports then most
recently delivered for filing, whether or not accepted by the
Commission. The Company shall supply the Trustee and each Holder
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or shall supply to the Trustee for forwarding to each such
Holder, without cost to such Holder, copies of such reports and
other information.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The following events will be defined as "Events of Default"
in the Services Indenture: (a) default in the payment of
principal of (or premium, if any, on) any New Note when the same
becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration,
redemption or otherwise; (b) default in the payment of interest
on any New Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such
default continues for a period of 30 days; (c) the Company
defaults in the performance of or breaches any other covenant or
agreement of the Company in the Services Indenture or under the
New Notes (other than a default specified in clause (a) or (b)
above) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30
consecutive days after written notice by the Trustee or the
Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the New
Notes; (d) the Company shall have failed to make or consummate an
Offer to Purchase in accordance with the "Limitation on Asset
Sales" covenant above; (e) the Company shall have failed to make
or consummate an Offer to Purchase in accordance with the
provisions of "Repurchase of New Notes upon a Change of Control"
above; (f) there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of
Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary having
an outstanding principal amount of $10 million or more in the
aggregate for all such issues of all such Persons, whether such
Indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, (I) an
event of default that has caused the holder thereof to declare
such Indebtedness to be due and payable prior to its Stated
Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been discharged in full or
such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 30
days of such acceleration and/or (II) the failure to make a
principal payment at the final (but not any interim) fixed
maturity and such defaulted payment shall not have been made,
waived or extended within 30 days of such payment default; (g)
any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for the
payment of money in excess of $10 million in the aggregate
(treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so
covered) shall be rendered against the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary and shall not be paid or discharged, and there shall
be any period of 30 consecutive days following entry of the final
judgment or order that causes the aggregate amount for all such
final judgments or orders outstanding and not paid or discharged
against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries to
exceed $10 million during which a stay of enforcement of such
final judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or
otherwise, shall not be in effect; (h) a court having
jurisdiction in the premises enters a decree or order for (A)
relief in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in
an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (B) appointment
of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator or similar official of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the
property and assets of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
or (C) the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such
decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period
of 30 consecutive days; or (i) the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary (A) commences a voluntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an
involuntary case under any such law, (B) consents to the
appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator,
assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of
the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or
any Significant Subsidiary or (C) effects any general assignment
for the benefit of creditors.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default
specified in clause (h) or (i) above that occurs with respect to
the Company) occurs and is continuing under the Services
Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the New Notes, then outstanding, by
written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if such notice
is given by the Holders), may, and the Trustee at the request of
such Holders shall, declare the Accreted Value of, premium, if
any, and accrued interest on the New Notes to be immediately due
and payable. Upon a declaration of acceleration, such Accreted
Value of, premium, if any, and accrued interest shall be
immediately due and payable. In the event of a declaration of
acceleration because an Event of Default set forth in clause (f)
above has occurred and is continuing, such declaration of
acceleration shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the
event of default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to
clause (f) shall be remedied or cured by the Company or the
relevant Significant Subsidiary or waived by the holders of the
relevant Indebtedness within 60 days after the declaration of
acceleration with respect thereto. If an Event of Default
specified in clause (h) or (i) above occurs with respect to the
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Company, the Accreted Value of, premium, if any, and accrued
interest on the New Notes then outstanding shall ipso facto
become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration
or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding New Notes by written notice to the Company and to the
Trustee, may waive all past defaults and rescind and annul a
declaration of acceleration and its consequences if (i) all
existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the
Accreted Value of, premium, if any, and interest on the New Notes
that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration,
have been cured or waived and (ii) the rescission would not
conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction. For information as to the waiver of defaults, see
"-- Modification and Waiver."
The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding New Notes may direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction
that conflicts with law or the Services Indenture, that may
involve the Trustee in personal liability, or that the Trustee
determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights
of Holders of Notes not joining in the giving of such direction
and may take any other action it deems proper that is not
inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders of
Notes. A Holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to the
Services Indenture or the Notes unless: (i) the Holder gives the
Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default; (ii) the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding New Notes make a written request to the Trustee to
pursue the remedy; (iii) such Holder or Holders offer the Trustee
indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs,
liability or expense; (iv) the Trustee does not comply with the
request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer
of indemnity; and (v) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding New
Notes do not give the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent
with the request. However, such limitations do not apply to the
right of any Holder of a New Note to receive payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such New Note or
to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment, on or
after the due date expressed in the New Notes, which right shall
not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
The Services Indenture will require certain officers of the
Company to certify, on or before a date not more than 90 days
after the end of each fiscal year, that a review has been
conducted of the activities of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries and the Company's and its Restricted Subsidiaries'
performance under the Services Indenture and that the Company has
fulfilled all obligations thereunder, or, if there has been a
default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying
each such default and the nature and status thereof. The Company
will also be obligated to notify the Trustee of any default or
defaults in the performance of any covenants or agreements under
the Services Indenture.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
The Company will not consolidate with, merge with or into,
or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its property and assets (as an entirety or
substantially an entirety in one transaction or a series of
related transactions) to, any Person or permit any Person to
merge with or into the Company unless: (i) the Company shall be
the continuing Person, or the Person (if other than the Company)
formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged
or that acquired or leased such property and assets of the
Company shall be a corporation organized and validly existing
under the laws of the United States of America or any
jurisdiction thereof and shall expressly assume, by a
supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee,
all of the obligations of the Company on all of the New Notes and
under the Services Indenture; (ii) immediately after giving
effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing; (iii) immediately after giving
effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, (A) the Company
or any Person becoming the successor obligor of the Notes, as the
case may be, shall have a Consolidated Net Worth equal to or
greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company
immediately prior to such transaction or (B) the Company or any
Person becoming the successor obligor of the Notes, as the case
may be, shall have a Consolidated Leverage Ratio no more than the
greater of (I) 6:1 and (II) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio of
the Company immediately prior to such transaction; provided that
this clause (iii) shall not apply to a consolidation or merger
with or into a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary with a positive
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net worth; provided that, in connection with any such merger or
consolidation, no consideration (other than Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock) in the surviving Person or the Company)
shall be issued or distributed to the stockholders of the
Company; and (iv) the Company delivers to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate (attaching the arithmetic computations to
demonstrate compliance with clause (iii) above) and Opinion of
Counsel, in each case stating that such consolidation, merger or
transfer and such supplemental indenture complies with this
provision and that all conditions precedent provided for herein
relating to such transaction have been complied with; provided,
however, that clause (iii) above does not apply if, in the good
faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company,
whose determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, the
principal purpose of such transaction is to change the state of
incorporation of the Company; and that any such transaction shall
not have as one of its purposes the evasion of the foregoing
limitations.
DEFEASANCE
Defeasance and Discharge. The Services Indenture will
provide that the Company will be deemed to have paid and will be
discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the New
Notes on the 123rd day after the deposit referred to below, and
the provisions of the Services Indenture will no longer be in
effect with respect to the New Notes (except for, among other
matters, certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange
of the New Notes, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated New Notes,
to maintain paying agencies and to hold monies for payment in
trust) if, among other things, (A) the Company has deposited with
the Trustee, in trust, money and/or U.S. Government Obligations
that through the payment of interest and principal in respect
thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an
amount sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and
accrued interest on the New Notes on the Stated Maturity of such
payments in accordance with the terms of the Services Indenture
and the New Notes, (B) the Company has delivered to the Trustee
(i) either (x) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders
will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of the Company's exercise of its option
under this "Defeasance" provision and will be subject to federal
income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such deposit,
defeasance and discharge had not occurred, which Opinion of
Counsel must be based upon (and accompanied by a copy of) a
ruling of the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect unless
there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law
after the Closing Date such that a ruling is no longer required
or (y) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the
Internal Revenue Service to the same effect as the aforementioned
Opinion of Counsel and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
that the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and after the passage of 123 days
following the deposit, the trust fund will not be subject to the
effect of Section 547 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or
Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law, (C)
immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma
basis, no Event of Default, or event that after the giving of
notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default,
shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit
or during the period ending on the 123rd day after the date of
such deposit, and such deposit shall not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement
or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
bound and (D) if at such time the New Notes are listed on a
national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the
Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the New Notes
will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and
discharge, provided that if simultaneously with the deposit of
the money and/or U.S. Government Obligations referred to in (A)
above, the Company has caused an irrevocable, transferrable,
standby letter of credit to be issued by a bank with capital and
surplus exceeding the principal amount of the New Notes then
outstanding, expiring not earlier than 180 days from its
issuance, in favor of the Trustee which permits the Trustee to
draw an amount equal to the principal, premium, if any, and
accrued interest on the New Notes through the expiry date of the
letter of credit, then the Company will be deemed to have paid
and discharged any and all obligations in respect of the New
Notes on the date of the deposit and issuance of the letter of
credit.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants and Certain Events of
Default. The Services Indenture further will provide that the
provisions of the Services Indenture will no longer be in effect
with respect to clause (iii) under "Consolidation, Merger and
Sale of Assets" and all the covenants described herein under
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"Covenants," clause (c) under "Events of Default" with respect to
such other covenants and clauses (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) under
"Events of Default" shall be deemed not to be Events of Default
upon, among other things, the deposit with the Trustee, in trust,
of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations that through the
payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in
accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued
interest on the New Notes on the Stated Maturity of such payments
in accordance with the terms of the Services Indenture and the
New Notes, the satisfaction of the provisions described in
clauses (B)(ii), (C) and (D) of the preceding paragraph and the
delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel
to the effect that, among other things, the Holders will not
recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as
a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain covenants and
Events of Default and will be subject to federal income tax on
the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not
occurred.
Defeasance and Certain Other Events of Default. In the event
the Company exercises its option to omit compliance with certain
covenants and provisions of the Services Indenture with respect
to the New Notes as described in the immediately preceding
paragraph and the New Notes are declared due and payable because
of the occurrence of an Event of Default that remains applicable,
the amount of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations on deposit
with the Trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the New
Notes at the time of their Stated Maturity but may not be
sufficient to pay amounts due on the New Notes at the time of the
acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. However, the
Company will remain liable for such payments.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Modifications and amendments of the Services Indenture may
be made by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the
Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding New Notes; provided, however, that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of each Holder
affected thereby, (i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal
of, or any installment of interest on, any New Note, (ii) reduce
the Accreted Value or principal amount of, or premium, if any, or
interest on, any New Note, (iii) change the place or currency of
payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any
New Note, (iv) impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on or after the Stated Maturity (or,
in the case of a redemption, on or after the Redemption Date) of
any New Note, (v) reduce the above-stated percentage of
outstanding New Notes the consent of whose Holders is necessary
to modify or amend the Services Indenture, (vi) waive a default
in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on
the New Notes or (vii) reduce the percentage or aggregate
principal amount of outstanding New Notes the consent of whose
Holders is necessary for waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of the Services Indenture or for waiver of certain
defaults.
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS,
DIRECTORS, OR EMPLOYEES
The Services Indenture provides that no recourse for the
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any
of the New Notes or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in
respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation,
covenant or agreement of the Company in the Services Indenture,
or in any of the New Notes or because of the creation of any
Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any
incorporator, stockholder, officer, director, employee or
controlling person of the Company or of any successor Person
thereof. Each Holder, by accepting the New Notes, waives and
releases all such liability.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
The Services Indenture provides that, except during the
continuance of a Default, the Trustee will not be liable, except
for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth
in such Services Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, the Trustee will use the same degree of care
and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise
under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own
affairs.
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The Services Indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture
Act incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the
rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of Holdings or
the Guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to
realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such
claims, as security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to
engage in other transactions; provided, however, that if it
acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such
conflict or resign.
BOOK ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
All of the Old Notes were originally issued in the form of
one Global Note (the "Global Old Note"). The Global Old Note was
deposited upon issuance with the Trustee as custodian for, and
registered in the name of a nominee of, The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC"), in New York, New York. The New Notes will be
issued in the form of one Global Note (the "Global New Note") and
deposited upon issuance with and registered in the name of, or on
behalf of, DTC or its nominee.
So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner or
holder of a Global New Note, DTC or such nominee, as the case may
be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the New Notes
represented by such Global New Note for all purposes under the
Services Indenture and the New Notes. No beneficial owner of an
interest in a Global New Note will be able to transfer that
interest except in accordance with DTC's applicable procedures,
in addition to those provided for under the Services Indenture.
Payments of the principal of, and interest on, a Global New
Note will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as
the registered owner thereof. Neither the Company, the Trustee
nor any Paying Agent will have any responsibility or liability
for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on
account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global New Note or
for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
such beneficial ownership interests.
The Company expects that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of
any payment of principal or interest in respect of a Global New
Note, will credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the
principal amount of such Global New Note as shown on the records
of DTC or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global New
Note held through such participants will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with
securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the
names of nominees for such customers. Such payments will be the
responsibility of such participants.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in
the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled
in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear &
Cedel Bank will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance
with their respective rules and operating procedures.
New Notes that are issued as described below will be issued
in the form of registered definitive certificates (the
"Certificated New Notes"). Such Certificated New Notes may,
unless the applicable Global New Note has previously been
exchanged for Certificated New Notes, be exchanged for an
interest in the applicable Global New Note representing the
principal amount of Old Notes being transferred.
The Company expects that DTC will take any action permitted
to be taken by a holder of New Notes (including the presentation
of New Notes for exchange as described below) only at the
direction of one or more participants to whose account the DTC
interests in a Global New Note is credited and only in respect of
such portion of the aggregate principal amount of New Notes as to
which such participant or participants has or have given such
direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the New
Notes, DTC will exchange the applicable Global New Note for
Certificated New Notes, which it will distribute to its
participants and which may be legended as set forth under the
heading "Transfer Restrictions."
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The Company understands that: DTC is a limited purpose trust
company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a
"banking organization" within the meaning of New York Banking
Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing
corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code
and a "Clearing Agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of
Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold
securities for its participants and facilitate the clearance and
settlement of securities transactions between participants
through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its
participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement
of certificates and certain other organizations. Indirect access
to the DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or
indirectly ("indirect participants").
Although DTC is expected to follow the foregoing procedures
in order to facilitate transfers of interests in a Global New
Note among participants of DTC, it is under no obligation to
perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such
procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither the Company
nor the Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance
by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of its
obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations.
If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as a
depositary for the Global New Notes and a successor depositary is
not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will
issue Certificated New Notes, which may bear the legend referred
to under "Transfer Restrictions," in exchange for the Global New
Notes. Holders of an interest in a Global New Note may receive
Certificated New Notes, which may bear the legend referred to
under "Transfer Restrictions," in accordance with the DTC's rules
and procedures in addition to those provided for under the
Services Indenture.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, counsel to the Company, has advised
the Company that the following disclosure as to legal matters is
their opinion as to the material anticipated federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the
New Notes. Except where noted, this opinion deals only with New
Notes held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), by
United States Holders (as defined below), and does not deal with
special situations, such as those of dealers in securities or
currencies, financial institutions, life insurance companies, tax
exempt organizations, persons holding New Notes as a part of a
hedging or conversion transaction or a straddle or United States
Holders whose "functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar.
Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of
the Code and Treasury regulations, administrative and judicial
decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities
may be repealed, revoked or modified with possible retroactive
effect so as to result in federal income tax consequences
different from those discussed below. ALL PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS
ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE
FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NEW NOTES.
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO UNITED STATES HOLDERS
As used herein, a "United States Holder" means a beneficial
owner that is a citizen or resident of the United States, a
corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in
or under the laws of the United States or any political
subdivision thereof, an estate the income of which is subject to
United States federal income taxation regardless of its source,
or a trust the administration of which is subject to the primary
supervision of a court within the United States and for which one
or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions. An individual may, subject to certain
exceptions, be deemed to be a resident (as opposed to a non-
resident alien) of the United States by virtue of being present
in the United States on at least 31 days in the calendar year and
for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period
ending in the current calendar year (counting for such purposes
all of the days present in the current year, one-third of the
days present in the immediately preceding year, and one-sixth of
the days present in the second preceding year). A "Non-United
States Holder" is a holder that is not a United States Holder.
Exchange of Old Notes for New Notes
An exchange of a debt instrument for another debt instrument
will not constitute a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax
purposes unless such exchange is deemed to be a "modification"
of the original debt instrument and such modification is deemed
to be "significant." The New Notes are identical to the Old Notes
except that the New Notes will be registered under the Securities
Act and will not bear legends restricting the transfer thereof.
Under recently issued Treasury regulations, the exchange of Old
Notes for New Notes should not constitute a taxable event because
the registration feature of the New Notes should neither be a
modification nor economically significant. However, there is no
judicial or administrative guidance on this issue. See "Risk
Factors -- Possible Unfavorable Consequences of the Exchange."
Assuming that
the exchange is not a taxable event, a United States Holder will
have the same tax basis and holding period in the New Note as such
Holder did in the Old Note. In addition, a United States Holder
will have the same OID, market discount and acquisition premium
(as described below) in the New Note as such Holder had in the
Old Note.
Payments of Interest on the New Notes
The stated interest on a New Note will not be treated as
interest for federal income tax purposes, but instead will be
subject to the original issue discount ("OID") rules described
below. Payments of stated interest on a New Note will not be
separately included in income, but rather will be treated first
as payments of previously accrued OID and then as payments of
principal and consequently will reduce a United States Holder's
basis in a New Note as described below under "-- Sale, Exchange
or Redemption of New Notes."
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<PAGE>
Original Issue Discount
The New Notes are being issued with OID. The excess of a New
Note's "stated redemption price at maturity" over its "issue
price" will generally constitute OID for federal income tax
purposes. The "issue price" of a debt instrument issued for cash
is equal to the first price at which a substantial amount of such
debt instruments are sold (excluding sales to bond houses and
brokers). The "stated redemption price at maturity" of a debt
instrument is the sum of its principal amount plus all other
payments required thereunder, other than payments of "qualified
stated interest" (defined generally as stated interest that is
unconditionally payable in cash or in property (other than the
debt instruments of the issuer), at least annually at a single
fixed rate that appropriately takes into account the length of
intervals between payments).
Because interest on the New Notes is not payable until
August 15, 2003, the stated interest on the New Notes will not be
treated as qualified stated interest. In addition, the New Notes
are being issued at a price that is less than their stated
principal amount. As a result, the New Notes will be treated as
issued with OID equal to the excess of their stated redemption
price at maturity (which will be equal to the sum of the
principal amount plus all payments of stated interest) over their
issue price.
United States Holders of the New Notes should be aware that
they generally must include OID in gross income for federal
income tax purposes on an annual basis under a constant yield
accrual method, regardless of their method of accounting. As a
result, United States Holders will include OID in income in
advance of the receipt of cash attributable to that income.
However, United States Holders of New Notes generally will not be
required to include separately in income cash interest payments
received on the New Notes. The Company will report to United
States Holders of New Notes on a timely basis the reportable
amount of OID based on its understanding of applicable law.
The amount of OID includible in income by the initial United
States Holder of a New Note is the sum of the "daily portions" of
OID with respect to the New Note for each day during the taxable
year or portion of the taxable year in which such United States
Holder held such New Note. The daily portion is determined by
allocating to each day in any "accrual period" a pro rata portion
of the OID allocable to that accrual period. The "accrual period"
for a New Note may be of any length and may vary in length over
the term of the New Note, provided that each accrual period is no
longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or
interest occurs on the first day or the final day of an accrual
period. The amount of OID allocable to any accrual period is an
amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the product of the New
Note's adjusted issue price at the beginning of such accrual
period and its yield to maturity (determined on the basis of
compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly
adjusted for the length of the accrual period) over (b) the
amount of any qualified stated interest allocable to the accrual
period. OID allocable to a final accrual period is the difference
between the amount payable at maturity (other than a payment of
qualified stated interest) and the adjusted issue price at the
beginning of the final accrual period. The yield of a New Note
is, rounded to two decimal places, 10.00%. The "adjusted issue
price" of a New Note at the beginning of any accrual period is
equal to its issue price increased by the accrued OID for each
prior accrual period (determined without regard to the
amortization of any acquisition or bond premium, as described
below) and reduced by any payments made on such New Note (other
than qualified stated interest) on or before the first day of the
accrual period.
The New Notes may be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity
at the option of the Company. For purposes of computing the yield
of such instrument, the Company will be deemed to exercise or not
exercise its option to redeem the New Notes in a manner that
minimizes the yield on the New Notes. It is not anticipated that
the Company's ability to redeem prior to stated maturity will
affect the yield of the New Notes. Consequently, the Company does
not intend to treat the redemption option as affecting the
computation of the yield to maturity of the New Notes.
In the event of a change of control, the Company will be
required to offer to repurchase all of the New Notes. The right
of holders to require repurchase upon a Change of Control will
not affect the yield or maturity date of the New Notes provided
that, based on all the facts and circumstances as of the issue
date, the payment schedule on such New Notes that does not
reflect a change of control is significantly more likely than not
to occur. The Company does not intend to treat the change of
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<PAGE>
control provisions of the New Notes as affecting the computation
of the yield to maturity of the New Notes.
Market Discount
With respect to a United States Holder who purchased an Old
Note at original issuance, such instrument, and, accordingly, a
New Note held by such holder, will not be treated as issued with
"market discount" for federal income tax purposes unless the Old
Note was purchased for less than its issue price and the
difference between the purchase price and the issue price is
greater than a specified de minimis amount. With respect to a
subsequent United States Holder who purchased an Old Note or who
purchases a New Note, such Note will not be treated as issued
with market discount for federal income tax purposes unless such
Note was purchased for less than its stated redemption price at
maturity and the difference between the purchase price and the
stated redemption price at maturity is greater than a specified
de minimis amount. Under the market discount rules, a United
States Holder holding a Note with market discount will be
required to treat any principal payment on an Old Note or a New
Note, or any gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other
disposition of such Note, as ordinary income to the extent of the
market discount which has not previously been included in income
and is treated as having accrued on such Note at the time of such
payment or disposition. In addition, the United States Holder will
be required, in certain circumstances, to defer, until the
maturity of such Note or its
earlier disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of
all or a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness
incurred or continued to purchase or carry such Note.
Any market discount will be considered to accrue ratably
during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity
date of such Note, unless the United States Holder elects to
accrue on a constant interest rate method. A United States Holder
of Note may elect to include market discount in income currently
as it accrues (on either a ratable or constant interest rate
method), in which case the rule described above regarding
deferral of interest deductions will not apply. This election to
include market discount in income currently, once made, applies
to all market discount obligations acquired on or after the first
taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked
without the consent of the IRS.
Acquisition Premium
A United States Holder that purchases a New Note for an
amount that is greater than its adjusted issue price but equal to
or less than the sum of all amounts payable on the New Note after
the purchase date, will be considered to have purchased such New
Note at an "acquisition premium." Under the acquisition premium
rules, the amount of OID, if any, which such United States Holder
must include in its gross income with respect to such New Note
for any taxable year will be reduced by the portion of such
acquisition premium properly allocable to such year.
Sale, Exchange or Redemption of New Notes
Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of a New Note, a
United States Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized upon the sale, exchange or
redemption and such United States Holder's adjusted tax basis of
the New Note. A United States Holder's tax basis in a New Note
will, in general, be the United States Holder's cost therefor,
increased by OID and market discount previously included in
income by the United States Holder with respect to the New Notes
and reduced by any principal and stated interest payments on the
New Notes. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss.
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 includes substantial changes
to the federal taxation of capital gains recognized by certain
noncorporate taxpayers, such as individuals, including a 20%
maximum tax rate for certain gains from the sale of capital
assets held for more than 18 months. The deduction of capital
losses is subject to certain limitations.
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<PAGE>
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to
certain payments of principal and OID and to the proceeds of
sales of New Notes made to United States Holders other than
certain exempt recipients (such as corporations). A 31% backup
withholding tax will apply to such payments if the United States
Holder (i) fails to provide a taxpayer identification number,
(ii) furnishes an incorrect TIN, (iii) is notified by the
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that it has failed to properly
report payments of interest and dividends or (iv) under certain
circumstances, fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that
it has furnished a correct TIN and has not been notified by the
IRS that it is subject to backup withholding. In the case of
interest paid after December 31, 1999, a United States Holder
generally will be subject to backup withholding at a 31% rate
unless certain IRS certification procedures are complied with
directly or through an intermediary.
The Company will furnish annually to the IRS and to record
holders of the New Notes (other than with respect to certain
exempt holders) information relating to the OID accruing during
the calendar year. The annual accruals of OID included in such
information will be based on the amount of OID that would have
accrued to a United States Holder who acquired the Old Note at
original issue.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will
be allowed as a refund or a credit against such United States
Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
Interest and OID on New Notes
Subject to the discussion below concerning backup
withholding, no withholding of United States federal income tax
will be required with respect to the payment by the Company or
any paying agent of principal or interest (which for purposes of
this discussion includes OID) on a New Note owned by a Non-United
States Holder, provided that the beneficial owner (i) does not
actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to
vote within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3) of the Code and the
regulations thereunder, (ii) is not a controlled foreign
corporation related, directly or indirectly, to the Company
through stock ownership, (iii) is not a bank whose receipt of
interest on a New Note is described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of
the Code and (iv) satisfies the statement requirement (described
generally below) set forth in Section 871(h) and Section 881(c)
of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
To satisfy the requirement referred to in (iv) above, the
beneficial owner of such New Note, or a financial institution
holding the New Note on behalf of such owner, must provide, in
accordance with specified procedures, the Company or its paying
agent with a statement to the effect that the beneficial owner is
not a U.S. person. These requirements will be met if (1) the
beneficial owner provides his name and address, and certifies,
under penalties of perjury, that he is not a U.S. person (which
certification may be made on an IRS Form W-8 (or successor form))
or (2) a financial institution holding the New Note on behalf of
the beneficial owner certifies, under penalties of perjury, that
such statement has been received by it and furnishes a paying
agent with a copy thereof.
In the event that any of the above requirements are not
satisfied, the Company will nonetheless not withhold federal
income tax on interest paid to or accrued by a Non-United States
Holder if it receives IRS Form 4224 (or, after December 31, 1999,
a Form W-8) from that Non-United States Holder, establishing that
such income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business in the United States, unless the Company has
knowledge to the contrary. Interest (including OID) paid to a
Non-United States Holder (other than a partnership) that is
effectively connected with the conduct by the holder of a trade
or business in the United States is generally taxed at the
graduated rates that are applicable to United States persons. In
the case of a Non-United States Holder that is a corporation,
such corporation will, in certain circumstances, also be subject
to the United States federal branch profits tax, which is generally
imposed on a foreign corporation's deemed repatriation from
the United States of its effectively connected earnings and profits
at a 30% rate (unless the rate is reduced or eliminated by an
applicable income tax treaty and the holder is a qualified
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<PAGE>
resident of the treaty country). Special rules apply to
interest paid to or accrued by a partnership with foreign
partners (i.e., persons who would be Non-United States Holders if
they held the New Notes directly).
Sale, Exchange or Redemption of New Notes
A Non-United States Holder will generally not be subject to
United States federal income tax with respect to gain recognized
on a sale, exchange or redemption of New Notes unless (i) the
gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the
Non-United States Holder in the United States, (ii) in the case
of a Non-United States Holder who is an individual and holds the
New Notes as a capital asset, such holder is present in the
United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the
sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met,
or (iii) the Non-United States Holder is subject to tax pursuant
to certain provisions of the Code applicable to United States
expatriates.
Gains derived by a Non-United States Holder (other than a
partnership) from the sale or other disposition of New Notes that
are effectively connected with the conduct by the Holder of a
trade or business in the United States are generally taxed at the
graduated rates that are applicable to United States persons. In
the case of a Non-United States Holder that is a corporation,
such corporation will, in certain circumstances, also be subject
to the United States branch profits tax. If an individual Non-United
States Holder falls under clause (ii) above, he will be subject
to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale or other
disposition, which may be offset by United States capital losses
recognized within the same taxable year as such sale or other
disposition (notwithstanding the fact that he is not considered a
resident of the United States). Special rules apply to the
sale, exchange or redemption of New Notes by partnerships with
foreign partners (i.e., persons who would be Non-United States
Holders if they held the New Notes directly).
Federal Estate Tax
A New Note beneficially owned by an individual who at the
time of death is a Non-United States Holder will not be subject
to United States federal estate tax as a result of such
individual's death, provided that such individual does not
actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to
vote within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3) of the Code and
provided that the interest payments with respect to such New Note
would not have been, if received at the time of such individual's
death, effectively connected with the conduct of a United States
trade or business by such individual.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
No information reporting or backup withholding will be
required with respect to payments made by the Company or any
paying agent to Non-United States Holders if a statement
described in (iv) under "Tax Consequences to Non-United States
Holders -- Interest and OID on New Notes" has been received and
the payor does not have actual knowledge that the beneficial
owner is a United States person.
Information reporting and backup withholding will not apply
if payments of OID on a New Note are paid or collected by a
custodian, nominee, or agent on behalf of the beneficial owner of
such New Note if such custodian, nominee, or agent has
documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is
not a U.S. person and certain other conditions are met, or the
beneficial owner otherwise establishes an exemption.
Payments on the sale, exchange or other disposition of a New
Note made to or through a foreign office of a broker generally
will not be subject to backup withholding. However, if the broker
is a United States person, a controlled foreign corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes, a foreign person 50
percent or more of whose gross income is effectively connected
with a United States trade or business for a specified three year
period, or (with respect to payments after December 31, 1999) a
foreign partnership with certain connections to the United
States, such payments will be subject to information reporting
unless the broker has in its records documentary evidence that
the beneficial owner is not a United States person and certain
other conditions are met, or the beneficial owner otherwise
establishes an exemption. With respect to payments made after
December 31, 1999, backup withholding will apply, under
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certain circumstances, to any
payment that such broker is required to report if the broker has
actual knowledge that the payee is a United States person.
Payments to or through the United States office of a broker will
be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless
the Non-United States Holder certifies, under penalties of
perjury, that it is not a United States person or otherwise
establishes an exemption.
For payments made after December 31, 1999, with respect to
New Notes held by foreign partnerships, IRS regulations require
that the certification described in (iv) under "Interest and OID
on New Notes" above be provided by the partners, rather than by
the foreign partnership, and that the partnership provide certain
information, including a United States taxpayer identification
number. A look-through rule will apply in the case of tiered
partnerships.
Non-United States Holders should consult their tax advisors
regarding the application of information reporting and backup
withholding in their particular situations, the availability of
an exemption therefrom, and the procedures for obtaining such an
exemption, if available. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or credit against
the Non-United States Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability
and may entitle such Holder to a refund, provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Except as described below, a broker-dealer may not
participate in the Exchange Offer in connection with a
distribution of the New Notes. Each broker-dealer that receives
New Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with
any resale of such New Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a
broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes received in
exchange for Old Notes where such Old Notes were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities.
The Company shall for a period of 90 days after the Expiration
Date make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available
to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.
In addition, until October 14, 1998 all dealers effecting
transactions in the New Notes may be required to deliver a
prospectus.
The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of
New Notes by broker-dealers. New Notes received by broker-dealers
for their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold
from time to time in one or more transactions in the
over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the
writing of options on the New Notes or a combination of such
methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of
resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or
negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to
purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any
such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such New Notes.
Any broker-dealer that resells New Notes that were received by it
for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker
or dealer that participates in a distribution of such New Notes
may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of New Notes and
any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may
be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities
Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that
it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer
will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the Securities Act.
The Company has agreed to pay all expenses incident to the
Exchange Offer other than commissions or concessions of any
brokers or dealers and expenses of counsel for the holders of the
New Notes and will indemnify the holders of the New Notes
(including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the New Notes offered hereby and certain tax
matters will be passed upon by Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, New York,
New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of NETCOM On-Line
Communication Services, Inc. at December 31, 1996 and 1997, and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1997, appearing in this Prospectus and in the Registration
Statement, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, as set forth in their report thereon appearing
elsewhere herein and in the Registration Statement and are
included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
ICG Services, Inc. has appointed KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
the independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998.
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<PAGE>
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
----
NETCOM ON-LINE COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors . . . F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31,
1996 and 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 . . . . F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996
and 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years
ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 . . . . . . . F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . F-7
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of December
31, 1997 and March 31, 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . .F-18
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 .F-20
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity
(unaudited) for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F-21
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for
the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 . . .F-22
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) F-23
F-1
<PAGE>
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
NETCOM On-Line Communication Services, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets
of NETCOM On-Line Communication Services, Inc. as of December 31,
1996 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we
plan and perform the 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 NETCOM On-Line Communication
Services, Inc. at December 31, 1996 and 1997 and the consolidated
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
San Jose, California
February 13, 1998
F-2
<PAGE>
NETCOM ON-LINE COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands except share and per share amounts)
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------
1996 1997
----------- -------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents . . . $ 73,408 $ 63,368
Short term investments . . . . 849 -
Amounts receivable, net of
allowance for doubtful
accounts of $896 and
$1,628 in 1996 and 1997,
respectively . . . . . . . . . 1,284 2,397
Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . 464 341
Prepaid expenses . . . . . . . 2,484 3,554
------- -------
Total current assets . . . . 78,489 69,660
Property and equipment at
cost, net . . . . . . . . . . . 84,373 72,945
Deferred subscriber
acquisition costs, net . . . . 5,595 3,115
Deposits and other assets . . . 1,177 1,127
------- -------
Total assets . . . . . $169,634 $146,847
======= =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable . . . . $ 7,517 $ 9,314
Accrued payroll and related
expenses . . . . . . . . . . 3,727 5,897
Other accrued expenses and
liabilities . . . . . . . . . 10,669 8,090
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . 2,930 5,170
Short-term capital lease
obligations . . . . . . . . . . - 2,491
------- -------
Total current liabilities . 24,843 30,962
------- -------
Long-term capital lease
obligations . . . . . . . . . . - 3,550
------- -------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock. $0.01 per
value; 5,000,000 authorized
and none issued . . . . . . . - -
Common stock, $0.01 par
value; authorized
shares - 40,000,000;
11,630,900 and 11,783,100
shares issued and
outstanding at December 31,
1996 and 1997,
respectively . . . . . . . . 116 117
Additional paid-in capital . 205,506 207,208
Accumulated deficit . . . . . (62,042) (95,134)
Cumulative translation
adjustment and other . . 1,211 144
------- -------
Total
stockholders'
equity . . . . . . . . . . 144,791 112,335
------- -------
Total liabilities
and stockholders'
equity . . . . . . . . $169,634 $146,847
======= =======
See accompanying notes
F-3
<PAGE>
NETCOM ON-LINE COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands except per share amounts)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------
1995 1996 1997
---- ---- ----
Revenue . . . . . . . . $ 52,422 $120,540 $160,660
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue . . . 36,641 88,396 118,432
Product development . 2,240 6,020 6,518
Sales and marketing . 18,771 51,237 49,375
General and
administrative . . . 11,016 23,610 22,264
Restructuring and
related charges . . . - - 1,879
------- ------- -------
Total costs and
expenses . . . . . 68,668 169,263 198,468
------- ------- -------
Loss from operations . (16,246) (48,723) (37,808)
Gain (loss) on
investment . . . . . . - (1,200) 1,274
Interest income and
other, net . . . . . . 2,197 5,681 3,480
------- ------- -------
Loss before provision
for income taxes . . . (14,049) (44,242) (33,054)
Provision for income
taxes . . . . . . . . 15 23 38
------- ------- -------
Net loss . . . . . . . $(14,064) $(44,265) $(33,092)
------- -------- -------
Basic and diluted net
loss per share . . . . $(1.68) $(3.85) $(2.82)
======= ======== ========
Shares used in
computing basic and
diluted net loss per
share . . . . . . . . 8,350 11,498 11,717
======= ======== ========
See accompanying notes
F-4
<PAGE>
NETCOM ON-LINE COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands except per share amounts)
COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL
------------------- PAID-IN
SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL
------ ------ ----------
Balance at December 31,
1994 . . . . . . . . 6,724,500 $ 67 $31,610
Proceeds from issuance
of common stock, net
of issuance costs. . 3,750,000 38 169,177
Issuance of common
stock for the
acquisition of
Professional
Internet Consulting,
Inc. . . . . . . . 32,200 -- 1,000
Issuance of common
stock for investment
in The McKinley
Group, Inc. . . . . 12,600 -- 300
Exercise of stock
options and
purchases under
employee stock
purchase plan and
other . . . . . . 576,800 6 1,073
Cumulative translation
adjustment . . . . -- -- --
Net loss . . . . . . -- -- --
---------- ---- --------
Balance at December 31,
1995 . . . . . . . . 11,096,100 111 203,160
Exercise of stock
options and
purchases under
employee stock
purchase plan and
other . . . . . . . 534,800 5 2,346
Unrealized gains on
available for sale
investments . . . . -- -- --
Cumulative translation
adjustment . . . . . -- -- --
Net loss . . . . . . . -- -- --
---------- ---- --------
Balance at December 31,
1996 . . . . . . . . . 11,630,900 116 205,506
Exercise of stock
options and
purchases under
employee stock
purchase plan and
other . . . . . . . 152,200 1 1,702
Change in unrealized
gains on available
for sale investments. -- -- --
Cumulative translation
adjustment . . . . . -- -- --
Net loss . . . . . . . -- -- --
---------- ---- --------
Balance at December 31, 1997. 11,783,100 $117 $207,208
========== ==== ========
RETAINED CUMULATIVE TOTAL
EARNINGS TRANSLATION STOCK-
(ACCUMULATED ADJUSTMENT HOLDERS'
DEFICIT) AND OTHER EQUITY
------------ ----------- --------
Balance at December 31,
1994 . . . . . . . . . $ (3,713) $ -- $ 27,964
Proceeds from issuance
of common stock, net
of issuance costs. . -- -- 169,215
Issuance of common
stock for the
acquisition of
Professional
Internet Consulting,
Inc. . . . . . . . . -- -- 1,000
Issuance of common
stock for investment
in The McKinley
Group, Inc. . . . . -- -- 300
Exercise of stock
options and
purchases under
employee stock
purchase plan and
other . . . . . . . -- -- 1,079
Cumulative translation
adjustment . . . . . -- (28) (28)
Net loss . . . . . . (14,064) -- (14,064)
------- ---- --------
Balance at December 31,
1995 . . . . . . . . (17,777) (28) 185,466
Exercise of stock
options and
purchases under
employee stock
purchase plan and
other . . . . . . -- -- 2,351
Unrealized gains on
available for sale
investments . . . -- 540 540
Cumulative translation
adjustment . . . . -- 699 699
Net loss . . . . . . (44,265) -- (44,265)
-------- ---- --------
Balance at December 31,
1996 . . . . . . . . (62,042) 1,211 144,791
Exercise of stock
options and
purchases under
employee stock
purchase plan and
other . . . . . . -- -- 1,703
Change in unrealized
gains on available
for sale investments. -- (540) (540)
Cumulative translation
adjustment . . . . -- (527) (527)
Net loss . . . . . . . (33,092) -- (33,092)
-------- ---- --------
Balance at December 31, 1997.. $(95,134) $144 $112,335
======== ==== ========
See accompanying notes
F-5
<PAGE>
NETCOM ON-LINE COMMUNICATION SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
---- ---- ----
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss . . . . $(14,064) $(44,265) $(33,092)
Adjustments to
reconcile net
loss to net cash
used in
operating
activities:
Write-off of
fixed assets
and deferred
subscriber
acquisitions
costs . . . . -- -- 992
Depreciation and
amortization. 7,190 17,401 25,886
Amortization of
deferred subscriber
acquisition costs
included in sales
and marketing
expenses . . . 2,755 12,225 8,914
Loss on disposal
of assets . . 1,311 286 653
(Gain) loss on
investments . -- 1,200 (1,274)
Changes in
assets and
liabilities:
Accounts
receivable,
net . . . . (3) 169 (1,113)
Inventory . . (115) (258) 123
Prepaid
expenses and
other
current
assets . . (670) (1,013) (1,070)
Deposits and
other assets. (477) (657) 50
Trade accounts
payable . . 5,944 (3,872) 2,012
Accrued
payroll and
related
expenses . 1,480 1,573 2,170
Other accrued
expenses and
liabilities 1,898 8,248 (2,079)
Deferred
subscriber
acquisition
costs, net (5,505) (14,368) (6,542)
Deferred
revenue . . (205) 1,680 2,240
-------- -------- --------
Total adjustments.. 13,603 22,614 30,962
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in
operating (461) (21,651) (2,130)
activities . . . -------- -------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of
property and
equipment . . (43,361) (53,992) (10,865)
Proceeds from
disposal of
property and
equipment . . -- -- 253
Cash acquired from
PICnet . . . . 59 -- --
Proceeds from sale
of Excite . . -- -- 1,583
Investment in
affiliates . . (1,200) -- --
Product
development costs. (240) -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in
investing activities (44,742) (53,992) (9,029)
-------- -------- --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from
capital lease
line . . . . . -- -- 1,578
Repayment of
capital lease
obligations . -- -- (1,930)
Proceeds from
issuance of
common stock,
net of issuance
costs . . . . 170,294 2,351 1,703
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by
financing
activities . . . 170,294 2,351 1,351
-------- -------- --------
Net increase
(decrease) in cash
and cash
equivalents . . 125,091 (73,292) (9,808)
Effects of exchange
rates on cash . (28) 699 (232)
Cash and cash
equivalents at
beginning of
period . . . . . 20,938 146,001 73,408
-------- -------- --------
Cash and cash
equivalents at end
of period . . . $146,001 $ 73,408 $ 63,368
======== ======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURES OF
CASH FLOW
INFORMATION:
Interest paid . . . $ 7 $ -- $ 493
======== ======== ========
Income taxes paid . $ 8 $ 23 $ 26
======== ======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL
INFORMATION ON
NONCASH INVESTING
AND FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
Stock issued for
investments in
affiliates . . . $ 1,300 $ -- $ --
======== ======== ========
Purchases of
equipment under
capital lease
obligations . . $ -- $ -- $ 6,393
======== ======== ========
See accompanying notes
F-6
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 ORGANIZATION
NETCOM On-Line Communication Services, Inc. ("NETCOM" or the
"Company") was incorporated in the state of California in August
1992. In October 1994, the Company reincorporated in the state
of Delaware. The Company provides Internet solutions to
subscribers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
On January 21, 1998, the Company became a wholly owned subsidiary
of ICG Services, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, which is a wholly
owned subsidiary of ICG Communications, Inc. and ceased to exist
as an independent entity (see note 11).
NOTE 2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in
affiliated companies representing less than a 20% interest and
for which there is no ability to exert significant influence are
carried at cost.
Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Monthly subscription service revenue is recognized over the
period services are provided. One-time set-up fees and equipment
revenue, which require the use of Company-provided installation
of equipment at a subscriber's location, are recognized when the
monthly subscription service is commenced. The Company sells
equipment to customers without future obligation to purchase
service. A provision for estimated equipment returns is recorded
in the period the revenue is recognized.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an
original maturity (at the date of purchase) of three months or
less and insignificant interest rate risk to be the equivalent of
cash for the purposes of the balance sheet presentation and
statement of cash flows.
Accounts Receivable and Deferred Revenue
The Company generally bills for subscription service,
including direct access, Web site hosting and dial-up connection
services and initial one-time setup fees, on the first day of
each month for which service is provided. Deferred revenue
consists primarily of prepaid monthly subscriptions and also, to
a lesser extent, billings to customers for equipment shipped that
has not been installed at customer locations.
Inventory
Inventory consists of purchased goods and is stated at the
lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis.
F-7
<PAGE>
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated or
amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful life of the assets, which is generally three to five
years. Leasehold improvements are amortized by the straight-line
method over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the
term of the related lease. Equipment under capital leases is
depreciated on a straight-line basis over lease terms of thirty-
six months.
Deferred Subscriber Acquisition Costs
The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred,
except direct response advertising, which are included in
subscriber acquisition costs. Subscriber acquisition costs are
deferred and amortized over a period determined by calculating
the ratio of current revenue related to the direct response
advertising versus the total expected revenue, or twelve months,
whichever is shorter. These costs relate directly to subscriber
solicitations and principally include the printing, production
and shipping of starter packages and the costs of obtaining
qualified prospects by various targeted direct marketing
programs. No indirect costs are included in subscriber
acquisition costs. To date, all subscriber acquisition costs
have been incurred for the solicitation of specifically
identified prospects. It is possible that these estimates of
anticipated gross revenue could be reduced in the future based on
management's periodic evaluation of the estimates used. As a
result, the carrying value and/or the amortization period and
carrying value of the subscriber acquisition costs could be
reduced.
Deferred subscriber acquisition costs capitalized during
fiscal years 1996 and 1997 were $14,368,000 and $6,542,000,
respectively. Amortization and write-offs for fiscal years 1995,
1996 and 1997 were $2,755,000, $12,225,000 and $8,914,000,
respectively, and have been included in sales and marketing
expense in the Company's consolidated statement of operations.
The amounts charged to advertising expense were $4,534,000 in
1995, $7,526,000 in 1996 and $4,680,000 in 1997.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash
investments and trade receivables. The Company's cash investment
policies limit investments to short-term, low-risk instruments.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables
are limited due to the large number of customers comprising the
Company's customer base. During 1995, 1996, and 1997, the Company
incurred bad debt expense in the amount of $182,000, $1,851,000
and $1,511,000, respectively.
Translation Adjustments
The functional currency for all foreign operations is the
local currency. As such, all assets and liabilities denominated
in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate on the
balance sheet date. Revenue, costs, and expenses are translated
at weighted average rates of exchange prevailing during the
period. Translation adjustments are carried as a separate
component of stockholders' equity. Gains and losses resulting
from foreign currency transactions are included in income.
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement No. 128, ("SFAS 128") "Earnings Per Share."
Under SFAS 128, basic loss per share is computed on the basis of
weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted loss per
share considers potential common stock instruments in the
calculation. The Company adopted SFAS 128 for its fiscal year
ending December 31, 1997, including the requirement for
retroactive application. The adoption of SFAS 128 had no effect
on the Company's previously reported loss per share. Potential
F-8
<PAGE>
common stock instruments, which include options, are not included
in the loss per share calculation as their effect is anti-
dilutive.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
determined based on differences between the financial reporting
and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using
the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the
differences are expected to reverse.
NOTE 3 INVESTMENTS
The Company has classified all investments as available-for-
sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair market
value based on quoted market prices with unrealized gains and
losses, net of tax, reported in stockholders' equity. Realized
gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-
temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in
investment income. Interest on securities classified as
available-for-sale is included in investment income.
The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities
(in thousands):
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------
1996 1997
------- -------
Commercial paper . . . . . . . . $61,149 $61,119
Money market instruments, net of
overdrafts . . . . . . . . . . 7,265 1,173
Equity securities . . . . . . . . 849 --
------- -------
69,263 62,292
Included in cash and cash
equivalents . . . . . . . . . 68,414 62,292
------- -------
Included in short-term
investments . . . . . . . . . $ 849 $ --
======= =======
At December 31, 1996 and 1997, the estimated fair value of the
commercial paper and money market instruments approximated cost,
and the amount of gross unrealized gains and losses was not
significant. At December 31, 1996, the cost of equity securities
was $309,000 and unrealized gains totaled $540,000. All
commercial paper and money market instruments mature within one
year. During 1997, the Company recorded a realized gain on equity
securities of $1,274,000 (see note 5).
F-9
<PAGE>
NOTE 4 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consists of the following (in
thousands):
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
1996 1997
-------- --------
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 87,771 $100,807
Leasehold improvements . . . . . 7,893 8,617
Furniture, fixtures and other . . 10,286 11,895
Construction in process . . . . . 1,526 688
-------- --------
107,476 122,007
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization . . . . . . . . . (23,103) (49,062)
-------- --------
Net property and equipment . . . $ 84,373 $ 72,945
======== ========
Depreciation expense was $6,563,000, $16,873,000 and
$26,242,000 for 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Equipment
includes $6,393,000 of equipment under capital leases at December
31, 1997. Accumulated depreciation for such equipment was
$1,976,000 at December 31, 1997.
NOTE 5 ACQUISITIONS
In August 1995, the Company completed the acquisition of
Professional Internet Consulting, Inc. ("PICnet") pursuant to an
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization in a transaction accounted
for using the purchase method of accounting. As consideration
for all of the outstanding shares of PICnet, the Company issued
32,207 shares of its common stock at an approximate fair market
value of $31.05 per share with a total value of approximately
$1,000,000. Additionally, the Company acquired net liabilities
with a fair value of approximately $373,000. The resulting
consideration in excess of assets acquired totaling $1,373,000
represents the goodwill acquired. The goodwill was amortized
over a period of eighteen months and is fully amortized at
December 31, 1997. The results of PICnet have been included in
the consolidated financial statements beginning in August 1995.
In June 1995, the Company acquired common stock in The
McKinley Group, Inc. ("McKinley") in exchange for $1,200,000 cash
and $300,000 of common stock. In 1996 Excite, Inc. ("Excite")
acquired all of the outstanding shares of McKinley and the
Company received shares of Excite in exchange for its investment
in McKinley. The Company recorded a loss of $1,200,000 in 1996
to reflect the estimated value of the shares received. During
1997, the Company sold the Excite shares for a net gain of
$1,274,000.
NOTE 6 INDUSTRY SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company operates in one principal industry segment, as a
provider of Internet solutions, and markets its services
internationally through foreign subsidiaries. The Company's
services are provided primarily to the individual and small
business markets.
F-10
<PAGE>
Geographic financial information is as follows (in thousands):
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
--------- --------- ---------
Revenue:
United States . . . . $ 52,422 $ 118,055 $ 147,467
Canada . . . . . . . . -- 1,882 8,164
United Kingdom . . . . -- 603 4,979
Other . . . . . . . . -- -- 50
--------- --------- ---------
Consolidated . . . . $ 52,422 $ 120,540 $ 160,660
========= ========= =========
Loss from operations:
United States . . . . $ (15,263) $ (34,697) $ (20,346)
Canada . . . . . . . . (367) (5,048) (4,259)
United Kingdom . . . . (616) (8,978) (8,580)
Other . . . . . . . . -- -- (4,623)
--------- --------- ---------
Consolidated . . . . $ (16,246) $ (48,723) $ (37,808)
========= ========= =========
Identifiable assets:
United States . . . . $ 199,208 $ 153,564 $ 134,031
Canada . . . . . . . . 2,237 4,909 5,520
United Kingdom . . . . 1,235 11,161 7,296
Other . . . . . . . . -- -- --
--------- --------- ---------
Consolidated . . . . $ 202,680 $ 169,634 $ 146,847
========= ========= =========
Intersegment sales and transfers are not material. Revenue is
based on the location of the entity providing service. Loss from
operations represents total revenue less costs and expenses, and
does not include other income or provision for income taxes.
Identifiable assets of geographic areas are those assets used in
the Company's operations in each area. In September 1996, the
Company signed a letter of intent for a joint venture agreement
with a Brazilian conglomerate. Prior to the formation of the
joint venture in August 1997, the Company incurred joint marketing
expenses of $350,000 and $1,439,000 in 1996 and 1997, respectively.
During 1997, the Company recorded $579,000 as its share of operating
losses relating to the joint venture, which have been included in
sales and marketing expense in the Company's consolidated
statement of operations. During December 1997, the Company
transferred its interest in the Brazilian joint venture to its
partner, Grupo Itamarati. The Company's losses in International
operations were related primarily to start up costs.
NOTE 7 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims which
have arisen in the ordinary course of its business and have not
been finally adjudicated. In the opinion of management,
settlement of these actions when ultimately concluded will not
have a material adverse effect on trends in results of operations
or the financial condition of the Company. This conclusion is
based upon current facts and circumstances, however, and it is
possible that a change in the facts and circumstances relating to
such legal proceedings and claims could result in a development
that would have a material adverse effect on the results of
operations or financial condition of the Company.
F-11
<PAGE>
Operating Lease Obligations
The Company has operating leases for all of its premises. The
Company's rental expenses under operating leases in the years
ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 totaled approximately
$1,603,000, $5,152,000 and $6,192,000, respectively. Future
minimum lease payments for all leases are as follows (in
thousands):
FISCAL YEARS
------------
1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,168
1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,553
2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,324
2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,475
2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 848
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . 278
-------
Total minimum lease payments . . $16,646
=======
Telecommunications Lines
The Company has guaranteed monthly usage levels with its
primary communications vendor. The yearly commitment in each of
the years 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 is $9,300,000, $9,300,000,
$7,550,000 and $4,200,000, respectively. These amounts are
exclusive of usage discounts.
Capital Lease Obligations
The Company leases a portion of its equipment under capital
lease agreements with leasing companies in the United States and
Canada. Future minimum payments under all capital leases are as
follows (in thousands):
FISCAL YEARS
------------
1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,223
1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,194
2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 816
-------
Total capital lease obligations . . 7,233
Less: amount representing interest (1,192)
-------
Present value of capital lease
obligations . . . . . . . . . . 6,041
Less: current portion . . . . . . (2,491)
-------
Total minimum lease payments . . . $ 3,550
=======
NOTE 8 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," (APB
25) and related Interpretations in accounting for its employee
stock awards because, as discussed below, the alternative fair
value accounting provided for under SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation," requires use of option valuation
models that were not developed for use in valuing employee stock
options. Under APB 25, when the exercise price of the Company's
employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying
stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is
recognized.
F-12
<PAGE>
1993 Stock Option Plan
In 1993, the Company approved and adopted its 1993 Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan is administered by the Stock
Option Committee of the Board of Directors. The Plan provides for
the granting of options to purchase common stock to eligible
employees, directors and consultants of the Company. A total of
3,153,571 shares of common stock may be issued pursuant to
options granted under the Plan. The options generally vest over
three to five year periods and are exercisable for up to ten
years following the date of grant.
The following table summarizes stock option activity:
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
-----------------------
WEIGHTED
NUMBER AVERAGE
OF EXERCISE
SHARES PRICE
---------- ------
Balance at December 31, 1994 . . . . 698,200 $ 5.83
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,265,600 $30.33
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . (258,500) $ 2.57
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . (19,900) $19.94
---------- ------
Balance at December 31, 1995 . . . . 1,685,400 $24.56
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . 848,700 $25.95
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . (193,400) $ 6.08
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . (449,700) $28.70
---------- ------
Balance at December 31, 1996 . . . . 1,891,000 $26.09
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,122,100 $13.90
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . (89,600) $11.18
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,021,400) $25.75
---------- ------
Balance at December 31, 1997 . . . . 1,902,100 $13.52
========== ======
At December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, approximately 335,600,
588,200 and 573,300 options, respectively, were exercisable under
the Plan.
In addition, in January 1994, the Company granted options,
under individual stock option agreements, to purchase 562,500 and
62,500 shares of common stock (of which 40,200 shares expired
upon the director's resignation in October 1994) at an exercise
price per share of $0.80 to the Company's former Chairman of the
Board and Chief Technical Officer and a former director of the
Company, respectively. These options, which were granted outside
the Plan, vested in full upon the Company's December 1994 public
offering. During 1995, 291,400 of the options were exercised
outside the Plan. The remaining 293,400 options were exercised
during 1996.
F-13
<PAGE>
The following table summarizes information about the Company's
stock options outstanding at December 31, 1997:
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
----------------------------------------------
WEIGHTED AVERAGE WEIGHTED
RANGE OF NUMBER REMAINING AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICES OUTSTANDING CONTRACTUAL LIFE EXERCISE PRICE
--------------- ----------- ---------------- --------------
$2.24 12,500 6.25 $ 2.24
$4.48 1,800 6.36 $ 4.48
$7.84 - $11.20 345,000 8.83 $ 9.62
$12.13 - $17.25 1,432,100 9.25 $13.97
$18.75 - $27.00 108,400 9.61 $21.05
$35.88 - $40.25 2,300 7.93 $37.46
---------
$2.24 - $40.25 1,902,100 9.17 $13.52
=========
OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
----------------------------
WEIGHTED
RANGE OF NUMBER AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICES EXERCISABLE EXERCISE PRICE
---------------- ----------- --------------
$2.24 12,500 $ 2.24
$4.48 1,800 $ 4.48
$7.84 - $11.20 91,500 $ 8.83
$12.13 - $17.25 456,100 $13.65
$18.75 - $27.00 10,300 $23.85
$35.88 - $40.25 1,100 $37.73
-------
$2.24 - $40.25 573,300 $12.83
=======
During 1996 and 1997, certain outstanding options were
exchanged at the election of the option holder. In September
1996, 67,408 shares were exchanged and repriced for 39,995 shares
and in January 1997, 457,846 shares were exchanged and repriced
for 272,084 shares. On the effective date of the trade in,
eligible options were issued at a price lower than the traded in
option and at a price higher than the market value. The trade in
ratio was set such that the number of old options times their
option price approximates the new number of options times their
exercise price. This program was offered to all employees
excluding members of the Board of Directors and Officers of the
Company. However, option holders participating in the first
exchange were not eligible for the second program.
During May 1997, 1,182,374 outstanding options were exchanged
at the election of certain stock option holders and repriced for
632,546 options. This was offered to all employees including
members of the Board of Directors and officers of the Company.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In 1994, the Board of Directors of the Company approved and
adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP") to provide
employees of the Company with an opportunity to purchase common
stock through payroll deductions. Under the ESPP, 200,000 shares
of common stock were reserved for issuance, subject to anti-
dilution adjustments. The ESPP was effective upon the
effectiveness of the Company's initial public offering in
December 1994. Each offering period under the ESPP was six
months long, although the Board of Directors had the authority to
determine the duration of offering periods, up to a maximum of 27
months. Eligible employees could participate in the ESPP by
authorizing payroll deductions of an amount determined by the
Board of Directors. The amount of authorized payroll deductions
could not be less than 1% nor more than 10% of an employee's
initial cash compensation, not to exceed $25,000 per year.
Amounts withheld were applied at the end of every six-month
accumulation period to purchase shares of common stock, but not
more than 2,500 shares, or such other number of shares as the
Board of Directors determined.
Participants could withdraw their contributions at any time
before stock was purchased, and such contributions were returned
to the participants without interest. The purchase price was
equal to 85% of the lower of (i) the market price of common stock
immediately before the beginning of the applicable period or (ii)
the market price of common stock at the time of the purchase. As
of December 31, 1996 and 1997, 75,400 and 138,000 shares of
common stock were purchased under the ESPP, respectively.
The Company's ESPP was dissolved in conjunction with NETCOM's
merger with ICG Communications, Inc. (see note 11).
F-14
<PAGE>
Pro Forma Information
In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
("FASB") issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation." The Company adopted SFAS No. 123 in 1996. As
allowed by SFAS No. 123, the Company applies APB 25 for purposes
of determining net loss and provides the pro forma disclosure
requirements of SFAS No. 123. Pro forma information regarding
net loss per share as required by SFAS No. 123, also requires
that the information be determined as if the Company has
accounted for its employee stock options (including shares issued
under the stock purchase plan) granted subsequent to December 31,
1994 under the fair value method. The fair value for these
options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions for 1995, 1996 and 1997: risk-free interest rate of
6%, a zero percent dividend yield, volatility factor of the
expected market price of the Company's common stock of 80% for
all three years; and a weighted average expected life of the
option of 1.6 years from vest date.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use
in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no
vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition,
option valuation models require the input of highly subjective
assumptions including the expected stock price volatility.
Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics
significantly different from those of traded options, and because
changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect
the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing
models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of
the fair value of its employee stock options.
The weighted average estimated fair value of stock options
granted during 1995, 1996 and 1997 was $18.44, $16.73 and $11.94
per share, respectively. The weighted average estimated fair
value of shares granted under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
during 1995, 1996 and 1997 was $7.18, $5.75 and $4.86,
respectively.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair
value of the options is amortized to expense over the options'
vesting period. The Company's pro forma information follows (in
thousands except for earnings per share information):
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------
1995 1996 1997
------ ------ ------
Net loss -- as reported . . $(14,064) $(44,265) $(33,092)
======== ======== ========
Net loss -- pro forma . . . $(18,879) $(56,143) $(37,962)
======== ======== ========
Net loss per share -- as
reported . . . . . . . . $ (1.68) $ (3.85) $ (2.82)
======== ======== ========
Net loss per share -- pro
forma . . . . . . . . . $ (2.26) $ (4.88) $ (3.24)
======== ======== ========
The effect on pro forma disclosures of applying SFAS No. 123
are not likely to be representative of the effects on pro forma
disclosures in future years.
F-15
<PAGE>
Employee Savings Plan
The Company has a savings plan (the "Savings Plan") that
qualifies as a deferred salary arrangement under Section 401(k)
of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the Savings Plan,
participating employees may defer a portion of their pretax
earnings, up to the Internal Revenue Service annual contribution
limit. Prior to 1997, the Company matched 50% of each employee's
contributions up to a maximum of 6% of the employee's eligible
earnings. During 1997, the Company began matching 100% of each
employee's contributions up to a maximum of 3% of the employee's
eligible earnings. Company matches vest over four years.
NOTE 9 INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes for 1995, 1996 and 1997 in the
amount of $15,000, $23,000 and $38,000, respectively, consists
entirely of international and state minimum taxes since the
Company incurred pre-tax losses in each year.
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets
and liabilities for federal and state income taxes are as follows
(in thousands):
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
1996 1997
-------- --------
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss
carryforwards . . . . . $ 27,829 $ 43,016
Deferred revenue . . . . . 1,087 1,932
Other, net . . . . . . . . 3,503 2,877
-------- --------
Total deferred tax assets . 32,419 47,825
Valuation allowance . . . (31,104) (44,598)
-------- --------
$ 1,315 $ 3,227
======== ========
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred subscriber
acquisition costs . . . $ (1,153) $ (939)
Accumulated depreciation
and amortization . . . . (162) (2,288)
-------- --------
$ (1,315) $ (3,227)
======== ========
Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on future
earnings, the timing and amount of which are uncertain.
Accordingly, a valuation allowance, in an amount equal to the net
deferred tax assets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 has been
established to reflect these uncertainties. The change in the
valuation allowance was a net increase of $24,446,000 and
$13,494,000 in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Approximately
$124,000 of the valuation allowance at December 31, 1997 is
attributable to the tax benefits of disqualifying dispositions of
stock received through incentive stock options and the Company's
employee stock purchase plan, the benefit of which will be
credited to additional paid-in capital when realized.
F-16
<PAGE>
At December 31, 1997, the Company had federal, state and
foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately
$89,000,000, $37,000,000 and $27,000,000, respectively, which
will expire in the years 1999 through 2011. Under the Tax Reform
Act of 1986, the amounts and benefits of net operating losses
that can be carried forward may be impaired in certain
circumstances, including a cumulative change of more than 50%
over a three year period. The Agreement and Plan of Merger, as
amended, with ICG Communications, Inc. which was consummated on
January 21, 1998 (see note 11) resulted in a change in ownership
greater than 50%. Accordingly, the Company's net operating loss
carryforwards incurred prior to January 21, 1998 that can be
utilized to reduce future taxable income are limited to
approximately $15 million per year.
NOTE 10 RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES
Restructuring and related charges of $1,879,000 during 1997
are the result of a decision by management to restructure
operations of the Company's subsidiary in the United Kingdom.
The charge includes $1,356,000 in accrued expenses for costs to
terminate excess leased office facilities and a write-off of
office equipment, furniture and building improvements as a result
of consolidating office space, a $356,000 write-down of
previously capitalized deferred subscriber acquisition costs and
$167,000 for severance costs relating to approximately twelve
employees.
The following table depicts the activity in the Company's
restructuring accrual at December 31, 1997 (in thousands):
EXPENDI-
ADDITIONS TURES BALANCE AT
DURING DURING DECEMBER 31,
1997 1997 1997
--------- -------- ------------
Payments on canceled or
vacated facilities . . . $588 $456 $132
Payments for legal and
other support . . . . . 132 132 --
Payments to employees
involuntarily
terminated . . . . . . . 167 135 32
---- ---- ----
Total restructuring
accrual . . . . . . . . $887 $723 $164
==== ==== ====
NOTE 11 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Agreement and Plan of Merger with ICG Communications, Inc.
On October 12, 1997, the Company entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger, as amended (the "Merger Agreement"), with ICG
Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("ICG"), pursuant to
which ICG agreed to acquire the Company through a tax-free merger
(the "Merger") of a newly formed Delaware subsidiary of ICG with
and into the Company. On January 21, 1998, all contingencies of
the merger were satisfied and the Merger was consummated. Under
the terms of the Merger Agreement, each share of the Company's
common stock has been exchanged for 0.8628 shares of common stock
of ICG ("ICG Common Stock"). The Company became a wholly owned
subsidiary of ICG Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which
is a wholly owned subsidiary of ICG Communications, Inc., and
ceased to exist as an independent entity. As a result of the
merger of NETCOM with a subsidiary of ICG, NETCOM's historical
earnings per share included in the statement of operations should
not be considered indicative of future earnings per share of the
Company.
On December 31, 1997, there were $1,500,000 of deferred merger
expenses included in prepaid expenses which were subsequently
expensed in January 1998.
F-17
<PAGE>
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND MARCH 31, 1998
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
1997 1998
---------------- --------------
ASSETS (IN THOUSANDS)
------
Current assets:
Cash and cash
equivalents . . . . . $ 63,368 330,977
Short-term investments
available for sale . . -- 12,000
Accounts receivable, net
of allowance of $1,628
and $2,020 at December
31, 1997 and March 31,
1998, respectively . 2,397 3,766
Inventory . . . . . . . 341 385
Prepaid expenses and
deposits . . . . . . . 3,554 2,497
------- -------
Total current assets 69,660 349,625
------- -------
Property and equipment . 122,007 131,863
Less accumulated
depreciation . . . . . (49,062) (57,318)
------- -------
Net property and
equipment . . . . . 72,945 74,545
------- -------
Other assets, net of
accumulated
amortization: . . . . .
Deferred financing costs -- 9,499
Deferred subscriber
acquisition costs . . 3,115 3,551
Other . . . . . . . . . 1,127 933
------- -------
Total other assets . 4,242 13,983
------- -------
Total assets . . $146,847 438,153
======= =======
(Continued)
F-18
<PAGE>
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
1997 1998
--------------- ------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (IN THOUSANDS)
----------------------------
EQUITY
------
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable . . . . . . . $ 9,314 12,712
Accrued liabilities . . . . . . 13,987 13,518
Due to ICG (note 5) . . . . . . -- 1,990
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . 5,170 5,404
Current portion of capital lease
obligations . . . . . . . . . 2,491 2,476
------- -------
Total current liabilities . . 30,962 36,100
------- -------
Capital lease obligations, less
current portion . . . . . . . . 3,550 3,600
Long-term debt, net of discount,
less current portion (note 3) . -- 304,443
------- -------
Total liabilities . . . . . . . 34,512 344,143
------- -------
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock . . . . . . . . . 117 --
Additional paid-in capital . . 207,208 207,798
Accumulated deficit . . . . . . (95,134) (114,037)
Accumulated other comprehensive
income . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 249
------- -------
Total stockholders' equity . 112,335 94,010
------- -------
Commitments and contingencies
(note 6)
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $ 146,847 438,153
======== ========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-19
<PAGE>
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
----------------------------
1997 1998
---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Revenue . . . . . . . . . . $ 39,005 40,534
Operating costs and expenses:
Operating costs
(excluding depreciation). 23,380 25,654
Selling, marketing,
general and administrative
expenses . . . . . . . . 20,237 17,657
Depreciation and
amortization . . . . . . 5,844 7,267
Net gain on disposal of
long-lived assets . . . (322) --
Merger costs . . . . . . -- 7,746
------ -------
Total operating costs
and expenses . . . . . 49,139 58,324
Operating loss . . . . (10,134) (17,790)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense . . . . (42) (4,360)
Interest income . . . . . 964 3,260
Other, net . . . . . . . 8 --
------ -------
930 (1,100)
------ -------
Loss before
income taxes . . . . . . . (9,204) (18,890)
Income tax
expense . . . . . . . . . (7) (13)
------ -------
Net loss . . . . . . . $ (9,211) (18,903)
====== =======
Other comprehensive
(loss) income:
Foreign currency
translation adjustment . (378) 105
Unrealized loss on
investment securities . (221) --
------ -------
Other comprehensive
(loss) income . . . . (599) 105
Comprehensive loss . $ (9,810) (18,798)
====== ========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-20
<PAGE>
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL
----------------------- PAID-IN
SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL
-------- -------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCES AT JANUARY
1, 1998 . . . . . . 11,783 $ 117 207,208
Shares issued
for cash
in connection
with the
exercise
of NETCOM's
options and
warrants
(note 3) . . . . . 10 -- 341
Shares issued
for cash in
connection
with NETCOM's
employee stock
purchase plan
(note 3) . . . . . 28 1 131
Elimination of
NETCOM's
historical
equity in
connection
with NETCOM's
merger with
ICG (note 3) . . . (11,821) (118) (102,349)
Contribution of
ICG's investment
in NETCOM to ICG
Services, Inc.
(note 3) . . . . . -- -- 102,467
Cumulative foreign
currency
translation
adjustment . . . . -- -- --
Net loss . . . . . -- -- --
------ ------ ------
BALANCES AT
MARCH 31, 1998 . . . -- $ -- 207,798
====== ====== =======
ACCUMULATED
OTHER TOTAL
ACCUMULATED COMPREHENSIVE STOCKHOLDERS'
DEFICIT INCOME EQUITY
----------- ------------ -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCES AT JANUARY (95,134) 144 112,335
1, 1998 . . . . .
Shares issued
for cash
in connection
with the
exercise
of NETCOM's
options and
warrants
(note 3) . . . . -- -- 341
Shares issued
for cash in
connection
with NETCOM's
employee stock
purchase plan
(note 3) . . . . -- -- 132
Elimination of
NETCOM's
historical
equity in
connection
with NETCOM's
merger with
ICG (note 3) . . -- -- (102,467)
Contribution of
ICG's investment
in NETCOM to ICG
Services, Inc.
(note 3) . . . . -- -- 102,467
Cumulative foreign
currency
translation
adjustment . . . -- 105 105
Net loss . . . . (18,903) -- (18,903)
-------- ------ -------
BALANCES AT
MARCH 31, 1998 . . (114,037) 249 94,010
======== ====== =======
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-21
<PAGE>
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
----------------------------
1997 1998
------------ -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Cash flows from operating
activities:
Net loss . . . . . . . . . $ (9,211) (18,903)
Adjustments to
reconcile net
loss to net cash used by
operating activities:
Depreciation and
amortization . . . . . . 5,844 7,267
Interest expense
deferred
and included in
long-term debt . . . . . -- 3,872
Amortization of
deferred subscriber
acquisition costs
included in selling,
marketing, general and
administrative
expenses . . . . . . . . 3,040 1,589
Amortization of
deferred
financing costs
included in interest
expense . . . . . . . . -- 76
Net gain on disposal of
long-lived assets . . . (322) --
Change in operating
assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable . . (634) (1,369)
Inventory . . . . . . . (24) (44)
Prepaid expenses
and deposits . . . . . 316 1,057
Deferred subscriber
acquisition costs . . (1,263) (2,048)
Accounts payable
and accrued
liabilities . . . . . (936) 2,929
Due to ICG . . . . . . -- 1,990
Deferred revenue . . . 675 234
------- ------
Net cash used by
operating
activities . . . . . (2,515) (3,350)
------- ------
Cash flows from investing
activities:
Acquisition of
property, equipment
and other assets . . . . . (2,056) (7,641)
Proceeds from
disposition
of property,
equipment and
other assets . . . . . . . 756 70
Purchase of
short-term
investments . . . . . . . -- (12,000)
------- ------
Net cash used
by investing
activities . . . . . . . (1,300) (19,571)
------- ------
Cash flows from financing
activities:
Proceeds from
issuance of
common stock:
Exercise of
options and
warrants . . . . . . . . -- 341
Employee stock
purchase plan . . . . . 477 132
Proceeds from
issuance of
long-term debt . . . . . . 1,578 300,571
Deferred
long-term debt
issuance costs . . . . . . -- (9,575)
Principal payments
on capital
lease obligations . . . . (105) (956)
------- ------
Net cash provided
by financing
activities . . . . . . . 1,950 290,513
------- -------
Net (decrease)
increase in cash
and cash
equivalents . . . . . . (1,865) 267,592
Effect of
exchange rates
on cash . . . . . . . . 1 17
Cash and cash
equivalents,
beginning of
period . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,408 63,368
------- -------
Cash and cash
equivalents,
end of period . . . . . . . . $ 71,544 330,977
======= =======
Supplemental disclosure of
cash flow information:
Cash paid for
interest . . . . . . . . . $ 42 412
======= =======
Cash paid for
income taxes . . . . . . . $ 7 13
======= =======
Supplemental schedule of non-cash
financing and investing activity --
assets acquired under capital
leases . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,225 991
======= =======
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-22
<PAGE>
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND MARCH 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED)
(1) ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS
ICG Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("ICG Services"
or "the Company"), was incorporated on January 23, 1998 and
is a wholly owned subsidiary of ICG Communications, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("ICG"). The Company owns all of the
issued and outstanding common stock of NETCOM On-Line
Communication Services, Inc. ("NETCOM"), as described in
note 3. NETCOM was incorporated in the state of California
in August 1992 and reincorporated in the state of Delaware
in October 1994. NETCOM is considered to be a predecessor
entity to the Company and, accordingly, the financial
statements of the Company prior to January 23, 1998 are the
historical consolidated financial statements of NETCOM.
Through NETCOM, the Company provides Internet access
services, World Wide Web (the "Web") site hosting services
and other value-added connectivity services, which are
primarily targeted to small and medium-sized business
customers in the United States, Canada and the United
Kingdom.
On January 23, 1998, ICG Equipment, Inc., a Colorado
corporation ("ICG Equipment") and wholly owned subsidiary of
the Company, was formed for the principal purpose of
purchasing telecommunications equipment, software and
capacity and related services for sale and lease to other
operating subsidiaries of ICG. ICG Equipment conducted no
material operations for the periods presented.
(2) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(A) BASIS OF PRESENTATION
These financial statements should be read in conjunction
with NETCOM's audited consolidated financial statements
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, as certain
information and note disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles have been
condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission. The interim financial statements reflect all
adjustments which are, in the opinion of management,
necessary for a fair presentation of financial position,
results of operations and cash flows as of and for the
interim periods presented. Such adjustments are of a
normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three
months ended March 31, 1998 are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1998.
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated in consolidation.
(B) CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AVAILABLE
FOR SALE
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with
original maturities of three months or less to be cash
equivalents. The Company invests primarily in high grade
short-term investments which consist of money market
instruments, commercial paper, certificates of deposit,
government obligations and corporate bonds, all of which
are considered to be available for sale and generally
have maturities of one year or less. The Company's
short-term investment objectives are safety, liquidity
and yield, in that order. The Company carries all cash
equivalents at cost, which approximates fair value.
Short-term investments available for sale are carried at
fair market value based on quoted market prices with
unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a
separate component of stockholders' equity. Realized
gains and losses and declines in value judged to be
other than temporary are included in the statement of
operations.
F-23
<PAGE>
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(2) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
(C) INVENTORY
Inventory, consisting of communications systems
equipment, is recorded at the lower of cost or market,
using the first-in, first-out method of accounting for
cost.
(D) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Costs of
construction are capitalized, including interest costs
related to construction. Equipment held under capital
leases is stated at the lower of the fair value of the
asset or the net present value of the minimum lease
payments at the inception of the lease. For equipment
held under capital leases, depreciation is provided using
the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives
of the assets owned, or the related lease term, whichever
is shorter.
Estimated useful lives of major categories of property
and equipment are as follows:
Office furniture and equipment 3 to 5 years
Machinery and equipment 3 to 8 years
Switch equipment 10 years
(E) DEFERRED SUBSCRIBER ACQUISITION COSTS
The Company expenses the costs of advertising as
incurred, except direct response advertising expenses
relating to Internet services which are included in
deferred subscriber acquisition costs. Subscriber
acquisition costs are deferred and amortized over a
period determined by calculating the ratio of current
revenue related to the direct response advertising versus
the total expected revenue, or 12 months, whichever is
shorter. These costs relate directly to subscriber
solicitations and principally include the printing,
production and shipping of starter packages and the costs
of obtaining qualified prospects by various targeted
direct marketing programs. No indirect costs are
included in subscriber acquisition costs. To date, all
subscriber acquisition costs have been incurred for the
solicitation of specifically identified prospects. It is
possible that these estimates of anticipated gross
revenue could be reduced in the future based on
management's current evaluation of the estimates used.
As a result, the carrying value and/or the amortization
period of the subscriber acquisition costs could be
reduced in the future.
(F) DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS
Amortization of deferred financing costs is provided
over the life of the related financing agreement, the
maximum term of which is 10 years.
(G) IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The Company provides for the impairment of long-lived
assets pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be
Disposed Of ("SFAS 121") which requires that long-lived
assets and certain identifiable intangibles held and
used by an entity be reviewed for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.
F-24
<PAGE>
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(2) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
impairment loss is recognized when estimated
undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated
by the asset is less than its carrying value.
Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair
value of the asset, which is generally determined using
valuation techniques such as the discounted present
value of expected future cash flows.
(H) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENTS
The functional currency for all foreign operations is the
local currency. As such, all assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the
exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenue and
costs and expenses are translated at weighted average
rates of exchange prevailing during the period.
Translation adjustments are included in other
comprehensive income and recorded as a separate component
of stockholders' equity. Gains and losses resulting from
foreign currency transactions are included in operations
and are not significant for the periods presented.
(I) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income
("SFAS 130"), which establishes standards for the
presentation of comprehensive income in the financial
statements. Comprehensive income includes income and
loss components which are otherwise recorded directly to
stockholders' equity under generally accepted accounting
principles. The Company adopted SFAS 130 effective
January 1, 1998 and has reported accumulated other
comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets and the components of other comprehensive
(loss) income in the accompanying statements of
operations.
(J) REVENUE RECOGNITION
Monthly subscription service revenue is recognized over
the period services are provided. One-time set-up fees
and equipment revenue, which require the use of Company-
provided installation of equipment at an Internet
subscriber's location, are recognized when the monthly
subscription service is commenced. The Company sells
equipment to customers without future obligation to purchase
service. A provision for estimated equipment returns is
recorded in the period the revenue is recognized.
Uncollectible trade receivables are
accounted for using the allowance method.
Deferred revenue includes monthly advance billings to
customers for Internet services provided and also, to a
lesser extent, billings to customers for equipment
shipped that has not been installed at customer
locations.
(K) INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes ("SFAS
109"). Under the asset and liability method of SFAS 109,
deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for
the future tax consequences attributable to differences
between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences
are expected to be recovered or settled. Under SFAS 109,
the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the
period that includes the enactment date.
F-25
<PAGE>
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(2) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
(L) NET LOSS PER SHARE
The Company has 10 shares of common stock issued and
outstanding, which are owned entirely by ICG.
Accordingly, the Company does not present net loss per
share in its consolidated financial statements as such
disclosure is not meaningful.
(M) USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting
periods. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
(3) BUSINESS COMBINATION
On January 21, 1998, ICG completed a merger with NETCOM,
accounted for by ICG as a pooling of interests. At the
effective time of the merger, each outstanding share of
NETCOM common stock became automatically convertible into
shares of ICG common stock at an exchange ratio of 0.8628
shares of ICG common stock per NETCOM common share. In
conjunction with the merger between ICG and NETCOM, NETCOM's
employee stock purchase plan was dissolved and all
outstanding options to purchase common stock of NETCOM were
converted into options to purchase common stock of ICG.
For the three months ended March 31, 1998, NETCOM recorded
approximately $7.7 million of merger and restructuring costs.
These costs consist of $4.4 million of investment advisory,
legal and accounting fees, $2.6 million of expense relating
to penalties and the abandonment of projects resulting from
the merger and $0.7 million of other costs associated with
the merger.
In conjunction with the merger, NETCOM established an
incentive bonus plan to retain certain key employees
through the critical period of business integration. For
those participating employees who remain in service at key
milestone dates after the merger date, the bonus plan
provides for payment of a designated percentage of
the employee's total bonus. NETCOM paid approximately
$0.4 million to employees under the incentive bonus plan
during the three months ended March 31, 1998 and expects to
pay an additional $1.2 million under the incentive bonus plan.
The Company charges incentive bonus payments, as incurred, to
selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses in the
statement of operations.
Upon the formation of ICG Services on January 23, 1998, ICG
contributed its investment in NETCOM to ICG Services and
NETCOM became a wholly owned subsidiary of, and predecessor
entity to, ICG Services.
(4) LONG-TERM DEBT
(A) 10% NOTES
On February 12, 1998, the Company completed a private
placement of 10% Senior Discount Notes due 2008 (the
"10% Notes") for gross proceeds of approximately $300.6
million. Net proceeds from the offering, after
underwriting and other offering costs of approximately
$9.6 million, were approximately $291.0 million.
The 10% Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the
Company that mature on February 15, 2008, at a maturity
value of $490.0 million. Interest will accrue at 10%
per annum, beginning February 15, 2003, and is payable
each February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15,
2003. The indenture for the 10% Notes contains certain
covenants which provide limitations on indebtedness,
dividends, asset sales and certain other transactions.
The 10% Notes were originally recorded at approximately
$300.6 million. The discount on the 10% Notes is being
accreted through February 15, 2003, the date on which
the 10% Notes may first be redeemed. The accretion of
F-26
<PAGE>
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(4) LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
the discount and debt issuance costs is included in
interest expense in the accompanying consolidated
financial statements.
(B) 9 7/8% NOTES
On April 27, 1998, the Company completed a private
placement of 9 7/8% Senior Discount Notes due 2008 (the
"9 7/8% Notes") for gross proceeds of approximately
$250.0 million. Net proceeds from the offering, after
underwriting costs of approximately $7.5 million, were
approximately $242.5 million.
The 9 7/8% Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the
Company that mature on May 1, 2008, at a maturity value
of $405.3 million. Interest will accrue at 9 7/8% per
annum, beginning May 1, 2003, and is payable each May 1
and November 1, commencing November 1, 2003. The
indenture for the 9 7/8% Notes contains certain
covenants which provide limitations on indebtedness,
dividends, asset sales and certain other transactions.
The 9 7/8% Notes were originally recorded at
approximately $250.0 million. The discount on the
9 7/8% Notes will be accreted through May 1, 2003, the
date on which the 9 7/8% Notes may first be redeemed.
(5) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Upon the formation of ICG Services, the Company entered into
certain intercompany and shared services agreements with
ICG, whereby ICG allocates to the Company direct and certain
indirect costs incurred by ICG or its other subsidiaries
(the "Restricted Subsidiaries") on behalf of the Company.
Allocated expenses generally include a portion of salaries
and related benefits of legal, accounting and finance,
information systems support and other ICG employees, certain
overhead costs and reimbursement for invoices of the Company
paid by ICG. Conversely, any cash collected by ICG on
behalf of the Company or invoices paid by the Company on
behalf of ICG are in turn reimbursed to the Company by ICG.
As the Company and its subsidiaries and ICG and its
Restricted Subsidiaries jointly enter into service offerings
and other transactions, joint costs incurred are generally
allocated to each of the Company and ICG according to the
relative capital invested and efforts expended of each
party. All transactions between the Company and its
subsidiaries and ICG and its Restricted Subsidiaries are
approved by the Board of Directors of each Company entity.
The above agreements also apply to transactions between ICG
Equipment and ICG. ICG Equipment was formed for the principal
purpose of purchasing telecommunications equipment, software
and capacity and related services for sale and lease to other
operating subsidiaries of ICG. ICG Equipment conducted no
material operations for the periods presented.
For the three months ended March 31, 1998, ICG charged
approximately $1.6 million to the Company for intercompany
transfers and direct and indirect costs incurred by ICG and
its Restricted Subsidiaries on behalf of the Company. In
addition, the Company charged approximately $0.7 million to
ICG and its Restricted Subsidiaries for intercompany
transfers and direct and indirect costs incurred by the
Company on behalf of ICG and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
The resulting net payable to ICG is included in due to ICG
in the Company's consolidated balance sheet at March 31,
1998.
F-27
<PAGE>
ICG SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(6) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company has entered into various equipment purchase
agreements with certain of its vendors. Under these
agreements, if the Company does not meet a minimum purchase
level in any given year, the vendor may discontinue certain
discounts, allowances and incentives otherwise provided to
the Company. In addition, the agreements may be terminated
by either the Company or the vendor upon prior written
notice. Additionally, the Company has entered into certain
commitments to purchase capital assets with an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $36.5 million at March 31,
1998.
The Company is a party to certain litigation which has
arisen in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of
management, the ultimate resolution of these matters will
not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
F-28
